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Our Program Vision
In their future, Como Elementary D/HH Program students will
communicate effectively, act cooperatively and regard others
respectfully. They will be able to problem-solve and make
informed decisions, and will take responsibility for their own
actions.
They will know and understand their culture and language
and will have competent literacy skills, gaining information
through reading and appreciating literature. They will be
self-supporting, care for themselves appropriately, make positive
contributions to society and be good self-advocates; they will
value themselves and have a positive self-concept.
Our Program Philosophy
The Como Elementary Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students recognizes and supports the importance of tailoring educational experiences to meet each child's unique needs. The program will assist each child in the development of a positive self-concept and identity within a diverse society that includes the Deaf Community. The program's communication philosophy includes the use of sign language, gestures, fingerspelling, listening, speech, and speechreading. The languages used include American Sign Language; sign-supported, spoken English; and printed English. The focus of this approach is to provide the child with an appropriate, efficient means to communicate and gain information.
Our Students
The Elementary D/HH Program consists of approximately fifty students, kindergarten through sixth grade. These students are residents of St. Paul, the metropolitan suburbs, or western Wisconsin. Nonresidents of St. Paul are required to pursue programming at Como through their district special education directors.
Assistive Technology
Our students have access to a wide range of technology including the following:
- Discourse labs for computer-assisted learning
- Classroom computers w/ Internet
- State-of-the Art amplification technology
- Technology-supported
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instruction
Program Options
Como Elementary D/HH Program has a full continuum of educational services. The following are options currently available:
- self-contained classroom with a teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students for academic instruction; may also include a team-teaching approach or reverse inclusion (hearing students joining D/HH students in their classrooms for activities, special events, etc.)
- small-group instruction from a teacher of D/HH students for most of the day; may include participation in a regular education classroom for some subjects
- part-time inclusion with academic support from a teacher of D/HH students in a resource room setting
- full-time inclusion with consultative/indirect service from a teacher of D/HH students
Parent Component
The Como Elementary D/HH Program recognizes that the student's parents are a vital part of his/her Child Study Team and strives to maximize parent involvement. Listed below are some of the options available to Como parents:
- sign language classes
- parent support/information groups
- consistent home/school communication
- family-focused learning events, including monthly Family Reading Nights
Other Program Services
In addition to instructional services from certified teachers of D/HH students, a student may be eligible for the following:
- Speech/Language therapy
- Developmental Adaptive Physical Education
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Vision assessment and service
- Student support groups or 1:1 counseling
- On-site audiological services
For more information about the Como Park Elementary Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, please contact:
Kathy Arnoldi, K-12 D/HH Resource
Como Park Elementary School
780 W. Wheelock Parkway
Saint Paul, MN 55117
(651) 293-8823
kathy.arnoldi@spps.org
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