You may have noticed a beautiful mural hanging at the Elizabeth Street gate entrance during Deaf Awareness Week. 

The mural was created by our very talented TSD Elementary Art students in honor of Deaf Awareness Week. Their De'VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) celebrates the idea of Creating Connections, TSD's theme for the 2021-2022 school year. 

If you want to see or take a selfie in front of the mural, drop by the Pease Building lobby.

TSD student Sam S. has been selected to be part of the Team Texas basketball team at next year's Special Olympics in Orlando, Florida.

As the Special Olympics Texas motto goes, "Let ME be brave. Let US be strong!" Sam has trained very hard to be select by Team Texas. He's the only Deaf player selected for the team, which makes this even more special.

His coach, Stephen Kuhns, said, "Sam is proud of himself. Years of training have paid off, and he's excited to represent the state of Texas and the Deaf community."

His team is currently seeking support.  For information on how you can help Sam and Team Texas, please visit the following link, https://givebutter.com/USAGAMESUNIFIEDTEAMS/unifiedbasketballteam1. 

Congratulations, Sam! 

[id: Photo shows student Sam S. in his TSD Rangers basketball uniform kneeling next to a Wilson basketball.]
 

On the first Wednesday of the month, the TSD community is invited to run a 5k (3.1 miles) race around campus. Not feeling 5k ready? That's where Mark Holcomb comes in the picture! 


Every Wednesday, he hosts a TSD Staff Running/Walking Club to encourage them to have fun, destress, AND train for the 5k race. The social club allows people from all departments to meet, run/walk, and create connections. You may have seen them running and walking after school on Wednesdays.  All staff are invited to the social event every Wednesday at 3:45 (to stretch and chat) with a 4pm start time.  Meet them at the TSD clock tower!
 
Mark shared, "You may be wondering how I became passionate about this sport.  Well, thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown, I was given the opportunity to try a new form of fitness which I thought I hated--running! As I ran more, I found myself getting better and more involved within the running community in Austin.”  In fact, Mark added, "I was recently selected as one of 15 Race Ambassadors for the Austin Statesman CAP 10K race. In this role, I will be running A LOT and representing the CAP 10K at various races in Austin.”  
 
This year is the 45th annual race, and Mark will be hosting more training and group runs as it gets closer to the big day on April 10, 2022.  Be sure to reach out to him if you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity.  Even if you aren’t up for the 10K, be sure to take advantage of the fitness opportunities offered in Ranger Nation!

[id:  A headshot of Mark Holcomb, wearing a Statesman Cap10K Race Ambassador black polo, with the Austin skyline in the background.  Mark is a ginger with a long beard wearing black framed glasses.]
 

TSD was recently visited by an administrator from the Alaska School for the Deaf (AKSD).

Ms. Clara Baldwin, Acting Supervisor at AKSD, came to TSD to learn more about our early learning programs, instruction at the elementary level, instructional coaching, and outreach services. 

Regarding her visit, Ms. Baldwin said, "I'm impressed by the Texan hospitality upon my arrival and really liked how TSD is cohesive with the Culturally Responsive Teaching framework."

She added, "I got the chance to meet several administrators and have conversations with them."

"I found one recurring thing about all of those conversations - that TSD is very student-centered campus."

Stella Egbert, TSD Director of Instruction, said she really enjoyed Ms. Baldwin sharing her experience working with Alaskan Natives. 

She added, "I think [Ms. Baldwin] has a rich experience administering there and wish her well and for her community to benefit from what she envisions as a program that can be not only accessible for Deaf students, but connecting with their communities."