Community Newsletter
June 20, 2022
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IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Peter Bailey,
Head of School
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Update from PSD as of January 18, 2022
Masks in public spaces and when people cannot maintain social distancing are required. PSD will limit access for any nonessential visitors or volunteers, and cancel activities involving external groups or organizations until further notice.
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Special Announcements from the
Board of Trustees
Today, PSD’s Board of Trustees shared their unanimous decision to name Melissa Draganac-Hawk, PSD’s current Director of Student Affairs and a lifelong educator, as Interim Head of School for a two-year term beginning on July 1, 2023.
“I am excited to take on these new responsibilities, and to continue upholding PSD’s long tradition of excellence in Deaf education,” states Melissa Draganac-Hawk. “ I look forward to working with Peter, the Board of Trustees, and PSD’s tight-knit community of students, families, staff, alumni and partners to build upon the great strides we have made over the past six years.”
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank the Search Committee for their hard work, and to salute them for their excellent outcome. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Melissa to her new role.
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The PSD Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Mr. Roger Brush joined the Board in June 2022. Roger Brush is currently the President and Managing Director of Gibraltar Real Estate Capital. He previously worked at Toll Brothers and was also an attorney at Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg and Ellers law firm. His brother graduated from PSD in 1977. Roger received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law.
Peggy Steele, Chair of the Board, stated, "We are very pleased to add such a distinguished and talented member to our Board! We look forward to working with Roger."
On behalf of the entire PSD community, the Board extends a warm welcome to Mr. Brush.
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PSD congratulates our #Classof2022 Seniors! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and cannot wait to see all that you accomplish after graduation. Please join us in celebrating this year’s #Classof2022 Seniors - they showed true PSD pride, strength, and determination.
We could not be more proud!
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Pride Month
is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village in New York City, which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the U.S. PSD celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQIA+) in our community and nationwide. We believe that all students and staff deserve to feel welcomed, safe, and respected. This flag includes black and brown stripes representing people of color and pink, white, and blue stripes representing the trans community. We are always learning from our students, staff, families, and community. PSD welcomes everyone. Please join us in Celebrating Pride!
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Juneteenth
Celebrate Freedom
On Monday, June 20, In honor of Juneteeth, PSD's offices will be closed as our school stands in the spirit of solidarity with our Black students, staff, and alumni. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans on June 19, 1865, although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued two years earlier. In the U.S., 49 states, including Washington, D.C, recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, and it is celebrated annually in various communities across the country.
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CONGRATULATIONS PSD!!
Our 10th Year as a
No Place for Hate School
As part of our participation in the No Place for Hate Campaign, PSD works with students on projects that demonstrate and reinforce our commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable school environment that combates bias & bullying, and promotes kindness & understanding.
This year's projects, driven by the students and were about understanding IDENTITY: The qualities, characteristics and beliefs that make a person who they are.
Our projects explored Individual Identity, LGBTQ+ Identity and Transgender Identity. Each project was coordinated by the Student Development Team Counselors working with the principals, teachers and staff, and involved presentations on language, meanings, etiquette, history, story telling and supported by other activities to the learning modules.
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Welcome Back Family BBQ & Art Show!
On May 26, PSD hosted our Family BBQ and Art Show, one of our favorite traditions, where students display their artwork for families and friends. This was one of our most well-attended art shows in recent years, with families, students, and teachers connecting to share their appreciation for students' creations. First our PSD community enjoyed delicious BBQ time to socialize, followed by a showing of beautiful student pieces including sculptures, ceramics, sketches, and paintings. Students, staff and families also enjoyed creative station make-and-take crafts, free story book give-aways, face painting and playground games. Fun for everyone!!
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PSD Celebrated the 202nd Birthday with an In-person Campus Event & Opened the 1984 Time Capsule
On Wednesday, April 20 the entire campus came together to celebrate PSD's 202nd birthday for our first in-person schoolwide event since March of 2020! PSD's official anniversary date is April 12, 1820.
