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Students of the 3rd & 4th Quarter
Students of the 3rd Quarter
Elementary:
Middle School:
High School:
Shannon Winter
Tai’ Yauri Thomas
Tesla Nakedhead
Students of the 4th Quarter
Elementary:
Middle School:
High School:
Hannah Lindsey
Chris Shepherd
Lorenzo Rodriquez
Your SUPPORT counts ...
BLOOD
DRIVE
On May 4, 2015 OSB will
hold it’s LAST blood drive
for this school year and
needs your support.
The Blood Drive will be
held at
O S B L o wr e y Ha l l
1 1 : 3 0 a m t o 3 : 3 0 p m.
Please see attached flyer
for more information &/or
contact Ms. Allison Garner.
Thank you!
Oklahoma School
for the Blind
2014-2015, Issue 8
April 29, 2015
Special points of
interest:
 Creek County Lit. Bee
 Cane Quest
 Summer Tips
 Camp Opportunities
 Running Club / Events
 Rabbit Show Results
 Upcoming Events
Inside this issue:
D O N AT E G I R L
S C O UT C O O K I E S
T O T HE WO M E N
AND ME N WHO
HE LP KEEP
O UR FREEDO M.
The cookies will be
delivered
to
the
BLUE STAR
MOTHERS
and will be
shipped from
It is not too late yet … there.
Anyone wanting to doTHANK YOU!
nate cookies to the
military, please send
Becky LaRue,
your money along with
sponsor
your name.
Creek County Lit. Bee
2
Cane Quest
2
Caught Being Good
3
Library Plea
3
EL Braille Club
3
O&M Summer Tips
4
Summer Camps
5
Better Hearing…
6
OSB Running Club
7
Kiwanis 5K Update
8
4H Rabbit Show
8
Employee of the 4th Qtr.
9
Calendars
Blood Drive Flyer
10-11
12
Creek County Literacy Bee
Perfect through the first round of
25 words, OSB's Braille Bees,
sponsored by the Sapulpa Lions
Club, brought home the School's
Trophy for the second year.
Brianna Brennan, freshman
from
Enid,
Richelle Zampella, grade 8
from Muskogee,
From Left: Richelle, Kaylee, Brianna
and
Kaylee
Ragon, grade 7
from
Tecumseh,
worked together to
spell words like
(April 2nd, 2015)
panegyric, thalassic and ichthyophagist.
They competed
against 17 other
teams
and
qualified,
with
their
School's
Trophy,
to
proceed to the sudden death
Spell-Off Round against the top
teams from each of 5 categories.
Literacy Program's Spelling
Bee. This fun, but competitive
event funds about 10% of Creek
County Literacy Programs.
Please feel free to check out the
official website
http://creekliteracy.org/events/
17th-annual-spelling-bee/
for additional info.
Faye Miller
CONGRATULATIONS, GIRLS !
The Sapulpa Lions Club has
sponsored OSB's Braille Bees for
2 years at the Creek County
Cane Quest
Getting ready & motivated ...
Nine students in grades
3-6 competed through
16 stations, demonstrating their orientation
and mobility skills.
dropped
objects,
using
sound localization skills to find
a target, and
working with a
teammate
on
human
guide
skills.
Student leading the Guide
The top scores were from
Garrett
Nicholas and
Avery Carrington. They
earned 58 each, from a
possible 64.
Using these skills helps
The contestants used their
improve
their
self- Avery getting in the car safely ...
coins to "purchase" prizes.
confidence, increase their ability to
Students bought t-shirts, rubber
travel independently, and provide
band bracelet kits, and a variety of
the basis for the transition they will
other toys that were donated from
make to high school and adult life.
our generous sponsors.
They earned
A special “thank you” to our 19
"coins"
at
volunteers who worked as teamstations
for
mates or scored at the stations.
demonstrating
Faye Miller
protective
techniques,
locating
Protective technique
Page 2
Pouring Water - blindfolded!
