Sign Language at Nyack HS; Closed Campus Continues

With the new school years come new academic initiatives, and is no exception. And though and an have prevented the high school from significantly expanding, a handful of new courses have been implemented.

The school is partnering with Rockland County to offer some advanced level courses, and the school is in its second year of a new program: American Sign Language.

"The program is being offered at Nyack High School as a foreign language elective," explained Christine Dardzinski, who teaches the class. "The classes are designed to teach the students American Sign Language and deaf culture. It is important to understand the deaf community and its history when learning ASL."

Dardzinski noted that American Sign Language is also recognized by many colleges across the country, and can often be used for collegiate credit.

"It is exciting teaching the students new signs and seeing them use the language in and out of class," she added. "They are always excited to tell me when they are signing with their friends and teaching them what they learned."

Closed campus continues

After a debate that , the high school's campus remains closed with a number of stipulations. They are:

9th grade: No students are permitted off campus. "There is a pretty broad landscape of campus where students can congregate during lunch, and they do so incredibly well," said principal Joseph Spero, noting alternatives.

10th grade: Students who meet eligibility criteria may leave campus beginning the second quarter.

11th grade: Those students who are eligible (based on the 2010-11 school year’s fourth quarter) granted permission slips in September.

12th grade: All seniors are eligible to walk off campus, pending signed permission slips.

Also: No eligible students are allowed off campus minus a permission slip, and no students are permitted to drive off campus.

Spero said students are adapting quickly. "I am beyond impressed with the way kids have handled the latest policy changes," he explained. I really see kids acknowledging this as a privilege, and in the past it was a right. I actually had student approach me and ask me, ‘How can I become eligible?’ When I talk to the kids, I get a sense that there is a shift and that’s important. I’m proud of our kids.”

"With regard to these major initiatives, we are the only district in Rockland County that had such an open approach, and there is a good balance at this point," Spero added.