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As you may have already noticed, the words “Health and Safety Plan” are preceded by the word “current”. We anticipate our plan will be modified several times in the coming weeks as conditions change and new safeguards against the spread of Covid-19 are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state and local departments of health, as well as other entities. Our plan for re-opening the School seeks the delicate and difficult balance between our strong interest in returning to a normal school environment while protecting students and staff to the greatest degree practicable. As well, we seek to provide parents and guardians with a choice among face-to-face and virtual learning options, given they are in the best position to determine the best path ahead for their child. More introductory information is below.
School Calendar 2020-2021 School Year
The School Calendar for the School Year 2020-2021 has been posted in PDF format. The calendar will be added, by event, to the website calendar as well in the coming week. You can find the School Calendar here.
Early Childhood is Moving Up at 10am
Early Childhood is Moving Up at 10am. Join us here!
June Parent Newsletter, Rhonda Davis, Parent Liaison
Thank you so much for all of your support, the Horticulture Center Sale has ended. We are so grateful!
Overbrook Can't Thank Our Teachers Enough
To say our teachers are kind and generous is an understatement. We have never been more amazed by our staff -- their grit and their fierce dedication to our students is unwavering. We can't thank you enough.
(OSB does not own any rights to the Natalie Merchant song, "Kind and Generous" used in this video)
Meet Flat Ms. Kelsey
Today in High School, Ms. Kelsey's class discussed their Flat Ms. Kelsey Project. They are taking her with them on their daily adventures. Students/families are uploading their pictures into Ms. Kelsey's Google classroom to create a PowerPoint of the students and flat Ms Kelsey's adventures.
This is part of a unit Ms. Kelsey is working with her students that involves the flat Stanley book. Look for updates to their adventures.
In this picture you will see the students in the class holding up their Flat Ms. Kelsey.
You Can Thank A Teacher!
It is Teacher Appreciation Week and we could not be more grateful for our dedicated, hard-working, flexible, realistic, pivoting, expert, kind, caring, beautiful staff. It takes a village and our instructional staff is working right through the messy with our village. Teamwork is essential, but it's our teaching staff who make it work. It's their love of what they do, their desire to see your kids achieve, the concern they have for the students' well-being, mentally, physically, cognitively. Overbrook Staff stomps ON.
Therapies continue to be delivered, IEPS are in place remotely, our parents are on board and kicking behind (can we say that?) in a really difficult time, we could not think of anything more wonderful to celebrate than our instructional staff. We encourage you to drop a note of thanks this week -- it means the world to hear from students and parents.
Our teacher's dedication is written all over our students who are succeeding at being involved in a MEANINGFUL continuum of services. Just look on social media at our students, mowing lawns, making meals, traveling and showing up for work safely. What we do at our school is evident in every photo we receive -- and we LOVE seeing your kids succeeding. Send those pics into denise@obs.org!
It really doesn't surprise us that our School to Work students are busy at home, helping their family with chores, learning new skills, stretching themselves? It doesn't surprise us because the foundation for success and achievement and the grit it takes to get there are engrained in our students, from the second they walk through the door and we can thank our wonderful teachers for that.
Acrostic Poems By HIgh School Students
Ms. Eva's class has been working on poetry. Here are some of their latest additions. Do we see a book coming Ms. Eva?
E-A-R-T-H
By Ethan R.
Every day we must take care of Mother Earth
Anyone can take care of our planet
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Too much pollution can cause problems
Honoring our planet
E-A-R-T-H
By Nicholas L.
Environment
Atmosphere
Recycle
Trees
Hydroelectric
E-A-R-T-H
By Gabby
Everyone can do their part.
Act right now.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Together we can make a difference.
Help keep the earth beautiful.
E-A-R-T-H
By Louis
Earth is our planet.
A part of the galaxy
Rich with resources
The earth is getting hotter
Has 7.8 billion people living on it
New Family Resources Added
New Parent Resources from Rhonda Davis, Parent Liaison: Please view the full list of Parent Resources on the COVID-19 page of the School’s website, which includes all resources listed in past Updates: https://www.obs.org/parents/enrolled-families.cfm.
Two new resources are worth highlighting:
Face Masks Available to Anyone: Anyone in need of cloth masks for essential outings can email rhonda.davis@obs.org to receive them (by mail) free of charge.
Plastic Face Shields for Healthcare or Public Transportation Staff: For parents/staff/family members who work in any sort of healthcare or public transportation setting, you can request plastic face shields at no cost. The shields will be delivered free of charge after filling out the request form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-U1Pcy-WjXCQQg82YSJZt9zGfhB9lu6ZR2tFpPAvpfSpZtA/viewform
Exercising at home!
Follow along with Mr. Zack in Early Childhood and Elementary.
Mrs. Eva's Class Does Haiku, Do You?
Ms. Eva's High School Class has been busy writing poetry. They are always a creative bunch and work hard to improve their reading and writing skills. Here are some wonderful Haikus the students worked on last week remotely. No stopping these kids, or Ms. Eva
By Louis T.
Beautiful sunrise
The sun is coming out now
It is very bright
By Gabby Z.
The North star is bright
I can see it from my room
The North star sparkles
By Ethan R.
It's raining outside
I hear the boom of thunder
Spring is in the air
By Angel M.
It is warm outside
It is very bright today
Everything goes boom
Social Story for On-Line Learning
For some students the concept of on-line learning or learning at home can be difficult to understand. She put a quick social story together for her students to help explain it. You can download it here.
