Students Taking Classes at Jacksonville High School
There are currently five ISVI juniors and seniors taking classes at Jacksonville High School (JHS) while attending ISVI. They are taking Advanced CISCO (computer networking), Spanish II, Band, Consumer Education, Chemistry and Drivers Education. These students are really enjoying the classes while being taught independence. It also gives them a chance for interaction with other peers. ISVI provides transportation to the classes and the students use the Mass Transit System in Jacksonville. Mrs. Megan Edgcomb is the ISVI teacher that helps coordinate these classes at JHS, helps with students schedules and helps with transportation scheduling. These classes are determined by student interest, college requirements and approval from the student multi-disciplinary team. ISVI is very proud of these students and will continue the collaboration efforts with JHS.

Student Working at a Radio Station
WQNA in Springfield at the Capital Career Center employs an ISVI student. The student works there every Saturday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. He helps with adding to on-air conversations that are being held while he is there. He even has his own part of the show. While his portion of the show takes place, he gets to run the entire sound board. He enjoys getting to be on-air and getting to play music for the listeners. Mr. Paul Drake heard about the job and passed the information onto him. Someday he would like to have a future in radio and hopes to become a Disc Jockey.

A Taste of College
Five ISVI students participated in "A Taste of College" experience hosted by the TranVision Program at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Students were provided the opportunity to learn first hand what it takes to succeed in college. Many skills were discussed that are needed for college including self-advocacy, academic skills, organizational skills, time management skills, effective communication skills and more. Participants spent the weekend touring the NIU campus, traveled on the campus bus throughout the community, learned about services available for students with disabilities and experienced the NIU social life.

Braille Challenge
Eleven ISVI students participated in the Braille Challenge in St. Louis, MO on Thursday, February 15, 2007. The students participated in events such as Braille speed and accuracy, chart graph and reading, proofreading, reading comprehension and Braille spelling. Two students received first place finishes and one student received a second place finish. The ISVI students participated against other visually impaired and blind schools in the Midwest. Way to go, ISVI!

Expanding Your Horizons Workshop
On Saturday March 10^th, 2007 two middle school students traveled to the University of Illinois at Springfield to attend the 20th annual "Expanding Your Horizons" workshop. The workshop is designed to expose 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade girls to careers related to mathematics, science, and technology. This year 320 girls from an eight county area attended the hands-on workshops. One student chose to attend the following sessions: Engineers Defying Gravity, Finding Feelings and Building Dreams. The other student experienced the science field with the following sessions: Creative Chemists, Technology on Parade and Your Genes in a Bottle. A great time was had by both students! The hands-on activities were an awesome learning experience. It was also nice to meet girls from other schools and make some new friends.

Parent Organization News
The Parent Organization has purchased two 27 inch TV’s to be used by students in Unit 18. They are really enjoying them. Thank you to all who have contributed items for the Parent Organization. Please keep sending those Campbell’s Labels in and be sure to include the UPC code when you are sending items to the school for the Parent Organization.

2007 Goalball
The 2007 Goalball season went great! This years team was the largest squad in ISVI’s history. It was so large that we had a varsity team and a junior varsity team. The home games brought in a gym full of students, staff, and parents. ISVI played two matches at home, one at Wisconsin and finished the season with the NCASB Goalball Championships held in Tennessee. They won trophies and plaques and had experiences of a lifetime. The Goalball team is coached by Mr. Jim Raabe and Ms. Dawn Chambers. Way to go Warriors!!

Special Visitor
Mrs. Joni Frisch’s class had a very special visitor. Mr. Jamie Huebner, a National Guardsman on a leave from Iraq, took time out of his short leave to visit the class. Mr. Huebner wore his uniform and explained what some of the patches were and what the medals represented. The children asked him a lot of great questions. He brought MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) with him for the class to try. He prepared them and had the class taste them. He had spaghetti, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and even candy! The visit from Mr. Huebner was very much appreciated by Mrs. Frisch and her class.

"Lunch with a Cop"
Two students had their turn to have lunch with Officer Kruzan from the Jacksonville Police Department! They had the opportunity to visit the Jacksonville Police Station, which they enjoyed very much. They even got to sit in the police car and examine all of the neat gadgets on the inside of it. Officer Kruzan had lunch with these two students and answered a lot of great questions. The "Lunch with a Cop" program gives ISVI students the opportunity to learn about all of the great things that police officers do. ISVI truly appreciates the time that Officer Kruzan gives to help our students learn.

Visitors from Japan
Twenty two Japanese students visited ISVI’s campus. They were in Jacksonville through a program offered by Illinois College. They toured campus, had a cultural exchange with ISVI students, experienced an O & M lesson and more.

Dates to Remember
March
23-24 Swim/Forensics @ Indiana
26-28 Lions Low Vision Clinic
28 Swim/Forensics at home
30-31 Swim/Forensics @ Kansas

April
6-15 Spring break
20-21 Swim/Forensics @ Wisconsin
24 Spring Musical (Please note the date change)
25-26 Prairie State Achievement Test
26-29 Swim/Forensics NCASB Championships @ Ohio

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