Lone Star Sumer/Fall 2009

Letter from the EditorWhen I started working at TSD this past July, everybody was telling me how great, fun and crazy the start of the school year was going to be, and they were right.

I had the privilege of experiencing my first ‘Opening of School Year” event which was amazing. At TSD we know how to make waves! - After that we went straight to the Homecoming activites and that showed me the impact that our school has in the students, parents, teachers, staff and community.

I’m proud to present this issue that covers Summer and Fall from last year and I hope you enjoy the articles and beauti-ful pictures that are part of it.

After watching the games and the spirit showed by our kids I just can say “Go Rangers!!!”

Thank you,

Fernando Muñoz

t: (512)-462-5327 | e: [email protected] South Congress Avenue. Austin, Texas 78704.

Table of ContentsCover Story10-13.............................................Homecoming.2009

Features4.......................................End.of.the.Year.2008-2009.5..........................................Delvin.Furlough.wins.Gold6-7.................................................Summer.Fun.at.TSD8..............................................Claire.Bugen.Appointed

.to.Gallaudet.University’s.Board.of.Trustees

9............................................................‘Making.Waves’.Opening.of.School.Year

14............................... Close.Up.with.Our.GovernmentTSD.broadcasted.President.Obama’s.address.to.schools

15......................................Partners.in.the.Community16-18....................Other.Summer.&.Fall.Happenings19................................................Home.of.the.Rangers20......................................................... TSD.Foundation

Front CoverTSD.3rd.graders.Nevan.Graves,.Logan.Rosko.and.Leyla.Sicoli.cheer.during.the.pep.rally.at.the.2009.Homecoming.activities..

www.tsd.state.tx.us

V O L U M E 1 3 0 , N o . 3 - 4S U M M E R / FA L L 2 0 0 9

( I S S N 0 8 9 3 - 2 9 6 4 )

Lone StarEditor/Art Director:

Fernando MuñozContributors:

Claire Bugen, Keena Miller, Theresa Johnson, Terri Levine and Kelvin Etkie.

Special thanks to:Cynthia Foss, USDeaflympics.org, Andrés Salvador,

Wess Smith, Diana Poeppelmeyer and Twyla Strickland. Photography:

Richard Norton, Fernando Muñoz, TSD staff and students.

Subscription InfoA one year subscription to Lone Star, the quarterly journal of the Texas School for the Deaf, costs $10. Send check and mailing address information to:

Lone Star EditorTexas School for the Deaf1102 South Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78704

Gamblin Field during Homecoming Activities

AdministrationClaire Bugen

Superintendent

Avonne Brooker-RutowskiDirector of Instruction

Gloria Seidlin-BernsteinDirector of Student Support Services

Gary BegoDirector of Business and Operations

Russell WestDirector of Residential Services

Governing BoardWalt Camenisch, President

Connie Sefcik-Kennedy, Vice President

Sha Cowan, Secretary

Jean Andrews

Beatrice Burke

Eric Hogue

Susan Ridley

Angie Wolf

J O U R N A L O F t h E t E x A S S c h O O L F O R t h E D E A F

2 Lone Star • Summer-Fall 2009

Messagefrom the Superintendent

We opened the school year “Making Waves” and we haven’t stopped since. It’ll be spring by the time you read the fall

issue of the Lone Star so the thrill of Opening Day and the excite-ment of Homecoming tend to wane a bit in the thrusts of annual ARDs, SAT and TAKS testing and all the student rituals of spring fever! Nonetheless, we forge on—trying to keep our boats afloat as we maneuver the crest of the wave towards graduation and the close of another school year.

