PIONEER

Special Recognition

James W. Rentz Secretary from 1978 – 2002

In appreciation for the many years of your dedicated services on behalf of the Foundation.

WE THANK YOU! The South Dakota Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired May 21, 2002

Special Recognition

Lonald L. Gellhaus President 1978 – 2002

In appreciation for the many years of your dedicated services on behalf of the Foundation.

WE THANK YOU! The South Dakota Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired May 21, 2002

Career Service Employee of the Year

No school – and especially no residential school - can run effectively without the efforts of Career Service Employees. Each year the staff is asked to nominate a Career Service Employee who has gone beyond their job responsibilities to provide service to the school and students. This person provides exceptional support for their co-workers and is an example to others.

Thirteen staff members were nominated this year. They include:

Instructional Assistants: Jane Bengs, Diane Agnitsch, and Tim Fleming

Maintenance: John Rieck and Pete Peterson

Educational Secretary: Susan Snaza

Transition Specialist: Sue Birrenkott

Food Service Supervisor: Ray Mehlhoff

Liaison for Services: Dawn LaMee

Residential: Deb Bretsch, Janet Moser, Kathy Prouse, and Shelley Teal

The 2002 award winner is John Rieck, a Senior Building Maintenance Worker. It was noted that John always makes an effort to spend time with the students. He involves himself with special student projects such as teaching fire safety by bringing his fire-fighting equipment to school and by giving boat rides at the lake during School outings. He is personable with the staff and active in his community. Congratulations John!

American Education Week / Veterans’ Day Trip

Thanks to a grant from the SDSBVI Foundation, our students and staff were able to visit to our State Capitol in Pierre. They were able to visit the WW II Memorial, “Fighting Stallions Memorial“, and other war memorials, and had a chance to feed the ducks, geese, and carp at Capitol Lake. They also had a guided tour of the State Capitol Building with highlights noted in the Governor’s Office, Supreme Court Chambers, and House and Senate Chambers. After a picnic lunch they visited the Cultural Heritage Museum. Everyone found it interesting to learn more about South Dakota, its history and heritage. Many thanks to the SDSBVI Foundation for sponsoring the transportation and the staff for organizing the day!

Student Council Doings Mr. Mark Krogstrand, Advisor

NEW SKATES

Camron Van Asperen, Thomas Miller, Josh Bretz, and Hannah Ackerman spent time learning how to assemble rollerskates with DeeAnn Brandner, co-owner of SkateAway. The skates were donated, in part, by SkateAway in Aberdeen. Funds for the skates were also raised by the Arts and Special Activities Committee, Student Council and from private donations.

“Students of the Month”

The Arts and Special Activities Committee continued the “Student of the Month” program to recognize student achievements and contributions at our school. Additional students who were honored include:

MARCH: Troy Froke, Willow Lake

Troy was recognized as co-Student of the Month for his positive attitude, sense of humor, and for making great progress in his independent living goals.

MARCH: Deanna Viland, Aurora

Deanna was recognized as co-Student of the Month because she made great progress in advocating for herself and for learning new independent living skills. Deanna has also done an excellent job with her off campus employment opportunity.

APRIL: Camron Van Asperen, Wessington

Camron was recognized for his leadership of the Student Council, as well as his efforts with swimming (5 new school records in April!), and the manner in which he serves as a role model for all of our students.

MAY: John Sauer, Aberdeen

John was recognized for the tremendous progress he has made in the past year with many of his skills, his helpfulness to others, and the enthusiasm that he has for learning new skills.

A NIGHT OF FUN!

The Northern State University mens’ basketball team paid a visit to our campus. They brought the pizza and we brought the fun! Our students had a grand time in sharing the basics of the games of goalball, beep baseball, blindfolded bowling and track. It was fun to share some time with these young men! Thanks to Coach Meyer, Coach Sather, and the NSU Wolves!

VISITORS

The Student Council enjoyed hosting the youth group from the Praise Family Bible Church for an evening of fun and games. Our students spent time teaching their guests the basics of beep baseball then followed it with an exciting game where our Student Council members were able to win by a 6-5 score. The game was followed with some fun time and great treats.

AIR HOCKEY

The Student Council members continue to find ways to make SDSBVI more and more like home. Their most recent endeavor was the purchase of a new Air Hockey game table for the boy’s dorm.

