the eye spy - school and statewide outreach serving ... spy... · and accompanist phil tyrrell. the...
TRANSCRIPT
Hello, everyone. I hope you all had a fantastic summer
and it is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome
you back for the 2015-2016 school year. As always,
WCBVI has been a very busy place this past summer
and I am very excited to be sharing with you many
important updates related to the on-going work that we do as a school,
Outreach center and proud representative of the Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction.
First of all I would like you all to know that the 2014-2015 was a
remarkable year for our students, staff and our historic institution as a
whole. For example, our campus in Janesville saw the largest enrollment
WCBVI has hosted for over a decade with a total of 63 students being
served on campus. Concurrently our Outreach Department, which
serves students from across the great state of Wisconsin, also forged a
remarkably successful year and realized significant increases in virtually
all service areas. In short, WCBVI is growing at a steady rate and, in my
opinion, the reason behind our institutional growth and success is very
simple: we have excellent staff who are absolutely committed to being
the very best they can be every day on the job for the students we so
proudly serve. Moreover, we have students who are equally committed
to creating their own success. And most importantly, our students are
finding true power in their understanding of the capacity they each have
for positively and productively shaping their own lives and futures.
In keeping with the many achievements of the formal academic year our
summer programs also proved to be a resounding success. This year
WCBVI once again offered its high quality summer programs for school
age students. The programs included the Crazy for Animals sensory
program, the That’s a Wrap children’s program, and The EmployAbility
WISCONSIN CENTER
FOR THE BLIND AND
VISUALLY IMPAIRED
The Eye Spy
Inside this issue:
Principal’s Corner 3
See You Later 4
Graduation 5
Welcome Spring 6
Field Trip 7
Reunion 8
Crazy for Animals 10
Urban Ecology Center
10
Family
Conference
12
That’s a Wrap 13
EmployAbility 14
Adults Program 16
New Staff 17
Extracurricular
Activities
18
WCBVI Short
Course Classes
18
Reminders 19
Upcoming Events 22
(continued on next page)
From the Desk of the Center Director by Mr. Peter Dally
September 2015 Volume 16, Issue 1
Page 2 The Eye Spy
Summer Program for upper grade students. In addition, WCBVI also offered our annual
Adult Summer Program, whose theme was There’s Always a Way. Once again, all of these
programs proved to be a tremendous success, and students and staff alike reportedly
enjoyed the learning opportunities that abounded.
In addition to these stalwart summer classes, WCBVI was extremely proud to be
playing host to the very first classes offered by The UW-Platteville Teacher of the
Visually Impaired Training Program which launched in June of 2015. The UW-Platteville
TVI Program is a welcome addition to the relatively small number of TVI programs
across the country that work to effectively train prospective TVIs in the essential skill-
set they will need to be successful in their work with students who are blind or visually
impaired. We look for great things to come from the UW-Platteville TVI Program and
I’ll keep you updated on the progress this very promising, and greatly needed, teacher
development program.
This indeed has been a very busy and productive summer, but then again WCBVI has
been a very busy place for the past 166 years. As I proudly note to the many groups I
have the distinct honor to speak with across the state, WCBVI has a long-standing
reputation for being a top-flight, highly specialized educational institution. Furthermore,
WCBVI’s rich history stretches back to the year 1849, and in fact WCBVI is among
Wisconsin’s oldest public educational institutions. I can say with confidence, our team is
absolutely determined to maintain the outstanding reputation WCBVI has built up over
the years, and it is our central goal to be the very best institution we can on a daily
basis. From my personal perspective I will tell you that it is indeed a rare honor to be
serving as director of this historic, time-honored citadel of student learning. And as we
continue to move into the 21st century, I have absolute confidence that working
positively together, we will succeed in continuing the fantastically rich tradition of
excellence that was begun at WCBVI some 166 years ago.
Therefore, I once again congratulate you all on the excellence you display on a daily
basis WCBVI students, parents and staff. And I look forward to continuing our work
together as we carry the WCBVI story forward with our central goal of creating the
highest level of student achievement for each and every one of our amazing students.
