First graders lead elementary school's heritage assembly on LGBTQ History Month, featuring a special performance by Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí of San Jose.

Photo by Kelly Krzyska

(See more photos from the Heritage Assembly below.)



[image description: Group photo on stage. Everyone is wearing brightly colored Mexican-style costumes. Back row - adults standing; middle row - children standing; front row - children and adults sitting. Large, colorful paper flowers adorn the front of the stage.]

[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 !

 

Unbelievably, October has passed by so quickly! Every time I get the chance to preview the accolades before they go out to you, I think to myself, “I am fortunate to be among a great team of individuals who have a vested interest in CSD, therefore I cannot forget those who made it possible!” So let’s celebrate everyone’s contribution in this newsletter.

 

It is our mission to promote and celebrate equality, equity, and diversity by elevating inclusiveness and kindness with all students, families and staff. There were frequent opportunities for our students and staff to participate in meaningful activities that promote gender equality, LGBTQ+ awareness, leadership development, alumni and community events, and the spirit of CSD.

 

Prior to the Homecoming Spirit Week, CSD was fortunate to witness the launching of the Tilden Café by the Deaf Counseling, Advocacy, and Referral Agency . The Tilden Café food truck was named after one of our alumni, Douglas Tilden. Tilden sculptured the Bear Hunt statue that is erected in front of our school, as well as many other statues throughout the Bay Area, especially in San Francisco. It was a proud moment for CSD to observe our own alumni, Mark Farr and Saddam Vazquez, being among the start-up of the food truck .

CSD's annual Homecoming and Spirit Week festivities took place, and we are proud of our student leaders who coordinated all of the student spirit week competitions in the evenings. They also planned the pep rally and homecoming party. Kudos to those student leaders! 

We were honored to host the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf (PDSD) as part of the homecoming weekend. The student athletes demonstrated sportsmanship on the football field, throughout the game, and came together to end the game with unity. CSD's captains reminded the players that whatever happens on the field is only 48  minutes long; whereas the connections we make with each other will last for eternity.

On October 19, our staff development focused on AB-1266.   When it comes to physical education activities or school-related activities, CSD does not tolerate any discrimination, based on gender, gender identity or gender expression. We recently put up “Gender Neutral” signs on all single-user toilet facilities on campus in reference to AB-1732. Our students are encouraged to use the gender neutral restroom without reservation.

 

We are pleased to include the Association of Families, Teachers, and Counselors (AFTC) in this and future newsletters. There is a strong belief among us on campus that AFTC will be reinvigorated with their new Committee of Representatives (COR) approach, and I encourage you to become part of this longstanding organization.

  

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

Slogan on flipchart reads: "Because we are on the same ship, we will either sail or sink together."

CSD's Diversity Clubs met with Frank Turk to share what each club represented. They also made recommendations for what Frank Turk should write in his book. Two representatives from each club proudly stood on stage, radiating amazing confidence as leaders. They took the opportunity to remind us how important it is to have Diversity Clubs and how being in the club impacts them as a person. Knowing who they are and what their cultures are all about helps them remain grounded and confident. It is also so important for the outside community to support each organization: Ebony Club, Gender and Sexualities Alliance, Raza de Sordx, and Asian Pacific Islander Club. 

“Leadership is knowing yourself as the total person that you can be, if you are willing to learn who you are, what you can do, and what you are able to be.” ~Dr. Frank Turk who came to talk and visit with with the Leadership class.

During the professional development day on October 19, the Student Life Division received a very inspirational presentation from Dr.   Frank Turk, who has been a renowned Deaf leader for youth for almost his entire life. Many staff in the audience were young students when they first met Dr. Turk at one of many Jr. NAD conferences or Youth Leadership Camp, some 40+ years ago, so it was a reunion between him and many.

