Student Leaders lead Deafopia crowd in Eagle chant

in the CSD gym.

Photo by Ray Gier

(See more photos from the Deafopia event below.)

[image description: Everyone in the gym is signing "Eagle". Student leaders are on an elevated stage. Three students are kneeling; one student is sitting. There is a large crowd seated in front of the stage. A cart with a computer monitor is in the center of the area where the audience is seated.]

[image description: Photo below is a headshot of Clark Brooke. Clark is wearing a black shirt and orange tie (school colors). He is looking at the camera smiling. The background is a professional-looking gray marble screen.]

Greetings from the land

of ORANGE and BLACK !

 

It is that time of the year when we celebrate the holidays, and we are grateful for what we have at California School for the Deaf.

We are blessed at CSD because our students and families are amongst a community of professionals who provide the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for every student who attends our school. We also provide a Language Rich Environment where students work and collaborate with their peers and the staff, through their natural languages of American Sign Language and English. Some of our students are utilizing more than two languages, and that is beautiful! 

 

In this newsletter (following this message), there is a diagram that shows how "Least Restrictive Environment" is often defined incorrectly when it comes to placing students in a school setting. It has been wrongly assumed that CSD is a "restrictive environment"; when in reality, CSD provides the optimal environment for any Deaf student in the state or country.

"Least Restrictive Environment" is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA states that ‘Special Education’ students should learn in the least restrictive environment (meaning that they should spend as much time as possible with peers who don't receive special education). Unfortunately, IDEA categorizes Deaf individuals within the special education spectrum, which has led to a lot of confusing messages from individuals who do not have any expertise in Deaf education.

We celebrate LRE at CSD! At CSD, community involvement and incidental learning occur on a daily basis. For example, we recently held our annual Open House to expose individuals (families, mainstreamed students, interpreting agencies, ASL students from public schools, vendors, etc.) to our rigorous programming, through tours and campus-based activities. We also opened our doors to Deafopia (a Deaf owned business) to provide an expo at our CSD campus. Both of these events created learning and fundraising opportunities for our students.

Incidental learning activities are offered to our students regularly, when appropriate. It could be as simple as a Radio Controlled Car club; learning more about how a Deaf magician does tricks and runs his business; a presentation by a world traveler; or guidance on choosing a future educational path.

To reinforce academic and independent literacy skills, as part of our formal instructional program, our middle school students participate in the Gallaudet University Battle of the Books competition on a yearly basis. Every year, we also host a Scholastic Book Fair to promote literacy at home. This creates opportunities for families to purchase books at the CSD library that reflect their child’s reading abilities. These two activities are among the many we do annually. Stay tuned to future newsletters!

 

Literacy is not limited to printed English. American Sign Language literacy is also emphasized at CSD. For years, we labeled our Language Arts classes as " English Language Arts" courses. Those courses have recently been renamed " Bilingual Language Arts" classes, because we have started incorporating the National ASL Standards with the existing Common Core Standards. This ensures that every student acquires both languages naturally, through research-based instructional practices in all content areas, by applying bilingual best practices.

 

Our staff continuously supports our bilingual instructional program, through regular professional development opportunities, throughout the year. Recently, our team attended the annual ASL roundtable. The roundtable provides us the ability to connect and collaborate with a national-level professional learning community. Information on bilingual research and instructional best practices is delivered back to CSD, by the attendees, through our professional development plan.

 

By sharing this monthly  CalNews  with you, it is evident that there are so many things going on at CSD! Our students, families, staff, and community members are to be recognized for their commitment towards the school’s mission, serving our students to the best of their ability. Together, we continue to create more opportunities for everyone at CSD.

With Eagle Pride,

Clark Brooke, Ed.S.

Superintendent

California School for the Deaf, Fremont

39350 Gallaudet Drive

Fremont, CA 94538

510-344-6010 Videophone

510-823-6071 Spanish Callers

Comments from our student leaders when asked about their educational background and what they wanted people to know about California School for the Deaf:

Courtney Bronson

All Around Student

CSD is a wonderful place to develop your identity, pick up sign language, make friends, and socialize. You can accoomplish anything you want!

