Board of Trustees | History | Admissions | School Calendar | | Whats New? | Parent Infant Program | Preschool Program | Elementary School | Junior High School | High School | Special Needs | Residential | Athletics | Support Services | Staff E-mail | Directions |
Schoolwide Event Calendar
Every student enrolled at the Scranton State School for the Deaf is unique. The one common bond shared by our students is that they all are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or require the teaching strategies utilized with Deaf students to achieve in school. Individuality is reflected in the development of each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Based on the needs demonstrated by the student a variety of related support services are available to the them. This impressive array of special services is distinctive in that they are provided by staff qualified in both their area of specialization and attuned to the unique aspects of persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In addition, as needs dictate, other specialized services may be contracted from area consultants to meet the needs of an individual student.
The school counselor interprets and provides information about the developmental needs of each student enrolled at SSSD through individual and group counseling. The school counselor consults with the student's family, support service to teachers, residential staff, as well as community resource personnel. The school counselor also facilitates students' personal growth and expands parent/child relations by working on the exchange of information to and from the parents. To facilitate each students' attainment of maximum potential in all areas of their lives is the counselor's goal.
The school psychologist is responsible for an array of related
services including:
psychological evaluation of intellectual function, visual-motor
skill levels, achievement, and behavior. These services may also
be contracted by school districts and Intermediate units.
coordinate the annual Stanford Achievement testing to monitor
students' academic growth.
coordinate services between school and other agencies as students
transition out of their years at SSSD
link students in need of Extended School Year programs (ESY) and
resources for them
As needed, provide individual and group therapy
serve as liaison with the school's contracted psychiatric services.
The Social Worker is responsible for coordinating services for SSSD students, and their families, with agencies in the community. The social worker acts as an advocate on deafness related issues including, but not limited to: contact with the Social Security offices, MH/MR Centers, welfare offices, and court situations within a student's home county. "Wrap-around services" coordination is the responsibiltiy of the social worker as is the transition plan following school for our multi-handicapped students.
As a family contact the Social Worker is instrumental in helping families understand the needs of their Deaf child. Support for the child within the structure of their family, where often they are the only deaf person, is provided through home visits, telephone contact and written communication between home and the social worker.
Although most students' emotional needs can be met without psychiatric intervention, the school contracts with a child psychiatrist to provide consultation and support in those instances where psychiatric diagnosis, need for medication and need for therapeutic recommendations are necessary. The psychiatrist works closely with other emotional support staff. Typically the psychiatrist does require an interpreter to ensure maximum accuracy in English to ASL communication.
S. A. P. Is a systematic process that exists to identify and support students at risk for drug and/or alcohol abuse, or areas of serious mental health concerns. Through the support of the Pennsylvania Drug Free Schools fund a 5 member SAP core team was trained to respond to referrals from staff, students, or parents. Once referred to SAP a student may receive needed support services from SSSD staff or through referral to agencies such as the Scranton Counseling Center, or the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. SAP is a referral method used to mobilize effective intervention by opening doors to services and expertise needed by students and their families.
Audiology is one of SSSD's support services that is available on a twelve month basis. A comprehansive audiologic program is available for infants through high school students. Audiology is provided as a related service to all SSSD students. An annual re-evaluation of hearing levels is provided as par tof the SSSD program. Additional services include repair and maintenance of student's personal amplification systems, hearing aid evaluation, instruction on the care and maintenance of hearing aids, parent information about hearing loss and hearing aids. The audiologist provides consultation on the incorporation of residual hearing in a student's overall communication program.
Testing at SSSD is focused on behavioral responses to sound through age-appropriate techniques including: Behavioral Observation Audiometry, Conditioned Visual Rasponse Audiometry, Conditioned Play Audiometry, and standard techniques. Impedance audiometry is part of the test battery as is computer analysis of hearing aids.
The SSSD audiology facility is an integral part of the early intervention system in northeast Pennsylvania. In addition to evaluation of enrolled students, referrals are accepted from area early intervention services, physicians, school districts, the health department and intermediate units. The audiologist presents programs to community agencies about hearing and hearing loss.
