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      Gallaudet Clerc Education Center

Health and Safety

A Message from the Executive Director

January 13, 2021
 
Dear ASD Staff,
 
I am pleased to report that as of today, there are no additional positive COVID-19 cases on our campus. 
 
The quarantine period for most of our PACES students will end this Friday, January 15th.  However, three PACES students (who returned to ASD following the winter break later than the other students) will remain in quarantine for a longer period.
 
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
 
All nurses in our Student Health Center received their first round of the COVID-19 vaccine. ASD’s audiologists, SLPs, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists are next in line to receive the vaccine.
 
The next phase of the vaccine rollout, Phase 1b, will begin on Monday, January 18th. Eligible recipients within this next phase include individuals ages 75 and older, as well as congregate care workers. Teachers were originally included as eligible recipients under phase 1b. However, an updated statement released yesterday indicated that teachers will now be eligible for the vaccine under phase 1c.  Governor Lamont’s Vaccine Advisory Group also released an updated statement advising that individuals ages 65 and older, as well as individuals of any age with medical conditions that put them at additional risk for COVID-19, should also be included within this next phase of the vaccine rollout.
 
Because ASD’s PACES Residential Treatment Program is a congregate care setting, ASD has contacted the Department of Children and Families for clarification regarding ASD staff who may qualify for the vaccine under phase 1b.  More information will be shared with all staff as it becomes available. 
 
Facilities
 
The basement of our Cogswell building has been renovated to become a dorm. The West Hartford Fire Marshal inspected the space and, with the exception of adding additional smoke detectors, provided ASD with the approval to proceed. We hope to allow students to move into the new dorm space soon.
 
Weekly DPH/SDE Meeting
 
During my weekly meeting with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the State Department of Education (SDE), the topic of COVID fatigue was addressed. Although many are growing tired of following the mandatory mitigation strategies associated with the pandemic, including mask-wearing and social distancing, DPH emphasized the importance of continuing to follow these guidelines as the vaccine is distributed. 
 
I would like to once again thank the entire ASD family for continuing to practice our established mitigation strategies  – you are helping to keep our campus and community safe! 
 
Winter Sports
 
Late last week, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) announced that the CIAC winter sports season may begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 for all low and moderate risk sports, including swimming, basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics and indoor track. While practices may commence on January 19th, games will not be permitted for these sports until Monday, February 1st. 
 
Andrea Dillon, Kristin Feldman and Mason Wood will form a committee to discuss and develop options for ASD’s winter sports. The committee’s recommendations will then be presented to the COVID-19 Steering Committee.  Additional information will be shared with all staff as it becomes available. 
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

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.  
 
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.

    • Icon Adaptability

Executive Leadership Team 
Contact Information
 
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)
 
Karen Wilson
Director of Clinical Services/Director of PACES
(860) 485-7043 (cell/text)
Karen.wilson@asd-1817.org

 
Human Resources
Contact Information
 
Patricia Schoenfeld
(347) 213 - 8479 (cell/text)
 
Tracy Pelletier
(860) 570-2324
 
Sophia Lanza
(860) 987-2715 (cell/text)
 
Julie Holcomb
(860) 569-9361 (cell/text)
 

Business Office
Contact Information
 
Jenn Pizzoferrato
(860) 970-9675 (cell/text)
 
Patty Maule
(860) 712-5513 (cell/text)
 
Rena Billings
(860) 335-5418 (cell/text)
 
Jayne Mandel
(908) 577-6448 (cell/text)
 

Information Technology
Contact Information
 
Randy D'Angelo
(860) 402-1723 (cell/text)
 
David Gerhold
(860) 944-6739 (cell/text)
 
Jon Onions
(860) 534-1464 (cell/text)

List of 1 items.

  • 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.
CDC has released a series of additional COVID-19 resources in American Sign Language (ASL). Click here to access them.

ASL Covid 19 Resources - FROM CDC

Helpful Resource Links


CDC General Information

State of CT General Information
    • Covid Infographic

Resource Downloads

139 North Main Street
West Hartford, CT  06107
(860) 570-2300

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