The Clarke Connection: March 2016
THE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER OF CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEECH
NEWS
A Philadelphia Eagle Soars Into Clarke Philly!
There was a lot to cheer about on Tuesday, February 16 when Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Connor Barwin (#98) swooped in on our preschoolers to talk about football, his hearing loss and sign autographs! Barwin, who was born deaf and still has hearing loss in his left ear, participated in an art project, read a book to the preschoolers, and was interviewed by two Clarke alumni and one mainstream student! The visit was a great opportunity for Connor Barwin to learn more about Clarke and for the children to meet an inspiring athlete, who is actively engaged in his community. Thank you, Connor, and fly, Eagles, fly! View the Photo Album >
Insider's Night at the Gallery in New York an Inspirational Success
Clarke New York held an intimate "Insider's Night at the Gallery" event on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Danese/Corey in Chelsea. Clarke New York's Program Director, Meredith Berger, welcomed guests and introduced Clarke's video "It's a New Day." Guests were also treated to a presentation by Carol Corey, the gallery's Director, about Mathias Meyer's "A Distant River" and Juan Fontanive's "Films without Light," the two exhibitions on view in the space. We are grateful to David Lillie of Chambers Street Wines and Gabriel Heymann of Smart Beer for generously providing refreshments for the event and to Renato Danese, Carol Corey and the Danese/Corey staff for hosting a unique and lovely evening.
Clarke Corner Column Featured in Hearing Health Foundation Magazine
Clarke has joined forces with Hearing Health Magazine and will soon publish its third article in a series focused on children with hearing loss who are learning to listen and talk. This collaboration allows Clarke's expertise to reach new audiences with key information, tips and resources about pediatric hearing loss and listening and spoken language therapy and education. Stay tuned for the article about amplification in young children with hearing loss, by Kathryn Girardin, Au.D., Director of the Clarke Hearing Center.
PRESCHOOL AND EARLY INTERVENTION SPOTLIGHT
Valentine's Day Stirs Hearts in Philly
Hearts were a-flutter at Clarke Philadelphia as parents and other family members donned red in celebration of Valentine's Day. The children danced with each other and with their parents, with some showing off their break-dancing skills (yes, break-dancing is still a thing!). Parent volunteers brought in lots of sweet treats and set up a beautiful Valentines Day-themed photo booth so everyone could get a great shot with their friends and loved ones. It was a perfect day to celebrate all the Clarke love that is felt in Philadelphia!
Sponsor A Child So He Can Listen, Talk and Thrive!
We are now accepting pledges to Sponsor a Child in Jacksonville, Philadelphia, New York and Massachusetts. You can sponsor a child, like Leobardo, and receive notes, artwork, videos and updates demonstrating his progress and the impact of your support! The gap between the public funds Clarke receives and our cost to provide services is on average $5,000 per child per year from birth to age five. By sponsoring a child for $5,000, you join a community passionate about helping children with hearing loss to listen and talk. Pledge today and receive an invite to A Clarke Insider's Night. To pledge or learn more, please contact Lillian Rountree at [email protected] or 973.453.5635. Learn more >
FOR PROFESSIONALS
Clarke Applauds Staff Member Sherri Fickenscher on Publication of New Communication Strategies Guide
A new valuable resource for listening and spoken language strategies is available for professionals, thanks in part to Clarke Philadelphia's Educator Support Specialist Sherri Fickenscher, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd, co-author Elizabeth Gaffney, and editor Cheryl Dickson. "Auditory Verbal Strategies to Build Listening and Spoken Language Skills" gives professionals keen insight into 10 effective, evidence-based strategies, such as "The Auditory Sandwich" and "Joint Attention." The guide defines each strategy, summarizes its use, identifies the skills it supports, features a discussion on some of its intricacies and offers helpful examples of the strategy in practice. All who read this guide will benefit from the comprehensive information and peer-to-peer writing style. Best of all, it's free! Download your copy >
Clarke Mainstream Teachers of the Deaf Present Workshop in Sterling, MA
