NYSSD Residential Life - Dormitory
The residential program at the New York State School for
the Deaf provides the best possible care for our students coupled
with wholesome, constructive and fun activities. Approximately 65% of the
students at NYSSD are residential, living on campus in the dormitory four
nights per week and returning home on weekends.
There is one dormitory building, which is divided into five departments: elementary boys, secondary boys, elementary girls, secondary girls and the daily living skills program. Student placement within each department is determined according to age, maturity level and individual student need.
The secondary program offers an apartment skills training program to assist students in acquiring the necessary independent living skills they will need to successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. Students learn skills such as time and money management, menu planning, shopping and cooking skills. While striving toward independence, students remain closely supervised by the residential staff during their participation in this program.
NYSSD maintains an outstanding professional residential staff who is experienced working with deaf and hard of hearing students. The residential staff are trained to work with a diverse student population including those who have visual impairments, learning disabilities, behavior management needs as well as those who are multiply handicapped. NYSSD staff members utilize a philosophy of Total Communication to ensure that communication in the residential setting is comfortable, effective and meets the individual needs of each student.
Our facility is fully equipped with a modern computer lab that is connected to a school-wide network system as well as the Internet. Closed- captioned televisions and telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) are provided in each department.
Exercise and recreation are vital to the residential program. Each week, as part of their recreational activities, students take advantage of our spacious 17-acre campus by utilizing the athletic fields, the complete gymnasium facility with a full basketball court, wellness center, and weightlifting room as well as an indoor swimming pool. The residential program is fortunate to also have a full time Recreational Therapist on staff to direct various after-class activities. In addition to our recreational activities, the residential program offers after-school and evening library/tutorial programs offering students one-on-one tutorial assistance in all academic subject areas. NYSSD students are also afforded the opportunity to participate in numerous off-campus activities integrated with students from local public schools.
For additional Information regarding the residential program, please contact one of our Residential Supervisors:
Secondary Program – Marty Gorski martin.gorski@nysed.gov