Published by: California School for the Deaf, Fremont
CALIFORNIA NEWS Volume Volume 124 124 •• Number Number 314• October • March 27, 24, 2009 2008 Rory Osbrink oversees the early childhood education, elementary, middle school, and high school departments for the PAH Day group picture. It was a smashing success!
In this issue: • PAH Day • School Play • Challenge of 1,000 Books: Middle School • Honor Roll: High School • Trike-A-Thon Early Childhood Ed • Parent Article on Deaf Infants • Summer Camps for Deaf Kids • Read Across America • Youth Sports Program
CSD celebrates Deaf PAH! Day
• Girls Basketball Awards
On March 13, California School for the Deaf celebrated Deaf PAH! Day honoring
• Hoy Tournament
commemorate the Gallaudet University Protest of 1988, where Deaf people
• St. Patrick’s Day Early Childhood Ed
Deaf people’s success in different areas. Deaf PAH! Day was established to demanded that the world’s only all-Deaf university have its first Deaf president. That protest sent a message all over the world that Deaf people can be productive citizens. Deaf PAH! Day provides an opportunity to pass on this empowerment to future generations, so that Deaf children can fulfill their dreams of becoming whomever they want to become. In the spirit of this important day, CSD invited Deaf professionals to visit the school so that our Deaf children would be able to see what they can become in the future. Deaf children need exposure to Deaf role models. And, nothing could be better than hands-on experience doing the activities that were set up with these Deaf professionals. —Joey Baer
PAH! Day Activities Photographs by Alison Taggart-Barone
Brock Hendrix and Kristina Diaz decorate Deaf PAH! posters.
Antoine Hunter teaches students some basic dance steps.
Above: Megan Booth signs aloud as a Deaf librarian from San Francisco shows many books to the students.
Shea Rasmus takes photographs for the CSD Yearbook.
Even without actual ocean waves, students can learn how to surf! 2
Spezio Harmount gets a lesson from Renny Kassel, a Deaf mail carrier.
October March 27, 24, 2009 2008 | California News
A glimpse “behind the scenes,” as the actors and the stage crew get ready for their upcoming production
Join the California School for the Deaf high school drama club as they discover the power of stories: Tell your story or lose it Where do we come from? What are the stories that make us who we are, and where will these stories lead us? We may not know the answers to these questions, but we do know “the STORY must go on!” THE PLAY A group of friends find themselves transported to a mysterious prison with no apparent means of escape—victims of ignorance. Working together, they formulate an escape plan, relying on the wisdom of personal stories, original plays, and folklore from around the world. These friends discover that their personal stories have a hidden power. Each story shared provides another ‘piece to the puzzle’ and brings them one step closer to an escape. As they share their stories, the world around them transforms to reveal a hidden lesson. Each story has a unique magic revealed as it springs into life on stage. Some personal stories are told to honor the message that individuals carry. This original play, written by students, reveals a hope for them all. Join the California School for the Deaf high school drama club as the actors discover the power of stories: Tell your story or lose it all.
THE DIRECTOR Heidi Burns returns as the director for this year’s high school play. She directed last year’s production of “Silent Laughter,” as well as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the spring of 2005, and the elementary department’s production of “The Nutcracker” in the winter of 2002. In addition to directing at CSD, Heidi has had the opportunity of starring in a variety of theater productions. Most recently, she was seen as Beatrice in Ohlone College’s production of “Much Ado about Nothing,” and here at CSD in “Silent Salzburg,” an original play by Richard Medugno. FOR TICKETS Public performances in American Sign Language are on: • THURSDAY, APRIL 2 7:30 PM • FRIDAY, APRIL 3 7:30 PM • SATURDAY, APRIL 4 2:00 & 7:00 PM All of the shows will be voice interpreted in English. Tickets can be purchased from the Outreach Division, in Cottage 18, on the California School for the Deaf campus, 39350 Gallaudet Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, or purchased online at: www.csdf.k12.ca.us/
Photographs by Alison Taggart-Barone
California News | March October 27, 24, 2009 2008
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The Challenge of 1,000 Books In an attempt to promote independent reading amongst our middle school students, we have initiated two challenges. Both involve the use of the Accelerated Reader program. The first challenge, the challenge of 1,000 books, began in January and ended March 28. Middle school students needed to read a total of 1,000 books and score 80% or higher on the related Accelerated Reader quiz. If the students reached their goal of 1,000 books, Mr. Clark Brooke promised to dress as the Eagle mascot all day. Mr. Eugene LaCosse promised to shave his mustache,
and a variety of teachers promised to allow students to throw pies in their faces. BY THE END OF THEIR FIRST CHALLENGE, STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT READ 1,097 BOOKS, EXCEEDING THEIR GOAL! The second challenge includes both a team and an individual challenge. Students are scheduled to read during their “X� Period. Team members read a variety of books and take the AR quizzes. The points
earned from the quizzes are added to the team total. The competition has been hot during the last few weeks. The top three teams and the top three individuals will win prizes. Students are welcome to read and take the quizzes from home or in the cottages. The link is https://hosted138.renlearn. com/280647/. We have close to 100% participation in this program. It has been exciting to watch the library get stampeded in the quest for more and more books. We are hoping this program will hook our students into becoming lifelong readers.
