In Touchwith Nebraska

Inside This Issue

NCECBVI Staff Takes theNational Stage

Spoken by a True Scholar– Liz Schomerus

Annual SpringConference

Calendars and Routines

Karaoke Night

Tactile Town

The Big Boot BrailleProject

On the Road

New SchoolMeal Requirements

“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

The Nebraska Center forthe Education of Childrenwho are Blind or VisuallyImpaired (NCECBVI) hasreceived two donatedtandem bicycles. The Rush-Miller Foundation, Pueblo,Colorado, has donatedbicycles to blind and lowvision children across theU.S. and abroad for severalyears. Two years ago, theyembarked on a project and agoal to donate two tandembicycles to every school for the blindin the U.S.

“Eric Miller, from this foundation, isa parent of a son who lost his vision12 years ago and wants to give back

to others for all that has been done forthem,” Sally Giittinger explained.

“We are appreciative for individualslike this who make it possible for ourstudents to gain new skills andexperiences,” she added.

Audrey Graves, Tim Lockwood, Ian Webster, Sheldon Bright, SallyGiittinger, and Jon Sailors are trying out the new bikes.

S p r i n g I s s u e 2 0 1 3

Bicycle Built For Two

Sizzlin’ Summer CampStarting back at the age of the dinosaurs

all the way up to the future, we are going tohave some fun traveling through time tolearn about past decades and using ourimaginations to think what might happenin the future.

Hope you are ready to have fun, becausewe are going to have a blast!

Save the Date!June 10-14, 2013

Trem

end

ou

sTi

me

Tra

vel

ers!

N C E C B V I page 2

NCECBVI Staff Takes the National StageIn October, NCECBVI staff members attended

national meetings in Louisville, Kentucky wherethey were showered with honors.

Sally Giittinger, was the recipient of the Council ofSchools for the Blind’s William H. English LeadershipAward which is given to a school for the blindadministrator or superintendent each year.

In recognition of his many outstanding contributions,leadership, and service to the field and to blind andvisually impaired students, the Council of Schools forthe Blind (COSB) presents the William H. English Lead-

ership Awardat the annualCOSB Banquetto a deservingsuperintendentor chief admin-istrator from aschool for theblind. Thehonoree mustexemplify thecharacteristicsMr. Englishdemonstrated

throughout his 40-year career and who, likewise, hasmade significant contributions to the field and to blindand visually impaired students.

“Through Sally’s leadership, the collaborativearrangement among ESU4, school districts, the Universityof Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Nebraska Department ofEducation has been quite successful and beneficial forour children, service providers and families in Nebraska.This national recognition is well deserved,” said GarySherman, Nebraska Department of Education Administratorof Special Education.

Tim Lockwood was the recipient of the OutstandingTeacher of Students who are Blind/Visually Impairedby the Council of Schools for the Blind and the Principalsof Schools for the Blind (POSB).

Mr. Lockwoodhas taught atNCECBVI forover 13 years.He has taughta wide varietyof academicclasses overthe yearsincludingScience,English, andMusic, as wellas providing the best possible individual adaptivetechnology for all students. The students truly love Mr.Lockwood, and the parents greatly appreciate all that hedoes with their children.

Liz Schomerus was selected to attend theannual meeting for the American Printing House for theBlind as an APH Scholar. APH Scholars are asked toattend the annual meeting, review new products andprovide input. They are also given the opportunity totour APH to see the operations of curriculum and materialsproduction. See the related article in this newsletter forinsights into Liz’s recognition and experience.

Nominated by Dr. Bernadette Kappen, ExecutiveDirector of the New York Institute for SpecialEducation, Sally Giittinger received the Councilof Schools for the Blind's William H. EnglishLeadership Award.

Nominated by Audrey Graves, Tim Lockwood wasthe recipient of the Outstanding Teacher of Studentswho are Blind/Visually Impaired by the (COSB)and the Principals of Schools for theBlind (POSB).