-Mr. Dally
From the Desk of the Center Director (continued from previous page)
Page 3 September 2015
Mr. Heimerl at
graduation
Mr. Heimerl at the
awards
presentation
Greetings to our families and friends! I am excited to begin my
second year as principal at the WSBVI. What I learned from the
students, staff, and parents last year will surely aide me as we
enter the 2015-16 school year.
While we graduated eight students from last years’ class, we are
on pace with new student enrollment to be at or near our
student population. Staffing has actually grown recently. When Mr.
Sheskey took over as the IEP Coordinator his classroom was
covered by a substitute teacher, Mrs. Schneider. This year the
classroom teacher will be Karlie Swanson, one of our new staff.
Karlie completed her student teaching right here at the WSBVI,
working with Mrs. Heimerl. We are fortunate to have her on staff.
Maria Schoville also student taught here in the past and was hired
as a teacher during last school year. She has been a valuable
addition working with our students, especially in vocational
education. Suzette Peterson and Tim Fahlberg were also hired
during the past school year. They both bring years of experience
— Ms. Peterson as an elementary teacher and Mr. Fahlberg as a
math teacher.
Please take the time to review the Parent-Student Handbook with
your child. The dormitory and school handbooks have been
combined. A couple changes of note include the deletion of when
a student may wear shorts and clarification on when a student
may use their cell phones.
Remember to call Diane Karrow at 608-758-6110 if your child is
going to be absent from school and to complete the Advance
Notice of Absence form when applicable.
I look forward to the school year. Please let me know if you have
needs, concerns, or advice by calling 608-758-6120 or emailing me
Principal’s Corner by Mr. Kim Heimerl
Page 4 The Eye Spy
See You Later by Mrs. Sue Kokko
“It’s like Forrest Gump said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates.’ Your career is like
a box of chocolates-you never know what you’re going to get. But everything
you get is going to teach you something along the way and make you the
person you are today. That’s the exciting part-it is an adventure in itself.”
Nick Carter
What an adventure it has been and how much I have learned along the way! 31 years
ago, after living in Janesville for about a year and a half, I received a phone call from Mr.
William English, Superintendent of the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired. He said that he had heard that I was a certified Teacher of the Visually
Impaired and would I be interested in working part-time in a classroom in the PEPC
building? I told him that my braille skills may be a bit
rusty; he said that wouldn’t matter. I agreed to start
working on August 25, 1984, and never realized at the
time what a professional adventure I would experience
over the next 31 years of my life.
Working at WSBVI and WCBVI has made me the
person I am today. I have had the opportunity to
improve and increase my knowledge and skills in so
many areas. Along the way I have worked with the best
children in the State of Wisconsin and alongside some
of the most dedicated professionals. My 14 years in the
classroom, eight years on the Outreach team, and
almost nine years as Dean of Students have enriched my
life. However, all good things must come to an end. It is
time for me to have some new adventures-traveling,
taking classes and learning new things, spending more
time with my family and friends, making quilts, playing in
my garden, reading lots of good books and maybe
joining Facebook. Of course, I will have a hard time not
turning down West State Street whenever I am on the
south side of Janesville. I will be back for all the special
events — graduations, holiday programs and athletic
events. I am now joining that illustrious group known as
“the retirees.” This is not good-bye, but see you
later….I will miss you all.
2007: Dean of Students
2003: Working in Outreach
1990: Teaching in PEPC
Page 5 September 2015
On June 11, 2015, WCBVI held their Commencement Exercise.
The graduating class of 2015 consisted of: Zachary Farrow-
Schmidt, Linda Her, Kayli Hodorff, Tazhanae Johnson, Benjamin
Meyer, Christopher Schulz, Matthew Thill, and Krista Van Plew.
The graduates each had a role in the ceremony. Krista Van Plew
welcomed the guests, Kayli Hodorff played a clarinet solo,
Matthew Thill was the class speaker, Benjamin Meyer sang a
solo, Tazhanae Johnson read the class motto, Linda Her recited
the class quote, while Zachary Farrow-Schmidt and
Christopher Schultz gave the farewell.
Other speakers included Center Director, Peter Dally, former
Principal, Patrick Byrnes, case managers, Becky Heimerl, Nick
Sheskey, and Andy Soto and Principal, Kim Heimerl. Additional
participants included a choir consisting of staff and students
and accompanist Phil Tyrrell.