Dr.   Turk shared his mission and vision, that each of us have a responsibility to instill leader ship in each student we work with. He reminded us that we need to ensure that all students are e nthused, e ngaged and e nergized, while feeling wanted , important and needed (WIN). He pointed out that the more we keep students busy, the better grades they will have, based on a 2005 national scholastic survey.

Dr. Turk introduced us to a fourth R in the familiar 3 “R’s” in education, which is Resourcefulness . He challenged us to prepare our students to be more resourceful in order to survive in the world after graduation.

Education is not limited to what is offered in the classroom ; the role of Student Life is to provide students opportunities to develop real life skills that they can take with them after leaving school. He also reminded us that residential Deaf schools, like CSD, have the responsibility to develop a student’s identity by exposing each student to Deaf role models , age appropriate peers , and a full range of choices of student life and student development programs . Students are to be encouraged to participate in athletics, student clubs, leadership organizations, and activities for their personal growth.

Dr. Turk shared with us some parts of the book he is writing that focuses on student life. There will be a full chapter on the California School for the Deaf because he consideres CSD to be a student life model for other Deaf schools and programs.

In closure, Dr. Turk emphasized that we must maintain our passion for the development of the whole student, not the fragmentary whole. In order to make this happen, we must work in collaboration with all stakeholders.

[image description: Photo 1 - Large group of students with Dr. Turk. Everyone is signing eagle talons with both hands; Photo 2 - Six diversity students lined up on stage watching as another student is signing; Photo 3 - Frank Turk and Clark Brooke are standing together giving the "thumbs up"; Photo 4 - Dr. Turk standing in front of a white board. Writing on the whiteboard says, "Leadership is knowing yourself as a total person that you can be, if you are willing to learn who you are, what you can do, and who you are able to be"; Photo 5 - Dr. Turk facing a class of students who are sitting at their desks with their teacher behind them. In the background, the wall is decorated with colorful charts; Photo 6 - A large group of student life staff posing with Frank Turk. Most of the group is standing, but the front row is sitting with Dr Turk.]

Students show their school pride ahead of the homecoming game.

Marlene Turk shows her Eagle Spirit!

Our special VIP guests: Nick Schweizer , Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction ; Lesley Taylor , Educational Administrator ; Sam Blake , CSD Alum ; Dr. Frank Turk , Founder of the NAD Youth Leadership Camp and former Director of the Junior National Association of the Deaf.

A packed audience at the fall pep rally.

Vanessa Sandez and Clark Brooke pose with dancers from Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí.

[image description: Photo 1 - Students and VIP guests line up on either side of CSD Superintendent Clark Brooke. in the gym. Students on one side hold up letters that spell "school" and students on the other side hold up letters that spell "pride". Superintendent Brooke is signing and everyone is watching him. There is a slideshow presentation with Superintendent Brooke's photo on the wall behind them; Photo 2 - Marlene Turk with her arms outstretched and a crowd of onlookers behind her; Photo 3 - CSD alumnus wearing a varsity letterman jacket that he will give to Clark Brooke; Photo 4 - Audience at the pep rally seated in the bleachers of the large gym. The eagle mascot is seated in front. A boy is taking a photo with his phone. The football team is at the farside of the bleachers. There is an Eagle banner next to an American flag on the wall in the background; Photo 5 - A group of five Latinx dancers wearing black T-shirts. Vanessa Sandez is on the left wearing a Mexican-style orange blouse. Clark brooke is on the right wearing a gray CSD T-shirt . ]

The 2018-2019 Spirit Week and Homecoming events were a roaring success! Last year we did not have a homecoming event due to the air quality from wildfires in the area, so everyone was ready to participate in the week-long festivities this year! Each day, we had a different dress-up theme for each department (ECE, Elementary, Middle School and High School). That was when the students’ creativity and brilliance stood out!

Spirit Week chairperson Talia Boren and her assistant Alexis Bravo Calvillo worked hard in their event-planning and it paid off each night! Students enjoyed playing, making memories and competing in events such as volleyball, football, a minute to win it mini-games, creating ASL stories, making a banner and Oreo eating contest.