Heather Stinson, CAGS, M.E.D., SLP-A (pictured here) and Lea Reidy, M.E.D., SLP-A, both mainstream teachers of the deaf from Clarke Northampton, were invited to host a workshop for the staff of Wachusett Regional School District in Sterling, Massachusetts. They presented to an enthusiastic and engaged group of 38 professionals made up of speech-language pathologists, regular classroom and special education teachers, and occupational and physical therapists. They received high praise from attendees, and one teacher commented, "It was one of the best professional development events that I have ever been to, it was beyond informative!"  Read more >
Pennsylvania Workshop
ABCDEF . . . GEEZ! Phonological Awareness: Accelerating Reading Skills for Children with Hearing Loss
Save the Date: October 7, 2016 in King of Prussia, PA. This workshop will highlight intervention for preschoolers with hearing loss that can promote phonological awareness skills comparable to their peers with typically hearing. Workshop teacher Michael Douglas, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT will cover skills that are transferable to mainstream settings, intervention modifications for children with hearing loss and levels of treatment intensity. Participants will also receive training in developing phonological awareness skills through an evidenced-based program designed for preschool children with hearing loss who are learning to listen and talk. Read more >
37th Annual Conference on Mainstreaming Students with Hearing Loss
Speaking Up for Self-Advocacy!
Save the Date: October 13-14, 2016 in Springfield, MA. This two-day conference is packed with inspirational keynotes and informative workshops for those working with children with hearing loss who listen and talk in mainstream settings from preschool through high school. It's an excellent learning and collaboration opportunity for parents, classroom teachers, teachers of the deaf, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, school administrators and other educational professionals. Read more >
UPCOMING EVENTS
Register Now for Clarke's Summer Adventure Program: July 10-22, 2016
While it may seem far away, summer will be here before we know it! This year's theme, "Clarke's Got Talent!" will introduce campers to the art of magic; the knack of juggling and much, much more. In addition, each day will bring a rich variety of activities including field trips, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming, team endeavors and individual pursuits. Come one, come all to the GREATEST camp on earth! Register today to secure your spot >
Find out how your business can do well by doing good! Become a Summer Adventure Sponsor today. Find out more >
Clarke's Listening Walk at the Zoo is Zoo-ming Along
Register today for Clarke's Listening Walk at the Zoo, and the 5K Run that will begin the day! We would love to see you running, walking, skipping, hopping and jumping with us at the Philadelphia Zoo on Sunday, May 15, 2016 for a day of celebrating the potential of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Attendees will be listening for all the unique animal and ambient sounds that can only be heard at the Philadelphia Zoo, and will visit Listening Stops along the way, recording the sounds they hear in their Listening Walk Passports. Remember, the Philadelphia Zoo is just a scenic drive from New York, New Jersey or Delaware! Register here >

College Information Night at Clarke Boston
Are you starting to look at colleges and universities? Come to a college information night for students who are deaf or hard of hearing on Saturday, April 13, 2016. Learn about:
            • What to ask disability services
            • Scholarship opportunities for students with hearing loss
            • Experiences from recent and current college students with hearing loss
View the postcard for more information. This is a free event at our Boston Location (1 Whitman Rd., Canton, MA 02021). RSVP by March 30 to [email protected].
Eat at California Pizza Kitchen, Support Clarke
Pizza with a Purpose! Eat-in or take away your lunch or dinner, and California Pizza Kitchen will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech where children who are deaf or hard of hearing are learning to listen and talk! Thursday, April 7, Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 2016. Find your participating location and coupon here >
Clarke Boston Family Fun Day
Join your friends at Clarke Boston for an exciting afternoon on Sunday, May 15, 2016 to celebrate the end of the school year! There will be food, entertainment, guided nature hikes, face painting, a raffle and more! This event is FREE, and all students, past and present are welcome! RSVP here >
Lace Up for Clarke
Calling all road warriors! For the sixth year, Clarke has been designated as a charity partner of the New York Road Runners. The 2016 TCS New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Apply by March 25 for one of five guaranteed entries to run 26.2 miles and raise funds in support of Clarke! It's going to be another exciting running season and we hope you will be a part of it! For more information please reach out to Alyssa at [email protected].
