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Short-Term Program Classes

Short-Term Program Schedule

Special Programs were developed to serve academic students from throughout the state who can benefit from a short period of intensive instruction in some area of the expanded core curriculum for visually impaired students. Referrals must come from the local school district (usually the VI teacher). Interested parents should confer with their local school representative to determine objectives their child might work on in a Short-term Program class, and then work with the district in making a referral. Because these classes are short, and learning must happen rapidly, they are designed for students who are able to adjust and participate quickly in a new setting.

How A Special Program Can Help

Short Time Away From Home

(*Students who live near the TSBVI Weekends Home bus routes may ride our bus at a price equivalent to an intercity bus ticket. It brings students to campus on Sunday evenings and returns them home on Friday at the end of the day. For weekend classes, the busses run for the Sunday return trip only)

That Extra Something

Students who attend a Short-Term class work on specific, pre-determined goals and objectives, as well as supplementary enrichment skills. For those who can benefit from such an arrangement, this may provide the ideal balance between living and attending school at home, while still accessing some of the opportunities provided in the intensive residential setting. Being in a learning environment with other visually impaired students and adults provides access to information, camaraderie, self-confidence and ways of living life that can contribute greatly to a young person’s sense of well-being. Furthermore, this exposure may help students understand the need for and value of using special adaptations related to vision loss, thereby increasing their motivation to apply new skills when they return home.

When students are not in class, they participate in residential programming that provides instruction in Independent Living Skills, Social-Emotional and Self-Advocacy Skills, and Recreation-Leisure Skills. Activities occur both on campus and in the community. Students typically shop for and prepare meals using adaptive procedures and materials; they help maintain the dorm and their personal possessions; and they are encouraged to apply their skills in recreational community activities. All these activities are designed to challenge students in new ways, and to increase their confidence in making choices and trying out new experiences on their own.

How To Apply

Students may apply at any time during the year. Spring ARDs are an especially good time to think about and discuss an upcoming TSBVI short-term program. To learn more about these programs, contact Lauren Newton, principal, at laurennewton@tsbvi.edu (512-206-9119).

INITIAL INTAKE

  1. All referrals for regular year programs (i.e., other than summer) must come from the local school district. We do not accept direct parent referrals. However, VI teachers and parents are encouraged to work together when determining the nature of a referral.
  2. A representative from the local district (usually the student's teacher of the visually impaired) calls Special Programs' principal Lauren Newton. This telephone discussion helps determine if there is an appropriate match between the student and the desired program(s). Please have the student's folder at hand. At this time, it is helpful if the VI teacher has already spoken with the parent and school administration to assure that they support participation in the program; however this is not essential.
  3. Students may apply for more than one program, and they may repeat most programs. In fact, it is often very helpful when students learn skills, take them home to integrate them, and then return to increase their skills in a later program.
  4. Once it is determined that the student and program are appropriate, an official intake will be made (student and school information collected), and an application will be sent out. This is all part of the initial telephone conference.
  5. The application should be returned to Becky Robinson in Special Programs, at the FAX or address listed below, as soon as possible but no later than one week before the program begins. Students cannot attend the program if their application has not been received.
  6. A more indepth telephone conference will be scheduled for a later date between the local and TSBVI VI teachers. Other persons may be included, as preferred, in each individual situation. The content of the indepth telephone conference is described below.

INDEPTH TELEPHONE CONFERENCE

The TSBVI teacher will contact the local VI teacher at the pre-determined time to:

  1. Select and refine the exact goals and objectives the student will work on at TSBVI.
  2. Obtain detailed information about the student's present level of performance in the instructional areas selected.
  3. Obtain information about modifications, materials and strategies for working effectively with the student.
  4. Discuss transition activities to be performed by TSBVI and by the local district.
  5. Confirm plans for mode of transportation to and from the program.

AGREEMENT

After the Indepth Telephone Conference, Special Programs staff will prepare a formal Agreement between TSBVI and the local school district, outlining the responsibilities of each party. The Agreement will be mailed to the VI teacher. The Agreement must be signed by the district administrator authorized to approve attendance and transportation costs, then returned to Becky Robinson in Special Programs at the FAX or address listed below. The signed Agreement must be received before a student can attend the Special Programs class.

Becky Robinson, Special Programs
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1100 West 45th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Email: beckyrobinson@tsbvi.edu
Phone: (512) 206-9241
FAX: (512) 206-9168

SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS for ACADEMIC STUDENTS
School Year 2007- 2008

FALL SEMESTER 2007

September 9 -14

Elementary Access to Academic Skills #1:

  • Special Focus: Math Tools & Concepts - or -
  • Other Expanded Core Curriculum skills

September 23 – 28

Secondary Technology Week #1

  • Special Focus: Screenreaders & Keyboard Commands – or –
  • Other Technology Instruction
Oct 14 – 19

Middle School Access to Academic Skills #1

October 25 – 28 ** Career Exploration Weekend (secondary)
November 4 – 9

High School Access to Academic Skills #1:

  • Special Focus: Preparing for College – or –
  • Other Expanded Core Curriculum skills
November 25 – 30

Math Tools and Concepts (secondary)

December 6 - 9 **

"Traveling with Low Vision" Weekend (Grades 9-12)

December 13 - 16 **

Elementary School Independence Weekend #1

SPRING SEMESTER 2008

January 13 - 18

High School Access to Academic Skills #2

Jan 27 - Feb 1

Elementary Academic Access #2

  • Special Focus: Technology – or –
  • Other Expanded Core Curriculum skills
February 10 – 15 Secondary Technology Week #2

February 21 – 24 **

Middle School Independence Weekend: Outdoor Adventure Weekend

Mar 27 - 30 **

Low Vision Weekend (secondary)

Apr 3 - 6 **

High School Independence Weekend

April 24 – 27 **

Elementary Independence Weekend #2

May 4 - 9

Middle School Access to Academic Skills #2

“Access” = VI Needs to Access the Core Curriculum
**Weekend Program: Students miss only one day of school
Note: For Access classes with a “Special Focus”, students may work in that area or choose any other area of the Expanded Core Curriculum.

More Information

If you know a student who may benefit from any of these programs, or if you would like to share or receive additional information, please contact:

Dr. Lauren Newton, Principal of Special Programs
Phone: (512) 206-9119
FAX: (512) 206-9168
email: laurennewton@tsbvi.edu

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Last revision: January 24, 2008