
Celebrating Black History Month!
This February, we honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black individuals throughout history.
Throughout February, we'll be featuring remarkable Black individuals who have made a significant impact for The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.


Season 3 Episode 4 of Bear Necessities WVSDB News is now LIVE! 🐻📷
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tI3ee07XvM&t=27s

The WV Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) is excited to announce a Virtual Resource Fair for parents and families of students with exceptional needs.
If you or someone you know would like to get information on the following topics, please join us on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 9- AM-noon for three 45-minute virtual sessions on the following topics:
➡️WVABLE- An important financial planning tool that equips eligible individuals with disabilities and their families to save and invest without jeopardizing their eligibility for public benefit programs, including SSI and Medicaid. Earnings from the investments grow tax-free and funds can be used anytime to pay for qualified disability expenses.
➡️Foster Care Support and Educational Services -Providing educational support to foster care youth (i.e., enrollment assistance.) Gathering supporting documents for special education services. Helping to link foster youth with outside agencies for additional services and support, and increase collaboration and communication between stakeholders, i.e. DHHR, foster care parents, childcare agencies, LEAs, and the WVDE.
➡️CSEDW- Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver program provides additional Medicaid support to children from ages three to 21 with serious mental, behavioral, or emotional health needs. The program helps keep children with their families at home or in the community instead of going to a care facility or a group home. While they are at home or in the community, they receive services to improve their condition.
➡️ACES (Living with Adverse Childhood Experiences) How trauma affects young people and families in WV. Participate in a conversation about how to support youth who are experiencing trauma.
➡️Preparing your child to graduate and transition to adulthood- DRS Services- Supporting youth and adults with disabilities (ages 14 and up) on their path to work and living independently. Find out about services that are available to your child as they prepare to graduate high school.
➡️Special Education Laws and Policies and how to advocate for your child and navigate through the system. Don’t be confused or afraid to ask for help when preparing for a meeting at your child’s school. Learn about support that is available to help you through the special education process.
Register with the link BELOW! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
http://tinyurl.com/2c8mykxu

🏀 Time to shine the spotlight on our INCREDIBLE senior basketball players! 🏀
Meet the Stars of the Night:
🌟Kai Russell #3
🌟J.R. McGee #4
Check out the personalized posters we've created to celebrate this unforgettable season!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to Kai and J.R. for a season filled with unwavering dedication, hard work, and unforgettable moments on the court. 💙
Today, the Black Bears hit the road to Staunton for an exciting matchup against The Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Go Black Bears! 🐻



Come support the WVSDB Black Bears TONIGHT, January 30th, against The Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind! 🏀
➡️Girls Basketball Game @ 4:00 PM
➡️Boys Basketball Game @ 5:15 PM
If you cannot make it, we will stream the game on our Facebook page.
Let's Go Black Bears! 🐻


As of January 30, the WVSDB is seeking qualified applicants for the following job opportunities:
Licensed Practical Nurse - 210 days
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Residential Care Specialist - night shift - female
Substitute Aide II, III, IV/Transportation
Substitute LPN
Teacher - English 05-AD/DHH PK-AD
Teacher - Science 05-AD/Biology 09-AD/DHH PK-AD
Teacher - Science 05-AD/Biology 09-AD/VI PK-AD
See something of interest this week? Apply online, at - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

Exploring biology in Ms. Biddle's Enrichment class! 🧪
A few students had a hands-on experience dissecting a synthetic frog. 🐸
This activity allowed our students to strengthen their observation, identification, and critical thinking skills. 🧠



One of our ProStart stars, Bella, just aced the "Chef's Choice" dessert challenge with her incredible Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cheesecake! 🍰 Kudos to this talented baker for turning a classic treat into a mouthwatering masterpiece. 🤤
This is just an example of how AMAZING our CTE programs are at WVSDB!
Way to go, Bella. We are so proud of you! 🤩



Highlights from last night's basketball game against The Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind! 📸
Congratulations to both teams for a job well done on the court. 👏
WVSDB and VSDB will face off again on Tuesday, January 30th, at The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. 🏀







❗ALL ABOARD CAMPAIGN ❗
The WVDE TAC: WVOCDB and WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) are partnering with WV Birth to Three to provide an annual fiscal stipend to any appropriately certified individual in a region of need, who has completed and meets the application requirements.
The All Aboard Campaign Initiative was created to support the statewide shortage of the WV Birth to Three (WVBTT) Hearing and Vision Specialists.
If you are interested in applying, please join us on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, for a brief virtual informational session on the application process. 📅
➡️Session 1 will be 12:00 PM-1:00 PM on February 6th, 2024
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTEwYmEyMWQtMzlmNi00M2U4LTg0MWYtZTkxNTJhNDc4M2Jm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e019b04b-330c-467a-8bae-09fb17374d6a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229656a79a-64bb-4056-9187-28c666cf6fb5%22%7d
➡️Session 2 will be 6:00 PM-7:00 PM on February 6th, 2024
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2UzZWE3NTYtNDNlNi00ZDczLWJmZjEtOTdjMDMwMjU0OGJh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e019b04b-330c-467a-8bae-09fb17374d6a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229656a79a-64bb-4056-9187-28c666cf6fb5%22%7d

🔥BACKYARD BRAWL 🔥
The Black Bears Basketball team will be traveling to Staunton today to play against The Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Defenders. 🏀
Let's Go Black Bears!! 🐻


As of January 23, the WVSDB is seeking qualified applicants for the following job opportunities:
Licensed Practical Nurse - 210 days
Long Term Substitute Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Residential Care Specialist - night shift - female
Substitute Aide II, III, IV/Transportation
Substitute LPN
Teacher - English 05-AD/DHH PK-AD
Teacher - Science 05-AD/Biology 09-AD/DHH PK-AD
Teacher - Science 05-AD/Biology 09-AD/VI PK-AD
See something of interest this week? Apply online, at - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369


Good evening!
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will operate on a 2-hour delay on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, due to extreme cold temperatures and potential icy road conditions.
Thank you!

Today, Ruby Losh, an alumna of The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, shared insights with our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students about Sorenson. 📲
Sorenson offers communication tools designed to connect individuals across signed and spoken languages, providing interpreting and captioning solutions.
Providing our students with insights into these services is crucial, equipping them with valuable tools for communication and better preparing them for real-life situations. 🌎
Thank you, Ruby!





Good evening!
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will operate on a 2-hour delay on Monday, January 22nd, 2024 due to extreme cold temperatures.
Thank you!

🎨During the past two weeks, the residents and staff have been learning about Alaskan culture. The residents designed, built, and wrote summaries about their personal spirit poles. Residents chose animals and things in nature that represent their human spirits. #DormLife










Today residents and staff went to a local movie 🍿 theater to see the movie "Wonka." The movie was closed captioned for residents who are deaf. Video description devices were provided to the residents who are blind. All residents enjoyed concession snacks during the film 🎥. #DormLife #WinterFun2024







Snow Day Fun! ❄️Our residential students found that favorite campus hill to sled off of with friends. Today's snow was perfect for making snowballs to throw. #DormLife #WinterFun2024











Good morning!
The Boys basketball game against Capon Bridge that was scheduled for today, January 19th, 2024 has been CANCELLED due to weather conditions.
Thank you!

Good evening! The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will be CLOSED on Friday, January 19th, 2024, due to potential winter weather conditions. The 2024/2025 WVSDB virtual school calendar meeting will still take place tomorrow, January 19th, at 9 AM. If you have not done so already, please follow the link below to register for tomorrow's session. https://bit.ly/3dcqwTv Thank you!