Miles Gonzalez

International Studies

When I was younger, I attended residential schools in Florida and Alabama. California School for the Deaf is my third school. Since coming to CSD, I have felt more challenged. I have had to manage my time because there are so many activities we can become involved with. The other schools I attended were really easy and didn’t provide much of a challenge. Being at CSD has forced me to become a better student.

Anastasia Mena Vergara

Raza de Sordx Club

California School for the Deaf is about having the best education and the best leadership opportunities. There are so many different activities I can be a part of. My parents were afraid that if I attended CSD, I would lose my ability to speak. I told them there was no need to worry about that since CSD offers speech classes. I wanted to join this school to find my Deaf identity. I thank my parents for allowing me to come here.

Samuel Brown

Ebony Club

This school will help you find your identity—who you are as a person. The other schools I attended made me feel limited and tapped out. This school wants more for us. They want us to break that glass ceiling. There is no reason for you to feel stuck and you can’t go past your abilities. You have more opportunities. At CSD, there is no such thing as an obscure life. Find your life! Take ahold of it! Grab it and go with it!

Janeva Mosher

Foothills Athletic Association

One thing I want people to know about CSD is that CSD will meet every student’s needs, no matter where they are at. For example, I have ADHD. CSD always talks with me about what I need and how to accommodate my needs. They won’t leave any student out; they will match every student's need. They will make sure that every student has the best experience they can have at the school. They will not allow students to fall behind because they have a barrier. That is really a special thing about CSD.

Brent Fuentes

Asian Pacific Islander Club

CSD provides full support. There are lots of different opportunities and plenty of information available. There are many different ways to become involved—different organizations—as you can see from everyone represented on our student leadership panel. You can be an athlete or become a part of an academic team. There are lots of different opportunities to fit you as a person. The best decision my parents ever made was to bring me here.

Emma Oshio

Asian Pacific Islander Club

I am from Hawaii. I have been a student at CSD for three years. I have been here since my freshman year. When I first came to CSD, I was a little overwhelmed because I used SEE. It took me a while to pick up American Sign Language, and I am still learning. I feel like I have improved so much. I am thankful for that.

CSD is really supportive and encourages students to be involved. CSD teaches us to be a part of the Deaf community and to take American Sign Language classes. The school has a really good program to help you find your future career. It will help you find a career for your whole life.

Julie Wathan

Gender & Sexualities Alliance Club

I was born in California, but my family moved around a lot. I was mainstreamed in 18  different schools. I have been to 47 different states in the United States, so my education was a little bit different. Coming back to California, I enrolled at CSD in 2017.

One thing about CSD is that everyone becomes a part of your family—your teachers, the students. I care about everybody as though they were a part of my family.

Erica Her

Student Restaurant Club

I grew up in Wisconsin. I was there for about 10 years. I attended a public school in a mainstream setting. I was frustrated because I was using SEE and I was missing a lot of information. Then I went to Wisconsin School for the Deaf for a couple of years where I learned American Sign Language and was able to grow. After that, I moved to Minnesota where I was a day student. I went there for about two years. I didn’t feel motivated because there weren’t a lot of activities for me to be involved in. When I came to CSD, my mind was blown, because there was so much to do. I could become involved in a lot of activities!

[image description: (photo above) A diverse group of high school student panelists are seated on the stage watching a female student who is standing giving her response to the panel question - four students are on left and two students are on right; (below left) five students are seated. The Asian girl in the middle is signing. The last girl on the right is cut off; (below right) The program coordinator (JAC Cook) is standing on stage with the high school emcee. JAC has her arm extended, getting someone's attention from the audience. The African American male emcee, George Quirie, is signing as he looks out at the audience.]

Cheerleading Sprint Chant

Performed by CSD Eagles Cheerleaders

[image description: Two lines of cheerleaders standing on stage. They are wearing matching outfits of blue jeans and gray T-shirts. They each have their left hand on their hip with a black pom pom and their right arm extended in the air with a shiny orange pom pom. ]

Eagle Fight Song

Performed by CSD High School Students

[image description: Two high school students are standing on stage with a drummer hidden behind them. The two students have matching black, white, and orange shirts, and each of them has their hands clasped in front.]

