RSD K12 School Newsletter

K-12 School News

October 31, 2023

Greetings from Westervelt Hall!

Hello Families!

Our school year is in full swing with not only academic classes going strong, but also rich and vibrant extracurricular activities. Winter sports season are beginning, we have welcomed guest speakers and held assemblies for students, and several students have participated in field trips that provide hands-on learning. The Elementary winter play will be getting underway soon, and the performance is scheduled for December 14. With the holiday season right around the corner, there is sure to be several activities and lessons that allow for learning outside of the classroom. There are also plans being made for students to participate in Math Competition, Drone Teams, and advocacy opportunities in Albany and Washington D.C. in the spring. Just to name a few!

All of the enriching activities and opportunities that are offered to our students are due to our dedicated staff who plan, coordinate, and devote their time and energy to making them happen! RSD would not be the strong, well-rounded program it is for students if it were not for the amazing staff. As we begin the month of November, and the Thanksgiving season, I would like to express my admiration and appreciation for RSD’s dedicated and talented staff!

In future newsletter editions, there will be featured articles in which various staff share about the various programs and opportunities offered to students. We invite families to partner with us in supporting all of the ways we ensure that our students are provided with meaningful instruction and experiences. As you learn more about what RSD has to offer, please do not hesitate to ask how you can be involved to ensure the successful continuation of student programming.

Wishing you a Happy November!

Susan

Susan Q. Ogden, Principal

Announcements

DELTA SONIC FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT 2024 TAP TRIP TO EGYPT

We are thrilled to announce a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our TAP (Travel Abroad Program) students. 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.

We've partnered with Delta Sonic to bring you an exciting fundraiser that benefits our TAP students.

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

The Travel Abroad Program is a life-changing opportunity for students to gain a global perspective, expand their horizons, and immerse themselves in the culture and history of Egypt. RSD partners with Hands On Travel to provide an accessible and Deaf-friendly experience. It's an educational journey that broadens their understanding of the world and prepares them for a brighter future.

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

DELTA SONIC FUNDRAISER

DONATE TO RSD TRAVEL ABROAD

Saturday is Deaf Culture Awareness Day at Seneca Park Zoo

RSD is pleased to partner once again with the Zoo and NTID to celebrate Deaf Culture Awareness Day! We'll be adding 10 new ASL signs for animals with lenticular images and fingerspelling brought to you by RSD students!

ASL Storytime with ECC Teachers Jennifer Love and Emma V. Balderas will take place at 10:30am and 1pm on the small stage to the left, just after you enter. Please stop by and say hello!

Parent-Staff Association Meetings

The RSD Parent-Staff Association (PSA) meetings through the end of 2023 will be on November 13 and December 11... Mondays at 7:30-8:30pm in the Learning Resource Center (LRC). The meeting may also be attended by Zoom; the link is shared via email with families. An interpreter will be provided.

NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Food Pantry Open on Wednesday & Sunday

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 open Wednesdays 9am-12pm and Sundays 1-4pm. RSD families and staff are encouraged to make use of the pantry as needed. And please help us spread the word in the ROC Deaf community!

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

New Instagram Account for RSD

As you may have noticed, the RSD Instagram account was mistakenly deleted by Meta due to a suspected hacking incident. We are very disappointed to have lost all the great content (though it is all still on Facebook!), but we are back better than ever as...

@RSDwildcats

Please be sure to follow us and help us spread the word!

News & Notes

VOLLEYBALL TURNS IT ON AT ESDDA CHAMPIONSHIP

The RSD volleyball team was on fire this past weekend at the Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association Volleyball Tournament at the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf in New Jersey. They ended the Round-Robin with a 10-0 set record, with wins against Western Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and American. They had an amazing start in championship game, winning the first set. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep up the momentum and lost the last two sets to Marie Philip School for the Deaf, earning RSD second place in the ESDAA tournament. But, WOW!!!! What a run!

Kudos to Ashley Stuhlberg, Brooklyn Christensen, and Evangeline Fisher-Palmer for receiving All-Star honors!

Throughout the entire season, Coaches Raelyn Fuechtmann and Dawn Croasmun did an excellent job of teaching our student-athletes, and our players showed great improvement. We are looking forward to the next season and hope to continue to grow and develop as a team.

