Services

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are skilled professionals who support students with developmental delays in sensory processing and/or motor skills. Collaborating closely with the educational team, OTs help students achieve their individualized educational goals, facilitating improved access to the curriculum. OT services address a range of areas, including but not limited to:

• Fine motor skills and coordination
• Visual-perceptual and perceptual-motor skills
• Sensory processing and sensory modulation
• Self-organization and material management
• Attention span and task focus

These interventions help students build the skills necessary for success in the classroom and beyond.

Physical Therapy

School-based physical therapy focuses on helping students develop and improve their gross motor skills, mobility, and physical coordination to access and participate in the educational environment. Therapists work with students to enhance movement, strength, balance, and overall physical function, enabling them to engage in classroom activities, navigate the school environment safely, and achieve academic and developmental goals.

Orientation and Mobility Therapy

PSD collaborates with Overbrook School for the Blind to provide Orientation and Mobility services. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) school-based services help DeafBlind students develop the skills needed to navigate their school environment safely and independently. O&M specialists teach students how to use mobility tools to orient themselves in various settings, and improve their spatial awareness. These services support students in building confidence, autonomy, and the ability to access educational opportunities.

Vision Services

PSD collaborates with Overbrook School for the Blind to provide Vision services. Vision school-based services support DeafBlind students by providing specialized instruction and accommodations to help them access the curriculum. These services include braille instruction, the use of assistive technology, adaptive materials, and strategies for navigating the school environment. Vision specialists work closely with teachers and families to ensure students develop the skills they need to succeed academically and participate fully in school activities.

School Nursing Services

Our school nurses provide a wide range of health services to support the well-being of students, including:

• First Aid & Emergency Care: Immediate care for injuries, illnesses, or medical emergencies during school hours.
• Health Screenings: Regular screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and BMI to ensure students’ health needs are addressed.
• Chronic Condition Management: Support for students with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy, including individualized care plans.
• Medication Administration: Safe administration of prescribed medications during school hours, in accordance with medical orders and parental consent.
• Health Education: Guidance on topics such as nutrition, hygiene, mental health, and general wellness to promote healthy lifestyle choices.
• Immunization Tracking: Ensuring students are up-to-date on required immunizations and assisting with the documentation process.
• Illness Monitoring & Exclusion: Monitoring illness trends, sending students home when necessary, and advising on when to return to school.
• Health Referrals: Referral to healthcare providers or specialists when further medical evaluation or treatment is needed.
• Health & Safety Consultation: Providing guidance on health policies, safety protocols, and emergency preparedness within the school community.

Interpreting Services

Educational Interpreting Services

School-based American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services provide communication support for PSD students attending a class in a mainstream setting. ASL interpreters facilitate classroom communication by interpreting spoken language into sign language, ensuring students can fully engage with lessons, participate in discussions, and interact with peers and teachers. These services are tailored to meet the individual needs of students, promoting inclusion and academic success in the mainstream school setting.

Certified Deaf Interpreting Services

Certified Deaf Interpreting (CDI) services support Deaf and DeafBlind students by providing interpretation through a Deaf professional who is fluent in American Sign Language and familiar with the unique communication needs of the Deaf community. CDIs ensure accurate and effective communication enhancing the student’s access to classroom instruction, social interactions, and school assemblies. These services help foster a more inclusive learning environment for Deaf and DeafBlind students.

Spanish Interpreting Services

Family-based Spanish interpreting services offer language support to Spanish-speaking families, ensuring clear communication between parents and school staff. Interpreters assist during meetings, conferences, and other interactions, helping families understand important information about their child’s education and fostering strong partnerships between home and school.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Junior NAD

The Junior NAD Chapter at PSD is an affiliation of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and its Youth Program. Jr. NAD chapters focus on principles of advocacy, fellowship, leadership, and scholarship. Jr. NAD student members meet monthly to develop leadership skills, plan community service events and organize fundraisers. Jr. NAD student members attend events and conferences with other schools that have Jr NAD chapters. Students have the opportunity to acquire a variety of skills and values that are not taught in the classroom.

Youth Choir

One of our most favorite events of the year is when our students perform at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade! Participation encourages teamwork, creativity, responsibility and goodwill.

Panther Pride Club

Our Panther Pride Club is a student-led organization that provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students and allies. The group works to promote acceptance, raise awareness, and advocate for equal rights and opportunities. GSAs also offer peer support, foster a sense of community, and help create a more welcoming and respectful school environment for all students.

Yearbook

Each year, students are responsible for creating the PSD yearbook, managing all aspects of production including content development, task planning, layout design and financial management. Students develop skills in photography and graphic design, and have the opportunity to work with an independent agency/consultant to create the final document – a cherished PSD tradition that dates back to the 1800s.

Student Programs

After School Program

The After School Program (ASP) at PSD strives to provide safe and structured activities for students during after-school hours. The goal is for students to develop social skills in a fun and recreational environment outside of the classroom. PSD provides snacks and transportation for all students involved.

Extended School Year Program

PSD provides an Extended School Year (ESY) program (20 days) in July and August for Deaf and hard of hearing students up to age 22 who live in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Our ESY program offers a range of programs that act as an extension to the traditional 180-day school year. ESY is a way to maintain progress when issues of regression and recoupment are considerable over school breaks. ESY services are determined by the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Friday Night Live

Friday Night Live is a unique after school and evening program that offers opportunities for high school students to socialize, interact with others, and build communication skills in a fun, bilingual environment using ASL and English. Activities are facilitated by staff experienced in working with deaf and hard of hearing young people, and run from 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm depending upon the event.

Transportation

Transportation is provided for all PSD students who attend PSD and is provided by the student’s local school district.