Fall 2013

SPEAKING MIRACLES
The Newsletter of DePaul School for Hearing & Speech
Fall 2013
We Play. We Learn. We Succeed.
Developing Motor Skills, Language and Listening Using Play
develops hand strength and coordination.
Children who pretend to be construction
workers and build a road out of blocks
develop teamwork and patience. A
preschooler pretending to cook food in the
play kitchen develops vocabulary and
conversation skills. At DePaul School, we
use pretend play to help develop Listening
and Spoken Language (LSL) skills in
children in early-childhood.
Above: Brandon Guthrie, Jared López and Nitish Iyengar look for
treasure in the Early Childhood Discovery Room.
In a typical day you can walk into DePaul
School’s Early Childhood Centers Program
Discovery Room and find a child zooming
around in fairy wings and a tutu, another
making a caterpillar out of pom-poms and
pipe cleaners and two friends flipping
plastic eggs in the kitchen. They look like
they are having so much fun! What you may
not realize at first is that this pretend play is
a key part of their early childhood
development, helping them achieve more
sophisticated language, better visualization
and more mature social behavior.
From birth, children can benefit from using
make-believe as part of their learning.
Play affects all areas of development,
including motor skills, language and listening.
A child rolling and forming balls of clay
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing
greatly benefit from Early Intervention (EI)
that occurs during the critical years of brain
growth and development, from birth to
age five. With newborn hearing screening,
babies are identified with hearing loss at
much younger ages and many receive
hearing aids or cochlear implants before
their first birthday. This presents a great
opportunity to begin intensive LSL
education at a very young age. Using play
to facilitate language learning is the perfect
vehicle to introduce listening and language
to toddlers and preschoolers.
“At DePaul, we use play to allow young
children to develop listening and language
skills in a natural and functional manner,”
explains Mimi Loughead, Early Childhood
Coordinator. “Our teachers design each
activity around the listening and language
goals of the children. If a child is
discriminating between the presence and
absence of sound, the teacher will have
the student dance to music and freeze
when the music stops. When a child needs
to learn to identify and learn the names of
different foods, the teacher will engage the
child in a pretend picnic using the targeted
vocabulary. The children are highly
motivated to use the new skill multiple
times because it is fun and meaningful.”
Children with hearing loss who have had EI
services show greater gains in listening and
spoken language skills. They also
demonstrate increased attention span and
active engagement in learning activities.
Children who participate in DePaul School’s
Toddler-Parent Program and Preschool
Program typically transition to regular
public education classrooms by first grade
and are reading at or above grade level.
The Toddler-Parent Program, beginning at
age 18 months, gives children with hearing
loss the opportunity to have intensive LSL
education in a classroom setting that is fun
and appropriate for their age. They receive
instruction from a Certified Teacher of the
Deaf and participate in small-group
activities, from pretend play to story-time,
that reinforce early language development.
Continued on page 2.
Out in the Mainstream! Meet our mainstreaming students on page 3.
2
We Play. We Learn. We Succeed.
(Continued from cover)
At age three, children transition to the Preschool
Program, a full-day program that combines
classroom learning with center-based play to
maximize the potential these children have to
learn to listen and speak without using sign
language. In the Preschool Program, students are
taught in small groups of two to three. Students
also spend time in center-based play in the Early
Childhood Discovery Room, where, while using
pretend play in a larger group setting of six to ten
students, teachers can reinforce language skills
while encouraging socio-emotional, motor and
cognitive development.
Discovery Room is to provide children who are
deaf or hard of hearing between the ages of three
to six with a learning environment that
stimulates and engages their curiosity about the
world around them and supports the intensive
Listening and Spoken Language education
provided in the classroom. At the age when the
children’s brains are most able to develop oral
language, the Early Childhood Discovery Room
provides children with opportunities to actively
engage in integrating oral communication and
literacy into their overall development and
learning.
Through play, children learn—and toddlers and
preschoolers are active learners. Playing children
will hear, see, feel and experience what they are
doing over and over. Play gives children multiple
opportunities to learn and practice new skills
while having fun.
“Spending time in the Discovery Room allows
children to freely choose activities which are
intrinsically motivating and personally directed,”
says Mimi Loughead. “They are able to experiment,
create, problem solve, form relationships and
practice new skills.”
The Early Childhood Discovery Room
From Top: Kelly Craig plays in the play kitchen;
Sean King carries a building block to make a tower.
DePaul School’s Early Childhood Centers Program
Discovery Room serves 28 children ages three
to six and is part of the school’s Early Childhood
Curriculum. Students in DePaul’s Preschool and
Kindergarten participate in the Centers Program
in addition to receiving intensive language
instruction in small groups in their homeroom
classrooms.
The goal of the Early Childhood Centers Program
In response to a doubling of enrollment in the
Preschool and Kindergarten in 2012, the Centers
Program was expanded and the Early Childhood
Discovery Room was relocated to a renovated
larger space in preparation for the 2013-14
academic year. This renovation was generously
funded by The Grable Foundation and the Mary
Hillman Jennings Foundation. Funds provided by
the Vincent Donatelli Family Fund, of The
Pittsburgh Foundation, provided new toys,
furniture and classroom materials as well.
Play @ Home!
Try these fun activities with your child
to encourage language learning and imaginative play
Parents don’t need elaborate toys to have fun playing with their children. Playtime is
about the relationship between parent and child, not about the toy. Pay attention to your
child’s interests and follow his or her lead.
Activity #1
If your child loves balls, you can play with a ball using a variety of words: verbs (throw,
bounce, roll), location (under, in, through) and adjectives (soft, bumpy, tiny). You and your
child will enjoy playing and learning together!
Activity #2
Take a blanket and drape it over a table or set of chairs. Crawl under with your child and
see what happens! Is it a house, a bear’s cave, a fort or a doghouse? What happens if
you add some pillows, stuffed animals, boxes or a flashlight? Be spontaneous and
playful! Let your child’s imagination lead the way.
From Top: Grace Beal and Peyton Fitzpatrick pack their bags;
Luca Cusimano plays with play-doh.
For more information about DePaul School’s Early Intervention and Early Chilhood Education Programs,
contact Mimi Loughead, Early Childhood Coordinator at 412-924-1012 or [email protected]
In the Mainstream!
Congratulations to the students who transitioned to their neighborhood schools this fall.
At DePaul School, we celebrate the success of each individual child with hearing loss as he or she
transitions to and thrives in the hearing and speaking world.
“We are very proud of all of the students transitioning to mainstream schools this
year. These students have attained the Listening and Spoken Language skills
needed to succeed in the mainstream. They will now join their hearing peers in their
neighborhood classrooms and participate fully in the hearing and speaking world.”
--Mary Jo Maynard, DePaul School Principal
Destiny
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Christopher
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Jake
Sophia
Hillcrest Alliance Preschool
Nicoletta
Sacred Heart School
Montour School District
Muhammad
Penn Hills School District
Ezra
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Tyler
St. Margaret of Scotland
End of Year Celebration
On May 28, the students and staff at DePaul School celebrated the
conclusion of the school year. Students from Kindergarten to Level 8
performed songs, poems and skits for their families and friends in
attendance in the Sacred Heart Auditorium. The students received
certificates of accomplishment from their teachers and the mainstreaming
students were recognized. Nicoletta Gulli, Chris Hinda, Muhammad Mere
and Tyler Stack gave speeches memorializing their time at DePaul School
and spoke with excitement about attending their new schools.