Go Wildcats!

SOCCER PLACES THIRD AT ESDAA TOURNAMENT

The RSD soccer team travelled to Rhode Island School for the Deaf for the ESDAA Soccer Tournament. RSD and New York State School for the Deaf faced off, competing for third place. RSD initially took the lead with a score of 2-0, but NYSSD managed to tie the game 2-2 by halftime. In the second half, RSD scored three more goals, securing their victory and taking home third place in the ESDAA Soccer Tournament. Thank you Coaches Liptiz and Evingham for your leadership!

2023 FOUNDERS' AWARDS

On October 25, at the Underwriters' Reception for Adventures in Education, Jerry Walter, President of RSD's Board of Directors, recognized four individuals for their contributions to RSD and Deaf education.

The Perkins Founder's Award honors individuals who have provided outstanding service to RSD and the Rochester Deaf community as a benefactor, volunteer, member of the Board, or community leader.

Mary Cook

Mary Cook was recognized for her extraordinary service to RSD as a physical education teacher, coach, leader, and friend and mentor to so many. Mary joined the RSD community in 1990, was appointed Athletic Director in 2005 and retired in 2020. Even after retiring, she stepped back in to support RSD as a substitute and Acting Athletic Director. With over 30 years of dedicated service, Mary leaves an enduring legacy of excellence at RSD, leading RSD's athletic program to national prominence and demonstrating unwavering commitment to the world of sports and education.

Amy Williams P'23

Amy Williams joined the RSD community as a parent in 2008 when her son Jack was 3 years old. She was recognized for her service to RSD as a leader, advocate, and extraordinary volunteer. Amy served as an officer of the PSA board and represented RSD to legislators as they negotiated the annual state budget. Amy became a true inspiration at RSD when she stepped into the role of River Ramble Coordinator, a position she held for over 10 years. She was a tireless champion, helping RSD to host a safe, fun, family-friendly event for the community. She even created the “Jack Pack,” a group of friends and family that supported Amy’s son Jack '23 and the RSD community. Together, Jack’s Pack raised over $15,000.

The Lyon Founder's Award honors individuals who has made exceptional professional contributions to the education of persons who are Deaf.

Dr. Joseph C. Hill

Dr. Joseph C. Hill is an Associate Professor in the Department of ASL and Interpreting Education at RIT/NTID, where he also serves as the Associate Director at the Center on Culture and Language and Assistant Dean for NTID Faculty Recruitment and Retention.

A noted scholar, Dr. Hill's research and outreach on the history and language of Black ASL has helped to preserve and celebrate this important part of American Deaf culture. He co-authored "The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure" and played a key role as an associate producer for the documentary "Signing Black in America."

Dr. Carolyn McCaskill

Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, an inspiring figure in the Deaf community, blazed a trail of integration and education. She recently retired as a Professor in the ASL and Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University, also serving as the Coordinator of the Deaf Studies Program. Dr. McCaskill's dedication to promoting multicultural awareness in the Deaf community and preserving Black Deaf history and culture led her to co-author the book/DVD "The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure." In 2020, Gallaudet announced the establishment of the Center of Black Deaf Studies with Dr. McCaskill as its founding director. Unfortunately, she was unable to join us for the ceremony.

ADVENTURES IN EDUCATION

Adventures in Education 2023 was extraordinarily powerful. Angela Maria Nardolillo, founder and president of Off-the-Grid Missions, joined us to discuss her organization's disaster response work around the world, bringing help and hope to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people in crisis in natural disasters and wars.

With our youngest students, she focused on the importance of clean water and light for communication, showing them how water filters and solar lights work. For older students, staff, and her public presentation, she discussed the way that Off-the-Grid Missions approaches this sensitive work, stepping into the gap to ensure that Deaf individuals and communities get the services they need in a crisis.

If you are unfamiliar with OTG's work, we invite you to learn more by following them on social media and visiting their website: www.offthegridmissions.org

SHINING THE LIGHT ON RSD

RSD families, friends, and staff rocked this one. It was a perfect fall evening to paint Westervelt Hall in light! Here are a few shots from the evening. Can't wait to see what we created together!!! Many thanks to all who came out and to RIT/NTID for shining a light on RSD.