In Touchwith Nebraska

Inside This Issue

Spring Fling ConferenceMarch 22-23, 2012

Karen MarkussenScholarship

Nebraska Braille ChallengeSends Two to Nationals

Fall Foliage – Oct. 27-28

NCECBVI WelcomesNew Staff to the Team!

Campers’ Got Talent!

Parents Discover Keysto Success

APH Scholars Share TheirPerspective & EncourageOthers to Apply

Nebraska Has aNational Winner!

“Not just a living, but a life…”samuel bacon

A publication developed by theNebraska Center for the Education

of Children who are Blind orVisually Impaired

“We want every-one to know aboutthe good work takingplace throughoutNebraska in ourschools,” says

Susan Nellson Baird on behalf of theSherwood Foundation. Susie Buffettand her foundation tell the stories ofhow Nebraska’s schools are usinginnovative programs and practices toeffect change. And we are proud tosay that NCECBVI was selected asone of these innovative programs.

This organization filmed and photo-graphed the activities on April 28th

that surrounded the annual prom.These activities included arriving at theschool, settling into dorm rooms, asocial skills workshop, a formal dinner,

limo rides, and of course the danceincluding the crowning of a king andqueen. NCECBVI hosts this event eachspring and invites students from the areaESU 4 special education programs.

“The prom and social skills workshopsuch as this have been a dream cometrue for me that started in my earlydays as a transition coordinator. Parentsoften told me that their child withspecial needs is typically not invited tomany social activities and the parents’biggest fears were related to socialskills and making friends,” said SallyGiittinger. That was the start of thesocial workshops in the early 1990swhich eventually led to the prom andovernight event that it is today.

All of the teachers and staff involvedin this event do a remarkable job in

Student, Jakob Solheim, works with the film crew.

continued to page 2

F a l l I s s u e 2 0 1 1

Administrator’s Alley…A Chat With Sally:“Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools”

Features NCECBVI

Sally Giittinger

Colby Wetsch, Sheldon Bright, Aleah Beranek &Greg Rider pose by the limousine at Prom.

N C E C B V I page 2

preparing their studentswith all of the lessons

involved in social etiquette,how to dress, hygiene/grooming, dinner manners,dating etiquette, dancelessons, etc. The “teachablemoments” are endless. TheNElovesPS project coordinatorsasked many questions relatedto how do you teach theseconcepts to students who areblind. The NCECBVI staff

quickly demonstratedhow much is verbalized,explained, touched anddescribed when teaching.

The result of this endeavoris a touching video thatshows the magic of prom,the instruction of studentswith special needs, and theimpressions of many whocontribute to the success ofour students. Take a momentnow to watch this video! Itcan be found at

www.nelovesps.org and isthe home page feature on thenew NCECBVI website.Sally Giittinger shared, “Wewant to thank the SherwoodFoundation for selectingNCECBVI to be recognized.It was an honor to work withthe Foundation representativeson such an awesome effort.Many of us learned just asmuch about video productionas they learned about theeducation of students withdisabilities. It was a partner-ship that formed friendships.The camera crew evendanced the night awaywith the students!”

“Nebraska Loves Public Schools” (continued)continued from page 1

Mrs. Schomerus’ daughter, Jessica, and Jon Sailors.

King Wayne Pumel, ESU 4 Life Skills Program & QueenAleah Beranek, NCECBVI student.

!Thank you to the many NCECBVI and areastaff members, teachers, parents, and volunteers whoassisted with the “Evening with the Stars” prom.Johnson Brock Public Schoolsstaff and students – decorations and much moreArea high school students and Delta Gamma Sororityfor assisting with hair, make-up and serving as peer modelsLuxury Limousine for complimentary limo ridesOttemann Photography for taking picturesValentino’s for always being a great partnerand serving the kids’ favorite mealAnd a special thanks to“Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools”

!

SPRINGFLING!

Our spring conferencewill be held

March 22-23, 2012.Look for informationto be posted on the

NCECBVI website soon,under Professional Development.