Light refreshments were served afterwards at DePaul School and students
had the chance to chat, take photos and say farewell to their friends for the
summer.
Clockwise From Top: Level 6 and Level 7 students; Level 5 students; Level 4 students; Level 2 and Level 3 students; Kindergarten and Level 1 students perform during the End of Year Celebration.
3
4
Jacob’s Ride @ DePaul
DePaul Students Helps Raise Funds for Cochlear Implant Charity
DePaul School students welcomed Jacob Landis for a visit on May 6. Jacob had been
biking across the country visiting all 30 baseball stadiums to raise money for people with
severe-to-profound or profound hearing loss who can’t afford a cochlear implant. Jacob
was not born deaf, but by age 10 had severe-to-profound hearing loss. He received a
cochlear implant, enabling him to hear again and to fully function in the hearing and
speaking world. This event so dramatically altered his outlook that Jacob combined his
love of baseball and cycling with his desire to help those who need cochlear implants,
but might not otherwise be able to afford them, and founded Jacob’s Ride.
Jacob met students from Levels 2-8 and shared his adventures from biking across the
country. The students asked him questions and learned about his charitable outreach to
the community.
Jacob’s charitable outreach inspired DePaul students to launch “Penny Wars” among
classrooms to raise funds for the Jacob’s Ride charity. To help gain points for their
classroom, students wrote essays about why their classroom deserved to win the Penny
Wars. The winning essay was written by Level 3 student Sean Snyder. Sean wrote:
“Our classroom should win the Penny Wars because I want to help Jacob’s ride to
give children implants. I know children’s parents might not have enough money for
implants because they cost a lot of money. Implants help me to hear my family and
friends and I can hear the cartoon TV shows. Implants help children so they can
speak and listen. I hope we will win the Penny Wars so we can give our money to
Jacob’s Ride to help them.”
Students had a fun two weeks at war. The students in Level 4 won the Penny Wars with
an impressive 13,412 points. Overall, students raised a total of $442.57 for Jacob’s
Ride. What a wonderful show of heart from DePaul School students!
Top Left: Jacob Landis shows DePaul School students his bicycle.
Left: Tyler Stack poses with Jacob at the Pittsburgh Pirates game.
A Visit from our City Councilman
Pittsburgh Councilman Dan Gilman stopped by DePaul School to meet some
of his youngest new constituents! Councilman Gilman peeked into the ToddlerParent Program, chatted with Preschool students, toured the Elementary
Department classrooms and learned about DePaul School’s Listening and
Spoken Language (LSL) curriculum.
Councilman Gilman recently won the election for the District 8 City Council
seat vacated by Bill Peduto. Prior to the election, Gilman worked as Peduto’s
Chief of Staff.
We are looking forward to working with Councilman Gilman in making
District 8 the best district in the city!
Right: City Councilman Dan Gilman poses with DePaul School Kindergarten students.
5
6th Annual
G
f F RE! DePaul
Golf FORE! DePaul Scores a $50,000 Hole-in-One for DePaul School!
The 108 golfers who participated in the 6th Annual Golf FORE! DePaul on Thursday, July 11 at
Edgewood Country Club experienced absolutely gorgeous weather as they drove, chipped and
putted their way to low scores!
Though many teams turned in outstanding scores this year, last year’s first place winner and
event committee member, Shaun Martinec, was able to rally up a winning team once again.
Many congratulations to Shaun and his team!
With a day out on the greens completed, golfers met at the “19th Hole” for an outstanding dinner
buffet and program. Participants were greeted by WTAE’s Sally Wiggin and were introduced to
DePaul School parent, Kristina Cole who shared an amazing story about her child’s journey at
DePaul School. Kristina’s sentiment was definitely reflected in the heartfelt support of the day’s
participants and the amazing corporate and individual sponsors of the event. Many thanks to
Ryan Sammel (winner of the 50/50 raffle) and Jim Heaton (winner of the Par 3 contest) for
generously donating their winnings back to DePaul School!
This year’s event raised over $50,000 to support us in our goal to prepare children who are deaf
or hard of hearing for success in the hearing and speaking world. On behalf of the DePaul School
students who will be touched by this incredible support—thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Congratulations to this year’s Golf FORE! DePaul Raffle and team winners:
Raffle Grand Prize Winner: Andy Billet
Raffle 2nd Prize Winner: Jana Engel
First Place Team: Brian Kurtz, Dan Lugaila, Shaun Martinec & Ryan Sammel
Second Place Team: Jim Dornan, Bruce Georgi, Rob Gleyze & Rich Reynolds
Thanks to all of our sponsors for making the 2013 Golf FORE! DePaul a success!
David M. Maines Associates, Inc.
Firestone Building Products
Riley, Hewitt, Witte & Romano, PC
Janney Montgomery & Scott, LLC
From Top: Event Co-Chairs Pam Billet and Dan Berry; the
winning team of golfers.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Baierl Automotive
Downey’s House
Federated Investors
Flexospan
P.J. Dick – Trumbull – Lindy Paving
Julian Gray Associates
Save the Date for the 7th Annual Golf FORE! DePaul on July 17, 2014!
For more information, contact Kayla Madden at 412-924-1012 or [email protected]
On May 18, over 125 DePaul School supporters showed up with no lack of enthusiasm
to take part in the 11th Annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Because of your
generosity and that of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for underwriting the Walk, DePaul
School raised over $10,500 to support our goal to prepare children who are deaf or hard
of hearing for success in the hearing and speaking world. DePaul School was one of 68
health and human services organizations that participated in the Highmark Walk this year.
As an incentive, all those who participated in the Walk and made a $25 donation received
a DePaul School t-shirt. If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, please contact Kayla
at 412-924-1012. Sizes and quantities are limited!
Congratulations to this year’s Top Fundraising Team, Allie’s Entourage and Top Fundraising
Individual, Susan Klein! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to DePaul School!
Right: DePaul School students Kera Meyers and Olivia Mottiqua (front) pose with
friends and family at the start of the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community.
6
Upcoming Events at DePaul
September
2
Labor Day
School Closed
4
School Open House
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
7
The Power of Advocacy: Parent, Student
and Professional Perspectives
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
11
Parent Support Group
10:00 am - 11:00 am
11
Parent Group Meeting
11:15 am
20
DePaul Founder’s Day
22
Back to School Family Day at PNC Park
27
Fire Safety Day
October
9
25
Parent Support Group
10:00 am - 11:00 am
10th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala
6:00 pm
November
13
Parent Support Group
10:00 am - 11:00 am
27-29
Thanksgiving Break
School Closed
December
11
Parent Support Group
10:00 am - 11:00 am
23-1st
Christmas Break
School Closed
10th Annual
Reach
Stars
Gala
for the
Join us
and Honorary Chairs
Susan and Scott
Lammie
for a fantastic evening celebrating
DePaul School
for Hearing
& Speech
October 25, 2013
6:00 pm
Heinz Field
East Club Lounge
For more information, or for sponsorship
opportunities, contact Kayla Madden at
412-924-1012 or [email protected]
Visit www.speakmiracles.org for details.
Visit our website www.speakmiracles.org for more information about these and other upcoming events.