SSSD recognizes the importance of developing a student's ability to communicate by many modalities including signing, writing and speaking. The speech pathologists evaluate speech and other means of communication. Speech/language therapy may be provided to students in individual or small group sessions one or more times per week based on their needs as determined at the development of their IEP. Carryover of speech and auditory skills in situations beyond the therapy room requires that the family, student and staff all agree to incorporate speech as part of the student's communication goals.
The goal of speech therapy is to develop each student's auditory and speech skills to their maximum potential. Therapy focuses on intensive training in vocalization, articulation, rhythm of speech, as well as speech reading. Each person's therapy is highly individualized to meet his/her needs. Communication in career and life situations is emphasized through a experience- based format.
The speech pathologists work closely with classroom teachers and participate in speech and language evaluations of students not enrolled at SSSD based on referrals from other sources. The speech pathologists are members of the multidisciplinary staffing team.
SSSD has a fully accessible campus and welcomes application for admission for students' who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing who are also experiencing physical, mobility and sensory integration challenges. PT and OT are provided as needed. These services are provided by contract services with agencies employing pediatric physical and occupational therapists. Students requiring these therapies, as determined by medical referral, assessment and evaluation, will have the frequency and duration of the therapy incorporated into their IEP.
The pediatric physical therapist at SSSD specializes in movement development. Treatment programs are provided to improve overall quality and efficiency of movement. The occupational therapist enhances students ability to adapt and function in the school environment. This person also addresses functional needs and works cooperatively with the classroom teacher to meet educationally related goals
The vocational evaluator provides services to students enrolled in any Scranton State School for the Deaf program, concentrating heavily on middle and high school programs. The ultimate goal of vocational evaluation is to assist with career decision making. Students are assessed for specific worker traits and for their aptitudes toward specific jobs.
In the lower and middle school years, the vocational evaluator focuses on career awareness, developing decision-making skills, goal establishment and values clarification. Following assessment in the higher grades, students may participate in a work/study program or attend the Lackawanna County Technology Center if a vocational need is to be met. The latter program provides a half-day program in the mainstream Vo-Tech school with interpreters and other support staff services from SSSD. The remaining half of the day involves academic courses at SSSD. Students take part in many areas of training.
Vocational evaluation is available for non-SSSD students on a referral basis, and a fee schedule is available upon request for this service. Residential accommodations can be arranged for students during the evaluation period.
Medical needs of all SSSD students are the responsibility of the nursing staff. Registered nurses administer first aid to students and staff. In case of serious injury or illness, the nursing staff obtains the necessary treatment or consultation. Medical files are maintained for each student by the infirmary staff.
The nurses schedule and/or assist in sports and other mandatory physical examinations such as the students' ophthalmological examinations, the annual dental screening, and the annual otologic screening. In addition, they conduct the TB screening, scoliosis screening, charting heights and weights. They are responsible for bringing all Public Health Department school health programs to SSSD students.
The school's consulting physician provides the nursing staff with standing orders relating to treatment of minor illnesses. The infirmary staff notifies parents of any medical problem their child may have and any needs for follow-up care at home. Emergency medical care is available at a hospital less than five minutes from SSSD.
Additional information on these areas can be found in the technology and education brochures.
The heart of any school beats in its library, and the library at SSSD is no exception. A full range of library services for all levels of students is available on a regular daily basis. During the school year, High School students receive instruction in library science and can visit the library for exploration, instruction, research and pleasure.
Collections include a childrens' library, an extensive professional reference library on deafness, magazines, newsletters and periodicals on deaf culture and related topics, and an adult literacy collection. A special library of books used for classroom reading, whole language instruction is maintained too. Area professionals and family members of students who are deaf are welcome to use the resources provided by the library.
The media Center provides services to students, faculty, and staff by maintaining and distributing equipment for instruction and other SSSD functions, and by providing materials and assistance in the areas of computer technology, graphics, photography, video services, public awareness and event planning. The media specialist provdes SSSD's interface with the larger community through all media resources.
From the U.S. Interstate 81, Exit 55: follow directional signs at the end of the exit ramp toward Dunmore following Blakely Street to traffic light at Drinker Street. Turn right onto Drinker Street which merges with Electric Street. Proceed to second traffic light. At this intersecion, turn right onto North Washington Avenue, enter the main driveway on your right. Visitor parking is on your right.
Further information regarding enrollment or services offered by SSSD can be obtained by contacting: