The Maryland School for The Blind

WINDOWFALL 2014

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ON THE PATH TO ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE

Chanta Brown has been a student

at the Maryland School for the Blind

since she was six years old. In addition

to her visual impairments, she was

diagnosed with autism and when

she was very young, didn’t talk much

at all. You would never know that

to meet her now at the age of 20.

Chanta is very expressive and is never

at a loss for words.

Her mother, Liza Brown-DiCostantino,

an occupational therapist who worked

at MSB at one time, has been her

biggest advocate and along with

the staff at the school, has been

instrumental in the tremendous

progress she has made in her

communication skills over the years.

Chanta would not be where she is

today if it weren’t for the strong

support system she has had at home

and at school. And although Liza has

taken another position in occupational

therapy, she has been an active

member of MSB’s parent community

for many years. She currently is

President of the PTSO and serves on

the MSB Board of Directors.

Through her years at MSB, Chanta

has grown and thrived, especially in

the arts at MSB. She plays the piano

by ear, loves to sing and has recently

taken up the drums. Her musical

talents have landed Chanta a lead

singing role in MSB’s jazz ensemble,

the Blue Duffs, and she has appeared

in many of the school’s musical

productions. She shares her love

of music with her father, Randy

and according to Liza “things can get

pretty lively at home.”

In looking ahead to the future,

Chanta definitely sees her music as

a marketable skill, having expressed

an interest in using it to “make a lot

of people happy in senior nursing

homes.” But in the meantime, she

is enjoying her last year at MSB. She

is preparing for graduation in the

spring, an event she says she’s ready

for, thanks to solid support from the

MSB staff and her family. According

to her teacher David Green, “Chanta

will be well prepared to enter the

workforce when she graduates. She is

very involved in our Career Education

Program. She not only works in the

school’s Rock’n’ Roll Cafe but also

off campus at the Cromwell Center,

helping with activities for senior

citizens. Next semester she will

be starting an internship in the

horticulture program at St.

Elizabeth’s School.”

Chanta has become a

leader among her peers

and was recently

Chanta belts out a tune

with the Blue Duffs.

elected as the secretary of the Class

of 2015. Yet while Liza believes that

her daughter is becoming more

independent and learning to advocate

for herself more effectively, she’s not

quite ready to live on her own. So for

now, Chanta splits her time between

dorm life on the MSB campus and

home life in the “in-law” suite that her

parents have provided for her in their

home. The skills (especially cooking)

that she has learned at MSB are

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S P O T L I G H T O N C H R I S W E L L M A N N

For Chris Wellmann, MSB is a family tradition that began with his father some 40 years ago.

“Although my father started teaching here when I was just a kid, I

didn’t consciously plan to follow in his footsteps. I just kind of fell into them because of a college paper I was writing that required a field observation, which my dad arranged for me to do at MSB. I loved the school, and apparently the physical education department was duly impressed with me, as well, because two weeks later, they offered me a job as a paraeducator.”

Chris met his wife Sandy at the school. Sandy was also a paraeducator at the school, whose daughter, Jeannette, was a student until she graduated in 2005. After they married, his new role as husband and father provided yet another perspective on the MSB experience.

“Sandy and I not only know what it takes to teach a child who is blind with multiple disabilities, we also know what it means to parent one. This unique perspective helps us to both assist our colleagues, as well as our families work through some of the challenges they face. That special insight has also made me more effective as an educator.”

So effective, in fact, that in October, Chris received the 2014 Outstanding Paraeducator award from the Principals of Schools for the Blind (POSB) at the Council of Schools for the Blind Institute in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I was more than a little shocked when I heard that I’d won; but I was certainly proud to represent MSB in the national spotlight. This is a unique school, full of happy students, and after 27 years, I still enjoy every moment that I’m here.”

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T

At the Maryland School for the Blind, we have a great deal to celebrate.

With our school year now off to a great start, our students are happily

settled into their classes, as well as their extracurricular activities,

embracing life with the same energy and enthusiasm they have always

demonstrated, turning challenges into opportunities. As always,

our staff does a wonderful job of assisting our students to be successful.

We have also made significant headway on our multi-year campus master

plan, thanks to tremendous support from the state of Maryland legislature

and the Governor’s office.

On November 17, we will cut the ribbon on our new 22,550 square foot

Learning Activity Center and 19,000 square foot residential cottages

facility for students with multiple disabilities. The academic building is

designed for 60 students. The cottages include eight double occupancy

bedrooms with accessible bathrooms.

That same day, we will break ground on the second phase of the project, a

state-of-the-art complex for students, like Chanta Brown, in the Autism Blind

program. It will include a two-story, 35,000 square foot academic facility,

along with two adjacent residential facilities totaling 32,000 square foot.

In keeping with our campus master plan, we recently dedicated a

wonderful new pavilion, built with funding from the District 22A Lions Clubs

and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Named the “PaviLION,” this

beautiful structure will be used by MSB students and staff for special school

functions, events and picnics. It also serves as solid evidence of

the Lions’ support of our school over the past 50 years.