Thursday, October 11 was the Homecoming dance. The decorating committee worked hard and it was glamorous! Students dressed up for the event and participated in various activities. Dancing and snacks were provided, as the students enjoyed socializing with the visiting Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. At the dance, the Royalty Court was announced:

Homecoming Day was a huge success with all the festivities, booths and food being sold. The CSD Eagles Volleyball team swept College Prep 3-0 and the CSD Eagles Football team defeated Phoenix Day 56-12. Go Eagles!

[image description: Photo 1 - Two Class of 2019 seniors hold up a whimsical banner with a unicorn while another student is signing to the audience in the gym; Photo 2 - A huddle with CSD in the background; Photo 3 - Lots of students involved in some sort of game activity on the football field.]

Homecoming Queen & King

Janeva Mosher

Luke Bella

Senior

Malia Zornoza

Brent Fuentes

Junior

Samantha Medina-Vazquez

Alexis Bravo Calvillo

Sophomore

Chloe Harmount

Levi Biser

Freshman

Nayley Colmenares Rodriguez

Enos Zornoza

[image description: Five photos of the royalty court parade in their cars.]

[image description: Photo of royalty court with princes and princesses standing behind the king and queen who are seated on a black couch. The king and queen have their crowns and everyone is wearing their sash. There is a fancy curtain behind the group in the photo.]

We had a great close of the fall 2018 season. 

Our Varsity Volleyball team broke the school’s record with 26 wins and we finished third at Spikeout. We also went back to the NCS and played in Division 5 for the first time. We were also aided by our young and enthusiastic JV team!

Our school’s Cross Country program has grown, and our runners have decreased their time every tournament. With having had a young team this year, we expect to have multiple runners return to the NCS and to keep getting better next year. 

The Varsity Football and Cross Country teams were never short on spirit! They continued to carry their morale! Our Varsity Football team is 9-2 in the regular season and we headed for NCS once again. 

Most importantly, all of our athletes have excelled in the classroom this year. (See each team's combined GPAs below):

Our youth sports program has expanded to include many more teams and it is providing many opportunities for our younger students!

What a great senior night. Thanks for the shirts, Nike!

On October 24, seniors in the U.S. Government and American Studies classes visited the State Capitol. The goal was for students to be introduced to the state government and the legislative process. Students met with Assemblyman James Gallagher from District 3. Additionally, students went to the California Department of Education to meet with Julie Rems-Smario and discuss Senate Bill 210.

[image description: Photo 1 - Students get to sit at the chamber desks; Photo 2 - Students visit the Bear sculpture outside the Governor's Office at the California State Capitol..]

Camila presents as teacher Vanessa looks on.

Brianna and Angel hold up the Mexican flag.

The 1st grade class at the California School for the Deaf hosted the LGBTQ History Month assembly on October 12. The elementary school classes all take turn hosting these monthly events. The elementary students prepared their presentations and dance for a month. This event was made possible with the support from CSD's administration, teachers, staff, teaching assistants, volunteers, families and overall community.

The school was fortunate to have special guests Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí of San Jose, Calif. attend and perform at the assembly. 

Colibrí is making history by being the first LGBTQ f olklórico group to present LGBTQ stories through traditional Mexican dances.

Elementary teachers were able to create curriculum in ASL to address any student and staff biases before attending the assembly. See video (right) for more information...