Katherine Greene

[image description: Katherine Greene, our school librarian, is wearing a fairy outfit. She is standing in the library, in front of some book shelves that are coverd with large enticing signs depicting mythical characters from story books.]

Maggie Hatch, Jeremy Harris, and Pat Bernstein

[image description: Maggie Hatch from the media center and Pat Bernstein, the assistant librarian, are posing with volunteer Jeremy Harris. They are wearing fairy tale outfits. The libarary behind them is totally decorated with an enchanted theme.]

[image description: Four AFTC members wearing matchng yellow and white shirts are helping a little girl draw the winning ticket out of the basket.]

[image description: A lady is checking her long strip of tickets. There are fancy baskets in front of her and an excited crowd behind her. Some of the people in the crowd are waving their tickets up in the air.]

American Studies

[image description: American Studies students are seated at a succulent booth in the gym, in front of a dark mural. A customer is buying a succulent from the booth. There are signs on the wall behind the booth advertising the club and their succulent products.]

International Studies

[image description:There is a huge sign on the wall that says, "CSD international studies bake sale. Come and support us." There is one male student sitting at the booth smiling as he chats with several girls who have come up to say hello.]

Campus Tour

Led by David Eberwein

Student Life Tour

Led by Student Life Staff

Family Tour

Middle School & High School

Led by Lilly Benedict

Family Tour

Early Childhood Education

& Elementary School

Led by Laura T. Petersen

[image description: There are four photos of crowds of visitors with tour guides. One is in front of the library; one is in front of the girls cottages, by the pergola; one is in front of the theater; and one is in the elementary school building with flags on the ceiling and student artwork in the background.]

One of our very own second grade students, Devika Kadu, got a full-page spread in the Fall 2018 edition of The   Endeavor magazine, published by the American Society for Deaf Children . The publication highlighted a poem and a drawing by Devika.

In her poem, Devika envisions herself as a Pink Princess who feels smart and enjoys being nice to all of her friends. Not surprisingly, Devika’s favorite color is pink! Since Devika loves apples, her drawing is of a princess holding an apple in her hand.

Harshada Kadu, Devika’s mom said, “Whenever Devika learns a new word, she first learns the sign for it. Then she draws a picture of the word for a clearer understanding of its meaning. Finally, she practices how to spell the word.” Devika was in her first spelling bee last year, which she totally enjoyed!



One of Devika’s favorite hobbies is writing stories and then drawing the illustrations. She even makes her own comic strips! When she grows up, Devika hopes to write and illustrate her own books.

[image description: (top) Devika is holding a copy of The   Endeavor, Supporting the Family magazine; (bottom)   Devika's page in the Endeavor magazine with the picture she drew of a girl wearing a pink dress, holding an apple; her poem; and her portrait and information.]

Second and third graders lead the monthly elementary heritage assembly on Native Americans. Deaf Native American Lavar Kellywood shares about his involvement with the Navajo as a drummer.

[image description: Six students pose with a Native American man who is holding a drum. They are in a classroom, in front of a SMART board and a bulletin board.]

It is that exciting time of year again! Time for Battle of the Books. 

Our preliminary round players (Daniel Fuentes, Viktoria Finnstrom, Vanessa Schneider, Adrian Ruiz, Sevan Ikdea, Gaby Bibb, Shaila Sams, Chang-May Tan, Eitan Cassidy-Kuchinsky, Landen Gonzales, Zoe Bell, and Lelan Gonzales) were all very impressive. They showed dedication, team work, and good sportsmanship. We are all VERY proud of them. This year, there were 52 schools involved. For the Buff and Blue, the top 14 scoring teams advance to the playoffs. For the Green, the top 8 teams advance. Both the Blue and Buff teams advanced to the playoffs which were held December 5 -13. 

After two rounds at the playoffs, we are proud to announce that our Buff team, consisting of Zoe Bell, Lelan Gonzales, Chang-May Tan, and Eitan Cassidy-Kulchinsky (alternate), qualified for the National Competition at Gallaudet University!  They will represent CSD on March 29-April 1. See announcement on Facebook

[image description: Three matching photos of students sitting at a table with their teacher. A CSD Eagles sign with the school logo is behind them. The first photo has 5 students; the second photo has 4 students; the third photo has 3 students.]

