Community Newsletter
December 4, 2020
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IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Peter Bailey,
Head of School
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Update from PSD
With the current situation, we have made the decision to start the 2020-2021 School Year with virtual learning for Middle School and High School until January 2021. Only Community Preschool, Elementary and all self-contained classes will continue with in-person programming on campus.
We will also continue to monitor the situation and will make changes to the reopening plans as necessary to follow the guidance of state and federal officials and to protect our students.
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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Did you miss our PSD students in Philly's virtual Thanksgiving Parade? No worries...you still have one more chance!!
The same performance will be shown on Saturday, December 5th in the Nashville Christmas Parade. For more details go to their website:
https://nashvillechristmasparade.com/
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Easy as 1, 2, 3!
How to Sign Up:
2) Choose your charity: Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
3) Make a purchase! --PSD will automatically receive 0.5% from AmazonSmile for every eligible purchase you make!
Thank you!
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COMMUNITY EVENTS, ACTIVITIES
AND INFORMATION
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Signing Santas
are Coming to Town!!
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Home visits by Signing Santa!
DHCC is sponsoring Santa home visits on Saturday Dec. 12th, Sunday the 13th, Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. Visits take place between 10am and 4pm.
If you would like Signing Santa to come to your house with a gift for your Deaf child or children, please sign up here:
If you are interested in being a Signing Santa, or the Elf that drives the sleigh, please follow this link.
We are looking for diverse Santas!
Sign up here to be a Santa or Elf:
Santas and Elves will have costumes provided by DHCC
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Gallaudet University
Undergraduate Admissions
The application fee waiver deadline has been extended to December 15!
We have extended the $50 application fee waiver deadline to Tuesday, December 15. By submitting an application early, students will receive their admission decision earlier. If they are accepted and decide to enroll at Gallaudet, they will have more time to prepare for the best years of their life!
Your students can start or continue their application at:
Application process made easy!
We have a brand new application portal to check the status of applications, upload required documents, register for alternative testing if students are unable to take the ACT or SAT, and more!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Remind students to file their FAFSA. Go to https://fafsa.ed.gov to begin the process. Filing the FAFSA early will help us put together the financial aid package that best meets their needs.
800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 250-2474 (Videophone), (202) 991-3587 (Text/SMS), (800) 995-0550 (Voice)
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Download the
COVID Alert PA App
The COVID Alert PA app notifies you if you have had a potential exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
The more Pennsylvanians that download the app, the more successful we will be in stopping the spread of the virus.
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Hamilton Relay is available at no cost, 24 hours a day, every day – making it possible for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking to communicate over the telephone.
We invite you to register for PA Relay/PA Captioned Telephone Relay Statewide Webinars. Our December webinars will focus on scholarships and awards from Hamilton. The link provided below for anyone to register and join.
NEW DATES!
Pennsylvania Relay Awards & Scholarship Webinars
Dec 8, 2020 4:00 PM,
or Dec 15, 2020 11:00 AM
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Brought to you by GoToWebinar®
Webinars Made Easy®
Sudan N. Bradley | Hamilton Relay
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Here's your chance to go to college–
learn skills, build independence, and live a self-determined life.
Leadership & Career Studies
Leadership & Career Studies–L&CS–is a four-year college experience for students with intellectual disability and autism. The program is run by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, December 10, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
L&CS students enroll in courses, attend enrichment workshops, and participate in social and extracurricular activities, all with the support of coaches–current Temple students.
If you:
- have an intellectual disability or autism (documented in the county where you live);
- are 18-26 years old;
- can pay for classes through service funds, grants or privately;
- can commute to Temple’s main campus;
- can attend day and evening classes; and
- can participate in extracurricular activities at least 10 hours a week,
…then you can apply to attend college at Temple University in L&CS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Titania Boddie–Program Director
College of Education and Human Development
1755 N. 13th Street Student Center 441S, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program!
Free webinar for individuals with disabilities, families and professionals.
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. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
To help you learn about the important features and benefits of PA ABLE, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is hosting free webinars.
Some of the topics that we will discuss 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.
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Employers and HR professionals can participate in an overview webinar about the PA ABLE program, learning:
- What PA ABLE is
- Who is eligible
- How employees use accounts
- How to set up payroll deduction
Offer PA ABLE Savings Program to Your Employees For FREE:
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
AND INFORMATION
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Serving Berks County and surrounding communities since 1989
Keep up with the latest updates from Abilities in Motion.
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The Salvation Army Christmas Assistance program is available to accept applications for assistance.
To apply for the general Christmas assistance program, please go to https://saangeltree.org/ and input your zip code. For families without internet or smartphone access, please call your local Salvation Army.
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El programa de Asistencia de Navidad del Ejército de Salvación está disponible para aceptar solicitudes de asistencia.
Para solicitar el programa general de asistencia navideña, visite https://saangeltree.org/ e ingrese su código postal. Para las familias que no tienen acceso a Internet o teléfonos inteligentes, llame a su Ejército de Salvación local.
