Holy Cross Hosts Events for Deaf Community

The Deaf Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross will hosts two events for the deaf community this weekend.  On Sunday, Sept. 25 from 6:15 – 9 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center Third Floor Lobby, a group of education, advocacy and human services professionals will discuss their experiences visiting the Bo’Ai School for the Deaf in China. On Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at Giguere Gymnastics (148 Main Street, Cherry Valley) , there will be an open house for the DEAFinitely Gymnastics program, a new gymnastics course for deaf children, organized by Holy Cross and Giguere Gymnastics.  Both events are free and open to the public.

“A Journey to Bo’Ai School for the Deaf in China,” will offer the opportunity to hear the stories of visits to the Bo’Ai School that were made by a Massachusetts delegation of professionals in the fields of deaf education, non-profit advocacy, and human services. As part of the presentation, there will be a live video chat with the deaf children from the Chinese school. There will be interpreters that translate Chinese Sign Language to American Sign Language and spoken Chinese to spoken English. Lights refreshments will be served. 

Please contact Judy Freedman Fask, director of the Deaf Studies Program, for additional information: 508 793-3344 (voice) or 508 762-1171 (videophone).

The DEAFinitely Gymnastics open house will offer the opportunity to learn about a six-week gymnastics course for deaf children, on Saturday afternoons from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Oct. 22 – Dec. 3. Instructor Kristen Morrissey, a student at Worcester State University who is taking all ASL classes at Holy Cross, is a certified USAG (USA Gymnastics) gymnastics instructor and will teach the class in ASL to give deaf children the opportunity to fully participate in the sport. The cost is $30 per child for all six weeks. 

For more information on DEAFinitely Gymnastics, contact: Chris Clark at 508-892-3797; Kristen Morrissey; or Judy Freedman Fask, director of the Deaf Studies Program at Holy Cross, at 508 793-3344 (voice) or 508 762-1171 (videophone).