JANICE ORTON
SYLVIA WOOD
Middle School Literacy Coach
School Librarian
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October March 27, 24, 2009 2008 | California News
High School ol
Many CSD scholars are also athletes Silver List
☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ Gold List ☻ ☻ ☻ Brittany Farr volleyball ☻ ☻ Cynthia Marquez-Campos ☻ ☻ Moises Escorcia-Alvarez football ☻ ☻ Dalena Vo ☻ ☻ Conrad Baer football & basketball ☻ ☻ David Michael Foust football ☻ ☻ Donna Melena volleyball & basketball ☻ ☻ Minwook Cho football & wrestling ☻ ☻ Richard Dunn football & basketball ☻ ☻ Anna Krutikova ☻ ☻ Marcelino Magana ☻ ☻ Alexandra Bejar Rosas ☻ ☻ Juan Dillard basketball ☻ ☻ Bradley Weber cross country ☻ ☻ Nha Kim volleyball ☻ ☻ Valerie Farr volleyball & basketball ☻ ☻ Odunayo Akintomide football & basketball ☻ ☻ Shu Han Guo ☻ ☻ Miranda Medugno volleyball ☻ Karlee Williams ☻ Alyssa Romano volleyball ☻ Pavel Kanavalchuk cross country & wrestling ☻ Frank Cordova IV ☻ Andrew Paratore ☻ Renu Whetstone cross country
California News | March October 27, 24, 2009 2008
Samantha Davidson basketball Shawn Benavente football & wrestling Brandon Call Alexis Madayag-Thompson volleyball & basketball Diana Martinez volleyball Brittany Dike volleyball & basketball Andrew Mercado cross country & basketball Cameron Dillard basketball Desjone Bradford Bryant Conti football Alex Palamides wrestling Benjamin Joss football Jillian Domsic Nicky Lim football & wrestling Gagandeep Sodhi Azenet Martinez basketball Mariel Ortiz-Herrera cheerleading Zachary Kohler football Dylan Hinks Britnee Hursin volleyball & wrestling Noel Oseguera Nancy Palafox Cody Pedersen-Dike basketball Sara Jane Fair volleyball Alicia Johnson basketball Sarah Lui Nageena Ahmadzai volleyball Anthony Guido football & basketball Valerie Speir volleyball Ronnie Cuartero football & basketball
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My baby Jaden
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Why it was important to identify my baby as Deaf”
ECE Trike-A-Thon A HUGE Success!
CSD parent Danielle Reader shares her experience
Written by Danielle Bluestein Photographs by Lisa Matovich
The 2009 early childhood education Trike-A-Thon happened on March 5. What a wonderful event! All our ECE kids, several families, and many CSD staff showed up to cheer us on. The day was very special, but a lot happened before the actual event to get things up and running. Planning for the Trike-A-Thon began at Open House, believe it or not! Outside the front door of ECE we had a display and donation basket. This was the community’s first chance to show their support. We raised a lot of money that day, and we appreciate those donations. Once Open House was finished, it was a few months before the more detailed planning set in. It required the help of people all across campus, and within ECE, to make sure the event went well. Thank you to Tom Beach and Barrett Smith for arranging for the front circle to be blocked to traffic so we could make our “track.” 6
“Thank you,” to our families, for the ongoing support you showed through your enthusiasm, your time, your donations, and your wonderful spirit! “Thank you,” to the ECE staff of teachers, teacher’s assistants, volunteers, interns, and work experience students. You all helped in MANY ways to make sure the day went smoothly and everyone had fun! From the nametags to the morning setup, to passing out snacks and cleaning up bikes, this really was a team effort. Finally, to the ECE students! You are a wonderful group of kids, and it is a pleasure putting on these special events for you! Keep up your energy, your enthusiasm, and your spirit! We as teachers have a wonderful job because of you! “Thank you,” everyone, and lets make the next Trike-A-Thon, in 2010, even better than ever!