The class colors were red and white, thus the flowers were a
red rose and a white daisy.
The graduates and their friends and family celebrated with a
reception following the ceremony.
Graduation by Mrs. Becky Heimerl
Class of 2015: Kayli Hodorff, Tazhanae
Johnson, Linda Her,
Benjamin Meyer, Krista
Van Plew, Matthew Thill,
Zachary Farrow-
Schmidt, and
Christopher Schulz
Patrick Byrnes
Page 6 The Eye Spy
On the evening of June 4, the Music Department presented its
annual Spring Concert entitled Welcome Spring. The program was
to have featured students in both General Music and Music
Therapy classes. However, our Music Therapist, Ms. Sarah Hudziak,
was ill and could not conduct the Music Therapy portion.
The first number of the evening—Overture from “Annie” by
Meehan (arr./accompanied by Mr. Phil Tyrrell, Sr., former WSBVI
music teacher who loves arranging music), was played by our
Student/Staff ensemble. Members participating were: Violin—Mrs.
Kathy Hudziak (former WSBVI music teacher), Trumpets—Colton
Albrecht, Bill Drascic, Ben Meyer, Clarinets—Kayli Hodorff, Ms.
Karalee Tyrrell, French Horn—Mrs. Karen Heesen, Trombone—
Zach Moes, Baritone—Ms. Susan Oldfield, Bass—Christina
DeVries, Drums—Mario Calderon, and Timpani—Krista Van Plew.
The students were really challenged by this piece, with its
interesting chords and rhythms, and one could tell they really
enjoyed playing it.
This rousing number was followed by a variety of instrumental
offerings: clarinet solos by Christina Devries, Kyle Beasley, and
Kayli Hodorff; Marin Gundlach playing the flute, Trumpet solos by
Colton Albrecht and Ben Meyer, a steel drum medley by Krista Van
Plew; two piano solos performed by ChristinaDeVries; and a
ragtime trombone solo by Zach Moes. It was really exciting to see
all of these students perform, and to be able to note the
improvement each had made in technique and musicianship over
the past year.
To finish off the program the 8th hour General Music class: Kira
Baier, Kyle Beasley, Faith Bonney, Zachary Farrow-Schmidt, Marin
Gundlach, Linda Her, William Hille, Ronnay Howard, Kahlil Isreal-
Roberson, Pavel Kostuch, Leah Sinclair and Austin Woodworth
performed songs they had learned from the Music K-8 Magazine.
These included Say It Twice, LOL!, M-O-T-H-E-R, My Dad, and—for
Welcome Spring! by Mrs. Karen Heesen
Part of the ensemble
Some members of the General Music
class
(continued on next page)
Page 7 September 2015
On June 9th,
s tuden ts f rom
WSBVI went to the
C i rc u s Wo r l d
Museum in Baraboo.
Here are some
photos of the event:
Field Trip
the 2015 graduates and others leaving the WSBVI family this spring—Go Be Awesome!
This group of students never ceases to amaze me with their enthusiasm and shere
enjoyment of singing! As usual, they were one of the high points of the evening’s
performances.
After Mr. Heimerl’s closing remarks, audience members, who seemed unwilling to sprint
for their cars and begin the trip home, lingered in the auditorium, the lobby, or the CFA.
No one seemed to want the evening to come to an end. Hopefully the weather will be
such that each of you, as part of the WSBVI family, will be able to come for our annual
Holiday Program on December 17 at 6:30 PM, so we can all enjoy being together again!