Parent Page
7
New! Parent Support Group
The Parent Support Group has a new look this year! Previously, it was part of the Baby and Parent
Program. Now, it will be open to all DePaul families, current and former, and to new families with
children recently diagnosed with hearing loss. Regardless of your child’s age, you are welcome to
come and share your experiences and knowledge with other families. Remember: You are each
other’s best resource for support about raising a child with hearing loss!
“It’s very comforting when someone else can relate exactly to what you are feeling and can give
you guidance and comfort. When Jake was first diagnosed with hearing loss and I realized all the
help he would need with audiology appointments, therapy and school, I didn’t know how I was
going to be strong enough to juggle it all. I listened to the stories of other mothers and realized
that they all knew what I was feeling, and that gave me the strength to dig deep inside and to do
what I needed to do to help Jake learn to hear and speak.”
-Marci Zelinski, mother of DePaul School preschooler
The first meeting is on September 11 at 10:00 am in the library at DePaul School. This meeting
will be a time for parents to get together and chat with other parents and family members about
your experiences and concerns. Karen Schrecengost, DePaul’s School Psychologist, will facilitate
the meeting and offer her support and expertise as needed. During the school year, the Parent
Support Group will meet from 10:00-11:00 am, on the second Wednesday of every month in
DePaul’s library. Free babysitting will be provided! So, join Karen on September 11 and share
your challenges, successes and ideas!
Above: Jake cuddles his “baby sister” during play time
in the Early Education Discovery Room.
The Power of Advocacy:
Parent, Student and
Professional Perspectives
Saturday, September 7 • 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Lunch is provided for registered attendees
Please join DePaul School professionals, alumni and parents for a day of learning about how to best advocate on
behalf of your child. The sessions will feature DePaul staff and teachers, as well as parents and alumni, that will
give you practical strategies and tips to effectively advocate for your child from the time he or she is enrolled at
DePaul School until the day he or she transitions to the mainstream.
Registration Fee: $15. Babysitting is provided. Registration is required. Please register by September 4, 2013.
For more information, or to register, please contact Mimi Loughead at 412-924-1012 or [email protected]
8
Your Support Adds Up for Students!
Every dollar donated enhances a child’s opportunity for learning at DePaul School.
Here are some examples of how our students would benefit from your donation:
$25
$50 $100 $250
$400
$1,000*
$5,000*
Buys quality children’s books for read-aloud story time
Purchases games and sports equipment for recess and recreation
Funds new toys for imaginative play in the Discovery Room
Purchases a six month subscription to an educational internet
site to support student research projects
Buys a wireless microphone for students to use in class discussions
Provides financial assistance for a toddler student
Sponsors a teacher or therapist to attain LSLS™ certification
*Donations of $1,000 or more enable membership in the 1908 Society.
Please send your donation in the enclosed envelope, donate online at www.speakmiracles.org
or call 412-924-1024 and speak with Mary Ann Potter in the Outreach and Development Office.
You may also:
•Make an in-kind donation
•Arrange a payroll deduction
•Seek matching funds from your employer to increase the impact of your donation
Designate DePaul in the United Way Campaign (#169),
the Combined Federal Campaign (#77382)
or the State Employee Combined Appeal (#4601-0061)
Thank you for supporting DePaul School as we prepare children who are
deaf or hard of hearing for success in the hearing and speaking world.
Donations received through this Annual Appeal will be allocated to the general operating fund which provides
for the programs and equipment described above.
1908 Society Charter Members
Legacy Circle - $20,000
19 0
8
Mary Beth and Tim Kernan
Society
Founders - $10,000
Carol and Patrick Riley
Benefactors - $5,000
About
Society
DePthe
aul1908
School
for Hearing & Speech
Named for the School’s founding year, the 1908
Society enables DePaul School to continue to
provide children who are deaf or hard of hearing
with a solid foundation for success in the hearing
and speaking world. The 1908 Society honors
and acknowledges some of DePaul School’s most
ardent supporters and friends. These individuals
provide direct annual support to further DePaul’s
mission to teach children who are deaf or hard of
hearing to listen and speak. Donors who contribute
before July 1, 2014 will be acknowledged as
Charter Members in perpetuity. For more
information, please call 412-924-1025.
Bonnie and Robert Cindrich
Daniel A. Goetz
Kathryn and Shaun Martinec
Patricia and Donald Ruff
John H. Stafford
Patrons - $2,500
Ruth and Robert Auld
Marcie and Dan Berry
Diane and Robert Hardy
Linda and Timothy Burke
Douglas Campbell
Catherine and Dr. David Chi
Jane and Carl Eck
Mary Jane and Carl G.
Grefenstette
Kimberlee A. Gillespie
Lisa and Dr. Todd Hillman
Lois and Anthony Mastro
Friends - $1,000
Chris Gilson
Hadley and Scott Haas
Carol and Dr. Donald B.
Kamerer
Lillian Rountree Lippencott
Patricia and Charles Maines
Betty A. Marvich
Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy
Linda and James Meyers
Stefania and Jeffrey Romoff
Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
Thank You
9
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech would like to thank our 2012-13 donors for their generosity and support.
Mary Beth and Tim Kernan
Sara and Michael Colligan
Melissa and Brant Campbell
Carmen Martucci
Above $50,000
Jill and Donald Kyle
Lois Cusick
Touchstone Capital
The Mason Children
Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Jessica Cindrich
Ryann and Ronald Cindrich, Jr.
Roger W. Clark, Jr.
Cohen & Grigsby, PC
Kristina and Jesse Cole
Jack Connors
The Grable Foundation
Louise and Gary J. Corpora
Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation
Rita Coultas
The Rose Y. and J. Samuel Cox
Tracy and Justin Craig
Charitable Fund
Patricia J. Crawford
Christine and Matthew Cusick
Mark Cusick
Anonymous
Wendy and Chris Cusimano
David M. Maines Associates, Inc.
The Dattilo Family
Duquesne Light
Kelly Deardorff
Henry Janssen Foundation
Emily and William Degenhardt
Kathryn and Shaun Martinec
Karen and John Delfausse
Mylan Charitable Foundation
DePaul School Teachers
Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation
Alicia DiBenedetto
Riley, Hewitt, Witte & Romano, PC
Linda Ann DiBenedetto
Michael J. Accetta
UPMC and UPMC Health Plan
Patricia DiClemente
Tom Averitt
Marian Dietrich
Eileen Bradley
Kerry Doyle
Sarah and Henry Chicas
Bonnie and Robert Cindrich
Robert Drumheller
Mary and Ralph Cindrich
Darlene and Ronald Cindrich
Joanna B. and Bill Engel
James P. Conley
Father John Foundation for the
EQT Foundation
Bruce I. Crocker
Handicapped and the Poor
Suzanne McKain-Fallon
Clayton Dickey
Lois A. Goetz
Judi and Jules Farinhas
Dollar Bank, FSB
Howard Hanna Foundation
Dana Fayock
Linda and Lawrence Ehrlich
Diane and Robert Hardy
Ferrara Capital Management
Dr. Donald R. Fischer and
Kate M. Kelley Foundation
Patricia and Ronald Flach
The Hon. Nora Berry Fischer
Mary Fath Charitable Trust
Sally L. Flister
Carol J. Cusick Riley and Patrick Riley Fragasso Financial Advisors
Michael Fox
Carol and Jay Frame
Patricia and Donald Ruff
A. John and Dorothy Gabig
Marian and Stanley Gugala
United States Parcel Service
Anna Mae and Thomas F. Garbe
Larry Gaus, Sr.
