NEWS AND VIEWS

 

 

As our unusually cold and wet winter departs and the warmth of spring turns our thoughts toward Graduation Day, things are really humming at TSB.  In this edition there will be several items of news, but our prime focus will be on the Class of 2003. This year’s class has seventeen members and is the largest class in over fifteen years. Our seniors have a variety of interest and life goals and hail from all of our state’s three Grand Divisions.

   

 Jessica Beecham of Pegram is our class Valedictorian.  She has not decided which college she will be attending but she is planning a career as a Special Education Teacher.  Jessica leaves a legacy of athletic prowess as well as high academic achievement.
Meredith Burton of Lynchburg is our class Salutatorian.  Meredith plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and major in music.  She also plans to enter the profession of teaching.  Meredith’s loving ways and gentle spirit will bring a lump to the throats of our staff and students on graduation day.
Fred (Andy) Bain of Christiana plans on further training at Lions World in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He has not decided on a career as of yet, but we all know his determination will lead to success.
Benjamin (Benji) Doezema of Antioch has not made a career choice at this point.  He will be working with his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to locate employment and/or training this summer.  We wish him much success and happiness.
Richard (Ricky) Eastep of Fairview is also undecided as to his career path.  We will all miss his smile and laughter and have been blessed by his determination to succeed.
Christopher (Ryan) Keith of Springfield plans to attend the Tennessee Business Enterprise Training Program in Morristown.  We all know he will be successful and will miss his political commentaries.
Toby Larkin of Churchill plans to enter the workforce after training at the Opportunity East Center in Morristown, Tennessee.  We will miss his directness and homespun humor.
Zerick Maclin of Memphis plans to attend ITT Technical Institute and pursue a career as an author and inspirational speaker.  While Zerick has only been with us a short time his style and wit have been an “inspiration” to us all.
Johnny McCloud of Nashville also plans to enter a career in Vending Machine operation.  Johnny is a hard worker and will be a valuable and productive member of his community. 
Mitchell Meeks plans to return to West Tennessee and pursue assembly line work.  Mitchell’s positive and productive attitude will stand him in good stead with any potential employer.
Kelly Morgan of Brentwood plans to enter sheltered employment.  TSB will miss her charming smile and singsong voice.
Meredith (Ashley) Mosley of Mt. Juliet plans to attend Tennessee Technological University and major in Special Education and English.  With Ashley’s determination she may have my job in a few years.
Angela Mosley of Paris is sorting out which school she plans to attend but obviously has a great future in music.  She is contemplating simultaneous careers as a performer and a teacher.  Ms. Denning is already in mourning.
Jessica Nuchols of Dickson plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue either a Music or Special Education major.  Jessica has never been challenged by shyness and her ability to speak her mind should prove to be an asset.
James Shinlever of Knoxville plans to enter the work force in his hometown.  The Chorus will miss his voice and we will all miss his politeness and accommodating personality.
Christopher (Chris) Tallent of Byrdstown plans to enter the workforce and will be working with his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  Chris actually completed his credit hours last year but wanted to return to TSB to “walk the line” with his fellow classmates.
Danielle West of Charlotte is undecided as to what training options she will be pursuing, but says she has a strong interest in working with children. We wish Danielle the very best in happiness and in life.

  

INDEPENDENT LIVING

As the seniors approach the end of their final year at TSB nine of them have been able to add Semi-Independent Living to their resume of experiences.  Jessica Beecham, Meredith Burton, Ashley Moslely, Jessica Nuchols, Angela Mosley, Ryan Keith, Andy Bain, Toby Larkins, and Zerick Maclin are currently residing in the cottage apartments.  They are responsible for their personal time management, meal management, housekeeping tasks, laundry, and maintaining their studies.  As with each and every class that has participated in apartment living there have been some “interesting learning experiences” this year.  That’s what learning is all about!!  These seniors are really doing a good job of meeting the challenges.

Sue Alban, Independent Living Instructor

 

SENIOR RECITALS

Angela Mosley will be presenting her senior piano recital this spring.  In addition to a seventy-five minute classical recital in April of 2001 and a multitude of other solo performances, Angela has served as the accompanist for the TSB Chorus during the past two years.  She has also performed with the TSB Jazz Combo.  She has become a master at reading and writing Braille music notation.  This year she has also assisted Ms. Denning by teaching piano lessons to six elementary students.  Angela has composed and written in Braille music notation many piano solos.  One of which she will include in her senior recital.