Welcome Spring! (continued from previous page)
Page 8 The Eye Spy
(continued on next page)
AAWSBVI Celebrates Its Fortieth Triennial Reunion by Mrs. Karen Heesen
Over the weekend of June 12-14, there was a hustle and bustle around campus that I have not seen since our school hosted the Swim/Forensics Competition in May of 2014. Hallways were crowded, the dining room was a-buzz with animated conversation at mealtimes (not to mention the fact that our own cooking crew was busy preparing delicious fare for attendees when they were off doing their thing
elsewhere), the auditorium and CFA experienced non-stop use, dormitories were filled to the max and—I am not so naïve as to believe this is not true—just about every nook and cranny of the campus was explored to see what changes have occurred over time. What brought about all this vibrancy you ask? It was the fortieth triennial reunion of the Alumni Association of the Wisconsin School for the blind and Visually Impaired (AAWSBVI). Though we have been unable to come up with a definite number of attendees (some came for a couple of hours and did not register), over 160—representing classes from 1946-2014—are known to have been on campus at some time during the festivities. Besides chatting and eating, which we did a good job of, there were chorus and orchestra rehearsals, a WCBVI/WSBVI update from Mr. Dally and Ms. Jordan, a technology session, business meeting, banquet, a panel which included former music teacher Mr. Phil Tyrrell, Sr., and Mrs. Kathy Hudziak’s 100-year-old mother (they were great), an auction, swimming, a memorial service for members we lost over the past three years and a closing concert. Though I have attended every alumni gathering since my graduation in 1969, I would have to say that this year’s was one of the most enjoyable. Not only did we have an incredibly good Program Committee, we also decided to keep everything on campus and employ our own cooking staff. An extra perk this provided was being able to use Al Kuehne’s recipes. These, for those of us who went to school here when he was the cook from 1948-1986, are forever embedded in our taste buds and were a “must have” for a reunion held entirely on our campus! A polling of attendees showed that everyone thought this was one of the best parts of the weekend! Just to show you how much was thought of Al’s cookies, he made 6 dozen for our auction which brought in $250; so, you can see people really have a serious attachment to recipes they enjoyed so much as a youngster! Organized in 1897, the Alumni have met every three years, with the exception of a couple times during World Wars I and II. Its role has primarily been to support school
Page 9 September 2015
projects like buying the sign that stands out front, giving money toward sporting events by buying t-shirts or helping to pay judges and participation in a Legislative Day at the Capitol. However, the Alumni have also played a major part in ensuring that the residential component remained part of the continuum of placement options for blind/VI boys and girls in Wisconsin. In 1997, when a proposal was made to close our school, it was the Alumni and parents who rose up and fought the state. They, with the backing of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, wrote letters to legislators, collected signatures on petitions to keep the school open, created brochures highlighting our school’s services, organized fundraisers, and provided testimony about how the school has impacted student’s lives. These were given in a hearing at the Capitol in December of 1997. Though it would take another year to convince the state of the compelling need for a school such as ours, they persevered through a long Legislative Council Study and were ultimately successful! One of the tests of a healthy family is if they are able to work and play well together. Over the years we have proved we are capable of working together; in June, we once again showed how well we also play! Rumor has it that everyone is already counting the days until we meet in 2018!
AAWSBVI Celebrates Its Fortieth Triennial Reunion (continued from previous page)
The campus
through the
years
Page 10 The Eye Spy
The Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee began with a community of concerned
neighbors who wanted to take back their neighborhood park and make it safe again.
Riverside Park, which had been neglected for years, had become crime ridden, full of
litter and invasive plants. Neighbors came together and formulated an idea — could
they replace crime and litter with learning? In 1991, they organized park cleanups and
started to use the park to teach neighborhood students about nature and science.
In 2004, after years of operating out of a double-wide classroom trailer, the Center
opened a new community and education center in Riverside Park. The award-winning
facility has themed classrooms designed especially for the school programs. In addition
there is space dedicated to the community for potlucks, meetings, lectures and
recreational activities.
Today, the Urban Ecology Center has two additional locations in Milwaukee: one in
Washington Park to serve communities and schools on
Urban Ecology Center by Ms. Kay Glodowski
(continued on next page)
Crazy for Animals Summer Program
During the week of July 5th, students came to WSBVI to learn
about animals. During that week, they got to interact with
animals, both pets and farm animals. They learned about what
animals eat, where they live, what their jobs are, and had hands
-on experiences to find out how they look and feel.
The students also made crafts, visited a farm and rode horses
at SMILES.
At SMILES Petting a dog Feeding chickens
Making crafts
Page 11 September 2015
Milwaukee’s west side and one in the Menomonee Valley on Milwaukee’s south side. We
are a vibrant and growing organization, serving 77,000+ people each year and protecting
and restoring urban green spaces in Milwaukee.
