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May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) Since 1927, May has been the month when audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLP) observe, celebrate, and raise awareness of the professions and the value of their services from the classroom to Congress. May is a time to raise awareness regarding speech, voice, language, and hearing impairments among Federal, State, and local governments. This annual observance is when attention is focused on the needs of the millions of individuals from infants to the elderly who suffer from communication disorders. Minter Creek Elementary Staff & Students join the celebration... Poster Contest Minter Creek Staff and students are sharing information with friends, family and community members about Better Hearing and Speech Month. Students (Kindergarten - 5th grade) and staff members submitted posters for the "First Annual BHSM Poster Contest." The posters will be on display in the hallways of Minter Creek throughout the month of May. Check them out... there's lots of great information! You can also view poster submissions by clicking the Poster tab on the left. There were over 100 poster submissions!
Communication Connects Us - Students, Staff and community members are invited to become a link in a symbolic chain of communication. Each person will sign a colorful piece of paper and add it to a paper chain that will be displayed in the halls of Minter Creek during the month of May. Participants receive a green glow in the dark bracelet that states, "Communication Connects Us" in appreciation of their participation and to serve as a reminder of BHSM. In preparation for the event letters were sent out to community members requesting their participation. So far we've received signatures from the following community members:
President Barack Obama Governor Christine Gregoire Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler Lt. Governor Brad Owen Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark Attorney General Rob McKenna Auditor Brian Sonntag James Earl Jones Donald Trump Hugh McMillian, Peninsula Gateway Kid’s Corner Brian McLean, Editor of Peninsula Gateway Carol J. Dike, Pierce County Librarian Key Peninsula Branch Barbra Heard, Sound Credit Union, Key Center Branch Manager Collen Speer, Communities In Schools of Peninsula, Executive Director Patty Murry, Senator Jan Angel, State Representative 26th District Norma Smith, State Representative Charles Ross, State Representative Joe Schmick, State Representative Kathi Gaertzen, KOMO 4 News Eric Johnson, KOMO 4 News Mary Nam, KOMO 4 News Ray Lane, KOMO 4 News Derek Kilmer, Senator 26th Legislative District Larry Seaquist, 26th Legislative District Annie Glenn, wife of astronaut John Glenn & person who stutters John Melendez, announcer for Jay Leno & person who stutters Eric Carle, Children's Author Gretchen Swayze Wilbert, Gig Harbor Mayor 1990-2005
Communication Facts (ASHA, 2002) · 28 million people in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss · 16 million people in the U.S. have a speech and/or language disorder · Hearing loss is the most common congenital disorder in newborns · Ten percent of children entering the first grade have a moderate to severe speech disorder, including stuttering · Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. have aphasia, a language disorder inhibiting spoken communication that results from damage caused by a stroke or other traumatic injury to the language centers of the brain · 42 million people in the U.S. suffer from a speech, voice, language, or hearing impairment. Definitions: Audiologists are hearing health care professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. Speech-language pathologists (SLP) are the professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders. ASHA (American Speech-language Hearing Association) is the national, professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 103,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
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