The Music Department will also feature Meredith Burton, soprano and Jessica Nuchols, pianist in a joint senior recital.  Meredith has been a voice student with Ms. Georgette Atsedes for six years.  Ms. Burton has been a lead soprano in the TSB Chorus since 1996.  She has had a wide variety of performance experiences, including singing with the Mid State Chorus for the past four years and with the 2002 All State Chorus.  During the 2001/02 school year she sang with the Donelson Christian Academy Show Choir, where she participated in their production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”  Meredith sang the National Anthem this year at the Girls’ State Basketball Tournament finals.  Meredith’s beautiful voice has and will continue to be an inspiration to many audiences. 

Jessica Nuchols has been a leading Alto in the TSB Chorus for six years and has also studied voice under the tutelage of Ms. Atsedes.  She has been a member of the Mid State Chorus for three years. Jessica has studied piano with Ms. Denning for four years.  In addition to learning classical piano selections “of the masters”, she also combines her wealth of natural talent and creativity with an acquired knowledge music theory to develop her own unique individual style of playing today’s popular music.  We affectionately refer to Jessie as our resident “Floyd Cramer.”  Jessica has recently been performing with a band in her home community on weekends.

On January 30th six members of our chorus enjoyed participating in the Mid State and Freshman Mass Choir concert, sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association.  Ms. Denning, Ms. Atsedes and the chorus are extremely proud of seniors Meredith Burton and Jessica Nuchols.  They are also proud of, underclasswomen Aimee Hendley, Meghan Bynum, Lorrie Neal and Ashley Thomason. 

Seniors Meredith Burton, Angela Mosley, Ashley Moseley, Jessica Nuchols and James Shinlever will perform on May 5th at the opening ceremonies of the Strawberry Festival in Humboldt, Tennessee. 

The Chorus is currently preparing for the school Spring Concert on May 8th, the Chorus and Band Concert on May 29th and the Graduation Ceremony on May 30th.

Judy Denning, Choral Director/Piano Instructor

 

FORENSICS NEWS

The 2002/03 school year has been another successful one for the TSB High School Forensics Team.  Through out the year, the team has met every Thursday morning at 7:15. Members have participated on the local and national levels in the areas of Poetry, Prose, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, National Extemporaneous Speaking and National Forensics League Congress competition.  During the remainder of this school year, the team will be competing with other special schools in Ohio and Indiana.  Local competition in the Metro League will include After-Dinner Speaking, Solo Acting, Duet Acting, Story Telling, Radio/TV Broadcasting, Pantomime, and Duo-Interpretation.  Graduating seniors include Meredith Burton, Jessica Beecham, Ryan Keith, and Ashley Moseley.  Underclassmen team members are Meghan Bynum, Brian Gilley, Joey Banks, “Dannie” Francis, Robby Mogan, Zac Winton, Sara Brooks, Ashley Flanary, David Gray, Daniel Pack, Joseph Gray, Amanda Shirley, and Kathryn Womack.

Hilary Murtagh, Forensics Coach

 

JR. FORENSICS

The TSB Jr. Forensics Team will attend their first meet on March 31st at David Lipscomb Middle School.  Students have been practicing their presentations and are anxiously looking forward to this year’s competition.  Last season (2001/02) TSB had the opportunity to host its first Metro Middle School Forensic Meet and it was a big success.  This was mainly due to the many teachers, YSW’s and parents who were involved in the hard work.  We received many positive comments and feel honored to have been asked to host the meet again this season.  It will be held on Monday, April 14, 2003.  Once again, we look forward to support from the TSB family to help this meet be successful. 

Jean Chance, Jr. Forensics Coach

 

                           TSB TIDBITS

 

READ ACROSS AMERICA 

Practically every student enrolled at the Tennessee School for the Blind (181) participated in the nation wide Read Across America celebration.  This celebration commemorates the birth of renowned children’s author Dr. Seuss.  Several staff members, including Mr. Oldham, began the festivities by reading to the students at an assembly program on March 3rd.  Between March 3rd and  14th the students of the Tennessee School for the Blind read over 246 books.  We commend them and their teachers on this celebration of the printed word. 

In Ms. Kelly Benton’s classroom Read Across America was celebrated by the reading of the Dr. Seuss classic One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.  To make the activity even more real, we set up an aquarium in our classroom.  Dylan Burns and Brandon Swope were instrumental in the setting up of the tank.  After a few days of stabilization, we were ready to add the fish.  The students really enjoyed this hands-on activity and looked forward each day to feeding and watching their fish.  Special thanks to our friend, Ms. Tam Adams who assisted with this project.

Kelly Benton, Instructor

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SHUTTLE DISASTER FAMILIES

The elementary through 9th grade Science students expressed their concern and caring for the loss of the brave Columbia Astronauts by making and sending over 300 notes, cards and pictures to the Astronauts’ families.  The sentiments expressed by the students were very touching and should be a comfort to the Astronauts’ loved ones.  Each year some of our Science students visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.  Some of our high school students were able to see sections of the International Space Station, which now orbits the earth as the sections were being built at Marshall Space Flight Center. 

