On Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, 130 Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students from JK to Grade 12, representing 96 schools across the TDSB, took part in a full day of hands-on learning at Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre. These students, who receive Tier 2 and 3 support from the D/HH Itinerant Team, alongside their itinerant teachers, spent the day learning, connecting, and celebrating their identities as D/HH learners.
Meeting or reconnecting with peers who also use hearing aids, cochlear implants, and remote microphone systems helped foster a strong sense of community and belonging amongst the students. Younger students had the chance to form connections with role models, while older students shared their lived experiences navigating school as D/HH learners in the TDSB.
The Forest Valley staff planned great activities about the maple syrup production process, but the highlight of the day was snow tubing—an exciting and memorable first-time experience for many of the students. Students left Forest Valley with a sense of joy, confidence, and connection.