Patrick Gault
Julian Gray Associates
Diane Geubtner
Jennifer and Brian Guthrie
Ruth G. Auld, EdD and Robert Auld
Bernie and John Girata
Dr. Jean Harwick and Dr. Barry E. Hirsch
Beatrice McGuire Trust
Girl Scouts Troop 741
Anita M. Iurlano
Marcie and Daniel Berry
GNC
John R. Kane
Greg, Pam and Taylor Billet
Michael Goliwas
Anne and Ron King
Catherine and Dr. David Chi
M.C. Gove
Matthew R. King
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh,
Mike Graham
LANXESS Corporation
Dept. of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Greater Pittsburgh Automobile
Elizabeth A. and Robert Lentz
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, PC
Dealers Association
L. Douglas Lioon
Marilyn and Daniel Fayock
Jill and John Grunst
Connie and Francis McGrogan
Fed Ex Ground Package System
John
Hainkel
Louis K. McLinden, Jr.
Federated Investors
Mary Ellen and Edwin Hall
Diane and Joseph McNally
First Niagara Bank Foundation
Sheila and Jordan Halter
Sister Jeremy Mahla, SC
Flexospan Steel Buildings, Inc.
Betty and Timothy Hammer
John Merkovsky
Julie A. Maloney and John D. Goetz
Jerry Hanlon, Jr.
Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course
Harrison Family Fund of
Kraig Haynes
Owners Association and Grand
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Denise Held
Strand Tee Time Network
Lisa and Dr. Todd Hillman
Kristin Hepler
Paul Orbert
Jones Day
Annah L. Hill
Brenda L. Owen
Hadley and Scott Haas
Gordon Holmes
Norma and Richard Patton
The Mae Casali Bonvicini Foundation Irene and Edward Petrarulo
Dr. Jonas T. Johnson
Patricia and Charles Maines
Arthur Johnston
Norman C. Ray Trust
Mascaro Construction Company
Deborrah Johnston, AuD
Jed Robie
Lois and Anthony Mastro
Judith and John Kalakos
Benita D. Rountree
Mollie S. & Martin B. Price Family Fund Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
Rebekah Kcechowski
of The Pittsburgh Foundation
Donna Kell
Sisterson & Co.
PJ Dick - Trumbull - Lindy Paving
Mari Kent
Judith and John Stafford
Kristen Perrin, AuD and Ben Perrin
Carolyn Kimmins
Kathleen and Jerry Starr
PPG Industries
Natalie and Donald J. King
Sharon L. Stewart
Greta and Arthur Rooney, II
Erika Kirwin
Janet and Sam Taylor
Washington County Economic
Susan Klein
Bonnie and Paul Titus
Development, Inc.
Randy Kline
Vincent Donatelli Family Fund of
ACHIEVA
William B. McLaughlin Charitable Trust
The Pittsburgh Foundation
John Krolikowski
Aetna Foundation
Sandra and Greg Wadsworth
Harriet Kruman
Bruce Albelda
WTAE
Robert and Reaney Kunkler
Allegheny Limousines, Inc.
ALCOA
Dr. Margaret & Dr. Frank Kush
Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. 32
Anonymous
Ethel LaJavic
Anonymous
Bernadette and Dennis E. Barrett, PhD Michael L. Aftanas
Tom Larkin
Eileen and Michael Aquiline
Linda and Timothy Burke
Regina Baloga and Manuel Solano, III Carol C. Lippencott
Susan P. Altman
Ann W. and Frank V. Cahouet
Brandy and Rev. Dan Long
Amy Lynn Barry
Rosemary and Dr. Moises Arriaga
Douglas Campbell
Margaret Loughead
Baxter Baker Sidle Conn & Jones, PA Michael A Beatty
CaptionCall, LLC
Ryan McCandless
Rita and Robert Beck
Nancy and Dr. Ralph Belsterling
CVS Caremark
Mary Ann and Timothy McConnell
Virginia Beck
Benefits Network, Inc.
Downey’s House
Kathleen and Brian McDermott
Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
Patricia and Dr. Charles Bluestone
Jane A. and Carl A. Eck
John R. McGinley, Jr.
Amaninder Bhullar
Patricia and Paul Bojarski
Kimberlee A. Gillespie
Louis K. McLinden, Sr.
Donna and Andy Billet
BNY Mellon Community Partnership
Chris Gilson
Anne and Nicholas Mageras
Katherine Billet
William A. Burgunder, Jr.
Global impact
Jaime and Nicholas Mahramas
Michael G. Billet
Bernard Buranosky
Kelly and William M. Greb
Diana Malits
Susan R. and Bruce Boalo
Frank Calandra, Jr.
Mary Jane and Carl G. Grefenstette
Linda Manolios
Karen and Paul Bradley
Nuelsi and Edward P. Canaan
Healthcare Benefits, Inc.
Robin and John Marker
Nancy L. Bromall
Paul T. Casali
The Hillman Company
Peter Marlette
Bridget Chufo, PhD and Ronald Chufo Deanna Brooks
Janney Montgomery & Scott, LLC
Dave Marrangoni
Art Bruni
Kathleen Cieply
Carol and Dr. Donald B. Kamerer
Joetta and James Martin
Mary Jane Burry
Amanda Cindrich-Bruni and
Keith Kappel
Courtney Martinson
Fredrick A. Bruni
Matt and Karrie Cahill
$25,000 to $49,999
$10,000 to $24,999
Joanne LaRose
Lillian Rountree Lippencott
Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy
Mary J. Donnelly Foundation
Linda and James Meyers
OPTION Schools, Inc.
PNC Foundation
The Robert S. and Janet L. Miller
Family Foundation
Stefania and Jeffrey Romoff
Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
Connie and Gregory Skavinski
St. Anthony School Programs
Susan and Thomas Tutchko
Vulcan Metal Sales, Inc.
Judy and Gabriel Ziccarelli
$500 to $999
$5,000 to $9,999
$2,500 to $4,999
Armand C. Dellovade
Pamela Dickinson
Amy and Matthew Doz
Beverly and David Engle
Jennifer Foster
Michelle Garraux
Dr. Mary C. Goessler and
William L. Herold
Rachel Gray
Steven Guinn
Rebecca Haggerty
Hampton Mechanical, Inc.
Hannah and Thomas Hardy
Karen and Scott E. Hartman
Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Lucy Houlihan and Timothy Mickus
Richard Jahn
Daniel B. Johnston
Sister Eileen Johnston, SC
Judith and George Juno
Joe Kappel
Kebob-G Grill
Eve and Matthew Kollar
Mary and Dr. Anthony Kovatch
Paul and Effie Alexander LaQuatra
Patricia Lazzaro
Julie and Patrick Legal
Jon Lotis
Brad Lusk
Mimi and Michael Loughead
Paul Richard McGann
Kayla M. and Matthew J. Madden
Jennifer Mastalski and Thomas Howe
Mary Jo and John Maynard
Susan Meyers
Amanda and Brian Miller
Claire and Michael Miller
Linda and Brian Murphy
Jane Newcomer
Margaret Parker
William Pietragallo, II
Pittsburgh Ear Associates, PC
Timothy Postufka
PPG Industries Foundation
Anita and John Puskar
Quality Computer Services, Inc.
