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Volume 2, Issue 9
SPECIAL EDITION
I N C LU S I V E S PA R K S
D IS A B IL I T Y A WA R E N E S S M O N T H
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
http://www.asha.org/bhsm
“As we let our own
light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the
same.”
Marianne Williamson
This annual observance provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication
disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing
Universal Declaration of Rights to Communication
http://www.communication2014.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Easy-English-UniversalDeclaration
The Deer Valley Unified School District neither endorses nor sponsors the organization or activity represented in this document. The distribution of this
material is provided as a community service.
Tribute to Alisha Church
Audiologist for Deer Valley Unified School District
Alisha was a very valuable part of our District, of Student Support Services.
She did so much for so many. Here is what was shared:
I am a new teacher at Deer Valley and, while I have had the opportunity to work
professionally with Alisha, I really wanted to share my personal experience
knowing Alisha.
We moved to Arizona 2 1/2 years ago. With a large family, our move from Colorado was a very daunting process - even more so when in that we were choosing schools for children with all different ability levels and needs. As we looked
at houses and school districts, I had the opportunity to speak on numerous occasions with Alisha Church before even moving here. You see, my then 3 year
old daughter Chloe, has a hearing impairment as well as some other health diagnosis that make accessing the general education curriculum challenging. Alisha was so incredibly kind and generous with her time to answer all of my questions. We eventually settled on living in the North Valley, in part because I knew
that all of their needs could be met here. Alisha absolutely embraced my
daughter (and our whole family for that matter) and was determined to make
sure that Chloe received all of the services necessary to be successful in the
classroom. As a parent of a child with special needs, it can be very intimidating
to navigate Student Services and the entire IEP process. I will dearly miss Alisha as she was a fabulous advocate for our students and a great support for
their parents. Shaun Delisa Teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School.
When I learned to sign and
speak at the same time, the
whole world opened up to me.
That’s the beauty of encouraging
kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.
Marlee Matlin
Alisha was a very friendly, kind, helpful person. As busy as she was, she always took the
time to smile, say hi, and help as much as she could! I had shared an office with her at
Mirage Elementary last year, and have worked closely with her, sharing many deaf and
hard of hearing students on my service load this year. She has always been very professional, caring, and kind. She will be missed by all of us, as she has touched so many people,
leaving us way too soon! I feel for the family, as they go through this most difficult time.
Rachel Garr, OT DVUSD
Page 2
Special Edition
Inclusive Sparks
S U C C E S S S TO R IE S
Mountain Ridge High School
Light Up Blue for Autism
This was the Light it up Blue event at Mt. Ridge. Teachers ,Para's, students were there to hand out stickers, pencils & blue glow bracelets. I
walked from table to table with my poster board teaching students facts. I would estimate that about 90% of students "know someone with
Autism" as evidenced by show of hands. Best Buddies had students sign names on back of puzzle pieces and will fit them all together to display a
big message. Dawn Kurbat , Campus Parent Partner.
Good Summer Links
Sandbox Learning www,sandboxlearning.com
PBS For Kids
PBS.org
Scholastic Reading Adventure
http://www.scholastic.com/summer/
Reading Rockets www.readingrockets.org
Cool Math www.coolmath.com
Math Landing
www.press4kids.com/newsomatic.html
NewsOmatic www.press4kids.com/newsomatic.html
Check out our information on Face Book. Information
is updated daily on academic tips, success stories and
important information.
www.facebook.com./dvusdstudentsupportservices
CONTACT INFORMATION
Michael Remus
Director, Student Support Services
Lidia Vittorre
Secretary to Michael Remus
623-445-4943
Deborah Switalski Parent Liaison
623-445-4983
DIRECTORS CORNER
FROM MICHAEL REMUS
It is with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to all the
students, parents and staff for the summer. I hope you
have a wonderful summer break and get to spend some
great family time together. If you have a weekend
planned for the summer or even a long vacation enjoy
and take time to reflect on another year of school. I can't
believe another year is behind us. I will miss you but on
the other hand I am ready to have some time to reflect
here and plan for next school year. I know people think it
slows down in the summer and it is quiet but it couldn't
be farther from the truth. We have grants to write, staffing to complete, budgets to send to state, many meetings
with the other departments and the best of all planning
how we can make our services better each year.
Family is important as we all know and it was brought to
our attention again this year with the loss of a wonderful
colleague a few weeks ago. It makes one take stock in
how important each and every one of our students,
parents and staff are in the district. It takes all of us
working together to make our children's lives and
education enriched. Again, take care and enjoy each
other this summer as someone could be gone tomorrow.
I wish each of you the best and look forward to seeing
you next August.