Thursday, March 31, 2011

Visual Impairments Criteria form from Virginia

Here's a form for eligibilty requirement criteria for visually impaired children in Roanoke, VA. Pretty neat, eh?


Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

DC comes to the rescue of shackled albino girl

Please click on the link below to access the page

DC comes to the rescue of shackled albino girl

Or copy and paste text below in your browser URL

www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=26868

Yahoo! Shine - How to remember anything: lessons from a memory champion


(mskathy) has sent you this information from Yahoo! Shine.
(Email address has not been verified.)

Personal message:
I saw this blog post on Yahoo! Shine and thought that you might be interested.
How to remember anything: lessons from a memory champion on Shine
http://www.shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/how-to-remember-anything-lessons-from-a-memory-champion-2463626/

Yahoo! Shine
http://shine.yahoo.com/

Blind woman Challenges Governor


 

MD News - Therapeutic and Surgical Management of Glaucoma

Glaucoma
http://www.mdnews.com/news/2011_03/05838_mar2011_therapeutic-and-surgical?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d94eba908d6db3b%2C0
---

mskathy wants to share this Medical News Today article with you

Dear Ms. Kathy,
mskathy  saw this article on the Medical News Today website and thought you might be interested in it:
************************************************************
Next Set Of NICE Quality Standards Launched On Depression, Diabetes And Glaucoma
NICE has today (31 March) launched new quality standards on ...
To read the full article, please go to:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/220797.php
************************************************************

Lodi’s Hy Cohen is independent in spite of blindness

Delaware Actor Turned Director to Shoot Inspirational Film

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

BLindness Prevention Week in Bhopal

http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=58562

African princeling brings golden voice to town

African princeling brings golden voice to town

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

CBSNews.com: Artificial retina a breakthrough for the blind? - CBSNews

This email was sent from mskathy
Message from sender:

Artificial retina a breakthrough for the blind? - CBSNews
URL: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/02/earlyshow/health/main20038184.shtml
Device approved in Europe; American involved in clinical trial says he can see shapes, tell light from dark while using gadget

CNET: The source for computers and technology http://www.cnet.com/

new activities available at the Classroom Suite Activity Exchange

This is the new activity I completed this week to accompany the pre-k curriculum. Gonna do Louisiana animals next.

MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724
http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/


--- On Fri, 3/18/11, Activity Exchange <webmaster@intellitools.com> wrote:

From: Activity Exchange <webmaster@intellitools.com>
Subject: new activities available at the Classroom Suite Activity Exchange
To:
Date: Friday, March 18, 2011, 3:34 AM

You are receiving this email because you wanted to be informed of
new activities on the Classroom Suite Activity Exchange.
If you no longer wish to be notified of new activities, please
log in to the Classroom Suite Activity Exchange and edit your profile preferences.

--------------------------------------------------------

--New Activity Information--
Name: Louisiana Food
Description: Yum! Louisiana food is so delicious! Did you know it was dancing food?
Skill Level:  Grades K-2
Curriculum:  Social Studies
Link: http://aex.intellitools.com/searchdetails.php?act_key=louisianafood&email
----------------------------

http://aex.intellitools.com/


Enjoy,
The Exchange Administrator





Interesting Article from MDLinx

k has forwarded you an article from MDLinx Ophthalmology, part of the MDLinx network

MDLinx  Ophthalmology

5 minutes to stay current

Your Article Summary

Combining ROPtool measurements of vascular tortuosity and width to quantify plus disease in retinopathy of prematurity
Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus , 03/24/11
Cabrera MT et al. – When combining ROPtool's measures of width and tortuosity, sum of adjusted indices, tortuosity–weighted plus, and regression analysis methods had high overall accuracy. ROPtool can now generate a clinically meaningful quantitative description of vascular abnormality to aid in plus disease diagnosis.

Receive more summaries like this by joining MDLinx. We provide free daily digests of top journal articles in your field. >> Click here to choose your specialties.

Other articles in Ophthalmology

>> Click here to see the complete list
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Applebee's and Mass Lions are teaming together for Mass Lions Eye Research Day

http://billericatownienews.com/applebees-and-mass-lions-are-teaming-together-for-mass-lions-eye-research-p2175-105.htm
---
This message was sent by mskathy via http://addthis.com/. Please note that AddThis does not verify email addresses.