Loving Deaf environment:
Trying to fix hearing:
October March 27, 24, 2009 2008 | California News
I’ve had the opportunity to join a very passionate and devoted group of people visiting Sacramento to meet with various state officials. On these trips, my role has been as a ‘parent representative’, sharing our family’s experience as a hearing family raising a Deaf child. On our most recent trip, I was able to share our experience with the Newborn Hearing Screening Program. I reflected on the experience I had in the hospital room the day my son was born; this juncture, when a Deaf baby is “referred” and when the results are given to the parents, is crucial in that baby’s and that family’s life. The first nurse who tested my baby’s hearing could not believe that he was not passing his hearing test. She tried the test again: same results. That night, another nurse gave it a few tries and said that my baby was failing his hearing test because he kept moving. The next day, another nurse tested my newborn son. She said that the machine was having problems and wasn’t able to give us an accurate reading. After trying the machine one more time, she left the room without providing me any further information. It wasn’t until it was time for me to sign the hospital discharge papers that I was given a referral for my new baby. The paperwork said to follow up for further testing with an audiologist. “What’s an audiologist?” I thought. I searched the Yellow Pages and found a local audiologist. For months, we spent hours in the audiologist’s office for testing. Why was it that I never heard the word “Deaf” used, never thought of my son as Deaf, never found information on “Deaf”, never found a Deaf person? I now realize it was because, as hearing parents dealing with hearing ‘professionals’, no one used the word “Deaf.” From the very first Newborn Hearing Screening Test, they were screening to see if my baby could hear. Then, being ‘referred to an audiologist’ or ‘failing the hearing test’ meant that my son’s hearing was not there,
thus the feeling of something lost— and we all know that sad story. It’s no wonder I didn’t find any information on the Deaf community; I was at home “Googling” the terms ‘hearing impaired’ and ‘hearing disabled’. I thought I was being correct in calling my baby those things. I have since learned that Deaf people don’t call themselves those ridiculous things. I will never again call my son those things; my son is Deaf! He’s Deaf and he’s perfect! That is a positive. So, my search for how best to support my son was obstructed from the beginning, because the terminology that is used by the ‘professionals’ that the hearing parents come in contact with, as well as the ‘medical viewpoint’ in which the information is channeled through, is incorrect and negative. If from the very first test, those professionals would start using the word Deaf instead of: hard of hearing, hearing impaired, having a hearing loss, hearing disabled, etc., then maybe parents wouldn’t have such a hard time accepting their baby as Deaf. So, why not replace ‘abnormal hearing’ with a positive term, or call it the Newborn Deaf Screening Program. Parents like myself need to see and hear the term “Deaf” from the very beginning, which is the Newborn Hearing Screening Test. At that time, connect the family with a Deaf mentor, the Deaf community— and in Northern California, connect them to California School for the Deaf! I feel very strongly that Deaf mentors would have been a ‘gift from God’ during the first few months of our son’s life. Why is it that the Early Start program has a paid speech therapist and a paid teacher of the Deaf who will come to our home for an hour a week, but will not pay to have a Deaf mentor come and visit in the family home? If only I could go back in time and trade all of those visits to the audiologist and instead have a Deaf adult, or family, come in to our home....what a different life my son and our family would have had. It’s time for a change!
California News | March October 27, 24, 2009 2008
Educational Resources for Deaf Children & Community Provides support to parents and the community on raising and educating deaf and hard of hearing children through its parent-infant program professionals and parent-to-parent network.
PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Parent-to-Parent Network: a network of parents that provides support and shares experience in raising deaf and hard of hearing children. Call Outreach, 877-654-DEAF, to request a call from a parent within your area. Sign With Your Child: parents can learn American Sign Language in the comfort of their living room through videophone conference capability using high-speed internet access. Contact cboyd@csdf-cde.ca.gov if interested in receiving this free service. Enhancing Family Communication: Free Family American Sign Language Class are offered on the campus of the California School for the Deaf. Special events are also available including the Latino Family Weekend, African American Family Weekend, and more.
