Upcoming Extracurricular and ECC Events

Here is a look at the upcoming events from USB:

 

  • A New Opportunity! The USDB Advisory Council has recently voted to allocate 2 line items in Enrichment Funds  to support blind and low vision students statewide to participate in events along with their sighted peers in their LEA, families, or communities. Starting July 1, 2024 districts and families across the state of Utah will be able to access these funds by submitting a proposal to the Advisory Council by emailing Executive Assistant Tamara Flint at tamaraf@usdb.org
    • Items these funds could be used for:
      • Extracurricular equipment needs
      • Travel support
      • Special interest support
      • Competition support (ie. Braille Challenge National competition)
      • Other
    • Funds are accessed by submitting a proposal to the USDB Advisory Council (tamaraf@usdb.org)that includes the following:
      • Requestor contact information
      • Project/Event name, description, and timelines
      • Full explanation of the project/event that includes which areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum will be addressed.
      • Amount requested along with an itemized list of what the funding will be used for.
      • All proposals will be vetted and approved by the USDB Advisory Council
    • Please use this FLIER to share this information with interested parties. 
  • Register Today for Camp Abilities Four Corners 2024!
    • This program is in its 3rd year of operation and getting bigger and better each time.  This event takes place in Cameron, AZ and is put on by the Camp Abilities team and other volunteers from the region. 
      • WHO: visually impaired athletes ages 9-17 to attend a FUN FILLED week of camp!
      • WHEN: Monday, June 10 (arrival 1 PM) to June 15, 2024 (depart 3 PM)
      • ACTIVITIES: swimming, paddle boarding, golf, wrestling, horsemanship, hiking, basketball, and boxing.
      • LOCATION: Cameron Trading Post, Cameron, Arizona (1 hour northeast of Flagstaff, AZ)
      • COST: $200 per athlete (payment accepted via check, mail order, Venmo, Pay Pal, or Zelle)
      • INTERESTED? Fill out the interest form under the Athlete Registration tab at www.campabilitiesfourcorners.org – Registration DUE by TODAY, May 1, 2024
      • Need More Information: campabilitiesfourcorners@gmail.com
      • Flier to share, Accessible version, Spanish version
  • Registration Now Open!:
  • Access Technology (AT) Team – Device Spotlight:
    • Polly Overview with Quintin Williams – The USB Assistive Technology Team invites you to check out the Polly from APH. The Polly is an electronic Wi-Fi-enabled braille learning device that teaches reading, typing, writing, vocabulary, and spelling in both contracted and uncontracted braille using a gamified approach. With immediate feedback, incorporation of music, and competitive games, Polly puts the fun into learning braille for young learners. 
  • Expanded Core Services Updates:
  • Register Now! Music Braille Code Workshop
    • Please join us for a workshop on Music Braille. Come and acquire a better understanding of Music Braille to better support your students. 
      • Presented by:  Jenny Wheeler, Outreach Specialist, American Printing House for the Blind
      • Date: Monday, June 17th 
      • Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
      • Where:   UofU – Sorenson Arts and Education Complex– 1721 Campus Center Drive – RM 2151
    • Please RSVP via the following link: Register Here
      • Sponsored by:
        • American Printing House for the Blind
        • University of Utah/Multi-University Consortium Teacher Preparation Program in Sensory Impairments
        • Utah Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
        • Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
        • Utah State Board of Education

 

  • APH Federal Quota Program Update – Account #202, Statewide Account:
    • Recently, there have been concerns about the ability to order new materials for students through the APH program when a used item exists in the ERC repository for checkout. Beginning last year, the ERC and I have made provisions to make sure items that are shipped out from the repository are in good working order. However, as the Ex Officio Trustee (EOT) for the APH statewide account, I will approve the request that items be ordered new from APH. Once the items are ordered they are put in inventory with the ERC and sent to the LEA, bypassing the used item in the ERC. In this way, the district can utilize their credit allotment. When a student no longer needs the item and it is returned to the ERC repository, it is then verified that it is complete and in good working condition and placed on the shelf for another student’s use. As EOT for the Statewide Account, I am constantly evaluating equipment that is in high demand or may be cost prohibitive and when possible these items are purchased and made available from the ERC for when a student should need it. 
    • Please remember that the fiscal year for the APH program runs October through September.  LEAs with remaining balances should make sure to place orders well before the August 9th, 2024 deadline this fall.
    • Feel free to contact me at armandov@usdb.org with any questions. – Armando Venegas, Ex Officio Trustee for APH Statewide Federal Quota Account 202

 

 

  • The May USBE board meeting as the governing body for USDB will be on Friday May 3rd at 1:00 pm. The agenda, when published, can be found using this link: https://usbe.civicclerk.com/web/Home.aspx (Times are subject to change)

For your convenience, all fliers in this email can be found in this TVI Memo Resources  folder along with any past fliers and information.