Teacher Communication with Parents

I received this great list from one of my networks, Jeff, on LinkedIn:

Increasing Teacher – Parent Communication

From Crystle Hocker, P138@ J47 in NYC


-    Indicate the importance of teacher/ parent collaboration and communication for the success of the student. I've done this in a welcome letter to parents in the beginning of the year.
-    Communication notebook – try to write in each students notebook at least three times, even if the parents do not write back to you. They read it more often than you think and writing to parents throughout the week keeps them informed of the good (and the bad) that is happening. Being informed also makes school less intimating.
-    Phone calls – A lot of parents find phone calls much more meaningful and personal (although its important to remember, that parents have jobs and often cannot be reached during school hours).  I've also taken it a step further and have texted with a parent who is legally deaf as a means of communicating.
-    Weekly Newsletter: Keep it simple! Use a template (often found in those teacher plan books) and just jot down what happened during the week: what units you are currently working on, any special events that are occurring, any students birthdays, school breaks (and when parent teacher conferences are occurring!). Again, if parents feel like they are informed they will be more likely attend events or conferences.

Even if you don't get responses back from parents, they're not writing back to you or they don't answer your phone calls, don't stop communicating! Eventually they will communicate and when IEP meetings or Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled, they are more likely to drop by. School (and you) is not this ominous thing! They feel like they know you.

Remember, whether you are writing home, sending a text message, doing a newsletter or phoning home, end conversations with "it was so good to talk and how much you appreciate their time". Even if you are communicating to inform them of something "bad", end with something good! The "your son (or daughter) has been making so much progress this year and has even learned… I'm very proud of him (or her) as you should be too!" is always a crowd pleaser and again makes school communications not necessarily a scary or bad thing.

I don't rely on one means of communication for all of my parents in my classroom. I use a variety of sources to stay in touch. Some of parents are never capable of talking to me on the phone so it's vital for me to write in those students' communication notebooks as often as possible. Likewise, I have students whose parents don't read the notebooks, so, I call home as much as I can. The key is to find out what works best for your parents and use it!


MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724
http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

Funk and chips on the menu at charity party

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/community/funk_and_chips_on_the_menu_at_charity_party_1_2533423

Wise Old Dog

Way cool. Thanks, Mrs. L.!

MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724
http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/


--- On Thu, 3/17/11, Eleanor Landry  wrote:




Now this is a good knee-slapper!


One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and
before long,  discovers tthat he's lost. Wandering about, he
notices a panther heading  rapidly in his direction with the
intention of having lunch.

The  old German Shepherd thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep
doo-doo  now!"                 
Noticing  some bones on the ground close by, he immediately
settles down to chew  on the bones with his back to the
approaching cat. Just as the panther  is about to leap, the
old German Shepherd exclaims  loudly,  
"Boy,  that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there
are any more around  here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in
mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks
away into the  trees.  
"Whew!,"  says the panther, "That was close! That old German
Shepherd nearly had  me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene
from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to
good use and  trade it for protection from the panther. So,
off he goes.

The  squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the
beans and strikes  a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious  at being made a fool of and
says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and  see what's going
to happen to that conniving canine!"

Now, the  old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with
the squirrel on his  back and thinks, "What am I going to do
now?," but instead of running,  the dog sits down with his
back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't  seen them yet,
and just when they get close enough to hear, the old  German
Shepherd says...  
  "Where's  that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to
bring me another  panther!"

Moral of this story...

Don't mess with the old dogs...  Age and skill will always
overcome youth and treachery!  Wisdom and brilliance
only come with age and experience.


La Budget Cuts - Can Louisiana afford 7 BILLION dollars in Tax Breaks ??



MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724
http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/


--- On Mon, 3/14/11, LWVBR-LWL <lwvbr@brcoxmail.com> wrote:

From: LWVBR-LWL <lwvbr@brcoxmail.com>
Subject: La Budget Cuts - Can Louisiana afford 7 BILLION dollars in Tax Breaks ??
To: "MSK
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011, 1:29 PM


Lunch With the League
WHERE?  at Drusilla Seafood,
3482 Drusilla Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
 
March 17, 2011  Networking:  11:30 a.m. Program at Noon
This Thursday - RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Louisiana FIRST  Can La afford 7 BILLION dollars in Tax Breaks??  Louisiana FIRST
Confirmed panelists:   *Edward Ashworth,
Director, LA Budget Project, LA Association of Non-Profit Organizations (LANO)         
*Renee Baker,
State Director, National Federation Independent Business (NFIB)                                       
*John LeBlanc,
Director of Taxation and Finance, LA Association of Business and Industry (LABI)            
*Louis Reine,
President, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
The League of Women Voters of Baton Rouge's monthly Lunch With the League (LWL) public forum will be held Thursday, 3/17/11 at Drusilla Place, registration at 11:30, program begins at Noon. Panelists will discuss "Can LA Taxpayers afford the $7 Billion Dollars of tax exemptions this year?"  and offer solutions, which are applicable to this issue.  The LWVBR's goal is to provide a public forum which presents all points of view and potential solutions, so that the audience can leave in a position to make an informed decision of their own.
 
