ISVI Happenings
January 2007
Industrial Technology Department
Mr. Radliff’s class sure has been busy. Students are learning things such as
home maintenance and are currently working on their plumbing unit. One Home and
Safety Maintenance student is learning about the workings of a toilet. He
stated, "the safety valve is very important." In Manufacturing Technology,
students are working on their individualized projects. One student is working on
a hatrack that will hold his collection of hats. He says, "Manufacturing
Technology is my favorite class." Another is working hard building a night stand
to put beside his bed. These students and many more are learning vocational
skills that can last a lifetime.
Letter from Principal Jan McGovern
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Jan McGovern and
I am the Principal at ISVI. I am married and have seven children and seven
grandchildren. My husband and I live in Beardstown with our two youngest
children and three dogs and one cat. I came to ISVI after spending five years
working for Macon Corrections Special Education District and serving as the
supervising School Psychologist and Interim Director of Special Education for
the Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Juvenile
Justice. Prior to that I worked for a Special Education Coop and also served as
a child advocate for children returning to home after spending time in foster
care. I have an Illinois Teaching Certification in the areas of a Type 73 School
Support with a school psychologist endorsement, a Supervisory Certification, a
Type 75 General Administrative Certification with a Director of Special
Education endorsement. I look forward to meeting with you and enjoy working with
your children.
Lots of Years of Service!
Several ISVI staff received awards at the ISVI Holiday program for their many
years of service. These awards show appreciation for their dedicated work for
DHS/ISVI. The following staff have had 5 years of service: Deborah Johnson, Judy
Thompson, Linda Smith, Lu Anne Murphy, Karen Kelahan, Shirley Hainds, Paula
Holmes, and Rich Bruington. 10 years of service includes: Michelle Smith, Shari
Pierce, and Diane Wayne. 15 years of service includes: Dan Thompson, Cindy
Brickey, and Lisa Flyn. 20 years of service includes: Carolyn Dawdy, Vonnie
Anderson, Vicki Mullis, Nancy Shive, Judy Bowman, and Joyce Griffeth. Kathy
Turner has had 25 years and Brenda Stewart has had 30 years. ISVI truly
appreciates these committed employees!
¿Habla Español?
ISVI junior high students had the unique opportunity to participate in an
integrated unit of instruction developed by Nancy Lane (Spanish teacher), Linda
Strader (language arts teacher), and Jamie Mushrush (ISU student). The students
read the novel Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan and participated in
accompanying assignments. These assignments included note-taking, vocabulary
development (both English and Spanish), Spanish language and music activities,
Mexican culture and cooking activities, a party held in Mrs. Strader’s home to
sample their culinary delights, and a soap-carving project. The students did a
great deal of work both in and out of class to complete the unit.
South of Seventy Conference
The first annual South of Seventy Conference will be held on Saturday, April 21,
2007. This conference is for families of children who are blind or visually
impaired. Some tentative topics include: parent rights and responsibilities,
daily living and independence, and assistive technology for academics and
pre-academics. This free conference will be held in Mt. Vernon, IL at the Rend
Lake Market Place. Registration information can be obtained by calling toll free
at 877-731-8184 or by visiting This event is co-sponsored by a variety of
organizations including: Hearing and Vision Connections, Illinois School for the
Visually Impaired, Illinois Parents of the Visually Impaired and more!
ISVI Work Group Meeting
The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired Work Group met on January 15, 2007
at ISVI to discuss and determine priorities that will ensure maintenance of the
school’s integrity and excellence of education programming. Workgroup members
include DRS Director Kilbury; Marjorie Olson, Manager of DRS Educational
Services; Joan Forney, Former-Acting Superintendent of ISVI, and various stakeholders,
parents, school staff and DRS staff. The workgroup identified numerous
priorities including: superintendent search and selection criteria;
communication issues among parents, stakeholders and administration/staff;
future direction of the school; additional programming for IL students who do
not attend ISVI; and positive thinking. The work group selected members to serve
on the superintendent search committee. This priority will be fast tracked with
the anticipation of a new superintendent starting at the beginning of next
school year.
Read for a Lifetime
ISVI is participating in the Read for a Lifetime program. This is a statewide
program developed for high school students. It is sponsored by the Secretary of
State and State Librarian, the Illinois State Library and Waldenbooks. The
primary goal of the program is to promote the enjoyment of reading by
encouraging students to read classic and contemporary literature. ISVI received
a list of 25 book titles to choose from. Each student who reads at least four
titles from the list during the school year receives a certificate of
achievement signed by the Secretary of State, along with a discount coupon from
Waldenbooks. Sixteen ISVI students are participating in the program. Most of the
books on the list are available in braille, large print or as a talking book.
Read for a Lifetime is another great program that ISVI participates in!
Dates to Remember
January
25-28: Break
February
7: Goalball at ISVI
9-10: Goalball at Wisconsin
15: Braille Challenge at Missouri
16: Mid-term of 3rd quarter
20: Goalball at ISVI
21-25: Break
22-23: AER Conference
Reminder
ISVI Parent Association is looking for favorite recipes to be used in a school
cookbook. Please send recipes to:
Tracy Orr
400 Country Club Road
Jacksonville, IL 62650
or e-mail to: orrjk@csj.net