Monthly Executive Director's Report
Academic Department
The GBSD Boys Basketball Team recently participated in the annual New England Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association’s Tip Off Tournament at Austine School for the Deaf in Brattleboro, VT. They have been working hard, along with their coach, Mark Grant and Assistant Coach, Ivan Jarama to improve their skills. Although the boys did not win any of the three games they played, they demonstrated great skill improvement and huge enthusiasm. The annual tournament will take place later in the winter and our boys will once again compete. Many of our high school girls are also practicing. They did not have enough girls to attend the Tip Off Tournament but will hopefully be able to compete at the annual Basketball Tournament later this winter.
The Academic Department is going to begin using Wednesday meetings to focus on the review of our current literacy curriculum and programming and the development of a revised K-12 literacy program. We have invited any member of SES (Statewide Educational Services) or ECFS that have an interest, to take part in some of these discussions and reviews.
Once again, our Portland High School Students have been invited to participate in the annual Academic Bowl at Gallaudet University. Four of our students will compete against other students who attend schools and/or programs for the deaf across the country. This year's coaches are Ivan Jarama and Loretta Pendarvis. Students are already prepping for this event by having school to school competitions, via VP or Skype.
Public School Outreach
As we approach the New Year, the PSO consultants continue to be busy with student observations, meetings and reports. As always, much time is spent learning about the variety of HATs (hearing assistive technology) that the students in the mainstream are using. Thanks to the expertise of our audiologists, we are all becoming savvier in our knowledge of the pairing of sound field systems with student’s FM units and how very complex, yet exciting the world of technology is for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Technology seems to be the focus this year as we attempt to integrate the use of the Tandberg equipment into the services that we provide. We continue to be creative in ways that connect professionals to other professionals and students to other students. We also continue moving into the digital age as we develop an online resource system. This will be something that everyone can access once it has been established.
Regional Programs
The winter “Kids Like Me” program is starting in January. The K-5 Portland Regional program that is held here on the island will be on Thursdays from 12:30-2:30. Students will be arriving for their first session on January 12th.
In addition, the 6th-12th graders will be coming for their winter overnight on February 3rd & 4th. We again have some exciting adventures scheduled. This session, they will be Geocaching with LLBean Educational programs, swimming and snowtubing. We will share specifics after the event.
Early Childhood Programs
Early Childhood and Family Services
The ECFS Team is getting the word out about our services. Lynn, Karen and Cathy will be presenting to the CDS site directors in January to explain our services and offer ways we can collaborate to meet the needs of children and families in Maine. The ECFS team is also planning a variety of other ways to share how we can support children who are deaf and hard of hearing in Maine. We will be sending out a New Year information packet to audiologists and pediatricians and following up with information sessions to various professionals.
Preschool
The preschool teachers have been busy with the start up of a new KindeReady program. The program will meet two afternoons a week and will give our preschoolers an added "boost" to get ready for Kindergarten in the fall. All three teachers are working with various groups to meet the individual needs of our students. The teachers are using technology, their individual skills, and their combined creative energies to make this a successful and enjoyable program for all.
The preschool team will soon all be trained in First Aid. As part of our licensing process, all staff members must be trained in CPR and First Aid. The CPR course took place in the fall and the First Aid course will be in January. The preschool team is also taking part in a team building workshop. We are excited to strengthen our team and build on each other's strengths to benefit our students.
Administrative Updates
The second meeting of the Deaf Council was held on December 15, 2011. During the meeting, the ELT presented information to the Council members on literacy, curriculum and assessment for GBSD students. The next meeting will be devoted to a review of MECDHH’s Language Philosophy and Guidelines.
Public School Outreach
PSO
As we approach the New Year, the PSO consultants continue to be busy with student observations, meetings and reports. As always, much time is spent learning about the variety of HATs (hearing assistive technology) that the students in the mainstream are using. Thanks to the expertise of our audiologists, we are all becoming savvier in our knowledge of the pairing of sound field systems with student’s FM units and how very complex, yet exciting the world of technology is for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Technology seems to be the focus this year as we attempt to integrate the use of the Tandberg equipment into the services that we provide. We continue to be creative in ways that connect professionals to other professionals and students to other students. We also continue moving into the digital age as we develop an online resource system. This will be something that everyone can access once it has been established.
Regional Programs
The winter “Kids Like Me” program is starting in January. The K-5 Portland Regional program that is held here on the island will be on Thursdays from 12:30-2:30. Students will be arriving for their first session on January 12th.
In addition, the 6th-12th graders will be coming for their winter overnight on February 3rd & 4th. We again have some exciting adventures scheduled. This session, they will be Geocaching with LLBean Educational programs, swimming and snowtubing. We will share specifics after the event.
Early Childhood Programs
Early Childhood and Family Services
The ECFS Team is getting the word out about our services. Lynn, Karen and Cathy will be presenting to the CDS site directors in January to explain our services and offer ways we can collaborate to meet the needs of children and families in Maine. The ECFS team is also planning a variety of other ways to share how we can support children who are deaf and hard of hearing in Maine. We will be sending out a New Year information packet to audiologists and pediatricians and following up with information sessions to various professionals.
Preschool
The preschool teachers have been busy with the start up of a new KindeReady program. The program will meet two afternoons a week and will give our preschoolers an added "boost" to get ready for Kindergarten in the fall. All three teachers are working with various groups to meet the individual needs of our students. The teachers are using technology, their individual skills, and their combined creative energies to make this a successful and enjoyable program for all.
The preschool team will soon all be trained in First Aid. As part of our licensing process, all staff members must be trained in CPR and First Aid. The CPR course took place in the fall and the First Aid course will be in January. The preschool team is also taking part in a team building workshop. We are excited to strengthen our team and build on each other's strengths to benefit our students.
Administrative Updates
The second meeting of the Deaf Council was held on December 15, 2011. During the meeting, the ELT presented information to the Council members on literacy, curriculum and assessment for GBSD students. The next meeting will be devoted to a review of MECDHH’s Language Philosophy and Guidelines.
