The Voice Of One is a TSBVI singing group that began in 2004, with six students (all girls) performing in the Black Heritage programs under the direction of residential specialist Sandra Brown. Today the group has grown into twelve committed students, six girls and six boys. With voices ranging from first soprano to baritone, the students are: Brittney Walters, Jasmine Dudley, Ricky Trevino, Sybil Trevino, Gracie Strong, Marcus Smith, Muhammad Ali, Shelby Roberts, Kelli Coleman, Toby Al-Trabulsi, Ian Hernandez, and Juan Davila.
The Voice Of One continues to participate in the Black Heritage programs. This year they performed at Parent Weekend, sang Christmas songs at Dell’s Children Hospital, performed at Walnut Hills Convalescent Center, and went Christmas caroling around the local Ramsey neighborhood. The Voice Of One is currently preparing for a mini concert, with songs from the past as far back as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Wilson Pickett and many more.
TSBVI Hosts 2010 Parent Weekend
By Marcela Contreras
TSBVI had our biggest turnout yet for our annual Parent Weekend on November 12-13, 2010. The weekend started with a well-attended BBQ reception on Friday evening, where families and staff interacted in a casual atmosphere and enjoyed a dinner of barbecued brisket, chicken, sausage and all the trimmings. Ninety families attended on Saturday and participated in parent-teacher conferences, parent network meetings, tours of the new facilities, a family wellness expo and other activities. Many family members tried their hand at the daunting task of preparing a peanut butter sandwich under blindfold, or traveling with a white cane under occluders or blindfold.
Other families attended the Badger Dog reading to hear students’ stories and poetry or to the physical and occupational therapists to learn about the skills their students are working on. Parents learned about the school’s new vocational programs and enjoyed student musical performances.
For lunch, families and staff feasted on a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, dessert, and Wildcat coffee in our new cafeteria. The weekend ended with a wrestling demonstration, and a rousing pep rally with students and families kicking up their heels in a lively dance.
Parents summed up their feelings about Parent Weekend with these words: “We enjoyed meeting with teachers, enjoyed the free health screening, and enjoyed the entertainment. We feel that the knowledgeable staff really is interested in our child’s progress and well-being. Thank you for having us!”
To our TSBVI parents and families we say, “Thank you for entrusting your child with us and thank you for coming to Parent Weekend 2010!”
Pep Squad “Wows the Crowd” at Parent Weekend
On November 13, the 2010-2011 TSBVI Pep Squad performed for parent weekend. They began with cheers and ended with a high energy dance to “Dynamite.” Coached by Michelle Varela and Savanna Hayter, the girls been working very hard this year to produce new cheers and routines to wow the crowds. The Pep Squad has taken part in Red Ribbon Assembly and White Cane Day, with their motto, “The only disability is a bad attitude.” The TSBVI Pep Squad includes: Vontese Vinson, Heather Stephens, Candace Hillman, Yvette Cervantes, Kahee Alford, Danielle Wilkening, Frankie Allen, Mallory Hagood, Maria Barillas, Catara Harvey, and Alisha Momin along with student coaches Sybil Trevino and Brittney Walters.
TSBVI Defeats Canadian All Star Team in Goalball Tournament
By Mark Gronquist
Four TSBVI students competed in the 2010 Youth National Goalball Tournament in St. Augustine Florida. TSBVI students faced 15 other teams from throughout the United States, and Canada's all-star team also participated.
Zach Arambula, Jamelle Hodges, Juan Garcia, and Troy Guthrie played on the TSBVI boys team, but the tournament proved to be bittersweet. The team placed in the hardest pool bracket and lost one game early, put them in an uphill battle that they were unable to overcome to make it into the finals. However, along the way they played some amazing games had two big wins and a lot of fun!
One win was against the returning champion, Utah; undefeated in the final game in TSBVI's bracket. TSBVI boys WON this match 5 to 6. Another key game was against team BSO (BSO is an all-star team made up of high-school students from the PA, IL, and OH area) TSBVI lost to BSO 3 to 2, and BSO went on to win the Gold.