Patricia and Thomas Reese
Riverfront Financial
Eric Roland
Catherine and Jack Sanner
Muriel and Carl Shiderly
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
Steve and Linda Schneider Family
Foundation
Paul Slowik
John Stanley
Towercare Technologies, Inc.
United States Steel Corporation
Richard Walters
Dolores and Jack Warwick
David Williams
David G. Wolf
Catherine and Thomas Woods
Carol and John Zelenski
$100 to $249
$1,000 to $2,499
$250 to $499
Marita Mathews
Lori Matta
Cheryl Mattay
Kelly and David E. Meade
Emma Jean and William Meckler
Evelyn and Scott Messer
Mary and Lawrence Mient
Susan F. Morgan
Donna and Ronald Morosky
Gregory Morris
Jim Muchoney
Robert Mullen
Barbara Nakles
Teresa Nellans
Dan Niemann
Liam O’Connell
Karen Lynn O’Donnell
Jane Ondechek
Oppenheimer
Michelle and Anthony Parfitt
Eileen Paul
Frances Pecjak
Barbara and David Pfeiffer
Timothy Pieper
Pittsburgh Post Gazette Teamsters
Local #211 Members
Mary Plantes
Abigail and Jake Ploeger
Dr. Yael Raz and Daniel M. Zuckerman
Janet and Richard Recker
Diana Reed
Teresa and Jon Richman
Lindsay Roberts
Ruth Roper
Sam Ross
Kenneth and Linda Rothbauer
Ryan Sammel
Janice M. Savinis
Michele and William Shanafelt
Rose Marie Scheid
Barbara Schoeppner
Karen and Eric Schrecengost
Severin Home Improvements, LLC
Angela Shaffer
Janine K. Skirtich
Gary and Jill Slifkey
Heather Snyder
Ken Spagnolo
Danetta L. Stoernell
Richard Stokes
Fiorina Gulli-Sunseri and Bill Sunseri
Sharon and Edward Szuba
Jennifer Tarquino
Mary Lynn Taylor
Barbara and John Tedesco
Gayle L. Tissue
Maria Toney
Carl Trosch
Jim Tucker
Stacie R. Fouty-Upright
Dr. Kathleen Gilmartin-Vesco and
John Vesco
Denise Vollbracht
Patricia Walker-Connolly and
James Connolly
Susan Ronald Watkins
Jim Wenger
Christine and George Whalen
Joan and Jeff Widdowson
Janice Lee Wohlfarth
Thomas Wolf
Bob Wolfarth
Marci and Steven Zelenski
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Eleonora Zych
$50 to $99
Academy of Trial Lawyers
Cherie Andrews
Anonymous
Stacy Arquillo
Cyrilla Bakey
Lisa and John Barczynski
Geraldine Bayer
Ruth and Gerald Beatty
Marianne and George Beck
Laurie D. Bedillion
A. D. Beeken, III
Wendy J. Bernett
Sandra L .Bettor
10
$50 to $99 (Continued)
Marci Borba
Sherah and Owen Brickell
Geraldine and David Borelle
Heather Bowland
Alisa and Keith Braho
Linda Brooks
Tracy and William Brooks
Kimberly and Dave Brown
Deborah Cameron
Lynnsey Carrell-Jacks and Michael Jacks
Iris and Jeff Caston
Nicole Chaudet
Traci and Stephen Cindrich
Georgette Cordek
Mary Jo and Leo Gerard Daly
Kevin Deardorff
James Degenhardt
Department of Communication Science
& Disorders, University of Pittsburgh
M. Eric Diskin
Lorraine J. Ditson
Douglas F. Dockman
William Donehoo
Susy and Phil Downer
Thomas Drake
Rita Eckle
Kristin Eckenrode
Louis Fabian, Jr.
Alberta C. Farls
Rosemary Flynn
Colleen Fox
Douglas Frederick
Vanessa Fuchs
Skip Fulton
Molly and Dr. Paul Gabos
Kathleen Gardner
Margaret and Joseph Gaul
Michelle and Michael Giovengo
Clare and Charles Goetz
Renee and Ryan Good
Ronald Goyak
Chriszanne and Steve Grimm
Maureen and P. Brennan Hart
Robert Hendry
Elysia and Joseph Hinda
Jean Hitchcock
Susan and Barry Hodges
M. H. Hoffman
Donna and Chuck Holland
David and Nancy Hudak
Natela Ismailova and Elshad Nazimov
Joanne and Walter Jenkins
Charles Johnson
Bert Kendall
Alice and William Kernan
Glenn Kernan
Susan and Samuel Kirsch
Eugene Klaber
Janet M. Kline
Marc K. Klingensmith
Tim Knavish
Brandi Knight
Kimberly E. Kozlowski
Sheila Kruman
Sandra and Michael Kurywchak
Joann Lazzaro
Jessica and Matthias Leschinsky
James J. Lestitian
Shirley Lewis
Carole and Arthur Lilley
Sue and Robert Lippencott
Jessica Lynch
Charles McBride
Madeline and Gerald McCormick
Jessica and Troy McDonald
Kim and Jeff McDowell
Mitzi McGee
Mary Ellen and Dr. John Maher
Rose Marapese
Catherine Martinelli
Lucille and H. Wayne Miller
Laura L. and Tim Minor
Linda Montana
Sarah Monteverde
Sister Mary John Moore, SC
Robert and Luola Morrow
Rosalie M. Murrer
Kathleen Niemeyer
Heidi and Douglas Niesen
Robert Northcutt
Mary Joyce O’Brien
Continued
Catherine Palmer, PhD and
Mark Rauterkus
Jerry Parfitt
Kathy Parish
Margaret Partridge
Michaelene M. Paulick
Shelley Ann and Maurice Peconi
Susan Peradotti
Alan H. Perer
Judith and George Pesacreta
Karl J. Pfeffer
Germaine and Joseph Pfeifer
Bernadette Plantes
Caren and Richard Rabjohn
Robert J. Rechter
Nichole Reed Ziegler and Dustin Ziegler
Barbara and David Rennhoff
Barbara Gail and Kim William Riester
Sherri Rodgers
Kathryn I. Roland
Barbara K. Ross
Sarah and John Rountree
Jennifer Sanner
Heather and Damien Schorr
Loretta Seiler
Ronald A. Semenko
Janet and William Shields
Teresa Shine
Janan Shoup
Christopher Sidoni
Rhonda J. and Tom Sims
Susie Skirtich
Alexis Smearcheck
Margaret and George Snyder
Stacey Sobek
Ann and John Sopczynski
Shuba Sriram and Sriram Palghat
Abbe Steel
Michael W. Stuebgen
Fr. Kris Stubna
Sara Beck Sweeney
Tracy Sweeny
David Sweitzer
Debra A. and Edward Thomas
Dolores Turney
Gladys and Jose Vega
Rose Velgich
Howard and Jane Voigt
Leo Vollbracht
Amy and Jason Vonsik
Emily and Graham Watkins
Comly and Dr. Edmond Watters
Aron Way
Rachel and Alvin Weiner
Erin and Jeffrey Weir
Walter Wenzell
Mary and Jeffrey Wlahofsky
Bruce Wolf
Pamela Wojtarowicz
Christina and Geoff Woltjen
Susan Young
Denise and Dennis Zarewczynski
