Pawsitive Newsletter March/April 2009

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, RIVERSIDE

IONS T C E L F E R PAWSITIVE en ilies, Staff, & Fri m a F r fo on ti a News and Inform MARCH/APRIL

ds

2009

Message from Mal After many, many months of intensive research, gathering information, and attending meetings, the WASC process is finally complete. Information gathered through this self-study process was compiled into a report which was then sent to both the WASC and CEASD visiting committees.

The committees from both agencies were on-campus from March 2528, during which time they gathered evidence, met with staff, students and parents, and developed a rough draft of their findings to submit to WASC and CEASD Headquarters. The committees ’ recommendation along with the information in CSDR ’ s report will be sent to headquarters to determine the type of accreditation CSDR will receive.

We

should have the final results by July, 2009.

This visit was the first time that these particular members of the WASC team had ever worked with another group like CEASD. I ’ m thankful to the WASC team for being so flexible and open-minded in the working arrangements and I am equally thankful to the CEASD committee for providing valuable background information about deaf education to the WASC team. Most people don ’ t realize that both groups received the CSDR report six weeks in advance and spent many hours reading and reviewing Ilik the information contained in the report ( over 230 pages!) Members of these committees put great effort into developing recommendations in how to improve CSDR services. We appreciate these individuals putting their own work on hold to assist

See Mal, page 2

CSDR in meeting its goals.

D r. D av i l a V i s i t s C S D R

By Staff Writer On February 2, 2009, Dr. Robert Davila, President of Gallaudet University, came to CSDR for a very special visit. Upon arrival, he met with both High School and Middle School students during two special assemblies to discuss his life journey, which has led to his current leadership role. Following his presentation, students asked him a variety of questions regarding his job and it ’ s many challenges.

See Davila, page 4

PAGE 2

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

Mal (cont’d from page 1)

I ’d

like to thank Janice Smith-

The action plan addresses those areas

As of this printing, we do not have any

Warshaw for taking on the responsibil-

with appropriate tasks and time-lines

additional information about how the

ity of chairing the WASC Leadership

that create a clear map for the Cabinet

State deficit will impact CSDR. While

Team here at CSDR. I also wish to

members to follow in making CSDR a

negotiations continue, however, we

thank the Leadership Team itself for

school of excellence in deaf education.

have received some good news.

We

the many hours of work they put into

We look forward to working with all of you towards that goal.

will

the

preparing for the WASC visit. All of the CSDR staff who attended meetings to provide input, in addition to their regular duties, are to be commended.

Others instrumental in the process were CSDR parents, students, and community members.

The process

was a lengthy one, but it has paid off.

be

able

Multi-Activity

to

com plet e

Center

renovations to the Brill

( M AC ) , building, and

CSDR has experienced great success

complete those cottages that were

with the Boys Town Behavior Manage-

started before the budget crisis.

ment Program which was implemented at the beginning of the school year.

Our instructional and dormitory staff report seeing quite an improvement in

Regardless of the number of years for

student behavior since the program

which CSDR is accredited, we now

began. I was also recently able to meet

have a detailed action-plan to follow

with some student representatives who

that will guide us on raising student

told me they felt the program resulted in

achievement and providing a safe

better communication and rapport be-

learning environment for our deaf and

tween staff and students. We expect to

hard-of-hearing children.

The self-

see even more positive results as addi-

study has given us insight into not only

tional CSDR staff are trained in these

CSDR ’ s strengths, but also the areas

techniques.

It ’ s hard to believe, but the end of the year is now in sight and within the next two

months

we

will

begin

our

preparations for graduation!

of weakness that we need to improve.

Nutrition Ser vices!

By Leh Ota, Director of Dietetics At CSDR a well-balanced nutritious

intake is essential.

when meeting with the Nutrition

meal is prepared daily by Nutrition

While implementing the local wellness

Services

Services for day and residential

policies, Nutrition Services has added a

meeting, students are given new food

students to promote their physical and

salad bar at each meal consisting of a

products provided by the vendor for

mental development growth.

variety of fresh fruits, canned fruits, and

evaluation. The students sample the

In planning the menu, there are require-

vegetables. The meals are prepared at

products and give their acceptance or

ments to follow from the National Child

CSDR using USDA quantity recipes for

non-acceptance.

