Overbrook Blog

Join us for a free screening of the Film the Eyes of Me next Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm!

Community Cinema Film Premiere
Inspires Public Discussion About Disability and Independent Living in Philadelphia
Hosted by Overbrook School for the Blind

THE EYES OF ME
A film by Keith Maitland
Four blind teens. One dynamic year. How do you see yourself, when you can’t see at all?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
7:00pm-9:00pm
Overbrook School for the Blind
6333 Malvern Ave, Philadelphia, PA
FREE and open to the public.
Free parking. Wheelchair accessible.
Film will be shown with closed captioning. Descriptive audio provided.

To RSVP and to request audio description, visit whyy.org/memberexperience
or call (215) 877-0313 x405.

The Eyes of Me presents an extraordinary look at four blind teenagers - two freshmen and two seniors - over the course of one year at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin. Distilled from over 250 hours of footage and using innovative animation, Keith Maitland’s acclaimed documentary.

Panel discussion after film (ASL interpretation) with students and alumni from Overbrook School for the Blind and advocates from Liberty Resources, Inc.

You are invited to a free screening of
The Eyes of Me

Wednesday February 24, 2010
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Hosted by Overbrook School for the Blind
6333 Malvern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151

Free parking in school parking lot; Wheelchair accessible.

This film is closed-captioned and audio description is available.

To RSVP and to request audio description,
please visit: whyy.org/memberexperience
or call 215-877-0313, ext. 405
Panel discussion follows the film (ASL interpreted)

Co-presented by ITVS, WHYY, Overbrook School for the Blind, Liberty Resources, Inc., Amaryllis Theatre Company, and Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc.

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2009
Contact: Gloria Pfeiffer, (215) 290-6405, Gloria@obs.org

OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (OSB) HOSTS FIRST SPECIAL ACCREDITATION WORKSHOP IN PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia, PA: Overbrook School for the Blind will host a one-day workshop presented by Special Kids Photography of America (SKPA) on Monday, October 19, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Overbrook School for the Blind campus at 6333 Malvern Avenue in Philadelphia.

“We are delighted to host the first Special Kids Photography workshop in this region,” says Overbrook School for the Blind Director Gerald Kitzhoffer. “Their expertise in training photographers to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities can help photographers of specialized schools do their best work on behalf of the students and families that we serve. At Overbrook School for the Blind, we all endeavor to demonstrate the truth of each student’s spirit, ability, and beauty both to them and to the world at large.”

Special Kids Photography of America is a non-profit national organization that trains photographers in techniques for photographing children with disability or serious illness. SKPA also offers instructional resources such as books, videos and other products for professionals, administers financial aid opportunities for qualifying families to obtain a professional photograph of their special child, and provides a list of SKPA-accredited photographers on their website.

The workshop at Overbrook School for the Blind will be led by SKPA co-founder Karen Dorame. “The dignity of children with special needs and the role that sensitive and creative photography can play in the lives of their families are twin passions of mine,” says Ms. Dorame. “Sharing these passions with other professional photographers and the children we photograph is the mission of SKPA. Our workshops help to add a dimension to the portfolios and resumes of the photographers and to add to the quality of life of the children and their families.”

Ms. Dorame is also the author of Photographing Children with Special Needs, published by Amherst Media.
The workshop fee is $249 which includes the one-day course, two books and accreditation test/photo evaluation process that can lead to SKPA accreditation.

Overbrook School for the Blind offers a variety of programs for children of different ages and abilities. Since 1832, Overbrook has been developing and delivering education that enhances the options available for persons with visual impairment and other challenges so that they have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. In addition to a full academic program, Overbrook students receive special training and participate in different activities that are important to the development of children who are blind or visually impaired. This includes orientation and mobility, daily living skills, assistive technology, music, art and a full sports program.

To learn more about Special Kids Photography or to register for the workshop, visit www.specialkidsphotography.com. Registration and payment for the workshop should be done directly through SKPA.
For information about Overbrook School for the Blind, visit www.obs.org.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Gloria Pfeiffer at (215) 290-6405 or gpy@comcast.net

GRAND OPENING OF KAPPEN AQUATIC CENTER AT OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
-New Aquatic Center is pursuing a LEED for New Construction PLATINUM Certification-
Philadelphia, PA: Officials at Overbrook School for the Blind will cut the ribbon on the new Kappen Aquatic Center on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Named after the former director of the school, the Kappen Aquatic Center is a 25,000 square-foot facility that will be used for instruction, education, recreation, and therapeutic activities. The interior features a competition pool with accessibility for wheelchair users, and an activity pool with zero depth entry for smaller children. The facility also serves as a connector to two existing buildings on the campus to provide flow between buildings and provide indoor access to the pools. The exterior of the Center features a “boundless playground” where all children, regardless of their disabilities, can play and learn together.

