Save Ontario Schools, Deaf Community Says

WATCH: Petition to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to save PSB schools in Ontario, Deaf community says.

LONDON, ON -- The province’s Deaf community and their supporters are putting pressure on Ontario’s government this week, calling on them to keep schools for the Deaf and special needs students open.

Executive director of the Ontario Association of the Deaf, as well as parents of kids who attend so-called demonstration schools - they’re funded outside the traditional school board model will be with London Fanshawe MPP Teresa Armstrong Thursday, in whose riding Robarts and Amethyst schools are located.

Save PSB Schools Petition: https://change.org/p/justin-trudeau-save-psb-schools

The group will make a presentation on the future of five such schools, including the two in London.

“The vague, uncertain messages from the Ministry (of Education) has affected our community-wide morale, self-esteem,” said David Wiesblatt, president of the London Club of the Deaf, which is organizing one of three provincial community forums on Friday.

Armstrong could not be reached by press time.

Robarts teaches Deaf students in their first language, American Sign Language, giving students a sense of community and culture, proponents say.

Amethyst is for students of average to high intelligence who have severe learning disabilities.

Students live at both schools, operated separately on Highbury Avenue, and go home on weekends.

The 2012 Drummond Report, which contained suggestions for the province on how to save money, recommended closing demonstration schools and integrating students in mainstream schools.

“Robarts has wonderful staff, administrators and facilities to support and serve our Deaf kids to thrive. We have many, many successful stories from the students and transfers from mainstream schools,” said Wiesblatt.

Many fear community consultations are a sham and the province has already made up its mind about the closings.

The total budget for the nine provincial and demonstration schools is $87.6 million. This includes salaries, operating costs and capital expenditures. Only five of the schools are under review.

Deaf Schools Under Reviews:

Robarts School for the Deaf (London): 25 senior students and 40 elementary-aged pupils.

Amethyst Demonstration School (London): Maximum 42 students a year.

Others: Trillium Demonstration School (Milton), Sagonaska Demonstration School (Belleville), Centre Jules-Leger (Ottawa.)

Save PSB Schools Petition: https://www.change.org/p/justin-trudeau-save-psb-schools Sign up to support to save Deaf Schools in Canada.

SOURCE - LONDONFREEPRESS

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Library Purchases Ohio School For The Deaf Property

Buying old Deaf School won’t hinder library upgrades with levy money, Columbus library sticking with plan for new branches.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s decision to buy the former Ohio State School for the Deaf won’t interfere with planned renovation or replacement of almost half of its branch libraries.

“These are the libraries that we are committed to,” said Pat Losinski, library director.

Two years ago, facing cuts in state funding, Columbus Metropolitan and other libraries cut staff, froze pay and closed doors on Sundays.

But with the passage of a 2.8-mill permanent operating levy in November 2010, the 21-library Columbus system quickly restored services and started planning upgrades of out-of-date or overcrowded branches.

The library makeover has been aided by near-record-low interest rates, said Steve Prater, the library’s director of property management. The library recently issued bonds totaling $98 million.

“That’s allowing us to accelerate the work,” Prater said.

Library officials on Wednesday announced plans to purchase the former Deaf school, allowing access to a parking lot that would be converted into an outdoor patio along the rear of the Main Library.

Renovation costs of up to $11 million, in addition to the $2.1 million purchase price, would be necessary if the library moves its administrative offices into the turn-of-the-century building. More likely, the library would sell the Deaf school portion of the property, possibly to a school... Read The Full Story.

Kansas Budget Cuts Are Bad News For KSD

Kansas budget cuts could mean bad news for the Kansas State School for the Deaf.

OLATHE, Kansas -- A mandate to cut the budgets for Kansas state agencies could be bad news for a school in Olathe, Kan., that's been helping children since 1861.

In the kindergarten classroom at the Kansas School for the Deaf , kids are learning to communicate using their hands instead of their voices. They are immersed in American Sign Language.

Like the 140 other students at the school, they will be immersed in Deaf culture during their years here, learning to cope in a hearing world.

Mary Grove is a KSD senior. She's been a student here since she was 4 years old. "This is my second home, you know, and the people here are my family,’' she said.

KSD doesn't just serve the kids on campus its outreach program supports 255 students and 87 teachers in 108 districts across the state... Read The Full Story.