Up to $49
Suzanne N. Allen
Anonymous
Tanya Averso
Sue and Mark Babich
George C. Bandik
Jane Baranet
Efthalia K. Barker
Jenna Batik
Victoria Becker
Theodore Belajac
Ellen S. Berger
Karen Bergman
Rhonda Blosser
Maryanne and John Boccardi
Michelle and Brian Bole
Sandra Bonidie
Arlene and Louis Borowski
Joann and Raymond Boyer
Charles Branz
Rochelle Breier
Arthur H. Bruni
Christen Bucci
Virginia Burry
Ariane and Jared Butler
Jim Calligan
Martha and John Campbell
Vito Caporal
Donna Cawley
(from page 9)
Lisa Cawley
Monica Cawley
Renee Cawley
Janice Christy
Anna Cillo
Jo Anne Cirincione
Michelle Clemenson
Kelly Coffield
Angela M. Coldren
Tom Cole
Mike Colville
Deborah M. Connelly
Leslie Connors
Sam Conover
Kathy Coologhan
Patricia Corsello
Ellen T. Cramer
Ronald Croker
Heather Culbertson
Helen Cunningham
Shawn Curtis
Brian Cusick
Dick Custer
William J. Cypher
Brian Cyscik
Linda Dallies
Sabrina Damp
Nupur Dashottar
Rose Marie and Henry Deffner
Andrea Del Favero
Gaetano Dentici
Lindsey DePra
Mary Ann and Olin J. DePolo
Caleb Denton
Leigh Ann Derringer
Mildred Devlin
Lori DiBattista
Nicki DiDiano
Patricia N. Diehl
Tom Diffendale
Thomas C. Donehoo
Mary P. Donohoe
Jeff Donoghue
Madeline Doz
Marene Doz
Rich Dunlap
Roger Dunlap
Anita Eckenrode
Sister Barbara Einloth, SC
Erin Ellison
Patricia Ellison
Melissa and Alan Epler
William Fagan
Kaye Fair
Frank Finklang
Bill Finnigan
Jennifer E. Flango
Karla Floyd
Judith and Thomas Forbes
Stephanie Fox
Sister Annette Frey, SC
Sandra Frey
Judy A. Gallagher
Ruth Garito
Robert Geider
Denise Geisler
Lily Giancola
Dominic Gillot
Christine Girata
Linnea Glick
Lisa Goldstein
Michael Gorham
Barbara and Matthew J. Grejda
David Grousosky
Barbara Ann Gruber
Anne and Harold Hall
Roberta Kay Hancock
Sister Colette Hanlon, SC
Molly Harbst
Jim Heaton
Lauren and Jeff Heiger
Kylie Hepler
P. Hewitt
Katelyn Hill
Dale Hoag
Ray Holiga
Terry Hutchens
Rick Hyre
Jimmy Iandiorio
Larry Iovino
Alyshia Inks
Monique Irwin
Bill Isenberg
Susan and Jerome Iwler
Nikita and Satish Iyengar
Suzanne Jackson
Ashlyn Johnson
Craig Johnson
Bruce Johnston
James Jones
Karen Jones
Christine Kaiser
Maureen and William Kane
Donna A. and Edward J. Kappler
Tina Karas
Philip J. Kennedy
Dolores Kenney
Marjorie and Wesley Kerlin
Eileen A. Kiefer
Marissa Kiefer
Karen Kinsey
Malinda Klapkowski
Jill Kline
Mary and James Klinefelter
Kristi Knapp
Lucy and James Knight
Bob Knochel
Margaret Koepfinger
Rosemary Kouche
John Krysinsky
Tom Kyle
Bob LaMarca
Dana and Michael LaVerde
Mary and J. Joseph Lackner
Carl Lambing
Carla Lander
Gary Lasinsky
Jeff Leibeck
Alexander Lemanski
Anne Lewis
Patricia and Barry Lippencott
Sister Mary Norbert Long, SC
Jim Lowry
Art Luke
Judy and Ralph Lutz
Sierra McAndrews
Abby McClelland
Linda McClintock
Leslie McFeaters
Joan McGirr
Susan K. McGivern
Nicole McKinley
Cory McNabb
Samantha Madan
Kathleen and Terry Macurdy
Megan Mals
Jack Manning
Martin Marasco
Jason Markovich
Ellen and Henry Marziale
Catherine Maselko
Marjorie and Thomas Masterson
Ken Merkle
Kathleen Merante
Marci Michalski
Blake Miller
Leigh and Tom Miller
Donna Minor
David Mitchell
Tana Mitchell
Michele and James Modrak
Jeanne and John Molyneaux
Lee Monroe
Rick Mont
Angel and Dave Moore
Agnes Morris
Anne Morris
Colleen Morris
Arlene and Donald Murray
Lorraine Musial
George Myford
Jean M. Nader
Amy Niceswanger
Ray Niebrzydowski
Terry O’Connor
Rachel and Sean O’Driscoll
Nora and Robert O’keefe
Angie Ocilka
Karen Palitto
Virginia Papso
Betty L. Parish
David Paterline
Elaine and Jim Patterson
Catherine and Herbert Peiffer
Kelly and Ted Pettko
Megan Pfennigwerth
Gina Pferdehirt
Danni Piccolo
Michelle and Andrew Pichora
Ken Pintwala
Frank Pronesti
Carla and James Quill
Ronald Rabin
Leah Radziewicz and Matthew Bogel
Rich Ralston
Cathy Reighard
Robert Raymond
Jim Reynolds
Mary Richter
Debra Riggs
Daniel Riley
Anne and Leo Rindt
Brian Ritz
Jamie and Jeremy Roberts
Susan Rodgers
Deborah L. Rowe
Jillyn Roxberg
Vallie Rozanc
Maxine Ruperto
Lindsey Rymarowicz
Linda Sadowski
Saint Basil’s Christian Mothers
Pamela and Mark Samolis
Doug Sauers
Mary Scarfo
Veronica and Jonathan Schmerling
Paul Schmitz
Michael Schwartz
Chris Selvig
Ryan Senft
Sister Joyce Serratore, SC
Bill Sherbondy
Darren Shipp
Jennifer Signore
Rhoda Sikov
Daniel Sinclair
Erin Smerbeck
Michael Smith
Rosemary Smolar
John Snyder
Dr. Susan E. Snyder
Patricia and Louis Sobers
Mike Solovay
Mary L. Sosso
Lauren and Len Splane
Mike Spankle
Larry Sroka
Patricia and Paul Starsnic
Mary J. Stewart
Colleen and Bradley Stokes
Maria and Cliff Supe
Barbara Taylor
Rafael Tarnopolsky
Claire and Zachary Tempel
Linda R. Theakston
Dale Thornsjo
Dia A. Torregrosso
Lisa Tumolo
Priscilla and John Turcik
Carrie Van Soest
Kathleen B. Varley
Megan and Luis Vega
Laxmi Velankar
Jim Wagner
Marcia Wagner
Bill Waldron
John Waldron
Caroline Walradt
Carol Ann and John Walton
Lisa Wargo
Rachelle M. Wassel
Bethany Watson
Angela Weltner
Charlie Wessel
Ruth Willman
Jennifer Wilson
Shonda Winck
Russ Wise
Joan Lee Wotherspoon
Patricia Yarsunas
Bob Young
Rick Young
Renee Zemanski
Peggy Zirckel
George Zitelli
We are also thankful for the generosity of individuals and organizations who made in-kind donations in 2012-13. These contributions have helped support our students,
classrooms, staff and special events and have been acknowledged elsewhere.
