*For Spanish translation, click on the language option button (American Flag or Flag of Spain) in the lower right corner of our website. You can find the flag on all pages.

* Para la traducción al español, haga clic en el botón de opción de idioma (Bandera estadounidense o Bandera de España) en la esquina inferior derecha de nuestro sitio web. Esto se puede encontrar en todas las páginas 

2023-2024 School Year Photo Albums:

Feb. 9th

• No Pre-K

Feb. 16th

• ELC Grandparents Day, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Feb. 19th

• School Closed for Holiday – President’s Day

Announcements:

Congratulations to Ms. Gina Fugate and Ms. Serena Garcia! They have received $20,000 to expand the K12 robotics curriculum from the 2023-24 MSDE Robotics Grant. This grant was specifically written for students with visual impairments to expand their knowledge in STEM activities with direct, hands-on instruction to build Micro:Bit Rovers and participate in First LEGO League competitions. Participating teachers currently include: Technology Teachers Gina Fugate and Travis Lawrence; Content Teachers Hannah Rupert and Eric Lucero, as well as MSB Librarian Dorothy Hughes. The grant team hopes to continue to grow the program throughout the academic year with family events, teacher training, and conferences. 

UPCOMING MSB EVENTS:

Outreach and Statewide Services:

Moment of Outreach Videos

• What is ECC
• What is O&M?
• Self-Determination
• Independent Living Skills (ILS)
• Social Skills
• Career Education
• Compensatory Access – COMING in February

Jan. 26 – Hybrid Soft Skills Talk – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Lou Smith (DoIT) will be on campus at MSB to talk to our career education students about “Soft Skills” needed during interviews both online and offline and disability disclosures. Teachers and students around the state are invited to dial in virtually to this session.

Feb. 2 – Virtual Mock Interviews – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Students from around the state who submitted personal statements will be paired with a panelist/interviewer based on their responses and given the opportunity to practice VIRTUAL interviewing skills. A link and assigned interview time will be sent to each student on January 26.

Feb. 10 – 2024 Maryland Regional Braille Challenge Day! We build our future with braille! Join us at the Maryland School for the Blind from 9 am to 4 pm. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged students to sign up for the Braille Challenge and/or volunteered to help out. Do you have a student in grades 1-5 who is learning the letters of the alphabet in braille? Encourage them to sign up for the Lego Braille Brick Master Class. Students will engage in fun braille-related activities using Lego Bricks! Space is limited and registration is due by February 5th. Contact Jackie Otwell at jacquelineo@mdschblind.org with any questions.

Do you have a student between the ages of 2 and 5 years old learning braille? Invite their family to attend the Little Dots Program from 9 to 11:30 am. Families will learn how to incorporate early tactile and early Braille activities into your everyday activities! Do you know a Teacher of the Visually Impaired that deserves recognition for their excellence in braille instruction? Nominate them for the Braille Institute 2024 Teacher of the Year of Excellence in Braille Instruction. Nominees will be recognized at the Braille Challenge and the nominations will be submitted to the Braille Institute! Nominations due by February 5th.

Feb. 10 – Build Your Future Fair! Join MSB at the Braille Challenge for the Build Your Future Fair from 1-4 pm! Learn about the vast network of resources that can help you & your family. Featuring Perkins College Readiness, Chimes, Towson University, CCBC, Johns Hopkins, DORS, MarylandABLE, BIT, The Diller Home, FAFSA Workshops and much much more! Pre-register for the Build Your Future Fair.

Feb. 27 – MSDE Transition Teen (Hybrid) Session ENGLISH 6 pm

Feb. 28 – MSDE Transition Teen (Hybrid) Session SPANISH 6 pm

Additional Events:

First Financial Federal Credit Union Scholarship

We are excited the 2024 First Financial Federal Credit Union Scholarship will be live in just a few short weeks, December 1, 2023.

We would like you to have the scholarship application details and important dates for both students and counselors. You are encourage to apply and potentially win $3,000.00 towards your child or students post-secondary education. 

EDUCATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS

Be sure to check out the monthly educational and professional events for students, staff and parents on the

Maryland TVI Portal.  There are many wonderful opportunities for all!