Latest Coronavirus Update and Reopening Plan, please note the form to complete for the August 12 Program Selection is included in this update. Please download and return this document to vcredle@obs.org Please See the Health and Safety Plan Released, 8/3/202
During the month of March, the high school department will be participating in a community service project with the Philadelphia Chapter of The Shoebox Project.
Who is The Shoebox Project?
The Shoebox Project for Shelters is a 501(c)(3) public charity that collects and distributes gift-filled Shoeboxes to women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in communities across the US and Canada. Each thoughtfully created and decorated Shoebox is filled with items valued at $50 that can help enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation for women in crisis.
What are we collecting?
Something cozy: like socks, hat, mittens, or a glove
Something special: a gift card or accessories
Something practical: transit tickets, sunscreen
Something personal: Shampoo, conditioner, or body wash
Something pretty: Makeup, nail polish, cosmetic bag
Something fun: playing cards, a blank journal
Something sweet: candy, nut-free chocolate
Something soothing: sleep mask
Please note: All products should be new and unopened.
We will have donation collection bins located throughout the school. Please send any donations in with your student. We are also looking for empty ADULT SIZE shoe boxes. Please feel free to send them into school too.
All OSB high school students will be involved with this service project. The students met Lauren Tjernlund, the local representative from The Shoebox Project last week to learn about the organization and what goes into making the box special for the recipients. They will be collecting the donations in March and will be assembling the boxes to be delivered to The Shoebox Project in April.
Did you know that the School to Work Program has a pop-up shop in the Springfield Mall where students sell the items they create? If you didn't please feel free to stop by to say hello. We're right around the corner! See what the students are working on and the incredible things they create. The Overbrook Student-run pop up is open until the end of the school year. Their hours are 10-11:30 Tuesdays through Fridays. It is located on the upper level across from Ruby Tuesday’s. There's always a lot happening in School to Work! Read more.
The mentorship program and the Marine Corps want to thank everyone for donating toys to the Toys for Tots campaign. The Elementary Program collected hundreds of toys. Our students have learned the importance of giving back by volunteering. Thank you again and Happy New Year from the gang in Elementary!
We love it when a company thinks about persons with disabilities! Check out Adaptive from Zappos, Functional and Fashionable Products to Make Life Easier!
Mr. Lee is Featured in PHS Gardening for the Greater Good
Our very own Mr. Lee Stough was interviewed by the PHS : Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in the latest 'Gardening for Good' article. We are so proud of our students and staff who help us to keep growing.
Today is White Cane Safety Day! School to Work student, Shamira, demonstrated the proper white cane technique at the busy intersection of 15th and Market Streets with Amanda Bear, her orientation and mobility instructor. Shamira was cheered on by the Phillies Phanatic who helped draw attention to the importance of the White Cane, a mobility tool that is also the symbol of independence for people who are visually impaired. It is intended to encourage people, especially motorists, to take extra care when they see someone with a white cane.
MyPlate, MyWins for Families is a wonderful resource for parents of all families. There are even fun activities to do with your kids. Painting with fruit and vegetables is a favorite of our students at art time.
Food Art
Show kids that healthy foods can be beautiful and appetizing. Check out these food art examples to inspire your creativity.
Please subscribe to the channel and also share this news with teachers of visually impaired children, parents, teacher educators and all those who are interested in the education of children with visual impairment. We will be uploading another 20 videos in September and more videos will be uploaded on a regular basis. We hope teachers will find these instructional videos useful to make mathematics easy for visually impaired children. Please feel free to email your comments and suggestions for improving the video instructional materials.
With kind regards,
Mani, M N G
CEO, ICEVI
Run, Walk 'n' Roll
October 6, 2019
Join us on Sunday, October 6 in Fairmount Park to support Overbrook School for the Blind’s inaugural Run, Walk and Roll 5K! You don't want to miss this amazing event featuring a live DJ, pre-race warm-up & stretch, a professional announcer, and an amazing time with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and other charitable individuals like yourself. Come out and get some exercise while supporting the students and programs at Overbrook School for the Blind!
You'll be able to support the Run, Walk 'n' Roll by:
Running and raising funds for OSB;
Sponsoring a runner or team;
Buying a shirt for you and your friends (details and design to follow);
Donating via our website; and/or,
Volunteering (and cheering for our runners) on the day of the race.
While this tool was developed to assist both families and school districts to develop educational programs for children transitioning from Early Intervention to School Age services, the questions and considerations are relevant for students of any age.
If you have any questions related to your child transitioning to a school-age program, please contact Lynne Williams at Lynne@obs.org
The Early Intervention Outreach Program sets up community trips for our family’s in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties in hopes that our families will make connections with each other. The Overbrook Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment host to introduce families and assist with visual efficiency and ways that parents can support their child's visual needs when out and about in the community. We know that it really does take a village and that sharing with someone who understands is vital to the health of the entire family.
February Parent's Newsletter
The latest version of News You Can Use Parent Newsletter is available from Parent Liaison, Rhonda Davis, and it is chock full of resources and events for parents and caregivers to attend. Check it out.
Make Your Own Adapted CVI Shape Sorter!
MR. FRANK AND MS. MELISSA COLLABORATE TO CREATE A CVI ADAPTED SHAPE SORTER!
Our staff never ceases to amaze us with their creativity and expertise. Everyone at our school shows up to give our students the best opportunity in life -- everyone.
With the help of Mr. Frank L., one of our incredible maintenance staff here at Overbrook School for the Blind, Melissa Brown, OTR/L was able to bring an adaptation she was dreaming up to life. Find out how to make your own here!
