Back to School Bash

The 7th Annual Back to School Bash for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Families will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 9am - 12pm in the Seven Oaks Park recreation center at 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, SC.

 
The Bash is a FREE educational and fun event for children, adults, and their families who experience the impact of hearing loss. The Bash provides awareness regarding the myriad resources available to families concerning access to communication, language, emergency support, educational supports, and assistive technology. Families in attendance will receive free school supplies.
 
NEW to this year's Bash is the addition of a parent workshop from 10-11 a.m. This breakout session will help parents prepare for a great start to the school year. Topics will include an IEP explanation, how to introduce your DHH child, and the difference between an interpreter and a language facilitator. While parents are in this breakout session, we'll have magician John Tudor with us to entertain your children in the main event area! More details about this workshop will be available soon.
 
The Bash is hosted in partnership by Beginnings SC, SC Association of the Deaf, SC Hands and Voices, First Sound & Irmo Fire Department.
 
Additional funds for the Bash were generously provided by Carter Hears!
 
 
Register As A Vendor
Register Your Family

EVENT SCHEDULE

9 am: Registration & vendor tables open (Vendor tables will remain open the entire event from 9 am until noon.)

10-11 am: Breakout session for parents

- Workshop: IEP Explanation for Parents by Beginnings SC [20 min.]
It's back to school time! This is a great time to learn or refresh your skills about the IEP (Individualized Education Plan.) Learn about the different parts of an IEP such as PLAAFP, ESY, LRE and everything in between. You will leave with documents to help you keep learning and become a more active part of your child's Special Education plan.

-Workshop: Introducing your D/HH Child by Beginnings SC [20 min.]
School districts all over SC will be inviting parents and students to Meet the Teacher events over the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity to tour the school, celebrate the new school year, learn about expectations for parents and classroom expectations for students. Students with hearing differences need access to every aspect of the school experience. Parents can advocate for their student before Meet the Teacher events or the beginnings of the school year. Join us for Tips, Tidbits and Tools for introducing you and your child to their teacher before school begins.

- Workshop: Language Facilitator Introduction by Carter Hears [20 min.]
Parents and Professionals often find Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in mainstream schools with gaps in language, social skills, and functional skills. These gaps make it difficult for students to access their educational environment through technology and, or interpreters alone. The Language Facilitator Model seeks to bridge the gaps and build language while providing a d/Deaf role model in the child’s preferred mode of communication within the local school district.  

10-11 am: Magic show by magician John Tudor.

12 pm: Vendor tables close, event ends

Thank you to our 2022 Back to School Bash vendors!

If you would like to be a vendor for the 2022 Back to School Bash, register here!

Meet the following vendors at the Bash:
AG Bell South Carolina
Beginnings SC
Carter Hears! (SPONSOR)*
Family Connection of SC
S.C. Association of the Deaf
S.C. First Sound
S.C. Hands & Voices
S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind
SC Thrive