2015 ANNUAL REPORT

We have just celebrated the first year in our state-of-the-art Multiple Disabilities BlindLearning facilities, and enjoying our new athletic fields. As we roll out more blueprintsand watch the foundations rise from the footings for our Autism-Blind buildings, we areeagerly anticipating what the campus will look like when they are completed this comingAugust. It is gratifying to see MSB afford our students these state-of-the art facilities andhearing positive comments from parents.

We are proud of our new buildings, but buildings alone don’t make great programs.We must ensure we are truly giving our students a solid foundation on which they canbuild independence for the future. We are also proud of our school’s improvementinitiatives that have resulted in greatly enhanced learning opportunities for ourstudents. Our staff have worked very hard and the results show. Our students aregaining in academic, social, daily living and independence.

A few minutes ago, as I was walking to my office, a student’s mother stopped meand said, “My son has made such incredible progress since he’s been at MSB. He’s soproud of his school and his teachers. He loves it here!” I thought to myself, this isexactly what we aspire to do: exceed expectations. Her son had been previouslyexperiencing failure in school. But here at MSB, with our lower student to teacher ratiosand specialized services, he is, at last,successful in school. That’s a great messagefor any school superintendent to hear from aparent and this truly made my week!

In my eight years at MSB, I have heardvery positive comments from parents. Theycall or email me, or they’ll drop by my officeand say, “You need to know how great yourstaff is.” It’s good to hear, and it’s also ameasure of MBS’s value to students, theirfamilies, local school systems and the stateof Maryland.

Thank you for your support of MSB.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Bina, Ed.D.President

Message from the President

Dr. Bina and Jaison celebrate the opening of the MDB Learning Center and Cottages

As we enter into the fifth year of the 2020 MSB Campus Master Plan, I amproud of the incredible progress we have made thus far. I see concrete evidenceof buildings, once only imagined as blue-prints, now being utilized by studentsand staff. It is gratifying to be able to provide our students with the facilities thatthey deserve and the tools that they need to be able to reach their fullestpotential. And as we continue to improve the campus facilities, we still have morework to do. We must continue to focus on our mission of preparing students forindependence so that they can become successful, contributing members of theircommunities to the greatest extent possible. By providing state-of-the art facilitiesfor them now and into the future, we are helping ensure their success.

I would also like to commend the staff at MSB for their hard work anddedication to the mission of the school and to the students. MSB was recentlygranted full accreditation without stipulation for a seven year period by the MiddleStates Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary andSecondary Schools. This is the gold standard for measuring and evaluating schoolperformance. Several staff members also received prestigious honors in 2015 fortheir accomplishments in the field. Please join me in congratulating MSB staff whohave been recognized by national and state associations. It is truly impressive howmany have been honored. This is a testament to the quality of education that theschool is providing to the students and families of Maryland.

Thank you for yourcontinued support!

Sincerely,

Edward J. VeilleuxChairman of the Board

Message from the Chairman of the Board

Dr. Michael Bina, President, Edward Veilleux, Chairman of the Boardand Glenn DiChiera, Alumni President celebrate the opening of theMultiple Disabilities Blind Learning Center and Cottages.

To those who know her, MSB studentAbigail Sulerzyski is an independentyoung lady with a winning smile, whotruly enjoys the company of others. And with the help of her loving familyand a supportive school community, she is leveraging those qualities to power through more than a few serious challenges, from visual andhearing impairments, to autism andmedical fragility.

Her mother, Victoria, remembers atime when Abby's future seemed prettybleak. ‘’She spent the first couple ofyears in a wheelchair, going back andforth to the hospital. On top of that, shewasn't at all interactive. Then we foundthe PACT program [for children withspecial needs], where she receivedintensive outreach services from TheMaryland School for the Blind. That'swhen things started to turn around.’’

Using a variety of individualizedtherapies and learning strategies, theMSB staff helped Abby blossom, andwithin a few years she had, as her mother says, ‘’learned to love her life.”

She continued, “She began walking,signing, laughing, and giving hugs.”My husband, David, and I were beyondhappy with her progress then and areamazed at the ground she's still gainingat 16, especially since moving into thenew facility for students with multipledisabilities on the campus of MSB.’’

When a Building is MoreThan Just Bricks and Mortar

This ranch-style complex includes four,self-contained cottages that areconnected under one roof andincorporate a wealth of accessibilityfeatures, from adjustable height countersand user-friendly appliances, to overheadlift systems and, if necessary, customizedbedding. These cottages are attached toan equally accessible classroom buildingthrough a fully enclosed walkway, whichhas been a big boon for students duringinclement weather.

‘’They've thought of everything in thisfacility, and it's been a real blessing formy daughter,’’ says Victoria. ‘’In just sixmonths, Abby has blossomed in so manyways. She is much happier for one thing.She's also more engaged andadventuresome. Before the move, all shewanted to do at home was sit on thecouch and watch TV. Now she's helpingus unload the dishwasher and sort thelaundry, two things she had neverattempted before the move.’’