Pictured are participants of this years’ national meeting in Louisville,Kentucky – Audrey Graves (Principal), Tim Lockwood (VI Teacher), SallyGiittinger (Administrator), Liz Schomerus (VI Teacher), and Karen Duffy(NE Instructional Resource Center Coordinator).

page 3 N C E C B V I

Spoken by a True Scholar – Liz SchomersusMy experience as an APH Scholar at this

year’s Annual American Printing House for theBlind Annual Meeting was absolutely wonderful.

I felt like I was in Hollywood when all of the peoplewhose books I have been reading, while goingthrough the TVI program, were there and talking to me!

APH made the experience very special. The accom-modations were amazing, the hotel was simply beautiful.Everyone was so helpful and nice, and they feed youway too well. Louisville is a beautiful city with lots to visit.

The meet and greet for the APH Scholars was a niceway to “break the ice” and let us know what we shoulddo. Lou Tutt gave an inspiring welcome, reminding usto keep in mind why we entered this profession, andwhy we stay in this profession…the kids. It was nice tosee that whatever part of the country we were from,we all had similar experiencesand memories of “our” kids. Loualso told us to be sure to take inall we could from the experiencesat the APH meetings, go tosessions (“sit in the third row”)and introduce ourselves to every-one and participate, not juststand by and watch.

I really enjoyed the productsessions when we could askquestions and they asked questionsof us for our input. I have fieldtested a few products and it wasnice to feel like they really wereinterested in our opinions. It wasalso fun to see the products inthe early stages, to see what isgoing to be coming soon.

The tour of APH was amazing.I was surprised by how much ofthe process of production is still

done by hand, and how few people are really theredoing the work. It was like stepping back in time, butyet some of the technology used is the newest available.

It was quite a mix of old andnew. The only regret I had wasthat I didn’t have more time to millaround in the museum andhall of fame.

The awards banquetwas so special. The smiles on thechildren whose art creationswon awards were priceless.Tuck’s smile was just as big. (Dr.Tuck Tinsley, APH President)Again, they are why we dowhat we do.

Being an APH Scholar wasa great experience. If you getthe chance to be nominatedfollow through with it and try togo to Louisville. It really is anexcellent opportunity to makeconnections with others in thefield, and see what APH hasto offer.

Liz Schomerus, NCECBVI Teacher, is in the center along with four otherAPH Scholars who were selected from other states.

My experience as an APHScholar at this year’s AnnualAmerican Printing House for

the Blind Annual Meetingwas absolutely wonderful. Ifelt like I was in Hollywood

when all of the peoplewhose books I have been

reading while going throughthe TVI program were there

and talking to me!

N C E C B V I page 4

We are excited about this professional developmentopportunity, as NCECBVI partners with the Children’sHospital and Medical Center in Omaha to bring youa two-day spring conference event.

Thursday, April 11: NCECBVI will host its annualSpring Fling conference in Nebraska City. The presenterwill be Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzky who serves as anEducational Consultant in Pittsburgh, Director of thePediatric View Program at the Western PennsylvaniaHospital and CVI Consultant for the American PrintingHouse for the Blind. She will focus on the educationalaspect of children with CVI (Cerebral/Cortical VisualImpairment). The Thursday conference will be held from9:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M., with registration beginning at 8:30 A.M.

Friday, April 12: The Children’s Hospital and MedicalCenter in Omaha will be hosting its second AmericanConference on Pediatric Cortical Visual Impairment (PCVI).The program goal is “to increase the understanding ofthe definition, diagnosis, and management of cerebralvision loss in children.” Presenters will include Dr.Christine Roman-Lantzy, as she joins Linda BakerNobles, a Professor in Occupational Therapy from theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Alan Lantzy,Vice Chairperson in the Department of Pediatrics andNeonatologist at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital andForbes Regional Hospital in Pittsburgh, and Dr. DominickMaino, Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at theIllinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry inChicago. The conference on Friday begins at 7:30 A.M.and concludes at 5:00 P.M.