As MSB continues to improve, we are constantly reminded of your

exceptional generosity over the years. Your steadfast support has made it

possible for us to provide our students with the exceptional service they

need and deserve; and we are deeply grateful for your many contributions

on their behalf.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Bina, Ed.D.President

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Dr. Bina and Youth Ambassador Laurel help dedicate the new PaviLion.

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October 15, 2014 marked the 50th

anniversary of National White Cane

Day in the United States and MSB

celebrated this special occasion with

a month long celebration.

The White Cane, which has become an

international symbol of independence

for people who are blind and visually

impaired, has historical roots at MSB.

The long cane technique used to teach

independent travel to the blind and

visually impaired was developed by

two former MSB teachers, Richard

Hoover and Warren Bledsoe, who were

recruited by the U.S. Army to assist in

the rehabilitation of war blinded soldiers

during WWII. Hoover eventually became

a world renowned ophthalmologist at

Johns Hopkins Hospital and served on

the Board of Directors of MSB along

with Bledsoe. The cane travel technique

of using a side to side sweeping motion

to detect obstacles and drop-offs in the

traveler’s path bears his name and is

used worldwide.

“The white cane is a tool that allows

individuals who are blind or visually

impaired to be more independent and

fully integrated in the community”,

said Dr. Michael Bina, MSB President.

“We are proud that Dr. Hoover and

Mr. Bledsoe used their experience

working with blind children here at

MSB to benefit war blinded veterans

and ultimately their cane technique has

been applied internationally.”

National White Cane Day was

signed into law in 1964 by President

Lyndon Johnson as an opportunity

to recognize the importance of this

tool of independence for the blind.

Traditionally celebrated annually on

October 15, MSB decided to devote the

entire month of October to the 50th

anniversary celebration. Events were

scheduled for each week of the month

and included daily announcements and

contests, including a statewide poster

contest. Other activities included

the sale of commemorative T-shirts,

earrings and long cane pretzels

designed by MSB students and the

orientation and mobility staff. The

celebration culminated with the formal

ceremony on October 29 and included

a proclamation by Senator Katherine

Klausmeier, an original song by MSB

students and the release of 50 white

doves. It was a memorable occasion

for all.

MSB CELEBRATES WHITE CANE DAY MILESTONE

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coming in handy in her “new

apartment,” as she proudly calls it.

As Liza puts it, “We cherish our family

time; but we also know that Chanta

needs her space. And this move is a

really nice compromise for everyone,

especially when she’s playing her drums.”

Left: Chanta and Liza enjoy their mother/daughter time.

Right: Chanta prepares a meal in her apartment.

Senator Katherine Klausmeier presents the proclamation to Dr. Bina.

MSB students and staff celebrate White Cane Day.

FOLLOW MSB ON FACEBOOK AT THE

MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND

ON TWITTER @MSB1853

The Maryland School for the Blind 3501 Taylor Ave., Baltimore, MD 21236 tel 410.444.5000 fax 410.319.5700

www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org

We are grateful for the support of the Lions Clubs of

District 22A, especially Past District Governor Dan

Scott, District Governor Doug DeWitt, Past International

President Clem Kusiak and the Ellicott City Lions Club,

for granting us with the funds to build our beautiful new

PaviLION for our students and staff. The pavilion, complete

with our own Lion statue, was dedicated at a special

ceremony on October 25. The Lions truly live up to their

motto of “We Serve.”

The Haloti Ngata Family Foundation

The Ralph & Shirley Klein Foundation

Midstate Federal Community Bank

I.O.O.F., Baltimore City Lodge #57

Mary Jean & Oliver Travers Foundation, Inc.

MSB Alumni Association

American Legion Northern Central Dist.

Dr. Frank C. Marino Foundation, Inc.

MetLife

Community Foundation of Carroll County

Rogers-Wilbur Foundation, Inc.

Ayers/Saint/Gross, Inc.

Carman Lay Foundation, Inc.

Rommel Cranston Construction Company

The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, Inc.

Thank you to the following foundations, businesses, clubs and organizations for their support:

C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O R T

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation

MSB has received a grant from the Cal Ripken Sr.

Foundation to build a state of the art sports complex on

our campus. The plan includes a beep baseball field with

dugouts and bleachers, a soccer field, basketball court

and a new track. We are seeking additional funding for this

project. If you are interested in making a donation, please

contact the Development Department at 410-444-5000

x1207.

MSB and District 22A Lions Clubs Dedicate New Pavilion

Support MSB in the United Way Campaign

UW Combined Charity Campaign for Baltimore City: #3051

UW of Central Maryland: #3051

UW Combined Federal Campaign of Central MD: #3051

UW of the National Capital Area: #7344

UW Combined Federal Campaign of the Nat’l Capital Area: #58365

Maryland Charity Campaign: #7176

CFC-Chesapeake Bay Area:#58365

1st VDG Larry Burton, DG Doug DeWitt, MSB Board Chair Edward J. Veilleux, PDG Dan Scott and Dr. Bina at the Dedication Ceremony.

The Paredes family and Dr. Bina unveil the PaviLION Statue.

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