I’m delighted to announce the completion of the first stage of our Strategic Planning Process. This plan articulates our vision and mission, and describes our core values and beliefs that will guide TSD to excellence over the next five years. We have a dynamic and talented School Community Planning Team led by our facilita-tor Rita Gibbs from the Texas Association of School Boards, which included a combination of Board, Community, Staff and Parents. As we move forward in this process we will also be completing the work for our CEASD Accreditation. I am committed to providing the broadest possible participation by key stakeholders in our com-munity and there will be many opportunities for all of you to be in-volved. The next steps in our process will include a comprehensive internal and external needs assessment, and the creation of 5-6 criti-cal goals. From there we will move forward to the establishment of Innovative Research Teams and Focus Groups that will develop the boldest and best strategies to implement these goals. After our Board approves these strategies we will develop our guiding blue-print for the next five years and we will subsequently be visited by the CEASD peer review team to assess the quality of our planning and our compliance with the CEASD standards.

The TSD Strategic Plan: Our Vision, Our Mission and Our Beliefs

MISSION

The mission of the Texas School for the Deaf is to ensure that stu-dents excel in an environment where they learn, grow, and belong. We support deaf students, families, and professionals in Texas by providing resources through outreach services.

VISION

Texas School for the Deaf is the innovative leader providing exem-plary and comprehensive ASL/English bilingual education empow-ering students to be engaged, life-long learners. We are a welcom-ing, dynamic, and diverse community collaborating with the global community.

We Believe That:

• Education is a responsibility shared by the students, family, school and community.

• All students thrive and excel in a community that values di-verse abilities, needs, and interests.

• Treating people with dignity and respect is essential to a healthy and productive environment.

• The development of the whole person socially, physically, intel-lectually, culturally, and emotionally is imperative to life-long success.

• Involving people in decisions that impact their lives promotes ownership, commitment, action and a sense of value and pride.

• A strong language foundation is essential to students’ success.

• Deliberate and collaborative American Sign Language (ASL) and English language planning fosters language acquisition and learning.

• Immersing students in Deaf Culture promotes a sense of be-longing and acceptance, which in turn enhances positive iden-tity and self-worth.

• An interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on creativity, criti-cal thinking, problem solving, communication, and collabora-tion is essential to prepare students for life in the 21st century.

• Students have the right to an education by motivated and en-gaged faculty and staff who apply current best practices.

• Proficiency in 21st Century technology skills and tools is a req-uisite for success in a global community.

Claire Bugen

Journal of the Texas School for the Deaf 3

2008-2009End of the Year

by Fernando Muñoz

The 11th annual End of School Year Celebration was held on

June 5, 2009 in the Whoville Gym and provided the culmination of our Seussian Make Every Who Matter year. The party agenda included breakfast tacos with the Good Doctor, Oh the Things You Can Think About 2008-2009, On Respecting Your Retirees by Dr. Seuss, How Many Years Did You Fish to Get Recognized staff service awards, and Oh the Places You’ll Go door prizes. Amidst popping champagne poppers, stovepipe hats, and an overflow of Seus-sian humor—all residents of Solla Sollew were treated to a review of the school year and all had a good

time. A drawing was held for gift cards, Guadalupe River camping, Harley Davidson gear, a Paintball Party for Five and a host of other community donations. It was a banner year for enrollment at TSD and all the “voices” in Whoville were heard across the land.

10 Years: Mindy Moore, Andrea Brown, Evelyn Goodridge, Tammy Casey, Doris Bailey, Joey Vaughan, Laura Hamilton, Karen Henry, Valerie Meyer and Michelle DeLeonardis.

15 Years: Rita Barb, Jana Suddath, Staci Miller, Sue Ann Kenmotsu, Elena Furmansky, Sandy Kimball.

20 Years: Eileen Barden, Joyce Droustas, Rudy Gomez, Sheri Mize, Lisa Costigan, Felix Agosto.

25 Years: Alfred Manor, Becky McKeller, Jan Reed Anderson, Marilyn Nixon, Robert Alcala.

30 Years: Susan Beritiech, Mari Liles, Kathy Newcomer, Mary Wallace-Green, Susan Knox.

5 Years: Bottom (L-R), Coleen Utzman, Stella Egbert, Joey Hoover, Kristine Waltman, Tina Pippen-Blackford, Patricia Wallace, Melissa Kerr, Christian Muñoz. Top (L-R): Gary Bego, Kyra Buttler, Michelle Halvorsen, Athena Walker, Lia Hanalius, Rachel Bullock, Terry Harper, Amanda Carmichel, Mike Talley, R.J. Kaufman, Desi Lopez and John Serrano.

