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Campus
Gallaudet Clerc Education Center
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Health and Safety
A Message from the Executive Director
July 21, 2021
Dear ASD Staff,
I hope you are enjoying your summer! The COVID-19 Steering Committee met briefly yesterday to discuss a few on-campus updates, as well as information from the State Department of Education and Department of Public Health.
Education Program
We are in the second week of our Extended School Year (ESY) Program. All current mask mandates will continue through ESY and our other summer programs. Our students and staff are continuing to do a great job wearing masks indoors, and all is going well. Thank you to all for helping our students continue with their learning!
ASD Sports Clinic
This is the first week of our two-week sports clinic on campus, and it is going very well! We have a nice group of students participating, and the feedback received so far has been very positive. Students enrolled in the sports clinic will visit Camp Isola Bella this weekend.
Facilities
A mechanical engineer is completing an inspection of ASD’s HVAC system to ensure our air systems are functioning well ahead of the new school year. ASD’s standards and expectations for our HVAC system, as well as our sanitization practices, far exceed the standards and expectations set by the State. Therefore, we are confident that our campus will continue to be safe for all students and staff.
COVID-19 Positivity Rates
It was announced yesterday that the State’s COVID-19 positivity rate has increased to 2.5%. This is in part due to the spread of the Delta variant. Within our own ASD family, two fully vaccinated staff members, and their families, recently tested positive for the virus. Fortunately, they are doing well and have not been on campus. However, this is a reminder that mask wearing continues to be important and necessary – especially among those who are unvaccinated.
CT State Department of Education/Department of Public Health Updates
Yesterday, the CT State Department of Education and Department of Public Health held their first COVID-19 weekly meeting since the end of the school year. During the meeting, several updates were shared regarding the development of plans for the re-opening of school this fall.
- The guidance from SDE and DPH regarding mask wearing for fully vaccinated students and staff in the fall will most likely be aligned with the mask recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As of last week, the CDC recommended that masks continue to be worn by anyone who is unvaccinated, but that they are not required for fully vaccinated students and staff. SDE and DPH’s formal recommendations for the re-opening of school have not yet been finalized, but will be shared as soon as they are available.
- SDE and DPH are encouraging anyone who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to become fully vaccinated prior to the start of the school year. Throughout the summer, Andrea Dillon and the Academic Hub are contacting ASD parents and families to share information about the vaccine and its eligibility criteria to help answer questions and alleviate concerns.
- In accordance with CDC guidance, classrooms must be arranged to allow for a minimum of 3-feet distance between students. This is a change from the 6-foot social distancing requirements mandated last school year.
- Regular detergent and soap should be used for classroom cleaning, and bathrooms should be disinfected once per day. DPH and SDE also announced that electrostatic cleaning and foggers are not recommended at this time.
- The State is considering weekly PCR testing for students in grades K-6 who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. More information about this will be shared as it is received from SDE and DPH.
- The cafeteria is no longer required to use disposable utensils and dishware at mealtimes.
- As has been the case for the past sixteen months, all guidance and recommendations are subject to change if necessary. SDE and DPH will continue their discussions about school reopening protocols, and we will continue to share all information as it becomes available.
Visitors to ASD
Beginning in August, several events with outside groups will take place at ASD, including an annual ASD Alumni Association cookout. All events will be held outdoors, weather permitting. Should it be necessary to move an event indoors, unvaccinated guests will be required to wear masks at all times. As you begin to notice outside groups on campus, please know they are following strict protocols that were established to keep our campus safe.
I do not plan to send another COVID-19 update this summer unless there are important updates or news to share. I hope you continue to enjoy your summer, and that you are able to relax and recharge before the start of our new school year!
Executive Director VLOG
Motivation Thursday
Now this is supposed to be my Thursday communication, even though I know it is Friday! This week, I will be sharing a video of some of the animals and wildlife that we have here at Isola Bella—I hope you enjoy the video!
Camp Isola Bella Finds
As promised, I have developed a second v-log today to share a few interesting artifacts found in the basement at Isola Bella! Please enjoy taking a step back in time with me!
Below is a list of artifacts included in the v-log:
- Apron with clothes pins
- Boat bumpers (from the 1940s!)