Attendance for both conference events are highlyencouraged for teachers of the visually impaired,

occupational and physical therapists, resource teachers,early childhood service providers, and other teammembers working with students with who have corticalvision loss.

Although this is a joint effort, registration foreach event will be separate. Individuals will need toregister for the one-day Spring Fling conference atNCECBVI and also register for the PCVI conference atChildren’s Hospital. Registration for Spring Fling canbe found on the NCECBVI website (www.ncecbvi.org)under ‘Professional Development;’ registration for thePCVI conference can be found on the Children’s Hospitalwebsite (www.childrensomaha.org/UpcomingConferences).The cost to attend Spring Fling will be $30 if participantswill also be attending the PCVI conference on Friday. Ifindividuals will be attending Spring Fling on Thursdayonly, the cost will be $50. The registration cost for thePCVI conference is $50. Registration for both events isdue by March 25.

Housing will be available in the NCECBVI dormsboth Wednesday and Thursday nights for a cost of$15/night. If conference attendees are interested inspending the night in Omaha on Thursday, a block ofrooms has been reserved across the street fromChildren’s Hospital at the Staybridge Suites, at a rateof $89/night. Call 877-238-8889 for reservationsand indicate the PCVI/Children’s rate. Participantswill be asked to indicate any housing arrangementson their registration form, however, individuals areresponsible for making their own reservations for anyovernight accommodations.

Annual Spring Conference

page 5 N C E C B V I

Last Spring, students from around the area attendedNCECBVI’s Annual Prom. Towards the end of the dance,karaoke took over as part of the after-prom celebration.Students loved having the opportunity to show off theirsinging skills to all of their friends. Due to this positiveresponse, NCECBVI held a Karaoke Party on November15, 2012. Life Skills students from area schools wereinvited to attend and show off their best karaoke skills.

The evening began with a dinner that allowed thestudents to catch up with old friends along with meetinga few new ones. After dinner, everyone was surprisedwith a guest appearance by Nate Gonner, News andSports Director of KNCY in Nebraska City, Nebraska.For the first time, he shared that he had a disability(ADD and ADHD). Nate shared the struggles he hadgrowing up along with the message of never giving upon your dreams. He encouraged the group to keepworking and believing in themselves and that goodthings will happen. In an emotional statement, Natetold the group of students, “I don’t see a group ofstudents with disabilities. I see a group of students

with a lot ofuptappedpotential –potential to dogreat thingsfor futuregenerations tocome. Youguys arediamonds inthe rough, justwaiting to beexposed.”After his inspiring story, he kicked off the night singinga duet of his favorite song, “Don’t Stop Believing” byJourney, with NCECBVI student Wes Ropers. “Don’tstop believing in yourself, hold onto your hopes anddreams, and with hard work and determination youcan be exactly what you want to be, just like me,”

shared Nate.

Karaoke Night

On November 20, twenty-two educatorsfrom across the state participated in a profes-sional development workshop, “Calendars

and Routines for Students whoare Blind or Visually Impaired.”Participants included teachersof the visually impaired,resource teachers, early child-hood educators, administrators,and educational support staff.The workshop was held “live”at ESU3 in Omaha and viadistance education to ESU13in Scottsbluff.

The presenter was Jayme Alexander, a certifiedteacher of the visually impaired who serves as aRegional Consultant in the Austin, Texas area. Theworkshop focused on how organization and structure

can clarify expectationsand reduce anxiety inmany individuals.Participants learnedstrategies to help themorganize physical

space, time during theday, and learningactivities to positivelyimpact student success.

Mr. Lockwood and Ian Webster (on the drums)assist Wes Ropers and guest Nate Gonner withtheir karaoke performance.

Calendars and Routines

Jayme Alexander, workshoppresenter.

Cory Starner, NCECBVI Housepar-ent, and Katie Whisler, NCECBVIPara, participate in a room locationactivity with blindfolds.

