Let deaf students keep their own school

Letters to the editor - I'd like to discuss an important issue regarding the potential closure of the Newfoundland School for the Deaf (NSD). Although the minister of education has denied this in a personal e-mail to me, I still have some concerns. My biggest concern is, there will be no deaf school provided for us and being forced to be mainstreamed. Another concern is high school students attending Gonzaga High for credit courses to graduate, while they could be earning them at NSD.

Families are forced to believe that their children are better off staying in their hometowns. Educationally, staying at home doesn't have its benefits. The children are most likely to receive low grades because the government cannot provide what they need, thus lowering their self esteem.

Mainstreamed kids are not getting everything that they deserve. There are approximately six qualified interpreters for the deaf in Newfoundland, or St. John's, serving around 400 students provincewide. Even though technology has advanced, it cannot complete the tasks of teaching a deaf child. Signing is a major part of a deaf child's education, which will be lost if NSD closes.

Everyone learns differently. Most hearing children are better in a regular classroom environment, while deaf and hard-of-hearing children are not. They need to be surrounded by others who are like them. Teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing kids must have a degree in deaf education. It's very different than a hearing child's curriculum. We do learn the same things; just by different methods that are not offered in hearing schools. The government doesn't want to understand that mainstreaming will have a terrible effect on us, and we will suffer because they simply are looking for ways to save money.

I implore you to join us in our fight for our education and future. The following is a poem I have written, entitled "Have you ever wondered?"

Have you ever wondered about life?

I have.

Sometimes when I lay down at night, I wonder.

I wonder what will happen.

When I wonder.

I see one thing.

A tomorrow.

A tomorrow full of lies and deceit.

A tomorrow where I won't be able to understand.

A tomorrow with so few opportunities.

A tomorrow where I would be alienated.

A tomorrow.

A tomorrow that is uncertain.

A tomorrow that those of power will benefit by stepping on others.

A tomorrow where others aren't worth it.

We aren't worth it.

We aren't worth the time and money.

We aren't worth acknowledging.

Have you ever wondered?

Kirsten Connors

St. John's