Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind

Today, students in the Extended School Year program had a visit from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum History Detectives. Each student chose a detective name for themselves. Then, they were introduced to different types of historical evidence and learned how they can use these resources to study the past. Next, they completed a variety of detective activities, including solving cryptograms, applying new vocabulary to historic news articles, looking at photographs and making inferences about what they saw, and touching replicas of various artifacts. Throughout the presentation, they learned about the technology, cost of household items, foods from different time periods, and the history of tuberculosis in Colorado Springs.

[ID: 10 photos. 1. A teacher chats with a student about a newspaper activity. 2. Two museum visitors present and an interpreter interprets. 3. A teacher and staff member work with a student who uses a brailler. 4. Hands tap on a small drum. 5. Close-up of a cryptogram. 6. A student holds the year 1900 above her head. 7. Two young boys touch an artifact. 8. A woman and a student hold an artifact. 9. A staff member signs in ASL as she works with a student on an activity. 10. A student looks at historic newspaper articles.]

Calling Blind/low vision youth! Please join us on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a blind skateboarding clinic at CSDB campus in Colorado Springs led by blind Paralympian skateboarding advocate, Jon Baron. This opportunity is designed specifically for Blind and low-vision youth to learn how blind skateboarders adapt, build confidence, and develop resilience through the sport. Each student who attends will receive a brand-new skateboard deck to take home.

To sign up, please email [email protected].

[ID: Flyer for a "Skateboarding Clinic for the Blind" hosted at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. The design features a large black silhouette of a skateboarder performing a trick on a skateboard against a light gray background. The CSDB logo appears in the upper left corner. Event details read: "June 17, 2026, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., CSDB Campus." The title, "Skateboarding Clinic for the Blind," is displayed diagonally across the skateboard in large white text.]

At end of each school year, CSDB recognizes outstanding staff members through a peer-nominated awards program that celebrates those who make a lasting impact on our students and colleagues. Staff nominations highlight individuals who demonstrate exemplary performance, foster a positive and unified school culture, and rise beyond their regular responsibilities in service to CSDB.

Award recipients are selected through a review process that includes Superintendent verification and evaluation by the VIBES Committee. Congratulations to this school year’s awardees for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to helping our students and community thrive!

Employee of the Year: Dale Wolf (Outreach)
Rookie of the Year: Tony Cardano (Nutrition Services)
Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Karli (School for the Blind)
Outstanding Service: Julie Harrison (Bridges to Life)
Outstanding Service: Marty Rahn (School for the Blind)

[ID: Five photos. 1. Poster of Dale Wolf smiling with the CSDB logo in background. The poster displays the End of Year Service Award and her name. 2. Poster of Tony Cardano smiling with the CSDB logo in background. The poster displays the End of Year Service Award and his name. 3. Poster of Jonathan Karli smiling with the CSDB logo in background. The poster displays the End of Year Service Award and his name. 4. Poster of Julie Harrison smiling with the CSDB logo in background. The poster displays the End of Year Service Award and her name. 5. Poster of Marty Rahn smiling with the CSDB logo in background. The poster displays the End of Year Service Award and her name.]

This morning, during our staff recognition breakfast, retiring staff members for the 2025/2026 school year were honored. Each retiree had a specially decorated table up front to enjoy the morning with family and friends. Supervisors shared stories about each retiree’s time at CSDB and Superintendent Spangler presented them with a Colorado flag flown at the state capitol building.

[ID: 7 photos. 1. A staff member smiles while holding a folded flag in front of an audience 2. Two staff members stand at the front of the room smiling and conversing during a presentation at the staff breakfast. 3. Staff members stand and applaud around banquet tables in the gymnasium. 4. Staff members seated at tables raise their hands 5. A staff member presents folded flag to another staff member on stage as attendees watch. 6. Staff members seated at a table smile, clap, and celebrate. 7. Tera Spangler stands at the podium with both hands raised while addressing the audience.]

The School for the Blind celebrated the end of the school year with its annual Awards Ceremony, recognizing students for their hard work and accomplishments. Congratulations to all of our students on their achievements. We are proud of all they have accomplished this year.

[ID: 10 Photos. 1: A student seated in the audience examines a certificate while attending the awards ceremony. 2: A staff member presents a certificate to a student during the end-of-year celebration. 3: Two staff members stand together at the front of the room while presenting awards. 4: A staff member kneels beside a group of students as they review certificates together. 5: Students seated in the audience smile and compare their certificates with one another. 6: A student proudly displays a certificate while seated beside a family member during the ceremony. 7: A staff member congratulates a student while presenting an award certificate. 8: A student smiles while holding a certificate as classmates and staff celebrate nearby. 9: A staff member and student share a high-five after receiving recognition at the ceremony. 10: A staff member presents a certificate to a student while families and staff applaud in the audience.]

What a great way to wrap up the school year! Today, School for the Deaf students were celebrated during second-semester awards ceremonies, and our kindergarten students marked a special graduation with their families in attendance. Congratulations to all of our students on their accomplishments this year. Have a fun and safe summer!

[ID: 10 Photos. 1. A smiling student looks up while holding an adult’s hand during a graduation celebration. 2. Students raise their hands and cheer during an end-of-year awards ceremony presentation. 3. Two students sit together and chat during the ceremony while other students watch nearby. 4. A student proudly holds a certificate and celebrates with a raised fist after being recognized. 5. Students and families watch attentively from the audience during the awards ceremony. 6. A student in a light-colored dress smiles and gestures while holding a certificate during the celebration. 7. A student in a red CSDB shirt walks through a crowd of students, families, and staff gathered for the ceremony. 8. A staff member signs while presenting an award to a student holding a certificate during the awards ceremony. 9. A graduating student in a red cap and gown walks down the aisle as the audience applauds. 10. A smiling graduate in a red cap and gown walks proudly through the ceremony crowd.]

Earlier this week, School for the Blind students celebrated the end of the school year with water and leisure activities on campus. Students had the most fun cooling off with water squirters, while also making tie-dye T-shirts, playing music, and participating in a group ball activity. It was a great opportunity to explore different sensory experiences and physical movements under the sun!

[ID: 10 photos. 1. A student shoots water from a water squirter. 2. Staff and students surround a kiddie pool and spray water on each other using water squirters. 3. A student smiles while wearing a wet shirt. 4. A student smiles holding a water squirter. 5. A close up on a student smiling with towel on shoulders. 6. Students and staff standing on the lawn in a circle in front of a historic building. 7. Students sitting at a table and making tie-dye T-shirts. 8. A student plays with bubble toy and bubbles float around the student. 9. A close up on a student smiled at the camera, with wet hair and water droplets on glasses. 10. Water drips from a towel as a student twists the towel.]