Tanya Hilligoss, NCECBVI OutreachDirector, assists a teacher with the objectidentification activity.

Developing spatial concepts and awareness ofenvironmental layouts is a challenge for individualswho are blind or visually impaired. Elissa Heibel andJanet Rieck, Orientation & Mobilityinstructors at ESU7, welcomed the new“Tactile Town” just introduced by theAmerican Printing House for the Blind.On their caseloads, each had a youngstudent in mind who they anticipatedwould benefit from this interactive,three-dimensional model building kit.

Tactile Town is designed with attractivepieces incorporating contrasting colors,textures, and recognizable features toenhance instruction and reinforcementof mapping skills and concepts notalways conveniently accessed throughreal-life exploration. Now they canbe learned and practiced with maplayouts customized for the individualstudent’s needs. A variety of compo-nents – street blocks, houses, tall buildings, railroadtracks, sidewalks & intersections, stop signs, yieldsigns, pedestrian figures, traffic lights, and cars – makelearning both practical and fun.

Elissa Heibel had this to report after using it for acouple of months – “I have been using Tactile Townwith a student in second grade who is a large printreader. With this product, I am able to model featuresof the route that I want to emphasize – such as cityblocks, sidewalks, corners, and directions. As my studentis learning more about traffic patterns, my upcominglesson plans include using it to demonstrate trafficpatterns at intersections.

Since he lives in a smaller town with a limited varietyof intersections, I can model and talk about the differenttypes that exist. Then later when we visit another town,he will already be familiar with them and get more outof the lesson.

Because he has been required by his doctor to stayindoors for a while, we are using Tactile Town to reviewlessons since he can’t be there in person. An

important benefit to me has been greater insight into hisperception of things by having him build what heremembers, or perceives, the features of a route or

neighborhood to be.”And Janet Rieck gives this

account of her experience with TactileTown and one lively little student!

“My first target student has been akindergartener with ROP. She has asmall field of vision in one eye wherea tiny spot of her retina still remainsattached. She is very bright, very verbal,very visually oriented, very assertive,and full of mischief. As you mightsurmise, she is not too concernedabout being compliant.

After I received TactileTown, I took it to this student,opened the box, and began to playwith her. I tried toengage her in building a series of street

blocks, since during O&M lessons we had been walkingaround several blocks. I set up the blocks - two greenrectangles, side-by-side with alleys. I next placed thesidewalk and had her explore it, which she did bothvisually and tactually. She traced the sidewalk while wesang our “Walkin’ Around the Block” song.

Then I introduced houses. She was very enthusiasticabout putting houses on the “grass.” She loved thecolors. After the houses were settled, I introduced thecars. She was careful to place a car by each house,with a little encouragement from me to park it by thehouse, not in the middle of the street. I then introducedthe people. She absolutely loved the “dollies.” Shewanted to name them and take them home with her.She developed pretend conversations with them. So cute!!

My next lesson will be to build, interactively with mystudent, a model of the school and the block it sitsupon. I think it will work to use all of the large buildingsto lay out a configuration that is comparable. I hope toengage her in conversation about the rectangular

Tactile TownAn article by Janet Rieck & Elissa Heibel, teachers from the ESU 7 Vision Team

N C E C B V I page 6

Janet Rieck, ESU 7, uses Tactile Town withone of of her students for an orientationand mobility lesson.

continued on page 9

page 7 N C E C B V I

Students from NCECBVIand a core group of 7th gradelanguage arts students fromNebraska City Middle Schoolworked on a collaborativestory-writing and book-makingproject. Story-teller JoanMichelson from London,England and artist, NaomiRamona Schliesman, fromFergus Falls, Minnesota ledthis project.

