The Window Fall 2014 – PDF - Maryland School for the Blind

The Maryland S chool
for the
Blind
WINDOW
FA L L 2 0 1 4
m s
b
THE
ON THE PATH TO ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE
Chanta Brown has been a student
and according to Liza “things can get
elected as the secretary of the Class
at the Maryland School for the Blind
pretty lively at home.”
of 2015. Yet while Liza believes that
since she was six years old. In addition
to her visual impairments, she was
diagnosed with autism and when
she was very young, didn’t talk much
at all. You would never know that
to meet her now at the age of 20.
Chanta is very expressive and is never
at a loss for words.
In looking ahead to the future,
Chanta definitely sees her music as
a marketable skill, having expressed
an interest in using it to “make a lot
of people happy in senior nursing
homes.” But in the meantime, she
is enjoying her last year at MSB. She
is preparing for graduation in the
Her mother, Liza Brown-DiCostantino,
spring, an event she says she’s ready
an occupational therapist who worked
for, thanks to solid support from the
at MSB at one time, has been her
MSB staff and her family. According
biggest advocate and along with
to her teacher David Green, “Chanta
the staff at the school, has been
will be well prepared to enter the
instrumental in the tremendous
workforce when she graduates. She is
progress she has made in her
very involved in our Career Education
communication skills over the years.
Program. She not only works in the
Chanta would not be where she is
school’s Rock’n’ Roll Cafe but also
today if it weren’t for the strong
off campus at the Cromwell Center,
support system she has had at home
helping with activities for senior
and at school. And although Liza has
citizens. Next semester she will
taken another position in occupational
be starting an internship in the
therapy, she has been an active
horticulture program at St.
member of MSB’s parent community
Elizabeth’s School.”
for many years. She currently is
President of the PTSO and serves on
the MSB Board of Directors.
Chanta has become a
leader among her peers
and was recently
Through her years at MSB, Chanta
has grown and thrived, especially in
the arts at MSB. She plays the piano
by ear, loves to sing and has recently
taken up the drums. Her musical
talents have landed Chanta a lead
singing role in MSB’s jazz ensemble,
the Blue Duffs, and she has appeared
in many of the school’s musical
productions. She shares her love
of music with her father, Randy
Chanta belts out a tune
with the Blue Duffs.
her daughter is becoming more
independent and learning to advocate
for herself more effectively, she’s not
quite ready to live on her own. So for
now, Chanta splits her time between
dorm life on the MSB campus and
home life in the “in-law” suite that her
parents have provided for her in their
home. The skills (especially cooking)
that she has learned at MSB are
continues on page 3
SPOTLIGHT ON
CHRIS WELLMANN
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
At the Maryland School for the Blind, we have a great deal to celebrate.
For Chris Wellmann,
MSB is a family
With our school year now off to a great start, our students are happily
tradition that began
settled into their classes, as well as their extracurricular activities,
with his father some
embracing life with the same energy and enthusiasm they have always
40 years ago.
demonstrated, turning challenges into opportunities. As always,
“Although my father
our staff does a wonderful job of assisting our students to be successful.
started teaching here
We have also made significant headway on our multi-year campus master
plan, thanks to tremendous support from the state of Maryland legislature
and the Governor’s office.
when I was just a kid, I
didn’t consciously plan to follow in his
footsteps. I just kind of fell into them
On November 17, we will cut the ribbon on our new 22,550 square foot
because of a college paper I was writing
Learning Activity Center and 19,000 square foot residential cottages
that required a field observation, which
facility for students with multiple disabilities. The academic building is
my dad arranged for me to do at MSB.
designed for 60 students. The cottages include eight double occupancy
I loved the school, and apparently
bedrooms with accessible bathrooms.
the physical education department
That same day, we will break ground on the second phase of the project, a
state-of-the-art complex for students, like Chanta Brown, in the Autism Blind
program. It will include a two-story, 35,000 square foot academic facility,
along with two adjacent residential facilities totaling 32,000 square foot.
In keeping with our campus master plan, we recently dedicated a
wonderful new pavilion, built with funding from the District 22A Lions Clubs
and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Named the “PaviLION,” this
beautiful structure will be used by MSB students and staff for special school
functions, events and picnics. It also serves as solid evidence of
the Lions’ support of our school over the past 50 years.
As MSB continues to improve, we are constantly reminded of your
exceptional generosity over the years. Your steadfast support has made it
possible for us to provide our students with the exceptional service they
was duly impressed with me, as well,
because two weeks later, they offered
me a job as a paraeducator.”
Chris met his wife Sandy at the school.
Sandy was also a paraeducator at the
school, whose daughter, Jeannette,
was a student until she graduated
in 2005. After they married, his new
role as husband and father provided
yet another perspective on the MSB
experience.
“Sandy and I not only know what it
takes to teach a child who is blind with
multiple disabilities, we also know what
need and deserve; and we are deeply grateful for your many contributions
it means to parent one. This unique
on their behalf.
perspective helps us to both assist our
colleagues, as well as our families work
Sincerely,
through some of the challenges they
face. That special insight has also made
me more effective as an educator.”
Michael J. Bina, Ed.D.