On Wednesday, June 3, I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of Milwaukee Public
School (MPS) students from grades 5-8 on their spring field trip with the Urban Ecology
Center. The students are from the MPS vision program and are either in Ms. Maggie
McGinty's middle school resource room or served itinerantly. Ms. McGinty's classroom
has been collaborating with the Urban Ecology Center for eight years and loving every
minute of it. The Glen Stacey Memorial Fund has been utilized to help pay for these
adventures.
Our day began at 9:00 am when Ms. Regina from the Urban Ecology Center picked us
up at Lincoln Center of the Arts in the Center's bus. Our first adventure was canoeing
in a lagoon that was surrounded by the Milwaukee city skyline on one side and Lake
Michigan on the other. After a quick, but thorough lesson on paddling and canoe safety,
the students were paired up, assigned an adult supervisor and began their paddling
adventure. Everyone took turns in the bow (front) being the "motor" and stern (back)
acting as the "driver" of their canoes. We played ball tag and participated in canoe races.
After lunch we boarded the bus and rode to what is unofficially called "Stone Skipping"
beach by the Center staff. Students were tutored on the fine art of skipping rocks, but
the waves of Lake Michigan were
crashing rigorously, so successful
skips were few and far between.
Students and staff spent time
climbing the big rocks along the
lake shore until it was time to
return to school.
I enjoyed my day with the students
and staff from MPS. It was a
pleasure to participate in such a
unique , hands -on learning
experience.
Urban Ecology Center (continued from previous page)
Ms. Glodowski in a canoe
Page 12 The Eye Spy
Family Conference
The 2015 Family Conference for families of children with blindness or
visual impairments, birth to 21 was held June 19-21 at the Wisconsin
School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville. A review of the
weekend from one of the participant family members is below.
The weekend began with a field trip to SMILES, which is a center
for equine assisted activities and therapies located in Darien,
Wisconsin. The children had the opportunity to experience horse
therapy in a relaxed and intimate setting.
Sessions and networking provided families with strategies to
address the impact of blindness and visual impairments on the
child and the family. Dave Hyde presented an inspirational talk to
parents sharing his story and the possibilities that exist for our
children. No matter how humble or difficult our beginnings may
be, those circumstances do not have to define our future. Families
were involved in many interactive learning sessions on the topics
of braille, feeding techniques, adapted gym play, hands-on tactual
art, daily living skills, kitchen skills, hands-on science, self-care and a
panel of successful adults with visual impairments. The conference
concluded with a presentation by Cheri Sylla, WSPEI Family
Engagement Coordinator on navigating the special education
maze.
There were several opportunities for families to network with
other families whose children have the same or similar diagnoses.
The connections made are probably one of the best things to
come out of the conference. Time was allotted for fun with a
bouncy house, an obstacle course and games for families to enjoy
together. Personally, the session on daily living skills for multiple
impaired children was extremely informative for our family. Each
family had an opportunity to ask question pertaining to our unique
challenges and all left with new ideas, strategies, and resources. It
was a weekend very well spent and we came away with new
friends and new approaches to try with Liam!
—Jodi Anderson
Page 13 September 2015
Future Filmmakers Flourish:
That’s A Wrap Summer 2015 by Mr. Martin Mulhern
What happens when you put five groups of visually-impaired students ages 9-20 together, give them some IPADS and direct them to make movies? That question was answered in late July in the 2015 summer youth program called That’s A Wrap. On the first night of the program, students were shown a wide variety of videos in hopes of inspiring them to make their own. A lot of these films were crafted by or featured visually impaired people so the kids could see that it could be done. The next day, the groups came prepared to make a wide variety of projects. Students filmed successful obstacle course runs and zip line highlights in PE/O&M. A slate and stylus lesson was one of the braille class highlights. The oldest group of students made a very detailed video which showed the entire process of making a batch of cookies: from finding a recipe to shopping for ingredients to finally the baking process. Art students showed off the very creative projects they made with great pride: from weaving to mask making to a terminator robot. AT students saw how music and editing could really enhance the work they did. With projects finished, the final editing began. Ms. Snow and Mr. Fahlberg did an amazing job bringing the projects through the final stages editing and adding music, titles and descriptive commentary to each video. On the final day of the program, students and their parents were treated to an hour of highlights from their work in the auditorium. A DVD was sent to each student with all of the videos to share with their families. If you want to see the videos go to YouTube and go to the WCBVI channel. Click on playlists and all 39 videos will appear. You have your choice of watching them described or undescribed. Students also enjoyed their time in the dorms. Evening activities included going to a water ski show and attending the play Alice in Wonderland. Overall, this was a highly rewarding program. Both students and staff rose to the occasion and produced some fun, educational and very creative videos. “That’s A Wrap”.