As the highest-ranked team (in points) not to make it into the finals, TSBVI received a conciliation prize; playing Canada's all-star team. The Canadian team played in preliminary games, but was not allowed to play in the finals since it was the USA National. In preliminary games, the Canadian team was undefeated with every team they played against. They were playing at another level and teams feared the Canadian team.
Canada won the coin toss and scored on TSBVI on the first play, but TSBVI quickly scored two goals and took the lead! At the half, TSBVI boys had a two-point lead. With two minutes left, Canada tied the game. But with 1:40 left in the game, Zach Arambula scored the winning goal! Final score: TSBVI 7 Canada 6! Way to go fearless WILDCATS!
A Celebration in Louisville
Once again, The Principals of Schools for the Blind (POSB) honored multiple award-winning staff at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Conference in Louisville Kentucky on October 13, 2010.
This year, a new category was created; Principal / Director of Programs Leadership Award. We are happy to congratulate our principal, Miles Fain, a twenty-four year veteran of TSBVI, as the very first recipient of this award.
Our TSBVI award recipients are as follows:
Miles Fain-Principal / Director of Programs Leadership Award
Mark Gronquist-Recreation Director, Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member
Scott Kelley-Teaching Assistant, Outstanding Paraprofessional
Renee Toy-Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired
Congratulations to the 2010 award recipients!
Narrative Arts/Cheerleading and Wrestling Tournament Held in Oklahoma
By Mark Ramirez
On January 13th, 2011 the TSBVI Wildcats boarded a bus and headed for Muskogee, Oklahoma for the SCASB Narrative Arts/Cheerleading and Wrestling Tournament. Both students and coaches were eager and ready to perform.
Ms. Jane Rundquist and the TSBVI Wildcat Choir: Chris Fisher, Amy Flores, Jaleesa Thomas, Gracie Strong, Vicki Zachgo, Juan Davila, Muhammed Ali, Anthony Cerio, Emily Newman, Cassandra Jimenez, and Isaac Hebert sang four songs as Angel Gallegos assisted on percussion. The choir performed Wo Ya Ya- a traditional African song, Three Little Birds, Just The Way You Are, Sim Shalom/A Salaam A Leikum, and If You Want To Sing Out. Additionally, some members of the Texas group joined other schools’ choir members and performed a stirring version of Cindy Lauper’s song, True Colors.
On Saturday, the cheerleading and wrestling competitions got underway. The Texas cheerleaders are as follows: Emily Newman, Brittney Walters, Carolyn Regan, Alexa Owens, Ciarra Chamorro and Sarai Hernandez (with back-up Brittanye Thompkins) put their moves to the test. They rocked out and scored enough points to secure second place overall! Additionally, Brittney Walters was chosen as Miss Congeniality during the tournament. Our Wildcat mascot, James Goodner, put his paws to work and earned a third place trophy for the mascot competition. Coaches Tammy Reed and Melody Ballentine really had their team ready!
Our Wildcat wrestling squad showed their moves on the mat. The team of Amy Flores-112 lbs, Pedro “PJ” Navarro-130 lbs, Dariuhs Sterling-125 lbs, Josh Hultgren-140 lbs, Willie Harrison-152 lbs, Zach Arambula 189 lbs and Gracie Strong-215 lbs, finished Third overall with some outstanding individual performances. We had PJ Navarro and Dariuhs Sterling winning First place; Willie Harrison and Zach Arambula winning Second place; Amy Flores taking Fourth place and Gracie Stong placing Fifth in their respective weight classes. Overall, the team put on a display of great skill, talent and toughness. Go Wildcats!
TSBVI Receives Texas Workforce Commission Grant
Compiled by Vicki Prager
For the 2010-2011 school year, TSBVI was awarded a work-training grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The Texas Workforce Commission partnership with TSBVI provides students with job training and work experiences. Training is offered in several work areas to meet the needs of students, and to prepare them for employment using skills and knowledge learned in the training.
