Student life
At Alabama School for the Deaf, there's as much going on
after school as there is during school hours. And it's all about
learning. The residential aspect of ASD is a major factor in helping our
students learn how to respect themselves, their peers and their
community. For some students, it's the first time they've spent much
time at all with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They learn that
they are just as able as anyone else. It may be the first time students
have much contact with adults who are deaf or hard of hearing too -- so
they begin to learn what they can dream about, what goals they can
achieve.
In the process of all this learning, they are playing on
the playground, swimming, skating, bowling, doing arts and crafts. They
may be making a trip to the Hackney Play Therapy Center on the Helen
Keller School campus, where they can crawl through tunnels and wiggle
through obstacles or play in a big pit filled with brightly colored
plastic balls. This center is a physical therapy facility, but it’s so
much fun going through the mazes and slides and playing in the ball pit,
our youngest students go there just to play.
Positive peer groups meet to encourage students to work
together. Outdoor gardening skills can be explored with a small group of
friends. Big Brothers, Big Sisters are active on campus. Dorm
activities include weight lifting and walking, and informal talks on
topics like social issues and jobs are available. A friendly competition
between different dorms called "Dorm Wars" lets students collect points
for grades and behavior to win big prizes and trophies after school.
Each dorm celebrates birthdays and other special occasions.. Dances,
field trips and activities fill up the afternoons, with at least an hour
every evening reserved for homework and study.
Clubs and activities build leadership skills and nurture
the beginnings of lifelong friendships. The Space Explorers Club,
Scouting for girls and boys, Junior National Association of the Deaf,
Student Body Government, Junior Beta Club, Big Brother/Big Sister, Beta
Club and class organizations address just about any interest a student
might have.
Just across the street from the ASD campus is default.aspx/?Page=2cccf044-49f1-42ec-92a9-d3df5d59e34c">Hawkins Chapel,
an interdenominational chapel for students from all four AIDB
campuses. ASD students can attend Sunday School classes and worship
services. ASL is used during services. Some ASD students attend other
churches in Talladega. Many area churches have interpreters for deaf
worshipers, since there are a lot of people who are deaf living here.