Hello TLC Family,

Yesterday Governor Baker announced the closure of all public and private schools in Massachusetts through June 30, 2020. This means Marie Philip and Walden Schools (commuter students) will not be returning to campus for the remainder of this academic year.

While this news is disappointing, we know it is the most socially responsible decision, given the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in our nation.

I wanted to provide important updates regarding The Learning Center for the Deaf’s continued response to these difficult measures:

Our MPS and Walden teachers, aides, counselors and administrators will continue to provide supportive Remote Learning environments for our students and communicate as often as possible with families. MPS Superintendent Jennifer Greenfield and Walden School Executive Director Michelle Cline have been in touch with families regarding more specific information, including future considerations for our graduating seniors. Our remote learning plan can be found online by visiting our website: https://info.tlcdeaf.org/.

Our Walden School residential program remains open and will serve as a safe environment for our students and teachers, who continue to look to each other for support and guidance. If you know of a student that would benefit from a residential, therapeutic program, please contact us for referral options. As long as we are able to do so, we will continue to accept residential student placements. Please visit: https://www.tlcdeaf.org/walden-school/

Many of our TLC programs have shifted to Telehealth and/or remote service capabilities to support our community in the current climate. These include:

Interpreting Services, available to academic, medical, educational and business institutions across the state. To request interpreting services, please email us at isupport@tlcdeaf.org.

Walden Community Services, with statewide outreach for children’s behavioral health and family support for those living with a deaf or hard of hearing individual. To request services or make a referral, please visit us at: https://www.tlcdeaf.org/behavioral-health/

Audiology, with web-based consultation appointments and curbside service for emergency issues beginning next week. To request services, please visit: https://www.tlcdeaf.org/audiology-contact/

Public School Partnerships, providing remote audiology and deaf education consultation and support to educators, school districts and families for deaf and hard of hearing students mainstreamed in their home district programs.To request services, please visit: https://www.tlcdeaf.org/contact-psp

I cannot say Thank You enough to everyone at TLC who has played a part in this challenging time: Our teachers, our aides, our clinicians, our program leaders, our support staff, our Board, our community partners, our Donors and everyone else embedded in TLC’s culture of caring: You have made this very difficult situation one that is manageable with your outpouring of love and dedication.

I was recently thinking about the most difficult challenges I have faced in my professional career. This will most likely be remembered as the biggest.

The immediate and unexpected shutdown of an entire country has caused all of us to react, respond, grieve, console and support in unique ways. It has also brought to the surface just how much we care for each other. From drive-by birthday parades to volunteering to make masks for hundreds of essential employees - our country has proven that we come together in a time of crisis.

Please know our mission at TLC remains the same, whether or not campus is physically accessible: We will continue to support, advocate and communicate with each and every one of you. We believe that this community deserves our very best, and I am immensely proud of the entire TLC family, and the best they bring every day, no matter the circumstance.

We will continue to communicate as information is available. In the meantime, please contact us at healthandsafety@TLCDeaf.org if needed, and stay up to date on our most recent information by visiting our dedicated COVID-19 resource page at https://www.tlcdeaf.org/coronavirus.

With gratitude,

Sarah