Buff Team

Blue Team

Green Team

On November 27, the Physical Education department hosted the 20 ^th annual Run For Hunger event to donate food to those in need. Originally, the event was supposed to take place on November 14, but it got postponed due to the Camp Fire in Paradise. However, the giving spirit remained high as the campus community donated a total of 1,100 pounds of food that was collected by the Alameda County Food Bank! The 1,100 pounds is a new record, breaking last year’s total of 1,020 pounds!

During the event, students and staff showed up to the track and ran as many laps as they could for 20 minutes. After each lap, the runner collected a paper strip to write their name for the drawing to win prizes. The more laps they did, the better prizes they received! The Physical Education Department must thank each sponsor for helping to make this event successful!

The Physical Education department wanted to make a special recognition to Physical Education Teacher Deb Ayres for her 20 years of commitment and dedication to the Run for Hunger event by contacting sponsors, volunteers, decorations and prizes! Deb was honored with a plaque commemorating her dedicated service to the event. Thank you Deb. Well Deserved!

See you next year at the track for

the 21 ^st Run of Hunger event!

Prizes donated by:

Panera Bread, Panda Express, Minerva’s, Raley’s Supermarkets, Safeway, Lucky’s, Target, Trader Joe’s, FoodMaxx, Gene’s Fine Foods (Pleasanton), Rising Loafer (Pleasanton), Vic’s All Star Café (Pleasanton), Sprout’s Farmer’s Market, Walmart Neighborhood Stores, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Starbuck’s, Boston Market, Jamba Juice, McDonald’s, Honeybaked Ham, Taqueria Zapata, Boudin Restaurant, Grocery Outlet, Red Lobster, Dale Hardware, Yalla, Niles Pie Co., The Pie Company (Lathrop), Smoking Pig, Bronco Billy’s Pizza, The Counter, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, El Patio Restaurant, Windmill Farms (San Ramon), and Erik’s Deli

[image description: (top 2 photos) Students wearing matching orange shirts running on the track--3 older boys in photo left; 2 younger girls in photo right. (next photo) Signs about Run for Hunger with bins to collect the food. (next 3 photos) Students running on the track--boy with Eagle mascot on left; other two photos are of studens running on the track. (next 2 photos) Deb Ayres with her plaque; close-up of the plaque that reads "Appreciation. We hereby present Deborah Ayres with this award in recognition for your ongoing commitment and dedicated service to the Turkey Trot and Run for Hunger."; (next 2 photos) Superintendent Brooke taking a selfie with the Eagle mascot; high school principal and teacher giving the thumbs up. (bottom photo) PE staff wearing their Run for Hunger T-shirts posing in a line, with huge bunches of balloons in festive colors.]

Check out how CSD is grateful at:



#csdspreadsgratitude



[image description: Woman with short hair an glases holds up a sign that says I am thankful for a welcoming community.]

Lucas Vasquez

Jose Garcia, Lauro Martinez, Samuel Brown, Alex Valdez, Jaziel Robles Quezada, Lucas Vasquez, and Brian Garcia

The After School Program provides various clubs to students so they can enjoy and experience what the clubs have to offer during non-school hours —like the Community Service Club, Movie Club, and Radio Controlled (RC) Club. “Radio?” you might ask. Yes, radio, but it has nothing to do with sound. The RC Club began with two of the coordinator’s own RC cars (Fred Chin and Robert O’Donnell), to demonstrate to students the thrilling world of RC cars. Then the RC bug spread to the students who wanted their own RC cars.

Fred and Rob contacted the student’s parents explaining that the students were requesting to purchase RC cars. They also explained about the benefits of having an RC car, such as improving the student’s fine motor skills when it comes to repairing those teeny tiny parts with those tiny nuts and bolts. Another benefit for students is getting to understand the electronic fundamentals of how a battery works with the electric brushless motors that their RC cars have. Students now have different models of RC cars.

The best part about this RC club is that the students get to enjoy their cars out on the CSD campus. They send their cars in a high speed thrill, shredding those small wheels against the grass, sending them flying in the air as their cars zoom by.

