GET INVOLVED
PTSA Meeting Schedule
| Date |
Location |
March 16, Tuesday
5:30 p.m. |
Russian Jack staff lounge |
March 16, Tuesday
6:30 p.m. |
Russian Jack staff lounge
Parent signing workshop* |
April 13, Tuesday
5:30 p.m. |
Russian Jack staff lounge |
April 17, Saturday
7 - 10 p.m. |
East High School
Annual Deaf Jam |
May 11, Tuesday
5:30 p.m. |
Russian Jack staff lounge |
| *Light refreshments will be served. This workshop is geared for high school and middle school students and their parents. |
Communication: Staying in touch
ASSDHH NEWSLETTER
Our school newsletter is sent out to all staff, students, and parents. It is also shared with the community at large when posted online.
OTTER NEWS
Our weekly e-mail message is sent out to all staff from the director to keep everyone in the loop regarding events, meetings and newsy information pertaining to ASSDHH and the deaf community.
PARENT/FAMILY SIGN CLASSES
Sign language classes are available during the school year to all parents and family members of students attending our school. The provision of these classes and (free) childcare is dependent on federal funding which varies year to year.  Schedule of free classes (PDF)
PARENT WORKSHOPS
The ASSDHH counselors and other staff throughout the school year will offer parent workshops focusing on a particular topic. The topic will be determined by need as suggested by families and staff.
Parent-Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA)
 ASSDHH's PTSA has been an active organization for many years. Through this association, there is a back-to-school picnic, a winter celebration and a spring social. In addition, the PTSA hosts the annual Deaf Jam, a charity-themed basketball event at East High School.
Support is also given to teachers for academic and social enrichment via field trips or classroom projects (food, materials or transportation). The most current list of PTSA officers are on the ASSDHH Web site. PTSA meeting are held on the second Tuesday of the month at Russian Jack Elementary. For more information, please contact Madeline Decter.
Deaf Culture and Cultural Enrichment at ASSDHH |
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Academic Bowl
Gallaudet University hosts the Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students each year with the goal of promoting academic competition among high school teams attending state schools for the deaf, or local neighborhood school programs. The winners from each region will attend the national event at Gallaudet for the final competition. (Dates, see who, where held, etc.)
Artist in Residence
Every year ASSDHH hosts a Deaf or Hard of Hearing 'Artist in Residence' for one week. The artist works daily with our students and staff, culminating in a final day of theatrical performances for parents and community. Past artists include Chuck Baird, Rosa Lee Gallimore, and Russell Harvard. View a video blog of Russell working with deaf and hard of hearing at Texas School for the Deaf as they staged the musical Grease.
ASSDHH Annual Deaf Retreat
This retreat takes place every fall and spring. Students who are in middle school and high school that experience hearing loss are eligible to attend the retreat for cultural awareness in an educational setting. This is an outdoor classroom opportunity that takes place within the Anchorage bow.
Junior National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing high school students are eligible for membership in Jr. NAD. Members serve as officers and through many activities, learn to develop the skills needed to become future leaders. |
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Marie Jean Phillips Competition
This is an annual competition where students from all grade levels can showcase their talents in poetry, story telling, music interpretation, or deaf art - all using ASL as the main medium.
Summer Camps for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Our students can apply for scholarships to attend Camp Taloali in Oregon, or the National Leadership and Literacy Camp (Camp Lakodia) in South Dakota. Both camps foster intellectual, personal, and leadership growth for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Camp Aurora, Birchwood, AK, June 1 - 10*
The ASSDHH Parent-Student-Teacher-Association (PTSA), the Alaska Deaf Council, Jr. NAD and ASSDHH have donated scholarships. In addition, there is the Alaska summer camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Camp Aurora, that is run by the ARC of Anchorage.
ASSDHH Drum Song
The Drum Song was created by our students and Deaf artist, Russell Harvard, during his artist in residence in 2008. This song is used during special performances, rallies, and community gatherings.
Deafness Awareness Week
Check the Deaf Awareness Week Web site for more information.
Teen Avatar Signing Project
Teens take you on a trip through New York City College's creative computing lab where they have created their personal signing avatar. |
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History of ASSDHH
 Prior to 1972, deaf children in Alaska were either sent outside to residential schools in the western part of the United States or kept in their home schools with little to no support. This changed when the state Department of Education in collaboration with Anchorage School District established and funded the Alaska State Program for the Deaf (ASPD). A committee was formed to address concerns about the lack of Alaska-based educational opportunities for deaf children. This committee evolved into the Alaska Advisory Board for the Education of Deaf and Hard of hearing Students.
Earlier operational sites have included Susitna Elementary, Central Middle School of Science, Whaley (for Kindergarten), Romig Middle School and West High School. An oral emphasis class was at Aurora Elementary. In 1975, elementary classes for ASSDHH started at Russian Jack. Clark Middle School and East High were added in 1992, and Hanshew Middle School in 2002.
The infant-learning program was formerly operated by ASSDHH between 1980 and 2002.
The student living center residences were operated by ASSDHH between 1984 - 1996. The ARC of Anchorage now administers the SLC. Prior to 1984, students were placed in foster care.
The name of the school was changed over the years. Between 1972- 1987: Alaska State Program for the Deaf. 1987 - 1995: Alaska State School for the Deaf. 1995 - present: Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The current name change came about to reflect the inclusion of hard of hearing children in its student body.
Funding for the school comes from the Anchorage School District (General Fund), and the Department of Education and Early Development (State and Federal Grants). ASD funds salaries for teachers, teacher assistants, and interpreters as well as employee benefits. The total funding from ASD is over 2 million dollars per year, plus in-kind services (building usage, other classes, extra curricular access, etc.) while funding from DEED averages $420K per year. this pays for office salaries/benefits, teacher materials, training and expenses for EIPA administration. |
