Text Box: The summer flew right by due to all the hustle and bustle on the NCECBVI campus. We, once again, hosted several camps for students across the state and a Helping Hands Family Weekend. During that time, the parents who participated formed a statewide chapter of NAPVI – National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments. As of this writing, I think we are awaiting the final approval by the national office for our state chapter. As I know more, I will pass this information along. I encourage each of you to consider joining this parent network and reap the benefits of this organization. Several NCECBVI staff members are ready to go to Louisville, Kentucky, for our national meetings for schools for the blind and American Printing House for the Blind. These annual meetings give us the opportunity to learn more about the field and brag about all that is happening in Nebraska. This will be a special year as two Nebraska students will be honored at the banquet this year! Jordan Merriman, NCECBVI student, will be recognized as a 3rd place winner in the APH Art Contest. And Chase Crispin, a student from Blair, will be recognized as a 3rd place winner in the essay contest. Both of these students, along with their families, will be in attendance at these banquets. NCECBVI is proud to sponsor these students and support their travel and lodging expenses. Photos will be included in the next newsletter of these awesome students! Introducing a New Website for Families! www.FamilyConnect.org The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have unveiled a new web site for parents of visually impaired children and their families. FamilyConnect is designed to provide a social network for families of children with visual impairments with interactive features such as message boards, blog posts, and personal stories written by parents about their own experiences. The web site gives you the option to create a personal profile to receive information, events, and news based on your child’s age, eye condition, and geographic location. This web site also includes videos of families sharing their stories which are both insightful and hopeful. The photos and videos featured on this web site were taken during the National Family Conference which was held in Omaha last July. There are many Nebraska families featured throughout this web site including the two photos on this page. These boys are from Lincoln and Alliance. This is an awesome resource for families. For more information, contact NCECBVI at (402) 873-5513. Text Box: Administrator’s Corner. . . Sally Giittinger Text Box: NCECBVI SEPTEMBER, 2008 teenage son holding cane, his mother stands behind him, smilingLogo: American Foundation for the BlindLogo: The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual ImpairmentsMom, son, and grandmother smiling. Son is in a wheelchair.