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FROM THE PRESIDENT:

Connie Sullivan

Have you ever noticed that even the busiest people are never too busy to tell you just how busy they are? And if it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done. If procrastination were an Olympic sport, I would get the gold medal. I could go on and on with these sayings, but the truth is I’m so far behind I think I’m first.

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Last year’s annual spring conference, held in Sioux Falls, featured training on the Nemeth Code provided by instructors from North Dakota.

Participant Amy Scepaniak contributed the following comments:

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How can we top that conference? It’ll be tough, but we’ll give it our best.

The 1999 conference will be April 12^th and 13^th
in Sioux Falls. Mark your calendars and plan to
be there. The Conference topics will be braille
literacy, textbook format (new rules, new book),
and changes in the braille codes. The trainer is
Gloria Buntrock from Illinois. More information
about the workshop and the trainer will be
forthcoming. For now just make your travel
plans to head for Sioux Falls in April.

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TEXTBOOKS

If you are done with your first semester Braille
textbooks, please return them to the Library.
Remember to mark each box on the outside so
I will know what books are being returned and
how many boxes are together;
example: World History 1 of 3.
Please include your return address on the box.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the Braille and Talking Book Library. Phone 1-800-423-6665, and ask for Connie Sullivan.

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WEB SITE TO CHECK OUT

What can you do on the Internet? Lots! For example, you can access the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s webpage at http://www.loc.gov/nls and choose the link to WEB-BLIND. This allows you to search the NLS Union Catalog of braille and recorded books.

National Braille Literacy Mentor Project on the web site (http://www.afb.org/) you will find Development of Teacher Support (DOTS) for Braille Literacy newsletter. This is a quarterly publication bursting with information for teachers of braille on techniques and strategies, new products, resources, braille-related events and workshops.

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GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENTS

Thanks to a generous benefactor, Seedling is now offering free of charge to print articles in braille from the World Book Encyclopedia. If you have need of this service, call 1-800-777-8552. The article will be printed in both print and braille and will be mailed to you within 5 working days.

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BRAILLE BOOKS
FOR YOUNG READERS

In an effort to encourage
braille literacy among young
readers, Braille International has launched a new program for young readers. They are using two popular children’s book series, "Goosebumps" and "Animorphs".

According to USA Today, the "Goosebumps series" is the best-selling series of all time. Especially popular with readers in grades four through seven, the series by R. L. Stine features scary stories with a dash of the supernatural. The program starts with book #49, Vampire Breath.

K. A. Applegate’s "Animorphs" series has elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magic – as well as characters who can change into animals. It is suitable for readers in grades four through eight. Production will begin with book # 17, The Underground, and continue through the next six books of the series as they are published.

Readers may borrow braille copies of the
"Goosebumps" or the "Animorphs"
series from the Braille and Talking
Book Library; phone toll-free 1-800-423-6665.

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We are excited about the class SDSBVI faculty member Jane Mundschenk will be teaching for Northern State University this fall.  The course titled "SPED 183 Introduction to Teaching Students who are Blind" will be offered for the first time on the Internet.  This means that people from all over the state (and beyond) can take this two-credit course on their home or school computer. Class members will make only two trips to Aberdeen to become familiar with the program and to have "hands on" experiences. For more information call Jane Mundschenk at 1-888-275-3814 or 626-2012. Jane will be developing a second Internet course "Aids and Appliances for Teaching Blind Children" for next fall. These classes are required for anyone seeking certification to be a Braille Instructor in South Dakota, but would also be of interest to parents, classroom teachers and others who wish to know more about the education of children who are blind.

We have been working with Dan Boyd and
Connie Sullivan on a Braille Proficiency exam
for the Braille Instructors. This exam is given
now for a certificate of renewal after five years,
but we are planning to add an initial proficiency
exam upon completion of a Braille class.

The changes in the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) have highlighted the specific need for both Braille and Orientation & Mobility for students with visual impairments. O & M has been added to the List of "related services" and Braille is to be considered for students with visual impairments, unless the school/parent team determines, based on evaluation, that the child does not need Braille. Members of our staff were members of a work group established by the state special education department to write a "technical assistance paper" for local school districts explaining O & M services.

