<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What is the Braille Challenge?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to see many of you on February 7!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>