Nutrition School Lunch Program. The

School Food Service. And the nutrient

representatives share their concern

key areas and nutrients targeted for

value is considered for each recipe.

regarding foods served and Nutrition

emphasis in school meals are calories,

At CSDR, we also have a Student Food

Services follows-up accordingly.

fat, saturated fat, calcium, iron, protein

Council Committee. The students are

and vitamins A and C. Choosing a diet

elected by the principals and dormitory

moderate in sugar and sodium ( salt )

counselors to represent their peers

Supervisors.

At

the

Student

MARCH/APRIL 2009

PAGE 3

O n t h e Ro a d w i t h t h e R a f f l e C a r !

By Staff Writer During January 23-25, the CSDR Raffle

ment of the event ( and generosity of

holstery for inviting us to share their

Car made it’ s debut at the Grand

the crowd ) . Finally, the Inland Mopar

vendor space.

National Roadster Show in Pomona.

Club managed to car-jack a cast mem-

guys. Legendary also donated the inte-

The heavy wind and rain didn ’ t keep

ber from TV’ s

rior for our raffle car, so we were more

the “ Road Warriors ” from attending

autograph the trunk lid of the raffle car!

that happy to showcase our car for

If you haven ’ t seen the fantastic work

them. The club earned a total of $3,930

With cars, vendors, and visitors from

that has been done on this car, go to

at that event.

across the United States jam-packed

the Inland Mopar Car Club website and

into the show, the Inland Mopar Car

take

Club was able to come through for

www.inlandmoparscarclub.com

CSDR once again by selling a record

There isn ’ t a better team to rebuild a

$4,000 worth of tickets! Wow! Consid-

car than Ron Borden and John

ering this was just the first show of the

Wilkiewicz!

season, the raffle car is off to a great

people came pouring out of the build-

start.

ings to see it.

Appearances by TV and screen car

Then the club was off to Bakersfield for

buffs included Henry Winkler ( “ T he

a 3-day race.

Fonz ” ) and Erin Moran ( “ J oanie

thunderstorms, the weather stayed nice

Cunningham ” ) from the Happy Days

Outreach office. For questions please

and there was a good crowd at the

television series added to the excite-

contact Greg Visco, the President of

races. Many thanks to Legendary up-

“ C ”

this 60th Anniversary event!

a

“ O verhaulin ’ ”

look

(

to

http:// ).

When the car started up,

Despite the threat of

What a fun group of

Most recently, the club attended an event in Temecula. This show focused on hot-rods up to the year 1976. Since our raffle car is a 1970 Dodge Swinger, it fit right in. The crowd was huge, the people were friendly, and the club brought in over $1,000 in ticket sales.

You too can win this car! Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased from various school organizations and the

Booster

Club,

gmvisco@sprint.blackberry.net

at

PAGE 4

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

Davila (cont’d from page 1)

CSDR Instructional supervisors also had the opportunity to have lunch

A Fun FEAST!

with Dr. Davila. During that time the

By Mary Visco, ECE

topic discussed was “ The Future of

Ian Goldstein of FEAST invited

Deaf Education. ”

us to the special Ian's Pizzeria, and he taught us how to make our individual pizzas. We had so much fun. Ian is one of the best chefs we have ever met!

Re a d A c r o s s A m e r i c a

By Elizabeth Foronda, Community Relations Coordinator On March 2, 2009 the Read Across

offered to read two books to Victoria

Elizabeth was an American Sign

America was held all over the United

Elementary School classes.

Language translator, and Ileana was a

States. Riverside Unified School dis-

of Dr. Seuss’

trict decided to honor this event by

crew selected two books written by Dr.

inviting members of the city such as

Seuss. They read “ Green Eggs and

the mayor, councilmen, and business

Ham ” and “ E yes Wide Shut. ” All

representatives to be storytellers for elementary children throughout the city of Riverside.

CSDR Outreach was honored to be included in the project! Laurie Pietro, Ileana Dona, and Elizabeth Foronda

In honor

birthday the Outreach

three of the CSDR staff members went to four classrooms: Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade.