The celebration also featured opening the contents from the 1984 Time Capsule created by students from the Mt. Airy campus. The opening had been postponed due to COVID from the 200th birthday in 2020. The contents included pictures, letters, t-shirts and other memorabilia from the students. The artifacts will be photographed, cataloged and prepared for display at the PSD museum.
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Join the PSD Community
as a Volunteer!
The PSD Volunteer Program is ready to welcome new and re-connect with previous volunteers! Join or re-join our team to support the programs and activities of the school. Volunteer opportunities include support in classrooms (pre school through high school), in student service departments (speech, physical therapy, etc.), the library, Family Resource Center, special projects, community events, and more. Applications and PA State clearances are required. Flexible schedules. American Sign Language (ASL) skills a plus!
Contact Karen Leslie-Henry, Coordinator of Community Relations at klesliehenry@psd.org for more information and to request an application.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES
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What does ‘Deaf Interpreter’ Mean to You?
The Deaf Interpreting Committee of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) would like to know more about how the community views Deaf Interpreting. Specifically, we are interested in your views of Deaf Interpreting including different related aspects such as if you have: used a Deaf Interpreter, trained/educated a Deaf Interpreter, employed a Deaf Interpreter, worked as a Deaf Interpreter, or tried to become a Deaf Interpreter. We appreciate you sharing your input. Thank you for your time!
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Irish Classical Theatre Company
625 Main Street - Buffalo NY 14203
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ASL Interpreted and Open Captioned Performance:* Wed, June 22
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted & Open Captioned Performances:
ASL interpreters are located near the stage to give the best sightlines to follow the interpretation and action on stage.
An LED captioning sign displays the dialogue and any other audio portion of the production in text form in sync with the performance.
One signed and Captioned performance will be offered
for each of ICTC’s 2021-2022 regular Season productions. *Dates subject to change
To reserve seating in view of the ASL interpreters and captioning signage, please contact ICTC’s Box Office at 716-853-4282 (voice), or email BoxOffice@irishclassical.com.
Irish Classical Theatre Company’s ASL interpreted and open captioned performances of The Onion Game are made possible by the TAP-Plus Accessibility Grant awarded by the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts.
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OPEN NOW: Deaf Centered National Caregiver Course
Gallaudet University's Center for Continuing and Online Education, in collaboration with the American Caregiver Association, is proud to announce the launch of the newest offering, PST-93 Deaf Centered National Caregiver Course. This course is designed specifically for Deaf caregivers and those providing caregiving services to Deaf senior citizens. The information presented will be both in written English and ASL.
They have sessions available this summer to fit your scheduling needs:
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PST 93-OL3 July 11th to August 8th
- PST 93-OL4 July 18th to August 15th
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2022
at
The Variety Club Camp,
2950 Potshop Rd, Worcester, PA 19490
The gates will open at 12noon.
The event ends at 8pm. No guest will be admitted after 7pm
This is an outdoor event. We will have water at no cost, and food and beverages for purchase. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and if you plan to use the pool, appropriate attire. Activities include a magic show in the outdoor theatre, food, beverages, an air-conditioned meeting room for table games like cards, a pool with secure changing rooms, outdoor sports, a playground, arts and crafts and more!
TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THE DAY OF THE EVENT!!!
To help us make this event successful and volunteer: VOLUNTEER!
Are you interested in having a table in our exhibition hall? Please contact Ken: kwesler@dhcc.org Phone: 484-471-3001
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Igor Khmil
Deaf Advocacy/Administrative Assistant/Independence Living
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-4:30PM
Liberty Resources Inc
112 N. 8th Street, Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA 19107
VP: 267-507-1178, Voice Phone: 215-634-2000 Ext. 201, Fax: 215-634-6195
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Father Sean Loomis is the Chaplain for the Deaf Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He has given retreats throughout the US and Canada. Join other Deaf men for this weekend retreat at the beach at the beautiful Redemptorist Retreat Center. See the website for more information and directions at www.sanalfonsoretreats.org. For those at a distance – you can fly into Philadelphia or Newark airport.
