The Bulletin

Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Number 10  Friday 22nd June 2001

The following issue of The Bulletin was prepared by Deb Lewis (Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre).

Inside This Issue

Professional Development 2001

Cinema Night - Fundraiser

Spend a fun evening with friends watching the latest English comedy starring Hugh Grant and Colin Firth while helping us with our eternal fundraising for Space Camp.
Janie McLeod is organising a film night at Balwyn Cinema 231 Whitehorse Rd Balwyn on Monday 30 July to see Bridget Jones' Diary, starting at 6.45pm.
Tickets are available at the Resource Centre for $13.00. A great way to spend a winter's evening!

Something about the movie:

Bridget Jones's Diary stars Renee Zellweger as the neurotic 30-something, Chardonnay-swigging, chain-smoking, hopelessly romantic Bridget.
Follow her unsuccessful attempts to control her chaotic life, balancing her attempts to give up smoking, drinking and lose weight and find Mr Right.

Space Camp Fundraising

In addition to the Movie Night above, boxes of Cadbury Chocolate are still available at the Resource Centre. Please take one or more if you are able. Cadbury blocks of chocolate – plain milk chocolate or honeycomb crisp are available for $2 each. Every little bit helps!

Final Space Camp Meeting - 17th August

The third (and final) meeting for our Space Campers (ie students, parents and Visiting Teachers) will be held on Friday 17th August at 2pm - one month before 'D-Day' (departure day!!!). We hope that all our Space Campers will be able to come, even though the meeting is scheduled during school time. We will be doing that last minute planning - what to bring, final decisions about activities etc.
Some of our Space Campers are keen to get together socially before the big overseas trip - perhaps bowling and a meal after the meeting. Please let me know if you will be joining the group by emailing deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au/.

Formation of a National Parent Group - Meetings

Meeting times have been arranged for two meetings - one for staff, and one for parents and friends. See the invitations below for further details.

For staff supporting students with vision impairments:

When: Monday 9th July at 2.30 pm
Where: RVIB School Staffroom - 333 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
RSVP: by Friday 29th June
Ring Rachel on 9808 6422

For parents, family and friends:

When: Tuesday 10th July at 7.30 pm
Where: RVIB School Staffroom - 333 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
RSVP: by Friday 29th June
Ring Rachel on 9808 6422

Math Flash

Math Flash software helps elementary students, from 6 years of age, to sharpen and improve their maths skills. This self-voicing program uses the computer’s sound card to communicate instructions, drills, and practice sessions. Math Flash allows students to modify the presentation as well as control the difficulty of the math drills and tests. Math Flash allows students to select their favourite Math Mentor character to lead the exercises. The Mentor’s voice guides the student through problems in addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The program is professionally narrated by human speech (not computer-generated speech) and responds to students with fun, supportive feedback.
You can download a demo version from www.aph.org/tech or purchase the full version from the American Printing House for the Blind website. You can view the downloaded version on Lyn’s computer at the SVRC.

Resources for Tertiary Students (and their Visiting Teachers)

The following list was sent by Sarah J Blake to the AERNET discussion group on 24 February 2001. The following articles, from the About Blindness website are useful for students getting ready for college.

Planning Your Courseload

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa052500a.htm

Organizing for Success

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa052900a.htm

Working with Readers: Recruiting and Hiring

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa061300a.htm

Working with Readers: Your Job as the Employer

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa061300b.htm

Getting the Most From Lectures and Presentations

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa061900a.htm

Getting the Most From Reading Assignments

http://blindness.about.com/library/weekly/aa082100a.htm
Articles are printer-friendly. Embosser-friendly (Duxbury format) versions are also available via links at the bottom of each article. There is also a box at the bottom of each article where you can sign up for a weekly newsletter which will keep you informed about what's new on the site. In addition to these, there are a number of other resources available here: http://blindness.about.com/cs/collegestudents/index.htm

Writing Competition Results

Author, Paul Jennings has kindly sent the results of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre Writing Competition. Paul wrote: "It was a delight to read each entry as they were varied; some imaginative whilst others relating to real life issues. Please pass on my regards and congratulations to all the children who entered." … And the results are: The winners from each of the four age groups receive $50 for their efforts and a signed note from Paul Jennings. All entrants will receive a certificate - which will be posted out shortly. And winning entries will be reprinted in the next few issues of The Bulletin. Thanks everyone for your patience.

No U-Turn Sign

You may be interested to note that the 'No U-Turn' sign at Eastway Avenue Donvale (reported in Bulletin 9) has been removed.

And Finally

Have a great, fun, restful, happy, safe and relaxing holidays
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au)

Letter to Parents, Families and Friends

12 June 2001
Dear Parents, Families and Friends,
RVIB and Quantum Technology would like to invite you to meet with Susan La Venture, Executive Director of the National Association for Parents with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) USA.
NAPVI, which was formed in 1979, is a non-profit organisation run by and for parents of children with vision impairments and other disabilities. NAPVI provides families with a range of services including information and peer support.
Susan is speaking at a National Parents Conference in NZ in June, and has been sponsored by Quantum Technology to visit Australia.
Susan will speak on: Other topics will include how parents can support the development of the literacy and work related skills of their children.
When:  Tuesday 10th July at 7.30 pm
Where: RVIB School Staffroom
333 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
RSVP:  by Friday 29th June
Ring Rachel on 9808 6422
Yours sincerely,
Maree Littlepage
School Principal / Manager of Education Services

Letter to Staff

12 June 2001
Dear Staff,
RVIB and Quantum Technology would like to invite you to meet with Susan La Venture, Executive Director of the National Association for Parents with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) USA.
NAPVI, which was formed in 1979, is a non-profit organisation run by and for parents of children with vision impairments and other disabilities. NAPVI provides families with a range of services including information and peer support.
Susan is speaking at a National Parents Conference in NZ in June, and has been sponsored by Quantum Technology to visit Australia.
Susan will speak on: Other topics will include how parents can support the development of the literacy and work related skills of their children.
When:  Monday 9th July at 2.30 pm
Where: RVIB School Staffroom
333 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
RSVP:  by Friday 29th June
Ring Rachel on 9808 6422
Yours sincerely,
Maree Littlepage
School Principal / Manager of Education Services

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Web page editor Lyn Robinson. Last updated June 2001.
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