Dance: Las Indians

From the State of Jalisco (contemporáneo)

This dance features all dancers in beautiful Jalisco rainbow skirts. The purpose of using the skirts is to show that their folklore makes no distinctions of gender. Everyone is welcome to dance and represent their identity as they feel appropriate. 

photo by Lisa Nunez

Luz y Sombra

From the State of Chihuahua

This choreography was created specifically for Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí by Maestro Arturo Magaña. It is their first gender neutral work. photo by Lisa Nunez

Photo left: Vicente Amezcua with Dancer

Photo right: Dra go Renteria - Deaf Chicano Transman - LGBTQ Activist/Trailblazer 

[image description: Photo 1 - First grader Camila signing "now". Her teacher Vanessa Sandez is smiling at her encouragingly. Both are wearing a decorative ankle-length skirts with Mexican-style blouses; Photo 2 - Five dancers stand behind two students who proudly hold up the Mexican flag; Photo 3 - Clickable video with woman signing; Photo 4 - Dancers hold up the ends of the skirts on stage. Each skirt is a different color; Photo 5 - Two male dancers standing very close with their bodies touching while striking a dance pose; Photo 6 - Female dancer behind with child dancer in front. Both holding up the emds of their skirts; Photo 7 - Two dancers in sombreros in the center wearing male dance attire. One man and one woman in skirts on left side. Two male dancers wearing skirts on the right side. All dancers are smiling.]

Background of Mexican Folklorico Dance - Traditional dances of Mexico. Vibrant and colorful like Mexico’s rich culture and history. Different dances for different states and regions of Mexico.

Introducing Ensemble Colibri - Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí is a Mexican folklore dance group. The group has a mission to promote the pride of identifying as an LGBTQ Latinx through the art of Mexican folklórico dance.

Meaning of Colibri - Although hummingbirds are the smallest bird, they are the smartest, strongest and most tenacious birds; they can fly forward, upward, backwards and suspend themselves on mid air. The hummingbirds represent “The Messenger” in the Aztec community. The Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí are messengers for their community to have a valid and appropriate identification in the Fine Art of Mexican Folklorico Dance.

Why Colibri is unique? - First LGBTQ folklórico group in the USA. Also, because they dance the traditional dances of Mexico and create a space for LGBTQ stories to be portrayed on stage.

Enjoy this first grade Halloween creation!

[image description: Clickable video icon with a halloween theme in the background. There is a haunted house with three bats flying overhead. Next to the house is a slogan reading "Have a safe and happy Halloween."]

[image description: Group of elementary students wearing Halloween costumes in the cottage. There is a blow-up haunted castle behind them.]

Back Row (L-R): Mark Kozyk, Emma Oshio, Brandon Sanchez, Tiffany Kutsov, Marcos Aguilar

Middle Row (L-R): Ashley Locatelli (Asst. EIC), Rose Crisman (EIC), Kaliska Sloan, Jenna Kutsov

Front Row (L-R): Liliana Ortiz, Samantha Medina-Vazquez

If you are interested in ordering the yearbook, please see Marci Wolfangle at the Career Technical Education department, to get the order form. The yearbooks are $60 each.

Deadline for Yearbook order is April 30, 2019.

[image description: Students posing behind the career-technology education building. Four students are standing behind the bench; four students are seated on the bench; and two students are lying in front of the bench with their head in their hand.] 

Friday night before homecoming, the Tilden Café held their grand opening at the California School for the Deaf parking lot, with approximately 200 community members in attendance. The grilled cheese sandwiches that were served by Mark Farr and his crew were so yummy, with their new signature, fresh oven-baked bread!

Following the tasty meal celebration, those in attendance were invited to participate in a trivia activity led by our student representatives from the Junior National Association of the Deaf and Youth Leadership Camp. Each of 11 tables had a different image of a statue made by Douglas Tilden, a CSD graduate who went on to become a famous sculptor; Douglas Tilden is known as Michelangelo of the West. Those sitting at the table had to answer trivia questions about the photo of the statue at their table to test their knowledge about Tilden, such as: What is the name the statue? What is the date when it was made? Ken Norton, our school historian, provided additional information about each of the statues that Douglas has a “relationship” with.

Dr. Frank R. Turk gave a presentation on “The importance of providing community service”. Turk talked about why it is essential to have student leadership be a part of the school program. He also touched on the importance of having a Deaf agency that provides community services and works to support their Deaf school. A great example was the community members who had gathered for this special event.