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Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
https://www.phfa.org/
Francis House is now leasing! There are 33 studio/efficiency units available. Francis House is located in Philadelphia County. There are 6 accessible units and 2 h/v units available.
Francis House 4460 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Philadelphia County, General Occupancy
Income limits per person: 30%-$20,300, 50%-$33,850, 60%-$40,620
Rent amount: 30% (AMI) -$507, 50% (AMI) - $846, 60% (AMI) - $1015
Francis House features a fitness room, sunroom, dining room, sitting area, parlor and full size kitchen. There are on-site laundry rooms as well. The application is attached.
If you have any questions, please contact Latesha Saunders, Property Manager. She may be reached at (267) 838-3580 or LSaunders@mmsgroup.com
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HELP Philadelphia Homes
6100 Eastwick Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19142
Philadelphia County
General Occupancy
Good afternoon, there are 3 vacant units available at HELP Philadelphia Homes. HELP Philadelphia Homes is located in Philadelphia County. The 2 accessible/h/v units and townhouse all have 3 bedrooms each. The rent amount is $1,100 to $1,340.
Below is the income limit per person.
- $40,620 2. $46,380 3. $52,200 4. $57,960 5. $62,640 6. $67,260
The units include a fridge, stove, dishwasher, in unit washer and dryer, central air and heat. The application is attached here.
If you have any questions, please contact Candra Johnson, Property Manager. She may be reached at cajohnson@helpusa.org or 215-921-8354.
Thank you.
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The City's Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
supports programs and services for residents across Philadelphia.
DPD's Housing Helper Benefit Tool is here to let you know what programs and services you may be qualified for! By answering a few short questions, you can learn how we may be able to help you as a homeowner or resident.
Housing Helper features:
- Basic System Repair Program (BSRP)
- Heater Hotline
- Adaptive Modification Program (AMP)
- UESF and ECA Utility assistance programs
- Restore, Repair, Renew Home Improvement Loan
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Philly First Home (this program is currently on hold)
- Housing Counseling
- Tangled Title
- Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance
Once you answer the questions, you will receive a list of programs. For most of the programs that you are eligible for someone will contact you. There are a few programs where you will have to contact the agency directly.
All results provided will include a name, number and website to begin the application process.
A link to the tool can be also found on the PHDC homepage https://phdcphila.org/.
Check it out today, and tell a friend!
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Things to consider
when supporting a
Deaf-Blind
individual during
COVID-19
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Good News: CDC temporary halt in residential evictions
Effective through December 31, 2020, there is a temporary halt against residential evictions of persons earning no more than $99,000 a year to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
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SIGN VOTE 2020 is designed to help inform and increase voter engagement among the deaf community throughout the 2020 elections, SignVote is a nonpartisan platform that spotlights and features accessible voter content and resources made available in American Sign Language (ASL).
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Our phone displays big, easy-to-read text that automatically captions your
conversations. It dials, rings, and works just like a regular phone.
• Easy to use
• Captions turn on or off as needed
• Captioned voice messages included
• No cost if you have hearing loss and need captions to use the phone efficiently
Do you have trouble hearing on the phone? You may be eligible for no-cost telephone captioning from CaptionCall.
ASL Interpreted Facebook videos
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PA Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing |
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Melissa A. Hawkins MS, MHR | Director
PA Department of Labor & Industry | Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
1521 North 6th Street | Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone & TTY: 800-233-3008 (PA only) | Phone & TTY: 717.783.4912
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PA Department of Human Services
Emergency Assistance Program
Has your family lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
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Melissa Draganac-Hawk, President, NAD
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The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (PhilaOEM) has a text alert system all about COVID-19. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive updates to your phone. Message and data rates may apply.
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Cap4Kids Updated Link to the website for services and resources including food, housing, utility, self care, etc.
With 2nd (or is it 3rd) wave of COVID start to really affect our communities even more, wanted to update all on the “newish” resources for those affected by COVID
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Info on where to get free testing by address- https://www.phila.gov/covid-testing-sites/
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Info and great document and app on how to contact your contacts if you are positive https://tellyourcontacts.org/ (see attached as well)
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Updated info where to find free food throughout Philly by address https://www.phila.gov/food/#/
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Access Center info for FREE K-6th places to learn and be safe https://www.phila.gov/programs/access-centers/
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Multiple resources for Eviction Protection
- And much more……
Also, please forward this info to friends and colleagues and have them sign up for Cap4Kids email below.
As always, to sign up for Cap4Kids emails, click here:
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Catholic Deaf Philly
Our Daily Hope – Vlog Reflection
Sr. Kathleen Schipani, IHM
Director, Office for Persons with Disabilities & Deaf Apostolate
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
222 N. 17th Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
215.587.3913 phone /267.507.1215 video phone
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Consider a gift today to help PSD continue the important work we do for our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students.
United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714
or click below.
We thank you for your support!
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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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