In addition to complying with all ADA regulations, the Kappen Aquatic Center is an ecologically responsible and energy efficient building. By using recyclable materials and incorporating features that will help conserve energy and reduce consumption, the Kappen Aquatic Center has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and is pursuing a Platinum certification.

The Kappen Aquatic Center’s green features include:
1) A super efficient building envelope using insulated concrete forms (ICFs)
2) A unique mechanical system which recycles all condensate for water conservation
3) Native landscaping and low flow fixtures
4) Recycled and local materials
5) Low VOC emitting materials and the purchase of green power for 70% of the building’s needs

As a result of the team’s focus on energy efficiency, Overbrook School for the Blind will realize a 43% operational savings in energy costs over a similar conventionally constructed building.

Special guests at the Grand Opening Ceremony include Dr. Bernadette M. Kappen, former director of Overbrook School for the Blind, sports broadcaster Don Tollefson, and Overbrook School for the Blind graduate Donna Brown (a five-time Paralympics medal winner in swimming and track, and now an instructor at the West Virginia School for the Blind). The Dedication Ceremony is sponsored by Brown Brothers Harriman, Daley & Jalboot Architects and W.S. Cumby, noted the school’s current director, Gerald Kitzhoffer.

Funded by private donations, bank financing, and designated endowment funding, Overbrook School for the Blind embarked on a successful $1 million “Make a Splash” campaign after ground was broken for the Center in September of 2007.

Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) built the first pool for a school for the blind in the United States in 1906. Over its 100 years of existence, the pool underwent major repairs and modifications to accommodate the changing needs of the school population. After extensive studies and evaluations by a project team, the structure was deemed beyond repair. With the support of the Overbrook School for the Blind Board of Trustees, staff, and school families, administrators moved forward to create an Aquatic Center that accommodated the needs of blind and visually impaired students with additional physical and sensory disorders.

On Saturday, May 2, 2009, a Dedication Ceremony (1 p.m.) and Open House Celebration (1-5 p.m.) for the new Kappen Aquatic Center will take place for the public to tour this new facility. Many activities for children and adults are planned including moon bounces, face painting, Seeing Eye puppies, carnival foods and more. For more information, call Kathe Archibald, Development Coordinator, at (215) 877-0313, ext. 264 or email karchibald@obs.org.

Overbrook School for the Blind offers a variety of programs for children of different ages and abilities. Since 1832, Overbrook has been developing and delivering education that enhances the options available for persons with visual impairment and other challenges so that they have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. Along with academics, students receive special training and participate in different activities that are important to the development of children who are blind or visually impaired. This includes orientation and mobility training, daily living skills, assistive technology, music, art and a full sports program.

For more information about Overbrook School for the Blind, visit www.obs.org or call (215) 877-0313.
a 25,000 square-foot facility that will be used for instruction, education, recreation, and therapeutic activities. The interior features a competition pool with accessibility for wheelchair users, and an activity pool with zero depth entry for smaller children. The facility also serves as a connector to two existing buildings on the campus to provide flow between buildings and provide indoor access to the pools. The exterior of the Center features a “boundless playground” where all children, regardless of their disabilities, can play and learn together.

On May 19 and 20, 2009, the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) will be hosting the Twelfth Biennial Career Awareness Day to be held at the Overbrook School for the Blind, located at 64th and Malvern Avenues in Philadelphia.

Please note that this year’s program is a two day event. On May 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Scott Truax, Project Manager of CareerConnect® from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), will be providing training on CareerConnect® for Teachers of students with Visual Impairments. Please refer to linked registration form.

Career Awareness Day for students, their families and teachers, will be held on May 20, from 9:00 a.m. (registration begins at 8:00 a.m.) to 2:30 p.m. This year’s event will focus on helping students connect to possible careers. Our Keynote Speaker will be Scott Truax from AFB with introductory remarks from Gerald Kitzhoffer, Director of OSB and David DeNotaris, Director of BBVS.

The morning session, led by Scott Truax, will provide an opportunity for students to learn about and utilize the various features of CareerConnect®. Students, using their preferred method of access technology, will participate in hands-on activities that will enable them to connect with a mentor who is currently working in a career that matches the student’s career goal. The afternoon sessions will include representative panels of young adults who are blind and visually impaired, sharing their perspectives on their career experiences. Please refer to the linked registration form.

Lunch will be provided.

In order for us to have the adequate accommodations, we need to have the linked registrations returned by May 13. If you have any further questions, please contact Pat Mitchell at 215-877-0313, ext. 219 or patrick@obs.org.

We hope to see you at this exciting and educational event!

