A Division of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired A Division of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Volume 4 Issue 5 February 2004 Inside this issue: February Birthdays 2 New Stations 3 Cheerleading 3 Swim Season 4 Physical Education 5 Labels and Box Tops 6 February Calendar 6 Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped The Eye Spy Welcome New Principal Mr. Martin Monson joined the WCBVI staff on Friday, January 30, 2004. We were all so excited that we had an assembly the day before, January 29, to welcome him and his wife, Renee to our staff. We even had a special cake for dessert for lunch that day. Martin comes to us from Eugene, Oregon where he was an Administrative Intern and Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired for the Lane Regional Program. He has also worked as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired in the Clark County School District, in Las Vegas, NV and a Classroom Aide/ Dormitory Assistant at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind in Faribault, MN. He comes to us with a wealth of experience and a real enthusiasm for improving instruction and providing quality educational programs for Visually Impaired Children. The following paragraphs were part of the information provided during Martin s interview process. His philosophy and vision will help guide us as we strive to become the best Center we can be.
Philosophy of Education: It is my belief that it is the responsibility of schools to prepare all students to become contributing members of society. Often, our task becomes more difficult when a student has a disability. However, because our task may be difficult, it is no reason not to undertake it. In fact, as educators we need to rise to the challenge and do whatever it takes to fulfill our responsibility. I believe this is a task that cannot be done by the K-12 education system alone. We must take the lead in involving parents, community members and organizations, university systems, and all levels of government to meet this goal. As an African proverb says: It takes a whole village to raise a child. Philosophy of Leadership: As a leader I believe it is my role, with input from all stakeholders, to develop the course we will take as a school. It is then my duty to ensure we stay on course and reach our goals. It is also my responsibility to ensure that a staff has all the tools it needs to educate our students. In this context, tools has a very broad definition. The definition includes everything from professional development to adequate lighting and heating in the classroom. Vision for Teaching and Learning: It is my belief that all students are capable of learning. Further, it is also my belief that it is the teacher s responsibility to determine how a student learns best, and then match their teaching style accordingly. Moreover, as an administrator, it is my responsibility to ensure that the school culture and climate remain conductive to student learning. February Birthdays Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you. 04 - Erika Geib 05 - Matt O'Connor 06 - Daniel Groll 22 - Katie-Ping Woods 26 - Josiah Price Page 2
New Weight Room Stations Thanks to a grant from the Glen Stacey Foundation, WSVH students have four new workout stations in the Weight Room. The new equipment includes a Chin/Dip Station, Multi-hip Station, Back Extension Station, and an additional Rowing Machine. The pieces compliment the existing stations and are adjustable for different ability levels. The Chin/Dip station will improve students upper body strength, allowing them to lift their body weight in a full pull-up. It has a counter-balance weight system, so the students get assistance as needed while performing the exercises. The Multi-hip station allows four different leg exercises to develop the upper leg muscles. The Back Extension Station works on improving the muscles of the lower back that are involved in lifting and good posture. All of the stations promote proper body alignment while exercising. - Diana Brower, Physical Education Teacher Micah Murray working out On January 15-17, WSVH had 6 Cheerleading cheerleaders and 2 wrestlers attend the NCASB Cheerleading and Wrestling Tournament at the Indiana School for the Blind. The entire cheerleading squad of Renee Joye, Misty Julian, Karlton Freeman, Amanda Schmeling, Angelica Hope, and Tauri Ramsey worked very hard preparing their routine to take to competition. The three minute routine consisted of three cheers, a section of music for a dance routine, chants, and three challenging gymnastic stunts. The team placed 7th out of 10 teams at competition. It was my pleasure to coach this year and I was very proud of their spirit, enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work. The team would like to extend a special thank you to the Milton Varsity Cheerleaders for helping us with the dance routine and stunts. It was a wonderful opportunity for our cheer squad to practice with other high school cheerleaders. - Pam Benzel, Cheerleading Coach Page 3
Swim Season Swim team practice will begin on January 26th! All girls and boys interested in joining the swim team should come to the initial practice on Monday, January 26th, from 4:00 to 5:15 in the school gymnasium. We will have a competition team for 7th graders and older, as well as the community team for younger students. Our first meet will be on February 23rd. The community team and competition team will travel to Delavan-Darien High School and compete against the Delavan-Darien Community Swim Team. For the WSVH competition team will be three away meets this year and the home Wisconsin Relays. The schedule is: February 23 at Delavan - Darien March 12-13 at Indiana March 26-27 at Ohio April 23-24 Wisconsin Relays at WSVH April 29 May 1 NCASB at Minnesota Co-curricular rules will be handed out for those new to athletics this year. These rules spell out the Athletic Code, grade requirements and behavior expectations for all students participating in school sports. So, for fun, exercise and adventure mark your calendars and join the WSVH swim team! - Coach Brower Go Badgers! Page 4
Physical Education The year began with units in fitness and track and field. The students established fitness scores on many tests. These scores will be used to gauge their fitness levels and progress. Many improved on their last year fitness scores. Units in swim, gymnastics and weight room conditioning are currently underway. Some students went wall climbing at the Janesville YMCA this fall and another group will go in the spring. The students also participated in bowling, biking, roller skating, and game activities. Plans are underway for activities in ice skating at the Janesville Ice Arena. Nineteen students received the Physical Education HIGH FIVE AWARD for the second quarter of school. For the first time, an entire class earned the award! These students consistently showed the 5 P s of Physical Education: They came to class PREPARED. They came to class PUNCTUALLY. They were POLITE to peers and staff. They PARTICIPATED to the best of their abilities. They came to class with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Jason Corning Tauri Ramsey Quincy Washington Brian Boknevitz Samantha Ratkowski Katie-Ping Woods Kimberly Robinson Jenna Antreassian Josiah Price Angelica Hope Amanda Schmeling Ellen Bartelt Kody Steinhoff -Diana Brower, Physical Education Teacher Page 5
Labels and Box Tops Don t forget to cut out and save your Campbell s soup labels and General Mills box tops! Just save them and give them to Theresa Eiden. WSVH can get items just by you cutting out these items; you hardly have to do a thing! Thanks for your help and support of WSVH! February Calendar 5 and 6: Braille Olympics 23: Swim Meet at Delavan-Darien 26 and 27: Vision Teachers Conference 27: In Service Day-NO SCHOOL FOR WSVH students Visit our web site at www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us 1700 West State Street Janesville, Wisconsin 53546 Phone: 800.832.9784 DPI Nondiscrimination Clause The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Page 6