Years of Service

Several employees at the School were recently honored for continuous years of service. They include, in the back from left, Indira Dillon, Instructor, 10 years; Al Hovrud, House Parent, 10 years; Martin Pfotenhauer, Instructor, 10 years. Seated in the front are Lenora Roseland, Instructor, 10 years; JoAnn Klein, House Parent, 5 years and Dawn LaMee, Training Specialist, 15 years. Not picture are: Jane Ann Leonard, Instructor, 30 years; Sue Birrenkott, Human Services Program Specialist, 5 years and Sonia Malsom, Senior Secretary, 15 years.

Special Remembrance

Amidst all the busy activities each day we are given a reminder of how precious each and every day really is. Such was the case when students and staff alike were greatly saddened by the loss of one of our own with the passing of Lisa Hagen. Lisa had been a teacher with the SDSBVI in our multi-handicapped classroom for over 20 years. Lisa passed away in November after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Her courage, positive attitude, and determination in the face of adversity will be something all of us will remember. There were many and will continue to be many more memories, thoughts, and prayers for Lisa and her family.

2002 National Award Nominees

Each year Principals from Schools for the Blind from across the nation sponsor awards in five different categories in an effort to recognize special and significant contributions made by individuals who work with students who are blind or visually impaired. We are proud to announce that the following staff members have been nominated. This is further proof of the dedication, care, and concern that ALL of our staff have in working with our students and parents.

Consultants’ Corner Amy/Indira/Riki

Video Views

“Good Lookin’” is a video available from the American Printing House for the Blind, which addresses The Minimally Responsive Child Component of ISAVE (Educational Materials/Resources). In this video, a trained professional demonstrates some methods of eliciting and recording visual responses of two young children with multiple disabilities.

“What Can Baby See?” is a 30 minute video which discusses vision tests and interventions for infants with multiple disabilities and is available from AFB (American Foundation for the Blind) Press. Areas discussed include ocular health, fixation and eye alignment, pupillary response, refractive error, visual acuity, corrective lenses, functional vision, and understanding the parents’ perspective. This video is appropriate for parents, early interventionists, and all service providers who work with young children with visual impairments.

“The First Years Last Forever” is a video developed by The Reiner Foundation. This video discusses the vital importance of the relationship between caregiver (parents) and child in the critical first years of life. Areas covered include bonding and attachment, communication, health and nutrition, discipline, self-esteem, child care, and self-awareness. Although not specifically geared for the blind/visually impaired child, it is a nevertheless a good video addressing parenting skills and involvement in a child’s first years of life.

Education Materials

ISAVE (Individualized Systematic Assessment of Visual Efficiency) is a product available from the American Printing House for the Blind. ISAVE is a functional vision assessment tool for use with infants, children, and young adults with significant cognitive, neurological, physical, and sensory impairments who cannot respond reliably to standard measures. This assessment tool helps determine instructional entry level and programming strategies for facilitating efficient application of remaining visual functioning. Components include 16 chapters of text and protocols, a CD-ROM, visual discriminations cards for evaluating visual acuity and discrimination, and a grid for evaluating visual fields.

The SDSBVI Outreach Vision Consultants are currently receiving training in the use and administration of ISAVE. Our goal is that this product will become a very useful tool for us to use and that it will provide valuable information and help to you in developing appropriate educational programs for your child/student.

National Symphony Orchestra Visit

In March, we were very pleased and proud to host a part of the National Symphony Orchestra on campus, (the Kennedy String Quartet – consisting of a cello, a viola, and two violins). Their presentation of music took us from France of the 1600s to the USA in the late 20^th century. It was a fun and interesting experience! Each year the orchestra chooses ONE state to tour, and this year South Dakota was the fortunate beneficiary.

Team Speaks Out! by Candice Lee

The SDSBVI Forensics season ran from March through April with local and out-of-state meets. Members of the team this year were Hannah Ackerman (Great Speeches), Joshua Bretz (Impromptu), Thomas Miller (8-minute Prose Reading), Wade Turner (8-minute Prose Reading), Camron Van Asperen (Poetry Reading and Impromptu), and Tony Zimmerman (4-minute Speech). Candice Lee was the team’s coach again this year. On March 2, students participated in meets in Faribault, MN, and in Jacksonville, IL April 18-20 at the North Central Association of Schools for the Blind meet with 12 schools participating. This was the 2^nd year of competition for both Camron and Thomas. All other members were 1^st year competitors. Three students received medals at the national meet for overall performance in their events: Camron (4^th place in Poetry), Thomas (4^th place, Prose Reading), and Tony (3^rd place in 4-minute Speech). On April 15, for the fourth year, SDSBVI held an afternoon of Forensics Fun for all students at the school. Students from all grades participated by doing individual and group readings and memorized pieces. This was a great opportunity to showoff their Braille and print reading skills, and gain experience in oral interpretation and public speaking.

