March News
The students have been hard at work shopping, cooking, cleaning and most of all....studying for their classes at the local community college.
The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU #3) held a Transition Night for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The information session was very helpful. It provided topics on college accommodations, OVR support, financial aid (PHEAA) as well as a panel discussion by deaf and hard of hearing adults. In addition, representatives from several universities and other post-secondary programs came to speak with the students.
One nice spring day, the students went for a walking tour of the Three Rivers Council of Independent Living (TRCIL) that is only a few blocks from WPSD. They learned about the community-based human service organization that provides help for people with disabilities.
Representatives from the Women's Shelter came one day and did a presentation on Domestic Violence. The students learned the signs of abuse and that both men and women can be victims such as emotional and verbal abuse.
Late in March, the students went to the University of Pittsburgh for the 15th Annual Deaf/Hearing Issues Panel.
February News
Two representatives from the State Department of Health came to speak with the students for several hours. The students participated in the Game of Life. Scenarios were created and students had to make decisions on what to do if they actually had to face them in the real world.
A representative from CareerLink came one afternoon to help students set up an account online in order to help them match their skills and interest to the jobs that the students are pursuing.
Some of the students have been volunteering their time to work off-campus in the field related to their future employment goals.
January News
Carol Horowitz is a legal counsel from the Disability Rights Network. She came one afternoon to speak with the students about the laws that protect people with disabilities such as having a hearing loss. The students were provided valuable information to protect them from discrimination.
One evening, our PFS students participated in a panel to speak with parents and students about the benefits of the 13th year program at WPSD.
Students busy discussing the needs for groceries after returning from Winter Break.
The students went out one evening to check out Holiday Displays in Pittsburgh. They started out their early evening outing going to Station Square and taking the Mon Incline to Mt. Washington.
Checking out the history of the inclines. There were more than 15 inclines along the steep slopes during the 18th and 19th century when many steel factories were being used all over the Pittsburgh area. The picture shows a large freight incline right next to the passenger incline.
On Mount Washington
One of the questions they had was.....How many bridges are there in the downtown area?
The students rode back down on the incline and then checked out the photos and the history of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station where Station Square is located. The building is now known as the Grand Concourse Restaurant. 
After checking out Station Square, the students rode on the subway known as the T to one of the stops in downtown.
After arriving at Wood Street station, the students got to see the Pittsburgh Cultural District which features public garden spaces, art galleries, six major theaters and concert venues such as Heinz Hall and Benedum Center. As they were walking away from the Pittsburgh Cultural District, they got to see the former Hornes/Lazarus Building with a Christmas Tree displayed on it.
At Point State Park where 3 rivers meet. Standing behind a huge lighted Christmas tree.
Walking towards the PPG Place, the students got to see the Pittsburgh Post Gazette building where they saw huge printing machines. The photos shows the students at the PPG Place where The Rink and the Wintergarden is located.
Inside the PPG Wintergarden, there was a "Spirits of Giving From Around the World"
exhibit. The students got to check out the display of life-size Santas and original
paintings showing various parts of the world of Christmas folklore and fantasy.
Standing behind a spectacular 32-foot tree surrounded by a showcase of gingerbread houses and a unique train
display.
After a meal of pizza and soda, the students ventured out in the much chillier weather to check out Macy's Window Holiday Display and to see the historic Kaufman's clock along 5th Avenue
Outside the US Steel Building where the tallest building is located, the students got to see the replicia of the Vatican Creche.
One of the last stops before heading back to Station Square was the Pittsburgh City-County Building where a 45-foot decorated Christmas Tree is located.