October 2, 2008

SCSDB News

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

• A Palmetto Gold School • For Immediate Release

Media contacts:

Sharon Goolsby, Public Information Office: (864) 577-7505 sgoolsby@scsdb.org

Katie Rice, Public Information Office: (864) 577-7506 krice@scsdb.org

Spartanburg, SC – A creative partnership is providing a bright early start for the babies and toddlers at Kelly’s Kids Child Development Center.

Kelly’s Kids, a partnership between the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB) and the Spartanburg County First Steps Early Head Start program, will be dedicated Monday, October 8, 2007 at 10 a.m. in Thackston Hall on the SCSDB campus.

The child development center’s name honors the legacy of Marcia Hastay Kelly. She dedicated her career to the advocacy and education of children with disabilities and educating the public about preventive public health measures to benefit children.

“Marcia was a noted expert in the field of sensory disability whose heart belonged to children with special needs,” said SCSDB Vice President Carol Mabry Garrett. “Her work has benefited thousands of South Carolina children and their families.”

The early intervention program serves children ages six weeks to 36 months who are deaf, blind or multisensory disabled as well as children who are typically developing.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to shape the future of these young children at such a critical time in their development,” said Garrett. “We are deeply grateful to the Spartanburg County First Steps Early Head Start program for sharing their resources and assistance to help make this program a reality.”

The highly trained certified staff has developed a creative curriculum, including individualized programming and planned activities each day for the children in the multi-age classroom.

Carolyn Brooks, Executive Director of Spartanburg County First Steps references

a quote from David A. Hamburg, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York who said, “If there is anything more fundamental than a decent start in life, I wonder what it could be.”

“Spartanburg County First Steps is honored to be in partnership with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind in assisting young children to get a decent start in life,” said Brooks. “Commitment to quality care and family support is a hallmark of First Steps Early Head Start, directed by Ekky Foss, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work on the SCSDB campus where those commitments are also considered valuable.” The SC Department of Education named SCSDB a Palmetto Gold School for its academic accomplishments and a Red Carpet School for its outstanding customer service. SCSDB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the SC Department of Education. SCSDB offers programs for preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, sensory multidisabled, vocational and postsecondary education students, as well as a variety of outreach services through regional centers located throughout the state. The main campus is located in Spartanburg. The school’s web site address is www.scsdb.org and its toll-free telephone number is 1-888-447-2732.

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