Health and Safety American School for the Deaf

- Campus
  
  Gallaudet Clerc Center

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.

Executive Director VLOG 6/1/20

A Message from the Executive Director

June 1, 2020

Dear ASD Staff,

I would like to begin today’s daily briefing with a comment about the current events gripping our country as a result of the death last week of George Floyd in Minnesota. Oppression, discrimination and bigotry are not tolerated at the American School for the Deaf, nor should they be tolerated anywhere. As someone who grew up in New York, I have always upheld the belief that equity should prevail regardless of skin color. Though I applaud those who choose to demonstrate their opposition through peaceful protest, violence and destruction are never condoned. The events from this past weekend shed light on the reality that there is a divide within this country, and we must take this opportunity to begin a dialogue with our students. I hope you will talk with our students about these current events and help to answer their questions while calming their fears.

Student Health Center

As of today, there remain no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus. All students and staff remain fever-free.

Audiology

Beginning this Wednesday, June 3^rd, ASD’s Audiology department will be open once per week for our existing Birth-to-Three families. Drive-up ear mold services will be available, as well as limited in-office visits. Appointments will be available on Wednesdays during the time period of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Should you have any questions, please contact Paula Morabito.

Masks and Face Coverings

I would like to remind all staff to please wear face masks at all times. While students are not required to wear masks, staff must wear them in compliance with State guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. We have placed a large order for clear masks, which will be distributed to all staff once the shipment is received.

Montessori Summer Program

We were notified earlier today that Montessori of Greater Hartford will hold an eight week summer program for their students, beginning on June 22^nd. Montessori staff will arrive on campus ahead of the summer program, beginning June 8^th. We have requested that all Montessori students, staff and families stay within the confines of the Montessori property and refrain from walking around our campus. ASD staff will be asked to stay away from the Montessori property in an effort to maintain a safe and healthy campus.

Parent Requests

We have received requests from parents wishing to visit their children at ASD. In an effort to maintain a sanitary campus while also honoring our parents’ wishes, we will soon grant permission for parents to visit their children as long as they remain in their vehicles and that masks be worn at all times by staff, students and parents/families. Visits will be arranged by appointment only with approval from the Student Health Center and ASD Security. If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Feldman.

Graduation

This is a reminder that ASD’s virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will take place next Monday, June 8^th at 7 p.m. Though we are disappointed not to be able to gather in person, we are reminding our graduates that this challenging moment is only moment, which will soon become a distant memory. Their time at ASD means more than the challenges of the past few months and we are excited to celebrate with them as they embark on the next phase of their lives! I will share the link for the virtual graduation ceremony in Thursday’s memo.

Thank you for your continued work and dedication to our students. Until Thursday!

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

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.

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.