 It is very important that the taxpayers of this State hear the reasons for the $7 Billion dollars in tax exemptions, when serious cuts are being considered to vital state services, i.e. Education, Health care, etc/ with potential employee layoffs.  LA Citizens need to hear solutions and alternatives that are being considered which address Louisiana's financial crisis, which demonstrate a concern for the average citizen, who is struggling to pay the taxes, get an education/job training for themselves and/or their children to earn a livable wage, and provide for themselves and their families.
Reservations & Payment by Credit Card can be made by
going to
WWW.LWVBR.ORG/LWL.html
PAYMENT at the DOOR by CHECK or CASH ONLY !!
Questions from the audience are encouraged AFTER the presentations
Please make your reservations TODAY!
Searing is only guaranteed with reservations!
The public is encouraged to attend.  Tickets:  $25.00;
 
LWVBR Member's Discount rate:  $20.00
Please make reservations by sending your Name, Mailing Address,
Phone Number and Email address to http://www.blogger.com/mc/compose?to=lwvbr@lwvbr.org or call the
League Voice Mail: 334-9999 or 927-2255 with your information.
Your Reservation confirmation will be emailed to you.

 

Guides for Deaf-Blind to Get Free Train Travel

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Man on Jogging Journey for Batten's

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Monday, March 14, 2011

Isles Committee of Six get Martin Luther King Award

Good news! They're making people aware of the mistreatment of those with albinism!

Please click on the link below to access the page

Isles Committee of Six get Martin Luther King award

Or copy and paste text below in your browser URL

www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=26539

Deafblind Awareness Day 2011

k has sent you an article from http://www.perkins.org/.
Page title: Deafblind Awareness Day 2011
Link to full page: http://www.perkins.org/news-events/news/deafblind-awareness-day-2011.html?log-event=sp2f-view-item&nid=219423913
Summary:
Deafblind Awareness Day is March 9, 2011.

glaucoma week


 

Lillie's pad

[Got this resource from Lillie's Dad at Linked-In]
The mission of this site is to be an up-to-date resource for everything special needs related to the iPad and the iPhone. Whether it be apps, app giveaways, videos, music, news stories, accessories, links, helpful hints, etc. My hope is to have this site be a trusted resource for the special needs community.

Breeland Vs. Rich - Retinopathy of Prematurity

Leagle.com
Anna's prematurity placed her at risk of developing several serious medical conditions, including retinopathy of prematurity (hereinafter "ROP"), ...

[Parents sue doctor over child's ROP]

Retinopathy of Prematurity Pamphlet for Parents of Children with ROP

Vote VanHoutan's!!

Go to the link above and help this family win. They have a child with Batten's and they are in the finalist position.

Batten's Disease Org of UK newsletter


Famous People with Disabilities--Intellitools Classroom Suites Activities

March is Disabilities Awareness Month. I designed these activities for children to learn about people who succeeded regardless of having a visual impairment. here are the links to the two activities:

1. Famous People with Visual Impairments
http://aex.intellitools.com/searchdetails.php?act_key=famouspeoplewithvisualimp

2. Famous People with Visual Imapirments 2
http://aex.intellitools.com/searchdetails.php?act_key=famouspeoplewithvisualimp0

Family Connect Article on Teen Mom 2

Teen Mom 2: After a Diagnosis of Visual Impairment
http://www.familyconnect.org/blog.asp?BlogID=2&BlogEntryID=98

Saturday, March 12, 2011

ABC conference flyer - PLEASE FORWARD TO ANYONE WHO MAY KNOW A VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILD

7th annual
Cradle to Career: the ABCs of Blindness Conference
A learning experience for teachers and families of Louisiana's visually impaired children

-     Presentations  -
orientation & mobility for children, assistive technology for the classroom, what the voices of experience tell us, low vision for the classroom, new assessment tools, visually impaired infants and toddlers, children with disabilities who are also blind, IEPs, guide dogs, braille, life skills and more! 