Laurie

was

a

spoken

Spanish translator The students got the best of all three languages: ASL, English, and Spanish!

They enjoyed themselves enormously, and they hoped that Victoria Elementary students enjoyed themselves as well!

English

translator ( from written English ) ,

MARCH/APRIL 2009

PAGE 5

We s t e r n S t at e s B a s ke t b a l l C l a s s i c

By Mark Dorsey, WSBC Co-Chair During the month of January CSDR

The real tournament began on Thurs-

race against one another while eating

proudly hosted the 33rd Western States

day and lasted until Saturday evening.

burritos donated by Chipotles.

Basketball Classic and the 26th Western

All of the teams competed against one

thank you to Pole Position and

States Cheerleading Classic.

another in an effort to win the champi-

Chipotles!!!

event was a smashing success and

onship.

All the athletes played

You would not believe what else was

everyone left CSDR feeling like a

remarkably well and most of the games

noted as being a smashing success for

winner.

were exciting and full of action.

the WSBC~WSCC event.

This

We had seven schools in

Our

A big

Our very

attendance from the Western part of the

fans and participants reported that they

own FEAST teacher, Ian Goldstein,

United States.

hadn ’ t been to such an exciting event

provided first class gourmet food for our

CSDR, CSDF, Oregon School for the

in a long time.

referees, coaches, WSBC Staff and

Deaf, Washington School for the Deaf,

As for CSDR, we did very well in the

VIP ’ s.

tournament.

and met the standards of a 5 star

In attendance was

Utah School for the Deaf, Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, Phoenix

The girls ’

basketball

The food was just excellent

team came in 4 place and the boys ’

restaurant.

basketball team came in 2nd place in a

enough for helping out by lending his

very exciting match on Saturday night.

wonderful skills and the students/staff

and

Another exciting highlight was that our

who worked with him to make this one

cheerleaders had a wonderful time

very own CSDR cheerleading team

of the highlights of the weekend.

during this exciting event. This event

came in first place which is the 7 win

The WSBC-WSCC event would not

began with everyone arriving on

under Coach Hausman ’ s rein.

have been successful if it had not been

Wednesday, January 28,th and an

In addition to this exciting event, our

for the outstanding team work and effort

athletes went to Pole Position in Corona

by everyone involved.

where they were able to ride go-karts

its ’ deepest gratitude and thanks to

and race against one another.

those who helped make this event truly

Day School for the Deaf and Marlton School.

The

basketball

players

exciting opening ceremony. Athletes gathered in the gym where everyone got to meet one another and participate in different

competition-based games

using basketballs.

th

th

This

provided a fun-filled atmosphere where students were able to socialize and

memorable!

We can ’ t

thank Ian

CSDR gives

PAGE 6

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

C S D R Re a ch e s O u t t o L o s A n g e l e s Pa r e n t s

By Ileana Doña, Interim Family Education Coordinator Many of CSDR ’ s families live in the

pleased to hear Supt. Grossinger

were thrilled when Mal announced a

Los Angeles area and sometimes

explain

Western

unique communication feature they

these families feel left out of the loop

Association of Schools and Colleges

can use to access dorm Supervising

due to the distance and their inability

( W ASC ) accreditation process and

Counselors. Up until this time, it had

to attend events.

its importance to CSDR. One of the

been a tremendous challenge for a

families

more important features of the WASC

Spanish-speaking

gathered at the Greater Los Angeles

process is the benefit our high school

communicate

Advocacy on Deafness ( G LAD )

receives by obtaining a six-year

questions

Office to meet with Superintendent

accreditation when the process is

Supervising Counselors. With the

Grossinger. They were also able to

complete. He also addressed the

unique phone numbers provided, these

get helpful information from Paul

status of construction of the new

parents can now access any of our

Stuessy, staff member at GLAD. He

cottages. Parents understood the

dorm Supervising Counselors with the

presented

impact

and

confidence that there will be accurate,

information on interpreter services

strained state budget was having on

and timely communication. The parent

and resources available to the deaf.

the projects.

workshop in Los Angeles was a long-

These services are important for

meeting

parents to use during medical care

temporarily halted and Mal explained

appreciated by all who attended.

appointments

an

that plans were to resume the

Families are looking forward to the

important event or issue affects the

construction projects as soon as the

next visit from Superintendent Gross-

deaf student or his or her family.

state budget was back on track.

inger and other CSDR representatives.

