Tennessee Observer Fall 2019 Newsletter Now Available
The Tennessee Observer Fall 2019 Newsletter is now available on the TSD Website (About Us > Newsletter).
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100 Berryhill Drive, Jackson, TN 38301
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West Tennessee School for the Deaf (WTSD) is home to a vibrant community of students, educators, and specialists in communication, language, and learning.
Our students make a promise each morning to be RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL, and COOPERATIVE by meeting positive behavioral expectations in all areas of the school. As a result, our school has a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm and students are rewarded as these behaviors are observed.
TSD Schools Parent/Guardian Technology Survey (available 2/20 - 3/6/2020)
West Tennessee School for the Deaf (WTSD) is honored to have been selected as a Model of Demonstration School, Bronze Level, for Response to Instruction and Intervention-Behavior (RTI2-B). This is recognition for the RTI2-B team's development and implementation of WTSD's positive behavior support program. With efforts led by Veronica MacDonald, the team includes Melissa Spence (chairperson), Kristi Lindsey, Natalie Carmen, Ann Shearon, Kris Wolfe, Kristy Murdock, and Mitch Sims. The team devoted many hours to the development and support of the social and behavioral climate of WTSD. Through a system that incorporates tickets and prizes for rewarding the three expectations of being RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL AND COOPERATIVE; the program fosters a welcoming, positive school environment that is enjoyable for the community and that will support the specific academic, behavioral, and social needs of all students.
Thanks so much and please reach out with any questions.
WTSD News
WTSD Students Use Their Imagination and Creativity
The temperatures may be unseasonably warm outside, but WTSD has been battling igloo-type temperatures inside Mrs. Erin's and Mrs. Melissa's Pre-K classrooms.
The idea of a milk-jug igloo began a year ago when classroom teacher, Melissa Spence, asked parents to start saving gallon jugs. The requested jugs would be used for an art project relating to their "Imagination and Creativity" theme. The parents came through in fine fashion, and the igloo came to life. Students loved every second of exploring the igloo and imagining what it might be like to live there. Although it was a "Pre-K project", all of WTSD students and staff have enjoyed the creativity and hard work of the parents and teachers that resulted in the unmistakable structure.
WTSD Gives Back
West Tennessee School for the Deaf wrapped up the first half of the '19-'20 school year with a "WTSD Gives Back" themed Holiday Program. For several years, WTSD has used the holiday spirit to participate in giving back to the community. This year, they chose to take it a step further and honor our nation's military personnel by simply saying "thank you". They did this by participating in "100,000 Thank Yous". Nashville's "The Ty Bentli Radio Show" partnered with Operation Gratitude (a 501(c)(3) organization that provides tangible ways to strengthen communities and bring together grateful civilians with the men and women in uniform who serve and protect them) to collect and send 100,000 "thank yous" to our troops. Each class at WTSD joined in the effort of providing 100,000 Thank Yous by creating their own thank you cards and sending them to the radio show. The Holiday Program highlighted the gratitude for our troops through a PowerPoint showcasing each student's effort in the push for 100,000 Thank Yous, as well as recognizing our own military "hero", Chad Blalock. The program also featured each class in a performance of a song that was originally performed and/or written by artists native to Tennessee. WTSD looks forward to continuing the tradition of giving back.
Celebrating Positive Behavior at WTSD!
As part of WTSD’s ongoing Positive Behavior program, students with “Upper Crust” behavior were invited to participate in a pizza party. Each nine weeks, good behavior resulting in no office discipline referrals is celebrated. The most recent celebration included creating and enjoying their own pizzas. A huge shout out to those with Upper Crust behaviors as well as to our fabulous cafeteria crew for taking time out of their busy day to make this happen.