[image description: (top) A student who is wearing blue jeans and a jacket leans against a table giving the thumbs up. There is an over-sized radio controlled car on the table with a soft drink in front of it. A large monitor is mounted on the wall in the background. (bottom) Seven students are standing in a line side-by-side. There are four radio controlled cars neatly line up in front of the students. They are standing outside with grass behind them and cement in front of them.]

The 1 ^st grade class had a guest speaker from The San Jose Police Department visit their class as a part of their unit on “Jobs and Community Members.” Officer Sandez met with the students in small groups and discussed her role and responsibilities as an officer. The class discussed ways to stay safe and leadership skills. The highlight for the class was when they all took turns trying on police gear. Officer Sandez also brought pencils, stickers and T-shirts for the students. Thank you Officer Sandez for your time.

[image description: (photo 1) Police officer poses with young student who is wearing a police vest and helmet. (photo 2) Police officer poses with two students. One of the students is wearing a police vest. (photo 3) Two students are seated on the ground. Another student who is closest to the camera is wearing a police helmet. (photo 4) Souveniers for the students -- sherrif's badge stickers, pencils and erasers. (photo 5) Group photo with seven students in the front row seated on the floor; seven students in the middle row seated in chairs; and five teachers plus the police officer standing in the back row.]

Arkansas School for the Deaf hosted the 12 ^th  National ASL Roundtable conference with the theme of “New, Next, and Navigate” in Little Rock, where ASL teachers, specialists and school administrators from around the nation met and discussed on the latest development in language planning, curriculum, instruction, assessment, specialized services and professionalization.

 

The keynote speakers were Evon Black , Dr.   Ted Supalla , Dr.   Joseph Hill , Dr.   Carolyn McCaskill and Dr. Laurene Simms .  Evon Black shared about her learning experience as a Deaf child of color at the School for the Deaf and how the field of Deaf education needs to meet the needs of Deaf children with diverse backgrounds.  Dr. Supalla shared ASL across time and resources for navigating ASL heritage resources online.  Dr.   Hill and Dr.   McCaskill shared their research findings and resources on Black ASL. There were more presentations done by Tawny Holmes on the laws that currently and potentially will impact the future of ASL in education, Megan Malzkuhn and Jeni Jackerson (CSD graduates) on assessing Deaf children’s ASL from birth to kindergarten, Wanda Riddle on the importance of nonmanual signals in ASL, and Lance Forshay on the systematic analysis of ASL verbs.  Dr.   Petra Horn and Cara Barnett led a conversation with the audience on checking in with heritage language learners.  Adele Ann Eberwein and Kelly Krzyska from CSD Elementary School gave a pre sentation that proposes that Guided Viewing be part of the ASL and English Bilingual program and shared the pilot study of a small-scale test of methods used at CSD and Kansas School for the Deaf. The National Sign Language Education of Heritage Language Learners website was redesigned, which was released during the conference.

[image description: CSD instructional staff Adele Ann Eberwein, Joann Ikeda, Susana Acosta, Rory Osbrink, Charlene Kuyrkendall, Kelly Krzyska, Jeff Bibb, and Leah Bornstein pose in front of brick building, underneath a metal arc that says Art Sign 2001.]

We are currently looking for teaching candidates for the 2019-2020 academic year , who possess passion and spirit, and want to launch their career at a school with 158 years of rich and storied history. 

The preferred deadline is Friday, February 1 , though we will accept late applications provided there are still positions available. 

For more information, contact:

Len Gonzales , Ed.S.

Director of Instruction

California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSD) is a fully accredited school, with high expectations and high standards. We offer a strong Deaf program that has a bilingual approach to education, with full communication access in American Sign Language and written English. We base our curriculum on the Common Core standards, and we are involved with setting standards for American Sign Language (ASL). We encourage our students’ self-esteem by empowering them with a strong Deaf identity. We are an inclusive school. We believe in social justice and celebrate our diverse student body, creating an environment where our students can thrive.

We take pride in our students’ many successes, and the recognition they receive after graduation in their professional careers. We hope that you will join us in providing the opportunities our students need to grow and thrive throughout their years at CSD

[image description: Clickable link with teacher signing.]