Page 14 The Eye Spy
The 2015 WCBVI EmployAbility Program by Mr. Dave Ballmann
The EmployAbility Program is one of the annual summer programs
that takes place on the campus of the Wisconsin Center for the
Blind and Visually Impaired. This is a six week program that
combines experiential learning and paid employment in the
community. Students experience two weeks of classes followed by
four weeks of employment where they each work 20 hours per
week. There are classes in Employment Skills, Daily Living Skills and
Orientation and Mobility.
In the Employment Skills class, students learn valuable skills such as
researching the job market, completing job applications,
interviewing techniques, employment legislation and how to ask
for job accommodations. In Daily Living Skills, they learn how to
use everyday kitchen items, such as sharp knives, can openers,
measuring cups and spoons, how to label items, use of a
microwave, stove and dish washer and how to clean up after
themselves, including cleaning the kitchen and doing laundry. In
Orientation and Mobility class, students learn how the Janesville
Transit System operates, how to ask questions about getting to a
specific location, use of technology for determining directions,
techniques for use of a white cane and planning for trips. Most
importantly, they learn how to independently get to and from their
place of employment. Students are also encouraged to earn
orientation and mobility (O&M) passes. This means that they prove
to an O&M instructor that they can travel safely and independently
to and from a given location. Once a pass is earned, they can then
travel to and from that location alone. Most students earned
passes to their job site and many to other locations, such as
Mocha Moment, the mall, fast food restaurants, grocery and
convenient stores. All students are required to carry a cane any
time they go off campus.
This year, the program began in mid-June with a break during the
Fourth of July holiday. Following this break, the students returned
(continued on next page)
Page 15 September 2015
to begin their assigned jobs. There were a variety of jobs, including
childcare, food service, custodial and retail. Employers included
Mocha Moment coffee shop, Basics Food Co-op, Petland, the Italian
House restaurant, St. Elizabeth’s nursing home, Creative Children’s
Learning Center, Mercy Hospital, Rock Haven Nursing Home, Jack
and Dick’s Feed & Garden and the Janesville Police Department.
Student are assigned job coaches who help them to learn their job
duties. In most cases, by the end of the four weeks of work,
students were able to do their jobs independently. The work week
generally involves working five hours per day, Monday through
Thursday. Fridays were reserved for group recreational activities. In
the evenings, students have responsibilities such as preparing their
dinner, making shopping lists, doing laundry and making their lunch
for the following work day. Students would also go to the mall, go
to movies, an open mic at Mocha Moment or just hang out.
The Friday recreational activities included going to Madison to play
Laser Tag, explore State Street, go to a ropes challenge program
which involved climbing and a zip line and going to a mostly
student-planned trip to Chicago. Going to Chicago involved taking
a train, riding busses, subways and water taxis in Chicago. Students
divided into groups of interest and visited the zoo, Museum of
Science and Industry and did shopping and dining. The goal was to
teach students to plan how to travel independently, to learn how
to manage money and to have fun.
Something else new to the program this year was the addition of
some of the College and Career Readiness students from WSBVI.
These were students who already had the necessary skills, and
therefore, did not need the two weeks of class. They also had jobs
that they secured independently. They worked the entire six weeks
and participated in most of the evening and Friday recreational
activities. All and all the program was very productive with
students gaining a little spending money, lots of skills for
independent living and some valuable work experience.
The 2015 WCBVI EmployAbility Program (continued from previous page)
Page 16 The Eye Spy
Adults Learn That There Is Always A Way by Mr. Dave Hyde
Each summer, WCBVI hosts a program for adults. This summer,
twenty-three attended ranging in age from 21 to 80. This is a one-
week program during which students work on skills relating to
blindness. These included orientation and mobility, braille, financial
management, technology, independent living, study skills and
finding resources.