Her MSB youth care specialist, SarahMorgan, reports that Abby has made afairly seamless transition into the newcomplex, where she is reaping thebenefits of both the increased socialinteraction and the enhanced accessibility.

‘’This facility is designed to functionmore like a real home, which is a muchbetter setup for Abby, who loves to be outand around people, watching them andinteracting with them. And for someonewho hasn't always adjusted well to change,she has made herself at home there prettyquickly, sharing chores and taking part inleisure activities with her peers.’’

Abby's two older sisters, who don'tsee her as often now that they've movedout on their own, have been especiallysurprised by how much progress she'smaking in the interim between their visits.

As Victoria says, ‘’Abby has taught uslife lessons we wouldn't have otherwiselearned, and we are all exceedinglyproud and protective of her. So everynew skill she learns is a cause forcelebration in our family, and these dayswe have a lot to celebrate, thanks to allthe good work at MSB.’’

Athbi Al-Mutairi

HOMETOWN:Nottingham,Maryland(Born in Kuwait)

MSB MEMORIES:Being voted PromKing; learning how toread and write inEnglish; playing the

stock market game in Economics class; visitingPerkins School for the Blind in Boston to competein goalball; being a member of the swimming,track and field and goalball teams

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Best Smile

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend theCommunity College of Baltimore County, thentransfer to a four year college and eventuallyteach English in his home country of Kuwait.

Class of 2015 Graduates

Chanta Brown

HOMETOWN:Glen Burnie,Maryland

MSB MEMORIES: Singing and playingmusic with the MSBjazz band, The BlueDuffs; participatingin the school

musicals; being a member of the cheerleadingand track teams; going on the senior class fieldtrips and the prom

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted the Employeeof the Year

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Work in themusic field entertaining others and live asindependently as possible in her apartment at home.

Richard Brown

HOMETOWN:Middle River,Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Playing goalball andtraveling to thegoalball tournaments;editing and archivingthe MSB livestream

event videos; dissecting a pig in science class

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Class Clown

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Move to Tampa,Florida and attend the Art Institute of Tampa tostudy media arts.

Jenny Espino

HOMETOWN:Middle River,Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Being voted the2015 ClassPresident; being aYouth Ambassadorand the President of

the Lions Leo Club; acting and having lead rolesin the school musicals; participating in the artclub and winning an art award; wrestling; goingon class field trips

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Most Creative

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend theCommunity College of Baltimore County, thentransfer to a four year college to become abraille teacher. Senior Class Officers:

President: Jenny EspinoVice-President: Rebecca LevasseurSecretary: Chanta BrownTreasurer: Andrew Kotowski

John Logan Glenn

HOMETOWN:Parkville, Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Participating in theextended dayprogram with hisfriends in the newcampus learningactivity center and

cottages; learning new daily living skills and usinghis voice output device; listening to music andstory selections on his headphones

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Most Laid Back

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend the adultday program, Intervals, at The Chimes and livewith his parents.

Joanna Grafton

HOMETOWN:Cockeysville,Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Participating in gymactivities, especiallybowling, throwingand kicking balls;dancing and singing

with friends; her paper shredding job; learningindependent living skills and how to self-advocate

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Most Friendly

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend an adultday program.

Andrew Kotowski

HOMETOWN:Bel Air, Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Participating on theswimming, wrestlingand track and fieldteams; traveling toother schools forsports tournaments;

going on the senior class trips; working at theRock and Roll Café on campus and in thecommunity delivering food to seniors andcleaning offices

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Best Dancer

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend a musicschool to learn about sound engineering, to geta job involving physical work and to live in anapartment with friends.

Rebecca Levasseur

HOMETOWN:Fort Washington,Maryland

MSB MEMORIES:Visiting NASA,attending theAdvanced SpaceAcademy andAviation Challenge

Mach III at the US Space and Rocket Center inAlabama, visiting the Capitol and meetingmembers of the U.S. Congress, completing theUS Marine Jr. ROTC program; competing on the swimming, goalball, wrestling and trackteams; acting in the school plays; being votedProm Queen

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE: Voted Most Athletic

POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Attend PrinceGeorges Community College then transfer to the University of Maryland to major inComputer Science.Class Colors: Black and Red

Class Flower: White RoseClass Motto: Take it back and hold it true, 2015 belongs to you!

2015 MSB Staff Award RecipientsCongratulations to the following staff whoreceived professional honors in 2015:

MSB President, Dr. Michael Bina,received the 2015VisionServe AllianceExcellence in LeadershipAward. The award honorsan individual who hasmade outstandingcontributions at the local,regional or national level to services forindividuals who are blind or visually impairedand has shown exemplary industry andprofessional leadership. Award recipients arelisted on a print/braille plaque in the Hall ofFame – Leaders and Legends of the BlindnessField located at the American Printing Housefor the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Bina also received the 2015Distinguished Alumnus Award from theCharter College of Education at CaliforniaState University, Los Angeles and wasselected as the 2015 commencementspeaker for Northern State University.