Picking prizes ...
DONE !!!
Panther Pride
Updates from our Social Services Department
March Students & Staff "Caught Being Good"







Gavin Day
Kaylee Ragon
Jacob King
Johnnie Davidson
Priscilla Diaz
Khatungi Bryant
Sherry Holder
- for working well independently.
- for helping another student locate a clinic pass.
- for helping another student during the fire drill.
- for helping an adult.
- for using her time wisely.
- for locating a fellow student's cane.
- for remembering her badge.
Social Services Department
Donna Ausmus
Jane Thomas
Sylvia Sterling
Library Plea
C a l l i n g a l l B r a i l le wr i t e r s !
C a l l i n g a l l B r a i l le wr i t e r s !
Please
RETURN
your
Braille
Writer to
the Library!
It’s that time of year again. I am
offering 75 cents cash money for
Braille writers returned to the
library - no questions asked. LOL
I would very much appreciate it,
if any Braille writers, which found
their way to anyone’s home, would
be returned to the library.
I thank you and would like to say
“I
LOVE
BEING
THE
LIBRARIAN” here at OSB.
Paula Rogers,
Librarian
Elementary Braille Club
The Braille Club had their last
meeting on March 25, 2015, and
they had a bead making session
and invited Hunter Kelly to participate. He seemed excited, and had
a good time.
All the students made a necklace
with their name in Braille using the
“Bejeweled with Braille” kit.
2014-2015, Issue 8
They also received a certificate for
participation in the Braille Club
during the school year.
I especially want to thank Mrs.
Tera Irwin for her dedication and
support to the club. She is always
there to help with the students.
And also a
THANK YOU
Carol Adams
Kim
Politte
helping on the
day with the
bead making
activity.
Ruby Barker,
sponsor
big
to
and
for
last
Page 3
O&M in the
School is almost out
and summer is just a
hop and a skip away!
Summer is a time to
play and to be adventurous. It is also a great opportunity for students to incorporate
their Orientation and Mobility skills
into their summer activities. Below
are just a few ways that your child
can practice his or her O&M skills
this summer:
 Take a hike.
It can be a hike in
the neighborhood,
or on a trail at a
campground or at
a nearby park.
Use the cane …
o
to walk along the grass
edge of the sidewalk or
curb.
o
to detect the
worn path beneath
your
feet in a forest.
o
to detect the ledge of a cliff
or the sides of a bridge as
you cross over the water.
o
to find obstacles and interesting objects such as
boulders and trees.
Sit down and listen quietly for a
few minutes: how many different things can you hear, both
natural sounds and humanmade sounds? Visually scan
in a slow, horizontal pattern
from left to right, right to left to
spot a deer! Use the same
pattern to find the pole of a
street sign, then vertically up
the pole to find the sign itself.
 With adult supervision, learn a route
to the swimming
Page 4
pool and orient yourself to the
pool’s
surrounding
areas.
Where are the lounge chairs,
the diving board, the bathroom, the lifeguard stand, the
snack bar, etc.? Use the cane
to find the edge of the pool
and to get an idea of the
shape, length, and depth of
the swimming pool.
 Help run family errands:
If your family
shops regularly
at a particular
grocery store,
learn the specific locations of some of
the items and be the one to
go and get it from the shelf.
Walk down the
driveway to the
mailbox and bring
back the
mail.
Deliver some
cookies to the
neighbor
next
door.
 Educate
the
public.
You could be
the
guest
speaker at a
children’s
program at your local
library or summer school
where
you
educate
other
kids about what
it’s like living with
a visual impairment and
how you use different tools
(the
cane,
monocular,
telescope, sonar glasses,
etc.) to assist you with
travel.
the environment (“I spy
with
my
wee
little
eye something red”, for
example) and the other
person tries to
spot the object
and identify what
the object is (a
STOP sign, for
example).
 If you are going to be
staying at a hotel for a few
days
during
vacation,
learn the
route
from the lobby to your
hotel room.
