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ASD WEEKLY


November 17, 2023

Cute Elementary Moments

(see story below)

In This Issue

From the Executive Director

Community Flyers Link

Waving Hands

Mountaineers Scott & Shayna

High School PBIS

Wolfpack Game

Cute Elementary Moments

Business Office Reminder: Thanksgiving Week Payroll

Favorite Macy's Parade Float

Gift Cards Requested for Families in Need

Clothing Donation Request

Athletics and Afterschool Update

HR Corner: ASD Job Openings

ESY Teacher Application

USJ Special Education Programs Starting in Spring

Academic Hub Newsletter Update

Cinepolis Open Caption Film: The Marvels 11.19

Husky Dog Still Needs Home!

ASL Climbing Meetup 11.17

Please Return Plates & Utensils

ASL Private Tutor Request

Employee Vaccination Clinic 12.1

Soaring with Kindness

Garden Needs

STEM Needs

Autism Program Needs

ASD Workers' Comp Corner

Big East Classic Seeking Volunteers 12.1-12.2

Microsoft Teams Sign Language View

Business Office Reminder

Snow Removal Help Needed

Cafeteria Reminder

Health & Safety: Committee Members Needed

Looking to Learn or Teach ASL?

Need Food & Drink Containers

School Year Calendar updated 10.17

Anonymous Alerts

Emergency Communication

ASD Mission & Vision

ASD Diversity & Inclusion

ASD Non-Discrimination

Clause

From the Executive Director

Connecticut Children's Gala – ASD was proud to support the 2023 CT Children’s Gala this past Saturday, November 11th as the ASL Interpreter Sponsor. Thank you to our amazing team of interpreters, Heidi Catalan, Christina Stevens, and Marie Langill for providing communication access to all guests during this event!

 

Lion’s Club DinnerThis past Monday, ASD welcomed 150 members of the Lions Clubs of District 23B for a dinner celebrating their support over the years. Since 1982, the Lions have together contributed nearly $400,000 to ASD, which has supported our various programs. This year, the dinner raised $9,000. We continue to be grateful to the Lions!

  

Interviews with WTNH & Fox 61This week, I participated in live interviews on WTNH and Fox 61 to share information about our current work as part of the ARPA community grant to break down communication barriers in education and healthcare for Connecticut’s deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind communities – to be sure that no one is ever “lost in translation.” Link to Fox 61 segment here. WTNH link coming soon!


Staff Holiday Party – This year, we will be observing the season differently than we have in the past. Rather than setting aside one evening for a large party, we are going to distribute the funds that would have been spent on that party to each department, and give each department the opportunity to choose how they would like to celebrate. Some may decide to go out for a nice meal together or purchase something for the team. Others may wish to donate the funds to the Giving Hand or a cause of their choice. The Business Office is sharing information with each department about the funds available for your team. It is our sincere hope that these smaller celebrations will be both fun and meaningful for all!


CT Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Holiday Brunch – ASD will be hosting this holiday brunch on December 3, 2023 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in our VCC. Registration deadline is 11.20.2023! Please text questions to Alice Bianco at: 203.695.4096. Click here for flyer.

 

Thanksgiving Holiday – I hope everyone has a nice break next weekend and spends time with their families, friends and loved ones!

ASD Calendar



11/20/2023 – PBIS, MS at 10:16 am & Elementary at 10:35 am, Cafeteria

11/23 - 11/24/2023 – HOLIDAY for all: Thanksgiving

12/1/2023 – Employee Vaccination Clinic, 1:00-6:00 pm, GCEC 213

12/1 - 12/2/2023 – Big East Classic at ASD

12/3/2023 – Gallaudet Alumni Brunch, 11:00 am-3:00 pm, VCC

12/13/2023 – Three Ghosts and a School Athlete, 7:00 pm, VCC

12/14 & 12/15/2023 – DEI PD Training with Andrea Hawkins

12/18 - 12/29/2023 – Winter Break

12/22, 12/25 & 12/26/2023 – HOLIDAY for all: Christmas

4/26/2024 – Founders' Day

Community Events Link

COMMUNITY FLYERS

For all the latest flyers and announcements about Community Events, please click here!

