RSD K12 School Newsletter - November/December 2023

K-12 School News

December 8, 2023

Greetings from Westervelt Hall!

Hello Families!

As the year comes to a close and we prepare to embark on a well-deserved break, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt holiday wishes to each and every one of you. The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the joy of spending precious moments with loved ones. May the warmth of the season fill your homes with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Let this holiday season be a time of relaxation, rejuvenation, and the renewal of your spirits.

Looking ahead to the new year, I am excited about the opportunities and successes that await us. Together, we will continue to nurture a positive and engaging learning environment for our students, fostering growth and academic excellence.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. Your partnership is invaluable, and I am confident that the coming year will bring even more reasons to celebrate and be proud of our RSD family.

Here's to a wonderful break and a fantastic start to the new year!

Susan

Susan Q. Ogden, Principal

RIT vs GALLAUDET

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Harold J. Brodie Classic @RIT

TONIGHT!!!! FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 6pm

Announcements

New Leadership for RSD Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has elected a new Executive Committee for 2023-2025:

M. Tim Albert, President

Lori A. DeWindt, Vice President

Justin Alexander, Treasurer

Byron Behm, Secretary

About the Board:

Member List

Role of the Board

Delta Sonic Fundraiser Continues

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing enriching educational experiences, we're organizing a Delta Sonic Fundraiser to support our students' upcoming journey to Egypt this spring.

Purchase car wash tickets through THIS WEBSITE and 50% of all sales will go directly toward funding our students' trip.

If you prefer, you can make a direct donation to our TAP program through this donation form.

Rochester Deaf Events

We share select community events here, typically the ones that RSD is most directly involved with. To get a broader perspective on Deaf events in the community and events with ASL performances, follow @Deaf Events - Rochester on Facebook.

Parent-Staff Association Meetings

The last RSD Parent-Staff Association (PSA) meeting of 2023 will be on December 11, with a presentation from Zach Ennis about the Rochester Deaf Kitchen Pantry... Monday at 7:30-8:30 PM in the Learning Resource Center (LRC). The meeting may also be attended by Zoom; the link is shared via email with families and staff. An interpreter will be provided.

NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, December 11

Food Pantry Open on Wednesdays & Sundays

The Rochester Deaf Kitchen Food Pantry is OPEN and thriving. They have served over 1650 people since opening in September. Last week they received 3,000 pounds of food and personal care items! They are located at RSD in Galloway Hall (use entrance/lot A) and are open on Wednesdays from 9-11am and Sundays from 1-4pm. RSD families and staff are encouraged to make use of the pantry as needed. Please also help us spread the word in the ROC Deaf community!

To follow and/or support the pantry, check them out on Facebook & Instagram.

News & Notes

FEATURED BULLETIN BOARD

RSD's bulletin boards are truly amazing! They show off the creativity of students and staff and demonstrate pride, values, and perspectives. We'll be sharing one each issue to give you a feel for images and messages that are a part of our students' lives at RSD.

Here we are kicking off winter with Ms. Emily's Kindergarten class board. She worked with her students on all aspects of planning and creating this beautiful bulletin board outside of their classroom.

SHINING THE LIGHT PHOTO PRESENTED

RSD parent Andrea Zuchegno presented the RIT/NTID Shining the Light photo of Westervelt Hall to Principal Susan Ogden and Director of Student Life Carrie Fisher-Malley. It's a stunning image. Many thanks to all involved for helping us to shine the light on our beautiful campus.

RSD STUDENTS LEARN AS THEY BUILD GAGA PIT

Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports, administered by The Community Fund, as well as the hard work of the high school Post-Secondary Preparation class, RSD has added a Ga-Ga pit to the recreation area on campus. Ga-Ga ball is a fast-paced game played in the round that is inclusive, social, and suitable for all ages and abilities.

Students worked with teacher Isaiah Tyler over the course of several weeks this fall to build the pit, learning about work safety, project management, goal setting, and working in a collaborative environment. Thank you, JD, Dalia, Isolde, Val, Dominic, and Braulio for making this lasting contribution to the RSD campus.

BASKETBALL SEASON IS HERE... COME SUPPORT RSD AT A HOME GAME!

Follow RSD Athletics on Facebook! Schedule updates are posted there too!

DECEMBER HOME GAMES

Varsity

Tuesday, December 19 vs Rapids, Girls 4pm, Boys 5:30pm

Middle School

Tuesday, December 12 vs Rapids1, Girls 4pm, Boys 5:30pm

Thursday, December 14 vs Destiny, Girls 4pm, Boys 5:30pm

ONALEE COOPER '55 SHARES HER STORY

In celebration of Indigenous People's Heritage Month in November, we were privileged to host RSD graduate Onalee Cooper '55 for a visit. She shared her inspiring journey of rediscovering her Tuscarora heritage later in life.

At the tender age of three, Onalee joined the RSD family after losing her hearing to meningitis. She wholeheartedly embraced Deaf culture and community. It was in her retirement at age 55, after a career at Kodak, that Onalee embarked on an exploration of her history, culture, and connections as a member of the Bear Clan.

Through her journey, she uncovered the incredible legacy of her father, Chief Loud Voice, founder of the Indian Defense League of America and a tireless advocate for Indigenous rights.

Many thanks to RSD Board President Tim Albert for making the connection and bringing Onalee back to campus.