From your
hotel room, do a little
exploring to find the
vending area, the fire exits,
stairs, and elevator.
These are just a few ways that
you might use your O&M skills this
summer. Wh a t o t h e r i d e a s
d o y o u h a ve ? Try them out
and then share your experiences
with your friends and O&M
teacher when you return to school
in the fall!
Gina Woods,
O&M Instructor
 Play “I Spy”:
Take turns with a
friend describing
an object seen in
Panther Pride
SUMMER CAMP Programs for visually impaired students
By now, I’m sure you know that
you can enroll your child for a
“summer camp” experience here
at OSB between May 31 and
June 19.

Session I (Grades 7-12)
– May 31 through June 5

Session II (Grades 9-12)
– June 7-12

Session III (Grades 1-6)
– June 14-19
The number of weeks that your
child will be eligible to attend the
OSB summer camp/s will depend
upon their age, and their needs for
the
subject
matters
being
addressed during each camp
week.
This
year’s
theme
“Kaleidoscope” offers
a very wide variety of
activities and we are
looking forward to a lot
of fun.
As the deadline (April 18th) for the
OSB summer camps has already
passed,
any
additional
applications will be considered on
a first received basis “as space is
available”.
Please contact Mrs. Lynn
Cragg, principal, without further
delay, should you be interested in
your student attending one of
these OSB summer camps and
you have not submitted an
application yet.
Final Cut Off: May 15 th!
2014-2015, Issue 8
Students will also
have the opportunity
to apply to / attend
two
additional
summer camps in
late June and July.
These camps are
traditional camps,
not addressing any
academic subjects.
However,
these
camps are also
exclusively
for
students who are
visually impaired.
Summer
Camp
options at
OSB &
throughout
Oklahoma
The first of these camps is
operated by the Christian Record
Braille Foundation. Previously held
in Mountain Pine Arkansas, this
year’s
camp
will be
held at
a
facility
called Wewoka Woods, just
outside the town of Wewoka,
Oklahoma in Seminole county,
and will be held from Sunday,
July 5 through Sunday, July 12.
Local students who have applied
to attend this camp will be
transported by bus departing at
Muskogee Civitan Park between
11:30 am and 12:00 pm on
Sunday, July 5. These students
will return to this location on
Sunday, July 12, at approximately
2:00 pm.
Unfortunately,
the
deadline (April 1st) for
applying to attend this
year’s OWL camps
has passed. So, the
only way to apply to
attend any of the two
OWL camps at this
point would be if there
were cancelations.
However, here is a
reminder of dates for the two OWL
camps, if your child has been
accepted.
The OWL camp in Tulsa, for
children ages 15 to 18 years old,
will be held from Tuesday,
June
23
through
Friday,
June 26.
The OWL camp in Oklahoma
City, for children ages 8 to 14
years old, will be held Tuesday,
July 21 through Friday, July 24.
For more information, to check on
cancellations &/or to verify that
your child’s application has been
accepted,
please
contact
Valerie Auburt at 405-232-4644.
Jane Thomas
Your child was given the
opportunity to bring an application
and letter from the Christian
Record
Braille
Foundation
regarding this camp just before the
Easter Holiday. However, if you
didn’t receive this, I still have
applications, and will give your
child another copy, upon request
from you, the parent.
Page 5
Page 6
Panther Pride
OSB Running
Club
OSB Panthers Running Club
Susan Young Mock, Coach
(918) 781-8200 Ext. 8214
Email: [email protected]
most races in Oklahoma but not
every race is listed on the
Oklahoma Sports and Fitness
calendar.
The Cherokee Nation has a fitness
program called “WINGS”, which
Dear Parents and Guardians:
pays the entry fee of its
The first year for the OSB
members to races in the
Panthers Running Club
Cherokee Nation. You do
OSB
was quite successful and
not have to be a Tribal
Running member in order to be a
your student is invited to
join the success!