Waving Hands

I would like to commend Lori Coughlin for her compassion, endless effort, and dedication to the Open House. Her ongoing communication with families immensely contributed to the amazingly large number of families who showed up on the Open House day! She also assisted with the setup and remained available throughout the morning with a warm welcome! In addition to this, Lori stepped up on Monday November 13th in case of the Principal's absence and streamlined the relevant process of starting the day with special speakers, Scott and Shayna. Thank you, Lori, for being an amazing Administrative Assistant and team player!  



Jennifer Labriola-Megee

Principal

Thank you Maria Jacovino for a wonderful 2023 book fair! Mason was so happy to see his favorite book (Clifford the Big Red Dog) on the side of the truck on campus coming to collect the book fair. 

Lauren Cichon 

Speech Language Pathologist Assistant 

Deaf Mountaineers Scott & Shayna Visit ASD

ASD students were captivated by tales from Scott and Shayna who set records as Deaf Americans climbing Mount Everest. The pair explained their training regimen, how one eats, sleeps, and uses the bathroom on a remote mountain, and the challenges they overcame climbing the world's tallest mountain. Students had the opportunity to participate in the presentation and try on their gear.


From their website: Scott and Shayna, both born profoundly deaf, have climbed some of the world’s highest mountains, like Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, Mont Blanc and Matterhorn. Scott and Shayna picked up skills mostly by YouTube videos and asking others through paper and pen because of the lack of accessibility in outdoor education. They have made it their mission of bridging the gap between the outdoors and the deaf and hard of hearing community.



To learn more about Scott and Shayna, visit their website here.


Dr. Christa Bolen-Lange

Assistant Principal

High School PBIS Awards

Congratulations to all of our PBIS award recipients!

Student of the Quarter (above)

Perfect Attendance (above)

PAH! Remarkable Effort (above)

Outstanding Attendance (above)

Most Improved (above)

Prize Table (above)

Wolfpack Game

Laurelanne Kilby's, Denise Nitko's and Heather Fronczek's classes went to the School Day Hartford Wolf Pack game this past Wednesday. This was a Community Based learning opportunity for the classes. Laurelanne's and Heather's classes planned a menu, shopped and packed their own lunches while some of Denise's class brought their own food and others used their own money to purchase food at the venue. The classes also worked on their map skills and reading environmental print to locate their seats at the XL center. The Wolf Pack was playing against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Everyone had a great time watching the game and rooting for the home team which won 5 to 1 against the Thunderbirds! I am so impressed with how the students showed RRS (Respectful, Responsible and Safe) while out on the trip. 

Heather Fronczek

Cute Elementary Moments

This week we had some cute moments in elementary school that I wanted to share! On Wednesday in advisor group, Arelis showed off her photography skills and got all her friends to be her models. On Thursday, Kaycee had all girls in her class, and they decided to get cozy for morning meeting. These kids make all the challenges of the job worth it!

Leila Gallupe, CCC-SLP

Business Office Reminder:

Thanksgiving Week Payroll

Thanksgiving Week Payroll



Just a friendly reminder, that next week is Thanksgiving. As we are off Thursday and Friday, I have to submit payroll by 2:30 Monday November 20th to ensure money is available to our staff Friday morning. Please make sure that timecards and ADP e-time are signed off by

9:30 am Monday November 20th, 2023.


Any timesheets not received by that time will be processed on the December 8, 2023 payroll. 


Thank you,

Angela Paydos

Controller

Favorite Macy's Thanksgiving Dy Parade Float

My class has been learning about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this week. Students watched the best floats from the Macy's parade (see photo). Their favorite was snoopy!

