Director - Dr. Janet Dickinson CLICK HERE FOR
802-258-9521 (Voice) 2010-11 SCHOOL CALENDAR
866-863-5782 (VP)
email: jdickinson@vcdhh.org
Administrative Assistant - Peg Norris CLICK ON THE "IMAGE" TAB
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The Austine School for the Deaf opened its doors to deaf students in 1912 when Holton Hall, the original school building, was completed. For the next 40 years Austine was a single building until the Croker School building was constructed in 1952. Austine always served Vermont students but beginning in the early 1960's, students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts attended the Austine School. In the summer of 2006, Austine was visited by the Department of Education of New York and is now approved to serve New York students. Austine is a preK to12th grade program with a full range of support services and extracurricular activities for all ages.
The Elementary School serves students of preschool age though fifth grade. It provides a comprehensive developmentally appropriate and academically focused educational program. Incorporating the SPICE philosophy, which encompasses the social, physical, intellectual, communicative and emotional aspects of development. The program focuses on the whole child. The Elementary School promotes maximum progress for each student through the use of many Montessori methods and materials, the State of Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities and the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) curriculum framework. This multi-faceted approach results in a child-centered educational environment in which each child is encouraged to explore and discover the art of both independent and collaborative learning. The goal of the elementary school program is to develop within students a foundation of knowledge, communication proficiency, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills and the level of maturity necessary for a successful transition into the Middle School and beyond.
The Middle and High School years are educationally characterized by the provision of comprehensive programming designed to serve students in the sixth through twelfth grades. While continuing to focus upon the whole student, with high expectations and adherence to curricula based upon the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, the Middle and High School programs provide classes in the following core academic content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Health, Keyboarding and Physical Education. A number of electives are offered throughout these years as well.
The Austine High School academic program is housed at Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS). Our high school students and our teachers of the deaf use classroom space at BUHS. Our teachers teach the Core (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) classes. Students will mainstream as appropriate. Each morning the students are transported to BUHS at 7:30 and return to the Austine campus at 2:20 pm and finish their day (till 3:30) with elective courses (Deaf Studies, Yearbook). Austine maintains its identity separate from BUHS.
Separate student council forums for middle school and high school students address issues of interest and concern to the two different groups of students. These student councils plan events and activities for the respective groups while they learn how to participate in decision making, brainstorming and planning processes. They also learn about the parliamentary procedures, the art of compromise and the benefits of working as a team.
Austine offers a life skills education program for deaf students with additional disabilities. Students' classes generally offer a lower staff-to-student ratio and focus upon the development of functional academic and independent living skills. Instruction is based upon the Syracuse Community-Based Curriculum which meets the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Middle school students are given pre-vocational education in a variety of activities and instructional milieu. The High school program includes a work-study component in order to prepare students for life after graduation.
Career and Technical Education
The Austine School for the Deaf strives to prepare students for entry into college and careers by making learning relevant to everyday life. As mentioned above, classes and activities address the Vermont Frameworks of Standards and Learning Opportunities, Personal Development Standards are the focus of career and technology education. Opportunities for learning occur through a Senior Life Skills class, a Business Education class, work-based learning, technical education and support services, vocational assessments and transition planning.
High school students can apply to the Windham Regional Career Center (WRCC) for technical education courses that promote the development of specific employment skills. Austine assists students with the process of applying for admission into the WRCC, provides interpreter services to make the courses accessible and offers tutoring related to the course work. The WRCC offers courses in approximately 16 different fields, some of which are: Performing Arts - dance or acting, Architectural Design/Drafting, Culinary Arts, Electronics and Fiber Optic Technology, Construction Trades, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Business Academy, Early Childhood Education and Medical/Human Resources.
Austine offers work-based learning opportunities to students through the Work-Study Program, which includes on-and off-campus work placements for students as specified on Individual Education Plans. Job coaching and interpreter services are provided as supports to students in the employment setting.
Vocational assessments are provided to assist students in choosing classes and identifying career interests while they are still in high school. Transition planning is conducted for all students age 14 or older.
Contact information:
Dr. Janet Dickinson, Director of The Austine School for the Deaf
1-802-258-9521
jdickinson@vcdhh.org