Teachers: Don't miss the Teacher Retreat, Friday April 8th, noon – 4 (Friday lunch provided for teachers who pre-register)

Where:        Holiday Inn West  
5555 Financial Plaza
Shreveport, Louisiana  71129 (318) 688 3000

When:          Thursday, April 7th 8:30 am – 4 pm
                   Friday, April 8th  9 am – noon
Teacher retreat  Friday April 8th  noon - 4 pm

Don't Wait! Make your conference and hotel reservations now!
$80 per night (singles, doubles, triples), plus tax.  Please make reservations directly with Holiday Inn West by calling (318) 688 3000.  Don't forget to mention that you will be attending the ABC's of Blindness Conference and/or the state convention of the NFBLA to receive convention rates.

BUFFET-STYLE LUNCHEON IS PROVIDED THURSDAY FOR PRE-REGISTRANTS, SO PRE-REGISTER AND JOIN US FOR LUNCH!

Conference Registration: $20 pre-registration or $25 at the door.
Register online at NFBLA.org >Quick Links >Cradle to Career Conference
Questions? Contact Dr. Ruby Ryles Louisiana Tech University
318 257 2028
See you in Shreveport!!
Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Article : Author: CNIB has wrong approach in getting blind people work

Thought you might be interested in this Article 'Author: CNIB has wrong approach in getting blind people work'.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/194598--author-cnib-has-wrong-approach-in-getting-blind-people-work

Video aids Southampton police probe into bid to blind pilot

Hi Ms. Kathy,
Kathy stopped by Daily Echo website
and suggested that you visit the following URL:
Here is their message ...
Kind regards
Daily Echo Team.

Curing Blindness with Botox


The Rest of the Story Behind the Text

Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 11:03 PM
Subject: The Rest of the story: Behind the Text

If you received this cryptic text below from me earlier I promised to tell you the details when I got home. I'm finally tucked in.

My mentee in the Second Chance Mentoring program wrote a letter to the judge by whom she was supposed to have been sentenced. The judge had a "sub" that day she was sentenced. The "sub-judge" was tough, handing out longer time. So, my mentee had been in jail since November and was not to be released until April 8--a whole month away.
Anyway she was called to court to talk to the judge and I got a call from her on Wednesday saying she was released but papers were being processed. She and an employee in EBRPP gave me a number to call to check on the paper processing.

I had a tough time getting through so at Brother Checo's (my mentor coordinator) suggestion I ran to get her something to wear and I called a lady Brother James suggested.  This lady had a transitional house with a free bed.
Not being able to contact the "paper people", I drove up to the gate at EBRPP. The security officer said she'd not been processed and the only way she could get out before April 8 was if she was bonded out. That's what the "paper people" told me as I called again from the parking lot getting through after letting it ring about 10-15 times. So we relaxed. We had until April to get her straight with housing, clothes, etc.
You see, everyone who gets out of jail cannot go home. This lady was homeless after leaving an abusive husband and she'd been coping with alcohol when she was arrested. She wants a structured, faith-based program that will help her stay off alcohol, get a job and manage her own money and time.

Then yesterday evening as I was leaving work late, just as I discovered I had a flat tire, I received another call from  my mentee! She was being released NOW! Checo was on his way to church and turned around so I wouldn't be there alone in the dark. Problem was we had no place to take her and everyone we called was no answering their phones. We'd been expecting her the day before in an emergency and now we were in emergency mode again and it was after 5:00PM.  Finally Checo thought to call his former employer who had a room for the night at a home for disabled adults.

Today Checo called and said they'd be willing to let her stay there! She only has the one set of clothes I picked up for her on the way at the Dollar Store. Later I'm taking her to the church closet for clothes but they're not open until Thursday. So that is why I texted some of you. My daughter, my mother and I found a few things in our closet and so did one of my Kairos sisters and I'm meeting Tara at EBRPSS tomorrow to see if she found anything. Between us there should be enough to last until we get to Mt Pilgrim's Clothes closet. I will be taking the donations with some toiletries to her new place tomorrow. Thanks!!!
MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724
http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/


--- On Fri, 3/11/11, @txt.att.net <@txt.att.net> wrote:

From: mskathy's cell
Subject:
To: mskathy
Date: Friday, March 11, 2011, 5:56 PM
Ladies. If u have any size 14/16 outfits size 7.5-8 shoes, call me. [Mentee's name] was released last evening & needs a change b4 I can get to my church's clothes closet

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