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

KARENMARKUSSENSCHOLARSHIPMrs. Markussen served as ateacher of the visually impairedin central Nebraska for manyyears. She passed away onJuly 16, 2006. It was her wishto assist teachers who arepursuing their degree to teachchildren with visual impairmentsin Nebraska. NCECBVI andNDE will be awarding a $500scholarship to a teacher who iscurrently enrolled in the senioryear of their vision endorsementprogram or orientation andmobility training program. Theapplication can be found onthe NCECBVI website. Thedeadline for submission isFebruary 20, 2012.

Becoming a “regular” at the national competition ofthe Braille Challenge is coming true for two Nebraskastudents. Chase Crispin (Blair, NE) and Maura Loberg(Wayne, NE) have had the chance to return to sunnyCalifornia to take part in the national competition morethan once.

By participating in Nebraska’s regional competition,each student’s scores are submitted to the Braille Instituteto compare nationally. Each year, the students whoreceive the top 60 scores in the U.S. are invited toparticipate in the national competition held in LosAngeles in June. The goal is set for the students to striveto do their best and hopefully earn a trip west.

Each year the number of participants has greatlyincreased in the Nebraska regional contest. There were10 participants from Nebraska the first year (2007)compared to 36 students from four states in last year’sevent (2010). The next Braille Challenge will be held atNCECBVI (Nebraska City, NE) on February 29, 2012.“We are pleased to see the dedication to Braille of somany students,” said Sally Giittinger, NCECBVI Admin-istrator. “And we are proud to sponsor these students tothis national event, along with their families, to representour state and our public schools. Congratulations toChase and Maura!”

“The NationalBraille Challenge isa competition whereyou compete against11 other peoplefrom around the US,testing your skills inspelling, proofreading,reading comprehen-sion. Sometimes, thetests can make mereally nervous,especially whenyou're up againstpeople with different levels of skills. It also means lots ofpractice, or else you won't do very well. It was Saturday, June26th 2011 we rode on the shuttle to the Braille Institute in LA.They lined the contestants up into age groups, I was both excitedand nervous at the same time. There was a live band playing aswe walked in to the auditorium. We were placed on a riser, infront of a large audience. After long hard hours of testing, wewere finally done. Even though I didn't win, it was still reallycool participating in the National Braille Challenge.” (written byMaura Loberg)

“Going to theNational BrailleChallenge in L.A wasa very rewardingexperience for me.Instead of focusingon the contest part ofthe event, the staff(at the Braille Institute)go out of their wayto make us all feelwelcome, at home,and most of all, likewinners. It is a great

honor for me to go to L.A for the Braille Challenge. Although I didnot place in the finals, I felt like a winner just to be able to go, tocompete, to meet others like me, and to experience such a neatevent. The Braille Challenge is something I look forward to everyyear, and I look forward to participating in the regional andhopefully nationals again in the future!” (written by Chase Crispin)

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Nebraska Braille Challenge Sends Two to Nationals

N C E C B V I

Ian’s ArtIan Webster’s artwork “Night Sky” has been chosen

to be exhibited in APH InSights Art 2011, the twentiethannual juried art competition held by the AmericanPrinting House for the Blind. The competition attracted396 entries this year.Eighty-one pieces wereselected for the exhibition.

Preschool through highschool work was judgedaccording to grade place-ment of the artist. The jurorsjudged all entries withineach category on the basisof originality of concept,expressive use of medium,and artistic excellence.

From these “show Ian Webster’s artwork

continued to page 7

N C E C B V I page 4

Join us for our fall conference on October 27-28, 2011. We are excited to announce this

year’s conference topic: “Success with Brailleand Print: Ensuring Positive Outcomes for Dual MediaReaders.” The TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired)plays a critical role in teaching and monitoring theliteracy instruction of students who are blind or visuallyimpaired, whether they read Braille or print—or both. Howdo we define “success” for our students who are usingboth Braille and print? What are some considerationsto keep in mind? In this workshop, the importanceof reading assessment for students who are visuallyimpaired and the role of the TVI will be discussed, andvarious instructional strategies will be described. Thepresenter will be Dr. Frances Mary D’Andrea, aninstructor at the University of Pittsburgh and otheruniversities, a reading specialist, and an educationalconsultant specializing in literacy issues related tostudents with visual impairments. Dr. D’Andrea beganas a TVI in 1982. From 1995-2005, she worked at the

American Foundationfor the Blind (AFB), andhelped establish theirNational Literacy Center.Dr. D’Andrea alsoco-authored AssistiveTechnology for Studentswho are Blind or VisuallyImpaired: A Guide toAssessment; InstructionalStrategies for BrailleLiteracy; Looking toLearn: PromotingLiteracy for Students withLow Vision; and The Braille Trail books. She continuesto serve as AFB’s representative to the Braille Authorityof North America. For information about conferenceregistration, please visit the NCECBVI website,under Professional Development.

