Athletics
MSB hosts competitions throughout the school year on our campus and at our competitors’ schools. We travel from Massachusetts to Florida to compete against other schools for the blind in the Eastern Athletic Association of the Blind (EAAB).
Music Education
The music education program at MSB offers students a variety of music education and extra-curricular opportunities, both vocal and instrumental, in which to participate.
Students can audition to participate in the Junior Choir, Intermediate Choir, Concert Choir, Bell Choir, Percussion Ensemble and the Blue Duffs Jazz Ensemble.
Individual instrumental music lessons on select instruments (violin, flute, clarinet or recorder) are also taught after school to interested students.
The music department presents two concerts during the school year, one in the Winter and one in the Spring. Concerts are held in the Knefely Gymnasium and are open to family and friends of the school.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy Class
At MSB, music therapy is used as a tool to address the goal areas of communication, social skills, motor skills, behavior, emotional awareness, activities of daily living, cognitive skills, academic skills, and leisure skills.
It is also provided as educational enrichment to groups of students. Group sessions are structured to provide predictability for the students in order to make progress on goal areas.
Nutrition & Menus
The Nutrition Services department provides carefully planned and well-balanced meals that appeal to younger appetites and undergo a nutritional analysis by a registered dietician. Meal service is available for residential and day students from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. Day students receive breakfast and lunch and residential students receive breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Additionally, our team of friendly professionals teach students about nutrition in a variety of ways. We incorporate holidays, celebrations and special occasions, such as National School Breakfast Week, National School Lunch Week, and National Nutrition Month into our lessons. Our dining room serves as a learning environment where students are encouraged to practice skills and nutrition knowledge that they have been taught in instructional and residential programs.
For more information contact Joseph Meneeley, Nutrition Services Manager, josephm@mdschblind.org
Spring/Summer Breakfast menu coming soon
Menu Lunch Spring-Summer 2023 – Effective 2.21.23
Menu Dinner Spring-Summer 2023 – Effective 2.21.23
Therapeutic Recreation
MSB’s Therapeutic Recreation Department is committed providing leisure activities that are therapeutic, educational, and enjoyable for our community. The department emphasizes physical and social community integration, promotes student exploration and interaction with the environment, fosters independence, and serves as a resource for MSB staff, students, parents, professionals, community agencies, and organizations throughout Maryland.
Our dedicated team organizes age-appropriate leisure plans, and recreational and social experiences both on campus and in the community. Therapeutic recreation services are available to both day and residential students and might include one-on-one activities, small and large groups, organized clubs, community outings, and special events. Opportunities for participation in activities with non-disabled peers are fostered and encouraged.
Activities provided by the Therapeutic Recreation team include:
- Art
- Drama
- Sports
- Swimming and other aquatic activities
- Field trips
- Play skills
- Performing Arts
- Leisure awareness and education
- Clubs and Groups
- Community events
- Skiing
- Horseback riding
- Sailing
Residential Services
Our Residential Services program serves students ages 6-21 who require programming beyond the school day, meet MSB’s admission criteria, and have needs identified by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team. Students may participate in the program on a full time, part time, or an extended-day basis depending upon their educational need.
Our program follows the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) with particular emphasis on activities of daily living and social skills. Students are assigned to one of the four dormitories, four cottages and two houses on campus based on their chronological age, developmental needs, and program focus.
The program provides opportunities for students to learn and practice skills by individualizing teaching approaches, offering needed adaptations and developing systems and structures that foster independence.
Home Living Specialist
Our Home Living Specialist provides instruction and support in all areas that enhance independent living and educational development of individuals with a visual impairment.
Services may be delivered in a variety of settings to include in the home, cottage, school or community. Training strategies consider the impact of a person’s visual status when developing accommodations to best equip the individual for success.
Instruction is available for the following areas:
- Self-Care Skills
- Meal management and cooking
- Home management and housekeeping
- Financial management
- Personal management skills
Support in developing these foundational living skills helps guide MSB students toward living safe, productive and independent lives.