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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Greetings
Cindi et al,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">This
will serve as a multifaceted email. Firstly, I would like to address Cindi’s
inquiry, and then, on to other Federation business.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">My
wife and her colleagues in northern Louisiana have become fans of BOP. that is
to say, it far out-distances the original Patterns series in several
respects—particularly in the speed at which the code is introduced, as well as
in the method of doing the same. Whereas Patterns is widely thought to be
ponderous and far too slow in introducing new signs and symbols, BOP is markedly
faster, giving cognitive kids the credit they deserve in code acquisition and
setting reasonable expectations, not lowering the bar.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The
homework debate is one that will rage no matter the content area. I personally
do not believe that a “magic bullet” answer for that question exists. Rather,
you have to use professional judgment when taking this into account. I realize
that family pressures (especially not to send homework home) do exist in some
instances. However, I also know that my sighted 5-year-old son has homework
every night save for Friday, and he is in kindergarten. As teachers of the blind
and VI we have to ask ourselves if we truly believe our kids can compete in
terms of equality. As someone who is blind and has been both personally and
professionally successful (even if I didn’t become a stand-up comedian lol), I
hope that your answer to this question is yes. If yes, then what are we doing to
prepare them for future successes? If their peers get homework (complete with
all of the time management, problem-solving, character-building lessons that
entails), shouldn’t our kids? Again, good judgment is crucial. But, I believe
that never sending homework home is ultimately
detrimental.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Now,
for those of you who care to continue reading, I would like to discuss PIBE as
an organization.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">In
July of this year, the National Organization of Professionals in Blindness
Education (PIBE) was officially recognized as a division of the National
Federation of the Blind. Yours truly was elected president thereof, along with
other officers and boardmembers. For those of you who wrote checks to PIBE for
your annual $25 dues and wonder why those have not been cashed, there is a
simple answer—namely, the bank with which I am dealing is putting up more
roadblocks to establishing a division account than one might expect of the
police as they try to stop a high-speed motorist. That is, establishment of a
bank account has proved extremely frustrating. I won’t bore you with any more
details, but suffice it to say that we are redoubling our efforts. I have also
been in preliminary talks with NOPBC President Laura Weber about a couple of
things, as well as with the Jernigan Institute about upcoming collaborative
opportunities. I am very excited about the possibilities for our division and
look forward to working with all members to strengthen and further enrich our
efforts to serve those in the field of working with blind and visually impaired
students in k-12 programs. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">For
those on the PIBE list who would be formally interested in joining our
organization, we would be happy for you to do so. I am hoping to have our bank
account established within a couple of weeks and will let you know once that is
done. I truly hope you will consider doing so, as $25 is far less than the fees
asked by other professional organizations. Granted, we have yet to accomplish a
great deal. However, that will change going forward—with your guidance and
support.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Please
do not hesitate to contact me off-list if I can be of assistance to you with
regard to follow-up or more specific PIBE inquiries. I also look forward to
continued on-list discussions and questions of the type raised by Cindi, Dr. V,
and others. I learn so much through these dialogs. Wishing everyone a good
weekend,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Eric
Guillory, PIBE President<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Director
of Youth Services</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Louisiana
Center for the Blind</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">101
South Trenton Street</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Ruston,
LA 71270</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Phone:
800-234-4166</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Fax:
318-251-0109</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>