Celebrating 35 years, Debbie Boatright.


by Fernando Muñoz with the cooperation of Leila Hanaumi and Joshua Weinstock from US-Deaflympics.org

On September 9th we received the great news that our very own Delvin Furlough had conquered the Gold medal in the Deaf-lympics games celebrated in Taypei. The U.S. Athletics Team earned its third gold thanks to Delvin Furlough.

“The team’s latest gold came from a come-back win by 400-meter sprinter Delvin Fur-lough, who jumped to an early lead in the first 200m.

Russian Nikita Novikov appeared to take the lead before the runners came down the homestretch, and Furlough was in line for a third-place finish. However, Furlough did what he wasn’t able to do at the 100m dash: turn on the jets.” – reported the USDeafly-mpics website.

He displayed a brilliant final kick, after which sprinting coach Jesse Bailey ex-claimed, “phenomenal!”

Furlough ran a 48.16 seconds, a personal best. “I’m thrilled. The 400m is my favorite event,” Furlough said. “I knew I would place first from the start, but when [Novikov] passed me, I got mad and that pushed me to run even faster.”

Novikov finished with a time of 48.28, just .12 behind Furlough. The first-place winner of the previous day’s 400m heats, Ukrainan Sergiy Mazuro, placed third with a time of 48.95, a disappointment after his perfor-mance in the heat and semifinals.

Delvin runs for Gold

Delvin and Superintendent Claire Bugen at Homecoming 2009.Delvin shows his medals to all the TSD students during the pep rally, Homecoming 2009.

Furlough golden in 400m.


Summer Programs 2009

Summer Funat TSD

By Theresa Johnson

Like many summers before it, the summer of 2009 was packed with lots of fun and sun at TSD. For over 300 students and

500 adults from across the state of Texas, there was a variety of opportunities to learn, grow and belong to a community of people who are inter-ested in deafness in some way. The summer of-fered the traditional programs for all ages. Spe-cial programs for babies and toddlers included educating parents as well.

Then the programs for elementary, middle school and special needs departments offered a mix of academic enrichment, field trips to swim-ming and theme parks, campus carnivals, pizza parties, community volunteer activities—all wrapped around the theme of “Change Starts

Dalton Etkie, Elonzo Arellano, Maggie Kipp, Amelia Hamilton, Erin Craig, Paul Soechting, Conner Miers and John McClymmond.


with Me!” The high school age students were able to sign up for course work in English, math-ematics, science, ASL, computer science and drivers safety and education, to name a few of their choices. Those who needed to could take a course to make up academic credits.

There were also sports camps provided. Students could come to TSD to participate in football camps and volleyball camps. Collaboration be-tween TSD and Gallaudet University made it possible for students to join other students from across the country who traveled to Texas for an elite volleyball camp experience.

And there were a host of sign language and in-terpreter training opportunities for parents as well as certified and non-certified interpreters. People again traveled from across the state to participate in a variety of weeklong learning ex-periences serving to enhance their sign language skills and/or interpreting skills in a total immer-sion model.

With the teamwork of many staff at TSD, we will be able to offer another summer full of op-portunities again in 2010. The first summer camp will begin June 13, 2010 and a variety of programs will be offered through August 2010. Because of the continued growth of the drivers’ safety and education course, we are in the pro-cess of certifying two more instructors in prepa-ration of summer. TSD recently purchased two new vehicles that will be specially equipped for the purpose of student driver use.

