Learn ♦ Experience ♦ Thrive

Diversity Edition | Eagles #38

By Joey Baer, Elementary Principal

In September, we kicked off our first assembly of the year, focusing on the principle of “Globalism” where our students learned about the importance of “thinking about different people from all over the world, and about ways to keep things fair everywhere.” We merged this principle with National Latinx Heritage. As we continued to celebrate different heritages throughout the school year, we applied one of the 13 principles. Each class was assigned to coordinate a group presentation to the audience every month. 

Lastly, we also tweaked the title from “Monthly Heritage” to “Cultural Activist” to give tools to our students as they learn to become activists by protecting everyone’s rights, ranging from religion, sex, language, etc. This is a work in progress educationally.

Download all 13 Principles Posters | Explaining Guiding Principals to Kids

*13 Guiding Principles: Black Lives Matter began as a call to action in response to violence and anti-Black racism. BLM prompted and created 13 Guiding Principles that recommit to healing ourselves and each other where each person feels seen, heard, and supported. For more information, click here.

By Rachel Chong, CSD Parent

Special thanks to Citizens for a Better Community for supporting the Asian Pacific Islander Club at California School for the Deaf. Their generous donation will be used to plan an exciting Chinese New Year experience for CSD students next year. It will also be used to bring in guest presenters and a fieldtrip to Japantown. Asian Pacific Islander Club president Chang-May Tan, along with the club's sponsor, Maria Tanya de Guzman were both presenters at the gala celebration.

CSD families and staff join with some important members of our community:

From left to right:

Kathy Kimberlin—Citizens for a Better Community Board Member

Yang Shao—Fremont City Councilmember (District 4)

Raj Salwan—Fremont City Councilmember (District 5)

Carmen Sebest

Lily Mei—Fremont Mayor & Citizens for a Better Community Board Member

Yajing Zhang—Citizens for a Better Community Vice President & Fremont Unified School District Board Member

Gabe Leung—CSD Asian Pacific Islander Club Sponsor

Susana Lai—CSD Staff

Zylan Leung

Chang-Lynn Tan—Sister of CSD Student

Casey Lincoln-Burpee—CSD interpreter

Rachel Chong—CSD Parent

Stan Tan—CSD Parent

Chang-May Tan—CSD Asian Pacific Islander Club President

Maria Tanya de Guzman-Viera—CSD Asian Pacific Islander Club Sponsor

Daniel Har—CSD Staff

Photo by Lisa Nunez, Superintendent's Secretary

International studies students from California School for the Deaf first vote on their destination. Then they fundraise all year to get the money for their trip. They also study the culture of that country all year before finally traveling to their destination during spring break with a Deaf tour guide from Hands On Travel. When the students return to school, they give a presentation about their trip.

Follow our International Studies students' journey on Instagram

Students present about their trip

Elementary Cultural Enrichment

By Vanessa Sandez, Elementary Teacher

Elementary students participated in six weeks of enrichment activities led by elementary teachers and staff. There were activities from art, cooking, basketball and many more. Students picked which activities they wanted to participate in. These students chose to learn folklorico dancing from teachers Vanessa Sandez and Bianca Hamilton-Miller. The students learned about folklorico dancing in Mexico and how it varies by regions in Mexico. They watched videos of professional dancers and learned the origins of the dances. They also learned, practiced and performed "The Mexican Hat Dance" in a small group setting.

Diversity handshapes

+ ASL numbers & letters

for hopscotch games

See original post on Instagram

In November 2022, a visionary leader from Gallaudet University, Christopher D. Johnson (CJ), visited California School for the Deaf. CJ inspired CSD students, staff, teachers and administrators with his wisdom and advice on BLM's 13 Guiding Principles and other transformative approaches to learning.

California School for the Deaf faculty attended the Black Deaf Studies Symposium, hosted by the Gallaudet University Center of Black Deaf Studies, from March 29 to April 2. The symposium inspired our 15 professional educators in Student Life, Pupil Personnel Services and Instruction to just be... (Be STRONG; Be REAL; and Be PROUD)... as amazing Black Deaf professional educators! Much love to the Center of Black Deaf Studies for making this symposium happen! California School for the Deaf will apply what was gained to further transform our school, programs and cottages. See original post on Instagram

California School for the Deaf

39350 Gallaudet Drive, 

Fremont, CA 94538

(510) 794-3666

Meta Metal, Editor

Clark Brooke, School Superintendent (2022-2023 school year)