Friends of SDSBVI

This award is given in recognition of individuals and organizations outside our school who have supported our students in a variety of ways. This year there are two awards - one to an organization and one to an individual. Over the years we have enjoyed a very positive collaboration with Northern State University. NSU has always been more than willing to work with us in many different ways. They have given us access to the Barnett Center pool for physical education classes, recreational swimming, and for our swim team practice. They also have allowed us to use the indoor track when the weather didn’t cooperate for outdoor meets. One especially enjoyable collaborations that has been wonderful for our students is the opportunity to attend many of the NSU athletic events, be it across the street at the Barnett Center for basketball, indoor track, wrestling and volleyball, or out to Swisher Field to catch the Wolves football team in action. The degree of participation would not be possible without the generous support given to us by the NSU Athletic Department in the form of complimentary passes for these events and making us feel welcome and special when we go to cheer for the Wolves. In recognition and sincere appreciation we honored the NSU Athletic Department as a Friend of the SDSBVI.

The second award went to an individual who has found a number of ways to support the school and our students even after his retirement. He has continued to be a substitute teacher and has initiated several special projects of his own as well. While he was the librarian he wrote a series of stories featuring individual students, just for their enjoyment. There aren’t many of us who get to be the lead character in a story. During our centennial year he wrote an original radio play about burying a Time Capsule, which was performed by our high school students. You can hear that play and another series of Fairy Tales students recorded on the Internet site he put together to showcase our students’ talent. He has invited the students and their teachers to record the plays in his home recording studio. He has also been a strong supporter of the SDSBVI Foundation, the school, and the SD Association of the Blind. He is also an avid spokesperson for accessible transportation in the community. Ted Kneebone was recognized as a Friend of the SDSBVI.

Congratulations, Graduates!

We were proud to confer diplomas to five of our students during ceremonies held May 24. Our commencement speaker, Mr. Gary Wald, Director of Opportunities for Independent Living Center, shared with everyone the need to have “Great Expectations.”

Our graduates shared the following thoughts:

Troy Froke, Willow Lake SD

Extracurricular Activities: Project Skills

Best Memories of School: Last year’s awards banquet when I received the “Outstanding Citizen Award”

Plans for the Future: To live in my own apartment in Aberdeen and be employed part-time as a bookkeeper at the “Stamp Ladies Two” store

Most Valuable Experience in School: Transiting from the dorm life to living on my own in an apartment

Most Memorable Teacher: Everyone

Favorite Hobbies: Watching Baseball

Favorite Foods: Pizza and Spaghetti

Heroes: My Parents

Something You’re Proud of: Moving into my own apartment

Additional Comments: I enjoyed my experiences at SDSBVI

Toby Syhre, Bowdle SD

Extracurricular Activities: Swimming

Best Memories of School: Playing basketball with Tommy, Carl, & Coach. Going to Indiana for a swim meet.

Plans for the Future: Attending Vo-Tech School in Sioux Falls for Electronic Technician

Most Valuable Experience in School: Mrs. Payne’s cooking class and cookbook

Something You’re Proud of: Making it through school and being able to install stereos in my friend’s cars

Most Memorable Teacher: Coach – He’s a good role model and basketball player

Favorite Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, and working on cars

Favorite Foods: Steak, Meatloaf, and Pizza

Hero: Coach – good influence in my life

Justin Gilbert, Rapid City SD

Best Memories of School: Trips to the Twins games and spending time with friends

Plans for the Future: To be a race car driver and getting a job at ATCO in Watertown

Favorite Foods: French Fries, Tacos, and Pizza

Most Embarrassing Moment: Almost being caught in the buff in the dorm

Most Valuable Experience in School: Everything

Most Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Roseland

Favorite Hobbies: Bird watching and going on trips

Hero: John Bender, a friend

Something You’re Proud of: Graduating

Extracurricular Activities: Playing music, going to the mall, and watching “Wheel of Fortune”

