Live Feed | West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

🌟 Black Bears Shine at the Overbrook School for the Blind Swim Tournament! 🌟

Our swimmers made waves and brought home excellent results:
➡️Jason dominated with 4 first-place finishes
➡️Charlie earned 2 firsts and 2 second-place finishes
➡️Tristan powered through with 1 second and 1 fifth-place finish
➡️Willow finished strong with 3 seconds and 1 fourth-place finish

Way to go, Black Bears! 🐻

#SwimTournament #WVSDB #StudentAthletes

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A male student wearing a white shirt as he poses with his medals around his neck.

Two male student-athletes pose with a red and gold-colored trophy.

Two female student-athletes each posing with a red and gold-colored trophy.

A female student-athlete wearing goggles smiles as she swims in the pool.

Student-athletes prepare to begin the race.

Male student-athletes prepare to begin the race.

Ms. Biddle’s 1st Period Science Class Takes Off! 🚀

Students designed, built, and launched rockets, applying STEM concepts in a hands-on experience that bridges classroom learning and real-world skills. 💥

#RocketLaunch #WVSDB #STEMinAction

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A male student with dark hair and glasses leans down to pose with the rocket he built.

A female student with glasses and dark, curly hair smiles and poses with her rocket that is on the launchpad.

A female student wearing glasses and a pink fuzzy jacket with the hood up leans down to pose with her rocket that is on the launchpad.

A white rocket gets ready to launch off of a red-colored launchpad as a stream of smoke comes out of the bottom.

📢 Final Online Braille Class Interest Meeting!

Join Wendy Bailey from WVSDB Outreach for the last chance to learn the basics of Braille and how to support your child’s Braille literacy at home. 🏠

🗓 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM

➡️What you’ll learn:
Fundamentals of Braille reading & writing
Braille tools: Perkins Brailler & Slate & Stylus
Tips for engaging Braille literacy at home
Strategies to partner with your child’s educational team

👉 Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/KfXPH5YiU0

Don’t miss this opportunity!

#BrailleLiteracy #WVSDB #WVSDBOutreach

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Online Braille Course Interest Meeting. A set of hands touching Braille dots. The WVSDB Outreach and WVSDB logos are in the bottom right-hand corner.

It’s GO time! 💥

Our Black Bears are hitting the pool at the Overbrook School for the Blind Swim Tournament!

We’re ready to dominate the lanes. 🏊‍♂️

Let’s go, Black Bears! 🐻

#SwimTournament #WVSDB #BlackBearPride

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Swim Tournament. Advertisement. A male with dark hair gets ready to race in the swimming pool.

Our Social Club had a purr-fect day giving back! 🐾

We visited Whiskers Cat Rescue in Westernport, MD, as part of our community service outreach. 💛

Members collected donations of cat food, beds, treats, toys, and more to support the rescue team's amazing work.

Best part? We got to meet some adorable feline residents! 🐱

#CommunityService #WVSDB #GivingBack

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A male student wearing glasses and a beanie smiles as he holds a white cat in his arms.

A female with brown hair and wearing glasses smiles as she holds up a cat in her hands.

A female student with blonde hair and glasses is seated on the floor as she is surrounded by cats.

A female is seated on the floor as two cats surround her.

A female wearing glasses holds a white cat in her arms.

A female with dark hair holds up a black cat.

Where’s Jennifer Casto this week? 👀

Join Jennifer Casto, WVSDB Outreach American Sign Language (ASL) Communications Coordinator, and a SURPRISE guest for an interactive session full of live ASL and hands-on activities!

📅 Tuesday, Nov 4 | 6 PM ET
📍 Zoom
🔗https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84540081655?pwd=VVacqExsddUraMXWamTraCGXq4hfMa.1

➡️What’s in store:
Live ASL demonstrations you can try yourself
Interactive exercises that make learning fun
A live Q&A
Fully accessible with captions & ASL/spoken English interpretation

Every session is a NEW adventure, full of discovery, connection, and Deaf culture. 🤩

#AmericanSignLanguage #WVSDB #WestVirginia #WVSDBOutreach

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

As of November 4, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

Part-time Physical Therapist - .3 FTE
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

8 months ago, Sondra McKenery

Teacher and student signing to each other with We Are Hiring banner.

WVSDB Halloween Recap! 👻

Students trick-or-treated across campus, got creative with pumpkin decorating, and enjoyed a festive party in the Blue and Gold Student Union. 🎃

A day full of spooky fun and sweet memories! 🍬

#Halloween #WVSDB #SpookySeason

8 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A male student in a wheelchair smiles at the camera as he holds his orange, decorated pumpkin.

A female student with brown hair smiles as she holds up her orange, decorated pumpkin.

Students dressed in their Halloween costumes stand side-by-side.

Dr. Ashworth dressed as a witch poses with a female student who is also dressed as a witch.

Residential Care Specialists (RCS) stand together and pose in their Halloween costumes.

A male student dressed up as a cowboy smiles.

A female staff member poses with two students in their Halloween costumes.

Two male students stand side-by-side in their Halloween costumes.

A male Residential Care Specialist (RCS) poses with two students who are dressed in their Halloween costumes.

As October comes to a close, we want to celebrate our extraordinary Principal, Mrs. Melanie Hesse. 💛

Mrs. Hesse’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inspiring learning environment exemplifies the very best in educational leadership. 📚

Thank you for leading with heart, making every student feel seen, and shaping a school where everyone can thrive.

