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…students will receive critical years of comprehensive specialized education and training.
2008/2009 SPRING EDITION
IN THIS ISSUE and more
• 2008: The Year in Pictures
• Self-enhancement group
• Annual Meeting Awards
• 2008/2009 Grants
• You Can Make a Difference!
• Making the Sensational Happen
• Wish List
• And more…
Cover Story: DEFINITE NEED FOR THE EXPANDED PROGRAM
Blind Childrens Center adds a first grade
If you haven’t been in touch with the Center recently, you may not know that a first grade has been added this year. Due to the initiative of the parents, the board, and staff, the challenge of organizing a building campaign to raise $947,000 during 2008/2009 to add the proper space to the school is under way.
There is a definite need for the expanded program and additional classrooms as parents have expressed their concern that there is not an appropriate place for their children to continue their elementary education in most school districts. By adding the first grade, as well as second and third grade in the years to come, students will receive critical years of comprehensive specialized education and training.
This will significantly improve the students’ chances of successfully integrating into mainstream classrooms and decreases the risk that they will fall behind their sighted peers. As with all the other programs at the Center, parental involvement is a component that is critical to the success of the students. The family services staff continues to work with the families of the elementary school children in order to develop their skills working with the child, to be informed about the child’s diagnosis, and to observe the progress of the child’s development.
The first grade program offers a fully inclusive environment with a limited number of sighted children in the classroom. The program meets all state curriculum standards for first grade while continuing to provide support and expertise relating specifically to visual impairments.
The program provides comprehensive individualized education and training in sensory development, utilization of low vision, literacy (including Braille), speech/language development, orientation & mobility (including cane travel), and occupational therapy (fine and gross motor skills) in combination with the required state curriculum for the first grade level.
Classes have a ratio of one staff member to five students and class size is limited to ten students. Currently, there are seven students enrolled in the first grade.
Zoo brings exotic animals
America’s Teaching Zoo
Moorpark College
America’s Teaching Zoo visited the Blind Childrens Center in November bringing exotic animals for the children to experience. The zoo, which is operated through Moorpark College, is home to 200 different animals.
A few of the animals that the students learned about included Rowdy, the skunk, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, Spitz, the African Serval (wild cat), and a very hungry beaver.
The trainers explained how to behave around each animal as well as what makes each animal unique.
The children also got to touch a representation of the environment where the animals live, providing them enhanced knowledge about the animals.
Zada Pierce Evans Folz
In Loving Memory
Zada Pierce Evans Folz passed away on December 20, 2008 at the age of 104. Zada was an avid supporter and friend of the Blind Childrens Center since 1942.
According to her son, David Pierce Folz, Zada was a fount of energetic inspiration to her family and many friends. She worked with art students at various high schools in Los Angeles for 35 years.
A Bruin to the end, Zada was active for many years in the following organizations: Delta Gamma sorority alumnae, Women Painters West, Westwood Women’s Bruin Club, Gold Shield and UCLA Affiliates. She was the last living graduate of the UCLA campus in Vermont in 1927.
Zada loved to write rhymes such as:
If you have a special day,
You’d like to keep forever,
Just write a little rhyme of it,
Then you’ll forget it – never!
She asked that donations be given to her favorite charity, the Blind Childrens Center.
Team Blind Childrens Center
LA Marathon, Acura LA Bike Tour, 5K Run/Walk
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009
Join team Blind Childrens Center and run, walk or bike to raise money for the children on Monday, May 25, 2009. The Los Angeles Marathon will be great fun this year. A very special thank you to Econ One for supporting us again this year. We couldn’t do it without you!
Not an athlete? Then join us for race day festivities to cheer on our runners.
Join TEAM BLIND CHILDREN today!
Contact Laurie
Headley for
details.
(323) 664-2153 Ext 342
SAVE THE DATE
Celebrity Golf
Save the Date for The 17th Annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic presented by John Hancock Life Insurance.
Mark your calendars for Monday, June 29, 2009, at The Riviera Country Club.
To reserve your golf spot or to make dinner reservations, call event director Laurie Headley (323) 664-2153 ext. 342.
Corporate sponsorships are also available.
Les Marraines
Halloween Luncheon
Once again Les Marraines auxiliary group put on a fabulous luncheon benefiting the children. Through this effort and other donations, Les Marraines contributed $13,850 to the Center in 2008. Thank you, ladies!
Roddy Hiatt
Golf Tournament
Each year Roddy Hiatt and his committee host a golf tournament on behalf of the children. This year’s tournament raised $40,000.
A very special thank you to some very special guys.
Longest Day of Golf
The Gibney Family Foundation Challenge
San Gabriel Country Club
It’s not too late to sponsor your favorite golfer. Donations are still being collected.
Call Director of Development Muriel Scharf (323) 664-2153 ext. 330.
2009 Golfers included:
• Richard French
• Fred Fyten
• Greg Grande
• Eric Heer
• Wade Jones [SGCC Pro]
• Chuck Kiskaden
• Alistair Philip [SGCC Pro]
• Scott Schaldenbrand
• Patrick Schloss
• Tetsu Tanimoto
• Rich Thomas
• Alan Yoshitake
Lions Club Generosity
Electronic Braille printer
A SPECIAL THANK YOU goes to the District 4-L2 Lions Clubs for donating an electronic Braille printer for the children. This generous group is also raising money for a new van for the Center.
S. Mark Taper Foundation
SPECIAL THANKS
Therapeutic Services
Our deepest gratitude goes to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for their generous grant of $25,000 for therapeutic services for the children.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Los Angeles Marathon
Monday, Memorial Day, May 25, 2009
Early and Late Morning Shifts
Golf Tournament
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Riviera Country Club
Morning, Afternoon & Evening Shifts
For more information, contact Nancy Gutierrez, Volunteer Coordinator & Development Assistant at (323) 664-2153 ext 304.
Keep in Touch
Please send us your new email address to stay in touch or if it has changed in the past year. We would love to keep you up to day with all our special events announcements and happenings at the Center. Simply send your email address to nancy@blindchildrenscenter.org.
Privacy Policy
Please note: The Blind Childrens Center does not lend, sell or allow the use of our lists to any other group or organization. We respect the privacy of our supporters and friends.
Optima Graphics
Thank you Optima Graphics for partially underwriting the printing of this newsletter.