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1999 STUDENT AID AUDIO GUIDE

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Attention Braille Readers:

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Piano and Guitar Courses

"Intro to the Guitar for the Visually Impaired" and "Intro to the Piano for the Visually Impaired" are beginning courses that talk the student through the basics of guitar or piano playing. There are no written materials or visual references. Each course comes in a four-cassette album that is fully brailled (tapes and album spine) and includes a free ‘Guitar By Ear’ or ‘Piano By Ear’ instructional cassette. The teacher for the courses is Bill Brown. Each course is $37, which includes shipping. To order, call 1-800-484-1839 and enter code 8123 when prompted.

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In April the High-Five Club had a roller-skating party at Carousel Skate in Sioux Falls. Everyone had a blast "rolling around". Ha! Ha!

In August the meeting and activity was held at
Wild Water West in Sioux Falls. Even through
rain was predicted, the storms didn’t come and
everyone had a great time sliding on the waterslides,
riding tubes down the "Lazy River", or just splashing
in the pool. The kids used this meeting to decide on
some goals and activities for their club.

In October the meeting and activity was held at the
Myers Farm. There was a great hayride and delicious
wienie roast. We had lots of food, fun, and candy. Amber gave a report on her trip to Space Camp and encouraged the other kids to go if they have an opportunity. Contact Indira Keller for details.

Now to all club members – Tara is very sick. She is home form the hospital now, but can’t go to school. She would love to hear from all of you. Her address is Tara Knudson, 5704 W. Missouri, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Or call her 605-334-8557.

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Summer Reading Program

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YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE…
Author unknow

In Maine they tell of an old man walking along the beach with his grandson, who picked up each starfish they passed and threw it back into the sea.

"If I left them up here" the boy said, "they would dry up and die.
I’m saving their lives"
" But, " protested the old man, " the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish.
What you are doing won’t make any difference."
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand,
gently throw it into the ocean, and answered:
"It makes a difference to this one."

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Braille Cookbook 

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WHAT’S COOKING?

Brownies are a favorite with just about everyone.
Here is an easy recipe for you to try.

QUICK & EASY FUDGY BROWNIES

4 ounces Hershey’s Baking Chocolate
(unsweetened) broken into pieces
¾ cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 13x9x2 inch baking pan. In large microwave safe bowl, place chocolate and butter. Microwave at HIGH (100 percent) 1½ to 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Add sugar; stir with spoon until well-blended. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add flour and nuts, if desired; stir until well- blended. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Yield: 24 brownies

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 QUICK AND EASY CHOCOLATE FROSTING

3 ounces Hershey’s Baking Chocolate (unsweetened) broken into pieces
1 cup miniature marshmallows
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup milk
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

In medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate, stirring constantly. Add marshmallows; stir frequently until melted (mixture will be very thick and will pull away from sides of pan). Spoon mixture into small mixer bowl; beat in butter. Gradually add milk, beating until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat to desired consistency. Makes about 2 ¼ cups frosting.

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REWARDING SUMMER
for James Konechne

(reprinted with
permission
Platte Enterprise
Newspaper.)
Jane Guericke,
James’ braille instructor,
contributed this
for the newsletter. 

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"The Power of the Dream"
"Celine Dion"

The power of the dream
The faith in things unseen
The courage to embrace your fear
No matter where you are
To reach for your own star
To realize the power of the dream

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PSSSST…….

To make this newsletter a success, I need to have articles from all of you. Throughout the year please send me information about your student, yourself, or whatever you find to share with the rest of the group.

This newsletter benefits all of you, and the help will be greatly appreciated. Send your articles to Connie Sullivan, BTBL, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre SD 57501; or you may fax your articles to 605-773-6962 in care of Connie Sullivan.

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Mention of a product or service in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement by this library. The intention is to increase an awareness of programs and items, which may be helpful to you and your students.

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