[Md-sligo] Information for Maryland Braille Challenge

[Melissa Ann Riccobono]

Hello everyone,

I am writing in order to pass along information about the Maryland Braille
Challenge. This event will take place on Saturday, February 7, with a snow
date of February 21. The Maryland School for the Blind at 3501 Taylor Ave.
in Baltimore will once again be the host site.

What is the Braille Challenge?

The Braille Challenge is an event for children in grades pre-k-12 who are
braille readers. Students take various tests throughout the day in braille
reading and writing, proofreading, data interpretation, and even scribing
passages at older grade levels. This is a contest for blind children around
the United States in order to promote braille literacy, and to help children
feel proud of their abilities to read and write braille. The Maryland
Braille Challenge is a regional event. Students' scores will be submitted to
the National Braille Challenge in CA. If students score high enough, they
will be invited to participate in the National Braille Challenge in CA later
in 2015.

 

While children are taking the tests associated with the Braille Challenge,
workshops and a vendor fair will be offered for parents. There is a nice
awards ceremony at the end of the day, and all students are recognized for
their participation.

 

I have been helping out with the Braille Challenge for a number of years. I
very much encourage parents to sign their children up to participate in this
fun event. If students are new braille readers, they can participate at a
level consistent with where they are in braille. Also, although it is great
if students can participate on the day set aside for the Braille Challenge,
the tests associated with this event can be given on a different day by the
student's teacher of the visually impaired if the student cannot make it to
MSB the day of the Braille Challenge. Finally, students from other nearby
states are welcome to participate in the Maryland Braille Challenge.

I have been struck during the past few years by the lack of participation in
the Braille Challenge. This is truly a fun and unique opportunity for
students to get to practice braille skills, meet peers from around MD and
nearby states, and possibly to move on to compete in the National Braille
Challenge, which is an honor. I urge all parents to strongly consider
signing their children up for this event, and for those of you who have no
children to pass this information along to blind children and their parents
with whom you are acquainted. Attached is the registration packet. Please
fill it out and send it in! 

 

I hope to see many of you on February 7!

Melissa

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