[image description: (photo 1) Clickable video with image of magician doing a card trick in a room filled with students. One student is in the front of the room with the magician. (photo 2) A boy is holding his hand in an open 5 handshape. A pencil is attached to his hand. The pencil looks like it should fall from his hand, but it is not falling; (photo 3) Sammy Ruiz holding up a tiny briefcase that says "Got Magic?". He is surrounded by elementary students.]

Sammy Ruiz, Jr.

Deaf Magician

It must be a trick! A magic trick! You know the saying, “A magician never reveals his tricks.” Not true. Well, it’s very much true, but there are occasions when that is bent a wee bit. Sammy Ruiz, Jr. taught us about the power of illusion and a few tricks. So how did we do the magic floating pencil, you ask? That will remain between Sammy Ruiz, Jr and the Middle School (and the superintendent). A magical time was had by all, as you can see. 

Seth Gerlis

Deafopia & i Deaf News

Talon Media crew had a surprise visitor, Seth Gerlis. An entrepreneur at heart, with a passion for community-based entertainment. Founder of i Deaf News and Deafopia . Thank you for stopping by, Seth! 

[image description: Seth Gerlis is sitting with a student at the computer. (photo 1) Clickable video; (photo 2) a photo of Seth and a Talon Media student who is wearing an RIT shirt.]

[image description: A man is on the stage of the Klopping Theater signing. There is a huge slideshow behind him. The photo on the screen is of a large group of people standing posing on some stairs. The caption reads "The diversity in our Deaf Community."]

Calvin Young

Seek Our World

Special guest speaker. Calvin Young, a Deaf traveler of “Seek the World” fame, shared amazing stories, useful tips, stunning photographs, and cool videos with CSD students.

He enthralled students with a guessing game where the students had to guess what a sign from another country meant. One big message he had is how interconnected we are as a community and the amazing network we have simply because we are Deaf.

Thank you  @sorenson_vrs  for sending him to CSD. Check out more at #seektheworld

Brittany Comegna

NTID Admissions Counselor

Sam Sepah

RIT Alum &

Global HR Program Manager at Google

Brittany Comegna, National Techincal Institute for the Deaf admissions counselor, visited CSD last month to give 10 ^th - 12 ^th graders an overview about the college. Sam Sepah, RIT alumnus and global HR program ma nager at Google, also presented to the students — sha ring his journey and how RIT was a huge part of contributing to who he is and where he is today. Later that evening, NTID hosted a dinner for high school seniors and their families who had the opportunity to learn about NTID at the Family Night. The next day, some of the high school seniors were allotted 1-on-1 time with Brittany to ask more detailed questions that weren’t covered in the presentation. These experiences are designed to help students make decisions about their post-secondary plans.

[image description: Brittany Comegna is giving a presentation in the Klopping Theater. There is a slideshow behind her of the RIT campus. the caption reads "Greatness through difference." The auditorium is filled with students.]

A mother of four Deaf children shares about how to become more involved.

AFTC Basket Raffle at CSD Open House

2018 AFTC Open House Raffle Baskets Winners

Brenda Call

Kathleen Mockus

Ron Bye

Each year, school districts and California Department of Education staff send researchers, educators, and evaluators to the California Educational Research Association (CERA) annual conference. CSD staff sent CORE members Kathleen Mockus, Brenda Call, Ron Bye, and Michele Berke to present a workshop entitled, “To aggregate or disaggregate: Viewing student outcomes through different starting points .” 

The workshop focused on the need to consider students’ primary language (in our case, ASL) when setting academic growth goals .

The presenters have been a part of the WASC Assessment and Data Committee that has, for the past six years, focused on CSD student data.

The topic was of particular interest to school districts who have Deaf students, as well as those whose programs serve large populations of English Learners.   

Michele Berke

[image description: (photo 1) Group photo with four presenters in front of a slide on a screen that reads "To aggregate or disaggregate: Viewing student outcomes through different starting points" (photos 2 - 5) Each photo is of a presenter with their slideshow.]

