August 13, 2008
Dear MSD Community,
The Frederick Campus’ 141st school year and Columbia Campus’ 36th year are just around the corner. It will be great to see both campuses once again bustling with teaching and learning.
I wish to share with you that the new Frederick Campus Elementary School/Family Education Complex is now 85% complete. The target date for the grand opening of the building complex to MSD students and staff is Monday, January 5, 2009. Slides of the construction can be found at our website, www.msd.edu.
I also wish to share with you three MSD Board of Trustees-approved programming initiatives:
This fall, placement of deaf students with special needs from Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be determined by their residence. Students living west of Route 97 will attend the Frederick Campus, and students living east of Route 97 will attend the Columbia Campus. Students (residing west of Route 97 and currently studying at Columbia Campus) have the option of staying at Columbia Campus or transferring to Frederick Campus. Starting fall of 2009, the Frederick Campus will serve students with special needs up to fifth grade, and in the fall of 2010 the Frederick Campus will serve students with special needs up to eighth grade.
Starting this fall, in addition to academic classes where American Sign Language and printed English are the languages of instruction, MSD will also offer academic classes where Spoken English is the language of instruction. In these classes, American Sign Language will be used, when appropriate, to provide “bridging”. Students in these “oral approach” classes will utilize the MSD’s public school curriculum and attend specials (Art, Drama, Computer Literacy, American Sign Language, and Physical Education classes) where American Sign Language is the language of instruction. Family Education and Early Childhood Department will offer Spoken English classes at both campuses starting this fall. There will be also a Spoken English class at the Columbia Campus Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten level; and at the Frederick Campus first grade level.
The Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and MSD have begun talks to set up a pilot in-state program for deaf and hard of hearing students who are emotionally disturbed. MSD is looking at providing the academic component during the day for five high school students starting sometime next year.
As a result of the No Child Left Behind law, all public schools including the Maryland School for the Deaf may offer only the Maryland high school diploma or a certificate of program completion. Unfortunately, MSD can no longer offer the Maryland School for the Deaf diploma. The Maryland State Department of Education is now offering multiple routes to obtaining a Maryland high school diploma. Students will continue to take either the High School Assessment (HSA) or Mod-HSA in English, Algebra, Biology and Government. If a student does not earn a composite score of 1602 or higher, they will begin the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation. The Bridge Plan consists of modules that will allow the student to earn the necessary points to obtain a diploma. MSD will begin implementing the Bridge Plan this fall.
On September 26, 2008, the Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation will host its fifth annual Golf Charity tournament at the Hollow Creek Golf Club in Middletown, Maryland. Best ball format play will begin at 10:00 A.M. Members of MSD community are welcome to participate in the silent and live auctions starting at 3:00 P.M. For more information, please go to www.msd-foundation.org.
MSD is proud to host the National Spike Out Volleyball Tournament this September 26 and 27, 2008. Eleven teams from across the country and MSD will vie for the national crown. On the first day, pool play will be held at the Discovery Sports Center at Boyds, Maryland. On the second day, bracket play will be held at the Frederick Community College. Schedule of matches will be posted in the near future at our website, www.msd.edu. Let’s plan on attending this exciting tournament and cheer our girls on as they try to defend their championship title for the third straight year.
MSD’s annual Homecoming Weekend will take place at the Frederick Campus on Saturday, October 18, 2008. MSD’s football team will play the Indiana School for the Deaf at 7:00 P.M. at the Harry T. Creager Athletic Field.
As our MSD student population has always been highly diverse, we will continue to emphasize cooperation, collaboration, mutual respect, and support for optimal education for all students and their families. As always, you are welcome to contact me at 301.360.2005 or at james.tucker@msd.edu if you have questions or comments about this letter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
James E. Tucker
Superintendent |
