KSB Weekly Wildcat
December 6, 2013
This publication highlights the weekly activities and events that take place on campus and features some of theactivities conducted by KSB Outreach across the state.
Light Up Louisville Parade
KSB students Taryn and Riley Seif, the KSB Wildcat, Director of Outreach for Statewide ServicesMeg Stone and two time national Braille Challenge finalist Mason Tilley from Trimble Co. participated in the Light Up Louisville Parade on Friday, November 30.
Two time National Braille Challenge Finalist Mason Tilly (left)and Taryn Seif are alldeckedout during the Light Up Louisville Parade.
Jayne Seif, mother ofTaryn and Riley;Tyler Tilley, father of Mason;and KSB Paraeducator Crystal Johnson also participated along with APH staff and the League of Mascots. For their entry, theycarried signs and banners promoting the Regional Braille Challenge event, sponsors and participants.
Although it was cold,they had a good time waving to the large crowd. APH provided lime green sweatshirts, light-up holiday glasses, and holiday hats to wear. The Braille Challenge is scheduled for February 13, 2014.
Dressed up for the Light Up LouisvilleParade are Director of Outreach for Statewide Support Services Meg Stone, Paraeducator Crystal Johnson, KSB Wildcat,Riley Seif and Taryn Seif.
Riley Seif proudly displays the Kentucky Regional Braille Challenge sign and waves while walking the parade route.
JV Cheerleading to Begin in January
JV cheerleading will start in January. Practice will be held on Wednesdays during the month of Januaryand onFebruary 12 and March 5.
Students in grades K-6 can participate in JV Cheerleading. Be on the look out for permission slips to be sent home December 13. Permission forms need to be returned no later than January 6.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact JV Coach Stephanie Davisor call(502)897-1583 ext. 6106.
PSSO & Tastefully Simple Pair Up for Fundraiser
The Parent Student Staff Organization (PSSO) will be partnering with Tastefully Simple for thefourth annual fundraiserin January. Keep your eye out for the fundraiser packet that will go home with your student on January 10. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Stephanie Davisor (502)897-1583 ext. 6106.
Practical Living Learns Holiday Recipe
During the month of December, theseventh grade Practical Living Class will be working on recipe skills. The class will prepare six different recipes using “Chex Mix”. Below is one of the recipes they will be making. Feel free to try it at home with your family!
Ingredients:
6 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup white vanilla baking chips
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup red and green M&M’s
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
Cooking Directions:
1. Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper.
2. Place 3 cups cereal in large bowl.
3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips about 1 minute or until chips can be stirred smooth.
4. Pour melted chips over cereal in bowl; stir evenly to coat.
5. Spread mixture in single layer on one of the cookie sheets.
6. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until set.
7. Repeat the above using the remaining cereal and the peanut butter chips; refrigerate 5 minutes or until set.
8. Gently break up coated cereal into large bowl.
9. Add candy and peanuts; stir gently to combine.
10. Store in airtight container.
KSB Selected for Playwriting Grant
KSB seniors are going to be part of a pilot grant program provided through Actors Theatre of Louisville. This pilot program will begin on November 18 and run through December 16. This is a huge opportunity forthe students as they will learn how to develop a ten-minute play that could be featured in Actors Theatre's New Voices Young Playwrights performance. Students will have the opportunity to share their plays with KSB students and staff on December 16 at 8:30 AM. Performers from Actors Theatre will come to do a reading of the plays created bythe students!
Arts & Humanities News
Good Garbage
On Thursday, December 5,Tabathia Roark'sfourth period HS Arts and Humanties Classand Connie Hill'ssixth period Practical Living Class (that has been participating in art class on Wednesdays) will be attending the opening of in Louisville. Studentsparticipating in this event areDamon Boards, Taylor Hollar, Len Remy, Kayla Newton, Danielle Hardiman, Cody Barnes, Alex Stine, Michael Davis, Heather Anthonyand Tyler Day.
Beauty in the Ordinary
KMAC Artist and KSBStudents collaborate with Good Garbage Recycling Center for Opening Gallery Exhibit
Many schools in the Louisville area benefit from artist in residencies coordinated through the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts, a program created to support and supplement the arts in Kentucky schools. KSB has a long partnership with the museum, and is one of the yearly programs artists like Liz Richter look forward to. After learning about the need, Lynn Quire, the owner of Good Garbage donated “odds and ends” that became the media for student’s portraits. In December, to launch her gallery space in the new Portland retail location, Quire and Richter will host an exhibit of artwork created by KSB students.