Areas of job training include: Customer Service/Technology, Document Shredding, Barista/Coffee Shop, Hospitality, Screen Printing, Embroidery, Horticulture, Animal Care, and Sound Engineering.
Customer Service/Technology
Students learn customer service skills including telephone etiquette, accurate note taking, and how to handle dissatisfied customers. Students are educated in technology skills needed to work in an office setting.
Document Shredding
Students are taught to use document shredders, including commercial grade machines. Students learn work skills that will serve them in the future such as staying on task and increasing productivity.
Barista/Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop training ranges from grinding coffee beans to mixing specialty coffee/espresso drinks. Students prepare a morning coffee service. They go to designated areas and brew coffee using their pre-measured bags. When asked what they enjoy most about their coffee service, one replied, "I like working with other people," and another student answered, "I like the smell of coffee!"
Hospitality
Students are trained in a variety of areas including front-desk procedures, reservation services, and hospitality marketing. Students have spent time in the Austin area exploring various hospitality venues. The students have especially enjoyed evaluating the customer service provided by others to determine the level of excellence out in the community.
Screen Printing
Students learn various work skills including speed and productivity as they produce bags, shirts and other products. Students complete design projects and also learn basic marketing skills and techniques. They will job shadow at a local screen-printing business to experience different types of screen-printing styles.
Embroidery
Students are taught to set and sew decorative designs on fabric bags, shirts, and other products, as well as various work skills in this area, which include productivity rate and attention to task. They learn basic marketing techniques they can use to develop a small business in the future. Students explore developing partnerships with local businesses and organizations to supply embroidered items from the students participating in this training.
Horticulture
Students learn various horticultural activities as well as the upkeep and maintenance of a greenhouse. Horticulture students have been planting vegetables in the TSBVI Community Gardens, and growing plants for sale. In addition, they are preparing and selling homemade herbal teas and potpourri. Stop by the Community Gardens next time you're in town!
Animal Care
Students are taught skills and knowledge related to caring for small animals. This training includes grooming, bathing, brushing, cleaning, feeding, and socializing and interacting with the animals. Students will have a work experience in local grooming businesses and/or veterinary clinics, volunteering at an animal shelter, kennel, or pet store.
Sound Engineering
Students become skilled at technology that allows them to record, mix, and add effects. Training includes learning how to set recording levels, edit and mix tracks, and choose from or create templates for various types of recording. Students participating in the Sound Engineering program are gaining knowledge and exposure to professional recording technology.
Student Council Active at Capital Area Food Bank in Austin
The 2010-2011 TSBVI Student Council is off to a fantastic start! They worked on a food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank as their community service for this semester. They collected 385 pounds of food and volunteered at the food bank. The Student Council also sold Winter Wishes; holiday mugs filled with goodies, as a fundraiser. The Council is eager to plan and sponsor a week of homecoming events in January. They also look forward to a fun spring semester filled with many exciting events.
The Student Council officers are Jamelle Hodges, President; Alexa Owens, Vice President; Emily Newman, Secretary; Kelli Coleman, Treasurer. The Representatives include: Anthony Cerio, Sarai Hernandez, Matthew Schiwart, Dre Smith, Jaleesa Thomas, Daniel Vekios, and Vontese Vinson.
Principal’s Corner
Happy 2011!
We are so pleased to have spent our first semester in our new middle school and high school classrooms in the newly built Main Building and Fine Arts Building. Also, all students are enjoying our beautiful new independent living homes, Cafeteria, Recreation Building and Health Center.
As I write this note, a huge demolition crane is clawing down the old Elementary Building. So, we’re not quite finished with our campus “extreme makeover” yet! It will be great to have a new Elementary Building and Career Education/Transition Building mid-next school year. What a blessing it is to have this wonderful improvement to our facilities so that we can continue to assist students in becoming as independent as possible in all that they do in a safe, clean and modern setting.