“The Tilden Café food truck is the only one of its kind in the United States. I think it’s interesting that the Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency was not only the first Deaf community service agency in California; they are once again the first agency of its kind to have a food truck. DCARA is doing more than just providing social services; they have become a social enterprise.It is so great to see the fruition of the partnership between two entities, DCARA and CSD, bringing community members together once again.”  

—JAC Cook, Community Liaison

At a separate event, DCARA invited donors and sponsors of the Tilden Trolley Café in appreciation for their fiscal and community support. Guests learned about the intensive yearlong process of conceiving this idea and making it into a reality from Raymond Rogers, Executive Director of DCARA. The trolley was purchased from the Deaf owned and operated San Francisco based  Mozzeria Restaurant owners during the summer of 2017. 

Rodgers said he came up with the idea to start a food truck while talking with a member of the organization’s development staff. DCARA obtained a bank loan and did some online fundraising. The next thing they knew, the truck, complete with a wood-burning pizza oven, was theirs. The staff named the truck after CSD alum Douglas Tilden, a renowned Deaf sculptor whose work appears throughout the Bay Area, including on the CSD Fremont campus.

Raymond shared that the Tilden Café has two goals. The first is to raise money to support DCARA’s services. “There’s a high demand for more services within the Deaf community,” Rodgers said. The second is to provide much-needed vocational training to Deaf people.

Rosa Lee Timm followed with fun entertainment, a Jeopardy-style game to teach the audience some of the history of Douglas Tilden, the Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency, and the Deaf Community Center. Several CSD staff, alumni, and active community members were present, enjoying the special evening.

Tilden Café has permits to sell in Alameda and San Francisco counties. Be sure to check them out at:  East Bay Express | Silent Grapevine

[image description: Photo 1 - Sadam Vazquez, Mark Farr, and Clark Brooke standing on stage waving; Photo 2 - Deaf community standing outside the Tilden Café trolley socializing; Photo 3 - Clickable video of Meet the Team at Tilden Café; Photo 4 - Clickable video of Deaf community socializing next to the Tilden Café; Photo 5 - Group photo all signing "cheese" in front of the Tilden Café trolley. The Tilden Café team is inside the trolley looking out the window at the camera .]

An invitation to become involved in our coummunity organization

[image description: Susana Acosta holding up a yellow paper with [email protected].]

We have had a wonderful start to the school year with many families attending our Early Childhood Education Family Education series. This year, the workshops are on most Fridays, from 10 a.m. until noon. We offer structured playgroup/childcare during this time. These workshops are open to all families with Deaf children. We have had great attendance by a diverse group of families from other schools, as well as our “home ” families who come to our program here.

Laura T. Petersen, CSD’s Outreach Family Education Early Interventionist, focusing on families with Deaf children ages 0-5, has been teaching the workshops for the past few weeks. She has given families activities they can do to be a mindful family. Laura addressed the confusing journey that starts with the medical system when children are identified as Deaf. She clarified the importance of monitoring language development regardless of the child’s hearing level. On October 12, the fourth workshop, Laura shared detailed information on how family members can be powerful advocates for their child in the education system through the IFSP and IEP.

Please join us for our upcoming workshops where we will have several guest speakers:



[image description: Cassie is on the floor holding one child in her arms. There are two other children on the floor with her. One is playing a game and the other is looking at Cassie. There are some children's books in the background.]

For the second half of our professional development training, we focused on the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266). We discussed the reason that the law exists and CSD’s strategy to meet the law.



Icebreaker Activity

Staff development began with an icebreaker activity. For the activity, we were supposed to sit down when something relating to us was mentioned. For example, “If you travelled out of state last summer, please sit down.” The icebreaker did not include anything relating to gender; the point of the exercise was to get us thinking about being inclusive.

