Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 127 No. 3 Spring 2006 | Page 2

The

Wisconsin Times

Editorial Staff

Wisconsin School for the Deaf
The school is part of the Department of Public
Instruction, Division for Learning Services: Equity
and Advocacy. As such, its goals are the same as
those set forth by the department for all youth in the
state. The school serves as a first-line alternative
placement option for parents and school systems
seeking appropriate programming for children and
youth that are deaf or hard of hearing. The students
are provided a comprehensive academic, vocational,
and social education learning environment, uniquely
programmed for a personalized education in both a
day school and residential setting. As a part of the
free public school system of the state, no charge
is made for room, board, tuition, and concomitant
activities.

Admission criteria are established by law (s. 115.52,
WI Stats.) and require local district referral. Such
local district referrals are then evaluated by the
school for appropriateness, leading to acceptance
or alternative recommendations. In recognition of
individual integrity, the mission of the Wisconsin
School for the Deaf is to provide an American Sign
Language environment to promote excellence in the
development of deaf and hard of hearing children in
all areas of life through the use of ASL and English.
The mission is accomplished with the belief that, for
most deaf children, ASL is the accessible, dominant
language used for communication and thinking, while
English, a spoken and written language, is learned as
a second language. For some deaf and hard of hearing
students who have previously acquired English, ASL
is learned as a second language. The Wisconsin
School for the Deaf strives to foster competencies in
these two languages as well as to develop crosscultural sensitivity among the entire student body.
Preschool programs are offered for local children
under the age of six on a day-school basis. Regular
academics provide normal and unique curricula
from grades one through 12. An extensive pre and
vocational training program is provided as part of the
total grade 7-12 curriculum. The social education
program for residential students is a continuous
informal and formal program developing selfmanagement and social living skills through child
care counselors, facilities and numerous school related
organizations and activities. For further information,
write to: Director, Wisconsin School for the Deaf, 309
W. Walworth Avenue, Delavan, WI 53115.

Consultant: Alex H. Slappey
Coeditors: Bill Wilson and Jim Hansen
Sports Editor: Chris Woodfill
Circulation Manager: Therese Pohl-Markowitz
Photographer: Jim Hansen
Reporters: Rene Ambrose, Maryann Barnett, and Peg Stachowiak

Cheerleaders Win!
WSD cheerleaders have brought home two champion trophies this year. Team members
included senior Dia Xiong, junior Cassie Carter, and sophomores Nikole Cockerham
and Nick Shaw. Belinda Carroll coached the team. The squad first competed at the
Central States School for the Deaf (CSSD) cheerleading competition held at the Indiana
School for the Deaf. Six other Deaf schools participated. The competition required two
cheers, two chants as well a dance routine. They also incorporated jumps, tumbling, and
stunts into their routines. This was the first time WSD cheerleaders won a championship
trophy.
WSD cheerleaders also traveled to the Iowa School for the Deaf for the Great Plains
Schools for the Deaf (GPSD) competition. The WSD team again was selected as the
winning squad. This was the first time in WSD history the cheerleaders won both
championships!

Cover photo: Dia Xiong, Coach Belinda Carroll, Cassie Carter, Nick Shaw, and Nikole Cockerham.

The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent
Dr. Tony Evers, Deputy State Superintendent
Carolyn Stanford Taylor, Assistant State Superintendent
Division of Learning Support: Equity and Advocacy
Dr. Stephanie Petska, Director, Special Education

Wisconsin School for the Deaf
Alex Slappey, Director
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and WSD are equal opportunity employers
functioning under an Affirmative Action Plan.

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