TSBVI Sesqicentennial | All Blind Children of Texas

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The year 2006 marks the 150th anniversary of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). The School plans to commemorate this achievement throughout the year with a host of activities for former staff, students, parents, professionals and the public. A kick-off program in January, a poetry contest, a track meet, local and visiting museums, a reunion, a drama performance and a tandem bike race will all be part of the year-long celebration. A commemorative 2006 calendar featuring photos from the past and braille wrist bracelets will be on sale. We invite all interested people to join us in these activities and help TSBVI acknowledge its fascinating history and place in today's education of children.

The proud history and modern accomplishments of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be celebrated throughout 2006 in a series of events.

The calendar of events includes:

January 27, 2006, 7:30 PM: Opening ceremonies in the School Auditorium will include speakers, music, student performances, and special and honored guests. A special Sesquicentennial Cake will be provided by David Bull and Mark Chapman of the Driskill Grill.; Winners will be announced by Ric Williams of the Austin Chronicle for the first of three poetry competitions that will be held during the year. Each of the three contests will have categories for for current students and for anyone who ever attended the school. The deadline for round one submissions is November 30th, 2005. For contest rules and regulations, go to http://www.tsbvi.edu/school/sesq/poetry-all.htm
April 27th - 29th: South Central Association of Schools for the Blind (SCASB) Track Meet — Schools from six states (Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana) will compete in track and field, cheerleading and arts performance. The public is invited to attend the on-campus event.
May 4th-6th and 10-11th: Student Performance of the Annual Spring Play — the public is welcome.
May 25th: TSBVI Graduation; winner will be announced for Round 2 of the Poetry Competition.
August 16th: A special commemorative stamp cancellation honoring TSBVI at Austin post offices. Envelopes cancelled with this special postmark will be on sale at the School.
August 18th - 20th: Memory weekend! Reunion for former students of the School. Musicians, speakers, and sight-seeing tours of TSBVI and its earlier locations.
August and September: Callahan Traveling Museum Exhibit, on loan from the American Printing House for the Blind of Louisville, Kentucky, presents "In Touch with Knowledge: The Educational History of Blind People." TSBVI will also create its own museum of Texas artifacts. The public is encouraged to come see this wonderful exhibit and learn more about education of the blind. See http://www.aph.org/museum/intouch.html or more information about this traveling museum coming to Texas in August and September, 2006.
November 4th: Parent Weekend - Winner of Round 3 Poetry Contest announced. A Tandem Bicycle Race will be held.

We hope that all of the many friends of TSBVI will attend some or all of these activities. We also would like to have your input about your experiences with or at TSBVI. Please go to http://www.tsbvi.edu/school/sesq/memories.htm to post them online, or send them to us at the School at 1100 W. 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756.