Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis' Source for News and Information: Germantown-collierville
The Memphis Oral School for the Deaf is enhancing its visibility.
For decades, the school was tucked away on Jefferson in the Boling Center for Developmental Diseases in Memphis. Today, teachers and staff will welcome the students between birth and 6 years old into their new home along Poplar Avenue in Germantown.
"Where we were before, we didn't even have a sign anywhere, not even in a flower bed," said Teresa Schwartz, the school's executive director.
That won't be a problem now. The new school is part of the Kingsway Christian Church campus on the south side of Poplar near Brierbrook.
Its sign is on the side of the building facing Poplar, and its logo of silhouetted children holding hands sits above the entrance like part of a weather vane. The building's other entrance has a carrousel representing Subsidium, the nonprofit auxiliary that supports the school with, among other things, its annual Carrousel of Shoppes.
"It is such a wonderful place, and the best thing is, these kids deserve a facility like this," said Cary McAlexander, whose 3-year-old son, Walt, has been a student for two years.
The school, founded in 1958, was at the Boling Center for 21 years. "We were making do and doing great," Schwartz said.
While the relationship was good, the new facility will assist the school's mission of providing an educational foundation for hearing-impaired preschoolers.
The new building, which the school will occupy on a 50-year lease from the church, is part of a $2 million capital campaign.
Students today will find everything from acoustically engineered testing rooms with better equipment to lower bathroom fixtures suitable for youngsters.
There's even a kitchen for children to learn through baking.
"We want them to be better learners and listeners by the time they leave to go to their mainstream schools," Schwartz said.
McAlexander drives Walt to the school daily from Jonesboro, Ark. The move to Germantown will add at least 30 minutes to the commute.
"It's so good and has helped him so much, he has to be there," McAlexander said. "Because of the school and staff, Walt is talking. It's a true miracle.
The church also will benefit by having meeting space for members, such as the youth programs and the ladies auxiliary. The school is an extension of the church's work.
"It's a pretty emotional place for us right now," said Joseph Eubanks, Kingsway's transitional minister. "... When it comes to this beautiful building and this beautiful partnership, it comes down to the benefits for the kids."
The students will be greeted with balloons today. They will tour their new school, get a first-hand look at their future, and see what their new learning environment will be like.
"We will take them by the hand and show them around," Schwartz said. "It will be fun all day long because we will explore the campus and let them get acclimated."
The Memphis Oral School for the Deaf is enhancing its visibility.
For decades, the school was tucked away on Jefferson in the Boling Center for Developmental Diseases in Memphis. Today, teachers and staff will welcome the students between birth and 6 years old into their new home along Poplar Avenue in Germantown.
"Where we were before, we didn't even have a sign anywhere, not even in a flower bed," said Teresa Schwartz, the school's executive director.
That won't be a problem now. The new school is part of the Kingsway Christian Church campus on the south side of Poplar near Brierbrook.
Its sign is on the side of the building facing Poplar, and its logo of silhouetted children holding hands sits above the entrance like part of a weather vane. The building's other entrance has a carrousel representing Subsidium, the nonprofit auxiliary that supports the school with, among other things, its annual Carrousel of Shoppes.
"It is such a wonderful place, and the best thing is, these kids deserve a facility like this," said Cary McAlexander, whose 3-year-old son, Walt, has been a student for two years.
The school, founded in 1958, was at the Boling Center for 21 years. "We were making do and doing great," Schwartz said.
While the relationship was good, the new facility will assist the school's mission of providing an educational foundation for hearing-impaired preschoolers.
The new building, which the school will occupy on a 50-year lease from the church, is part of a $2 million capital campaign.
Students today will find everything from acoustically engineered testing rooms with better equipment to lower bathroom fixtures suitable for youngsters.
There's even a kitchen for children to learn through baking.
"We want them to be better learners and listeners by the time they leave to go to their mainstream schools," Schwartz said.
McAlexander drives Walt to the school daily from Jonesboro, Ark. The move to Germantown will add at least 30 minutes to the commute.
"It's so good and has helped him so much, he has to be there," McAlexander said. "Because of the school and staff, Walt is talking. It's a true miracle.
The church also will benefit by having meeting space for members, such as the youth programs and the ladies auxiliary. The school is an extension of the church's work.
"It's a pretty emotional place for us right now," said Joseph Eubanks, Kingsway's transitional minister. "... When it comes to this beautiful building and this beautiful partnership, it comes down to the benefits for the kids."
The students will be greeted with balloons today. They will tour their new school, get a first-hand look at their future, and see what their new learning environment will be like.
"We will take them by the hand and show them around," Schwartz said. "It will be fun all day long because we will explore the campus and let them get acclimated."