There will also be some visitors coming to town! Both the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and Gallaudet University will be sending staff and college students to TSD to help provide weekend experiences for students who are enrolled in summer programs that will focus on transition preparation. They will focus on topics such as leadership skills, self-advocacy skills and life skills. It is sure to be a lot of fun while learning some valuable lessons.


By Keena Miller

On September 28, Gallaudet Uni-versity announced a Texas leader

among new appointees chosen to join the University’s board of trustees.

Claire Bugen, superintendent and chief executive officer of the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) will serve a three-year term as trustee on Gallaudet Univer-sity’s board, which holds policy-making authority, management of and fund-ing responsibility for the University. Gallaudet University - located in Wash-ington D.C. - is the world leader in lib-eral education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing undergrad-uate students.

Bugen, who has lead TSD since 1998 and began her tenure at the school as a principal in 1976, has more than 30 years in credentials serving in adminis-

trative roles for schools and programs for deaf students. Active in professional organizations her entire career, Bugen served as president and secretary of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf (CAID) and the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD). Bugen presently chairs CEASD’s Ac-creditation of Schools Committee and serves as a member of CEASD’s Gov-ernment Relations Committee.

Bugen was instrumental in the develop-ment of the National Agenda for the Education of Deaf Students - a coali-tion of parent, consumer, professional, and advocacy organizations working to develop an effective, communication-driven educational delivery system for deaf students. Her recent awards in-clude Outstanding Women in Texas Government and the Robert R. Davila award for meritorious contributions to the field of deafness, presented by CEASD.

In response to the announcement, for-mer TSD Valedictorian Christopher Kearney (’07) who is now attending Gallaudet University wrote to Mrs. Bu-gen, “…I am sending you my heartfelt congratulations! Thank you for all that you do because your endeavors help to push the bar higher for all of us!”

The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1857, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals throughout

the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a cul-ture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong.

To learn more about Gallaudet University go to: www.gallaudet.edu

TSD Superintendent appointed to Gallaudet University’s Board of Trustees

About GallaudetGallaudet University is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students. The University enjoys an international reputation for the outstanding graduate programs it provides deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students, as well as for the quality of the research it conducts on the history, language, culture, and other topics related to deaf people.

In addition, the University’s Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center serves deaf and hard of hearing children at its two demonstration schools and throughout the nation by developing, implementing, and disseminating innovative educational strategies. Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 by an Act of Congress, and its charter was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.


by Fernando Muñoz

Another opening of another show – this one built around

the metaphor of “making waves” in bringing the best education pos-sible to TSD students–provided a fun time for all. Armed with the annual survival kit and games such as Whose Sign Is It Anyway, staff were treated to a journey down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Yes they even paddled their way across the rapids, learned how not to get stuck in the eddies, and unraveled the geographic lay-ers of support to be provided in the 2009-2010 school year. Highlights of the school year were outlined by various leadership staff and in-cluded:

• Stranded in the Canyon: An over-view of the 81st Legislative Session

• The 8th Wonder of the World: Homecoming 2009

• Charting a New River Course: Language Planning at TSD

• Expansion in the North Rim: New Outreach Programs in ERCOD

• New Waves of Accountability: Changes in TAKS, MAP and SAT

• I See Something Grand: New Em-ployees at TSD

Traditional games on the new theme included Grand Canyon Jeopardy, and Grand Canyon Brain Teasers. The staff in their river and canyon garb gave Advice from a River and Advice from a Canyon as described below.

To close the show the audience was treated to a beautiful laser spectacle called Under the Canyon skies fol-lowed by a delicious Canyon lunch catered by The Salt Lick.

Making Waves

Top (L-R): Gary Bego, Mari Liles, Terry Robbins, Mark Johnston, John Serrano, Roger Ross, Gayle Stephens, Linda Rees, Stella Egbert, Karl Hummel, Wess Smith, Cass Bertling, Robert Solis. Bottom: Russell O. West, Diana Poeppelmeyer, Claire Bugen, Matthew Levitt, Susan Sien, Avonne Brooker-Rutowski, Jan Reed Anderson, Gloria Seidlin-Bernstein, Joey Vaughan, Sharee Darce.

