KABVI NEWS - Volume 47, Spring 2004

LEARNING TO SOAR.... from THE KANSAS EAGLE

(the Newspaper of the Kansas State School for the Blind)

Dormitory Director Jeff Young and student and Accessible Arts Board member Ben McPherson attended the fundraiser of Accessible Arts, Inc. The event featured a silent art auction and a live auction of Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia. Several players attended. The guest of honor and speaker was Dan Keplinger, an artist with some physical limitations. Additional remarks were made by Ben McPherson.

Students became “hooked on classics” by eating a feast including foods that would have been available in the middle ages (fingers only). The students made wooden swords and used them to stage the sword fight from Romeo and Juliet. Interesting activities continue to help students discover works of lasting value in all curricular areas.

KSSB Preschoolers read The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. The spider theme has been incorporated into all sorts of learning activities across the entire curriculum.

Following a sports career day presentation to KSSB students, Dustin Mejia won an essay that gave him the opportunity for involvement in a day program at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO. Dustin received a tour of the stadium, a look at front office careers with the opportunity for questions, and lunch.

Students who meet the criteria are allowed to spend time in the cottage outside of the dormitory. They must meet criteria involving time management, housekeeping, cooking, and maintain an average grade of C or better. They must gather recommendations from staff including: teachers of orientation and mobility, family and consumer science ; the social worker, principal, school case manager, and dormitory director. Students must read and agree to specific rules before they move into the apartment. But the kids believe it’s worth the effort because it helps them learn to cope with independence.

Three students participated in the Ohio Track Conference. Joe Brady (Junior) place first in the 400 meter race. Justin Harris (Junior) placed sixth in the shot put competition. And Ron Hawthorne (Senior) broke the record for the Class B 1600 meter (mile) race. His time was 5 minutes, 14 seconds. He also took first place in the 600 meter race and the class C 800 meter race. Ron also earned silver medals in the class B triple jump and the Three consecutive jump. Ron Hawthorne also earned the first outstanding track student of the year award.

Virgene Tyrrell, KSSB Outreach Director was presented the 2003 annual award of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) “in recognition for services to blind and visually impaired individuals of Kansas”. She came to KSSB in 1977 and has been Outreach Director for about 17 years.

KSSB staff and students sent gift boxes containing useful items, food, money and “fun items” to five unmarried soldiers stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. The preschool class contributed personalized letters to each of the soldiers.