Fall Foliage

Dr. Frances Mary D’Andrea

DianneBossung is anew house-parent inthe boy’sdormitory atNCECBVI.She hasworked atNCECBVIpreviously asan overnighthouseparent

on the girl’s side. Dianne also works part-time at RegionV Developmental Services. She totally enjoys her work,and the staff and students are glad to have her backon the team. Dianne’s other interests include campingand spending time with her grandkids.

Kate Zost graduated in 2008 from Peru State Collegewith a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early

childhood education. Prior to teaching at NCECBVI,she taught kindergarten for two years at Elgin PublicSchools. She is currently teaching practical skills andenjoying getting to know her students as well as otherstudents and staff at the school. Kate is enrolled atthe University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the visionendorsement program.

Tanya Hilligoss has joined the NCECBVI team asthe new Outreach Director. For the last six years, sheworked for Lincoln Public Schools as a supervisor in thespecial education department coordinating programsfor students who are visually impaired and hearingimpaired, as well as transition and summer schoolprograms. Tanya previously served as a programspecialist for the Southeast Nebraska Regional Programfor Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, a deafeducator for Lincoln Public Schools, and a specialeducation teacher for School District #45-Waverly.

NCECBVI Welcomes New Staff to the Team!

Pictured left to right are: Dianne Bossung (houseparent),Kate Zost (VI teacher) and Tanya Hilligoss (OutreachDirector).

page 5

Campers’ Got Talent!

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“Campers’Got Talent!”was the themefor the Sizzlin’Summer Camp…and did wehave talent!Students fromall overNebraskacame togetherfor a week of

fun in the sun, swimming, arts and crafts, music and avariety of activities (and we did manage to sneak inplenty of instruction).

Each year, NCECBVI hosts a summer camp forstudents with visual impairments. The NCECBVI teachersand staff, along with the assistance of the University ofNebraska-Lincoln Vision Endorsement student teachersand some high school peer volunteers, develop lessonsand activities which include the core and expandedcore curriculum.

Camp days are filled with academics and plenty offun is infused into the lessons. The campers are gatheredin small groups and paired with a teacher, staff andvolunteers to participate in camp activities. This year,the week ended with a talent show like no other.The talent show included singing, dancing, playinginstruments and a magic act.

Camp provided the opportunity for 13 students toapply many skills taught all year, and, according to thekids the best part is making new friends. Many campersalreadywanted toknow nextyear’scamp datesso they canplan theirreturn.

Makenna Lee decorating her stepping stone

Eric Ludwig practices his keyboard talentfor the big show

Parents Discover Keys to SuccessGames, gathering,

laughing, and learningwere all a part of thisaction-packed weekenddesigned for the entire fam-ily. Seven families from Ne-braska participated in TheKeys to Success FamilyWeekend held atNCECBVI in June.

The weekend kicked offwith the chance to show offthe family’s competitivetraits. The families partici-

pated in a variety of “Minute it to Win it” challengesand the competition was fierce. Parents, students withvisual impairments and their siblings were also chal-lenged to a bowl-off. However, the trick to bowlingwas everyone was blindfolded! This was a fun-filled

evening with everyone being a winner at the end ofthe night.

The rest of the family weekend offered the opportunityfor parents to attend informational training sessionswhile the students were entertained, instructed andsupervised by NCECBVIteachers of the visuallyimpaired and staff members.Kevin O’Connor was thisyear’s speaker. Mr. O’Connorreturned to Nebraska bypopular demand. He helpedparents focus on relation-ship and team building,not only within their familiesbut also with educationalteam members who servetheir child.