Laurelanne Kilby

Gift Cards Requested for Families in Need

ASD will be collecting grocery store or Visa gift cards to distribute to ASD Families in need for Thanksgiving. Please consider making a donation to help our families who may be struggling this time of year. Cash or checks will also be accepted. Please make checks payable to ASD, with 'Giving Hand' in the memo line. Please contact Stephanie McClellan or Betsy Denorfia if you have any questions. The gift cards should be in by November 17th so they can be sent home to the families. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

Betsy Denorfia

Senior Administrative Assistant Family Education Services (FES)/Birth to Three

Clothing Donation Request

Untitled Design

The Student Health Center (SHC) is looking for clothing donations in the following sizes:


  • Youth Girls (ages 2-8) shirts and stretch waist pants
  • Youth Boys (ages 2-8) shirts and stretch waist pants
  • Adult Unisex S-2X-tops and bottoms, stretch waist


Donations can be dropped off at the Student Health Center. Thank you in advance! 

Kelli Gilbert, RN BSN

Director of Health Services 

Athletics and Afterschool Update

Welcome Our New Cheerleading Head Coach!

Girls Volleyball Fundraiser

'A Season of Giving': We will be selling candles and gift wrap to raise funds for our team. Preview of items in flyer above. Orders will be taken from now until November 21st and distributed before Christmas break. Thank you for your support!


-Girls Volleyball Team

Three Ghosts and a School Athlete


The ASD Drama Club will present "Three Ghosts and a School Athlete" on December 13th, 2023. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. The show is open to the public, invite your friends! Admission is free and donations are appreciated.

Christopher DiSanto

Athletic and Afterschool Program Director

HR Corner: ASD Job Openings

Check out the following job openings on the ASD Career Center!


Located on the Employment page of the ASD Website.


Reminder: ASD offers a sign-on bonus for new employees as well as a referral bonus for staff who personally refer a new hire. 


************

Communication Department Coordinator (Audiology)

Camp Director Isola Bella – 2024

Reading Specialist

OT / PT Department Coordinator

Per Diem Registered Nurse

Driver (CDL with V Endorsement Required) 

ASL Interpreters

Residential Counselors – Weekend Day

Senior Administrative Assistant

Dean of Students – Weekdays & Weekend

Winter Coaching Positions:

Cheerleading Assistant Coach

Part-time Receptionist, Afternoons 

Birth to Three Providers

Teacher 


For more information on any of these positions please visit the ASD Website


Gwynne Deveau

Human Resources Manager

ESY Teacher Application

ESY teacher application deadline is March 28, 2024! If you are interested in working for ESY, please fill out and submit your form to my attention at GCEC 101, NOT Human Resources. Letter below is also a link to the form. Thank you.

Darlene Borsotti

Senior Administrative Assistant  

USJ Special Education Programs

Online Information Sessions:

 

M.A. in Advanced Teaching in Special Education (Cross-Endorsement)

Tuesday, November 14th @ 5:00 PM

Click here to RSVP for Zoom

 

M.A. in Special Education with a Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities

Wednesday, November 15th @ 6:00 PM

Click here to RSVP for Zoom

 

M.A. in Special Education with a focus on Autism and Neurodiverse Learners

Thursday, November 16th @ 7:00 PM

Click here to RSVP for Zoom


Program Highlights

  • 30 credit hours, two-year completion time
  • Online synchronous forma offers engaging, interactive learning experiences
  • Reduced tuition rate is guaranteed throughout the program
  • Designed for full-time professional educators

 

NOTICE: The university strictly limits enrollment in each program to 18 students and accepts reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.


For more information, please call (860) 222-0682, visit our information meeting page, or email twarmelink@graduateprogram.org


Jennifer Labriola-Megee

Principal

Academic Hub Newsletter Update

Academic Hub has implemented a new newsletter subscription called SMORE. It is replacing the weekly Google newsletter that we have used in the past. SMORE newsletter is where you can find relevant information and important student event details. It also offers a shortcut to the sites where you can immediately navigate and access information. So far, a total of four SMORE newsletters have been sent out since the start of this school year. If you have not seen one yet, please check your junk-email folder. If still no luck, please see one of the Academic Hub members. See the newsletter images above which may help you to find them in your emails. 