Parents in attendance were also

Finally, Spanish-speaking parents

If you are interested in attending these

February

14,

But on Saturday, thirteen

parents

and

with

any

valuable

time

the

the

upcoming

weak

economy

At the time of this

construction

had

been

anticipated

of

parent

concerns our

forum,

deaf

and

or

to ask

dorm

greatly

meetings please contact Ileana Dona

A Fun Way to Remember Math

By Pat Melvin, Elementary Instructor Students in Ms. Melvin ’ s fourth grade class are learning long division in math class. They are using a fun mnemonic device to help them remember the steps to use in long division to solve the problems.

the students remember the process of how to solve those problems and get their long division problems correct.

The chart Ms. Melvin made for them to use looks like this:

The mnemonic they are

using is: Dead Mice Smell Bad. The D

Remembering How to Divide

in Dead stands for Divide. The M in

Dead - Divide ( / )

Mice stands for Multiply.

Mice - Multiply ( x )

The S in

Smells stands for Subtract. The B in Bad

stands

for

Bring

down.

Remembering this funny phrase helps

Smell - Subtract ( - ) Bad - Bring down ( ↓ )

at idona@csdr-cde.ca.gov

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

PAGE 7

C S D R S u p e r i n t e n d e n t N a m e d A d m i n i s t r at o r o f t h e Ye a r at C A L - E D C o n fe r e n c e

By Cal-Ed Committee (Reprinted from CAL-ED with permission) Mal Grossinger ’ s positive energy and

dents ’

meetings where students

the future by offering more challenging

excitement fills the CSDR campus.

asked him to continue his visits every

courses. All of the above are signs of

Under Mal ’ s leadership, the CSDR

month.

Mal ’ s unselfish devotion of his time,

community is ready to respond to the challenge of providing quality education and training to students, professionals, and parents.

In his third year at the

school, Mal has developed close relationships with the administration, staff and parents in an effort to improve

Mal understands the challenges CSDR faces and has become part of the

Superintendent Mal Grossinger is living

to see how quality programs affect our

proof of a true leader who deserves this

children as they move through the

CAL-ED 2009 Administrative Award.

parent

infant

program

to

the

completion of high school.

create a positive reputation for CSDR

mined to be in tune with what students

within the community.

need, Mal hired curriculum specialist

excellent working relationship with parents and teachers—making everyone feel as though they are part of his team.

Mal

increased

the

emphasis

on

communication and professionalism at CSDR.

Approximately

60

staff

members have taken sign language classes and the school has benefited from improved dress codes, greater use of technology, sharing of issues and/or concerns with supervisors, enforcement of a code of ethics, and improved communication with parents.

Mal has made it clear that his goal for next year is to recruit more students, from both deaf and hearing families, bettering the increased enrollment that has already begun to happen. Mal has gone into the community to meet with Spanish-speaking families, giving them information about CSDR programs, and how those programs are accessible to them. He has attended resident stud-

and productivity to CSDR.

solution. Mal has made it his business

student achievement. He works hard to Mal has an

and his willingness to provide harmony

Deter-

to help raise academic standards in

PAGE 8

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

P.E. Joins in Red Ribbon Week

By Regan Anders, P.E. Teacher It was a busy month for the elementary

about global warming from a Power-

The students noticed that President

students in Physical Education class.

Point presentation.

Students were

Obama is in great shape, healthy, and

Activities included a “ Clean Up Day ”

taught how important it is to work

loves to exercise. Even with his busy

which represented one of the six pillars

toward living GREEN.

schedule, the President of the United

of Character Counts!—Responsibility.

The students also had an opportunity to

States still finds some time to exer-

The students were very serious about cleaning up the trash they found on the CSDR campus. They had just learned

learn about President Barack Obama from a presentation we did in the computer lab.

They watched President

Obama playing basketball with the senators and with some of the US troops in Iraq.

