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Parent Update 2/22/2021

Monday Parent Update  2/22/2021
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What We Do

What We Do

    • Early Intervention Services (Birth-5)
    • School Age Programs (K-21)
    • Itinerant Services
    • Support & Related Services
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    • International Program
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Learn What We Are All About

Savannah Looking at an Aquarium with instructor

Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) prepares our students—all of whom are blind, visually impaired or living with other challenges—to have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives.

Ours is a school where compassion, dedication, expertise, and instructional excellence are immediately evident. At OSB, teams of highly-qualified teachers and specialists work seamlessly to create a caring, can-do environment. Each and every day, our historic 27-acre campus in the Overbrook Farms section of West Philadelphia, is bustling with activity is our students work, play, and in some cases, live in an extraordinary set of integrated buildings that have been adapted to meet the multiple needs of our students.

Founded in 1832, OSB serves approximately 200 students (ages 5 through 21) on campus. Our Early Intervention Outreach program (birth through age three) provides at-home guidance and care to the parents of 175 additional families. Our Itinerant Services serve students in Charter and Public Schools in Philadelphia and the surrounding area (K-12). Rounding out its programmatic footprint, OSB's International Program reaches thousands of children and adults in Southeast Asia and China by training teachers and administrators how to instruct additional teachers to work with the blind and the visually impaired.

At Overbrook School for the Blind, we follow each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) to educate the whole child. We employ more TVIs than any school in the state of PA and an entire related services team for students in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, orientation and mobility, counseling, and much more. Our faculty also includes instructors who have been trained to work with students who have been diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairment.

 


Announcements & Updates

    • Get Your Tickets for Spring Fling Bag Bingo!

    • The Red & White, Winter 2021

      Graphic is red and white square that reads, The Red & White, Winter 2021

      Read the latest student-created, High School Newspaper, The Red & White, Winter 2021 Issue! Read the on-line Adobe Spark Version or read the PDF version.

    • Read the Latest Red & White High School News!

      High School Newspaper Header for the Red and White

      Read the latest High School Newspaper, The Red & White, Winter 2020 Edition! 

    • Parent Update 2/22/2021

      Monday Parent Update  2/22/2021

    • Virtual Instruction Extension

      Virtual Instruction through Friday, October 23rd. On-campus Instruction will resume, Monday, October 26.

    • No Cost Internet Resource for Philly Students

      graphic with the link included in the text below

      Thousands of Philly students and families need a reliable internet connection as the coronavirus pandemic has led many schools to all-virtual learning this fall. Now there's another way to learn about getting connected: calling 211. The hotline now has information about getting in-home internet access with the city's PHLConnectED program, a news release says.

    • 2020-2021 Student Wellness Policy

      Please take the time to review the OSB Wellness Policy. 

    • Experience Overbrook Virtual Gala

      back of EO invitation

      Are you ready to participate in Experience Overbrook? Our first virtual gala? Spread the word and find out more here!

    • Parent Update, September 8, 2020

      Please note next week's parent update will be posted on Tuesday, September 8th, due to the holiday weekend. Thank you.

    • Distance Learning Guidelines

      Distance Learning Guidelines for Parents & Families

      You can download these guidlines in PDF format here.

       

    • School Reopening Plan, Staff First Day Back

      Coronavirus Update

      Monday - 08/31/2020, 3PM

      Download the Health and Safety Plan

    • Health and Safety Planning

      Coronavirus Update
      Monday - 08/03/2020, 12:38PM

      Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

      Today we have posted our current Health and Safety Plan for your review. View the current Health and Safety Plan.

      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. 

    • June Parent Newsletter, Rhonda Davis, Parent Liaison

      family newsletter logo
      The latest News You Can Use, Parent's Newsletter is out now. 

    • Come Celebrate the Class of 2020

      graduation banner

      The Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremonies, June 11, 2020, 10 am. We are so excited to celebrate!

    • Memories Were Made at the Prom 2020

      Screen Capture of Prom

      We had a most wonderful time at the Prom last Friday evening. We have posted a small photo slide show from the event. We know they are not your typical prom photos -- but Overbrook has always been unique! Thank you again for showing up to create this beautiful evening. 

    • Horticulture Sale Has Ended

      horticulture spring flower sale logo

      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

      Ms. Kelsey's class on zoom

      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.

       

    • New Family Resources Added

      Parent Resource Logo

      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

      Additional Resources on the Enrolled Families page sidebar.

    • Exercising With Mr. Zack

      screencapture of ZACK'S VIDEO

      Exercising at home!
      Follow along with Mr. Zack in Early Childhood and Elementary.

    • Mrs. Eva's Class Does Haiku, Do You?

      Ms. Eva's class

      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

      Ms. Sarah's Class Zooming

      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. 

    • COVID-19 Letter to Parents

      graphic of stethoscope

      Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Letter to ParentS Updated March 9, 2020

       

    • Inclement Weather Policy

      students and instructors in winter coats and hats

      We have been quite fortunate with the winter weather, but we wanted to remind you to review the Inclement Weather Policy, as we have made some procedural changes. 

    • Understanding Vision Exams

      Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Christine Wozniak, shares some great tips on how to better understand vision exams and visual acuity that you can read here. 

    • EI Family Outings!

      Playing at Lulu Casita

      Last week the Early Intervention Program visited the newly opened Lulu’s Casita in West Chester. Lulu’s Casita is a play area where kids can explore on their own and interact with others.  Fun was had by all!  

      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

      photo of the school

      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. 



What's Up on Facebook?

  • February 26, 4:28 AM

    It’s Honoring Black History Day at OSB! Students and staff wore African prints, head wraps, and shirts that support Black history today....Read Full Post

    Posted: February 26, 4:28 AM
  • February 25, 4:41 AM

    Check out some of the designer bags for this year’s Virtual Bag Bingo on Saturday, March 20th at 7 p.m. Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Coach,...Read Full Post

    Posted: February 25, 4:41 AM
  • February 24, 4:07 AM

    PLEASE JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL HOOPLA FOR HEARTS CELEBRATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 10:00-11:00 VIA ZOOM (links sent to email) This...Read Full Post

    Posted: February 24, 4:07 AM

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Philadelphia, PA 19151
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