The annual family

Minute to Win It…great smile,Joshua Wichman

Oscar & Sofia Becerra family bowlingcontinued to page 7

N C E C B V I page 6

Once a year, an exciting opportunity ispresented to teachers of the visually impaired

throughout the United States...a chance to visitthe American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville,KY during its Annual Meeting. How is this possible?Just ask Mary Farris, long-time teacher at NCECBVI.“After spending two decades working in the field ofvision and using APH products, I started to wonderabout where they came from, who developed them,how they were made and tested – I just never thought Iwould get to make the trip to APH until a co-workersuggested I should apply to be an APH Scholar. I neverthought I was worthy nor had the time. I thought wrong.”

Both Mary and veteran teacher, LeAnna MacDon-ald, from Westside Community Schools in Omaha hadtheir dreams come true in October, 2010. The previousApril, each had accepted APH’s invitation to apply forone of their five all-expense paid Scholar awards givenout annually. Sally Giittinger, NCECBVI administratorand Karen Duffy, NIRC Coordinator completed lettersof nomination for these two worthy candidates.

Reflecting on being chosen as an award recipient,Mary noted, “I am not sure I understood the full scopeof the adventure I was about to go on.” She explained,“I had imagined that APH items were produced in alarge sterile factory. I was overwhelmed by the amountof thought, planning, testing, and personal craftsmanshipthat went into each individual project. This, paired withthe historical aspect of the facility, helped me gainmuch more respect for APH and what they accomplisheach year.”

“I was so honored to be a part of that select group,”expressed LeAnna. “The opportunity to tour the PrintingHouse and to see the many processes that they use tomake the materials we all know and love was delightful.Walking through the different areas of the productionfloor and seeing the bins with items that go in themany kits was just fascinating.”

But a visit to the production facility is only one aspectof the APH Scholars’ experience. Sitting in the largeAnnual Meeting sessions and hearing about the

entire scope of services and materials that they providewas a highlight for LeAnna. “We all see just a small‘piece’ of the puzzle, but there is so much more thanjust the APH catalog!”

When attending the New Products DevelopmentInput Sessions, both Mary & LeAnna were pleased tofind that their counsel was sought after. LeAnna, withher expertise in technology, stated, “I was able to sitin on several sessions when the technology staff wastalking about future items and what we wanted to seein them. Many participants in the audience were fromSchools for the Blind or were adult consumers. So, itwas helpful for them to hear the public school require-ments for equipment use and the scenarios forusing them in class.”

To discover that APH considered her opinionimportant was an eye-opener for Mary. “With theamazing people I was having contact with, who couldpossibly care what I think? Now, I know better,” sherelated. “I realized that APH really does want inputfrom those of us in the field. So this past summer Ivolunteered to test and report on the new ‘Game ofSquares’ by using it with students and makingsuggestions on how this product could be changed tobest meet students’ needs. It was fun and exciting tothink I could be a part of something APH does.”

APH Scholars Share Their Perspective andEncourage Others to Apply

In the photo: Sally Giittinger, Mary Farris, LeAnna MacDonald, Karen Duffy

NCECBVI is proud toannounce that we have a nationalwinner in our midst! MeaganGerdes was selected as the 2011Outstanding Teacher of Studentswho are Blind/Multiply Impaired.Meagan has served as the leadteacher in NCECBVI’s Basic StepsProgram for eight years.

To best describe the effortsof Meagan Gerdes, here aresome quotes from nominationletters for this award: “Educatingstudents with visual impairments– especially those with severeand profound disabilities – canbe like a large puzzle. Thestudent is the focal point of thepuzzle, and each team memberis a piece of the puzzle who

come together to offer this great thing we call education.There is no doubt that Meagan Gerdes is one of the‘corner pieces’ of the puzzle at our school for the blind.She is the anchor and the link that strengthens each child’sprogram and her effective instruction causes each ofour students to shine.” (Sally Giittinger, NCECBVI Administrator)

