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The Scranton State School for the Deaf is enviously nestled on nine acres of land in the secure, stately Green Ridge neighborhood of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Students enjoy the safe atmosphere coupled with the cultural advantages of proximity to nearby urban areas. For four days per week the dormitories become the students' home, the staff and dorm-mates their local family. Communication is free-flowing in American Sign Language making everyone an integral part of the environment.
The school operates a full-time academic program for day and residential students from Mondays through Fridays. Just like their academic program a student's residential program at SSSD is determined by the details of their Individual Education Plan (IEP). An IEP is developed for each student by his/her family in collaboration with his/her local school district and SSSD. Students residing in the dormitory program are typically between the ages of five and twenty-one. Five residential areas, and an independent living apartment, allow placement based on age and the student's ever-developing independent living skills. Each area is supervised by residential counselors and their supervisors. When a student's personal needs or distance from school warrant it, a residential program is incorporated into their program at SSSD.
Honestly? Yes, and no. Some of the answer depends on your home. Do you have nine acres of trees and rolling hills, a store across the street, a safe neighborhood, a gym and playground for your use, elevators to make access easy, someone to help with homework, teach you new signs, make things ready for holiday celebrations, and a newly redecorated family room? Residential living comes with some big advantages. And, if we are honest, a few disadvantages. If that sounds pretty normal, it is.
Advantages include free-flowing signed communication, large screen, captioned t.v., a mini- movie theater in your basement next to the vibrating dance floor in the snack bar, nutritious meals prepared for you three times a day, daily contact with Deaf friends and Deaf adults, field trips, Student body government experiences, clearly defined privileges and consequences, a quiet hour for homework, help to do that homework, a reading room and computer access, TTY telephones and closed captioning, a campus on which to walk, play and grow, the easy opportunity to participate in after school sports. Is it any wonder day students often request permission to stay over?
Living in small groups does pose a disadvantage or two. There are expectations of behavior agreed upon by the student, parents and residence counselors. There are a few expected rules of hygiene and eating. You may have to wait a turn at a game, computer, telephone or t.v. You are expected to check-in with an adult, show up for meals and make your bed. You may be sharing a room with others. If that sounds pretty normal, it is.
We expect and foster a close relationship between a student and the school, a child and their home and the adults who provide their care in both places. Parents are welcome to call and visit. Dropping in is fine, parents are always welcome. Because off-campus activities are common you may want to check that your child will be "at home" when you plan to arrive, rather than off on a trip to an exciting adventure that evening. Telephone communication is available by TTY for students. The relay service has almost eliminated our need to provide an interpreter for school to home calls but we will be happy to help you if you need help. Close communication between home and school and dorm is our goal. Students receive all services of SSSD without charge. But, just like at home, students do need some spending money for the fun activities of after school life. A reasonable allowance is up to you. The staff will help your child manage their money, if necessary. The snack bar, corner store, trips to the mall, bowling, skating, skiing, trips to shows require some support from home. Your child's dorm counselor will help work out a plan for these activities.
New programs to help students handle our increasingly complex world include a very involved student body government, a peer counseling program and psychological support staff on hand after school hours. Parents area part of the overall program. Although different from the academic program, the residential program also provides parents with updates on how their child is doing as a residential student at SSSD.
Visitors are always welcome at the Scranton State School for the Deaf. Take Exit 55 ( Blakely Street) off Route 81. Travel southwest on Blakely Street to Drinker Street (three lights if you came from the south, two if you came from the northt). Turn right onto Drinker Street, which will merge with Electric Street, and go to the traffic light at the corner of North Washington Avenue. Turn righ onto North Washington and the campus entrance will be on your right. Follow campus building signs to your location. The residence halls are at the top in the driveway hill--follow the ramp to the glass doors for easiest access to the dorms.
Further information regarding enrollment or services offered by SSSD can be obtained by contacting: