Updated 03/14/2024

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*For Spanish translation, click on the language option button (American Flag or Flag of Spain) in the lower left 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 izquierda de nuestro sitio web. Esto se puede encontrar en todas las páginas 

A poster with a group of people in front of a blue background.
A poster with a group of people in front of a blue background. Please complete the Maryland Special education Parent Involvement Survey. Your opinion matters! Available February 12 to May 24. Start now. www.mdparentsurvey.com

2023-2024 School Year Photo Albums:

Featuring: More bookmarks made by West Classroom 214

Handmade bookmarks with colorful cupcake designs and motivational phrases on a desk.
Handmade bookmarks with colorful cupcake designs and motivational phrases on a desk.

Mar. 15th

Mar. 19th

  • Family Visitation Day!

RSVP: forms.gle/MSB

Mar. 20th

Mar. 25 – April 1st

  • Spring Break

Mar. 29th – April 1st

  • School Closed

Announcements:

SAVE THE DATE – The MSB Spring Concert is May 8, 2024
The Music Therapy Festival is May 6-9, 2024, More info to come!

Spring has sprung and Spring Break is around the corner! We are again collecting gift cards for our Family Support list. We are in need of cards to Giant, Walmart, Target, and Aldi. These cards help families cover the costs of food during extended school breaks when their are no community programs providing lunch or breakfast to students in their community. Below is a list of the cards needed. Cards can be delivered to anyone on the Social Work/Psychology team located in the Newcomer Building, floor 2. 

$100- 1 card needed
$75- 14 cards needed
$50- 15 cards needed
$25- 2 cards needed
Thank you for any support you can give!

UPCOMING MSB EVENTS:

Outreach and Statewide Services:

Registration Now Open for MSB Outreach Summer Programs!

Moment of Outreach Videos

Mar. 13 – Braille Institute: VoiceOver On Mac OS, 4:30-6 pm. Let’s explore Mac OS with VoiceOver. Learn useful keyboard commands to help you navigate the screen and understand its structure. Join us for this open online workshop! We welcome all participants!

Mar. 14 – Phone and Internet Safety for Parents, 6-7:30 pm, For ALL Parents
We will be hosting Joseph Dugan, Internet Safety Specialist with the Maryland State Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) to present on the topic of Phone and Internet Safety for Parents. This presentation will provide information about the risks to youth using the internet and ways to help keep them safe. This presentation will be offered in a hybrid format, so parents may participate in-person or virtually.
Spanish version flyer.

Mar. 16 – GLIDE workshop Physical Fitness and Care. GLIDE prepares blind and low vision transition-aged youth, ages 14 to 21, for life after high school through energetic and interactive workshops. Each workshop is hosted by BISM at 3345 Washington Blvd in Baltimore and runs from 10 am – 4 pm, with an optional breakfast at 9:30 am. Transportation can be provided if needed.

Mar. 18 – Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Talk: Managing Self Care for Parents of Children with Vision Loss, 8:30 pm EST. The journey of parenting can be demanding for those with visually impaired children. This discussion, led by licensed psychologist Dr. Laura Newman, will encompass practical self-care techniques, emotional resilience, coping with a new vision diagnosis, and the importance of building a support network.

Mar. 19 – Register for the MSB Outreach and MDTAP AT Webinar for Parents, 6-7:15 pm. Join MSB Outreach and Lori Berrong from the Maryland Technology Assistance Program to learn about types of assistive technology (AT) to support your child, evaluations for AT, trying out AT through a loan, and support to afford AT. A zoom link will be emailed once attendance is confirmed.

Mar. 20 –  MDTAP webinar Virtual vs. Augmented Reality – Exploring Both as AT, 11 am – 12 pm. Virtual Reality? Augmented Reality? What’s the difference? Dive into key terminology and uses, explore the differences in VR and AR, and learn how both are being used to support individuals with a variety disabilities. Hosted by MDTAP’s AT clinician, James Whitney, OTD.

Apr. 6 – We are excited to be partnering with The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) again this year!  Experience Art with MSB and AVAM will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 1 to 2:30 pm. This event is open to students ages 5 and up and their families and includes a guided tour and art-making workshop.  Please see the flyer for more information.

Sign up TODAY!

Year at a Glance Registration

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

MSB TVI Portal Calendar

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

Additional Events:

Funding Available for Vanderbilt University’s Visual Disabilities Program

For informational purposes only:

People choose to become teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) from many different walks of life and often as career changers. Through a funded federal grant, Vanderbilt University has substantial scholarship options for individuals seeking a TVI/vision endorsement and a master’s degree and for individuals seeking initial teaching licensure as a TVI.  

Learn more about Vanderbilt University’s Visual Disabilities Program and funding options on the university’s website, by attending an informational session held at 5 pm on February 22nd or March 20th, or by reaching out to head of the program Dr. Rachel Schles (rachel.schles@vanderbilt.edu) or admissions coordinator Mrs. Kelly Limina (kelly.limina@vanderbilt.edu).

BISM’s Preparing for College Life Program (STAR)

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is excited to run a week long program regarding college life for students. This residential program will provide participants with multiple college tours, conversations with disability service counselors, and discussions surrounding college life and accommodations. Students will reside in dorm style housing while experiencing a myriad of colleges across the state. 
Program Dates: Friday, June 14 to Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Ages Eligible: 14 to 21
Location: Baltimore, MD

Interest Form

With any questions, reach out to Juhi Narula at 410-737-2642 or jnarula@bism.org.

BISM’s Gold STAR 2024 Summer Program

Have you ever wanted to gain experience in the working world before formally entering it? Or wished you could get paid for learning instead of the other way around? 
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is excited to introduce the Gold STAR Program! This fully residential program will provide participants with a 4-week Work Based Learning Experience. Students will reside in apartment style housing with their peers while working in a professional environment and receiving nonvisual skills training from competent Blind professionals. 

This work experience will provide you as a student with a first-hand perspective of professional environments and the responsibilities that come with a career. Additionally, the nonvisual skills (i.e. Braille, Technology, Orientation & Mobility, Independent Living, and Job Readiness) will help you learn how to become independent while maintaining a job. 

Applications should be submitted by April 1, 2024

Student Application
Staff Application

Reach out to Juhi Narula at 410-737-2642 or jnarula@bism.org with any questions or concer

Careers & Canine Connections – Free Week Long Program

This week of excitement, learning, and personal growth is an innovative  collaborative effort between Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH Career Connect, a program of the APH Connect Center. Get ready for a weeklong exhilarating deep dive into career exploration and how a Guide Dog fits into your future employment. Mark your calendars for August 2024 and discover a variety of career options you may not have considered, the value of networking for both work and greater independence, compare mobility possibilities for travel to and from work and while on the job, vocational and employment resources and mentorship, and unique hands-on experiences with dogs. There will be ample time to connect with one another and make new friends, and to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

August 9-14, 2024, for transition-age young adults ages 18-24 who are blind or have low vision. The program will be held at the Hull Foundation & Learning Center in Sandy Oregon which is seven miles from our Oregon Guide Dogs for the Blind’s training campus. Please visit our Careers & Canine Connections page where you will find our 2024 Participant Application form! The deadline to submit your application is May 1, 2024, and we recommend you apply early as summer programs are popular and fill up quickly.

Jane Flower MSG | Youth Outreach Specialist
jflower@guidedogs.com |  415.492.4176