Club a WINGS member; however, you must live in the
The Club has two practice
HUGE
Cherokee Nation. Please
runs per week, the first
and third day of the school SUCCESS see below the “Summer
Schedule” of
WINGS
week, after school, usually
races and let me know if
about 4:30 till 5:00.
you
are
interested
in
Students
living
locally
are becoming a member. I have entry
welcomed
and
alternative forms and can provide them as
transportation will need to be needed.
made by the parent / guardian.
I also plan on having a table set
Please let me know if you are up at Enrollment Sunday, where I
interested
in
your
student will
have
more
schedule
participating in an event close to information, forms, etc. and where
your home. I’ll work with your I will be available for any
student and attend the event too, if questions you may have related to
my schedule allows. I can find our running club.
We plan to have the 4th Annual
Panther Prowl 5k race in
November and hope you and your
student participate.
Entry is
FREE and we are going to have a
fun time!
The Muskogee Kiwanis Club is
sponsoring an open 5k Run to
help raise money for OSB and the
Running Club. The first event was
April 25, 2015. We may change
the date in 2016 to attract more
runners.
The Kiwanis 5k was held in
Muskogee at Robison Park and
was the first race ever held at this
venue. More information will be
coming so please be thinking
about participating or volunteering.
Thank you for allowing your loved
child to enjoy the exciting sport of
road racing. I appreciate your
efforts and look forward to another
successful school year!
Susan Mock
WINGS Summer Schedule 2015
*Races highlighted in yellow are Wings Race Series Races, which are sanctioned and
organized by Cherokee Nation/Healthy Nation*
All races listed below are free to Wings members, highlighted or not.
DATE
NAME OF RACE
LOCATION
May 2
Gary Lattimore Scholarship Run
Roland
May 9
Run for the Berries
Stilwell
May 16
5K Run for Wellness
Muskogee
May 23
Kenwood Challenge
Kenwood
May 30
“Run Jack Run” Hope For PAAS 5K
Vinita
June 5
June 13
Moonlight 5K (Friday evening)
Beat the Heat 5K (evening)
Collinsville
Salina
June 20
Fort Gibson Run 5K & 10K
Fort Gibson
August 1
Redbird Smith 5K
Sallisaw
August 22
Bacone Wings Fall Invitational 5K & 1 Mile
August 29
“Fire Up the Lions” 5K
Muskogee
Vinita
2014-2015, Issue 8
Page 7
Kiwanis 5K - 1 Mile Fun Race
On April 25, 2015 the Muskogee
Kiwanis Club sponsored an open
5k Run to help raise money for
OSB and the Running Club.
Treysen’s mom, Tracey Radick,
placed first in her age group and
2nd female.
Kaylee Ragon,
OSB 7th grader,
placed first in her
age group.
The event was the FIRST RACE
EVER held at Robison Park.
Due to its success, we are
planning on making this an annual
event and are looking at dates for
2016 that might even attract more
runners.
Treysen
Brown,
OSB KG
student, won the 1 Mile Fun Run
with his uncle helping a little.
T h a n k yo u t o a l l
sponsors,
volunteers,
and runners!
Susan Mock
Kaylee Ragon
Allison
Garner,
OSB
teacher,
manned an intersection on course.
Kaylee Ragon
Allison Garner
4H - Rabbit Show - Results
On Monday, April 27, 2015 OSB held
its last 4H Rabbit Show for this school
year.
Here are the results...
Satin Meat
Destiny Tanyan
 Doe 1st Place and
Breed Champion
Holland Lop
Regan Spaulding
 Buck 2nd place
Kaylee Ragon
 Buck 5th place
Garrett Kennedy
th
 Buck 4 place
Skyler Moore
 Doe 1st place and
Breed Champion
Havana
Rylie Spaulding
 Buck 3rd place
Mini Satin
Ariana Richardson
st
 Buck 1 place
Page 8
Dutch
Tai Yauri Thomas
 Buck 4th place
Skyler Moore
 Doe 1st place
and
Breed Champion
Katelyn Moore
th
 Buck 5 place
Polish
Tai Yauri Thomas
th
 Buck 4 place
Mini Rex
Avery Carrington
 Doe 1st place and
Breed Champion
LAST
4H Rabbit
Show of
the School
Year…
another
SUCCESS!