We are so grateful for you! 🌟

#NationalPrincipalMonth #WVSDB #EducationExcellence

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

📣Hands Up, West Virginia! Is Back! Join Jen Casto from the WVSDB Outreach Team every Tuesday from 6-8 PM (EST) on Zoom for a fun, interactive American Sign Language (ASL) learning experience! 💬🤟 ➡️Each week features a new topic, live ASL instruction, and guest appearances from members of the Deaf community. Come learn how to communicate, connect, and celebrate Deaf culture, all from the comfort of your home! 🗓 Upcoming Dates: Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 🔗: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84540081655?pwd=VVacqExsddUraMXWamTraCGXq4hfMa.1 #HandsUpWV #WVSDB #WVSDBOutreach

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

📢 Attention Families of Children Who Are Visually Impaired (VI)!

Join Wendy Bailey from WVSDB Outreach for an online Braille class designed for parents and caregivers. Learn the basics of Braille, explore tools like the Perkins Brailler, and get tips to support your child’s literacy at home.

🗓 Interest Meetings:
➡️November 4, 2025, 7 PM
➡️November 6, 2025, 7 PM

👉 Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/zshYtk74yF

Help your child’s Braille journey start at home! 🏠

#Braille #WVSDB #WVSDBOutreach

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Adventure starts here! ⛺️

WVSDB welcomed back Boy Scouts with our first troop meeting; excitement is already building. 🤩

Our Scouts are ready to learn and explore, from outdoor skills to teamwork and service! 🌲

#BoyScouts #WVSDB #AdventureAwaits

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Boy Scout participants seated around a circular table as they meet with their Scout Leader.

Two students and a male Residential Care Specialist (RCS) making trail mix snacks.

Two students put together their trail mix snacks.

Two male students seated at a circular table with their bags of trail mix sitting in front of them.

It’s a HUGE competition day for the WVSDB Black Bears! 🐻

🎮 eSports battles Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Rochester School for the Deaf in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

🏊‍♂️ Swim hits the pool at Overbrook School for the Blind

Let's Go, Black Bears!

#eSports #WVSDB #SwimTournament

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

eSports Rocket League Match Day. Purple and pink accents surround a group of students playing video games on large TV's.

Swim Tournament Announcement. A swimmer splashes water while they compete in the butterfly stroke.

The WVSDB Lady Black Bears are gearing up for the 2025–26 season! 🏀

📅Take a look and mark your calendars.

Let’s go, Black Bears! 🐻

#BasketballSeason #WVSDB #SupportOurAthletes

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

🔔 Don’t Miss the First Session of Hands Up, West Virginia!

Kick off our new ASL series with Jennifer Casto, WVSDB Outreach ASL Communications Coordinator, and a special guest!
Learn practical ways to communicate with members of the Deaf community through live ASL demonstrations, hands-on activities, and Q&A.

📅 Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 6:00 PM ET
📍 Zoom
🔗 Join Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85788747852?pwd=hAFbCMtUaFtasfrq8vkygjqM5cfG4a.1
Meeting ID: 857 8874 7852 | Passcode: 9EsPL7

We hope to see YOU there! 🤩

#AmericanSignLanguage #WVSDB #WestVirginia

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Game Day Alert! 🚀

It’s Rocket League match day! Our eSports team battles Wallkill Valley High School for glory on the digital field. 🎮

Who’s scoring first? 👀

#RocketLeague #WVSDB #eSports

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

eSports Rocket League Match Day. Purple and pink accents surround a male student playing video games on a computer.

As of October 28, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days
RN - 220 days
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II
Substitute LPN

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

9 months ago, Sondra McKenery

Student reading at desk reading Braille page with Brailler in front and Join Our Team banner.

Why do we love WVSDB? 🐻

Let our staff show you in American Sign Language (ASL)! 💛

⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wX2nk2ueM

#ASL #WVSDB #deafculture

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Hands Up, West Virginia! – A New Series of ASL Classes

Join us for a dynamic, interactive session with Jennifer Casto, WVSDB Outreach ASL Communications Coordinator, and a special guest (to be announced), designed to provide practical insights into communicating with members of the Deaf community.

📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 6:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Zoom
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85788747852?pwd=hAFbCMtUaFtasfrq8vkygjqM5cfG4a.1
Meeting ID: 857 8874 7852 | Passcode: 9EsPL7

This session will feature live ASL demonstrations, interactive exercises, and a Q&A segment.
Live captions and ASL/spoken English interpretation will be provided.

A Guest Spotlight will offer a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from members of the Deaf community and learn from real-world experiences.

#AmericanSignLanguage #WVSDB #WestVirginia

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Mastering Independence with Orientation & Mobility (O&M)! 👨‍🦯

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) helps the Blind or Visually Impaired (VI) navigate the world safely and confidently.

Through personalized training, O&M teaches skills like:
➡️Using a cane or other tools confidently
➡️Understanding and navigating various environments
➡️Building spatial awareness and independence

O&M empowers learners to move confidently, explore new places, and live life to the fullest! 🤩

#Orientation&Mobility #WVSDB #MobilityMatters

9 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Two male students stand side-by-side with their white canes, standing on a sidewalk. There is a bus in the background behind them.

Two male students use their white canes to navigate getting off of a bus.

Two male students navigate getting to a restaurant using their white canes to help guide them.

A male student uses his white cane to help guide him to the entrance of an Italian restaurant.

Two male students seated at a table in a restaurant smile for the camera.