- Garden tools
- Life jacket (it still floats, too!)
- Insect repellant from 1943 used during WWII
- Bench seat
- Old pump
- Portable grill
- Hose
- Archery bow
- Paddle tennis court (thank you to Denise Graziani for discovering this find! Maybe we could transform this into a 1:1 pickleball court!)
ASD Staff Parade - May 13, 2020
Superman Bradley!
10 Minute Chair Exercises
10-Minute Loosen-Up Chair Exercises
These days, many of us are sitting for longer periods of time, maybe on the computer or in Zoom meetings. You should take short breaks every once in a while -- go for a walk, put on a song and dance, or do this short video of easy exercises to loosen up the whole body from head to toe.
These days, many of us are sitting for longer periods of time, maybe on the computer or in Zoom meetings. You should take short breaks every once in a while -- go for a walk, put on a song and dance, or do this short video of easy exercises to loosen up the whole body from head to toe.
Just remember:
1. IF IT HURTS OR STRAINS, DON'T DO IT.
2. Keep your back straight, shoulders down/back, chin back, and tummy pulled in.
3. Keep all movements small/light/soft/easy.
There is no sound and no speaking, and there are minimal signs -- JUST COPY THE MOVEMENTS.
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CT State Dept of Education
Addendums to Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut's Plan to Learn and Grow Together
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2021-2022 reopening plans
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Executive Leadership Team
Contact Information
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Jeff Bravin
Executive Director
(860) 944-7644 (cell/text)
Liz DeRosa
Director of Institutional Advancement
(413) 695-4985 (cell/text)
Kristin Feldman
Director of Student Life
(860) 944-9365 (cell/text)
Paula Morabito
Director of Education
(860) 471-4787 (cell/text)
Jennifer Pizzoferrato
Director of Finance & Operations
(860) 970-9675 (cell/text)
Patricia Schoenfeld
Director of Human Resources
(347) 213-8479 (cell/text)
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Visitor Communication Policy
VISITOR COMMUNICATION
The health, safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. ASD has established strict protocols in compliance with all statutes and guidance issued by the Department of Public Health, Department of Children and Families and the Centers for Disease Control, including the adoption of a mandatory health screening and safety measures for all staff and anyone else entering the ASD campus.ASD must follow the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the funding and licensing agencies that oversee their services, regarding visitation and restrictions of all non-essential personnel. To minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 at ASD, protective measures and mitigating procedures related to visitors are as follows:- Visitation restrictions are communicated by ASD staff to families and guardians and posted on our website. Communication with their children and family members is supported and encouraged by visiting remotely using available technology, such as phone, videophone, relay interpreting services, Zoom, etc.
- ASD makes a variety of technological options available that support the family/child connection so that they may maintain regular contact.
When visitation guidance is revised by the agencies listed above, ASD will develop and issue communications to all potential visitors, family members, and funding agencies regarding any changes.In addition, students returning from off-campus locations are required to be in quarantine for 14 days (after each occurrence), and per CT Governor Ned Lamont, any person coming into Connecticut by any mode of transportation for any reason is strongly urged to self-quarantine for 14 days. At this time, on-campus housing and quarantine is not permitted for anyone other than ASD students. - Visitation restrictions are communicated by ASD staff to families and guardians and posted on our website. Communication with their children and family members is supported and encouraged by visiting remotely using available technology, such as phone, videophone, relay interpreting services, Zoom, etc.
ASL Covid 19 Resources - FROM CDC
Resource Downloads
- ASD Essential Employee Positions
- ASD Essential Worker Document
- ASD Infectious Disease Policy
- ASD Student Health Center Procedure for Admitting to Isolation Unit
- ASD 3/13/20 Letter from the Student Health Center - English
- ASD 3/13/20 Letter from the Student Health Center - Spanish
- ASD COVID 19 Letter to Parents Spanish 3/12/2020
- ASD COVID 19 Letter to Parents English 3/12/2020
- Center on PBIS COVID-19 Response
- COVID-19 FAQ State of CT
- CSDE COVID-19 Planning Tool
- DCF COVID-19 Protecting Staff / Family
- CSDE Flow Chart
- State Board of Education Update
- State Dept of Admin Services Green Cleaning
View Our Academic Programs
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