President
So effective, in fact, that in October,
Chris received the 2014 Outstanding
Paraeducator award from the Principals
of Schools for the Blind (POSB) at the
Council of Schools for the Blind Institute
in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I was more than a little shocked when
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Dr. Bina
and Youth
Ambassador
Laurel help
dedicate the
new PaviLion.
I heard that I’d won; but I was certainly
proud to represent MSB in the national
spotlight. This is a unique school, full of
happy students, and after 27 years, I still
enjoy every moment that I’m here.”
continued from cover
coming in handy in her “new
apartment,” as she proudly calls it.
As Liza puts it, “We cherish our family
time; but we also know that Chanta
needs her space. And this move is a
really nice compromise for everyone,
especially when she’s playing her drums.”
Left: Chanta and Liza enjoy their mother/
daughter time.
Right: Chanta prepares a meal in her
apartment.
MSB CELEBRATES WHITE CANE DAY MILESTONE
October 15, 2014 marked the 50th
of using a side to side sweeping motion
anniversary of National White Cane
to detect obstacles and drop-offs in the
Day in the United States and MSB
traveler’s path bears his name and is
celebrated this special occasion with
used worldwide.
a month long celebration.
“The white cane is a tool that allows
The White Cane, which has become an
individuals who are blind or visually
international symbol of independence
impaired to be more independent and
for people who are blind and visually
fully integrated in the community”,
impaired, has historical roots at MSB.
said Dr. Michael Bina, MSB President.
The long cane technique used to teach
“We are proud that Dr. Hoover and
independent travel to the blind and
Mr. Bledsoe used their experience
visually impaired was developed by
working with blind children here at
two former MSB teachers, Richard
Hoover and Warren Bledsoe, who were
MSB to benefit war blinded veterans
and ultimately their cane technique has
Senator Katherine Klausmeier presents
the proclamation to Dr. Bina.
October 15, MSB decided to devote the
recruited by the U.S. Army to assist in
been applied internationally.”
the rehabilitation of war blinded soldiers
National White Cane Day was
anniversary celebration. Events were
during WWII. Hoover eventually became
signed into law in 1964 by President
scheduled for each week of the month
a world renowned ophthalmologist at
Lyndon Johnson as an opportunity
and included daily announcements and
Johns Hopkins Hospital and served on
to recognize the importance of this
contests, including a statewide poster
the Board of Directors of MSB along
tool of independence for the blind.
contest. Other activities included
with Bledsoe. The cane travel technique
Traditionally celebrated annually on
the sale of commemorative T-shirts,
entire month of October to the 50th
earrings and long cane pretzels
MSB students and staff celebrate White Cane Day.
designed by MSB students and the
orientation and mobility staff. The
celebration culminated with the formal
ceremony on October 29 and included
a proclamation by Senator Katherine
Klausmeier, an original song by MSB
students and the release of 50 white
doves. It was a memorable occasion
for all.
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT
MSB and District 22A Lions Clubs Dedicate
New Pavilion
Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
MSB has received a grant from the Cal Ripken Sr.
Foundation to build a state of the art sports complex on
our campus. The plan includes a beep baseball field with
dugouts and bleachers, a soccer field, basketball court
and a new track. We are seeking additional funding for this
project. If you are interested in making a donation, please
contact the Development Department at 410-444-5000
x1207.
Support MSB in the United Way Campaign
UW Combined Charity Campaign for Baltimore City: #3051
UW of Central Maryland: #3051
UW Combined Federal Campaign of Central MD: #3051
UW of the National Capital Area: #7344
UW Combined Federal Campaign of the Nat’l Capital Area:
#58365
Maryland Charity Campaign: #7176
CFC-Chesapeake Bay Area:#58365
The Paredes family and Dr. Bina unveil the PaviLION Statue.
Thank you to the following foundations,
businesses, clubs and organizations for
their support:
The Haloti Ngata Family Foundation
The Ralph & Shirley Klein Foundation
Midstate Federal Community Bank
I.O.O.F., Baltimore City Lodge #57
Mary Jean & Oliver Travers Foundation, Inc.
MSB Alumni Association
American Legion Northern Central Dist.
1st VDG Larry Burton, DG Doug DeWitt, MSB Board Chair
Edward J. Veilleux, PDG Dan Scott and Dr. Bina at the
Dedication Ceremony.
Dr. Frank C. Marino Foundation, Inc.
MetLife
Community Foundation of Carroll County
Rogers-Wilbur Foundation, Inc.
We are grateful for the support of the Lions Clubs of
Ayers/Saint/Gross, Inc.
District 22A, especially Past District Governor Dan
Carman Lay Foundation, Inc.
Scott, District Governor Doug DeWitt, Past International
Rommel Cranston Construction Company
President Clem Kusiak and the Ellicott City Lions Club,
for granting us with the funds to build our beautiful new
The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, Inc.
PaviLION for our students and staff. The pavilion, complete
with our own Lion statue, was dedicated at a special
FOLLOW MSB ON FACEBOOK AT THE
ceremony on October 25. The Lions truly live up to their
MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND
motto of “We Serve.”
ON TWITTER @MSB1853
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The Maryland School for the Blind 3501 Taylor Ave., Baltimore, MD 21236 tel 410.444.5000 fax 410.319.5700
www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org