Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Chico Enterprise Record - Deaf students sign gift lists to Santa
With eyes glowing, and genuinely bouncing with excitement, a collection of youngsters who can't hear Santa's booming "ho, ho, ho" climbed on the old elf's lap and silently shared their Christmas wishes.
The younsters are students of Butte County Office of Education's deaf and hard-of-hearing, special-ed classes in Durham, where they had a chance Wednesday to "sign" their lists to Santa's surrogate, Jerry Kaminski of Magalia. Kaminski is also deaf and signs.
Nicole Happich-Bowhall, who teaches in the Durham-based program, said this is the first time a signing Santa has come to the school.
About 15 deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the elementary grades gathered in the school's multi-purpose room early Wednesday waiting for Santa.
The pool of waiting youngsters was expanded when deaf kindergartner Zoya Wade of Oroville, who is "mainstreamed," invited her hearing classmates to participate in the festivities.
As the waiting youngsters clustered cross-legged on the floor, Kimberly Dethlefsen, with the Nor-Cal Center for Deafness, animatedly signed a Christmas story as interpreter Serena Smith translated the signs into speech.
When Santa strode into the room, the hearing students cheered, while the deaf students signed their appreciation.
As the youngsters climbed on Santa's knee, many carrying lists, Kaminski watched as they made their requests in sign language. From time to time he would sign back a question or just signal his acknowledgment.
Tina Ortega of Chico watched as her daughter Brianne waited to speak to Santa. Brianne, who is 3 and a half, attends the preschool program for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Ortega, who has two hearing sons who attend Durham Elementary School, praised the program that brings deaf and hearing children together in the same classes.
The mother, who is learning to sign and hopes to become an interpreter, said the school and the Durham community have been accepting of the deaf and hard-of-hearing kids.
"We feel like we are family," she said.
Donica O'Laughlin, who teaches Zoya's class, said the mix of students has been good for all those involved.
O'Laughlin said the kids have become more attuned to each other by having Zoya in the classroom.
"They play with her. If she can't sign what she wants, she takes them (her classmates) and shows them. She is very patient with them, and they are very patient with her," said the teacher.
With eyes glowing, and genuinely bouncing with excitement, a collection of youngsters who can't hear Santa's booming "ho, ho, ho" climbed on the old elf's lap and silently shared their Christmas wishes.
The younsters are students of Butte County Office of Education's deaf and hard-of-hearing, special-ed classes in Durham, where they had a chance Wednesday to "sign" their lists to Santa's surrogate, Jerry Kaminski of Magalia. Kaminski is also deaf and signs.
Nicole Happich-Bowhall, who teaches in the Durham-based program, said this is the first time a signing Santa has come to the school.
About 15 deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the elementary grades gathered in the school's multi-purpose room early Wednesday waiting for Santa.
The pool of waiting youngsters was expanded when deaf kindergartner Zoya Wade of Oroville, who is "mainstreamed," invited her hearing classmates to participate in the festivities.
As the waiting youngsters clustered cross-legged on the floor, Kimberly Dethlefsen, with the Nor-Cal Center for Deafness, animatedly signed a Christmas story as interpreter Serena Smith translated the signs into speech.
When Santa strode into the room, the hearing students cheered, while the deaf students signed their appreciation.
As the youngsters climbed on Santa's knee, many carrying lists, Kaminski watched as they made their requests in sign language. From time to time he would sign back a question or just signal his acknowledgment.
Tina Ortega of Chico watched as her daughter Brianne waited to speak to Santa. Brianne, who is 3 and a half, attends the preschool program for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Ortega, who has two hearing sons who attend Durham Elementary School, praised the program that brings deaf and hearing children together in the same classes.
The mother, who is learning to sign and hopes to become an interpreter, said the school and the Durham community have been accepting of the deaf and hard-of-hearing kids.
"We feel like we are family," she said.
Donica O'Laughlin, who teaches Zoya's class, said the mix of students has been good for all those involved.
O'Laughlin said the kids have become more attuned to each other by having Zoya in the classroom.
"They play with her. If she can't sign what she wants, she takes them (her classmates) and shows them. She is very patient with them, and they are very patient with her," said the teacher.