Jennifer Labriola-Megee

Principal

Open Caption Film at Cinepolis:

The Marvels 11.19

Cinepolis Theater in Blue Back Square is offering Open Caption films every week.

The next will be: The Marvels (rated PG-13) this Sunday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Husky Dog Still Needs Home!

Husky dog looking for a forever and safe home. Two years old, vaccinated and spayed. Need information or have questions? Please call or text Karim @ 917-463-6585.

 

Thank you,

Angel

ASL Climbing Meetup 11.17

I will be volunteering at the ASL Climbing Meetup as a belayer. It is at the City Climb Gym, owned by Erin Dest, a previous ASD teacher, at 342 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511. The date and time of the event is 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, November 17th. A day pass is $12 and $5 for rental gear. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. Come join us!


Billy Narvaez

School Psychologist

Please Return Plates & Utensils to Cafeteria!


Please check your offices, classrooms, dorms etc. for any plates, cups, and utensils that may have inadvertently wandered away from the cafeteria! This creates an additional expense for us when we have to order more due to dinnerware going missing.


Thank you for your help!


ASL Private Tutor Request

ASL Private Tutor Request for stroke victim. We are looking for someone to teach a stroke victim and his family sign language with basic life words like emotions, necessities like bathroom, hungry, thirsty, that sort of thing - because the stroke victim cannot speak and he is 80 years old, it is really frustrating for him and the family to try to communicate even the basics. This would be at the family home in Farmington - once per week or maybe twice per week to begin with. And duration would be until they get to a point where he is less frustrated!


The family is not quite ready yet, but we are trying to get someone lined up for about a month from now or so.


Please email Deb Vennos or contact her by phone at: 860.796.1119

Employee Vaccination Clinic 12.1

Employee Vaccination Clinic

Vaccines Provided: COVID and Flu

When: 12/1/2023

Where: GCEC Room 213

Time: 1 PM-6 PM

Appointment Needed: Yes! Click here to register.

ASD will be sponsoring a COVID and Flu vaccination clinic for all employees on 12/1/2023 from 1 PM-6 PM. Vaccines will be provided by CVS and will be given in GCEC Room 213 from 1-6 PM. You must register for an appointment time online by using this link. Please wear a short sleeve shirt on vaccination day and bring your insurance card. Any questions, please let me know. Hope this helps in keeping us all healthy this season!

Kelli Gilbert, RN BSN

Director of Health Services 

Soaring with Kindness

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the season to be grateful, the Student Health Center is launching a bulletin board project called “Happy Kindgiving! Soaring into kindness.” The project involves creating a set of wings created by individual 'feathers' where students and staff in our ASD community draw a picture or write a word/sentence about kindness at ASD on a feather. We would love for as many students and staff to participate as possible. Project bags are available from the Student Health Center and will be delivered to your classroom next week. In the project bag, you will find an individual feather for each person to complete. Staff can assist students in completing their feather. All staff are also welcome to complete a feather! Extra materials will be kept in the staff room, first floor GCEC and in Liz Citron’s office for PACES. Photo in this story is an example of what we hope to achieve! 


Kelli Gilbert, RN BSN

Director of Health Services 

Gardening Needs: Lawn & Leaf Bags

Horticulture classes still need your help!

 

When you rake your leaves, please don’t put them out on the curb. Bring the bags of leaves and mulch to ASD! We will use them to build soil and add nutrients to next year’s gardens.

 

Inform Anne Nutt and she will let you know where to drop off your “garden gifts." If you have seeds to share, we’ll take them too! We can also use worn but safe and functional garden benches, bird baths, large planters, trellises, etc. to add to the student gardens and sensory garden.

 

Remember - the gardens (in the front lawn, by Clerc’s statue, near the Museum, and by the clock tower) are for EVERYONE!! Go visit and find some joy!