The students helped tocreate a four-foot tall hands-on tactile book from a group

created story. The inspiration for the book design wastaken from the boots likely worn by Lewis and Clark on

their 1904 expedition.When writing theirstories and designingthe large-scale boot-book, all studentslearned about historicalaccounts and traditionalfolk tales of theirjourney across theUnited States to exploreand later settle outWest. The startingpoint of the storywriting focused on animaginary stray bootfound by modern day explorers along the Lewisand Clark trail.

Students worked collaboratively to draw, collage,and add 3-dimentional embellishments to a large-scaleboot-book as well as working collaboratively to write asingle story. Each participant also constructed andembellished their own moccasin or boot that includedtheir own personal stories. The finished boot-book willbe displayed at the Morton James Public Library inNebraska City, Nebraska and will then be permanentlyhoused at NCECBVI.

Jon examines the boot.

The Big Boot Braille Project

Sheldon works with story-teller, Joan Michelson, to write the story about animaginary boot found by modern day explorers.

Story-teller Joan Michelson fromLondon, England, and artistNaomi Romona Schliesman,from Fergus Falls, Minnesota ledthe Big Boot Braille Project.

Meagan works with beads on the project.

N C E C B V I page 8

In my early years ofteaching, living a quiet,

solitary existence, I lovedwatching the CBS SundayMorning with Charles Kuralt.His presentation of the humanside of life, held me captive.Prior to his years on “SundayMorning,” Kuralt hadtraversed the U.S. in a motor home filming his “On theRoad” series in search of the backroads and America’speople. He had noted “I didn’t like the competitivenessof the deadline pressure,” speaking of the fast pace ofTV journalism. After all these years, I find myself stillrelating to Charles Kuralt and his ideals. After 28 yearsin the pressure cooker of a large school district, whenoffered the opportunity of retirement, I too decided togo “on the road” as an outreach consultant withNCECBVI.

Charles Kuralt once said, “Thanks to the InterstateHighway System, it is now possible to travel from coastto coast without seeing anything.” During his backroadtravels, he gave NE Highway 2 the distinction of beingone of “America’s 10 most beautiful highways.” Beforetaking off for the first time in a “Nebraska Departmentof Transportation” car toward my first outreach visit, Ithought the interstate system was the only way to travel.It was fast, four-lane, and it got me to where I wasgoing without much thinking involved.

It was clear however, from the onset of reviewingfiles and requests for service that the interstate was nolonger going to be my best friend. What wasn’t clearfrom the onset, was how much I would, like Kuralt, fallin love with the highways of Nebraska. My momentsof pleasure include many sights: the valley on highway183 near Taylor as you come around the bend –breathtaking; an ordinary field with rolling hills andamazing geometric design on highway 56 nearGreeley, NE; real ranchers on horses moving cattlealong the side of the road on highway 20; the brilliantcolors of autumn throughout the state, and abandonedfarmhouses that move me to wonder about the lives offamilies that once called them home. These slices ofunexpected time cannot be re-recreated. They areyours and mine for just that moment.

In my four months on the job with NCECBVI, I haveeaten my words regarding the sandhills and the othertopographical features of Nebraska. I won’t discusswhat the words are that I have had to eat. It’s enoughto tell you that, in spite of those words of ignorance, Ihave been given a gift of seeing this fine state throughthe beauty of the landscape as well as through theeyes of the people that make it so special.

Teachers in small town Nebraska are awesome.They work to bring out the best in students. They areflexible enough to open their arms to students with variousneeds and still expect success. I have been welcomedinto many schools, treated like a professional, andmade to feel a part of the student’s team. I love theproblem-solving creativity of the teachers I have met. Ithink they actually “enjoy” what they do for, and with,the kids. I’ve been amazed at the importance of thecommunity as a partner with the schools andtogether the amazing buildings they have built.

I’m thankful each and every time I’m asked toconsult with a district. I’ve learned so much aboutwhat is important in the education of children. Biggerisn’t always better and caring always counts. As Icontinue through the year, I’m anxious to see what’sout there along the highways and bi-ways of theCornhusker State. Allow me to complete my thoughtswith two stanzas from a poem by Ted Kooser, our ownPoet Laureate who lives in the Bohemian Alps ofNebraska. (I know where this is!)

