American Sign Language and Russian School for Deaf Collaborate

St. Petersburg, Russia, School 20

In November 2004, CISNY Educational Consultant Stephen Menchini visited School 20, a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the Petrograd section of St. Petersburg.  Motivated by the Makhachkala tragedy, Mr. Menchini met with School 20's administrators and parents, as well as ministers from the Education Department. 

A lesson for deaf and hearing impaired students at School 20 classroom.

Through these meetings and the support of CISNY, Mr. Menchini established a partnership between School 20 and a New York City public school, the American Sign Language & English School.  The partnership enables both schools to begin pen pal and exchange programs.

Mr. Menchini spent three days visiting School 20, where he met Principal Vinogradova Lrisa Arkadievna. "The teachers, staff, administrators and students of School 20 were wonderful and hospitable," Mr. Menchini said.  "Visiting the school was a great privilege for me, and I left the school with a great appreciation for the work of the dedicated staff.  With limited resources, these teachers are demonstrating every day their commitment to the future of the 'new' Russia."

CISNY is proud to assist in forging this new relationship between School 20 and the American Sign Language & English School.

New York City children send letters to their peers in St. Petersburg, Russia

Students at work in the classrooms of School 20

In January 2004, 20 sixth-grade deaf and hard-of-hearing students from New York City's American Sign Language & English School composed letters to their pen pals at School 20 in St. Petersburg.   Students from New York University assisted the American students to translate their letters into basic Russian.

A few weeks later, the Russian students responded with letters of their own, translated into basic English.    CISNY expects to continue the program with a monthly exchange of letters.

In April 2004, Mr. Menchini will return to St. Petersburg with donated laptops to help the children compose their pen pal letters.  Volunteers in St. Petersburg will "Russify" the computers to facilitate the students' use of them.

The American Sign Language & English School

A student and mother pause for a picture in the J47 library.

Located at 225 East 23rd Street in Manhattan, the American Sign Language & English School (J47) aims to provide "an education of excellence" to its elementary and middle school students, as acknowledged in its Mission Statement.  In September 2004, J47 will open a brand-new high school with a similar mission.

In March 2003, J47 hosted the Gallaudet's 7th Annual National High School Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, a national competition for high school students.