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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Planting the Seeds for Growth: A Strategic Plan for Norfolk Public Schools Hearing Impaired Program ' Track: 3 - Language Acquisition and Development Keyword(s): Public Schools, strategic plan, stakeholder collaboration, learning community, education Learning Objectives: Identify NPS' strategic plan focus areas, including goals achieved as well as goals yet to be achieved List several examples of best-practices for D/HH education (curricula, staff, professional collaboration) Integrate successful collaboration strategies in their own communities Abstract: Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) is an urban school district with a large caseload of hearing impaired students relative to the size of the district. The number of students receiving hearing impaired services in our district has grown exponentially in the past 10 years. As a result of our program’s fast growth, we sought to improve services to students of all ages, using all communication modalities. This presentation will outline our strategic plan, implemented in 2011, currently beginning year four. This plan was initially presented to a nationally recognized organization for professionals working with students with hearing loss. It was acknowledged by that organization with the “Low Hanging Fruit” award for the plan’s ambition and ingenuity in identifying and collaborating with community stakeholders including Old Dominion University, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and the Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) of Norfolk. With the goal of improved language development and communication for all hearing impaired students at the forefront, NPS has shaped its hearing impaired programs to provide high quality, best practice services to its oral, manual and TC students. The presenters will outline how the program has achieved several goals, including: increased staffing to include Teachers of the Deaf, Educational Audiologist, Sign Language Interpreters and Speech Language Pathologists; professional development; the implementation of a Professional Learning Community; curriculum building; parent training; and fostering services delivered to families involved with ITC (Virginia’s Early Intervention). Additionally, it will review areas still in development, including: continued rollout and implementation of purchased curricula and classroom materials, the creation of a 2 year old oral preschool program, certification of staff members to provide Early Intervention services in Norfolk, and ongoing collaboration with interested stakeholders in the Norfolk/Tidewater area. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available CART: CART Transcription is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Kate Berenguer - Primary Presenter,POC Norfolk Public Schools      Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A       Kate Berenguer is in her ninth year as the Educational Audiologist for Norfolk Public Schools' Hearing Impaired Department. She is one member of their Professional Learning Community, made up of an extraordinary team including Teachers of the Deaf and Speech-Language Pathologists. Kristi Greenstein, Ed.S., has been with NPS for 8 years and serves as the Hearing Impaired Department's lead teacher. She provides HI services for our Oral Preschool graduates and is currently in the process of applying for LSLS certification. Kristie Igana, B.A., began with NPS in 2011 after several years of teaching in residential schools for the Deaf in Florida and New Jersey. She is a certified sign language interpreter.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Receives Salary for Employment from Norfolk Public Schools.   Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Kristi Greenstein - Co-Presenter Norfolk Public Schools      Credentials: Ed.S.       All biographies are listed under Kate Berenguer       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Receives Salary for Employment from employee Norfolk Public Schools.   Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Kristie Igana - Co-Presenter Norfolk Public Schools      Credentials: B.A.       Bio under Kate Berenguer       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -