Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 132 No. 1 Fall 2010 | 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 cross-cultural
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 self-management 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 Karen DeFalco
Reporters: Karla Gunn and Maryann Barmett
Sports Editor: Chris Woodfill
Photographer: Amber Havers
Volunteer Copy Editor: Eleanor Wilson
Cover Design: Bill Wilson
Circulation Manager: Kelly Blazer
Contributing Photgraphers: Lori Lindau, Karen Copeland, Diane Armato, Bill Wilson

WSD’s middle school students had a wonderful time visiting Forevertron at Tommy Bartlett’s
Science Exploratory Center. The field trip was a reinforcment trip for successfully participating
in WSD’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) program.

The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent
Michael Thompson, 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

2 - The Wisconsin Times

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and WSD are equal opportunity employers
functioning under an Affirmative Action Plan.