A group of students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing attended a get-together at Dutchess BOCES recently to meet each other, play games, have snacks and to learn more about Deaf culture.
The six students, in grades 6-9, met at the new conference center thanks to the work of Melanie Gates, Amie Fredericks and Kristy Smith, all itinerant teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing with Dutchess BOCES. The teachers all travel from school district to school district providing students services in their home districts. 
This is the second gathering of its kind, Gates said, explaining that the first one took place in 2019 with high school students before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“The goal was to create a social opportunity for students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing who are mainstreamed in their home district and don’t see other students with hearing loss so it is kind of isolating,” said Gates, who has been with BOCES since September 2012.
Students got to know each playing Two Truths and a Lie, doing a variety of crafts, playing some games and, of course, eating snacks before a presentation on Deaf culture. The event ran from about 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“We want them to know they are part of something outside of the local community. We wanted them to be aware of the Deaf community to help build their identities,” she said.
The Deaf community has its own, unique social norms. For example, it is acceptable for a person who is deaf to walk into a room to get someone’s attention, stomp their foot on the floor when entering or flash the lights.
Gates said the students had a good time and by the time snacks were served, they were having conversations.
Gates and the other teachers are planning to hold these gatherings several times a year, perhaps once a quarter, next year.