On The Road

Donna Hultman, NCECBVIOutreach Consultant.

“So This is Nebraska”The gravel road rides with a slow gallopOver the fields, the telephone linesStreaming behind, its billow of dustFull of the sparks of redwing blackbirds.

You feel like waving.You feel like stopping the car and dancing around the road.You wave instead and leave your hand out glidingLarklike over the wheat, over the houses.

Copyright: ‘So this is Nebraska’ from Sure Signs: New and SelectedPoems (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1980), © Ted Kooser 1980, usedby permission of the author and the publisher. All rights are controlled bythe University of Pitsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,www.pitt.edu/press/.

New School Meal Requirements

page 9 N C E C B V I

You may have heard that there will be new require-ments for school meals. These new requirements aregreat news for our students. The new changes will helpus build on the work we are already doing to providemore fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthierentrees in our school lunchroom.

Students now will be required to have 1/2 cup offruit or vegetable on their plate for it to count as afull meal.

We will offer a variety of fruits and vegetables dailyto give students more options, choosing fruits andvegetables will be easy for students.

Schools now are limited on how much meat/meatalternate and grains that can be offered. This meansthat some of the main dishes may not be as large asthey have been in the past. Remember though, therewill be more fruits and vegetables available to fill outthe meal and ensure students have plenty to eat!

NCECBVI has already made progress toward meetingthe new requirements.

How can you help? The school nutrition programneeds the support of parents to succeed! As parents youcan support this effort by encouraging your child togive the healthier meals a try and talking about thehealthy options or simply introducing your child tothese healthy changes at home.

You are your child’s primary role model, when theysee you choose healthy foods they are more likely to

choose them as well. If you have any questions orconcerns, please feel free to contact us.

Your Food Service Team at NCECBVI

shape of the school yard (it’s a double block), the side-walk around, where the playground is, the flagpole(which we visit every Friday morning), the locations ofthe various hallways and rooms inside the school,relative to the block.

Eventually, I will incorporate the cardinal directionsand other mapping activities suggested in the book,making adaptations to accommodate this little girl’s

interests and behaviors. I can hardly wait to see whatshe will show me!

Although I have initially focused on a single child, Iplan to use the kit with others as well. It has the potentialfor being a great O&M concept building activity –especially during Nebraska’s ugly weather.”

Tactile Towncontinued from page 6

Some of the NEW USDADirected Requirements

• Daily: Larger servings of fruits and vegetables(students must take one serving)

• Weekly: 3/4 cup orange or redvegetable and

• At least 1/2 cup of each: dark greenvegetable, starchy vegetable, driedbeans/legumes

• More whole grains (at least half of grains)• Limit total amounts of meat/meat alternatives

and grain portions• Milk offerings: limited to 1% or fat free• Minimum and maximum calorie levels

based upon age• Other standards: trans fat free, low in

saturated fat and less sodium over thenext 10 years

N C E C B V I

Leadership Team:

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

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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:March 8, 2013End of Third Quarter

March 15, 2013Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 29 – April 1, 2013Easter Break

April 11 – 15, 2013Spring Break – No School for Students

April 11 – 12, 2013Spring Fling Statewide Conference

April 15, 2013NCECBVI Closed

April 25, 2013NCECBVI/ESU 4 Prom

May 3, 2013Spring Music Program

May 17, 2013NCECBVI Graduation

May 22, 2013End of Fourth Quarter; Last Student Day

May 23, 2013Teacher Workday

May 31-June 2, 2013Family Weekend

June 10-14, 2013Sizzlin’ Summer Camp

July 21-26, 2013Camp Abilities

July 22-26, 2013Deaf-Blind Institute at UNL

October 2, 2013 (Tentative)Sensory Safari at LincolnChildren’s Zoo

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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