This list reflects donations received between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. This list was compiled with care. However, if your name is not listed as you would have
wished, we ask that you please contact Mary Ann Potter at 412.924.1024 or [email protected]
Sponsor Profile: Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation
11
& The Grable Foundation
This summer, DePaul School underwent a major renovation project to
accommodate the recent increase in enrollment in our Preschool and
Kindergarten Programs!
With funding provided by The Grable Foundation and the Mary Hillman
Jennings Foundation, a new Early Childhood Discovery Room was created
on the ground floor of the School. Combining the Mary Hillman Jennings
Foundation’s dedication to individuals with disabilities and The Grable
Foundation’s commitment to high-quality early care and education for
children was the perfect match for this project.
Both foundations have supported DePaul School in the past. The Grable Foundation provided support for DePaul School’s mainstreaming
and transition program in 2001. The Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation has supported a number of improvement projects at the School
going as far back as 1984.
With the Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation and The Grable Foundation’s combined support of the renovation project this year, DePaul
School invited our Preschool students into a beautiful new Discovery Room on the first day of school.
Photo: Preschool students Liam and Nitish play in the art center with their teacher, Kylie, while Jake and Juliette play in the kitchen in the new Early Childhood Discovery Room.
SKYLINE SOCIETY
DePaul School is launching a new program to provide greater acknowledgement and
exposure to the companies that so generously support our School. The Skyline Society
recognizes local and regional corporations that demonstrate commitment to DePaul School
through leadership-level financial support.
The Society was created in the spirit of partnership and to acknowledge the valuable role of
sponsor corporations in providing funding for essential programs and services that enable
children who are deaf or hard of hearing to learn to listen and speak. Sponsorship
opportunities begin at $5,000 and many include additional exposure and
acknowledgement at events and on program and marketing materials.
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2013-14 Academic Year are still available. For more
information, please contact Director of Outreach and Development Lillian Rountree Lippencott
at 412-924-1025 or [email protected].
PITTSBURGH’S DAY OF GIVING
Maximize Your Gift to DePaul!
Pittsburgh’s Day of Giving is Thursday, October 3. Starting at 12 am EST,
your tax-deductible donation to DePaul School of $25 or more will be
matched proportionally by The Pittsburgh Foundation. Every donation up
to $1,000 made during this 24-hour period will receive a portion of the
$750,000 pool of matching dollars!
To make your donation, visit www.pittsburghgives.org and click on “Donate
Now.” Then designate your donation to DePaul School for Hearing and Speech.
Your Gift Speaks Volumes!
“The Day of Giving has been a great opportunity for Tim andme to show
our appreciation for DePaul. With our struggling economy, many can’t
afford a large donation. The Day of Giving’s matching program allows
our gift to go further.” -Mary Beth Kernan, DePaul School Parent
All gifts made to DePaul School on the Day of Giving will directly benefit the children that currently
attend DePaul School for Hearing and Speech.
For more information, visit www.speakmiracles.org or call 412-924-1012
Would you like information about making a corporate or individual gift to DePaul School?
Contact Lillian Rountree Lippencott, Director of Outreach & Development,
at 412-924-1025, email [email protected] or visit www.speakmiracles.org/dev.html
12
Audiology Corner
Audiology Fun!
Using Play to Facilitate Audiological Exams
At DePaul School, we strive to make our students’ experience in
audiology productive and fun! Young children, particularly those in Early
Intervention (birth to three years), need to have ongoing audiological
care.
Hearing aids and personal FM systems rely on accurate hearing test
results and require fine tuning and adjustments as the child’s ears
grow. Cochlear implant programs need to be checked and levels
measured on a frequent basis to provide the child with optimal “maps”
for the development of Listening and Spoken Language (LSL).
At DePaul, we use a variety of techniques, toys and games to keep
toddler, preschool and early elementary students engaged in
audiological procedures. Some of these include:
•Visual Reinforcement using animated video images on a computer
monitor
•Stringing beads to make a necklace or a bracelet to encourage
patience during a check-up
•Building a pizza or a sandwich out of felt shapes that represent the
ingredients to capture his or her attention during testing
•Creating a sticker collage to entertain the student during exams
•Using ink stampers to create artwork to keep the student engaged
•Tangible reinforcement using foods like Cheerios or M&Ms as the
reward
•Distraction techniques with puppets during performance of middle
ear assessments
•Child-friendly DVDs to maintain cooperation during neural
response measurements for children with cochlear implants
•Presence of a familiar adult companion in the sound booth to ease
anxiety and assist with testing
At the end of each child’s visit to the audiologist, a small toy or sticker
is offered as a reward. Through building a positive relationship with
DePaul School’s audiologists, students really enjoy their visits with
Dr. Debbie and Dr. Kristen.
Top: Dr. Kristen Perrin uses play audiometry with Bennett Haas.
Above Dr. Debbie Johnston plays a game while examining student Cam’Ron Berry.
Thank You Dr. Hirsch!
We’d like to express our gratitude to Dr. Barry E. Hirsch for providing otological exams
to all 72 DePaul students, ranging in age from 18 months to 14 years, this spring.
Taking time out from his busy schedule at the UPMC Eye & Ear Institute to examine
our students is much appreciated.
Dr. Barry E. Hirsch with DePaul School student Irina Lutsiv.
Meet our Staff: Sierra
13
Name: Sierra McAndrews
Years at DePaul: 10
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Position: Administrative Assistant to
the Director of Operations
Sierra with DePaul School students Joey Leopardi (left) and Matthew Szuba.
Sierra started at DePaul School ten years ago working in the kitchen
and serving lunch. When DePaul closed the food service program, Sierra
transitioned to her role as the Administrative Assistant to the Director
of Operations, David Williams. In addition to helping Dave, Sierra also
handles all of the Medical Claims Processing for the Audiological and
Speech Therapy services provided at the School. She also assists the
Toddler-Parent Program by coordinating and processing tuition.
Sierra’s favorite thing about working at DePaul School is the children. She says that seeing them come in as babies and then watching
them grow, learn to listen and speak and transition to the mainstream is amazing.
Sierra is always cheerful and willing to help any student, parent or staff. If you’d like to sweeten her up, she happily accepts donations
of Sarris chocolates.
Welcome Kelsey! Farewell Jack!
This fall we are welcoming Kelsey Hardaway to our SpeechLanguage Pathology staff. Kelsey is a native Pittsburgher
and an alumna of Penn State University and the University of
Pittsburgh. She has been working with children for the past
four years and this is her first year as a Speech-Language
Pathologist (SLP).
“SLPs have the potential to make a significant difference in
an individual’s life and that’s what I wanted in my profession.
At DePaul, I can help children learn the necessary spoken
language skills in order to be successfully mainstreamed
and to function independently in the hearing world,” says
Kelsey of her new position.
Kelsey with Preschool student Javion Greene.
