Community Newsletter

April 11, 2022
IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS



APRIL 2022

Peter Bailey,
Head of School
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.

PSD Leadership Changes

On Monday, April 4th, PSD's Board of Trustees announced that Head of School Peter L. Bailey will step down after six years of exemplary service. You can read the full announcement here: https://psd.org/blog/pbs-corner-april-2022/.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Margaret W. Steele states: "Peter has positioned PSD for continued evolution and future growth in the years ahead. The school has performed increasingly well in terms of student outcomes, alumni engagement, and diversity. PSD just celebrated its 200th Anniversary with its most successful fundraising event in its history, and effectively weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with 98% of students returning to campus with higher levels of academic retention and engagement than many other schools. We are deeply grateful to have had the honor of working alongside Peter as a colleague and a friend, and hope you will join us in sharing your best wishes and gratitude with Peter in the weeks and months ahead."
C O D A

Just three weeks ago, Troy Kotsur congratulated PSD on our 200th Anniversary.

Now it's our turn to congratulate him. Watch the special video below for a special message to Troy from PSD students for winning the Best Actor in a Supporting Role and #CODAfilm for winning the Best Picture at the #Oscars .

Please share our pride as you watch our students celebrating a truly historic moment for the Deaf community!
PSD is Thrilled to partner with SEPTA, Read by 4th, and Mighty Engine on the "Come Aboard the Reading Promise" literacy campaign!

On Wednesday, April 6 we joined Mayor Jim Kenney, the William Penn Foundation, and the Free Library of Philadelphia to launch this fun and engaging campaign to encourage reading anytime, anywhere.

Check out the ASL sign at the Broad and Erie Station!
PSD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
COMMUNITY EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES

National Deaf History Month
Watch our Deaf Culture & History Section's video on
National Deaf History Month.

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We’re excited to share registration information for you to join us at #NAD2022 this summer! We have four options for you to choose from.

Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program!
Free webinar for individuals with disabilities

A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Topics discussed include: eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.

With ASL Interpreter

With ASL Interpreter



Pennsylvania


PA Office for Deaf & Hard of Hearing

May 5, 2022, the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) is hosting a Virtual Townhalls

They are hosting these townhalls to gather comments, concerns and information from the community that will help ODHH decide how to move forward with their strategic plan. Please note: ODHH is providing interpreters and CART. Should you need alternative accommodations, please contact ODHH directly. Alternative accommodation requests must be received no later than April 18, 2022.

Townhall Registration Information
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
May 5th from 10 a.m. to noon
 
May 5th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
 
May 5th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
 
More information about ODHH:
Contact ODHH V/TTY: 717-783-4912
Videophone: 717-831-1928 odhh@pa.gov
May 12, 2022
2-3pm
Community Conversation on Housing:

Join City Council Members Kendra Brooks and Derek Green and others for a dynamic panel discussion around affordable and accessible housing and the housing trust fund. Learn more here

Register in advance for this meeting below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ASL and Closed Captioning will be provided. For additional ADA accommodations please email Claudia Tasco at Claudia.Tasco@phila.gov or call 215-686-2798 by 5/1/22.
SUMMER CAMP & PROGRAM RESOURCES
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Camps & Programs!
Click here for full listing.
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.

COVID-19, HEALTH,
EMERGENCY & SAFETY RESOURCES
GEORGIA TECH

COVID-19 Adapted & Accessible Resources!

Georgia Tech has created many adapted and accessible versions of the CDC's COVID-19 guidance resources. Click here for Resources in ASL. Topics include vaccines, symptoms-testing-treatments, prevention & cleaning, mental health & therapy animals, school safety, and travel & community. Plus the full CDC COVID-19 ASL playlist.
Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests.

The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.



If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.
Request a Smoke Alarm


In Philadelphia, residents can call 311 to request alarms
from the Fire Department. 

NEWS & RESOURCES
New, Free Video Series Increases Access to Financial Literacy Education for Students, Families, and Educators
The Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities
Needs YOU! 

Have lived experience with disability and want to make an impact in your community? As announced at the March 23, 2022 Public Meeting, the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities has launched an open call for new Commissioners and invites you to apply!  
 
To learn more, visit the application form here
For ADA accommodations or requests to apply in an alternate format please contact: 
Claudia Tasco, Constituent Services Coordinator:
Claudia.Tasco@phila.gov or 215-686-2798. 


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. This hotline is available 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. 
Examples of the kinds of services and resources which will be available to residents who call the 2-1-1 Hotline for help can be found below.

Liberty Lite news & updates
April 2022

 
DeafCAN! provides services to Deaf, DeafBlind, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing individuals and their families living in Southeastern PA.
Consider a gift today to support the important work
we do for our students.

United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714

Thank You!
Past issues of the PSD Community Newsletter are posted at https://psd.org/news/#Newsletters.
Please forward comments and announcements for posting considerations to:
Karen Leslie-Henry, Community Relations Coordinator: klesliehenry@psd.org
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.