March 2020

SPPS DHH Family Night Recap

On Feb. 12, 2020 St. Paul Public Schools hosted a family night for families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. 73 parents and 71 students attended family night. Families began the evening by enjoying pizza and cookies. Then parents and students divided into groups hosted by Minnesota Hands and Voices Parent Guides, Minnesota Hards and Voices Hard of Hearing Role Models, and LifeTrack Deaf Mentors. Students had the opportunity to interact with peers while participating in fun activities. Parent groups discussed hearing related topics and shared experiences in culturally and linguistically relevant groups. Thank you to the families, staff, and students that attended family night and made it a huge success.

If you are looking for resources about Minnesota Hands and Voices' Parent Guides or Deaf/Hard of Hearing Role Models, or Lifetrack's Deaf Guides or learning ASL please see the links in the Parent Resources section for more information.

SPPS DHH Field Trip Recap

On Feb. 21, 2020 kindergarten through transition aged students from across the district attended the all district field trip. Students watched the movie Inside Out, ate lunch together, and participated in group activities. Students reported that they liked meeting students with hearing differences from other schools. Thank you to the students and staff that made this event meaningful and engaging for our students.

Parent Resources

Minnesota Hands and Voices

has some fun upcoming events. Check them out in the activities section below and register if interested. Also check out the Hands and voices parent newsletter at https://www.mnhandsandvoices.org/news-events/focus-newsletter

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Guide

Many students who are deaf and hard of hearing have never met someone just like them and may be struggling with their identity as a hard of hearing or deaf person. Would you like to connect with a DHH role model in your area that could meet with your child outside of school and help them learn about things like peer friendships, using technology, self-esteem and identity, and thinking about the future? Lifetrack in Minnesota offers a program that you should take advantage of! Learn more about the program HERE and read about the guides in Minnesota.

Lifetrack Deaf Mentor

The Deaf Mentor family program is offered to families who have a deaf or hard of hearing child. They work with families and use research-based curriculum to promote communication and language skills. For more information about the program click HERE.

College Scholarships for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Is your child in the process of applying to college? HERE is a list of available scholarships for students with hearing differences.

Book Recommendations

That Deaf Guy: a Wild Ride by Matt Dalgle

"That Deaf Guy: A Wild Ride!" by Matt and Kay Daigle is a 8.5" x 8.5" humor book featuring a 140+ pages of the very best of "That Deaf Guy" webcomic strip from 2012 to 2014. Also included is a bonus section of never-before-seen cartoons by Matt Daigle!