CSD had an opportunity to provide workshops for Professional Development led by the following staff: Matilda Bibb , Kiara Chapple , Terri Dietz , Bonnie Jo Morrison , Nancy Moser and Tiffany Wilson who gave workshops on campus focusing on Social Emotional Learning, the five parts of Social Emotional Learning Competencies are: Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Social Management (which includes Responsible Decision Skills) and Relationship Skills. In addition to this topic, they also discussed mindfulness. Each workshop also covered a specific focus applying to each department.

Early Childhood Education workshop, facilitated by Tiffany Wilson, focused on "Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports along with Multi-Tiered Support Services," and how to incorporate this with their students. 

Elementary workshop, facilitated by Matilda Bibb, incorporated the "Social Emotional Learning competencies, discussing how Mindfulness, Empathy and Language Deprivation Syndrome and how it impacts their Social Emotional Learning."

Middle School workshop, facilitated by Bonnie Jo Morrison, covered "Mindfulness, Empathy, Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning Skills, and Language Deprivation Syndrome."

High School and Career Technology Education, facilitated by Terri Dietz, Kiara Chapple and Nancy Moser, focused on "Anxiety" including facts about anxiety and coping strategies, and introduced Habitudes (combination of Habits and Attitude).

CSD staff came together afterwards at the Klopping Theatre. Representatives from each workshop shared what they learned about their topics. Representatives Terri Dietz, Nancy Moser, and Barbara White, from Pupil Personnel Services, introduced and reviewed Multi-Tiered Support Services (MTSS) and how MTSS aligns with the importance of having Social Emotional Learning intertwined daily, during the school day, for each child to thrive as a whole child.

[image description: The four photos each show a presenter in the front of a central pod area with teachers who are seated watching the presenter.]

[image description: (photo 1) Four leadership students stand on stage, flanked on one side by Seth Gerlis and the other side by Clark Brooke. They are all signing "eagle" to the audience; (photo 2) An "aerial" view of the crowd at Deafopia, in the big gym, with booths around the outside of the crowd; (photo 3) Deafies in Drag pose with an Asian woman who is wearing glasses; (photo   4) John Maucere in his SuperDeafie outfit signing with a little girl. The crowd is engaged... smiling and watching; (photo   5) Adorable mascot standing outside; (photo 6) Maggie Hatch, Lilly Benedict, and David Eberwein are seated at the CSD CORE booth. They were selling CSD thermuses; (photo 7) Raza de Sordx students and sponsors stand behind their tamale booth. One of the students is eating a tamale; (photo 8) Side of Tilden Cafe trolley says, "Say cheese!" with hands signing cheese, and cheese melting out of the sign; (photo 9) Side of the Mozzeria trolley with a sign that reads, "Pizza in Sign Language, along with a picture of a pizza and two hands signing "pizza"; (photo 10) Back end of the Tilden Cafe trolley that reads "Let's Melt Together".] 

[image description: Librarians Katherine Greene & Pat Bernstein are seated with a Christmas scene behind them. Katherine is holding the Santa Bruce book with her left hand and is signing her name with her right hand. Pat is seated watching Katherine. Both women are smiling.]

On November 28, the students from Cottage 1 and Cottage 2 went on “ The Train of Lights” to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. It was a fun 13-mile round-trip ride, through the local hills of Sunol, to the small nearby town of Niles. The students were snuggled in warm jackets, hats, and gloves on a nice cool evening. On the train, the students purchased and drank hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies. The train cars were each meticulously decorated with period themed décor of holiday seasons past. All was bright and sparkly which brought “joy” to us! We learned that volunteers gave two months of their time to decorate the train for the holiday season. It was MARVELOUS!

[image description: (photo 1) Nighttime close-up photo of a train with holiday lights. A crowd is standing in front of the train car; (photo 2) A long view of several train cars at night. Each car has a different color of lights.]  

[image description: (photo 1) Cafeteria tables decorated in fall theme. Students and their teachers enjoy a holiday meal together; (photo 2) David Ott-Bales serving a turkey that is mostly gone from the platter; (photo 3) Dean of Students Ethan Bernstein and School Superintendent Clark Brooke with their carving knives ready to serve turkey.]

