TSB Graduates Largest Class in Forty-four Years

Members of the second largest TSB graduating classes in recent history walked the aisle and turned their tassels on the morning of Friday May 27th. Twenty students became members of the school’s alumni, which is more than in any other one year for the last forty-four years. In 1972, TSB graduated one additional student for a total count of twenty-one.

With over 60% of this year’s class pursuing higher education, the fall semester will see the graduates scattered throughout various schools in Tennessee and other states. Class Valedictorian, Corgan Waters has her sights set on the University of Tennessee.

Chamber Honors Students and Teacher of the Year

The Donelson- Hermitage Chamber of Commerce recently honored three students and a teacher from Tennessee School for the Blind. At their meeting on May 12th, representatives from the Chamber honored teachers and students from local schools who were chosen as teachers and students of the year. Representing TSB were: Tim Tanner- High School Student of the Year, Nathan Desmarais- Middle School Student of the Year, and Ishaque Kahn- Life Skills Student of the Year. The TSB teacher receiving Teacher of the Year accolades was Ms. Donna Fridgant. Director of Instruction Dr. Kathy Segers and Assistant Directors Dr. Tonja Dandy and Ms. Kelly Benton, were in attendance at the event. Also in attendance were various family members. Congratulate this year’s winners!

Waters Recipient of NFB Scholarship

TSB senior Corgan Waters has been selected as one of the thirty finalists for the 2016National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program. This July, Corgan will attend the NFB convention in Orlando, Florida where she will be presented her scholarship.

According to their website, https://nfb.org/scholarships, the scholarships are awarded for the following reason:

To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States and Puerto Rico the opportunity to win one of thirty merit-based, national-level scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships awarded are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

Eligibility requirements include:

Must be legally blind in both eyes, and

1. Must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and

2. Must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2016 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and

3. Must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities.

4. In addition to a scholarship, each winner will receive assistance to attend the 2016 National

PBIS: Your Ticket to a Good Time!

In 2014, TSB introduced its new Positive Behavior, Intervention & Support (PBIS) program, “Find the Good,” designed to encourage and reward positive student behavior. With a focus on being safe, respectful, and responsible, students discussed a new theme every Monday with their teachers and fellow classmates. Themes included courtesy, kindness, being a good sport, being patient, using good judgment – any topic related to the three points of focus. Throughout the week students “caught” practicing the theme, or other positive behaviors, were given a “Tiger Ticket,” exchangable for fun items and privileges every other week at the Tiger Ticket Shop.

This year, in addition to continuing the themes of the week, class discussions, and Tiger Ticket rewards, TSB has put in place an anti-bullying campaign. “To stop bullying, we have to present a clear definition of what it is,” said Pauletta Frailey, TSB Pupil Services Coordinator. According to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which TSB is implementing, “Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.” Pauletta reported that bullying has sometimes been reported; the administration is taking a strong stand against this kind of behavior, “because it is so damaging to the individual being bullied,” said Ms. Frailey TSB saw a significant rise in positive student behavior last year, said Ms. Frailey. “Teachers noticed students being more attentive in class, helping classmates, and being kind to one another. The whole atmosphere of