Norma Englehardt, Instructor

 

CABBAGE PATCH KIDS

Ms. Gale’s class is taking part in a program sponsored by Bonnie Plant Farm.  Bonnie’s provided cabbage seedlings for interested students to grow.  The Cabbages have the potential to grow up to forty pounds!   Her six students are caring for their plants and waiting to see who will grow the biggest cabbage!

Lee Gale, Instructor

 

WHO DUNIT? LAB

TSB’s low vision class generally provides students an opportunity to use optical devices in activities that will enhance visual efficiency.  This grading period, a new and exciting visual skills activity, the ultimate Forensics “WHO DUNIT LAB” was introduced.  Students were challenged as forensic detectives with cases to crack using real crime lab analysis and testing techniques.  With a 200x Zoom Microscope students apply their knowledge and training in Fiber Analysis, Handwriting Analysis, Hair Analysis, Chromatography (Ink Analysis), Tire Casting, and Synthetic (Blood Analysis) to solve each case.  Students read over the cases, collect and examine the evidence from the crime scene, prepare their own slides and conduct forensics test to uncover important clues, and finally determine if their evidence points to a suspect from the “Rogue’s Gallery.”

Saundra Hayon, Instructor

 

LIBRARY MINI-LAB

One of the most exciting developments in the TSB Library this year has been the installation of a new computer mini-lab.  Three state-of-the art computers are providing quality resources on-line for research.  In addition, a networked printer provides ease of use for homework assignments. The mini-lab represents a major up-grade for the school library and is much appreciated and used by all.

Laura Edwards, Librarian

 

CREATIVITY LAB

In an attempt to provide hands on creative outlet for students, Mrs. Rebecca Kuhn meets with some TSB students for a half hour session, twice a week before classes.  Learning to use various types of art media, the students have dubbed these sessions “Creativity Lab.” 

Many students have been involved in pottery and ceramics.  They are learning to hand build and throw clay.  Others have learned to pour ceramics, how to care for the equipment and molds, and how to load the kiln.

Fiber has attracted some students who use cardboard looms; tabletop looms and the floor loom to weave. 

Besides plain, flat weave, they have learned various weaving methods to add interest to their pieces.  Other students are knitting using the traditional pair of needles or the rake knitters.

Along with the arts, students are working craft projects that involve media such as paper, beads, metal tooling, paints and markers.  Another of our projects is to assist the Junior Class with themed decorations for the prom.

Many of the students’ works will be entered into INSIGHTS Art Contest sponsored by the American Printing House for the Blind.  Prior to being sent off to Louisville, the students’ works will be on display at TSB from March 24th through the 31st.

Next school year, we hope to have a whole class period added to the school day.  Having a longer time period will allow for art lessons and sufficient time to plan projects, collect supplies, execute the lesson, and clean up afterwards.

Donations of arts and crafts equipment and supplies, and/or your ideas and time to enable TSB students in their creative efforts would be greatly appreciated.

Rebecca Kuhn, Instructor

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

In January we received the information that I have been officially named as TSB’s Superintendent.  I accepted this appointment with a great deal of humility and honor.  I follow in the footsteps of some wonderful educators and administrators, not the least of these is my predecessor, Mr. Ralph Brewer. Mr. Brewer is a tough act to follow.  Most of what I have learned about administration and dedication was taught by “Mr. B.”  I promise to you; the students, staff, parents and alumni to focus all my efforts on the continued improvement and pursuit of excellence that was the hallmark of Mr. Brewer’s administration.  I am not “Ralph”, nor should I try to be.  I will make mistakes, but they will be errors of the head and never the heart.  I ask for your support and suggestions as we enter a new phase in the illustrious history of Our School.

There have been two other important changes in TSB’s administrative staff.  Dr. Charla Kelley who has been serving as Supervising Teacher has been appointed as our Principal.  Long time faculty member, Dr. Mila Truan has been named to the position of Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction.  Both women are dedicated people and committed to the highest quality education of our students.  We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Kelley and Dr. Truan as the academic leaders of our administrative team. 

One final note, TSB will be honored to have Dr. Lana C. Seivers, our state’s newly appointed Commissioner of The Department of Education, as our commencement speaker.  Please note on your calendar that our Graduation Ceremonies will begin at 11:00 a.m., central time, May 30, 2003 in the TSB Auditorium.  We look forward to welcoming each of you as we honor the graduates of 2003.

 

Respectfully,

 

Jim Oldham, Superintendent