At first, the students

were puzzled about how this related to Physical Education, however, we asked them to look again and see if they could determine how this presentation was related to P.E.

C h e s s To u r n a m e n t

By Staff Writer, Middle School The CSDR Middle School Chess

the game becomes an unfolding

Tournament is officially underway!

drama in which we all await to see

With over 60 students participat-

who will become the 2008-2009

ing, the competition this year is

Middle School Chess Champion!

fierce. Students are put to the test

Good Luck!!!

in the 2000 year old game that not only challenges their concentration, critical thinking, problem solving, strategic planning, and creativity, but is also FUN! None of this could be done without the help of the wonderful chess club sponsors and mentors, their best pawns forward, the pressure mounts and

cise. If he can find time to do fitness activities, WE can find time!

PAGE 9

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

Special Olympics Bowling Tournament

By Tina Andersen, SN Instructor On the weekend of February 6th

to determine the top score for Riverside

played against each other . No matter

Fremont sent down 24 students to

and the top score for Fremont. We all

how each student and

compete against our 17 students in a

enjoyed Pizza and soda and waited for

did at bowling, we all

Bowling Tournament. When Fremont

the results. Missy Matute from River-

lifetime friends! Each student left with

arrived the fun times began. How great

side was to challenge Charles Abrams

smiling faces and beautiful medals

it was seeing old friends. Everyone

from Fremont. We also had Peter

funded by CSDR Athletics. Oh, and

enjoyed a BBQ dinner together. On

Stecher, our very own Supervising

by the way, Missy did win by a land-

Saturday we arrived at Arlington lanes

Counselor, play against his peer, Mary

slide for students.

about

into

Mesa from Fremont. Susie Tousignant

squeaker to Derek. And Peter, well

teams. Each team played two games

from Riverside and Derek Johnson SRP

Peter needs to continue to practice

9:30

and

separated

counselor made good

Susie lost a

bowling. There's always next year in Fremont.

U n i ve r s i t y I n t e r n s at C S D R

By Alyce Berard, Director of Instruction This year, CSDR has had interns

our Middle School received an intern

after school assistance to students

from

from Mc Daniel University in Mary-

including coaching, tutorial and other

land.

In March we will receive our

types of supervision. Many of our past

final intern for the year from National

interns have returned to CSDR as

Technical Institute for the Deaf, in

teachers.

New York.

encourage these types of partnerships

four

different

University

teacher-training programs throughout the United States. In the early fall, two interns were placed in our Elementary department from Cal State

University,

Fresno.

In

Several of our interns

CSDR will continue to

January, another intern joined the

reside in our dormitories for the dura-

with

elementary family from University of

tion of their internship. In exchange,

throughout the United States.

California, San Diego. In February,

they contribute ten or more hours of

Teacher

Training

programs

PAGE 10

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

5th Annual CSDR Movie Night

By Yoon Lee, TV Production Instructor Our CTE TV Production class will

This year, we will have three other

be hosting the Fifth Annual CSDR

high

Movie

14th

California School for the Deaf,

at 6:30 pm; 15th

Fremont; Madison High School in

( F riday ) at 6:30 pm; and May

San Diego, and Maryland School

16th

at 6:30 pm,

for the Deaf. Our five judges are:

an

Ed Waterstreet, Linda Bove, CJ

Night

( T hursday )

whic h

on

( Saturday ) inc l u des

May

A war ds

Ceremony with Judges.

Warning! These movies are for 13- year-olds and above.

Tickets are on sale in Yoon Leeยนs TV classroom, located in the Seeley

Jones,

schools

Bob

participating:

Hiltermann,

and

Michelina Fisher.

We are excited about our Annual CSDR Movie Night, and we canยนt wait to see all of the entries.

building next to the library. Please be advised that tickets sold out quickly last year, so make sure that you purchase your tickets early.

K i n d e r g a r t e n C e l eb r at e s D r. S e u s s !

By Karen Shannon, Kindergarten Teacher

Very cute Hortons!

Yummy, green eggs & ham!

The students brought their favorite books to class.