MaryBeth Cannefax, Kenny Richter, Wess Smith, Cass Bertling, Jonathan Pecora, Lindsey James and Terri Levine

A+ (Credit Union) Foundation giving a teacher award to Cynthia Cunningham-Piper, Cathy Williams interpreting.

Denise LaGesse, Dani Barbin, Roseanne Siriani, Sandy Adkins, Jacklene Young, Jesse Bailey, Sheri Mize.

Advice from a River

Carve out a place for yourselfAspire to new plateausStand the test of time

Don’t get boxed inListen to the voice of the windIt’s OK to be a little off the wall

Reach deep!

Advice from a Canyon

Go with the flowImmerse yourself in natureSlow down and meanderGo around the obstacles

Be thoughtful of those down-stream

Stay currentRough waters become smooth

Follow the path of least resistanceThe beauty is in the journey!

Opening of School Year Begins with


By Fernando Muñoz

Homecoming is a big event at Texas School for the Deaf.

The sheer amount of activities and the great attendance makes it a challenge to see it all, do it all, and visit with all the returning alumni, current students and families, and the interested public.

This year’s Homecoming was not an exception and as usual we got a Tex-as size crowd that enjoyed, laughed and shared stories in our Carnival Mall. The food was delicious and the vendors, organizations and artists were helping everybody, answering questions and showing their services and products.

It was nice to see familiar faces again, catch up with people’s lives and see how they are still connected to TSD. At the same time it was great to see new families that came to discover why TSD is a unique place where our students not just learn and grow, but also belong.

Friday Night Live!

The students of TSD, in association with DeafAct and under the direc-tion of Don Miller, put on a great show. ‘Friday Night Live!’ a variety show following the format of mul-

tiple sketches was funny and enter-taining.

Volleyball Rules!

Our Volleyball team took on Not Your Ordinary School’s team play-ing a strong and consistent game. The crowd was excited with all the energy and spirit showed by our team; the final score was 25-16/25-12/25-15 giving TSD a fantastic victory.

Homecoming

A busy Carnival Mall with all the visitors and vendors.

The winners of the Spirited Week. Dr. Victor Galloway, former Texas School for the Deaf superintendent (1981-1986).


Homecoming 2009

Friday Night Live!

Performers of Friday Night Live!

Mark Seeger from the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation kept the crowd on their feet with amazing prices at the TSDF Raffle.

At the carnival mall vendors

included technology

service providers, arts and crafts,

and food.


Homecom

ing2

009 Go Rangers!

The main event of Homecoming was the traditional football game, this year against the Eagles from California School for the Deaf-Fremont. It was a great game under a clear Austin sky. Before the game our very own Chris-tian Escamilla performed the Nation-al Anthem accompanied by Sergeant Benjamin Evans, Corporal Andrew Lopez, Sergeant Patrick Maxwell and Corporal Keoni Hui Hui from the United States Marine Corps present-ing the National Colors.

The Rangers where strong and took the game with an impressive 40–18 score, sealing this triumphant home-coming with another great victory!

Homecoming CourtThis year’s Court participants were Morgan Campbell (Queen), Kirsten Coahran, Claira Oberrender, Em-manuel Trevino (King), Jairo DeLe-on and Adrian Barajas. Junior Prince Joshua Eziashi and Junior Princess Ashlee Lambert. The Flower and Crown Bearers were Zara Thompson and Ethan Lippold.

To summarize, TSD’s Homecom-ing 2009 was a great and successful event thanks to the participation of the TSD family and the support of all the volunteers, coordinators and community partners.

1.

2.

3. 4.

The 2009 Homecoming Court with Superintendent Claire Bugen.

Christian Escamilla and the United States Marine Corps during the National Anthem.


