Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf Newsletter

Sir James Whitney students learn in a bilingual environment that is fun, safe, and caring.

The month of May is fast approaching. Students and staff are looking forward to having warm, sunny weather and enjoying the fresh air outdoors. Right now, the temperature is ranging from 10C – 20C.

A few weeks ago, Grade 9 to 12 students met in the auditorium to have a meeting about course selections for next fall. Mr. Gord Mortaley gave a good presentation and explained about compulsory and elective courses. He encouraged students to look at their credit summary and base their course selections accordingly. The students worked on selecting 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th course choices with help from T.A.G. teachers (Teacher Advice Group). I would like to encourage students to discuss these course selections with their parents. Parents can contact Gord Mortaley or myself if they have any questions.

Grade 3 and 6 students will take the Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Literacy test the week of May 7th to 28th. Grade 9 students will take Grade 9 EQAO Math the week of May 26^th – June 15^th. Elementary students will take the SATHI (Stanford Achievement Test for Hearing Impaired) the week of May 25^th to 31st while Secondary students will take it the week of May 10th to 14th. As you can see, most of our students will be very busy the month of May taking tests

IPRC (Identification, Placement, Review Committee) interviews will start May 17th to 19th and 27th and 28th. High School students, parents of both elementary and secondary programs, a representative from each applicable school board, and teachers are expected to attend. A letter will be sent to you with the exact day and time of your child’s I.P.R.C. These meetings are very important because it gives you the opportunity to discuss your child’s future educational success. Please try to keep this date open.

I look forward to having nice weather and seeing the big smiles of our students’ and staff.

The American Sign Language (ASL) Parent-Child Mother Goose program is a one-of-a-kind program developed by the Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) in partnership with the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program. ASL Mother Goose is a program of fun ASL rhymes and rhythms led by professional ASL and Literacy Consultants. This program is designed for any parents and children who use or are interested in ASL.

Direct referrals from parents are also accepted as well as other agencies such as Sir James Whitney School Preschool Services, Infant Hearing Program or Early Year Program.

ASL and Early Literacy Services

Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf

2345 Stanfield Road, #301

Mississauga ON L4Y 3Y3

TTY/Tel: 905-897-6881

Fax: 905-897-6676

Email: ocsd@deafliteracy.ca

Laurel Roberts

ASL Instructor/Literacy Consultant

TTY: 613-965-6173 in the evenings

Via Bell Relay Service 1-800-855-0511

Or Email: laurel.Roberts@edu.gov.on.ca

SJW Tel: 613-967-2823 to leave a message extension 230

A Comprehensive Parent’s Guide to help infants and preschoolers with their ASL skills development.

or BOTH for $ 25.00 + GST = $ 26.75 To order copies, please contact

The Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf Website: www.ccsdeaf.com/ocsd/main.html

As part of her Annual Learning Plan, Connie Prosser, a Home Visiting Teacher with the Preschool Program, offered a day on advocacy. The day was held at the Glen House Resort in Gananoque and families from the eastern part of the province gathered. Forty-eight adults and eighteen youths participated.

There were four main sessions for the adults – Connie Prosser and Linda Sirvage gave a presentation on the meaning and methods of advocacy. A professional panel, including Jean Knowles, Carolynn Getty, Kathy O’Brien, and Jennifer Van der Zweep, and Rasa Baltutis presented ideas on facilitating the transitions from one learning setting to another.

While the parents were involved with these activities, the youth had their own program, focused on mentoring, socializing and having fun together. This was organized and facilitated by Kim Duncan and Carolynn Getty. The youth produced wonderful crests that spoke to the many good things that they have experienced.

In the afternoon, there was an opportunity for the kids to share their point of view. The panel consisted of three students from each area, elementary, high school, college, and beyond. Luke Young–Boyle was a member of the panel. The students did a great job of representing themselves and the school.

Following this, the parents, which were representative of various ages of children, had an opportunity to present their thoughts on advocating. Each session provided handouts to be taken home for future reference.

There was such a depth of information shared and so many opportunities for people to make connections.

Congratulations to all those who participated and to the families from Sir James Whitney who attended.

Justin Zvigulis is currently participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). OYAP is a planned and monitored schoolwork program offered in secondary schools across Ontario. It provides the opportunity for students to participate through co-operative education placements in an apprenticeship occupation while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Justin’s program is in two parts. He spent eight weeks at the Life Long Learning Centre in Cobourg gaining skills and qualifications related to the Construction industry. Following the course in Cobourg, Justin then moved to a Co-op placement in his home community with a builder and will work there for the balance of the semester.

