VSDB Edu Bldg Dedication to be held Thursday

Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind
East Beverley Street
P.O. Box 2069
Staunton, Virginia 24402

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Nancy Armstrong, Superintendent
540-332-9216
Nancy.Armstrong@VSDBS.virginia.gov

Consolidated School for the Deaf and Blind Dedicates New Academic Building

~ Students Will Experience an Improvement in Facilities, Accessibility, and Technology ~

Staunton, VA -

WHAT:         
Dedication Ceremony for a new Education Building for the Consolidation of Two Virginia Schools for the Deaf, Blind, and Multi-disabled

This newly constructed education building will be dedicated and officially named the Yates-Shinpaugh Education Building.  The dedication marks the completion of consolidating the middle and high schools.     The new building will be named the Yates-Shinpaugh Education Building in honor of Fred Yates (1926 – 2007) a former student, graduate, and teacher of VSDB; and Joseph Shinpaugh (1916-1998) who served as a Principal and Superintendent of the VSDB.  Members of both the Yates and Shinpaugh families will be in attendance. 

 
WHEN:         
Thursday, September 13, 2012
2:00 p.m.

 
WHERE:      
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB)                  
92 Old New Hope Road
Staunton, Virginia      

 
WHY:            
In July 2008, the General Assembly consolidated state supported services for sensory impaired students to Staunton.  In addition, the General Assembly appropriated $71.3 million for a consolidated building project.  The project was divided into several phases which included the renovation of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings. This dedication ceremony is the culmination of the series of construction and renovation projects on the campus.  In May 2010 the construction of the Yates-Shinpaugh Education Building began.

  
The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on March 31, 1838.  Today, servicing all of Virginia it is the second oldest school in the nation serving students with a disability in deafness, hearing impairment, visual impairment including blindness, deaf-blind, and students who have other disabilities in addition to sensory impairments. 

 
VSDB provides an American Sign Language (ASL) environment where educational and residential staff, students, and support service providers communicate via sign language.  Students with visual impairments receive wrap around services to assist with orientation and mobility, and appropriate vision devices to meet their learning needs.  All students benefit from supportive staff that encourages independence as well as self advocacy skills.

WHO:            
The following will be in attendance:
   
    The Honorable Emmett Hanger

    24^th Senate District

    The Honorable Laura Fornash

    Secretary of Education

CONTACT:
Dr. Nancy Armstrong, Superintendent
540-332-9216
Nancy.Armstrong@VSDBS.virginia.gov

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