A note about the The Student Life Program by
Ethan Bernstein, Dean of Students

The Student Life Division provides living space for about two-thirds of our students whose families live too far for a daily commute. After school we provide a wide range of age-appropriate programs and activities, after-school tutoring and study space, as well as role-modeling from ASL-fluent cottage staff readying students for life after graduation. Our trained staff members teach students to develop their self-esteem, leadership and independent living skills - everything from brushing their teeth to cooking their own dinners. Each department - Elementary, Middle School and High School - has a separate activity center where residents can meet and socialize with each other. They have table games and televisions, supervised access to computers, dance floors and student-run stores. There are many different after-school programs such as scout troops, athletic teams and special interest activities. Residents that stay in cottages meet and interact with other students of similar ages. They work together to build a sense of community, share similar interests, and make friends that will last a lifetime.

To support each child’s learning, the cottages have designated study times every evening. There are monthly storytelling events and independent reading times. Each resident has a daily duty of chores to maintain their cottages as well as their rooms. Trips for education or recreation are student rewards and are also worked into their programs. There are computers for available for homework and videophones available for keeping in touch with friends and family.

Some of the activities available are study clubs; intramural sports; boy, girl and cub scouts; cooking clubs and on-campus cook-offs; student leadership organizations; student-run snack bars; organized league sports; drama club; crafts and community volunteer services; and many, many more.

Our highest priority as residential staff is to ensure each child’s safety, to give them a space away from home to develop into mature, cooperative and academically successful adults who will make a difference in their home communities. We encourage them to build strong relationships with family members, teaching them how to communicate with non-ASL users through videophones, TTYs, pagers or email. Their relationships with parents, teachers and friends will guide them through real world situations when they leave our school, and we want more than prepare to them to succeed.

It is our vision to give graduates all the knowledge, skills, and self-esteem they need to achieve fulfilling personal lives and careers. Further, it is important to empower positive Deaf identities in each and every student so that they can overcome the obstacles they will face in life and grow to become positive contributing citizens of our society.