OYAP at Sir James Whitney has come about because of the leadership and commitment of Gord Mortaley. Gord has worked with the local school boards to ensure that the Sir James Whitney students have the same opportunities as their peers attending local schools. I would also like to thank Dale Abel. Dale accompanied Justin on a daily basis to Cobourg to assist with interpreting. It was a long day leaving Belleville at 6:45 and returning at 3:30. Thank you also to Principal Macklin Youngs for his support of the program. It is through teamwork and people working together that great things happen for students in Provincial Schools.

The picture of Justin was taken during my visit to the Life Long Learning Centre. The organizers of the program indicated to me that Justin had done an excellent job during the eight-week program.

OYAP at Sir James Whitney provides an excellent example of how this program could be implemented in other Provincial Schools. Thank you to Gord Mortaley for making this happen.

Association Sportive des Sourds du Quebec, with the approbation of the Pan-Am Deaf Sports Organization and the Canadian Deaf Association, organizes the 3^rd Pan-Am Games of the Deaf Youth in Montreal, from August 7^th to August 15^th, 2004.

The national deaf sports organizations, affiliated to the Pan-Am Deaf Sports Organization, are invited to participate in the 3^rd Pan-Am Games of the Deaf Youth.

Deaf girls and boys can participate in these games if they are members of a national deaf sports organization and of the Pan-Am Deaf Organization.

The national deaf sports organization is responsible of an entry with ASSQ. The deadline is on May 31, 2004. In track and field, only a maximum of 30 athletes is allowed for each participating country. In basketball, only a maximum of 12 athletes is allowed for each participating country. In swimming, there is no limit of athletes.

Congratulations go out to William Dayment who was nominated as the SJW High School Kindness Citizen of the Year 2004. To be nominated is an honour and his name was entered into a draw along with several other Quinte area high school students to win a computer and a digital camera. The big winner was our very own William. Ways to go William and keep up all the acts of kindness that you do every single day!

We had a successful campus clean up on Thursday April 22, 2004 to celebrate Earth Day. The elementary classes each did their share of collecting litter and recycling cans. We are proud of our group of 4, for organizing; gloves, garbage bags, recycling bags, making and distributing flyers and maps detailing designated areas. At the assembly on Friday we thanked everyone for their participation.

This day recognizes the contributions and commitment nurses make to quality health care in your community. Don’t forget to thank a nurse!!

May 25^th – 31^st– Elementary students SATHI (Stanford Achievement Test for Hearing Impaired)

Since beginning of April, The boys haven't done too much because the weather wasn't that great.

Chad has been involved with scuba diving course with high school program. He has been very motivated and looking forward to every class. His course is every Wednesday from 6 to 9, then he has classroom instruction from 6 to 8:45pm and open water training at the pool from 9:00 to 11:00 pm.

Joshua and Robert were thrilled to participate their first game with Belleville and Quinte Minor Ball Hockey league. They play for Pee Wee division. Their team is called A Plus Electrical. Let's attend one of their games and cheer them on. We are glad the boys are involved with a hearing league, which develops good relationships with hearing players and builds confidence. They'll have a good night sleep with all the hard exercise. They will be playing until the first week of July; their games are Mondays and Thursdays. When you happen to see those boys, encourage them to keep it up, not quit middle of the season. It’s good for the boys to be involved with different community activities and not sit on a chair and surf the net or watch T.V in Residence.

We have been involved with Team Handball on Mondays and Thursdays. The kids really enjoyed themselves. It was a great experience for me to coach this unique sport. I am aware of most sports and coaching but for this sport was extremely fun. I wish we had learned it a long time ago. As you know it's never too late. The kids are doing really well, having lots of fun too!! They are really amazing.

Friends and colleagues welcomed me back to the SJW campus on Monday April 19th. It was exciting for me to be 'home' from a lengthy off-campus interpreting assignment with young apprentices. Most training days, the construction workers spent great amounts of physical and mental energy working with concrete, wood, power tools and heavy equipment. Weekly classroom sessions required my full attention and theirs.

My foray into construction was educational for me. The experience was new and different. Now I am glad to be back on campus, working again among the students and staff of SJW Deaf and Sagonaska programs.

Thank you to all the newsletter contributors. If you would like an article to appear in next month’s issue please send submissions to Shannon.Cherryholme@edu.gov.on.ca by Friday May 21, 2004.