“One of the greatest challenges of creativity is taking the ordinary objects left over from everyday life. I love designing projects that explore transforming and renewing those objects into something that makes you take a second glance. This vision is shared by Good Garbage, so it was a very natural collaboration and a perfect way to help launch her gallery space,” says Liz Richter. Good Garbage is a creative reuse center committed to diverting useable materials from landfills to teachers, students, crafters and artists, opening their first retail location at 2020 Duncan Street in Portland, on November 30. Quire and her husband started the non-profit, and they are passionate about teaching Louisville about reuse, repurposing and recycling and providing access to the arts to the community. Their first gallery opening will be on December 6, from 6-9PM. at the Duncan Street space.
Richter, with the help of Tabathia Roark, KSB arts and humanities teacher, instructed the students to create portraits from fabric, old brooms and mops, buttons, rusty bolts, wood scraps and yarn. They were challenged to create features that are recognizable, and to think in new ways about ordinary objects to add details. The students, many of which are completely blind, came up with great stories to go along with their characters, some of which were imaginary, represented friends or family or self-portraits. The result is that each portrait is unique, tactile and individual.
A collaborative project created by Kindergarten through 5th grade KSB students will also be exhibited at the opening. Inspired by the monochromatic sculpture by Louise Nevelson in the lobby of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, Richter collected old toys, plastic, wood, and any garbage that had an interesting shape and put it in a large bin for the students to explore with their hands. The students carefully chose and arranged each object inside of their box to create an artwork that was personal, and Richter gave them a heavy coat of enamel paint. The result is a fresh look at the objects. The unity created by monochromatic ensemble liberates the viewer to look at only the shapes, texture and balance of the objects in a way that abstracts them from their use in everyday life.
Students to Entertain at VA Hospital
On Friday, December 13,several piano and guitar students under the direction of Mr. Honey and Mr. Puckett will be going on a fieldtrip to thelocal VAhospital to entertain guests and patients with some holiday music! Students participating in this event are Taylor Hollar, Riley Seif, Danielle Hardiman, Val Artenova, Selena Tirey, Len Remey,Alex Stine, Cody Barnes, and Willie Barksdale. The attire for this field trip andshort concert will be KSB shirts and jeans.
Students to Utilize Low Vision Devices in Community Settings
During the month of December, several KSB low vision students will be using their monocular, magnifiers, and other low vision devices in the community. The students will be locating various signs, reading menus, reading grocery lists, locating items at Kroger, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and Gatti-land.
Den Sponsors High School Volunteer Project
The Den and all KSB students are sponsoring a Can Food Drive as well as a Pet Supplies Drive for Christmas.
Our goal is 500 cans of food before Dec. 19, 2013. In order to inspire the staff, students, friends and family, theDen will be conducting a gift card drawing at the end of the food drive.
Cans Total / Gift Card for Drawing100 / $10.00
250 / $25.00
500 / $50.00
1000 / $100.00
For every can of food you donate, a ticket with your name will be entered into a drawing for the gift cards, depending on the amount of cans that are collected.
Food can be dropped off in Mr. Mullins room or in the Den in the classroom building.
Help our school students compete by building a “Can Tower” in the Front Lobby to show our progress!
KSB Button Factory Selling Holiday Buttons
As you know, Christmas is almost here! In order to get in the spirit of the season, the Careers Class has been put in charge of theKSB BUTTON FACTORY! The KSB BUTTON FACTORY has select students who're in charge of designing and manufacturing buttons.
However, there is something different about these buttons that are not found on most buttons. Here atKSB, Braille has been added onto the buttons. This is very helpful to students who read, or are learning Braille. Their relatives also enjoy having the Braille on buttons to support KSB.These buttons are only $1. You can also purchase personalized buttons for $1.50.
The buttons make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Contact Mr. Mullins, or anyone in his fifth period class, to place an order for a button. Below are the different designs that are available. Happy holidays!
Santa's Workshop Coming to KSB
Santa’s Workshop is an opportunity for all students to shopat KSBfor Christmas gifts for family members. All items are $1. Students need to bring cash, or may access their student bank accounts.Santa's Workshop will be held on December 10 and 11 from 9 AM-2:30 PM.
Graduation Announcement Packets
Graduation Announcement Packets from Balfour, were recently given to seniors to take home and to share with their parents/guardians. Announcements through Balfour must be ordered by February 1, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Pawlowski at ext. 6109.