Some examples of creating a gender inclusive environment are:

How CSD supports gender inclusiveness

Barbara White shared that research found 85% of LGBTQ students report being verbally harassed, and a high percentage consider and/or attempt suicide. School is where students need to be able to safely learn about their identities and express them, so they can thrive. Len Gonzales, Daniel Girard, Ruth Lummar, and Allison Gibbons shared past and current CSD actions that promote diversity and gender inclusiveness.

Ways CSD has promoted gender inclusiveness:



JAC Cook shares a personal experience story



To educate us about gender diverse terminologies, our own JAC Cook shared her intriguing lifelong personal journey with discovering her own gender identity and expression, which is separate from sexual orientation. She captured the audience with her openness and at the same time, introducing them to some of the many gender terminologies which are not restricted to just boy and girl, man and woman. Once she felt her gender identity and her chosen name (not her given name) matched who she was, she felt liberated and able to blossom as a person.

Afterwards, we watched a couple of powerful Tedx testimonies about trans students who dealt with being bullied and questioned about the use of bathrooms. If interested, feel free to see the videos (see links below):

 

Gender Support Plan

Nancy Moser and Barbara White explained about the Gender Support Plan—a process that students and their families can go through to identify support and plans as they go through their journey as trans or non-binary students, so they feel safe. One emphasis that was made clear from the law and from our contacts with the Gender Spectrum Organization is that when it comes to gender, it is student-led. Public and State schools are for the students, and it is our responsibility to welcome all students regardless of our personal beliefs, biases, and conflicts. Schools are safe places for students to learn about themselves and their identities while respecting the rights, cultures and identities of others.

We reviewed some comments from staff through Survey Monkey. The consistent theme among staff was they wanted all students to feel safe from discrimination and harassment. They wanted students to feel comfortable being themselves; have mutual respect and empathy for others; have an environment where all students are able to freely learn and socialize, regardless of race, orientation, gender, religion, and disabilities.  

Action Items

Clark Brooke explained that at CSD, we are following the AB 1732 law by:

 

Action items include:

[image description: A small photo of the presenters is next to each of their sections.]

The Class of 1968 met at the Cattlemens Restaurant, in Livermore, to celebrate the 50 ^th Reunion on October 6 ^th! Joining us were students from Class of 1967 and 1969 to enjoy the authentic sister-brotherly fellowship—30 of us!

One very special guest who was our class sponsor was Ann Tennis! She drove down to Livermore from her home in Piedmont to join us and drove back home safely. That was a very tremendous delight for us all. She was able to tell us about her time at Berkeley in very clear sign language! A real treasure!

Some of us slept at the cottage, which brought back memories, minus counselors (LOL). We enjoyed two nights and donated $300 toward the Student Life fund. Thank you, Clark Brooke, Superintendent, and Ethan Bernstein, Dean of Students, for the invitation!

A group of seven went to visit the old campus in Berkeley on a beautiful day. They saw a plaque telling about the former campuses of the California School for the Deaf and California School for the Blind.

At the banquet, we had fun remembering our good old days at Berkeley and shared stories. The PowerPoint slide presentation, taken from the 1968 Eagle yearbook, was shown. It elicited joyful laughs of our wonderful days.

Afterwards, we met to discuss a planning committee for future reunions. Thanks to

the reunion committee: Judy (McIntyre) Ford, Gary Hemphill and Larry V. Apolinar for making this reunion a memorable one.

1969ers:

From left to right:

Sherry (Smith) Stephens, Donald Salyer, Barbara (Barnett) Salyer, Virginia (Ginny Weiner) Malzkuhn, Chuck Hom and Greg Benson

1968ers:

From left to right, in exact order including back and front:

Dave Ford, Gail (Gisler) Dreiling, Judy Ford, Gary Hemphill, Shirley (Cota) Ponciano, David Thompson, Brian Malzkuhn, Larry Apolinar, Ann Tennis, Paul Blicharz, Gloria (Lopez) Aquino, Barbara (Ruf) Bowling, Charles Eaglin, Yim (Chan) Orsi

1967ers:

Tom Ahern, Steven Aquino, Ann Tennis, Barry Nimitz, Jean & Charles Mitchell

[image description: A plaque desribing the history of the Clark Kerr campus.]