OUTREACH DIVISION
California Department of Education 39350 Gallaudet Drive Fremont, CA 94538 www.csdf.k12.ca.us/outreach/ 877-654-DEAF (3323) (English and Spanish)
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California School for the Deaf 39350 Gallaudet Drive Fremont, CA 94538 510-794-3766 Voice/TTY 510-794-3765 VideoPhone www.csdf.k12.ca.us
2009 CSD SUMMER SPORTS CAMP Kevin Kovacs, Sports Camp Coordinator kevinkovacs@csdf-cde.ca.gov
Camp Pacifica
California Lions Camp P.O. Box 577663 Modesto, CA 95357 209-523-9403 Voice 209-523-94 03 Fax pacifica@californialionscamp.org tognetti49@msn.com www.californialionscamp.org ► July 26 – August 1
► July 7 – July 10 “Girls Basketball” 4th– 12th graders
► August 2 – August 8 Ages: 7 – 15
► July 13 – July 16 “Boys Basketball” 4th– 12th graders
Camp SignShine
► July 27 – July 30 “Girls Volleyball” 4th – 12th graders
2009 CSD SUMMER CAMP Len Gonzales, Camp Director Lgonzales@csdf-cde.ca.gov 510-344-6023 Videophone ► July 7 – July 10 “Little Eagles Camp” Kindergarten – 5th graders ► July 13 – 16 “Tilden Camp (Arts)” 6th– 12th graders ► July 20 – 23 “Media Camp” 6th – 12th graders Program Fee (per CSD camp): $ 350 for residential campers $ 250 for commuting Campers (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Camp Grizzly
Norcal Center on Deafness 4708 Roseville road, Suite 112 North Highlands, CA 95660 916-349-7500 Voice/Videophone/TTY Campgrizzly@NorCalCenter.org www.NorCalCenter.org ► August 2 – August 8 Ages: 7 – 14 $375
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NVAD/Camp SignShine 999 Pyramid Way Sparks, NV 89431 775-355-8994 Voice/TTY 775-333-3333 Videophone 775-355-8996 Fax campsignshine@dhharc.org www.deafnevada.org ► July 19 – July 25 Ages: 7 – 19 $375
Deaf Kids’ Kamp
Sproul Ranch, Inc. 42263 50th Street West, Suite 610 Quartz Hill,CA 93536 877-399-5449 Voice/TTY deafkidskamp@earthlink.net www.deafkidskamp.com ► June 21– June 26 Ages: 6 – 17
Lions Wilderness Camp
for Deaf children, Inc. P.O. Box 195 Knightsen, CA 94548 925-625-4874 campdirector@lionswildcamp.org secretary@lionswildcamp.org www.lionswildcamp.org ► July 19– July 25 Deaf Camp at Teresita Pines (Wrightwood, CA) ► August 9 – August 15 Deaf Camp at Camp Ross Relles (Nevada City, CA) Ages: 7 – 15 October March 27, 24, 2009 2008 | California News
Aspen Camp School for the Deaf P.O. Box 1494 Aspen, CO 81612 970-923-6609 TTY 970-923-2511 Voice/FAX office@aspencamp.org www.aspencamp.org
► June 14 – June 25 Ages: 8 – 11 Wilderness Adventure Program Fee: $1,200
Camp Taloali
15934 N. Santiam Hwy. Stayton, OR 97383 503-769-6415 TTY camptaloali@comcast.net www.taloali.org ► August 2 – August 8 Session 1: Ages: 6 – 18 ► August 9 – August 15 Session 2: Ages: 6 – 18
► June 28 – July 16 Ages: 11 – 14 Mountain Bound Program Fee: $1,900
► August 16 – August 22 Session 3: Ages: 6 – 18
► July 19 – August 6 Ages: 14 – 18 Peak Extreme Program Fee: $1,900
Gallaudet University Summer for Teens
National Leadership & Literacy Camp Camp Lakodia 45156 235th Street Madison, SD 57042 866-273-3323 TTY 800-642-6410 Voice 605-367-4978 info@camplakodia.com www.nllcamp.com ► June 28– July 10 9th – 12th graders $525 ► July 12 – July 24 5th – 8th graders $425
Camp Mark Seven
144 Mohawk Hotel Road Old Forge, NY 13420 585-381-5930 Voice/TTY (until May) 315-357-6089 Voice/TTY (until May) 315-357-6403 FAX (after May) campdir@campmark7.org DeafYouthDir@campMark7.org www.campmark7.org ► July 26 – August 7 Ages: 13 – 16 $850 ► August 9 – August 15 Ages: 9 – 12 $425 California News | March October 27, 24, 2009 2008
800 Florida Ave, NE HMB S141, Attn: Wendy Washington, DC 2002-3695 VP: 202-651-5622 TTY: 202-651-5622 Voice: 202-651-5622 Fax: 202-651-5295 Wendy at: wendy.wiatrowski@gallaudet.edu ► July 3 @ 2:00 PM – July 12 @ 4:00 PM “Tell Your Story” 9th – 12th Graders $675 (by April 6) $750 (by April 15) $825 (after April 15) gina.oliva@gallaudet.edu
► July 19 – August 1 “Knowledge for College” 10th-12th graders $595 (includes room, board, material and program fees) cindy.officer@gallaudet.edu ► Assistance in finding scholarships will be available.
