Friend , News from the Statewide Outreach Center- March 2023

Longer and warmer days are ahead, bringing the perfect weather for outdoor activities with friends and family, such as the Deafinitely Not Different 5K & Fun Run, benefitting Plano area families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Consider attending the upcoming Mental Health Symposium where you’ll network with peer professionals and get the latest from field experts working with youth who are deaf or deafblind, or sit down for this webinar on a successful strategy for working with students who are deaf or deafblind.

For teachers of history or social studies, this Texas Dust Bowl lesson plan will be a great addition to your classroom resources. With extra visual video storytelling students will love, and extension activities you will too. Also, great for teachers of English language arts covering expository texts.

Have you shared your feedback about SOC’s resources and services? Please take less than 5 minutes to complete our Stakeholder Survey, and help ensure we continue to be the first and most trusted resource you turn to.

Please Tell us!

If you are:

a student who is deaf and hard of hearing,
a parent/caregiver of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, or
a professional who works with these children,

Please let us know if we’ve served you well, what we can do to help you, or how we can improve.This quick survey will help us to better help you.

Instructional Resources

Turning Points in U.S. History: Dust Bowl

Imagine waking up and looking out the window to see nothing but dust—dust covering cars, houses and streets. This actually happened in our history. In this this lesson plan, and accompanying materials, students will learn how the Texas Dust Bowl of the 1930’s swept across the Great Plains of Texas and Oklahoma, and ultimately brought about conservation projects and farm techniques still used today.

For Professionals...Webinar: Virtual Peer Learning Group (PLG) for the Deaf and Blind Youth

Learn how important Virtual Peer Learning Groups for Deafblind youth can be for youth. PLGs can help foster relationships, encourage social interactions, and impact life skills. initiated during the pandemic, this successful virtual approach to fostering connections continues to be an excellent tool.

Upcoming Events

2023 Mental Health Symposium

Register NOW for the 2023 Mental Health Symposium! This one-day event is open to those with a vested interest in addressing mental health for youth who are deaf or deafblind. April 29, 2023, in Austin, TX.

Summer Programs

Students! Looking for an adventure this summer?

Adults! Need continuing education?

Look no further! Come join one of SOC Summer Programs. Meet new friends, learn new skills, and make new memories!

Summer Programs Sign Up

New Additions to the SOC Team

Rebecca Mowell

As a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), Rebecca loves the collaboration and support made available to students, families and professionals through outreach services. Rebecca looks forward to offer and maintain a “gold standard” in education, services, and support for families and students. As Birth to 21 Outreach Specialist, she works with Regional Day School programs, helping to do assessments for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Heather Parker

Originally from East Texas, Heather brings to SOC her experience as an itinerant teacher, deaf mentor and parent guide. Having worked in the Houston area, she has a wealth of information about language development and family involvement. As Birth to 3 Specialist, Heather looks forward to connecting families to the right resources, meeting the ever-changing needs of families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Great Things Happening!

Honoring A Deaf Education Professional

Katy ISD honored Steve and Elaine Robertson with a dedication ceremony. Elaine began her career as a deaf education teacher and transitioned to a parent infant advisor. She assumed the role as an instructional officer for deaf education, vision and assistive technology in 2002. Since then, she has written grants, created inspiring staff development, and organized extra-curricular programs.

Full Article

Deafinitely Not Different 5K and Fun Run

Did you know that the Plano RDSPD services over 400 deaf and hard of hearing students?! Deafinitely Not Different 5k and Fun Run is a run/walk that benefits students who attend Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf. Come out, get your exercise on and join the excitement! If you are not interested in the run/walk, there are other ways to donate.

Visit the event page to register or find out more information!

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