News and Views

Spring 2005  

'News and Views' is the Superintendent's quarterly newsletter.  It is available to be seen here by students, parents, Alumni, staff and friends. Please send any comments to Mr. Oldham

The Spring Edition of the News and Views has traditionally been dedicated to our seniors. It only seems proper that we focus on the accomplishments, plans and dreams of our graduates and honor them for this milestone in their lives.

 On behalf of the Graduates of 2005, it is essential that we recognize the love and support of their parents and families and the dedication of teachers, YSW’s and support staff that made this achievement possible.

UPDATE ON MUSIC AND SPORTS:

Music is alive and well at TSB, especially for two special students.  Meaghan Bynum (alto 1) and Lorrie Neal (alto 1) both auditioned for this year’s mid/all-state choral festival in November.  Lorrie placed 6th and Meaghan placed 41st out of 124 girls from all over middle Tennessee.  Both students participated in the Mid-state festival on February 17^th at David Lipscomb University. Lorrie has the honor of singing in the Tennessee All-state mixed choir on April 15^th at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.  Both concerts are free and open to the public.  We are extremely proud of these students and all their hard work.  Congratulations!!!

                        Ms. Georgette Seay

TSB has a new sport, Goalball.  This is one of the truly blind only sports.  It is sponsored and endorsed by USABA, U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.  It is also a sanctioned sport in the International Para Olympics, which is held at the Olympic sites following each Olympics.

The sport is played with a team comprised of six players, three players playing at any given time. There are two wings, a right wing and a left wing, and a center that usually plays a meter or so in front of the wings.

The game is played on a court the size of a volleyball court and is more or less equally divided into three areas. At each end of the court, there is an area called the team zone. The offensive team occupies one end and the defensive team occupies the other end.  The area in the middle of the court is called the neutral zone. Lines are tactually marked on the floor so that the players can locate their positions on the court.

It is a very fast moving game.  The game is divided into two ten-minute halves.  Each player on the team must wear a blindfold, even the totally blind players. The offensive team rolls a hard rubber ball that contains bells.  The ball is about the size of a basketball, but heavier.  The defensive team at the other end of the court must listen for the ball and try to block the ball from crossing the end line, which is located at the end of the court.  Once the ball is blocked, the defensive team has ten seconds to capture the ball and roll it back to the other end.  A goal is scored when the defensive team does not block the ball and it crosses the end line. To further complicate things for the players, a player can only throw the ball two times in a row.  If the player forgets and attempts a third throw in succession, then a penalty is called and a penalty shot is awarded to the other team.  The players must work together. Players are diving from left to right in order to block the ball. The players wear protective gear; elbow pads, knee pads, thigh and hip pads. Some teams wear ice hockey like uniforms while some teams wear football style pants.

The TSB Women’s Team is comprised of: Amanda Shirley, Ashley Flanary, Valerie Gibson, Ashley Thomason, Rhonda Lewis, Janikquea Journey, Amanda Morris, Heather Rasmussen, and Laura Elliott. The TSB Men’s Team is comprised of: Michael Grace, Jeremy Neal, Joey Banks, Bryan Gilley, Timmy Graybeal, Alex Hubbard and James Dean.

The Men’s Team has been playing some scrimmage games with TSB alumni.  Dr. Wixson, Ms. Ewing and Ms. Hinson have introduced the game to the younger students while in gym class, and at night with Mr. Schenk during recreation.  The Goalball Conference was in Missouri the weekend of February 25^th - 27^th.

Coach Bill Schenk

ADULT LIVING PROGRAM:

The Adult Living class expanded to two class periods this year. We were able to accomplish more and the class has been exciting for the eight participating seniors.  The focus of this class is to equip each student with the skills that are necessary to move into a semi-independent living apartment during the second semester of the school year.

    There are many “perks” for seniors who can be successful, but there are also some rather tough requirements before students are given this privilege. Students must maintain a good academic record, have good conduct and demonstrate the skills to maintain themselves (cook and clean) in the apartment.  

Other topics covered in the class were developing healthy relationships, wedding planning, divorce and other family issues, finances (including banking, use of credit, savings and investments, and insurance).  The final exit project will be for each student to develop a transitions folder, which will include pertinent information needed for transitioning from high school to college or the work world.

                        Ms. Sue Alban

SENIOR ACTIVITIES:

I am pleased to report that EVERY student was able to participate in one of the two Senior Activities this year. In December, eight of the class members flew to Aspen, Colorado to attend the Challenge Aspen ski and winter sport program. They enjoyed a week of fast-paced, high-energy activities and made many new friends.  In April, another eight students will participate in a more leisurely but equally enjoyable trip to Panama City, Florida.  These students are planning a week of sun, sand and visiting local attractions.

These activities are not inexpensive. There is also a great deal of time in planning and preparation involved. We feel the effort and expense are well spent because of the once in a life time experiences and benefits to the students. For many of our students it is the first time they have flown or experienced the ocean or visited other parts of the country. I am always impressed with the knowledge they gain, the maturity they develop and the reports of how well they are behaved. 

Groups and individuals donate a portion of the monies. Some comes from the profits of the student Vendor Training Program.  Most of the remainder is raised by the seniors through various activities such as the American Printing House for the Blind calendar sell.

It takes a tremendous amount of planning and coordination to make these activities a reality. Each year

Mr. Schenk, Mr. Soben and Ms. Tucker spend countless hours planning and chaperoning these trips. They work closely with Nurse Simms, the class sponsor, and others to be sure that the activities are educational and safe for every student. I would also like to give a special thanks to class of ’05 sponsor, Ms. Murtagh and Mr. Elliott for their assistance on the trips.

We also need to thank Mr. Joiner and Ms. Murtagh  for the great job they are doing in conducting the Silent Auction to help defray cost for the Junior Senior Prom. Some FANTASTIC items will be on display in the “old lobby” and sold to the highest bidder by the close of school on April 7^th.    

A flyer will be included listing some of the incredible items they and the students have assembled.

THE GRADUATES OF 2005:

On June 3, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. our sixteen seniors will become the Graduates of 2005. Some of these students have been at TSB for only a short time, while others have been with us for their entire school lives. All have a special place in our hearts and take with them our best wishes for a prosperous and productive life.

Don’t forget, the Graduation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 3^rd.  Our speaker will be Mr. Jay Stiteley, Associate Manager of Field Operations for the Seeing Eye. Jay is a long time friend of the school, a very successful adult with vision loss, and a truly dynamic speaker. 

                        Respectfully,

                        Jim Oldham

                        Superintendent, TSB