NAD Youth Leadership Camp Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-587-1789 TTY 301-587-1788 Voice 301-587-1791 Fax youth@nad.org www.nad.org ► June 25 – July 22 11th – 12th graders $1,575 9
Read d Across A America: A i A Celebration of Dr. Seuss By Kathy Greene “Would you, could you?” The students from first grade, second grade, third grade, and special needs found they could and would eat GREEN scrambled eggs! This has been our favorite annual event held around Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2. Students carry on this unforgettable memory as they graduate from elementary school. Third graders, Marcela Brentham and Hannah Wetzel presented a fascinating PowerPoint presentation on Dr. Seuss’ life and his books in the library. Kelly Krzyska and Francisca Rangel, our ASL Language Arts teachers, performed and signed a story “Green Eggs and Ham”. Students were enthralled with the characters in the story brought to life by Kelly and Francisca’s awesome ASL skills. Afterwards, students went to the elementary activity center and participated in various activities including: reading Dr. Seuss books, a Tic Tac Toe game, an ASL classifier activity, character drawing, a green eggs and ham feast, and building the tallest tower. The activities were a hit with the students. Meanwhile, the aides and volunteers cooked scrambled green eggs and ham which were served along with goldfish crackers for the “feast” activity. The tasty food was enjoyed by all! Students agreed that reading can be fun and enjoyable—with the addition of ‘playing around’ with the languages of ASL and English—during the Read Across America celebration.
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October March 27, 24, 2009 2008 | California News
Youth Athletics Program This year, the athletics program has expanded, creating opportunities and options for students with a variety of sports to choose from, participate in, and gain experience playing during the school year. Creating additional sports teams and figuring out the logistics of merging the use of fields and gyms was a challenging task. Kevin Kovacs and I worked very closely coordinating schedules for all athletes on the CSD campus. Here is an updated list of the athletics programs that CSD now offers to our young athletes during the school year. ELEMENTARY • coed T-Ball team / spring season (early childhood education) • girls soccer teams / fall season for under 10 years old & under 12 years old • boys & girls basketball teams / winter season 3rd & 4th graders • boys & girls basketball teams / winter season 5th & 6th graders • coed Little League baseball team / spring season • Flying Eagles Swim Club / spring season MIDDLE SCHOOL • cross country team / fall season • softball team / fall season • tackle football team / fall season • cheerleading squad / fall season • boys & girls basketball teams / winter season 7th & 8th graders • cheerleading squad / winter season • wrestling team / winter season • volleyball girls & boys teams / winter season • track & field girls & boys teams/ spring season • Flying Eagles Swim Club / spring season
Eagles girls basketball team poses for a photo with their second place medals and banner after their championship game with the North Coast Section.
Congratulations to: ARICA JONES • Tri-City Voice: Athlete of the Month • The Argus newspaper: Athlete of the Week • Bay Counties League: Co-MVP • United States Deaf Basketball Association: West All-Star (game April 18) ALEXANDRIA BRINKLEY • The Argus newspaper: Athlete of the Week DEB AYRES • United States Deaf Basketball Association: West All-Star Game Coach (game April 18)
Most of the games are located in Fremont, San Jose, Livermore, and San Leandro. The purpose behind having a sports program for CSD young athletes, that spirals from elementary to high school, is to encourage students to learn to become leaders, show commitment to their teams, take on responsibility, build confidence in playing during practice and games, and to explore individual talents in a variety of youth sports. I want to share my appreciation for the coaches who are leading our young athletes in their practices and games, and who have been devoting their time and passion to the teams. These coaches are our heroes! Also, I want to thank the division of instruction, student life, our volunteers, the parents, and the CSD community for supporting the youth athletics program. —Toby Daniels, CSD Youth Athletic Coordinator California News | March October 27, 24, 2009 2008
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To: “A school that teaches children to think” California School for the Deaf 39350 Gallaudet Drive Fremont, CA 94538
California School for the Deaf is an accredited school under the California Department of Education