Community Newsletter

February 23, 2022
IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS



PB CORNER VLOG

Peter Bailey,
Head of School
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.

We are celebrating Black History month at PSD! We have several amazing events lined up for our students, staff, and families this month. Our PSD students are learning about the roles and achievements of Black people and the importance of Black history in the United States. We have social media postings and events through the month. Be sure to visit our facebook page!
Introducing
Lauren Ridloff,
PSD's 200th Anniversary Gala Special Guest and
the Deaf actress who grabbed a breakthrough role in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s movie Eternals Read more....


Check out these special messages from alumni
Denise Brown '82, President of PSDAA,




RSVP DEADLINE TODAY February 23, 2022


NEW! COVID-19 VACCINE PROOF REQUIREMENT:
Please note that the Crystal Tea Room/Finley Catering requires that all guests be FULLY VACCINATED to attend events at their facilities. All guests will be asked to show proof of vaccination (a photo/digital copy is acceptable) at registration and check-in.
PSD Is So Proud to partner with Google and Deaf Kids Code to help increase access and shape new technology.


PSD recently collaborated with Google on the launch of their new Pixel phone which includes new “Live Transcribe” technology in it. Along with producing this beautiful video featuring Pennsylvania School for the Deaf students, Google and Deaf Kids Code gave away 1,000 Pixel phones to partner schools across the country.
News from
the PSD Family Resource Center (FRC)!
We are excited to relaunch the Family Education Series (FES) on our PSD website with our newest posts, Inclusive Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness ASL Vocabulary and Emergency Common Phrases ! FES consists of various videos and information/resources for families with deaf/hard of hearing children on a variety of topics related to raising deaf/hard of hearing children.
All videos can be found at www.psd.org/fes.  

Contact: Lynette Mattiacci, Coordinator of Family Resource Center
COMMUNITY EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES
Gallaudet University Undergraduate Admissions Invites Students and Families to Attend One of Five Open Houses this Spring
This spring, we will be hosting two In-Person Open Houses and three Virtual Open Houses, and would love to invite high school juniors and seniors and their families to attend one. Our open houses will help interested students and their families explore our 40+ majors and minors, leadership opportunities, and unrivaled campus life. 
The Open Houses will be held on the following dates:
  • February 25 (in-person)
  • March 7 (virtual)
  • April 4 (virtual)
  • April 7 (in-person)
To register for an open house, visit our Undergraduate Events Portal at: http://gu.live/UGevents . If your students are not yet juniors or seniors, they (or their families) can join our mailing list to be informed of events, programs, and news from Gallaudet Undergraduate Admissions and our Gallaudet Youth Programs Office. Read more
To access the lecture, please register using this link:   https://upenn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wTx7O7uZT322hkBfGxmtkA You will be emailed the Zoom link on a date closer to the event.
 
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Jami Fisher, Director of ASL, Department of Linguistics: jami@sas.upenn.edu
Real Talk, Good Action:
Black Deaf Excellence
February 24th, 2022, 7-8:30p ET

The NAD is excited to host another webinar in the ‘Real Talk, Good Action’ series. Our next one is especially more important as we continue to celebrate Black History Month! Our webinar “Black Deaf Excellence” will celebrate individuals in the Black Deaf community; panelists will share their accomplishments and successes in mainstream society – participants will learn from their experiences. The stories and experiences will be kept raw and shared with no filter. Participants are encouraged to ask questions during the  Q & A period. Join us on Thursday, February 24, 7-8:30p ET! 

RIT/NTID Offers Boot Camp-Style IT Training, Certification for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing Learners
The DeafTEC Resource Center at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf is partnering with information technology industry certification leader CompTIA to provide a full-time, 10-week hands-on training course at no cost for deaf and hard-of-hearing adult learners. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support. Read more

The application deadline is February 28, 2022.
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.


COVID-19, HEALTH,
EMERGENCY & SAFETY RESOURCES
Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Order Free At-Home Tests
If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.
GEORGIA TECH

COVID-19 Adapted & Accessible Resources!

Georgia Tech has created many adapted and accessible versions of the CDC's COVID-19 guidance resources. Click here for Resources in ASL. Topics include vaccines, symptoms-testing-treatments, prevention & cleaning, mental health & therapy animals, school safety, and travel & community. Plus the full CDC COVID-19 ASL playlist.

Request a Smoke Alarm
Red Cross of Southeastern PA Region has Bed Shaker alarms and 10 year lithium smoke alarms. 
 

In Philadelphia, residents can call 311 to request alarms
from the Fire Department. 
Deaf Mental Health & Substance Use
Resource Guide

CLICK HERE for Resource Guide
Department of Public Health 

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION
 Vaccine appointments are available by calling 311 or online at www.phila.gov/vaccine
Many clinics will also take walk-ins. COVID vaccines are FREE.
NEWS & RESOURCES
What is Wavello App? :

Through the Wavello app, you can now see the person you are chatting with as well as the ASL interpreter. 

  • Download the free Wavello app. 
  • Register your phone number.

Inclusively Inclusively provides employment matching for job seekers with disabilities for FREE.
 
Create a free profile with experience, skills, education, industry, Success Enablers & more Search, get matched, and connect to jobs that fit your profile Interested employers will contact you to follow up & learn more Keep your profile updated to stay connected and be notified as new jobs are posted. Explore the website here. Check out the Inclusively video today. 
LIHEAP offers heating assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open to help families pay their heating bills. Find information to see if you qualify and learn how to apply here.
Food Services
City of Philadelphia:
The City of Philadelphia listing of Food Distribution Sites is available online here. MANNA cooks and delivers nutritious meals to neighbors in the Greater Philadelphia area who are battling a serious illness. More information is available online here.
DeafCAN! provides services to Deaf, DeafBlind, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing individuals and their families living in Southeastern PA.
Check out our
Updated Website at
We are excited to show our new features including Services, Programs, and a better Resource Page.
Consider a gift today to support the important work
we do for our students.

United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714

Thank You!
Past issues of the PSD Community Newsletter are posted at https://psd.org/news/#Newsletters.
Please forward comments and announcements for posting considerations to:
Karen Leslie-Henry, Community Relations Coordinator: klesliehenry@psd.org
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.