Deanna Viland, Brookings/Aurora SD

Extracurricular Activities: Special Olympics

Best Memories of School: Technology class

Plans for the Future: Work in a bakery

Most Valuable Experience in School: PE Class

Something You’re Proud of: Working at a job without a job coach

Most Memorable Teacher: Mrs. McNickle and Ms. Leonard

Favorite Hobbies: Putting together puzzles

Favorite Foods: Pizza

Most Embarrassing Moments: Having to talk in front of people

Year-End Student Awards

(Hannah Ackerman: Red Cross Swimming, Apartment Student of the Year Award, Forensics, Choir Participation and Contest Superior Ratings. Michael Adler: Move for Heart, Goalball, Book It, Classroom Award, Special Olympics, Music Achievement Award. Tim Arnold: Move for Heart, Book It, Classroom Award, Special Olympics, Music Achievement Award, On Campus Work. Kim Beckler: Move for Heart, Special Olympics, Book It, Classroom Award, Most Improved Girl's Dorm Student Award, Occupational Therapy Award, On Campus Work, Music Achievement Award. Joshua Bretz: Aberdeen Mayor’s Council on Fitness and Sports Award, Fitness Award, Forensics, Track & Field, On Campus Work, Move for Heart, Goalball, Special Olympics, Special Music Award. Linda Delker-Perez: Move for Heart, IEP Physical Education Award, Special Olympics, On Campus Work, Book It, Classroom Award, Music Achievement Award. Mariah DeMarrias: Special Olympics, Music Achievement Award. Troy Froke: Student Council Awards -- Recognition of Graduate, Move for Heart, Orientation & Mobility Improvement Award, Project Skills Award. Tevani Kappenman: Classroom Award. Lacey Killingsworth: Classroom Award, Music Achievement Award, Special Olympics. Justin Gilbert: Student Council Awards -- Recognition of Graduates, IEP Physical Education Award, Classroom Award, Move for Heart, Special Olympics, Music Achievement Award, On Campus Work. Jerred Gill: Move for Heart, Music Achievement Award, Braille Classroom Award, On Campus Work, Book It, Classroom Award. Christina McComish: Red Cross Swimming, Music Achievement Award, Special Olympics, Choir Participation and Contest Superior Ratings, Move for Heart. Billy McCue: Student Council Awards -- Recognition of Graduates. Thomas Miller: Forensics, On Campus Work, Swim Team Participation Award, Music Achievement Award, Red Cross Swimming, Forensics, Track & Field, Move for Heart. Emily Poelstra: Move for Heart, Special Olympics, Occupational Therapy Award, Choir Participation and Contest Superior Ratings. John Sauer: IEP Physical Education Award, Most Improved Boy's Dorm Student Award, Music Achievement Award, Move for Heart. Gerad Schuldies: Move for Heart, Special Olympics, Choir Participation and Contest Superior Ratings. Toby Syhre: Student Council Awards - Recognition of Graduates, Carl Reiser Memorial Scholarship, Swim Team Participation Award. Wade Turner: Forensics, Track & Field, Goalball, Choir Participation and Contest Superior ratings, Superior Solo at Music Contest – Percussion, On Campus Work, Move for Heart, Red Cross Swimming, Special Olympics. Camron Van Asperen: Fitness Award, On Campus Work, Swim Team Participation, Move for Heart, Choir Participation and Contest Superior ratings, Goalball, Track & Field, Forensics, Red Cross Swimming. Logan Van Kley: Music Achievement Award. Deanna Viland: Student Council Awards - Recognition of Graduates, Outstanding Citizenship Award (this award is given to a student who best represents the qualities of Good Citizenship), Move for Heart, Track & Field, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Award, Red Cross Swimming, Project Skills Award, Special Olympics, Choir Participation and Contest Superior ratings, Tony Zimmerman: Forensics, Superior Solo at Music Contest – Vocal Solo, Braille Classroom Award, On Campus Work, Library Award, Special Olympics, Choir Participation and Contest Superior ratings. Angela Zimney: Dorm Award. (I apologize for any awards that were omitted or that maybe incorrect)

Centennial Commemorative Art Piece

We are proud to announce the Centennial Art Project has been completed thanks to the efforts of members of the Arts and Special Activities Committee and Candice Lee, Project Chairperson. A special thanks to South Dakota artist, Mary Groth, for the beautiful pastel print entitled Images of Yesterday, Visions for Tomorrow. The commissioned piece depicts the first 100 Years of Education that the School has provided to the students of South Dakota. In addition to the commissioned work, Mary donated two other pieces of her art: Faith, Hope, and Sheltering Love, and Angels Among Us to add to the display. We encourage everyone to stop by the School to see the wall of art, which is located across from the dining room.

