Education
August 2, 2010
Newfoundland School for the Deaf to
Close
With no students attending the school in the coming
school year and no new enrolments projected for the next five years, the
Provincial Government today announced that the Newfoundland School for
the Deaf will close.
"Our government is committed to providing the best
possible educational opportunities to students who are deaf and hard of
hearing, just as we are for all students with special needs," said the
Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "The Newfoundland School
for the Deaf has served generations of deaf and hard of hearing students
in our province but the time has come for change. We have seen a major
shift in the last decade with new cochlear implant technology, in what
is considered to be the best way to deliver education to deaf and hard
of hearing students, and in parental choices to have children remain at
home with the necessary supports provided in school. This shift is
clearly reflected in enrolment at the school. Given these factors,
maintaining an empty school is not justifiable."
All 199 students who are deaf or hard of hearing in
the province are currently in the public school system. Twelve of these
students receive teaching services in their schools through teachers
employed with the Newfoundland School for the Deaf. These teachers will
now be transferred to Eastern School District and there will be no
impact or change on the supports for these students in the school
system. They will continue to access the same full range of services put
in place for them by the Provincial Government including special
education teachers, student assistants, assistive technology, alternate
format materials, American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters, teachers of
the deaf, Itinerant teachers of the deaf, and a departmental liaison.
"Students were offered the opportunity to move to
community schools and they each individually made the choice to do so,"
said Minister King. "They have full access to the same services and a
full range of courses and programs. In addition, they can avail of a
variety of extra-curricular activities at their schools, which they
would not have had access to at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf,
given the small number of students. This change is consistent with our
inclusive education approach and is in the best interest of students'
academic and social development."
Four students currently live in the school's
residence. Where possible, these students will return to live in their
homes with full supports put in place by the school district. Students
who will remain in St. John's will still be provided residential service
with host families able to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL).
Initial discussions have occurred with parents and further meetings will
be taking place this week with families to explore options. The
Provincial Government has also appointed a departmental liaison to work
with the families to ensure a smooth transition.
"The school itself may be closed, however this does
not mean a reduction in services for deaf and hard of hearing students
in our province" said Minister King. "I want to assure deaf and hard of
hearing students currently in our school system and any student that may
require it in the future, that we will continue to provide all the
necessary services and supports to them in the school system so that
they can receive a quality education."
The closure will not result in the elimination of any
teaching positions. All teaching staff will be assumed by the Eastern
School District and all eight will be able to transfer their seniority
status. Other staff will be declared redundant and will be able to
exercise their rights under their respective collective agreements. Of
these, there are 12 permanent and 10 temporary employees with NAPE and
one employee position is half time with the Newfoundland and Labrador
Nurses' Union. There are also two management positions. The Department
of Education has implemented specific measures to ensure compliance with
respective collective agreements for the educational, administrative and
residential staff.
Minister King added, "Laying off employees is not
something we take lightly. The reality is that we cannot continue to
operate a school with no students."
Use of the building will be temporarily transferred to
the Eastern School District for the next three to five years. This will
ensure that the school facility can be integrated as a part of the
school district's infrastructure plan. Students from Paradise
temporarily attending the facility will continue to do so until the new
Paradise Elementary school is opened in early 2011.
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Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca
2010 08 02
2:05 p.m.