Wildcat Weekly

Website: https://www.ksb.kyschools.us
Location: 1867 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 897-1583

Fax: (502) 897-2850
Facebook: facebook.com/KYschoolfortheblind/
Twitter: @KSBWildcats

Last week was quite the week. Here in Louisville we didn’t get a ton of snow, just bitter cold temperatures. For those of you in other parts of the state, I know you experienced a good amount of snow. The following will now be make up school days for students: February 19th and 20th, March 15th, and April 8th. Please mark your calendars; we will make sure bus drivers are aware and updated as well.

Our cheerleaders and wrestlers are heading to the Illinois School for the Blind for the NCASB Cheer and Wrestling Tournament the 26th and 27th. Go Wildcats!!!

On February 20th, the Kentucky Center for Safe Schools will be on KSB’s campus to conduct a safety assessment. Part of the assessment is a Parent Survey and a Student Survey. Students in middle and high school will complete the surveys next week at school. A link to the Parent Survey is below and we very much want to know your views and any problems that need to be addressed. Thank you for your help! Safe School Assessment Survey

Congratulations to our students of the week: Cherish M. (high school), Nicholas F (middle school), Asher W (elementary) and Mahogany T. (athlete)

Have a great weekend and take good care!

Peggy

Principal

Kentucky School for the Blind

• February 22: Braille Challenge

Due to the time off last week, school will now be in session the following days which were initially scheduled to be non-student days

• Monday, February 19
• Tuesday, February 20
• Friday, March 15
• Monday, April 8

If you have any change in phone numbers, home address, a change in bus routine or you need someone added/removed from your child’s safe pick-up list; please contact Beth or Linda in the front office.

Are you signed up for OneCall? KSB uses OneCall to send school information, including our Weekly Wildcat. If not, please contact Beth Baker at beth.baker@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583

SB summer program registration is open!

Summer program dates are as follows:

• Elementary & Middle School (K-8) for KSB full-time students ONLY: May 28 - May 31
• Elementary & Middle School (K-8) for all blind/visually impaired students statewide [including KSB full-time students]: June 3 - June 7
• High School (9-12) for all blind/visually impaired students statewide [including KSB full-time students]: June 10 - June 14
• High School (9-12) for KSB full-time students ONLY: June 17 - June 21

Register your student at the link below. The deadline to register is April 8. We cannot accept any applications after that time.

https://forms.gle/G5iiVQNuBoBupkM99

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kyrstin Price at kyrstin.price@ksb.kyschools.us

Beginning a new year can be a difficult time for students. Returning to school after winter break can be challenging, but there are lots of ways to support your child(ren) as they start the second semester. This can be as simple as encouraging them to be patient with themselves and others, and practicing positive self-talk. Here are some helpful reminders:

It’s okay to…

• Make a mistake
• Struggle
• Ask for help
• Have a tough day
• Feel how you feel
• Take a break

There are many online resources for social emotional learning (SEL), but Pathway2Success is a website we have found to be especially helpful. Check out their “Parents” page here: https://www.thepathway2success.com/parents/.

On Sunday Jan. 21st the dorm staff welcomed students back on campus here into the warm confines of the Howser Dorm on the frosty and snowy campus of KSB. The students got settled into their dorm rooms and shared stories with staff of playing in the snow to being too cold to go anywhere and enjoying the cold weather at home last week, but ready to get things going on regular schedule here this week. The supper for students was lasagna and home baked cookies by our dorm parent Ms. Dollie. We also got to celebrate two birthdays with the students, as it was Mr. Larry's on Saturday the 20th of Jan. and Ms. Dolly's birthday was Sunday the 21st. To celebrate those two birthdays, we had cake and ice cream with students and staff.

The fun continued at the dorm on Monday night after supper with activity time in the recreation gym with Giant Yahtzee tournament with Haley winning first place and Brooklyn coming in second, the students were also busy catching up on more stories from the students about the snow and extra days home last week. On Tuesday night Ms. Renee served a popular meal with pizza from the cafeteria for supper time. The activities continued at the dorm with remote controlled car racing with Hayden taking first place and Ben coming in second, UNO with multiple winners over the course of the night and a Connect Four tournament with Gabby beating Brock in the double elimination tournament for first place. It was a fun entertaining night in the dorm while it was cold and rainy outside. Wednesday night we had another great meal from cafeteria and then the students and staff played Yahtzee and Trivial Pursuit, with a few folks working on ceramic pieces and crafts. On Thursday night the cafeteria prepared what has become one of the students' favorite meals with rice and orange chicken. The recreation time was students working on Valentines Day decorations, craft time and played Connect Four before retiring to the dorm to complete their chores, laundry and packing clothes for tomorrow. Just a reminder that we will start preparing for a Super Bowl and Valentines Day Party for February. It has been a fun and adventurous week here at Howser Dorm , so until next time.

Join us for a statewide presentation hosted by DiscoverU Kentucky! The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is conducting an Informational Session that you won't want to miss.

📅 Date: January 31, 2024

🕒 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: VIRTUAL zoom.us

This session is specifically tailored for students and families with 504 and IEP plans and individuals with disabilities.

Learn about ALL the services the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides and discover how to connect with valuable resources seamlessly.

Topics include:

✅ Understanding available services

✅ Navigating resources effectively

✅ Building connections for support

Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower yourself or your loved ones on the journey towards success! Spread the word, tag your friends, and mark your calendars. Let's come together to create a more inclusive and supportive community.

We look forward to seeing you online!

Register here

Sincerely,

The DiscoverU Kentucky Team

KSB will be in session when students are in the dorm (Sunday-Friday).

When Jefferson County Public Schools cancels in-person classes due to weather:

• KSB will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule, with classes starting at 9:35.
• Day student parents are responsible for transportation.

Families of day students who utilize their home district bus transportation, please pay attention to announcements regarding whether their home district has canceled in-person classes. In these situations, the home district for day students will not be providing transportation. This includes Bullitt, Jefferson, Hardin, Mercer, Nelson, Oldham, and Trimble. Transportation will be the parents' responsibility. If a lack of transportation is the reason for absence, the absence will be excused.

If inclement weather is predicted to cause a significant impact on the state, KSB will disseminate information (OneCall, Facebook, email, etc.) with the plan for the closure or delay of school.

Background of newsletter shows snowflakes and ice covered tree branches.