Anne Nutt

Horticulture Teacher

STEM Needs: Cardboard Box Tops

We are need of cardboard ream box tops for our Middle School Tiger STEM Challenge.



Email Jean Orientale with any questions or to drop off box tops

Autism Program Needs: Recyclables

Our Autism Program is collecting recyclable cans, bottles, and glass. Please save for our classes and send an email to Amy Ronkese or Susan Breen for more info or to arrange pickup (we can pick up from your rooms).

Thank you!

ASD Workers' Comp Corner

So you’ve gotten hurt on the job. Now what?!

Well, first you let your supervisor know what happened, and then you report your injury to HR via the Worker's Compensation Claim Reporting Form or by scanning the QR code with your phone. Then go get medical attention if you need it!


**If you sustained a head injury YOU MUST GO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION! No ifs, ands, or buts. And someone else must drive you, you are not allowed to drive yourself with a head injury. Safety First!**


You may go to any Concentra location, the Occupational Health department at Hartford Healthcare at 445 South Main Street, or any emergency room. The information for these locations is on the Reporting Form.


Help us help you not get hurt at work! If you see another staff member struggling or possibly in an unsafe situation, get help or help them yourself if you have the appropriate training! Workers’ Comp affects everyone, not just the injured employee. We want everyone at ASD to feel safe and supported so please help out!


Note: If your personal property was damaged during the injury (e.g. a student smashed your glasses), please complete an Incident Report documenting the incident and what was broken and bring the receipt for the replacement of the property to HR. We will review and reimburse your broken property if it’s been properly documented or proven to have happened in the course of your normal duty.


If you ever have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact me, Sophia Lanza, your Benefits Administrator! I can be reached via email, by VP (860) 956-3910, by desk phone at ext. 305, or by cell/Facetime (860) 987-2715

Sophia Lanza

Benefits Administrator

Big East Classic Basketball Tournament Seeking Volunteers for 12.1 & 12.2

ASD to Host Big East Classic, December 1st & 2nd


The Big East Classic Tournament 2023, will be held at ASD December 1st and 2nd and we are seeking volunteers to help make this a fun, safe and successful event for all. Guests joining our ASD Tigers on campus will be Lexington School for the Deaf, Marie Philip School for the Deaf, New York School for the Deaf and our amazing fans! 


Available Volunteer positions:


  1. Crowd Control
  2. Locker Room Control
  3. Admissions
  4. Tiger Den Concession Sales
  5. Game Clock Keeper
  6. Game Floor Manager
  7. Team Meals Supervisor
  8. Social Night Supervisor


Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot on SignUp Genius or email Alexandra Daly, Big East Classic Chairperson,

or Christopher DiSanto, Athletic Director, with any questions.

Microsoft Teams Sign Language View

Sign Language View is a meeting experience in Microsoft Teams on Windows, Mac, and web that helps signers – people who are deaf or hard of hearing, sign language interpreters, and others who use sign language – keep one another prioritized in a consistent on-screen location throughout every meeting.



Sign Language View provides a more predictable, static meeting experience that allows users to prioritize up to two other signers’ video streams for placement on center stage. When Sign Language View is enabled, the prioritized video streams appear at the right aspect ratio and at the highest available quality. You can enable Sign Language View either on the fly during a meeting or as a setting that persists across all your calls.


Click here to learn more about Microsoft Teams Sign Language View.


Randy D'Angelo

Director of Operations

Snow Removal Help Needed

Randy D’Angelo

Director of Operations

Cafeteria Reminder

Due to excess traffic in the dining room during classroom instruction and activity time, access to the kitchen and dining room will be limited to the following times starting 10/2/23:

 

  • Sunday/Saturday & Holidays
  • Breakfast: 9am – 10am
  • Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
  • Dinner: 4:45pm – 6pm (open early for PACES Supergroup)
  • Monday-Thursday
  • Breakfast: 7:45am – 9am
  • Lunch: 11:15am – 1:45pm
  • Dinner: 5:15pm – 6:30pm (open early for PACES Supergroup)
  • Friday
  • Breakfast: 7:45am – 9am
  • Lunch: 11:15am – 1:45pm
  • Dinner: 4:45pm – 6pm (open early for PACES Supergroup)

 

Access to the dining room will NOT be changed for the following groups: Nursing, Deans, Student Life Directors, ELT, Student Services Coordinators, Academic Hub, Security, and Plant Ops.


