TDHH Resource Blog

Thursday, January 27, 2005

2005 Communication Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
sponsored by the British Columbia Optimists Clubs and the B.C.ProvincialSchool for the Deaf

Please note the attached letter providing information on this year's Optimist Communication Contest. Application packages can be obtained by contacting this office.
Thank you.

Karen Taylor/Judy Poato
Provincial Outreach Services
BCSD
(v) 604-664-8300
(tty) 604-664-8304
(fax) 604-664-8308



January 26, 2005
Dear Teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students,

The B.C. Optimists Clubs (community service clubs whose motto is “Friend of Youth”) are once again sponsoring a communication contest. As you may be aware, since 1994 this contest has been held for oral and signing deaf and hard of hearing students from around the province. The 2005 Communication Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students - British Columbia will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2005 in the Michael J. Fox Theater at the B.C. for the Deaf in Burnaby The contest will begin at 9:00 and will continue until all students have made their presentations, the judges have conferred, and a winner is announced 3:30at the latest). By having a full day contest, there will be more time for students to socialize and visit the school.

The official topic of the contest is “My Hero is”. The presentation is to be 4-5 minutes long and can be presented orally, in sign, or in a combination of voice and sign. The contest is open to all students from grades 7 - 12. Interpreters will be provided; however, students may bring their own interpreters (at their own expense). Expenses incurred for participation are the responsibility of each student. Limited accommodation will be available to out-of-town participants (and their chaperones) at the Victory Hill residence.

We hope you will encourage your students to participate in this contest. To assist us in preparing, please let us know how many students will be participating by leaving a message prior to March 18th with Judy Poato at (604) 664-8300 TTY: (604) 664-8304, or by fax: (604) 664-8308. Please note that the deadline for application submission is March 18th, 2005. For those out of town students who plan to participate, please note that BCSD is collaborating with the Deaf Well Being Program on presenting a workshop on Positive Communication on April 7th, one day prior to the Optimist Competition. You may wish to consider attending this workshop as well as the Communication Contest. Positive Communication workshop, please contact Susan Van Gurp at 604-664-8560 (4234).

If you have any questions or if you require application packages, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing your students in April!

Karen TaylorProvincial Outreach Administrator,B.C.S.D
Doreen George, Optimist Communication

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Important Annoucements:

1. February, 2005: BC Children’s Hospital Workshop

Topic: “ Cochlear Implants: The Basics”
Date: February 17 and February 18, 2005
Location: GF Strong Rehab Centre
4255 Laurel Street
Vancouver
, B.C. V5Z 2G9
Cost: $25.00 per person

For further information contact: Dr. Kristine Juck (604-875-2345, local 7723
Email: kjuck@cw.bc.ca

2. April, 2005: BC Optimist Communication Contest
Theme: “My hero is ….”
Date: April 8th, 2005
Location: Michael J. Fox Theatre
Burnaby South Secondary
5455 Rumble Street
Burnaby, B.C.

To receive application package or further information, contact:
Karen Taylor, Provincial Outreach Administrator
(v) 604-664-8300
(tty) 604-664-8304
Email: ktaylor@south.sd41.bc.ca

3. April, 2005: Annual Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf Conference
Date: April 15th, 2005
Host: Coquitlam School District
** Information will be forthcoming via mailout.
Contact: Max Vincent: mvincent@sd43.bc.ca
Nicole Skinner: n_skinner@shaw.ca

Job Posting: January 2005

The BC Family Hearing Resource Center will be looking for someone to start work in September 2005 for one year (possible longer). If you are interested, contact Susan Lane at: slane@bcfamilyhearing.com

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Job
Elizabeth Schram has left her position as an itinerant in Dawson Creek so if you'd like to move north, contact Kathy Sawchuk at 250 782-8571

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Request for information

Dear colleagues - Our SNAG committee (School Noise Action Group) has beendiscussing various acoustic problems in the Lower Mainland and we wouldlike to compile a list of classroom issues from around the province. Ourchairperson, Dr. Murray Hodgson, ishoping to set up an acoustic research centre from which he will begin toaddress the concerns that affect our students and teachers. Could you respond to me via email, the concerns you have in your districteg. ballast lighting, ventilation noise, poor classroom structure, lack ofsoft surfaces, etc. You do not need to name the school or specificclassroom. We would like to know who has been dealing with classroom noiseand are hoping we can begin to link with people from around the province.I will report the statistics to our committee but if you want to remainanonymous in my informal report, please let me know. We are an advocacygroup that is hoping to make an impact on awareness of the issues.

Thankyou for your support!
Maureen Clarke Maureen Clarke
Hearing Resource Teacher
mclarke@nvsd44.bc.ca