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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for your support.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ellen Sullivan, Affiliate Secretary, NFBNJ<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black;text-transform:uppercase'>BELL in a Nut-Shell</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>by Mary Jo Partyka and Ellen Sullivan</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> </span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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.</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Due to the efforts of Linda Melendez, President Ruffalo and First Lady Judy we have a new venue for this year’s BELL Academy:</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Where: Raritan Bay Area YMCA</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> 357 New Brunswick Avenue</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> Perth Amboy, NJ 08861</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>When: June 29 through July 10, 2020</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> 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.</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>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!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>To learn more about the NFB New Jersey BELL Academy, visit <a href="https://nfb.org/bell-academy" target="_blank"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://nfb.org/bell-academy</span></a> or contact the New Jersey BELL Academy Coordinator Mary Jo Partyka at 609-888-5459 or at <a href="mailto:choirnfb@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:#0563C1'>choirnfb@gmail.com</span></a>.</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>