“The greatest distinction between Meagan andother teachers is her communication with the familiesof the children she teaches. For example, we are givena detailed explanation of the events of Kasen’s day ina journal every day. She offers us advice when weneed it most, but also consults us every time she istrying something new at school. Meagan understandsthat we, as Kasen’s parents, are the people who knowhim the best and she respects that enough to seek ouradvice when she needs it. That is not something thatcan be easily found in a teacher. She gives us thesense of security and trust we needed in order to sendKasen to school 50 miles away from our home.”(Robbie and Amanda Sipple, parents)

page 7 N C E C B V I

Nebraska Has a National Winner!Principals of Schools for the Blind (POSB) Recognize Meagan Gerdes

Meagan Gerdes (2011Outstanding Teacher ofStudents who are Blind/Multiply Impaired) withKasen, NCECBVI student.

weekend also serves as a gath-ering place for the NebraskaChapter of the NationalAssociation for Parents ofChildren with Visual Impair-ments (NAPVI) to meet andplan upcoming social eventsfor families in Nebraska.

While the students are inthe safe care of the staff onSaturday night, the parentsparticipate in a night out onthe town. “Each year, theparents report that they trulyappreciate the opportunity todine out, go to a movie or an

area activity, socialize and swap stories with the otherparents,” Sally Giittinger said.

Parents Discover Keys to Success (continued)continued from page 5

Good friends, Gabe Elting &Nathan Wichman, have a fewthings in common. They bothattended family weekend thispast summer, both are twins,and both of their twin siblingsare blind and attend NCECBVI.

pieces” of art, awards were selected in each ofnine categories.

Ian Webster is a sophomore attending NCECBVI.His home school district is Ralston Public Schools.

Ian created his artwork out of wood, paint, glue,and glitter. The wood blocks were placed randomlyand glued together. Ian painted his project differentcolors, and based on the color arrangement, decidedto name his artwork “Night Sky.” When asked howhe came up with this name Ian stated, “The colorsreminded me of a night sky.” Ian stated that he wasvery glad that his artwork was chosen to be in theexhibit because his art has never been chosen in thepast. The artists whose work is chosen to be displayedin the exhibit also have the opportunity to sell theirartwork. Ian said excitedly, “I hope it sells to thehighest bidder!”

Ian’s Art (continued)continued from page 3

N C E C B V I

Leadership Team:

824 10th Avenue, P.O. Box 129Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410www.ncecbvi.org

To:

Sally GiittingerAdministratorAudrey GravesPrincipalTanya HilligossOutreach DirectorKaren DuffyNebraska Instructional Resource Center CoordinatorJoan SchroederHomelife SupervisorColleen PoggemeyerFood Services Coordinator

To be added/removed fromthe mailing list please call:

402.873.5513800.826.4355

Calendar of Upcoming Events:October 27-28, 2011Fall Foliage Statewide ConferenceOctober 31, 2011NCECBVI Closed for Fall BreakNovember 8, 2011NCECBVI Vision Stakeholder TeamMeetingNovember 9-10, 2011Nebraska Children’s Low Vision ClinicNovember 23, 2011NCECBVI Closes at 12:30 forThanksgiving HolidayDecember 21, 2011End of Second Quarter; HolidayMusic ProgramDec. 22, 2011 – Jan. 3, 2012NCECBVI Closed for Holiday BreakJanuary 4, 2012Classes ResumeJanuary 17, 2012NCECBVI Closed for Winter Break

January 20, 2012NCECBVI In-Service Day – No Classfor StudentsFebruary 29, 2012Braille ChallengeMarch 9, 2012End of Third QuarterMarch 16, 2012Parent/Teacher ConferencesMarch 22-23, 2012Spring Fling Statewide ConferenceMarch 26, 2012NCECBVI Closed for Spring BreakApril 6-9, 2012NCECBVI Closed for Easter BreakMay 22, 2012End of 4th Quarter; Last Staff andStudent Day

The mission ofNCECBVI is toimprove the learningof children who areblind or visuallyimpaired through acommitment tocommunication,accountability,and leadership.

Newsletter Editor: Graphic Designer:Cheryl Wichman Stacee MilanHealthcare Public Relations Consultant Touch of Pride Graphic Designjcwichman@msn.com tchpride@cox.netNE Center for the Education

of Children who are Blind orVisually Impaired (NCECBVI)

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