Showmanship Grand Champ
Sr.:
Regan Spaulding
Showmanship Reserve
Champ Sr.: Jillian Matthews
Showmanship Grand Champ
Jr.:
Rylie Spaulding
Showmanship Reserve
Champ Jr.: Sklyer Moore
Loin Head
Jillian Matthews
 Buck 1st place and
Reserve Breed Champion
A huge “THANK
Katelynn Moore
 Doe 1st place and
Breed Champion
I really appreciate it.
Netherland Dwarf
Holly Felkins
 Doe 2nd place
YOU!” to
all the OSB staff that stepped up
and helped me out last night,
during the Rabbit Show.
Marcella Bynum,
sponsor
Panther Pride
Oklahoma School for the Blind
Please check out
our website at:
3300 Gibson Street
Muskogee, OK 74403
http://osb
Toll Free: (877) 229-7136
Voice/TTY: (918) 781-8200
.k12.ok.us
It takes more than sight to have vision!
4th Quarter 2014-2015 OSB Employee of the Quarter selected.
Congratulations RACHEL BUTLER, Reading Specialist / Teacher
Following are comments used
to describe Mrs. Rachel Butler:
Rachel is extremely dedicated to
her student’s and teaching them to
read. She works long, tiring hours
in the classroom and on her own
time to make sure each student is
achieving their full potential. She
has worked with the teacher’s on
Literacy First and getting that set
up. Even though Rachel makes
her student’s work hard and learn
they all seem to enjoy her and her
class. Rachel has high standards
for her students and she makes
sure they learn.
Rachel’s attitude and commitment
to the students is evident in everything that she does. She has a
passion for students to learn to
read. She works well with staff and
has taken a leading role in developing the Academic Progress
Plans for students that are reading
below grade level. She works after
school and on breaks from school
getting teaching materials ready
for not only her students but for
other teachers to use in their
classroom. She is dedicated to our
students and has exemplary work
performance. She even gave up a
2014-2015, Issue 8
planning period to work with a student that needed remedial reading/Braille. She has high standards for students as well as for
herself.
Rachel is committed to teaching
students the very important skill of
reading and has kept her own
knowledge and teaching skills upto-date in order to be the best instructor she can be. She is always positive and constantly encourages her students. She enthusiastically embraces challenges
and offers help to peers and students alike. She has given up a
planning period in order to get
dozens of young readers on grade
level. Rachel maintains a positive
outlook which puts peers and students at ease. She is concerned
for the feelings of others and has
the other person’s welfare in her
mind. She uses empathy when
listening to a peer sharing a challenge as well as teaching a young
reader a new concept. She is
quick to listen and will take appropriate measures to do what she
can to help. Rachel puts the
needs of the students above her
own. She has spent countless
amounts of time and energy bring-
ing young
readers up
to
grade
level
as Jim Adams (left) and
Rachel Butler
well
as
teaching
braille to newly blind students.
She works tirelessly to improve
reading skills in her class and help
peers with the students in their
classes. She has taken on the
extra tasks of brailing flash cards
for other teachers and developing
the reading program. Rachel is a
consummate professional educator with a strong work ethic. She
has high expectations of her students and demonstrates her work
ethic and high standards so her
students will have a role model.
She is a fine example of a professional educator, stays positive, is
kind to others, constantly builds
her knowledge, and is respectful.
Ronna Johnston
Secretary V, CPO
Page 9
All calendars are “subject to change”.
2014-2015, Issue 8
Page 10
Page 10
Panther Pride
2014-2015, Issue 8
Page 11
All calendars are “subject to change”.
Page 12
Panther Pride