CELEBRATE MOM AND HELP CHILDREN’S CHARITIES AT THE FLOWER MARKET

For its 95th year, the Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children’s Charities has changed its dates to May 6-7, as a prelude to the Mother’s Day holiday. Mothers and grandmothers and children of all ages are invited to attend and/or volunteer together. The annual event, the oldest continuously held in Rittenhouse Square, will benefit and spotlight Lincoln Day Educational Center, Little Smiles (a local Make-A-Wish organization), Overbrook School for the Blind and Stop Child Abuse Now, Inc. (SCAN). Plants, custom plantings, indoor and everlasting plants, terrace gardening, entertainment, food, crafts as well as signature lemon sticks and Little Miss Rittenhouse posters will be featured at the Market, which is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. — 6 p.m. on both days.

“For the first time in 95 years, the Flower Market is not only an opportunity to purchase some great plants, but also an opportunity to honor your mother with the purchase of a Mother’s Day gift which she’ll know is also benefiting some extraordinary local children’s charities… truly a ‘circle of life’ gift she’ll appreciate,” notes Curtis Roth, chairperson of the Market’s floral booths.
Once again, the Church of the Holy Trinity, located on the Square, will sponsor a juried art show, “May Gallery on the Square,” in the church’s sanctuary on May 4-7, overlapping with the Flower Market.

Composed solely of volunteers, the Flower Market will be raising money for ramped access to a preschool, enhanced hospital pediatric playrooms, early intervention services for blind infants and toddlers, and after school and daycare activities for children with parents in substance abuse programs. Last year, the Flower Market distributed over $28,000.00 to its beneficiaries.

Friends of the Market Sponsors for 2009 include Coldwell Banker Preferred and Gorman Investment Group, Ltd., Conestoga Bank and Heart of the Sunrise Foundation. In-kind sponsors include Atria Senior Living, Diamond Transportation Group, The Printer’s Place, Haskell Associates, Beneficial Bank and Rittenhouse Row.

For more information on the Flower Market and a schedule of events, please check out www.rittenhousesquareflowermarket.org or call 215-271-7149.

CONTACT: Gloria Pfeiffer, gloria@obs.org (215) 290-6405

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO BENEFIT OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

Philadelphia, PA: Overbrook School for the Blind will hold its 17th Annual Pancake Breakfast to benefit the school on Sunday, March 22nd in Lions Hall at Overbrook School for the Blind, 6333 Malvern Avenue in Philadelphia. The Pancake Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. and will continue through 1 p.m. Admission is only $5 per person for an all-you-can-eat breakfast including pancakes, eggs, sausage, toast, coffee, juice and more. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

In addition to door prizes for lucky guests, raffle tickets will be available at $1 each. Raffle winners will receive several unique door prizes, including cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150.

The Overbrook Lions Club and Overbrook School for the Blind District 14-A Cabinet Committee are co-hosts of the Pancake Breakfast.

Guided tours of the Overbrook School for the Blind campus will also be available during the Pancake Breakfast. The oldest buildings on the campus are some of the rarest and most exceptional examples of Spanish Renaissance Architecture on the East Coast of the United States.

Free parking is available across from the school’s main entrance on Malvern Avenue.

For more information, contact Overbrook School for the Blind at (215) 877-0313 or visit www.obs.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2008

OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AQUATIC CENTER RECEIVES PROCEEDS FROM COMMUNITY CLOTHES CHARITY OCTOBER SALE

Philadelphia, PA: Overbrook School for the Blind announced today that it received $190,000 from the Community Clothes Charity 2008 October Sale. The contribution will go toward Overbrook School for the Blind’s new Kappen Aquatic Center, which will open in the spring of 2009.

“The staff and students at Overbrook School for the Blind are delighted and grateful to the organizers of the Community Clothes Charity for this generous donation to our new Aquatic Center,” says Gerald Kitzhoffer, Director of Overbrook School for the Blind. “We are looking forward to the completion of the facility so that our community of students, staff and alumni can use the center for instruction, education, recreation and therapeutic activities.”

This year, from October 30th to November 1st at the Village Hall in Stratford, PA, the Community Clothes Charity (www.communityclothescharity.org) organized the sale of new and lightly worn designer women’s clothing and accessories. These donated couture fashions were sold to the public at a fraction of their original cost. All of the proceeds from this sale will go to the Kappen Aquatic Center at Overbrook School for the Blind, named after the former school director, Bernadette M. Kappen.

The new state-of-the-art aquatic center will feature a lap pool with accessibility for wheelchair users, a pool for smaller children, and an area with a water feature. The exterior will feature a “boundless playground” where all children, regardless of their disabilities, can play and learn together.

Overbrook School for the Blind offers a variety of programs for children of different ages and abilities. Since 1832, Overbrook has been developing and delivering education that enhances the options available for persons with visual impairment and other challenges so that they have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. Along with academics, students receive special training and participate in different activities that are important to the development of children who are blind or visually impaired. This includes orientation and mobility training, daily living skills, assistive technology, music, art and a full sports program.

For more information about Overbrook School for the Blind, visit www.obs.org or call (215) 877-0313.
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