1. Ashley Lambert and Gabriella Beyer celebrate a point .

2. TSD volleyball team after winning the game.

3. Myeisha Justice, Alyssa Castro, Gabriella Beyer, Marika Beyer and Jamie Utzman.

4. Panoramic view during the TSD vs. Not Your Ordinary School game.

5. Football team enters the field, leading Ryan Harbison and Richard Bertling. Cheerleaders Tia Rice, Krissy Bradford.

6. TSD Rangers at the sidelines Austin Hill (4) and Dalton Etkie (10).

7. Ryan Harbison Kick-off the TSD vs. CSD-Fremont game.

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6. 7.


By Fernando Muñoz

On September 8th, 2009, TSD made history by broadcasting President Obama’s address to American students and providing simultaneous translation througout the whole speech.

Bobbie Guerra’s class and Wess Smith, Sign Language & Assessment Coordi-nator, were responsible for putting to-gether this event with the technical sup-port of Kenny Richter.

The broadcast went smoothly and was

also accessible at TSD’s website. It quickly became one of our most viewed pages indicating it’s huge success as a nationwide resource. TSD was made proud through many compliments that came our way.

The success of the video was huge and was shared nationwide making TSD proud and receiving many compli-ments. The Lone Star asked some ques-tions of Wess Smith:

Q: Was this the first time TSD did a live interpreted broadcast of a presidential speech?A: This is the first time that I believe we ever did this kind of live broadcast. Several dis-tricts used this as a way of assessing their interpreters by putting it to an assessment rubric for ASL. They had their interpreters re-interpret and then scored them based on a series of criteria that were present within our interpretation. (Fingerspelling, topic-comment, rhetorical questions, noun/verb pairs, prosody, use of pronouns vs. plural pronouns, message equivalence, number

incorporation, content, semantics, syn-tax, etc.) I have to admit I was a bit

overwhelmed with some of the questions.

Q: What was the most dif-ficult aspect of the experience?A: I hadn’t seen/read the speech

in advance. There was a class of high school kids walking around while it was being filmed and sound was coming from a laptop while people were talking and signing in the room while I was looking at a camera and guessing at what was being said in parts.

Q: Have you received any comments or feedback after the event?I received over hundreds, possibly thou-sands, of e-mails with questions about signs, structures, grammar; I had people praise it and I had students from Kindergarten to high school tell me how wonderful it was to see what the President said, as he said it. The students quoted the President. Kinder-gartners said, “I’ll work hard, really hard, the President wants me to and I can’t believe you were with him. “ And I had high school kids talk about how the Harry Potter writer failed 12 time before getting her book pub-lished and then how Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team. Some of these responses almost brought me to tears. Not only were the kids paying at-tention, but they were applying it to their own lives.

Q: How do you think the response was for this?This was a first for me. I was AMAZED at what came from it. Curriculum was writ-ten to be used based on the interpretation. Young deaf kids felt they were being spo-ken directly to. Having something that was live provided directly to deaf kids was new and made me feel that what we are doing at TSD is worth all the time and commitment that we put into it.

President Barack Obama’s National Address to America’s Schoolchildren“The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got

tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.”

– President Barack Obama

Our GovernmentClose Up with

Watch the videowww.tsd.state.tx.us/ news/

presidentialspeech.html


community partnership

Everything started when Nick Bannon, curricu-lum specialist at TSD, first met Andres Salvador-owner of Fair Bean Coffee early in 2009 secur-ing his co-sponsorship of TSD’s 2009 Ranger Triathlon and the Ranger Stampede 5K runs last spring.

Since then the partnership has expanded to in-clude in-kind coffee donations for TSD meetings and the end-of-year staff appreciation breakfast, as well as the hiring of a TSD graduate as a Fair Bean Coffee Barista. It is Andres’ belief that with guidance, the “right” TSD culinary students will ‘step-up to the plate’ in food-service careers - such as pastry bakers - and earn fiar wages for the products they develop.