MSB AdaptedPhysical EducationInstructor and AthleticDirector, BeverlySchmitz Marhevka, wasnamed the 2015Maryland Association ofHealth, PhysicalEducation, Recreation and Dance(MAHPERD) Adapted Physical EducationTeacher of the Year.

Three members of The Maryland Schoolfor the Blind staff are among the recipients ofthe 2015 Council of Schools for the Blind(COSB) organization national awards. COSBrecognizes the contributions of remarkableindividuals nationally who work with studentswith visual impairments.

Matthew Mescall (far right) was namedOutstanding Teacher of the Blind andVisually Impaired; Laura Provost (3rd fromleft) received the Outstanding Teacher ofStudents who are Blind/Multiply Disabledand Robin Diggs (3rd from right) was namedthe Outstanding Paraprofessional.

Kathleen Johnstonreceived the 2015 ClaireLoder McGoughProfessional Achievementaward.  This awardrecognizes a person whohas demonstratedoutstanding professionalachievement byexpanding the knowledge base for theeducation and treatment of children who areblind, including those having multipledisabilities.

2015 MSB Student Awards

Jenny EspinoMaryland State Merit

Scholarship Award

Andrew KotowskiSpecial Faculty

Commendation Award

Rebecca LevasseurB. Franklin Newcomer

Award

2015 MSB Student Honors:

Tyler Shallue,2015 Maryland

Letters AboutLiterature

Finalist (52,000entries)

Shaniya HarcumAuditioned

and Chosen for the

2015-16 Peabody

Children’s Chorus

Jermaya Taylor 2015 MSB Alumni

Award Recipientand Eastern

AthleticAssociation of theBlind Outstanding

Cheerleader

Gracia Zuzarte2015 Maryland

Regional BrailleChallenge 1st place Jr. Varsity

Division

Tyler Shallue2015

MarylandLetters About

LiteratureFinalist (52,000entries)

Board Officers:Edward Veilleux – ChairRobin Zimelman, Esq.,

1st Vice-ChairPaul Schroeder, Esq.,

2nd Vice-ChairMarion Mullauer,

TreasurerLorraine Costella, Ph.D.,

Secretary

Directors:Kimberly AlfonsoCraig Ballew, Esq.Virginia BeauchampStephen BenderCraig Borne, Esq.Raymond BrownLiza Brown-DiCostantinoDelegate Cheryl GlennNancy Grasmick, Ph.D.George JenkinsSenator Katherine Klausmeier

James KnellIrene KnottGary LayDennis ParnellWilliam RatchfordBrian Ropp

Advisory Director:Glenn DiChiera

Emeritus/Emerita:Raleigh BrentJames DatovechCatherine Byrne Doehler

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FY 2015 (as of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015)

The Maryland School forthe Blind is a private,501(c)(3) school underInternal Revenue Serviceregulations. The School’sfiscal year ends June 30th.Funding is providedprimarily through grantsfrom the Maryland StateDepartment of Educationand payments from localschool districts.Contributions are receivedfrom individuals,corporations, foundationsand community groups.Total expensesapproximated $28.4million.

REVENUES

State of Maryland 82%

Local School Systems 8%

Private Gifts 7%

Federal 3%

EXPENSES

Instruction 43%

Facilities 13%

General Administration 11%

Outreach and MD InstructionalResource Center 6%

Residential Services 11%

Educational Support & Nutrition 16%

Laura AydChris BaughDuke BaughAndre BingleyAlisha BingleyJane BlonderGenevieve ByrnesDarnel CantrellGloria Cobb

Joan ConcannonGeorge CordustskyPatricia DavisJoan DiChieraJanet DickeyEllen DunnYvonne EdwardsMartha FrankRalph Hinson

Darlene KnottThomas McNultyFrank MillnerKayla MulqueenJoan NelsonManya PettersonMargaret ReitzSylvia RichweinJohn Scarborough

Martha SeabrooksFrances SniadachMargery WaldmanLori WaldmanSarah WarfieldTheresa WatsonDonna WellmanWayne White

Volunteers

2015 Financials

July 2014 – January 2015

Thanks to a joint effortbetween our school, the

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation,Ollie’s Bargain Outlet,Lewis Contractors andBaltimore County, MSB

completed construction ofa new athletic complex in

2015. The complexincludes a new running

track, “beep” baseball andsoccer fields and a hardsurface multi-purpose

recreation area.

3501 TAYLOR AVENUE • BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21236410-444-5000 • www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org

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PHOTOGRAPHY: DOTTY RAYNOR