On Friday, July 22nd, registration at the Retreat Center starts after 4:00 pm; dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and the retreat begins at 7:30 pm. The cost is $260.00 per person for the whole weekend including 6 meals. A $50.00 per person NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is REQUIRED to register.
The deadline for registration is June 1, 2022.
Please reserve your place by making your down payment ASAP because rooms could be filled before the deadline.
To make your reservation, FIRST: please email Larry Hampel, at plhampel@comcast.net or Sr. Kathleen Schipani at sr.kschipani@archphila.org. SECOND: reserve your room by using this link: https://www.sanalfonsoretreats.org/79 . Scroll down to Men’s Retreat, click Register on Line. Be sure to indicate the July 22 retreat date / Deaf Apostolate. Once you complete the registration you will be asked to pay the down payment or pay in full on line.
STEPS TO REGISTER:
1. Contact Sr. Kathleen or Larry Hampel (info above)
3. Contact Larry Hampel or Sr. Kathleen if you have questions or cannot register on line.
Men from ICDA Chapter # 8 have supported this retreat for 77 years. This is the 78th Deaf Men’s Retreat.
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No fare needed for any child under 12 to ride SEPTA. Get updates to scheduled routes and bus shelters by following us @readby4th and #ReadingPromise.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Camps & Programs!
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Summer Camps Return to Campus in 2022!
Youth (grades 4-12) can spend their summer on RIT's campus.
Programs include robotics, cybersecurity, and sports camps.
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SUMMER ACADEMY
for High School Students who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
The Summer Academy is a two-week program for high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing and preparing for entry into post-secondary education leading to competitive integrated employment. Held in-person at the Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI) at the Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) in Johnstown, PA, the program is available to students who are OVR customers and who are deaf or hard of hearing and enrolled in grades 10 through 12 in Pennsylvania.
For more information about the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (OVR’s) services, please visit OVR’s office directory (https://bit.ly/3opkQbg)
or use the QR code below to access the contact information for the district office nearest you.
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EMERGENCY & SAFETY RESOURCES
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Philadelphia Police Department ADA Registration form
Individuals with a disability or medical condition may need accommodations from emergency responders. To prepare for an emergency, you can tell the Philadelphia Police Department about members of your household who might need extra help.
You should update and resubmit your information for the 911 program every two years. The form can be turned in to your local police district.
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Text-to-911
Text-to-911 is a service that allows the public to send a text message to 911. Just as in a voice call, the 911 telecommunicator will continue to ask more questions about your emergency – confirming your location, the people involved, and any other details that are important to responders. Typing questions and answers back and forth with a 911 telecommunicator takes a considerable amount of time, so please be patient and be as clear and concise as possible with your answers. For this reason, a voice call is preferred.
For more information on how to useText-to-911 click here
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Call the City’s 24-hour Violence Prevention Hotline
Philadelphians can now dial 2-1-1 to get access to resources and services for violence prevention in the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
To use the hotline, callers can dial “2-1-1” to be directed to a
2-1-1 main menu. Callers should then press “3” to be put in touch with a Resource Navigator. This Resource Navigator quickly gathers information from the caller to refer or connect the caller to the resources they need.
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In Philadelphia, residents can call 311 to request alarms from the Fire Department.
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Connect with Tech
gives free tablets and tech support to people who have trouble getting technology and health care services.
Do you live in Pennsylvania and need a computer or tablet? You might be able to get a free tablet. CLICK HERE for more information or call 215-204-0101.
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DeafCAN! provides services to Deaf, DeafBlind, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing individuals and their families living in Southeastern PA. |
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Consider a gift today to support the important work
we do for our students.
United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714
Thank You!
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Please forward comments and announcements for posting considerations to:
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Content Disclaimer
The information contained in the e-newsletter is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the newsletter or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the e-newsletter for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this e-newsletter. Through this e-newsletter you are able to link to other websites that are not under the control of PSD. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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