Last summer, in the name of Fair Trade, Andres approached TSD’s Culinary Arts teacher, Lauren McCullough with his idea; a pastry product de-signed and produced by TSD students to com-plement Fair Bean’s menu. Two scrumptious, tried and tested recipes were made available, the Banana Mocha and Apple Crisp Buns – YUM!

25% of the proceeds from the TSD Muffins came back to help TSD. Thanks to our commu-nity partner!

ScrumptiousA Truly

Thanks to TSD’s neighbor Andres Salvador at Fair Bean Coffee, a unique and delicious community partnership with TSD was running in 2009.

by Keena Miller

Fair Bean Coffee 2210 South 1st Street, Austin, TX 78704

Ph: 512-444-2326 • www.fairbeancoffee.com

Teacher Lauren McCullough. Students from the Culinary Arts Clas: Phillip Cox, Jose Tamayo-Hernandez, Amanda Mitchell, , Lauren Hawkins. Top: Culinary Arts Class and Andrés Salvador.


Last year’s Tree Day was celebrated by our Elementary students by planting a tree at the TSD campus. Participating in this activity: Kylar Sicoli, Chloe Kuhns, Jewel Rocha, Ma-son Rosko, Connor Upchurch, Ken-nedy Toynes. Cage Hall, Ashlene Etkie, Grace Soechting, Anahly Tristan, Isadora Egbert, Cha’risa Reins, Zara Thompson, Ethan Lippold, Trei Lutes-Stein, (K) Mary Kate Valenzuela.

Other SummerFall

Tree Day

Pirate DayAye, Aye Captain! Pirate Day was a fun day for our 2nd graders. Pic-tured are: Anahly Tristan, Grace Soechting, Con-nor Upchrurch, Ashlene Etkie, Jewel Rocha, Mason Rosko, Chloe Kuhns, Kennedy Toynes, Cage Hall.

Ethan Lippold and Kylar Sicoli watering the tree

after it was planted.

Connor Upchurch


SummerFall

Students give back to community partner

Special Olympics6th grade Science Fair

Demetrius Holt, Jessica Comeau, Patrick Smith, Francisco Rodriguez, Armando Molina.

Patty Barden, Jessica Comeau, Chris Boddie, Steven Lapon

Arnold Flores, Armando Molina, Alexia Temple, Andrea Green, Joseph Scott, Anthony Duran.

By Keena Miller

Fifth grade students from the Tex-as School for the Deaf paid back

the community for its support.

Earlier in 2009, South Side Flying Pizza launched an innovative support program that benefits TSD by shar-ing profits from online orders the restaurant receives using the internet.

In return for SSFP’s partnership with the school, TSD’s fifth grade class wanted to do something to

help out at the restaurant. The stu-dents painted SSFP’s fence, and is in discussion of a mural project for later this year.

TSD is grateful for the support of the local community and assistance from business partners like SSFP. Thanks to Art Goldstein and SSFP for bringing the community togeth-er and realizing the important role the school plays in the lives of deaf and hard of hearing children from all across Texas.

CJ Upchurch, Tommy Noutharykoun, Gunita Schmidjorg, Alexandria Rutowski, Connor Rosko, Alexis Moreno, Anna Oberrender, Christopher Normand, Gregorio Mata Jr., Niko Lutes-Stein, Jesse Martinez, Leah Moore, Ketsi Hoover, Reno Jannett, Diara Johnson, Jasi Kennedy.


By Lisa Crawford

Family Weekend Retreat 2009 was a smashing success! This event just keeps growing every year. 182 people attended the 2009 Family Weekend Retreat, in-cluding 93 children and 89 adults, rep-resenting 42 families from across Texas.

This year’s agenda was full of great speakers and interesting topics and we also had two special guests from the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University. Mat-thew Rider and Cynthia Hunt provide family trainings all over the United States at various “Family Learning Va-cations” and this year they made a stop in Texas! The information they shared was invaluable and they presented to our group on some of their most popu-lar topics: Sex Education and Internet Safety. On Saturday evening Matt and Cynthia arranged for a Family Game

Night Extravaganza and fun was had by all!

