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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>We have been asked to distribute the following information. If you have any questions, please do not reply to this announcement but, contact VRCBVI directly using the contact information located in the brochure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Roane, Melody (DBVI) [mailto:Melody.Roane@dbvi.virginia.gov] <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 20, 2017 4:18 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Mark W. Roane' <markwroane@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> 2017 Learning Excellence In Academics Program (LEAP)<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hello everyone,</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>VRCBVI and VCU are excited to announce the 2017 Learning Excellence In Academics Program (LEAP.) Please find attached the brochure outlining the program which is designed for high school juniors and seniors and 2017 high school graduates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>There are a few things that I want to bring to your attention about this year’s program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>First, the deadline for application is April 14. This is a hard and fast deadline established by VCU. No applications will be accepted after this date. If you need assistance in getting this information out to students who would benefit, please let me know and VRCBVI will help out in whatever way we can.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Second, thanks to VCU, the LEAP application is available online through the link in the brochure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Third, as the result of feedback we received from students last year, we have added a skills of blindness component to the program. In the past, students have been in classes at VCU Monday through Friday. This year, they will be in VCU classes Monday through Thursday and on Friday will participate in classes at VRCBVI. Students may want additional training in access technology to enhance their ability to participate in the VCU academic classes, or they may determine that there are other skills they need to work on to be successful in college. Students will have the opportunity to determine which classes they will take on Fridays in collaboration with their parents, VRCBVI instructors and the appropriate VR counselor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Finally, LEAP participants will be expected to bring their own technology and adaptive software to use in classes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>If you have any questions or would like additional information about LEAP, please do not hesitate to let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thanks and have a great day!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melody Roane, Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind & Vision Impaired<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>401 Azalea Avenue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richmond, Virginia 23227<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 804-371-3323<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:melody.roane@dbvi.virginia.gov">melody.roane@dbvi.virginia.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/VRCBVI_Cares">@VRCBVI_Strong</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VDBVI">VDBVI</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Worldwide Web: <a href="http://www.vrcbvi.org">www.vrcbvi.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>**CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE**</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>This message (including any attachments) contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, print, retain, use, copy, distribute, or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the original message (including any attachments).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>