The Best Choice for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing (DHOH) Students
“We want deaf children to embrace who they are and to develop their own identity. We want them to learn to love themselves and feel like they really have a place in this world.”
—Principal Pam Pritzker-Ridley
A UNIQUE “MAINSTREAM”OPTION FOR DHOH
In NYC, many deaf and hard-of-hearing children with cochlear implants and hearing aids mainstream at their neighborhood schools. These environments often lack adequate D/HOH services and knowledge. Plus, kids miss out on exposure to other D/HOH peers and role models; many never even meet another D/HOH person until adulthood.
Here at P.S. 347, we provide the best of all worlds: a DOE curriculum, plus a deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HOH) positive and knowledgeable environment. Students are thrilled—and relieved—to meet so many other classmates and adults just like them.
“As a social worker who is Deaf and has CIs, I think it’s important for the parents of deaf children to understand how critical it is for them to have deaf peers and adults as role models. P.S. 347 is a great place for kids to develop self confidence, a sense of Deaf culture, and their identity as a deaf person. I didn’t have that in my life.”
—Elise Brady, P.S. 347 Social Worker, 18 years
BILINGUAL ASL/ENGLISH
P.S. 347 is the perfect option for families who decide they want their child to learn American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language—while still having full access to English. We use a dual-language approach that incorporates both English and ASL. The classroom model is one with both a Hearing teacher and a Deaf teacher. This makes communication fully accessible for all.
“I’m a hearing parent of a deaf child with CIs. And what I would like for other families to know is that it’s okay to learn ASL. Your child can both speak and sign—one doesn’t inhibit the other. In fact, we found that ASL actually helped our daughter learn to spell and read in English.”
—Alana, parent
American Sign Language is its own complete visual language. It is not a derivative of English and follows its own rules and grammar. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes rather than the ears. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important roles in conveying information.
“My daughter has been learning ASL and that has opened her mind in a way that nothing else could have done.”
—Ana, parent
If your child has hearing differences, P.S. 347 offers one of the best learning environments in all of NYC. Our goal is to seamlessly provide complete accessibility and understanding in the least-restrictive setting. Our teachers and staff are experienced with D/HOH-friendly classroom practices and adept with hearing technology.
ACCESSIBILITY & SUPPORT
“We are so grateful that this school exists—for our daughter and for so many of the students here who would just be in their neighborhood school with no one who wears hearing devices, has an interpreter or even knows sign language. There’s no place like it.”
—Stacey, parent, PTA President
P.S. 347 has a designated DOE Hearing Education Services (HES) provider who works only with our D/HOH students. HES providers are licensed teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HOH). They provide assistance in auditory learning, speech-reading, receptive and expressive language development, and academic support using specialized techniques. They teach self-advocacy and provide instruction in the use and care of assistive technology. They also liaison with DOE audiologists who visit regularly.
We also fill a much-needed role in New York for hard-of-hearing (HOH) students. Because admission to State Deaf Schools is limited to students with profound hearing loss, those considered HOH are not eligible to attend. Here at
P.S. 347, we recognize that HOH students are also part of our community and need the same speech, language, and technical support. And we strongly believe they, too, benefit from having D/HOH peers and adults just like them
ASL is the third-most commonly used language in the United States after English and Spanish and the third-most studied foreign language among college students. It is the backbone of American Deaf Culture, which brings with it a long and rich history of storytelling, poetry, theater, and visual arts.
We know what D/HOH kids need, from world-class speech services to accessible seating arrangements to remote Roger microphones. Parents are amazed at the services we offer—and the comprehensive and caring support they don’t even have to request.
We have an experienced department of Speech and Language Pathologists; a skilled team of ASL interpreters who are incorporated into the classrooms; and ample assistance for families, including ASL classes and support groups.
“There’s beautiful access here—interpreters, speech therapists, deaf and hearing teachers who sign, deaf and hearing children who sign—all interacting together. Before we were alone. Here we are not alone.”
—Tanya, parent
SIBLINGS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
P.S. 347 is one of the only places where D/HOH students and their siblings are able to attend together. They can learn ASL and Deaf Culture as part of their school day.
All our classes provide Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) services; There are two teachers—a general education teacher and a special education teacher. They work together to adapt materials and modify instruction to make sure the entire class can participate.
In addition, class sizes are kept smaller than other public schools to minimize background noise, enable full visual access, and ensure each student gets the attention and support they need.
“My daughter is Deaf and my son is hearing, and they both attend P.S. 347. The school has really helped us become closer as a family. My son feels like he's part of his sister’s world and he's so proud of his signing—he helps teach all of us ASL!”
—Ryan, parent
DEAF IDENTITY
Deafness is a spectrum, not always defined by audiology reports. We believe there is no right or wrong way to be deaf. We have no agenda. We respect every student's identity and allow it time and space to evolve, whether that be “deaf,” “Deaf,” or “hard-of-hearing.” We also respect every student’s choice in how they communicate, whether it be speech, sign, or a combination. All are valid and have a place here.
(If this is new information, you can read more about these labels here).
“I was proud of myself for being able to function like a hearing person in a hearing world. I could blend in. But something was missing. As an adult, that lead me to start searching for other deaf people like me—and they welcomed me with open arms. I felt like this is what was missing my whole life.”
—Principal David Thacker Bowell