We are sad to have to say goodbye to one of our longest-term
employees, Jack Kratzenberg. Jack started at DePaul on
August 30, 1982 and retired this summer. Jack was a
cornerstone of DePaul School, loved by many students, staff
and parents. He was essential to the School during the move
from Brookline to Pittsburgh and he helped the DePaul School
community in any way that he could. We will miss Jack very
much!
“Jack was so much more than a maintenance man. Teachers,
students, and parents, all thought of Jack as an important
part of the DePaul community. He will be missed.”
-David Williams, DePaul’s Director of Operations
Jack with last year’s Kindergarten and Level 1 students.
14
Planning for Your Child’s Future
by Anna Borro Hays, Esq.
“Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.”
The above quote, while entertaining, highlights the uncertainty that can surround
planning for a child’s future. Children with hearing loss may have additional healthcare
and/or educational expenses. Taking the time to plan now can help your child in the
future.
Many people think trusts are only for the wealthy. However, anyone can use a trust as
an effective way to provide for their child’s future. A third party trust is an ideal estate
planning vehicle for parents and other family members who want to leave an
inheritance to an individual with special needs.
There are two types of third party trusts:
(1) inter vivos and revocable - if the grantor chooses to fund the trust while
he/she is still living and wants flexibility to change the trust agreement in
the future
(2) testamentary and irrevocable - which arises upon the death of the grantor
and can only be terminated under the laws of the state where it is
domiciled
Both types of third party trusts must contain the following:
(1) a grantor: the individual who establishes the trust (usually a parent or
grandparent)
(2) a beneficiary: the individual who benefits from the trust (the child)
(3) a trustee: the individual or organization who administers the trust
The grantor may also draft the trust to specifically outline how the funds can be used.
This is useful to a grantor who has a child or grandchild with special needs. For
example, a grandmother decides to establish a trust for her minor grandchild who has
hearing loss. Working with her financial advisor and attorney, she can create a third
party trust that will disburse funds to supplement the child’s expenses. These may be
additional educational expenses or expenses not covered by health insurance.* If the
grandmother has other grandchildren who do not have special needs, a separate
portion of the trust with different terms may be drafted to provide benefits to them as
well.
Starting a third party trust for your child or grandchild with hearing loss is an important
part of ensuringhis or her care for the unpredictable future. The information in this
article can be a great starting point for discussing the aspects of a trust with your
family. If you, or a loved one, have further questions about establishing a third party
trust for your family please consider attending our workshop in the spring or contacting
an attorney at Julian Gray Associates.
Although the future is impossible to predict, a trust is a great tool to help you plan for
the unexpected!
*In Pennsylvania, it is important that a trust which is meant to benefit an individual with special
needs contain language specifying that its funds supplement, but to not replace other funding
sources such as Medicaid.
Anna Borro Hays is an attorney with Julian Gray Associates.
From Top: Liam Stokes and Nitish Iyengar; Nicoletta Gulli and Khloe Sanner; Grace Beal, Peyton Fitzpatrick, Ezra Hardy and Nathan Solano;
Miranda Marker, Sean Snyder and Matthew Szuba; Sophia Martinec and Destiny Corbett.
If you are interested in learning more about establishing a third party trust for your child and would like to attend a
workshop at DePaul School in the spring, please contact Mimi Loughead at 412-924-1012 or [email protected].
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech celebrates the lives and honors the memories
of two distinguished Trustrees and long-time supporters.
Carl A. Eck
15
John H. Stafford
February 12, 1932 - June 15, 2013
February 7, 1946 - May 11, 2013
Carl A. Eck served on the Board of Trustees of DePaul School from the mid-1990s until 2009. He served
as President for ten of those years. In 2009, Carl and his wife Jane were honored with a Lifetime Service
Award for their commitment and unrelenting support of DePaul School.
Carl’s contributions have been both large and small. Not long ago, he delighted a group of DePaul
students with the gift of an Apple iPad, which they have thoroughly enjoyed using. Carl has made a real
difference in the lives of DePaul’s students. The faculty, administration, staff and trustees of DePaul
School wish to express their sincere gratitude for his leadership, friendship and service to our school.
John H. Stafford was a member of the Board of Trustees from 2008 until his death. He served on the
Executive Committee of the Board as the Secretery/Treasurer and was Chair of the Board’s Finance
Committee. He recently guided DePaul’s transition to new accounting and fundraising software.
We are happy that John chose to share his time and talents with DePaul School for Hearing and Speech.
He made a real difference in the lives of DePaul’s students. The faculty, administration, staff and
trustees of DePaul School wish to express their sincere gratitude for John’s leadership and service to
DePaul.
In Memoriam
Dorothy Marie Hentosz, a long-time employee of DePaul School, passed away peacefully at her home August 2, 2013. She was 90.
Dorothy worked for many years in the children’s dining room at the old DePaul School building in Brookline. She called the students her
“little angels.”
Helene S. Ghinassi, 83, of Ormond Beach, FL, formerly of Penn Hills, died on Monday, July 15, 2013. She was a 1948 alumna of DePaul
School for Hearing and Speech.
Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones.
DePaul School for Hearing & Speech
Member Board
Most Rev. David A. Zubik
Robert L. Paserba, EdD
Sr. Catherine Meinert, SC
Board of Trustees
Carol J. Cusick Riley, Esq.
President
Catherine Palmer, PhD
Vice President
Pam Billet
Secretary
Kimberlee A. Gillespie
Treasurer
Trustees Emeriti
Dr. Donald B. Kamerer
Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
Dolores Warwick
Executive Director
Ruth G. Auld, EdD
Dan Berry
Dr. David H. Chi
Bridget Chufo, PhD
Joe Cieply
Bonnie Cindrich
Pamela Dickinson
Verona L. Griffin
Dr. Barry E. Hirsch
Administrative Directors
Daniel B. Johnston
Tim Kernan
Ted Kerr
Steven P. Lewandowski
Charles L. Potter, Jr., Esq.
Jake Ploeger
Jerry Starr
Administrative Staff
Lillian Rountree Lippencott, MA
Nuelsi M. Canaan, MA
Mary Jo Maynard, MA, MED
Debbie Johnston, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA
Director of Outreach and Development
Principal
Kathleen B. Varley
Controller
David Williams, MEd
Director of Operations
Marketing Manager
Audiology Coordinator
Mimi Loughead, MEd
Early Childhood Coordinator
Kayla M. Madden
Events Manager
Michelle Parfitt, MA, CCC-SLP, LSLS™ Cert. AVEd
Speech & Auditory-Verbal Therapy Coordinator
NON PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
PITTSBURGH, PA
PERMIT NO. 351
6202 Alder Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Meet Grace!
Name: Grace
Age: 5 years old
Grade: Preschool
Grace started in DePaul’s Toddler-Parent Program and is now
in Preschool. She uses two hearing aids to help her hear. Grace
loves to spend time in DePaul’s Centers Program Discovery
Room. She also enjoys going to the park with her family. Grace
says that she wants to be a gymnast when she grows up.
“Grace being able to speak to us means a world of opportunity
awaits her. We thought we would never hear her say “I love
you” until we came to DePaul.” –Paula, Grace’s Mother
Visit speakmiracles.org/ihaveavoice to hear Grace tell her
story.
www.speakmiracles.org