As always, we are forever grateful to all of our TSD staff, volunteers and speakers who make this event pos-sible!

The feedback and comments from participant where positive and inspi-rational:

“My son is implanted and even though we don’t use sign as a primary means of communication it is important for him to see and be around other kids who are deaf/hard of hearing. It is also important for siblings to be able to ex-perience this and be around other kids who have siblings who are deaf and hard of hearing. It is doubly impor-tant for parents so that we can share our experiences.” - said one parent.

“This is one of the best things we do for our deaf son and for us.” - added another participant.

For more information about this year’s Family Weekend Retreat please visit: www.tsd.state.tx.us/outreach/family_parent_involvement

Other

Family Weekend Retreat 2009

“Everything was so informa-tive this weekend, the staff,

parents and speakers/teachers were awesome to network with. This outreach is so important to the new…parent of a deaf

child. Thank you.”

Rose Minette and Olivia Bills from DARS, presenting a workshop.

From top to bottom: Parents and kids enjoy the activities. Olivia Bills, Jason Curry, Cynthia Hunt and Debbie White present a panel.


H O M E O F T H E

An inspiring season for the TSD Cheerleadersby Terri Levine

The 2009 Fall Cheerleaders had a spirit filled cheerleading season.

We had only 1 returning cheerleader from the previous year and 5 newcom-ers. The girls worked hard learning chants, cheers and cheers with pyra-mids. There were difficult pyramids they wanted to try and try they did to successfully execute it in a sync fashion. They rooted, cheered and motivated the

football team and the fans through and through!

The Cheerleaders lead a very spirited school wide Homecoming Pep-Ral-ly! With the decorated colors of Blue and White splashed all over the gym,

the Mascot strutting around and fans all fired up, the football players were psyched and motivated to WIN the Homecoming game!! Kudos to the Fall Cheerleaders for their hard work and spirited commitment for TSD!!!

Rangers showed high spirits even in adversityby Kelvin Etkie

At the beginning of the fall foot-

ball season, the boys came into a program with 4 new coaches and a coach from the previous year. As the new head coach, I was very impressed with the boys’ desire to play football. The boys worked really hard during football camp and had a great preseason scrimmage. When the season began we had a close scoring game against Cypress Christian. Our defense backs gave the Cypress Chris-tian quarterback a difficult time during the game. Ever since that game, I took notice that our opponents preferred to run against us rather than pass.

Our only win of the season was being CSD Fremont during our Homecom-ing weekend. I was told that the Fre-mont coaches tried to avoid passing too much against us because they were able to view our game tape against Cypress Christian. Way to go boys!

Unfortunately, we were not able to win any more games yet the boys continue

to dress for each practice and games un-til the end of the season with their heads held high! To the coaches and myself, they are winners!

We will bid farewell to nine great senior boys! We look forward to another foot-ball season this coming fall with a fresh start.

Tia Rice, Laura Garza, Morgan Campbell, Terisha Broderson and Krissy Bradford.

Texas School for the Deaf Varsity Football Team.


TSD Foundation 2009-2010 Board of Directors

Bringing together community and business involvement to encourage academic excellence in Deaf Education, and provide statewide resources and student support

Joe Brown

Claire Bugen - Ex-Officio

Jack Busenbark

Marilyn Galloway

John Hodnett - Advisory

Parker Kennedy, Ph.D.

Ryan Melody

Paul Rutowski

Mark Seeger

Mike Sharp

Peter Strople

Patty Viramontes

Jon Wolf

Danny Lacey - ChairMichael Moody - Vice Chair, Operations

John Blazier - SecretaryHal Caldcleugh - Treasurer

Vince Pendergast - Asst. Treasurer

The foundation of their lives is built with guidance, education, care and love.

For giving opportunities please contact us:www.tsdfoundation.org • e-mail: [email protected]

Documents

Lone Star Sumer/Fall 2009