Highlights: When he arrived, Rolin said that he wanted to learn to
clean a toilet. This is, to my knowledge, the first student who has
expressed this interest. He learned. Some students learned to use
accessible ATM’s, while others worked on learning Unified English
Braille. All of them worked on using a cane and some decided to
do it while under blindfold.
During the evenings, many participants took part in evening
activities in the Janesville area. This included concerts, the
National Night Out, movies, and shopping. Our residential staff at
WCBVI, as well as our teachers and educational assistants did a
marvelous job working with a population of adults. As the
coordinator of the program, I must say that I enjoyed it too. We
did all we could in one week and we will be following up with our
students to see what was valuable and what was not. Thank you
to all of those who made this such an excellent program.
O&M
DLS
Technology
Study skills
Resources
Talking about blindness
New Staff
Hello! My name is Karlie Swanson and I am very excited to join the
WCBVI staff as a new Special Education teacher! Teaching students
brings me joy every day. My love for teaching began with my dad
introducing me to coaching Special Olympics powerlifting. Special
Olympics is where found I loved to teach and I then developed my
passion for teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater! I
am so excited to return to the school as a certified teacher after
graduating from UW-Whitewater this past spring with a degree in
special education. WCBVI has felt like home ever since I began my teaching practicum in
the spring semester of 2014 under Mr. Sheskey. It just so happens that my practicum
that spring is now the classroom I will be teaching! I also had the pleasure of returning
to WCBVI for my student teaching this past spring. I was able to acquire the best
experience possible under Mrs. Heimerl. A little about me is that I have recently moved
to Roscoe, Illinois, and am engaged to be married July 2016 in Rockford, Illinois. I have
three cats named Daisy, Duke and Sophia that always keep me entertained! In my spare
time, my fiancé, family and I compete in powerlifting competitions where I hold four
world records. I am eager to bring fresh ideas and continue to build relationships with
parents, staff and students as I embark on this ever-exciting teaching journey!
My name is Eric Knudson. I started work at WCBVI as a power
plant operator this past July. I previously worked at the Risser
Justice Center in Madison. I live in Janesville and not having to
commute to Madison is very nice. I enjoy motorcycling, golfing,
Badger football and basketball.
Page 17 September 2015
Karlie Swanson
Hello my name is Chris Taylor. I live in Janesville with my fiancée. I
started working at WCBVI as an LTE power plant operator last
July and got hired on this July. I enjoy golfing, and watching sports. I
spend my free time outdoors fishing, doing yard work and
gardening. I am looking forward to working here at WCBVI and
this upcoming school year.
Eric Knudson
Chris Taylor
Track Meet
09/17/2015
Wisconsin
Meet
09/24/2015
Indiana
Track Team Photos
09/25/2015
NCASB Conference
10/02/2015 to
10/04/2015
Ohio
Goalball Meet
10/16/2015
Illinois
Meet
10/29/2015
SASED — Illinois
Goalball Team
Photos
11/06/2015
NCASB Conference
11/07/2015 to
11/08/2015
Indianapolis
Cheerleading &
Wrestling
Meet
12/09/2015
Indianapolis
Meet
01/07/2016
Wisconsin
Meet
01/13/2016
Illinois
NCASB Conference
01/22/2016 to
01/24/2016
Kentucky
Winter Weekend
Friday, December 4
to Sunday,
December 6.
Grades 2-5
Care & Feeding
of Me… A
program for boys
Sunday, January 10
to Friday, January 15.
Grades 5-8
Life in Wisconsin
Sunday, October 25
to Wednesday,
October 28.
Grades 3-5
Kitchen Skills for
the Absolute
Beginner
Friday, November 6
to Sunday,
November 8.
Care & Feeding
of Me… A
program for girls
Sunday, January 31
to Friday, February
5. Grades 5-8
Independence
101
Sunday, February 21
to February 26,
2016. Grades 9-12
Extracurricular Activities (Tentative schedule)
WCBVI Short Course Workshops (Tentative schedule)
Page 18 The Eye Spy
Swim &
Forensics Meet
03/16/2016
Indiana
Meet
04/15/2016 to
04/16/2016
Ohio
Meet
04/20/2016
Wisconsin
NCASB Conference
04/29/2016 to
04/30/2016
Straight From
the Earth
Sunday, April 17 to
Thursday, April 21.
