NEW TRUSTEE APPOINTED BY THE WILLIE ROSS SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JUNE 23, 2008

At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf, held Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the Longmeadow Campus of the school, Judge Daniel Swords, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, announced the election of a new trustee, Azell Murphy Cavaan.

Ms. Cavaan, who begins her three-year term on July 1, has had a distinguished history serving in public service and in our area.  Currently she serves as the Communication Director for the Mayor of Springfield.  As Communications Director for the City of Springfield, she is responsible for the direction, execution, and management of internal and external communication strategies and plans furthering the image and identity of the City of Springfield.  In her position there is expressed emphasis upon the city’s financial, managerial, and cultural revitalization.  Ms. Cavaan graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, with a Master’s degree in journalism; she received her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in journalism with a minor in speech communication.  She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists and she holds an honorary appointment to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women to which she was appointed by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators in 2007.

The annual meeting was chaired by Mr. Jay Primack, Vice-Chairperson of the Board, and reports of the committee chairpersons were requested and given.  Judge Swords also presented the slate of officers for the 2008-2009 academic year, as follows:  Attorney Susan Phillips, Chairperson; James H. Ross, Jr., Treasurer; Barbara Garvey, Secretary.

Dr. Louis Abbate, Executive Director of the school, reported on the many activities held in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the school’s founding.  The staff planned many celebratory activities for the students in honor of the school, its founders, and its accomplishments.  The weekend of October 21st and 22nd was the official celebration, first at the school where all of the students and staff gathered to celebrate the school’s birthday and to meet Mrs. Barbara Ross, founding parent and mother of Willie, for whom the school is named.  On Saturday, October 22nd, the Board of Trustees held a 40th anniversary gala dinner at the colony Club with honored guests Mrs. Ross, her son Stevens Ross, and John Ratzenberger, honorary chairperson of the Board of Trustees, television personality, and philanthropist.

May 5, 2008
Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow is pleased to announce that Karen Stackow, Social Worker at the school for five years, will be honored at the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner at the Log Cabin, Holyoke, on Thursday, May 8, 2008.  This dinner and awards ceremony is one of three events this spring honoring teachers in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties.  The event is sponsored by The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, Southworth Paper Company, Springfield Republican, WGBY Channel 57, abc40, Channel 22, Meyers Bros & Kalicka, STCU” credit union, and local YMCAs of Hampden County.

Ms. Stackow is being honored as Willie Ross School’s Teacher of the Year for her many contributions to the Willie Ross students, ages 3 – 19, with whom she meets individually as well as in groups at all levels.  Since coming to Willie Ross School, she has made significant and lasting contributions to the educational process for these deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Her particular interest in vocational training and transition has resulted in very specific new, meaningful programs for students.  She has been the Will Ross School liaison to the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment program instituted by the Massachusetts Department of Education.  Students who would not normally qualify to attend college are permitted to do so through this D.O.E. grant support.  Willie Ross School for the Deaf has students attending classes at Holyoke Community College; this is the only private school participating in this program.  Karen Stackow has attended planning meetings, driven students to orientation and classes, waited to be sure they had transportation home, and shopped for art supplies, to list but a few of her specific activities with this new program.  Without Ms. Stackow’s dedication, Willie Ross School’s students would not have been able to participate in this innovative and rewarding program.

For additional information, please contact Gregory DeLisle, Deputy Executive Director, at 413.567.0374 Voice/TDD, or by email: gdelisle@willierossschool.org.

March 19, 2008

On Friday, March 28, 2008, the students and staff of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf will continue to celebrate the school’s 40^th anniversary in a production by the Little Theatre of the Deaf at the Furcolo Student Center at the Longmeadow

Campus from 9:30-10:30.  The students from both the Longmeadow Campus and the Partnership Campus in East Longmeadow will attend the performance.

The Little Theatre of the Deaf is a touring company which presents original and classic dramatic works in American Sign Language and spoken English. It brings shows filled with fables, fairytales, folktales, facts, and fun to all audiences.  This children’s theatre has performed at Willie Ross School a number of times, and WRSD welcomes the theatre company as part of the school’s 40^th anniversary.

For additional information, please contact Gregory DeLisle, Deputy Executive Director
of Willie Ross School for the Deaf at 413.567.0374 Voice/TDD, gdelisle@willierossschool.org.

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WILLIE ROSS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, LONGMEADOW, MA
 ANNOUNCES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY WINTER FESTIVAL

On Friday, February 8, 2008, anniversary celebrations continue at the Longmeadow Campus of the school with a Winter Festival. The school is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding by parents in 1967 with a series of events throughout the year specifically designed for the students. 

The day begins with a performance in the Furcolo Student Center by the Berkshire Hills Music Academy from 9:15 – 10:15.  Students from early childhood through high school will be attending the music performance, and students from the East Longmeadow Partnership Campus have been invited to attend this all-school event.

Following the performance, students from early childhood through elementary will stay to build 40 snow-children from snow or from poster board, construction paper and felt.  The snow-children will be fastened to the Willie Ross School playground fence.

For additional information, please contact Gregory DeLisle, Deputy Executive Director, at 413.567.0374 Voice/TDD, or gdelisle@willierossschool.org.

January 10, 2008