Students who remain on ASD’s West Hartford campus were surprised by a car parade of teachers and staff.

American School for the Deaf car parade. Courtesy photo

Submitted

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, teachers, administrators, residential counselors, teaching assistants, administrative assistants, maintenance and security employees, occupational therapists, gathered at the Target parking lot in West Hartford and formed a car parade to surprise our students who are part of our Residential Treatment Program (our PACES program) for deaf and hard of hearing children, with significant behavioral and emotional challenges.

Though ASD’s academic program (our traditional pre-K through 12th grade) has moved to an online learning platform in compliance with the State’s school closures, PACES is an essential program that continues to operate as the students enrolled in this program require specialized therapeutic supports in their daily lives.  Therefore, approximately 25 students are currently on campus.

In an effort to lift the spirits of these students during these difficult times, ASD staff surprised them on Wednesday afternoon with a  car parade through campus. There were approximately 75 cars that participated and many of the vehicles were decorated with balloons, streamers, and positive posters.

The common theme was that everyone was smiling and happy to be on campus for even a few minutes – it was such a testament of how much our staff miss being at school and our students!

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American School for the Deaf car parade. Courtesy photo

American School for the Deaf car parade. Courtesy photo

American School for the Deaf car parade. Courtesy photo