SIGN LANGUAGE
For the past several years students at Kennedy
have had the opportunity of studying sign language. Kennedy High School has
had a few hearing impaired students in attendance, therefore, a sign language
interpreter has been on staff. These students joined the students in the gifted
program for social interaction while the interpreter taught sign language
and translated conversations. Students have developed such and interest and
proficiency in this second language that they have pursued studies in college
and career opportunities related to this skill. Two students signed the songs
during the 2001 graduation ceremony, and both of these students are continuing
with sign language at their respective universities.
The interest in sign language has been so great that each year it is offered.
Marjorie Swift and Diane Wheeler were interpreters in the school who provided
weekly instruction. Tammy Grenier, a receptionist at a local factory, also
taught sign language during her lunch hour. Elise Mauriello, teacher of the
hearing impaired at Maloney Magnet School, came to Kennedy each week to teach
sign language to twenty-three students.
Mrs. Pat Ebbs, a mother of a hearing impaired student, volunteers her time
each week to work with a group of juniors who are studying sign language for
a second year.