Representative Visited Class
Representative Jim Watson visited Mrs. Martha Hauck’s class to speak about careers. The students asked a lot of great questions about how Mr. Watson got to where he is today as well as his educational background. It was a great experience for all.

(Picture of Representative Watson speaking to the class)

National Library Week
ISVI participated in National Library Week by doing a variety of fun activities. There was a "story time" held in the library every day where different teachers read to any student who wanted to attend. The students made book markers, had a trivia contest, played a mystery game, watched a movie while enjoying popcorn, had cake and punch at the open house, and participated in the opportunity for door prizes. The library was a very busy place all week long!

Support of ISVI’s Art Program
The Imagine Foundation of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Noon Lions Club have partnered to assist with the Art Program at ISVI. They recently presented ISVI with a check from donations of a murder mystery event that they had previously hosted. The donation will be use to work with our students in the Art Club, provide ISVI with a Tactile Art Collection, and provide our students with musical performances. The Imagine Foundation and the Noon Lions Club seem very dedicated to this new venture with ISVI and have pledged their support in assisting us. We are extremely thankful to both of them for providing our students with this wonderful experience in Fine Arts.

Junior High Spring Dinner
The ISVI Junior High students recently had dinner at Mrs. Cindy Miller’s house. The theme of the dinner was Good Health and Nutrition. In order to prepare the menu for the dinner, the students watched a video and participated in activities on nutrition and how to eat and be healthy. The students then prepared a menu of healthy items from each food group. The students also shopped, prepared and cooked some of the dinner. The menu included turkey burgers and turkey hot dogs on whole grain buns; baked beans; fresh vegetables and salad fixings; baked corn chips and salsa; sherbet and vanilla yogurt with fruit toppings, fat free Cool Whip and granola cereal. Teachers included Mrs. Cindy Miller, Mr. Jim Strader and Mrs. Linda Strader. Mr. David Miller grilled the burgers and hot dogs. After dinner, the students and teachers enjoyed a rousing game of Left, Right, Center!

Recreational Activities are Flourishing
There have been many recreational activities at ISVI these past few months under direction of Recreation Director, Joe Lewey. Bingo is a big hit. The students even take turns hosting the event. Hosting Bingo includes; setting up the room, calling out the numbers, cleaning up, and awarding the prizes to the winners. Weekend shopping trips are always a priority for the residential students. The stores have varied along with the transportation that they take to the stores. Sometimes the students choose the assistance of the residential care workers to shop while others use the stores’ personal shoppers programs. The students enjoy swimming in the ISVI swimming pool every week. Students also have the opportunity to be taken to various video stores where they love to purchase/rent video games and movies. Recently, some of the students attended a celebration on the Jacksonville square. There were artists, musicians, face and hand painting, ecology information, juggling, and lots of great food items to eat.

Student accepted to the NFB Youth Slam
An ISVI’s student recently got accepted to attend the 2007 National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam this summer. The NFB Youth Slam is a four day academy and will provide him with opportunities to learn and challenge himself. He will be able to meet new friends from all over the country and meet outstanding blind role models. Activities that he will take part in will take place with support from partners such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the John Hopkins University School of Engineering and other institutions. ISVI is very proud of him for getting accepted to this very important leadership academy.