On November 13, Independent Living Skills (ILS) students gathered together at Cottage #5 to enjoy their annual Thanksgiving feast. The entire dinner was prepared by students with minimal assistance from staff. The menu included turkey, brown sugar coated ham, stuffing, sweet pecan yams, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, corn, apple pies, and pumpkin pies. ILS students invited the superintendent, supervisors, and staff members to join them for this festivity.  Before enjoying the delicious meal, some of the attendees shared what they were thankful for this holiday season. To quote William Arthur Ward: “Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” This event was undeniably one of those unforgettable moments in time.

[image description: (photo 1) Students are seated around an L-shaped table watching a presenation. Clark Brooke and Cindy Sasser are also watching the presentation; (photo 2) Students are seated at a long table decorated with fall leaves, ready to eat their Thanksgiving meal. They are all looking at the camera; (photo 3) Two students are posed next to a round table filled with pies; (photo 4) Group photo with independent living skills students, and several staff including the dean of students and his wife, along with a supervising counselor, and several counselors from cottages 5 and 9.]

Thanksgiving at Cottages 1 & 2

[image description: (photo 1) Mary Mesa putting the finishing touches on the turkey dinner; (photo 2) A festive table with the side dishes, such as rolls. Aluminum foil covers several of the bowls; (photo 3) Mary Mesa is talking to everyone in the cottage. they are behind two tables that are all set for the holiday meal to come.]

On December 19, Student Life Cottages 1 & 2 presented their annual holiday hors d'oeuvres party in appreciation of the teachers, student life supervisors, and administrators serving their students. Under snowflakes and holiday lights, in cool hues of blue, were tables covered with an immense array of tasty finger foods: meatballs, baked ham, assorted stuffed pastries, dips of avocado, spinach, hummus and other tasty bites. We enjoyed catching up with each other and sharing our school break plans, cheerfully, in the Winter Wonderland themed boy’s cottage.

[image description: (photo1) Seven staff members pose in front of a blue holiday themed backdrop; (photo   2) Teachers Melinda Cole and Scott Swanson sit down chatting at a holiday table. Melinda has her purse over her shoulder; (photo 3) Staff serve themselves from the many holiday dishes at a long table with a blue tablecloth. There is a pine cone decorating the table and a window in the background.]

On December 5, students of Independent Living Skills Cottages 5 and 9 had a Cookie Exchange Party. Each apartment made their cookies from scratch the evening before. Their yummy cookies included vegan Christmas cookies, powdered sugar brownies, homemade Oreo cookies, CornMeal cake with frosting, momemade M&M cookies, peppermint kisses, Smores cookies, Kisses cookies, Snickerdoodle cookies, no-milk chocolate chip cookies, and Oatmeal raisin cookies. We shared what Christmas was all about before we began to eat. Along with eating the cookies, we had jug of two different kinds of milk and a potful of Nestle Mexican Chocolate Abuelita Chocolate Drink. It was a very delicious dessert party to start our holiday spirit! We wish you all a good holiday.

[image description: (left) Group photo of ILS students and staff; (right) Table with various fancily decorated holiday cookies. The table is decorated in Christmas colors with a miniature Christmas tree in the center.]

We are proud to announce that our Senior Cheerleader Samantha Medina-Vazquez will be doing the honors of signing the National Anthem, at the College Football National Championship Game, at Levi Stadium, on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. (PST)!

She will be performing, along with a singer, in front of 70,000 spectators, as well as millions more watching on television. The National Championship Football Game will feature the winner of Alabama against Oklahoma, versus the winner of Clemson against Notre Dame, in the playoffs on December 29.

Congratulations and Go Eagles!

By Warren Keller, Athletic Director

[image description: (photo 1) Headshot of Samantha Medina-Vazquez; (photo 2) Samantha cheerleading with her squad inside the gym; (photo 3) Samantha and the other cheerleaders signing a song at the football field; (photo 4) Samantha as a homecoming princess with the homecoming prince who is holding a bouquet of roses and waving to the crowd. Both of them are standing in the sunroof of the car in the parade; (photo 5) Levi's stadium - screenshot shows how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until the college football playoff national championship; (photo 6) Samantha and her cheerleading teammates, with their feet way off the ground, in a jump position.]

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Meta Metal , Editor

Clark Brooke , School Superintendent