PAGE 11

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

Cheer Team Returns Home Champions

By Stacey Hausman, Head Cheer Coach The Riverside Cheer Team competed

The CSDR team consisted of: Marco

them from performing like pros.

against 5 other deaf teams: Texas,

Duarte ( Sr. ) , PuaLei Ramos ( Jr. ) ,

addition, two of our members were

Maryland, Fremont, M.S.S.D., and

Marilyn Rivas

selected to the All-Star team: Marco

Indiana

( S o. ) , Artesia Harris

at

the

Clerc

Classic

( So. ) , Ian Vasquez ( S o. ) , and

Cheerleading Competition on Saturday,

Renee Atkinson ( Fr. ) .

January 18. The team had given up all

members have never been to a deaf

of their free time Wednesday through

competition before, but that did not stop

Friday to practice. In fact, they finished learning their dance Friday night. On Saturday, during competition, Riverside out-shined the competition with two awesome performances. No one could match their enthusiasm!

Their timing

was good, jumps beautiful, stunts successful, and tumbling was more advanced.

We were also the only

school to not fall out of a stunt.

“ M o o ” ch a s G r a c i a s

By Tammy Bervel, Elementary Instructor "Moo"chas gracias to all of CSDR from Tammie Bervel' ’ s first grade classroom!

With your help, we were able to raise over $400 to buy a cow and other milking animals for a family in Rwanda through the program Heifer International.

Principal Nanci and Lead Teacher Lori showed their "udder" support of the project by reading the story "Click, Clack, Moo"

to

the

entire

elementary

dept. Thanks to all for helping a family in Rwanda.

All 6 team

In

and Marilyn. Congratulations CSDR Cheer!

You have made Riverside

very proud!

PAGE 12

PAWSITIVE REFLECTIONS

A Different Kind of Team

By Mitch Kurs, DAB Coach Our best Deaf Academic Bowl ( DAB )

different content areas: Language &

Last fall we competed in the Western

team worked hard to reach the number

Literature, Science, Nature, & Technol-

Academic Bowl League against five

one position this year. We had a sea-

ogy, Pop Culture & Sports, Mathemat-

other schools across the western

soned team of intelligent participants

ics, History & Government, Deaf Stud-

states through video phone.

including

ies, Fine Arts, and Geography.

Ryan Baldiviez

( second

year player ) , Jeremy Warshaw ( first

In February 2009, we participated in

Representing CSDR in the DAB was a

Gallaudet ’ s

huge challenge requiring a significant

against 15 other schools. The compe-

time commitment. The team practiced

tition was located at CSDF.

two times a week during the 45-minute

played matches against some of

lunch breaks. On Thursdays, the teams

these schools, and we won three

competed against CSDR teachers.

games.

Also, DAB team members attended a

strong teams and the competition was

The team was selected after 16 hopeful

weekend retreat with intensive training

very good and challenging.

applicants attempted try-outs.

and a session on speed reading.

year player ) , Richard Iancului ( first year player ) , Nicole Strom ( second year player ) , and Raymart Tinio ( first year player ) . This was a wonderful, supportive and passionate team- they exemplified what a team should be.

The

members selected for this year ’ s team were the top finalist during try-outs as they demonstrated their knowledge and strength in at least two categories of 9

Deaf Academic Bowl We

All of these schools had

Overall, our players have demon-

In addition, we competed against CSDR

strated a fantastic positive attitude

Administrators in front of a cheering

and are extremely motivated. CSDR

audience. We won the event!

is proud of its DAB team.

C S D R S e l e c t e d a s N at i o n a l G r a n t Re c i p i e n t

By Staff Writer The National Youth Leadership Council ( N YLC ) recently sent out a request to schools across the United States offering to fund the top 10 plans for youth service events. The request coincides with the 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day, which is a 3-day event that engages youth throughout the world in assisting their communities through volunteer efforts. Schools were to submit detailed plans describing how the students would positively impact their own community.

CSDR submitted a proposal and was

Stay tuned for more information in

selected as one of the service plans

upcoming issues of the school news-

to be funded!

letter.

Even though CSDR was selected, the plans for the event remain top secret until the students reveal the project to the recipient. The CSDR youth group was granted $1,000 to provide this service. The school is very proud of the efforts of these students to make a difference in the life of a deaf person from their community.