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The students at Cleary School for the Deaf are given every opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.
The school’s curriculum is based on the New York State Standards. Adaptations to these standards occur as needed, based on student abilities. Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) are written and implemented for each student.
The school and home-based Parent-Infant Program is designed for children from birth to three years. The focus is on developing a strong communicative relationship between the family and the child who is deaf. Additional services such as a parent support group, morning ASL classes, parent educator, audiological evaluations and speech and language therapy are available.
The Preschool/Elementary Program services children from three to fourteen years old. Students are placed in small classes of 6:1:1 (6 children, 1 teacher, 1 teacher assistant) or 6:1:2 ratios. Students follow New York State requirements including Art, Dance, Physical Education, Health, Library and Computer. ASL and Speech and Language Therapy is offered three to five times a week on an individual basis. Services are also available for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Counseling, Perceptual Motor Skills, Orientation and Mobility Training and Visual Training as needed. Students in the Junior High School class have the opportunity to attend the East Islip Junior High School for inclusion into classes with the support of a Cleary interpreter.
Upon graduating from the elementary program, students enter Cleary’s Secondary Program, housed in East Islip High School. Students are either enrolled in high school level courses taught by Cleary staff, classes taught by East Islip’s staff (with an interpreter), special needs classes taught by Cleary staff or a combination of options. Students stay in the program until they complete all necessary requirements or reach the age of twenty-one. BOCES vocational education programs are available to students. Transitional services (school-to-work/school-to-post-secondary establishments) are integral to the curriculum and are directed by a transition teacher. This service begins with students who are twelve years old.
Art is an integral part of the student curriculum. Students have the opportunity to interact with a variety of mediums in art classes. Through art, students gain more understanding of the world around them. They develop self-understanding and strengthen their ability to choose those things they wish to re-create.
Computers are in integral part of Cleary’s education. Apple computers are set up in every classroom; students attend Computer classes on a weekly basis in a state of the art Computer Lab. This lab is equipped with a Smart Board and each computer is linked to the Internet. Students learn computer care, keyboarding, word processing, use of Internet, and different programs to assist them in producing quality work.
In place of the New York State Music curriculum, students attend dance class weekly. Participation in Dance class develops body awareness and physical well-being. It puts the student in touch with inner and outer realities and a development of an understanding of music through movement.
The health curriculum is organized by topics and is designed to be spiraling. The inclusion of units on drugs, alcohol and tobacco, AIDS and No Go Tell has received additional emphasis.
Cleary’s library is updated annually with books, videos and DVD’s. Instruction in library skills is given by the librarian to the students, on a weekly basis. Lessons relate the materials the students are currently learning in their classes to the use of a computerized and catalogue, locating books and using research materials are given to the students on a learning continuum.
Physical Education classes are conducted with units such as gymnastics, which encourage students to set their own goals and practice independently to meet or exceed goals. The careful structuring of competition provides the enjoyment of winning while teaching that there is no disgrace in losing a game well played. Team participation helps instill good leadership qualities, while it also teaches students to become good followers.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) PROGRAM
The purpose of ASL classes is to encourage the students to understand the structure of ASL; develop their self-esteem through communication skills (receptive and expressive skills); and become aware of Deaf culture, history and the Deaf community.
The activities included in this program are ASL grammar, vocabulary expansion, storytelling, poetry, classifiers, interactions, games, and identifying major historical events and people.
Because the classes are conducted with one student and one teacher, each student is able to focus and work on specific areas in ASL.
The Guidance/Counseling Program encompasses both guidance and counseling for students in grades kindergarten through twelve.
The focus is on problem solving, decision making, and discovering personal meaning related to learning and development. Individual counseling is personal and private interaction between counselor and student during which they work together on a problem or topic related to life skill development and a positive self-concept. The face-to-face meeting with a counselor provides a Deaf student maximum privacy in which to freely explore ideas, feelings, and behaviors. Some students may not have this accessibility at home due to communication barriers. The following are some key objectives that the School counselor addresses:
- Counseling as determined by the C.S.E.
- Addressing Deaf students needs as related to behavioral, psychosocial, interpersonal difficulties, and Deaf culture issues toward better interpersonal adjustment at home and work.
- Provide crisis intervention.
- Serve as a liaison between school and home.
- Maintain academic records related to guidance.
- Provide resources, American Disability Act (ADA) information and workshops on issues related to needs of student in grades kindergarten through twelve as well as post-secondary vocational and education programs to Deaf students and their parents.
- Assist students in the application process for BOCES, College/University and/or post-secondary vocational training programs.
The Guidance/Counseling Program focuses on the needs, interests and issues related to the various stages of a deaf student’s growth. There are objectives, activities, special services and expected outcomes, with an emphasis on helping Deaf students learn more effectively and efficiently. There is a commitment to individual uniqueness and the maximum development of human potential. This counseling program is an integral part of the school total educational program.
Perceptual Motor Lab (PML) offers students the opportunity to strengthen their skills for school success. Students work one-on-one with a Learning Disabilities Teacher. Specific tasks can include perceptual skills, fine motor skills, memory enhancement, life skills, reading, math, spelling and handwriting.
Assignment to PML, as well as the number of sessions is determined by a student's need. This service is available at both the elementary and secondary campus.
The Standards
- The Arts
- Career development and Occupational studies
- English Language Arts
- Health, Physical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences
- Math, Science and Technology
- Social Studies
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Cleary School for the Deaf