Community Newsletter
May 25, 2022
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IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Peter Bailey,
Head of School
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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.
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
Asia is the largest and most populous continent globally, with more than 4.5 billion people, comprised of various ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economies, and historical ties. At PSD, we recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within the PSD community, nationally, and around the world!
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This is what excellence in Deaf education looks like.
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PSD High School Student take a Field Trip to
John Heinz Wildlife Refuge for Earth Day
On April 21st and 22nd the entire HS was invited to the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, split into two groups due to COVID restrictions.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is the largest standing freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. The mission of the refuge is to preserve the marsh, promote environmental education, and provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The Heinz refuge offers nature programs, environmental education workshops, field trip consultations, and a resource library. All workshops, field trips and related services are offered free of charge.
We arrived, picked up the ranger and interpreter who informed us about the refuge as we drove to the clean-up site where the students got ready (put on waders and gloves) and were given instructions. Then they went out into groups into different areas to pick up trash from people littering and have it travel down the river to the refuge. The Earth Day activity gave the students the chance to give back to the community and understand the need to care for our planet. Once we finished, we went back to the common area for lunch, and......the students got the chance to learn archery!
Chelsea Adasko, High School Science Teacher
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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/.
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PSD Celebrated the 202nd Birthday with an In-person Campus Event & Opened the 1984 Time Capsule
On Wednesday, April 20 the entire campus came together to celebrate PSD's 202nd birthday for our first in-person schoolwide event since March of 2020! PSD's official anniversary date is April 12, 1820.
The celebration also featured opening the contents from the 1984 Time Capsule created by students from the Mt. Airy campus. The opening had been postponed due to COVID from the 200th birthday in 2020. The contents included pictures, letters, t-shirts and other memorabilia from the students. The artifacts will be photographed, cataloged and prepared for display at the PSD museum.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES
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How to Reframe Deaf Culture and Deaf History
May 25, 6-8p ET
Deafness is a journey; whether it be by birth or a medical incident or some other reason, our deafness brings community members together in various ways. Racism, however, has long endured in our deaf community; cultures and histories have long been lost and/or looted by the members within. We need to be able to clearly explain the past, to understand the implications of history, and of the reasons why this matters in our culture. This is a sensitive, significant subject to discuss and the audience is expected to take this into consideration. The NAD Deaf Culture and History Section (DCHS) appreciates the time, as well as the education, the panelists are sharing with us all.
Please consider a donation to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) so we can continue our advocacy efforts and plan important events like this series.
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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. |
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What does ‘Deaf Interpreter’ Mean to You?
The Deaf Interpreting Committee of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) would like to know more about how the community views Deaf Interpreting. Specifically, we are interested in your views of Deaf Interpreting including different related aspects such as if you have: used a Deaf Interpreter, trained/educated a Deaf Interpreter, employed a Deaf Interpreter, worked as a Deaf Interpreter, or tried to become a Deaf Interpreter. We appreciate you sharing your input. Thank you for your time!
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Deaf Day
Individuals with hearing loss will have the opportunity to enjoy shows through sign language interpretation.
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Members of the Bloomsburg University senior interpreter training class will provide on-stage interpretation with support/mentoring from Pennsylvania state-registered interpreters. All interpreters volunteer their time at the event, which was first held in 2007. Shows will take place at the Hawaiian Band Shell and Time Machine Theater. Show times TBD.
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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
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Father Sean Loomis is the Chaplain for the Deaf Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He has given retreats throughout the US and Canada. Join other Deaf men for this weekend retreat at the beach at the beautiful Redemptorist Retreat Center. See the website for more information and directions at www.sanalfonsoretreats.org. For those at a distance – you can fly into Philadelphia or Newark airport.
On Friday, July 22nd, registration at the Retreat Center starts after 4:00 pm; dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and the retreat begins at 7:30 pm. The cost is $260.00 per person for the whole weekend including 6 meals. A $50.00 per person NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is REQUIRED to register.
The deadline for registration is June 1, 2022.
Please reserve your place by making your down payment ASAP because rooms could be filled before the deadline.
To make your reservation, FIRST: please email Larry Hampel, at plhampel@comcast.net or Sr. Kathleen Schipani at sr.kschipani@archphila.org. SECOND: reserve your room by using this link: https://www.sanalfonsoretreats.org/79 . Scroll down to Men’s Retreat, click Register on Line. Be sure to indicate the July 22 retreat date / Deaf Apostolate. Once you complete the registration you will be asked to pay the down payment or pay in full on line.
STEPS TO REGISTER:
1. Contact Sr. Kathleen or Larry Hampel (info above)
3. Contact Larry Hampel or Sr. Kathleen if you have questions or cannot register on line.
Men from ICDA Chapter # 8 have supported this retreat for 77 years. This is the 78th Deaf Men’s Retreat.
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SUMMER CAMP & PROGRAM RESOURCES |
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Camps & Programs!
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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.
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COVID-19, HEALTH,
EMERGENCY & SAFETY RESOURCES
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Philadelphia Police Department ADA Registration form
Individuals with a disability or medical condition may need accommodations from emergency responders. To prepare for an emergency, you can tell the Philadelphia Police Department about members of your household who might need extra help.
You should update and resubmit your information for the 911 program every two years. The form can be turned in to your local police district.
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Text-to-911
Text-to-911 is a service that allows the public to send a text message to 911. Just as in a voice call, the 911 telecommunicator will continue to ask more questions about your emergency – confirming your location, the people involved, and any other details that are important to responders. Typing questions and answers back and forth with a 911 telecommunicator takes a considerable amount of time, so please be patient and be as clear and concise as possible with your answers. For this reason, a voice call is preferred.
For more information on how to useText-to-911 click here
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Social Security Newsletter - May 2022
Solutions, Strategies, Answers Newsletter of the Social Security Administration Offices in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton,
and Philadelphia counties
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In Philadelphia, residents can call 311 to request alarms from the Fire Department.
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Introducing Seeing and Hearing Speech: affordable online lipreading training |
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Seeing and Hearing Speech is an online lipreading course designed to help people understand speech better. It can be used on any computer or mobile device, and is a convenient and affordable way to improve your lipreading skills.
Take a look at a few sample lessons to see how easy it is to practice and improve. Click the “Try the demo!” button below.
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Connect with Tech
gives free tablets and tech support to people who have trouble getting technology and health care services.
Do you live in Pennsylvania and need a computer or tablet? You might be able to get a free tablet. CLICK HERE for more information or call 215-204-0101.
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New, Free Video Series Increases Access to Financial Literacy Education for Students, Families, and Educators
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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.
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Liberty Lite news & updates
May 2022
Igor Khmil
Deaf Advocacy/Administrative Assistant/Independence Living
Liberty Resources Inc
VP: 267-507-1178, Voice Phone: 215-634-2000 Ext. 201
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DeafCAN! provides services to Deaf, DeafBlind, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing individuals and their families living in Southeastern PA. |
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Consider a gift today to support the important work
we do for our students.
United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714
Thank You!
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Please forward comments and announcements for posting considerations to:
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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.
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