Overbrook Blog

Everyone is talking about the hottest fashion show of the year. If you were not fortunate enough to be present at the fabulous event, the Girls’ Club at the Overbrook School for the Blind walked the catwalk in both casual and formal wear. The girls that showcased their stunning attire are in the elementary, middle school, high school and school to work programs. All of the beautiful girls were escorted onto the catwalk by three of the young men in high school. Two other high school students announced the girls and gave a description of what each was wearing. During the intermission, the girls changed outfits in a flurry while the audience listened to a song written and sung by a teacher assistant. The fashion show was a great success with the stunning garments, heels, jackets, and accessories worn by such magnificent ladies. Its success was due to hard work and cooperation, the wonderful support of the audience, and the unmistakable confidence and personality in each and every one of the participants.

Thanks to everyone that helped make this event a huge success!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2008
PRESS CONTACT:
Gloria Pfeiffer
(215) 290-6405 or
gloria@obs.org

ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT AT OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND!

Philadelphia, PA: The Annual Spring Concert at Overbrook School for the Blind will be held on Thursday, May 15th at 8 p.m. in the Auditorium. Admission is free. Overbrook School for the Blind is located at 6333 Malvern Avenue in Philadelphia. Free parking is available across the street.

The diverse repertoire for this year’s concert includes Arcadelt’s Sing On This Festive Day, Mendelssohn’s Grant Us Thy Peace, Berlin’s Blue Skies, and Estes’ Be Still Nightingale. Student soloists include Kassandra, Dominic, Desiree, Jill, and Seth.

The repertoire for the Overbrook School for the Blind Bell Choir includes Lennon/McCartney’s Eleanor Rigby, Holst’s Jupiter, and Williams’ music from the movie Star Wars.

Overbrook School for the Blind develops and delivers 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.

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

On Wednesday, OSB will be competing against West Virginia. Come cheer on your team! The meet will start at 1:30 pm. If any adults would like to help out during the meet, the coaches would greatly appreciate it! Hope to see you there!

Many Overbrook staff attended the annual Penn-Del AER Spring Vision Conference in Grantville, Pa last week.

Jean Ann Vogelman, also a parent of an Overbrook student, had the prestigious honor of delivering the keynote address.

Laura Fox-Davies and Sandy Finkel held a highly regarded and well-received workshop about Asperger’s Syndrome.

Sandy Finkel was recognized for her exceptional commitment and dedication as the president of Penn-Del AER.

Jackie Brennan received the Penn-Del AER Annual Service Award as recognition for her outstanding contribution to the field of blindness and visual impairment.

Mrs. Whartnaby’s American History class is studying trench warfare. With the assistance of our fabulous art instructor, Mrs. Schultz, the students created a 6 foot long, tactile representation of a battle field. Mrs. Whartnaby made a tactile graphic of how the battle fields were laid out and the students then translated that information into a three dimensional representation.

The students and teachers used watered down glue, newspaper, brown craft paper and sand to re-create the diagram. Most of the students didn’t mind getting messy and the results are quite amazing. Check back to see how the battlefield changes!

OSB was well represented at the annual Spring Vision Conference!

Yesterday students from Overbrook had the opportunity to visit the DaVinci Art Alliance to view their current exhibit “Touch”. A gallery experience that explores the impact of touch on learning, understanding, and teaching.

The vision of the Touch Exhibit is to explore and promote:
How a multi sensory experience supports understanding and appreciation of a work of art
Enlightenment that could inform a person’s approach to seeing
Enlightenment that could inform a person’s approach to teaching
Increased awareness of others’ abilities to see in a different way

Students had a chance to meet the artist, Carol Cole, and tactually explore artwork. They were active participants in the art gallery exhibit and could truly appreciate an art gallery experience. One student said, “Usually we can’t touch anything in art galleries. Yesterday we were encouraged to touch it!”

Students commented that they enjoyed the found object sculpture because they could explore it with their hands, and determine what objects were used in the paper pulp to create the sculpted pieces. They found keys, cell phones, brushes, bottle caps, barbie legs, mops, fur, tape holders, and many other things they experience in daily life.

The students also commented that they enjoyed the sculpture that allowed for auditory feedback with the use of metal bars of differing lengths. They said it was like a percussion instrument and piece of art and the fact that they could hear the art as well as touch the art. The students were also impressed with the braille labeling of the gallery and its accessibility.

If you would like more information on the Gallery exhibit, please visit The DaVinci Art Alliance Website

Sesame Place is reserved this Saturday for children with autism and up to 5 members of their family. Admission is absolutely free for all family memebers. The music and lights will be toned down and the characters have received training on interacting with the children. All our families have to do is register ahead of time at the variety club office at 215-735-0803!

Autism Awareness Day at the Philadelphia Zoo
Sunday, April 27, 2008
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check Out the 2008 Zoo Event Schedule
11:00 am Phillie Phanatic
11:00 am Steve Pullara & the Cool Beans Band
12:30 pm Give & Take Jugglers
1:30 pm “Overise” Band
2:30 pm Magic of Michael Bonacci

for more information please visit the Autism Society of America’s website

Tonight on the 5:30 evening news, NBC 10 will re-air their news segment “Game Changers” featuring our Men’s Goal Ball team. This first aired Monday evening on the 11:00 news. View the story on-line now!

The Work Experience program runs “Wheels to Work” classes, where students are prepared for doing assembly work, office work and get training to prepare them for the world of employment. These students fold letters, put labels on envelopes, separate plumbing parts and package them, and are taught a host of other usable skills that will help carry them into their futures. The Work Experience staff is dedicated to giving the students the tools they need to find successful job placement, and help them reach their potential.

Specialized jigs were created to help students work more effectively and efficiently. These include guides to help student’s label envelopes, fold mass mailings, place parts into small bags, and complete tasks in a timely fashion. Adaptations are made to standard office equipment to make them accessible to all students. Switches are set up to activate the paper shredder and other technology used in the program to fully engage all students in their work experience.