An actor, poet, writer, director, artist, and teacher, Bernard Bragg, is a true leader of the arts. Bragg was born in 1928 in New York City to Deaf parents.

He graduated from the New York School for the Deaf and attended Gallaudet University, where he studied theatre. He led countless productions and his heart was always meant for the stage, even after he graduated and went on to teach at California School for the Deaf at Berkeley.

However, it was a Marcel Marceau acclaimed mime performance in San Francisco one night that nudged Bragg to get back into the spotlight. Bragg showed Marceau his natural talent in the voiceless performance art and Marceau gave him an immediate invite to study in Paris. That summer, off Bragg went to learn from the very best in the craft.

Upon returning to California, Bragg taught during the school year and performed at night, during school vacations, all summer long, and whenever he could get the chance.

In 1966 in New York City, Bragg got the opportunity that would change his life and the role of Deaf people in the arts. With New York University psychology professor Dr. Edna Levine and Broadway set designer David Hayes, Bragg co-founded the National Theatre for the Deaf.

Bragg accepted a theater position as the artist-in-residence back where his journey first began, at Gallaudet. From 1978 to 1995, Bragg taught, consulted and performed in the theatre department. In 1989 he published an autobiography, Lessons in Laughter: The Autobiography of a Deaf Actor.

Bragg contributed his expertise to a number of groundbreaking films for the Deaf community, including the acclaimed My Name is Jonah (1979).

Bragg was awarded the World Federation of the Deaf Lifetime Achievement Award.

Information for this article excerpted from Gallaudet University website. Read full article

Videos and complete biographical information can be found at:

Life & Works of Bernard Bragg

Bragg on Bragg video

[image description: A photo of Bernard Bragg performing.]

See the latest storysigning

with Katherine Greene and

Pat Bernstein

[image description: Clickable video icon with Katherine Greene and Pat Bernstein in the background. Katherine is signing while Pat is holding up the book. Text on the image: Too TALL Houses, written by Gianna Marino.]

[image description: Photo 1 - High school principals Sughi Hong and Alan Davary are wearing twin T-shirts in different colors. They are the Wonka Nerds. Sulghi is Seriously Strawberry and Alan is Gotta-Have Grape; They are standing together so that Sulghi's shirt spells N-e-r and Alan's shirt spells d-s. Together, their shirts spell N-e-r-d-s; Photo 2 - Two students are dressed in Micky Mouse outfits. The boy has black ears and shirt with red shorts, while the girl has a red outfit with white polka dots and black stockings; Photo 3 - Athletics staff posing in front of the Foothills Athletic Association sign, at the front of the gym. They are striking goofy poses. They are all wearing matching gray shirts with EAGLES in black letters; Photo 4 - Jeff Bibb, Allison Gibbons, and Andrew Phillips arm-in-arm in the high school hallway; Photo 5 - Rona Lev and Daniel Girard dressed in black with bright rainbow tutus and matching tennis shoes; Photo 6 - Marissa Cohen and Roberta Monroe wearing silver tinsel wigs. Marissa has a white shirt with a black "S" while Roberta has a black shirt with a white "P" -- salt and pepper concept; Photo 7 - Two female teachers dressed as Harry Potter characters; Photo 8 - Group photo of middle school teachers in sports outfits posing with sports gestures; Photo 9 - Middle school teachers dressed in pink and blue wacky outfits posing outdoors by the newly poured sidewalk. They are using a prota-potty and construction tape as their prop. There are some parked cars and some trees in the background.]

Click on flyers below for readable, printable version

Meta Metal , Editor

Clark Brooke , School Superintendent