Grades 5-9
For more
information, contact
Greg Paules, Office
Operations
Associate, at
608-758-6148 or
gregory.paules@
wcbvi.k12.wi.us
Page 19 September 2015
Reminders
Visiting While we always welcome parents to visit their children on campus, please be sure to
let us know when you are coming and plan to eat meals (or take your child out for a
meal) so we can adjust meal counts. During the day you can call Diane Karrow at 608-
758-6110 ([email protected]) and at night you can call the dorms or
Christine Granger at 608-758-5620 ([email protected]).
Absences If your child is absent (unplanned) or will be late, please call the Education Office at
608-758-6110 prior to 8:00 am. If you leave a message, please leave your child's name,
reason for absence, and (if known) duration of absence. If the duration is unknown,
please call the office each morning your child is absent.
Background Checks Just a reminder that any visitors who are on campus for more than one day and any individual over the age of 18 (excluding students) who stays in our dormitories overnight must have a criminal background check prior to their visit. Be aware that the checks can take up to 3 or 4 weeks if you have lived outside the state, so you will need to complete one in advance of your visit. If you think you will need to have a background check done, or if you have any questions about the background checks, please contact Mandy Jordan at 608-758-6141 for more information.
Page 20 The Eye Spy
Official DPI Nondiscrimination Clause The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not
discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age,
national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental
status, sexual orientation, or disability.
See more at: http://dpi.wi.gov/content/official -dpi-
nondiscrimination-clause
The mission of the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, in accord with the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and
Visually Impaired and the Department of Public Instruction,
parents, staff, and students, is to provide opportunities for
students who are blind or visually impaired, through a multi-
dimensional curriculum, to successfully learn skills which will:
Lead to the highest level of economic, vocational, and personal
success in adulthood commensurate with the individual's
abilities;
Develop students' own natural abilities;
Cultivate positive social interactions with peers and
community;
Enhance self-esteem;
Develop personal responsibility and decision-making abilities;
Preserve the individual's dignity, including dignity of risk, in a
positive, supportive environment which acknowledges roles of
parents and families in student success.
WSBVI Mission Statement
WCBVI Management Team Center Director: Peter Dally
Principal: Kim Heimerl
Dean of Students:
Outreach Director: Stacy Grandt
Nursing Supervisor: Rhonda Mulligan
Business Office: Joanna Schumann
Buildings & Grounds: John Brown
Food Service: Holly Berry
Clock in front
lobby
1700 W. State St.
Janesville, WI 53546
608-758-6100
Toll free Education:
800/832-9784
Toll free Outreach:
800/284-1107
September 1: First day of school September 7: Labor Day - No school September 8: Classes resume September 17: Track at HOME with Illinois and Missouri September 24: Track at Indiana with Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky October 1: Family Gathering October 1: Track team picture day October 2: 1st quarter mid-term October 2-3: Track NCs at Ohio October 15: White Cane Day October 15: Goalball at Illinois October 15: Transition Goal Setting Workshop October 16: BrailleNote for Teachers, Stevens Point October 21: Low Vision Clinic, Janesville October 22: Goalball at SASSED with Illinois October 22: Transition Goal Setting Workshop October 27: Halloween Activity October 28: Student Departure Day October 29-30: No school, In-service Day October 25-28: Short Course— Life in Wisconsin, for grades 3-5 November 5: Goalball Team pictures taken November 6: Program Support Teachers (PST) Meeting November 6-7: Goalball NCs at Missouri November 6-8: Short Course— Cooking for the Absolute Beginner November 12: Family Gathering November 6: End of 1st quarter November 16: 1st quarter grades mailed
WISCONSIN
CENTER FOR THE
BLIND AND
VISUALLY
IMPAIRED
We’re on the web: www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us
Upcoming Events
Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 1700 W State St Janesville, WI 53546
www.facebook.com/
wcbvi
Please call or email
Mandy Jordan at
608-758-6141 or
amanda.jordan@
wcbvi.k12.wi.us if you
have comments,
questions or would
like to contribute.