Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 3 Spring 2013 | Page 4

Deaf Community Connections
EDITOR’S NOTE: WSD aims to develop the whole child: academically, culturally, linguistically, socially, and
emotionally. In this issue the writers have highlighted several articles that reach out to and connect with the Deaf
Community: Distance Pals to contect Deaf students across the state, reminicsing with Mr. Lee - a cherished and
retired WSD teacher and coach, the Statewide Family Conference, & events of Deaf History Awareness Month.

First-grader Karibella Ouimet
proudly displays her gifts for
participating in the 2012-2013
Distant Pals program.
Congratulations Karibella!

Distant Pals
The Distant Pals Program is a “pen pal” program that connects students who are deaf and hard of hearing
throughout the State of Wisconsin and provides them with peer relationships and healthy role models.
Pals are asked to correspond for a minimum of six times per school year. Activities can include writing a
traditional letter, creating a puzzle, sending a birthday card, making a power point, sharing a story, or any
other creative idea.
All activities are sent to the Distant Pals coordinator, who keeps records of pals and correspondence.
She then forwards the letters or projects. During the 2012-2013 school year, 79 sets of Distant Pals are
participating! Pals who had earned 10 points by the end of Winter Break earned a book with a Deaf
character. Titles included, but were not limited to: Changes for Julie; Daredevil Vision Quest (graphic
novel); Dad, Jackie and Me; Read My Lips; Doggy Dare; and Jake’s the Name, Sixth Grade’s the Game to
name a few.
Personal information is not shared during the Distant Pals Program. After May, and only with both Pals’
parent permission, contact information can be shared.
At the recent annual Statewide Family Conference, WSD first-grader Karibella Ouimet was recognized for
her participation in this program. She received a certificate, along with a poem, mini-mailbox of candy
and her choice of stationary.
Pals can be registered by a teacher or a parent. This year, five teachers from WSD have students
participating in the Distant Pals Program. The correspondence encourages safe, healthy and positive
relationships between children who are deaf and hard of hearing. It also promotes literacy skills through
letter writing and other organized activities. The Distant Pals Program cultivates peer to peer relationships,
and encourages appropriate social skills through these interactions.
For more information go to: www.wesp-dhh.wi.gov/wesp/out_distantpals.cfm
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