[NFBNJ] National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Announces its Seventh BELL Academy

[Ellen Sullivan]

Greetings,

 

   We are very excited to share with you that our Seventh BELL Academy
(Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) will take place from June 29
to July 10, 2020 at the Raritan Bay Area YMCA

 At 357 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ  08861. Below is a preview of
an article announcing the program (also attached) as well as a Flyer
(attached as a PDF) providing more information and links on how to register.
Please share with your friends and family and all those who may benefit from
this Academy

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Ellen Sullivan, Affiliate Secretary, NFBNJ

 

BELL in a Nut-Shell

by Mary Jo Partyka and Ellen Sullivan

 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is getting ready to
launch its seventh Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
Academy. This year's Academy is in honor of Barbara Shalit, a teacher of the
visually impaired for many years. Barbara was devoted to the establishment
and growth of New Jersey's BELL Academy and served as its teacher for the
first three years. Barbara passed away in 2019.

 

The goal of the BELL Academy is to provide children with instruction in
Braille and nonvisual skills through fun, hands-on learning activities and
adventures. This year, we will encourage our students to cultivate their
knowledge of music, engage in physical activity, interact in their
communities and exceed their expectations of their arithmetic abilities.

 

Due to the efforts of Linda Melendez, President Ruffalo and First Lady Judy
we have a new venue for this year's BELL Academy:

 

Where:      Raritan Bay Area YMCA

                   357 New Brunswick Avenue

                   Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

When:       June 29 through July 10, 2020

Time:         9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

            This new location will offer the children access to many of the
wonderful facilities of the YMCA including a pool. We do want to make a
shout out of thanks to Dr. Ruiz and the Puerto Rican Association of Human
Development (PRAHD) who welcomed us at their facilities in Perth Amboy for
SIX years and even helped us identify this new facility.

 

We have applied for three grants and are optimistic that things will work
out in our favor. In addition, when our dear friend and fellow Federationist
Jerry Fontenelli passed away in December 2019, his family asked that, in
lieu of flowers, donations be made to NFBNJ in his memory. Jerry was an avid
fund raiser himself and an ardent supporter of the BELL Academy. The funds
raised in Jerry's honor are, with pride, dedicated in support of the BELL
Academy and will be used to fund the Jerry Fontenelli "Day at the Keansburg
Beach" (with a water park activity!)

 

Mary Jo Partyka is our BELL coordinator again this year and will work
diligently with our Braille teacher to plan fun and exciting lessons for the
children. As for our students . yes, we are busy recruiting them and expect
many of those who participated last year to attend again.

 

So, help us to get the word out: NFBNJ BELL Academy 2020 ROCKS! All blind
and vision impaired children in New Jersey (ages 4 through 12) are welcome
to participate for FREE!

 

To learn more about the NFB New Jersey BELL Academy, visit
<https://nfb.org/bell-academy> https://nfb.org/bell-academy or contact the
New Jersey BELL Academy Coordinator Mary Jo Partyka at 609-888-5459 or at
<mailto:choirnfb at gmail.com> choirnfb at gmail.com.

 

 

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