[Nfbk] Response from John Roberts

[Cathy Jackson]

Good afternoon.
I have received the following response from John Roberts. Included is the explanation if how the "team building exercise" was supposed to work. My question for Mr. Roberts now is, why was this done in public. To his response about the public having confidence in KSB my comment is, don't bet on it! He says the issue was resolved with staff and students. I would like to hear from staff and students as to how this was resolved.
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Roberts, John - KSB" <john.roberts at ksb.kyschools.us>
> Date: July 9, 2013, 11:39:54 AM EDT
> To: Cathy Jackson <cathyj1949 at gmail.com>
> Subject: RE:
> 
> Cathy,
>  
> Thank you for your response.  I am sending you the response that I have sent others who have commented on the issue to insure that the message that is relayed from KSB is consistent.  Following a thorough investigation into the matter, this issue was immediately resolved with all staff and students involved.  Being a leader in Kentucky and as a spokesperson for the blind, you can help tremendously by insuring that people understand the truth behind the situation.  Thank you, Cathy.  If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. 
>  
>  
>  
> Here is the response...
>  
>  
> Thank you for your response. Here is a synopsis of the event in question. Two of our teachers were preparing to conduct a team building activity with the students as they exited a school bus at Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center. Because of the nature of the activity, students were intentionally not told what the activity would be, because doing so would reveal the intent of the game. This particular team building activity involved participants trying to "figure out" the purpose behind the activity, after they've experienced it.
> During the activity, participants hold on to a long rope while given a certain task to complete. Once that task is completed, the participants move forward, let go of the rope and then complete the next activity. This goes on repeatedly until the students finish the various tasks. The result of the game is for students to realize and understand that they must work cohesively as a team to be successful at the tasks. The rope is simply the tool. 
> The students never got to complete the tasks because one of the students misunderstood the intent of the activity and refused to participate. At no time, was the use of a rope intended to guide or assist students with traveling or mobility.
> What is most unfortunate, is that those who did not have full understanding of the situation have assumed an inaccurate scenario that would never, ever be performed, accepted or tolerated by KSB staff. I would think that the public would have more confidence in the KSB staff. It is my sincere hope that we can put this event behind us.
>  
>  
> John C. Roberts
> Director of Instruction
> Kentucky School for the Blind
> 1867 Frankfort Avenue
> Louisville, KY   40206
>  
> 502-897-1583, ext. 0201
> FAX:  502-897-2850
>  
> Kentucky School for the Blind is the statewide educational resource center on blindness
> From: Cathy Jackson [cathyj1949 at gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2013 10:48 AM
> To: Roberts, John - KSB; nfbk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: 
> 
> Good Morning,
>  
> Please see the attached letter regarding the incident where high school students were asked to hold a rope as a means of mobility at the Kentucky School for the Blind Summer Enrichment Program.
>  
> Cathy Jackson, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130709/aff51142/attachment.html>