Place Your Order Now for Video Yearbook
The Practical Living class is selling video yearbooks during the 2013-2014 school year. Money is due on the date ordered. If writing a check, make the check payable to KSB.
All preorders must be done by January 31, 2014. Preorders are $5before the deadline, if ordering after the pre-order deadline the cost is $7.
The students and staff are putting in a lot of effort to make this year's the best yearbook ever.
Outreach Receives Grant for Low Vision Devices
Under the direction of the Outreach Department for Statewide Services,the Low Vision Clinic has received a $6500grant fto purchase hand-held video magnifiers for the Trial Loan Program. These magnifiers will be available for short term checkout after being recommended atthe Low Vision Clinic Exam. Students will have the opportunity to use the magnifiers in their school setting and the teachers can document the progress and successful use before requesting the district to purchasea device for the student.
Unique Experience for Itinerant TBVIs in KEDC/Big East Coop
By: Pam Howard, KSB Outreach Consultant
KEDC/Big East Cooperative’s 14th Annual EnVISIONing the Future Day took place on Nov. 14. It was a day set aside to bring students with blindness/visual impairments, their families, teachers, and service providers together to network and learn from each other. The day included presentations, hands-on learning activities, and representatives from various related organizations/agencies.
Students were provided with equal opportunities to participate in hands-on learning experiences related to functional independent living/compensatory skills as delineated in the expanded core curriculum for students with blindness/visual impairments. They explored small kitchen appliances and their functions. They learned to read recipes, use measuring devices, and prepare a small meal in a talking microwave.
Kitchen skills they learned will encourage teachers and families to provide them with more extended instruction in the school and home settings. Each student was provided with an apron, measuring utensils and lots of resources to share with parents and teachers.
Parents engaged in sessions with representatives from the Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky Office for the Blind, C.A.L.E.B.S. Organization, as well as a Consumer/Advocate speaker.
We want to thank staff from Big East, KEDC, KSB, KSB Charitable Foundation and cooperative school districts for assisting in providing this opportunity for our students. Participant evaluation responses were positive and encouraging. Who knows what we’ll come up with next year?
Play Group to Perform at KSB
Paraeducator Crystal Johnson's Play Groupwill perform "A Christmas Carol" on Sunday, December 8 at KSB in Richie Auditorium. The show is free and begins at 4:30 PM. It is opento students, staff and the public.
Museum to Hold Reader's Theater Auditions
The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind will hold auditions for its Braille Reader’s Theater production to be presented February 28 and March 1, 2014.
Auditions will take place in the Museum Reception Room at 1839 Frankfort Avenue on Thursday, December 12, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, Friday, December 13, 11 am to 1 pm., and Saturday, December 14, 1-3 p.m.
Auditions will consist of cold readings, in braille, from the script. Individuals interested in taking part should plan to attend only one of the audition times.
Reader’s theater is often defined by what it doesn’t involve -- no memorizing, few or no props, no costumes, no sets. However, it is more than simply reading. The actors use intonation and gestures appropriate for their characters and their characters’ words; the stage directions are also read by an actor.
Two plays are under consideration: Our Town, the classic American play by Thornton Wilder, and The Curious Savage, by John Patrick.Our Town, which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, celebrates the ordinary, often unappreciated, rhythms of daily life in a small town at the turn of the twentieth century. The Curious Savage is a funny, touching story about an eccentric millionaire, greedy step-children, and quirky inmates of a mental hospital all thrown together in search of wealth and happiness.
The cast will meet for a read-through on Sunday, January 5, at 2 p.m. Rehearsals will continue on Sunday afternoons through January and February. Not all actors will be needed at all rehearsals.
People interested in auditioning who cannot attend during the designated times should contact Katie Carpenter at or 899-2213 for alternate arrangements. Questions should also be directed to her.
December Calendar of Events:
10: DEAR Circle 6 PM
10 & 11: Santa's Workshop
12: Wrestling/Cheerleading Day Meet
16: Performance of Senior Created Plays 8:35 AM
19: Final Collection Day for Can Drive
20: Holiday Show @ 10:30 AM & Luncheon following
12/23-1/6: No School
News Contributors:
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Pamela Howard, Regional Outreach Consultant
Kyrstin Johnson, HS English Teacher
Bo Mullins, Practical Living Teacher
Stephen Rahe, Actors Theatre of Louisville
Liz Richter, Artist in Resident,
Tabathia Roark, Arts & Humanities Instructor
Editor: Kyrstin Johnson, HS English Teacher
Kentucky School for the Blind
1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
502-897-1583