We thank all supporters including the following new contributors:

Harold Wiest (Memorial)

Martin Ronning and Angie Usselman

Donations

The School would like to thank the following individuals or businesses for their recent contributions.

Sports and Activities

Season Openers! The students began their swimming, goalball, and forensics seasons with a trip to the Minnesota Academy for the Blind, Faribault, MN. Our swimmers did well with Camron Van Asperen picking up a 1^st place in the 200m individual medley, a 4^th in the 100m freestyle, and a 3^rd in the 100m backstroke; Thomas Miller garnered a 2^nd place finish in the 200m individual medley, and a 2^nd place in the 100m backstroke; and Toby finished 4^th in the 200m individual medley and 1^st in the 100m breaststroke. A goalball team of Camron, Thomas, and Josh Bretz took 1^st place, but needed an overtime period to beat the crew from North Dakota for the 3^rd time in a day to earn the championship. Wade Turner and Michael Adler competed also.

NSASB Swim Meet

In April, the Swim Team traveled to Kansas City, KS, where they competed against swimmers from ten other North Central Schools for the Blind. Teams competing were from Indiana, Tennessee, Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, and South Dakota. Our swimmers were able to finish 9^th place out of the 12 schools. In individual events, the boys placed as follows:

Camron Van Asperen – took home a 4^th place in the 100m back crawl, 5^th place in the individual medley, and 7^th place in the 100m freestyle swim. He holds the SDSBVI record in 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle, and 100m back crawl.

Thomas Miller – took home a 6^th place in the 100m back crawl, a 10^th place in 200m individual medley, and 11^th place in the 500m swim. He holds the SDSBVI record in 500m freestyle.

Special Olympics

Swimming and track/field events were in high gear this Spring. Beginning with an “in town” swim meet at the Barnett Center, the regional aquatics event in Watertown, and the State track and field opportunities in Spearfish. State Track/Field Results: The following students competed in the State meet: Michael Adler, Kimberly Beckler, Joshua Bretz, Jerred Gill, Lacey Killingsworth, Christina McComish, Linda Delker-Perez, Emily Poelstra, Gerad Schuldies, and Deanna Viland. The coaching staff included: Mrs. Fischbach, Mrs. Van Dover, Ms. Mundschenk, and Ms. DeCurtains.

Results Included: Aquatic Events: Linda and Lacey – 2^nd, Kim and Jerred – 3rd, Mike – 4th in 15 M Walk; Mike, Jerred, and Lacey – 1st, Linda – 3rd, Kim 4th in 15 M Flotation; Deanna – 1st, Christina – 2nd in 15 M Unassisted Swim; Deanna – 1st in 25 M Freestyle. Track Events: Jerred, Kim and Emily – 1st in 10 M Assisted Walk; Jerred, Christina, and Emily – 1st, Kim – 2nd, Linda – 3rd in 25 M Assisted Walk; Christina – 1st, Linda – 3rd in 50 M Walk; Lacey – 1st, Mike – 4th in 50 M Dash; Deanna – 4th in 100 M Dash; Josh – 1st (5 minutes, 38 seconds) in 1500 M Run; Gerad– 1st in 10 M Wheelchair; Gerad – 1st in 25 M Wheelchair. Field Events: Jerred and Gerad – 1st, Kim and Emily – 2nd, Linda 4th in Tennis Ball Throw; Lacey – 1st, Christina – 2nd, Mike – 3rd in Softball Throw; Deanna – 1st, Josh – 3rd in Shot Put; Lacey – 1st, Mike – 6th; Standing Long Jump; Josh – 2nd, Deanna – 3rd in Running Long Jump. We also won the banner competition this year!

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South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 423 17th Avenue SE, Aberdeen SD 57401-7699 Phone # (605) 626-2580 or Toll Free 1-888-275-3814 Fax # (605) 626-2607 or E-mail - lameed@sdsbvi.northern.edu

Pioneer: Volume 39, No 2 - Spring 2002 The Pioneer is published three times during the year by the SD School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 423 17th Avenue SE, Aberdeen SD 57401-7699. The South Dakota Foundation donates printing costs for the Blind and Visually Impaired.