SHARP UPDATE
September 2010
SHARP Update is a regular publication of the Foundation for Blind Children, 1235 E. Harmont Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Welcome back everyone!
We here at SHARP are very excited to hear all about your summer!
If you are new to SHARP, the SHARP Updates give you all the information you need about our programs. You need to remember to always use the most recent calendar when planning the days you want to come. If you want the most up to date information, call the SHARP line. If you have never used the SHARP line before, I encourage you to do so. The SHARP line tells you the events that are coming up about a month in advance. It is also where you sign up for all events by leaving a message with your name and which event you are signing up for. You can also go the Foundation’s website and click on SHARP. We hope to be hearing from you soon, there are a lot of great activities planned and we don’t want you to miss out!
HOW TO USE THE SHARP LINE:
Dial (602) 678-5800, then a recording will say, “Thank you for calling the Foundation for Blind Children.” At this time you dial 416. Next, you will hear, “You have reached the sharp line.” You can listen to the whole recording and then leave your message to sign up for each event. In order to participate in SHARP you need to call and sign up the week before the program. This includes Super Saturdays. For example if you want to attend Super Saturday on September 12th, you need to call and sign up by September 5th. This will help us plan for how many kids will be coming each Saturday.
Transportation
It is important that you sign up for transportation every fall. Due to time constraints and rising costs we will be creating several pick up/ drop off locations and not stopping at everyone’s doorstep. Let us know immediately if you need transportation this year so we can organize those points based on where students live. For us to be able to keep on providing transportation to the program and to field trips, any contributions will ensure that the program will continue. All you have to do is leave a message on the SHARP line (or by e-mail). When you do, we will contact you with pick-up and drop-off information. If you don’t let us know you need transportation in order to participate, we won’t know to come and get you. Space is VERY LIMITED on the vans and seats are filled on a first-come, first served basis. Transportation will be tight. If you live near other SHARP kids, car-pooling is another good option, if you are interested, please let me know. Sign up deadline: August 29th
Transporte
Es importante que usted firme por transporte cada otoño. Debido a limitaciones de tiempo y subir cuesta vamos a tener varios ubicaciones de recogen y dejaron, no en puerta en puerta. Permítanos saber inmediatamente si usted necesita transporte este año así nosotros podemos decidir en esas ubicaciones que dependiendo de donde viven los estudiantes. Cualquier contribución que usted puede hacer nos ayudará continuamos proveer el transporte. Todo lo que tiene que hacer es dejar un mensaje en la línea SHARP (o por correo electrónico). Cuando lo hace, nos pondremos en contacto con usted por correo. Si usted no nos deja saber si necesita transporte para participar, nosotros no sabremos para venir y recogerlo.El espacio es limitado en los vans y los asientos se llenan en el orden que vienen.No les garantizamos recogerlos y dejarlos de puerta en puerta. Si usted vive cerca de otros niños que atienden SHARP, compartir el transporte es otra buena opción. Si usted esta interesado en compartir un vehículo con otros, favor de decírmelo.El ultimo dia de registro para transporte es 29 de agosto.
Super Saturday
Super Saturday is the first Saturday of every month. We stay at the Central FBC and participate in activities such as Cooking, Art, Gymnastics, Tech, Fitness and Games. There is no cost and all you need to bring is your cane and lunch! Our first Super Saturday is Sept. 11th and the sign up deadline is Sept. 4th the second one is Oct. 2nd and the sign up deadline is Sept. 25th.
State Fair Art Entries
Believe it or not, it’s time to think about entering the State Fair art contest. You can paint or draw a picture, make a collage, sculpt a figure out of clay, do needlework or other art projects. You will have time at program to create a project on Sept. 11th. If you can’t make it to the program but want to enter something leave a message or send an email by Sept. 11th. When you call, be sure to say what you are making so I can enter you in the proper category. Also, say whether you want to be entered in the open category or the legally blind category. All completed projects must be to us by September 11th. *Please note when signing up for this you are signing up to participate in the art contest, not the field trip. Sign up for the field trip will be at a later date.
* Sign up deadline for entering the State Fair Art Contest: Sept. 11th
Central Workshop Day
On September 18th we will be doing several activities. We are meeting at the Central FBC at 9am and program will finish at 2pm. The activities we will be doing are painting, card making and cake decorating. For the painting center you will be trying lots of different painting techniques to create your work of art. One of the techniques is splatter painting so please wear clothes that are ok to get messy in. We’ll try to protect your clothes as much as possible but it is going to get messy! In the card making center you will learn the basics to create wonderful cards for all occasions. In the cake decorating center you will learn the basics to cake decorating and you will be decorating your own cake to take home. This is a fun filled day; please sign up now so you don’t miss out!
Details:
Saturday Sept. 18, 9am-2pm
Location: Central FBC Cost: None
Sign up deadline: Sept. 11th
Bring: Lunch, cane and low vision aids (Don’t forget we’re getting messy!)
Jump Street
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump around in an entire room filled with trampolines? Well let’s all find out! On Sept. 25th we are meeting at the East valley FBC at 9am and from there we will be going to Jump Street an indoor trampoline park! Our jump time is from 10am-12pm and so we will be returning to the EV FBC for lunch and an afternoon activity. It is very important that is you are signing up for this that you get the Jump Street permission slip signed and bring it with you that day! The permission slip is in this update. If your parents normally drop you off at the central FBC, there will be a van there at 8am to pick up kids and take them to the East Valley FBC, just let us know when you sign up that you need to ride the van from Central.
Details:
Saturday, Sept. 25th 9am-2pm
Location: East Valley FBC
Cost: $20.00
Sign up deadline: Sept. 18th
Bring: Lunch, cane & waiver
Tips for a great Experience at SHARP
- Make sure to read your SHARP Updates regularly and sign up for each event by the sign up deadline
- Bring your lunch every Saturday unless the SHARP update says you do not need to bring your lunch
- Bring your cane with you every Saturday
- Make sure you’re that your lunch and cane are labeled with your name
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, SHARP is a very active program
- Give everything we do in SHARP a try, you might like it!
- Follow group directions and treat everyone with respect
Donate Your Old Cell Phones to FBC!
By donating your old cell phones to FBC it will help us raise money to support FBC services. Not only that but the phones will not end up harming the environment and they will be put to good use for 911 purposes in the United States. This program does not cost anything and 100% of the proceeds go to FBC!
The Foundation is located at: 1235 E. Harmont. We are one block north of Northern Avenue and one block east of Harmont Drive in Phoenix.