[Mdpobc] Braille Challenge

Wed Nov 16 19:29:54 UTC 2016

Hello All,

Don't miss the Maryland Braille Challenge!  Read below for details and sign
up today!

THE MARYLAND REGIONAL
BRAILLE CHALLENGE
January 28th, 2017
(Snow Date - February 4th, 2017)
Location:  The Maryland School for the Blind
 <http://www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org>
www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org
Follow us on Twitter @mdbrlchallenge  #mdbc17

The Maryland State Department of Education and The Maryland School for the
Blind will be hosting the Maryland 2017 Regional Braille Challenge
Braille is an important key to literacy!  It allows for the enjoyment of
reading, leads to school success, and opens the doors to future employment.
Come celebrate braille literacy with a day filled with fun, competition,
learning, prizes, and enjoyment! In addition, bring in Braille books you no
longer read for our Braille Book Exchange! 

Also new this year will be a non-competitive program for Braille Enrichment
for Literacy and Learning (BELL). Students will participate with peers and
blind adult role models in various fun activities which integrate Braille.
This is for elementary aged students and the group size is limited to 10 for
this first year. 

Students who read braille in grades Prekindergarten through Grade 12 are
invited to participate in the Maryland Regional Braille Challenge reading
and writing contests. Parents are invited to participate in workshops while
students are taking the tests.  Teachers and school staff are invited to
assist with test proctoring and scoring and helping to facilitate the day. 

The following information below was taken directly from the Braille
Institute's website regarding the transition to UEB and the Braille
Challenge: 
*	All contracted Apprentice and Freshman contests will be in UEB ONLY.
There will be no EBAE option.
*	Apprentice students may take the uncontracted version, but are not
eligible for the Finals.
*	SOPHOMORE contestants will have the option to take their Challenge
contests in UEB or EBAE this year, depending on what they know best.
*	Contestants may not mix codes-they must select one code for all
three contests.
*	BIA will provide contests and answer keys in both EBAE and UEB.
*	Junior Varsity, Varsity contests will be in EBAE.
*	Students with the best scores nationally will advance, regardless of
code.
*	Sophomore contestants must take Finals in the code they chose for
preliminaries.
*	All forms, registration spreadsheets and other supporting documents
will reflect these options.
*	We will post 2016 Apprentice and Freshman practice contests in UEB
as samples all other levels and all others will be in EBAE.
To learn more about the Braille Challenge visit brailleinstitute.org and to
find practice materials go to
<http://www.brailleinstitute.org/braillechallenge-for-students.html>
http://www.brailleinstitute.org/braillechallenge-for-students.html and
select the "Sample Contests" link.
WHEN:  Saturday, January 28, 2017 (Snow Date: February 4, 2017)
COST: FREE
TIME: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Lunch will be provided) 
WHERE: The Maryland School for the Blind
              3501 Taylor Avenue
              Baltimore, Maryland 21236

           Maryland 2017 Regional Braille Challenge
Tentative Agenda

8:30-9:00         Registration (Knefley)
9:00-9:30         Opening Ceremony (Knefley)
*     Welcome and Introductions 
*     Group Formation
9:45-10:30      Keynote Speaker  (Knefley)
*        Students in PreK-12 Testing
*        Parents attend workshops
11:00-12:00      Concurrent Sessions (Knefley or MDB Multi-Purpose Room)  
*        Students in PreK-12 Testing
*        Parents attend workshops
12:00-12:45      Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:00-2:00          Concurrent Sessions (Knefley or MDB Multi-Purpose Room) 
*        Students in Grades 1-12 Testing
*        Parents attend workshops and students in Pre-K and K attend
activity 
2:00-2:30          Session 4 (Knefley) 
*        Parents attend workshop
*        Students in Grades 5-12 Testing
*        Braille Book Exchange and Activities  Pre-K through Grade 4 and
older students as they complete testing (Knefley)
2:30-4:00          Activities and Awards (Knefley)

        MARYLAND REGIONAL BRAILLE CHALLENGE
                                                Baltimore - January 28, 2017
Snow Date: February 4
                 PARENT REGISTRATION

Participant's Name:  _________________________________________ Lunch Option
(circle one):  A    B    C    D

Please select:  Braille Challenge or BELL Participant

Name of Parents/Guardians Attending:  
__________________________________________________________     Lunch Option
(circle one):   A   B    C    D

__________________________________________________________     Lunch Option
(circle one):   A    B    C    D        
Lunch Options:       A - Chicken Wrap    B - Turkey Wrap    C - Roast Beef
Wrap   D- Vegetarian Wrap

Accommodations to be provided upon request (for Parents/Guardians). Please
specify.      Large Print       Braille         Electronic        
For Students in Grade 5-12 Only:  Students may bring their own or school
system Victor Reader Stream and headphones to use for the "Speed and
Accuracy" contest.  If they cannot bring one, a Bookport Plus will be
provided for use.  Please check one box.
  I will bring a Victor Reader Stream    OR      I know how to use a
BookPort Plus      
 Yes, I would like to bring books to exchange at the Braille book exchange.
I will bring approximately ____ books (count each volume as a separate book
please, this is to help with planning). 
*Is your child a member of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped? If not, visit  <http://www.lbph.lib.md.us>
www.lbph.lib.md.us to download an application.*
Workshops will be provided throughout the day for parents.  
NOTE:  At least one parent must attend and remain on site throughout the day
while their child is present and competing.  Parents are not allowed in the
testing rooms with their child.  You are encouraged to participate in the
workshops provided.  Your children will be escorted and supervised by
teachers and staff from the Local School Systems and The Maryland School for
the Blind.  

Parent Signature:  ____________________________________________
THIS FORM MUST BE SIGNED and SENT TO VICTORIA WATT BY JANUARY 13, 2017
FAX 410-319-5708 or Email @ victoriag at mdschblind.org

Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

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