FRIENDS OF
TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

Making a difference in the lives of special children

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SPECIAL PROJECTS

Since it was established in 1997, Friends of TSB has provided numerous services and benefits to the students at the Tennessee School for the Blind.  Below are listed just a few of the larger projects that have been completed by Friends of TSB:

ELECTRONIC LIBRARY INITIATIVE

WONDER ROOM


BAND INSTRUMENT REPLACEMENT

BAND/CHORUS UNIFORMS
 

AUDITORIUM
AUDIO-VISUAL PROJECT

PLAYGROUND


 

Fall Festival

GYMNASIUM RENOVATION


ADAPTIVE BIKES

  LIFE SKILLS CENTER  
     

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Library Initiative

In the Spring of 2006, the Board of Directors voted to spend the funds necessary to implement a fully functional electronic library catalog for the TSB Library.  With the project completion in the fall of 2008, the library's features now include:

bulletMulti-user library management functions on a client/server platform;
bullet Full catalog search capability (author, title, grade level, subject) on a    browser-based platform (eg. Internet Explorer) - also known as OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog);
bulletAbility to support cataloging and access to digital media materials (eg. WebBraille);
bullet Z39.50 client standard to allow search and save of records in remote libraries (eg. NLS);
bullet Support of voice output for student-driven catalog searches;
bullet Ability to support cataloging and access to digital media materials (eg. WebBraille);
bullet Z39.50 client standard to allow search and save of records in remote libraries (eg. NLS);
bullet Support of voice output for student-driven catalog searches;
bullet Circulation tacking via barcode scanning with support for self-checkout procedures;
bullet Inventory via handheld barcode scanning;
bullet Report generating capability.

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Playground

FRIENDS BUILD TSB ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND

An estimated  six million children in the U.S. have some kind of disability that makes it hard, if not impossible, for them to play on a  traditional playground.  In 2003, Friends of TSB approved a project  that would provide the joy and learning experiences of an accessible playground for students enrolled at this school.

Phase I and II of the new playground created a wonderful play environment, meeting current ADA standards, and featuring vibrant colors and special equipment designed for blind and low vision students. In time, however, evaluations and observations from teachers and therapists noted a need for additional equipment, designed to be fully accessible to students with multiple disabilities, and in 2007 Friends responded with a plan for the Phase III, which was completed for student use in the spring of 2008.This area includes safety swings and accessible swings, for students needing upper body support and stabilization, as well as special safety surfaces, access paths, and swings designed to accommodate wheelchairs.  It insures that  the new TSB Playground is truly a place  where  students of all abilities can come to swing, play, and have fun.

 

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Wonder Room

An innovative multi-sensory room, another major project of Friends of Tennessee School for the Blind,  was presented to TSB in a special ribbon cutting ceremony on November 4, 2005.   The TSB Wonder Room, as it is now called, is now being enjoyed by the students.

 

 

A welcome sign at the entrance to the room expresses appreciation to major donors whose gifts helped make the project possible. The Board of Directors would like to add our thanks for all the individual gifts, donations and contributions of time and talent that were so important to the completion of this project.

 

 

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Band / Chorus Uniforms

In 2007 Friends provided the funding (approx. $19,000) to purchase replacement band uniforms and the material to make new chorus uniforms.  We are greatly indebted to Ms. Sue Alban and Ms. Janice Summar for the many hours devoted to making the outfits.   

 

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Band Instrument Replacement
  
     
In 2005 Friends undertook a project to raise and spend $20,000 to purchase band instruments for the TSB Tiger Band.  With the help of several "Special Friends," that project was realized and now the students are playing on new instruments!  Thanks to all donors who made this project possible!

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Auditorium Audio-Visual Project

The TSB Auditorium serves multiple purposes for the students. It is there that  experiences,  which are an integral part of their music education  take place,  and  it also provides the  setting for numerous student performances,  recitals, concerts, enrichment programs, and special events such as Graduation .

In the Fall of 2008, Friends of TSB  approved  an Auditorium Improvement Project, to provide new and necessary audio-visual  solutions, equipment, sound support and projection capabilities  for the auditorium seating and performance areas.  The project was completed in the Spring of 2009.

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Gymnasium Renovation

In 2008 major plans were developed for the state to make major renovations and upgrades to the TSB Gymnasium.  With the mission of Friends of TSB  being  to supplement state allocations in enhancing and enriching the lives of the students, the Friends Board  approved two projects  which will benefit students upon completion of the Gym renovation in the 2009-2010  school year.

The first is to provide a completely new high quality gymnasium sound system, which will benefit all TSB students to whom “sound” is  critical to both learning and athletic activities taking place in the gym.

The second new project is to provide safety wall padding to be installed in the Gym and wrestling room. This will serve to provide greater accessibility to areas that are safe, and eliminate fear of injury for students learning to run and to use wheel chairs, bicycles, walkers, in addition to students participating in fitness activities, and team sports such as goalball and wrestling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Festival

In October, 2009, Friends Foundation joined with the Alumni Association of TSB to provide a Fall Festival for the students.  The festival was complete with a "Big Top" tent,  "Blow Ups," Hay Rides, Horseback Rides, Games, plenty of Food and Treats.  A great time was had by all.  Enjoy some of the snapshots taken of the event.

 

 




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Adaptive Bikes

One of several projects undertaken by Friends of TSB for the 2009-2010 school year was to provide very sophisticated adaptive bikes for use in physical therapy and recreation.  The bikes are designed with numerous adjustments features to enable vision impaired and multi-challenged students to experience freedom, mobility, and therapeutic benefits of riding bikes in both TSB Physical Education and Physical Therapy Programs.

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LIFE SKILLS CENTER

 On May 25th, 2011 TSB students, families, staff, and Friends of TSB celebrated the official opening of the Life Skills Center.  This facility provides recreational and leisure time opportunities for all students, but particularly for those students who reside on campus during weekday evenings. Students also receive training in vending operations, food preparation, and house-keeping as part of the vocational education programs. Because of the generosity of community organizations, corporate donors, foundation grants and many individuals, Friends of TSB was able to contribute over $12,000 toward needed equipment. These purchases included: wireless capabilities so students can use their adaptive technologies in the study center and other areas of the building; TVs and related electronics for the movie room and large multi-use area;  an outdoor grill; and mats and fitness equipment in the exercise room.

 

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Copyright © 2008 Friends of Tennessee School for the Blind, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Last modified: 01/18/12.