A Publication of Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech | March 2021
A Community United
We're grateful for Clarke's village of support that makes our work possible every day.

Our 2019-2020 Impact Report showcases our multifaceted work and the uninterrupted support we've provided to more than 1,000 children and families throughout the past, highly unusual, school year.
Latest News
  • Winter Issue of Mainstream News: The Winter issue of Mainstream News, sponsored by Oticon, is now available online! Read about how to conduct a college search during the pandemic, ways to spot and prevent learning regression, ways to support students' social and emotional learning and more.

  • Clarke's Hear Me Out Blog: Heather Stinson, Clarke itinerant teacher of the deaf, shares the importance of play and social-emotional well-being in her latest blog.

  • World Hearing Report: The World Health Organization (WHO) published the first World Report on Hearing on March 3, 2021. The report highlights and provides evidence-based guidance for global ear and hearing care.

  • The Critical Role of Teachers of the Deaf on Interdisciplinary Teams: Advances in cochlear implant technology, medical expertise and clinical support have positively changed the developmental trajectory of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Having a teacher of the deaf (TOD) on their interdisciplinary team is critical to their success. Thank you to the Hearing Journal for sharing a letter from Judy Sexton, chief program officer at Clarke, highlighting the important role and expertise of a TOD.

  • Speechie Side Up Podcast: Tune in to hear Lindsay Petersen, speech-language pathologist at Clarke, share best practices for virtually supporting children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Scholarship Opportunity for Clarke Alums
Any former student who has attended one of Clarke's programs or services for at least one year may apply for a scholarship from the Yale Fund. The scholarship may be used for continuing education.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2021

Upcoming Happenings
Clarke is pleased to share these upcoming happenings for students, families, alums and professionals!

  • Week of the Young Child (April 10-16): Clarke will participate in Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association of the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC), which celebrates early learning, young children, their teachers and families.

  • Nemours Children's Clinic annual Hearing Loss in Schools Conference for Florida (May 7): Clarke leaders will share strategies for guiding students who are deaf or hard of hearing who use listening and spoken language as they transition to mainstream schools.
Read Across America Month
In celebration of Read Across America month, celebrated throughout March, we want to amplify the voices of a diverse selection of authors and illustrators by sharing their stories as recommended by Clarke educators and support team members. Find a list of inclusive books and resources here.
Clarke students "saddled up" to learn and read with special guest, Caitlyn Gooch, founder of the nonprofit organization Saddle Up and Read. The organization encourages youth to achieve literacy excellence through equine activities. Caitlyn read one of her favorite books to students, "I Am Every Good Thing" written by Derrick Barnes.
Author and illustrator, Cece Bell, read "Bee-wigged" to students on Read Across America Day. Following the reading, she led an illustration lesson where students drew the book's main character. Cece is severely to profoundly deaf and uses listening and spoken language to communicate.
Advancing Clarke
Matching Gift Alert! This year your gift will go even further thanks to a challenge grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation.
The Bright Spot: Uplifting Stories from Our Community
"But in my box of crayons, black is a rainbow, too."
Prior to reading "Black is a Rainbow Color" by Angela Joy, Matthew, a Clarke preschool student, and his classmates shared the typical colors in the rainbow. The moving children's book and celebration of all things Black prompted students to talk about inclusion. Matthew shared a "heart" warming message with his impromptu illustration of a rainbow heart, including the color black!
Play On Philly's String Quartet Virtually Performs for Clarke Preschool Students
Clarke preschool students were treated to a virtual performance by Play On Philly's (POP) string quartet. Prior to the performance, POP students taught Clarke preschoolers about rhythm, tone and the different sounds instruments make.

Play On Philly provides high-quality music education to students, who would typically lack access, as a vehicle for life skills and academic achievements.
Celebrating World Read Aloud Day with "Billie Baha"
Billie, a Clarke preschooler who wears a Baha to help access sound, was delighted to virtually meet Jessica Jordan, the author of "The Adventures of Billie Baha and her Super HEARo Friends!" Billie is also the name of the book's main character.

On World Read Aloud Day, Jessica read to Billie and her classmates, sharing powerful themes of acceptance and inclusion.
Clarke Director Celebrates Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate and youngest-ever inaugural poet, reportedly was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder in kindergarten and has struggled with speech.

A Jacksonville morning show highlighted Clarke's work and hosted Alisa Demico, director of Clarke Florida, to share her expertise on auditory processing disorders and how children can overcome speech and language challenges with the right support.
Resources

  • Clarke Speaks Magazine: This digital-only 2020-2021 edition is mobile-friendly and features stories of perseverance, connection and giving.

  • Maintaining Language-Rich Environments at Home: We've assembled a list of LSL activities and resources to help maintain fun, language-rich environments at home. Check out #ClarkeLSLTip and #ClarkeAtHome posts on social media to follow along.
Join the Clarke Team!
Do you specialize in working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing? We're hiring in multiple locations!
Clarke Voices
"It's been an extremely difficult year for everyone, but the teachers continue to innovate ways to keep the children engaged in class. Although remote learning is especially difficult for young children, Clarke does a tremendous job reinforcing community and friendship. They have far exceeded our expectations during remote learning as well as in-person learning."
—Sharon, mother of a Clarke student
We close each issue of Clarke Connection with a special quote from a member of the Clarke community. To become the next featured Clarke Voice, send your quote to communications@clarkeschools.org 
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As an IRS qualified charity, gifts to Clarke are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Our Work. Our Reach. Your Role: New and increased donations will go even further thanks to a partial matching grant from a generous funder.

Since 1867, Clarke has provided children who are deaf or hard of hearing with the education needed to succeed in a hearing world. Clarke has evolved to best meet the needs of children and families today though our infant-toddler, virtual tVISIT, preschool, K-8, mainstream and summer programs, as well as through our hearing center, comprehensive educational evaluations and research and professional development.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech | 45 Round Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060
Voice 413.584.3450 | FAX 413.587.7318 | communications@clarkeschools.org  | clarkeschools.org