Washington State School for the Blind

Washington State School for the Blind

2214 East 13^th Street

Vancouver, WA 98661

(360) 696-6321, extension 120

Accreditation – Onsite Visit

March 21, 2004 (Sunday)

On-site Team Orientation to WSSB:

Welcome and Tour 3:00-5:00 p.m. (Meet at the WSSB’s Old Main Building – 2214 E. 13^th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661)

Dinner with Steering Committee:

Stanford’s Restaurant at Jantzen Beach 5:30-7:30 p.m. (map attached)

Official Accreditation through NAAS

March 22, 2004 (Monday)

Mr. Jim Whitford will be in charge of this day and provide additional direction to the committee members as part of his presentation at 8:00 a.m. Location: Fries Auditorium (WSSB)

The four areas that he wants to visit are:

Subject/Targeted area Team members assigned to this area

· Math Dr. John Davis, Ms. Claire Gates

· Reading Ms. Judi Hoppes, Mr. Ed Little, Ms. Barbara Geldersma

· State-wide Needs Dr. Mike Bina, Dr. Gay Selby, Dr. Gary Snyder

Computer/Tech.:

(CORE Comp. in

Blindness/VI)

· Parent Involvement: Mr. Bill Daugherty, Mr. Dennis Mathews,

Ms. Kathleen Brown

Expanded Accreditation – Onsite Visit

March 22, 2004 (Monday)

Team members:

Dr. Mike Bina, Mr. Bill Daugherty, Dr. Gay Selby, Dr. John Davis, Mr. Dennis Matthews, Dr. Gary Snyder, Ms. Kathleen Brown and a representative from the Digital Learning Commons.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Request 2-4 individuals visit the residential program and provide

(estimated hours – flexible) feedback to this important area.

March 23, 2004 (Tuesday)

8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction

8:15 – 9:30 a.m. Brief overview on Strategic Plan and various campus programs (this may take less time than designated – we would like the teams to be able to spend as much time in the program areas as possible).

Program areas:

We are asking each team member to pick two or three areas in which they would like to focus. The on-site team could divide up these areas upon arrival.

· Outreach Program: This will focus on Itinerant services to local school districts and educational service districts, Statewide Technology Resource center, Braille Access Center, Instructional Resource Center and In-service Training Opportunities.

Team Members:

· Expanded Academics/Electives: Focus on additional classes not covered in day one of the accreditation and will include such areas as Quest Program, Music Programs, Social Sciences, Science and visitation with classroom teachers within High School, Middle School, and Elementary School.

Team Members:

· Distance Learning: WSSB wanted to place a special focus in this important area, since numerous programs are being piloted this year and numerous partnerships have been developed in providing one more tool for students, staff and parents.

Team Members:

· Transition Services/Programs/ LIFE Skills, Career Education and Work Experience: Focus will cover a wide range of area from experiential education with young children to community work experience.

Team Members:

· CORE Competencies in Blindness and Visual Impairment: Focus on specialized skill training for the blind. This will be an expansion from day one.

Team Members:

· Fitness/Recreation/Health/Sports Programs: Focus provided in the areas of daily physical education type programs to after school recreation/leisure to sports program options for students.

Team Members:

· School Administration/Leadership and Future Direction: Include the administrative side of the school and closer examination of strategic planning, organizational structure, plans and priorities, partnerships, etc.

Team Members:

· School Facilities/Student Safety: Focus provided in the area of what has been accomplished over the years in the area of facilities being designed to meet student needs and also addressing student safety.

Team Members:

All team members will be provided a list of partners – LEA contacts, state agency contacts, community members and parents, to secure validation information on the school’s performance.

We hope that this additional outline will provide the team with additional structure in making your limited time with us as productive as possible. The above is simply a guideline and committee can vary this to meet there needs. WSSB staff will be flexible in assisting you in anyway possible.

We look forward to your visit. If you care to contact other team members, below is a list of e-mail addresses for your correspondence:

Dr. Mike Bina: bina@hadley-school.org

Dr. John Davis: davisj@woodland.wednet.edu

Mr. Bill Daugherty: bdaugherty@kssb.net

Dr. Gay Selby: selby@vancouver.wsu.edu

Mr. Dennis Mathews: dennis.mathews@esd112.org

Dr. Gary Snyder: garysnyder_wsds@hotmail.com

Ms. Kathleen Brown: klipiec@comcast.net

Mr. Ed Little: elittle@vansd.org

Ms. Claire Gates: gatesc@nwrel.org

Ms. Barbara Geldersma: geldersb@nwrel.org

We have also provided you an onsite network authorization which will give you access to some sections of our staff pages. To access these go to: www.wssb.wa.gov/accreditation . If you would like to access our website, please go to www.wssb.wa.gov.

If you will need access to a laptop during your visit, please let us know so we can accommodate you.

If you are able to attend Sunday evening’s dinner, please RSVP to Janet Merz at (360) 696-6321, extension 120 or respond to this e-mail.