The Clarke Connection: May 2016
THE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER OF CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEECH
MAY IS BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH
This month, Clarke joins an international effort designed to raise public awareness, knowledge and understanding of the options available to those with hearing loss. Please check out the many programs and events below to see how you can get involved this month and all year! And please like our Facebook page to see daily posts with videos, news segments and stories showcasing children with hearing loss who are pursuing a listening and spoken language path. (Want to join the effort on social media? Share our posts and add the hashtag #BHSM!)
NEWS
$1.25 M Grant Awarded to Clarke-Fontbonne Northeast Collaborative
Clarke and Fontbonne University have been awarded a $1.25 million grant to fund student tuition for our collaborative Master of Arts in Deaf Education Program. This interdisciplinary degree for graduate students offers coursework through Fontbonne University, and 400 hours of on-site practicum in the Northeastern US, including Clarke locations in Boston, New York, Northampton and Philadelphia. Learn more about the grant and the program >
Clarke New York Alumna Invited to Join U.S. Chess Team
Congratulations to Clarke New York alumna Nura who has just been invited to join the U.S. Chess Team to play at the World Championship tournament in October in Batumi, Georgia! Nura has bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. A graduate of Clarke New York's preschool program and now in the fourth grade, Nura has been playing competitive chess for two years and is thrilled at the chance to compete internationally. We wish you the best of luck!
Sponsor A Child Program Expands!
Following its initial rollout in New York, Clarke's Sponsor a Child program is now accepting pledges in Boston, Jacksonville, Northampton and Philadelphia. You can sponsor a child, like Leobardo (pictured here), 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 >
Teacher Appreciation Week
In honor of last week's National Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to recognize all the fantastic Clarke education professionals who serve our communities. Please know how much we value your service in the classroom, and how much we appreciate all that you do for our Clarke students and families. Thank you!
PRESCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
High School Seniors Spend Day at Clarke Philadelphia
It was a day of digging, building, learning and laughing for 12th graders from The Baldwin School, who spent a recent spring day at Clarke Philadelphia. These talented and enthusiastic young women loved interacting with our children, helping them garden around their playground, eating lunch with them and building and organizing shelving in a storage area. The Baldwin students were treated to an orientation by Clarke Philadelphia Director, Judy Sexton, where they asked many insightful questions about hearing loss, technology and the children. Towards the end of the visit, one Clarke preschooler asked, "Are our new friends coming back tomorrow?" This was a visit that the students at Clarke and Baldwin will not soon forget!
Northampton Preschool Celebrates National Week of the Young Child
Clarke Northampton Preschool recently joined in the regional festivities of the National Week of the Young Child, celebrating children and all the people who help them to grow! Along with 36 other early childhood programs in the area, Clarke Northampton preschool students displayed artwork at local businesses. Many Clarke families also attended a children's festival at a local elementary school, and Clarke teacher of the deaf Jeanne Moriarty was there to lead some little scientists in a springtime grass seed planting activity. Read more >
Grandparents + Ice Cream = A Sweet Day in Philly
Does it get any better than a day spent with proud grandparents? Well, if you throw in an ice cream party -----  courtesy of a very special Clarke grandparent -----  it does! Grandparents' Day at Clarke Philadelphia is always a special day with grandparents from near and far (as far away as Florida!) coming to Clarke to see their grandchildren's school, do a fun project and learn from and support one another in a memorable seminar facilitated by Clarke's outstanding Early Intervention Coordinator, Jeana Novak. Thanks to all who attended and supported this event!
FOR PROFESSIONALS
Spring Issue of Mainstream News is Now Online
Clarke's Mainstream Services newsletter, Mainstream News, is now available online and free of charge thanks to sponsorship from our friends at Oticon Pediatrics. The Spring 2016 issue is hot off the press, featuring an article about the importance of community inside the mainstream classroom, tips on how to facilitate successful transitions and five great ways to encourage self-advocacy. Archived issues are also available online.
Clarke Pennsylvania Workshop
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 >
Clarke's 37th Annual Conference on Mainstreaming Students with Hearing Loss
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. Each day features a blend of current topics covering the subject of hearing loss and its implications for learning in typical classrooms, along with topics focusing on self-advocacy and social skills. "Making Connections!" a day-long program designed for students with hearing loss will take place on Friday, October 14. Read more >
UPCOMING EVENTS
Did You Hear that the Listening Walk is This Weekend?
Do you hear that? It's the lions and tigers and Andean Bears (oh, MY!) at the Philadelphia Zoo announcing that Clarke's Listening Walk at the Zoo is just days away! Hundreds of Clarke children, families, staff and alumni will descend on the Philadelphia Zoo on Sunday, May 15 to listen for a smorgasbord of sounds -----  bleats, honks, growls and squeaks -----  and there will be fun games and activities, prizes and a 5K Run, too! Registrants will receive a Listening Walk Passport to record their success at tracking down sounds, and to have as a special keepsake. We hope you registered to join us for Clarke's Listening Walk at the Zoo to walk with a crowd of historic proportions! If not, you may still donate to the Listening Walk and follow our event updates @ClarkeAtTheZoo!

Clarke Boston Family Fun Day & Reunion is this Sunday
Clarke Boston is excited to celebrate the end of the school year this Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Family Fun Day! There will be food, entertainment, guided nature hikes, face painting, a raffle and more! To sponsor this great event or with questions contact Erin McKenney at [email protected].
Clarke's Summer Adventure Program: July 10-22, 2016
Summer will be here before you know it, and so will Clarke's hugely popular Summer Adventure Program. This year's theme, "Clarke's Got Talent!" will introduce campers to the art of magic; the knack of juggling; the fun of clowning and much, much more! Each day will bring a rich variety of activities including field trips, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming, team endeavors and individual pursuits. Learn more >
Find out how your business can do well by doing good: Become a Summer Adventure Sponsor today. Find out more >
Introducing #TeamClarke Runners
The 2016 TCS New York City Marathon has accepted five runners for Clarke! Denae Dostal, Chris Gallant, Kristen Kuhn, Sandra Laflamme, and Charles Page will all run and raise money for Clarke. Read more >

And the 2016 New Balance Falmouth Road Race is lucky to have five fabulous Clarke runners and fundraisers: Chris Cuddy, Chris Gallant, Greg Powers, Julie Rowe and Paul Stechenfinger! Check out their amazing stories and  show your support >
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Clarke Insider's Night at the Museum
On April 20, Listening Walk sponsors, families, staff and supporters gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for "An Insider's Night at the Museum," Guests enjoyed a wine and cheese reception and a cruise through the museum's new pop-art exhibit, "International Pop." Warm, welcoming remarks were given by both Clarke Philadelphia Director, Judy Sexton, and alumni parent Katy Friedland. It was a wonderful opportunity to thank Clarke's many steadfast supporters in Philadelphia, and to introduce new friends to Clarke. Those in attendance gained a greater understanding of Clarke's work, and received beautiful postcards featuring art from a few of Clarke's budding young artists.
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].
"I so appreciate the Comprehensive Educational Evaluation (CEE) meeting for my son at Clarke. The multidisciplinary team was excellent. The observations, suggestions and direction provided will clearly help us as he transitions from his last year in high school to the start of college. As a parent, it is always overwhelming to commit to any extensive observation and analysis of my son's skills but again, this was so worth it. In that three-day window, you and your team provided an excellent synopsis of his strengths and weaknesses and important guidance to us as a family. Your personal involvement was key to the success of this meeting and your dedication and professionalism are quite apparent." 
-Parent of a 17-year-old
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.

Clarke teaches 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