If anyone has any needs outside of the times listed above, please feel free to reach out us so we can assist you in those respects and requests. Kindly remember, anything requested that is outside of meals or the service program will need ELT approval. Again, we will begin these access times starting 10/2/23. Please reach out with any questions or concerns--thank you!

 

Chris Brozak

General Manager

Health and Safety Committee Members Needed

We are actively seeking staff who would like to join ASD's Health and Safety committee. These meetings play a pivotal role in upholding a secure and healthy environment. Our committee convenes on a quarterly basis, with exact dates and timings yet to be determined. If you're eager to contribute, please send me an email. Thank you!


Randy D’Angelo

Director of Operations

Looking to Learn or Teach ASL?

Looking to learn ASL? Please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM.


Anyone interested in teaching staff classes, or Community Sign language Classes, please see Krystal Sonidis (GCEC 139 – across from the Central Ed office). 

Thank you!

 

Krystal Sonidis

 Student Information Systems (SIS) Data Manager

Food and Drink Containers Needed

We need your empty food and drink containers! If you have any we could use to help our students practice their cafeteria skills, please drop them by the Life Skills Center, Room V115. Thank you!


Eleni Miller

Transition Services Assistant

School Year Calendar for 2023-2024

See below for calendar updated 10.17.2023. Please note Founders' Day was changed from April 4th to April 26th, 2024.

Anonymous Alerts

ASD's Anonymous Alerts safety app is an important tool for our community--please learn more here!

Emergency Communication APP

FROM SECURITY:

Hi all, as a reminder, please use this form to sign up for our optional Emergency Communication App (from Layered Solutions Inc.) You will be notified via your mobile device when lockdowns occur on campus as well as when lockdown has been cleared.

 

Once we receive your request for the app, you will get an email on how to install the mobile app to your device. The email will be sent from: root@asdsigns.layeredsolutionsinc.com


Click here to take you to the form

 

Thank you!

Randy D’Angelo

Assistant Director of Operations

ASD's Mission & Vision Statements

Mission Statement

At the American School for the Deaf, students and families are surrounded by inspiring peers, guided by dedicated and committed staff, and supported by robust technology. We foster a language-rich communication environment that maximizes each student’s potential, empowering them to become educated and self-directed lifelong learners.


Vision Statement

The American School for the Deaf is a comprehensive learning community that welcomes all deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children with unique communication needs. We develop the whole child – intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.

ASD's Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The American School for the Deaf strives to be an inclusive community that welcomes and celebrates diversity. As a society, we have work to do in the fight against racial violence and discrimination. ASD maintains the fundamental principle that equity should prevail for all, and we uphold the school-wide values of respect, responsibility, and safety. As a learning community, we must engage in productive dialogue to combat systemic racism and social injustice. By teaching the importance of equality, we will allow our students to grow into responsible citizens who will change the world – for the better.

ASD's Non-Discrimination Clause

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, nationality, disability, sex or age in treatment or employment at ASD, admission or access to ASD, or any other aspect of the educational programs and activities that ASD operates. 


ASD is required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Age Act), and their respective implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Parts 100, 104, 106 and 110, not to discriminate in such a manner. 


Inquiries concerning the application of each of the aforementioned statutes and their implementing regulations to ASD may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, at 617.289.0111 or 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-3921 OR to the applicable ASD Coordinators: Kristin Feldman, Associate Director of Student Life. 

American School For The Deaf

139 North Main Street

West Hartford, CT 06107

860-570-2300

www.ASD-1817.org


To Contact the Editor Click Here

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