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Kilwins Ice Cream Run Was a Scooper Success!
On Saturday, more than 500 people from Florida's First Coast and beyond ran for fun and raised much-needed fundraising dollars to support Clarke's mission of teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen and talk in Jacksonville. Not only were guests and runners treated to ice cream and fabulous weather, but a lively Zumba event, as well as appearances from pirates, cheerleaders, mascots and much more! Read more >
Live Music, Crafts and Fun at the Clarke New York Family Reunion
Over 100 kids, parents, staff members and friends celebrated Clarke New York's 10th Annual Family Reunion and Barnes & Noble Bookfair in January. The percussive beat of salsa and Latin jazz band, Sabori, helped to set a festive mood and Girl Scout Troup #3444 provided helping hands at our crafts tables, overseen by Nicole Simels and her mom, Chris Simels. Ross Anderson, James Barden and Patrick deHahn lent time and talent to our teen reunion. View Family Reunion photo album and circle January 29, 2017 in your date books for our 11th Annual Family Reunion!
It's a New Day!
A New Day provides a glimpse into the life-changing work happening at Clarke every day. The seven-minute video celebrates the profound impact of Clarke's mission with beautiful footage of children who are deaf or hard of hearing singing songs, learning the seasons, telling jokes and living lives filled with endless opportunities. Thanks to your support, Clarke makes brighter futures possible for the children and families we serve. We couldn't do it without you. Share the link far and wide by copying and pasting: www.clarkeschools.org/NewDay.
Clarke is Hiring: Make a Difference and Join Our Team
To learn about exciting career opportunities at Clarke, visit our employment page. With locations along the East Coast, the perfect fit may be waiting for you.
Free Wednesday Webinar Archive Online
For those of you who missed any of our webinars, both series are available online. You can even request professional credits after viewing! Access the Wednesday Webinar archive >
Support Clarke with Your Everyday Purchases Using AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your Amazon purchase price to Clarke at no additional cost to you! Signup is easy and AmazonSmile does the rest. Find out more here >
Clarke Voices
We close each issue of The Clarke Connection with a special quote from a member of the Clarke Community. To become the next featured Clarke Voice, send your quote to [email protected].
"It's incredibly energizing to be around so many dedicated, energetic professionals who also work with the challenges of hearing loss. Please continue all of the wonderful work you are doing to in the field of teaching children who are deaf to listen and talk. The Mainstream Conference is exceptional and it's a pleasure to have the opportunity to learn from such experienced and talented speakers. Your other workshops, newsletter and blog are the vitamins we take all year until our next check-up comes around at Clarke's mainstream conference!"  
-Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf, New York
Clarke's continuum of services includes Infant-Toddler Programs, Preschool Programs, K-8 Program, Mainstream Services, Clarke Hearing Center, Comprehensive Educational Evaluations, Teleservices for Infants and Families, Professional Development Offerings and Summer Programs. Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As an IRS qualified charity, gifts to Clarke are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

At Clarke we teach children who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen and talk. Children served by Clarke use advanced technologies, including cochlear implants or hearing aids, to maximize their access to sound. We work with children and their families from infancy through their teen years. Our teachers of the deaf, speech-language pathologists and audiologists have the background, training and experience to prepare children academically and socially for a world of limitless possibilities. Clarke children listen and learn in the classroom, run and laugh with their friends on the playground and have lives filled with music, sports, family and community. Many children who come to Clarke are ready to attend their neighborhood mainstream schools by kindergarten.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech | 45 Round Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060
Voice 413.584.3450 | FAX 413.587.7318 | [email protected]  | clarkeschools.org

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech | 45 Round Hill Road | Northampton | MA | 01060