Protect West High's American Sign Language Program

Don’t cut the sign language program.

This should be in every school worldwide

SAVE. "ASL" IN SCHOOLS

Spanish, Chinese, French, German are languages that have always been offered as a second language. It doesn’t take a lot to find someone to translate if the need arises. However, ASL is the complete opposite. The deaf community has an extreme need for people that can communicate with them, from grocery stores, restaurants, setting up utilities, bank accounts, all the way up to doctors. It’s heartbreaking, knowing that some of these people close themself off because of the lack of communication and the attitude towards them as if they are a burden. These people are not a burden and they deserve the basic right to enjoy life and be able to communicate in a way that they understand. I have worked in many industries one of those was managing a restaurant. I had an employee that learned ASL growing up because of his parents and when a deaf family came in he jumped in no questions asked. The look of relief and gratitude in this family was an amazing thing to watch. Imagine if at a doctors office or hospital when nerves and anxiety is at its peak to have a Doctor walk-in and be able to communicate directly with them. Honestly needing to have a petition go around in order to save this class is really inconceivable. This petition proves that these kids have such a passion to learn this and carry it into all of their future careers. Don’t take that away from them and don’t take that lifeline away from a community that desperately needs it.

Keep the ASL Program!

During a West High theater rehearsal last fall, a student felt unwell and signed her feelings to another student to get help. We should be encouraging all forms of communication and languages and this was a wonderful example of why sign language matters.

I benefited from four years of ASL during my tenure at WHS. I would be gutted to see my alms mater discontinue the teaching of this beautiful language and Deaf culture.

As a teacher of the deaf in NJ, I beg you to keep the ASL program going so more and more hearing individuals can learn my students' beautiful language.

Leave ASL alone ! We need it !

Heck yeah! ASL is the best!

Keep ASL, it is important to a lot of people.

As a teacher who works with Deaf and hard of hearing students, I know what a huge difference it makes when hearing people have any ASL knowledge. Offering ASL classes in high school helps to make our society more inclusive and accessible. I urge you to keep this class available!

I had attended Mrs. Polls class in 2019, not only is she a great teacher. But ASL has since helped me multiple time during certain interactions. When I took her class in 2019 I had no idea the importance of ASL. Graduated, now an adult. I see how useful AND important ASL is.

Bring it back in ALL schools!

Any and all ASL classes should not be cut! ASL is a wonderful language that is so special and provides incredible communication opportunities with the deaf community and culture.

We need to keep needs of students, close to home, where they are attending.

ASL is a visual language. Students learning this use a different part of their brain to process language through visual access, not auditory. It increases brain function!

ASL is so important, and should be an option at every school offering additional language classes. There is a HUGE lack of interpreters, and offering ASL courses could provide much needed access for the Deaf/HoH communities - even in hospital settings where it could literally be the difference in life and death. Public places including stores, restaurants, schools, community centers, gyms, etc rarely have the ability to properly communicate with the Deaf/HoH. The more people who learn ASL, the more people who can provide much needed access and services to these individuals. Not to mention the social benefit. I wish I would have had access to ASL classes in high school! I had multiple friends who were Deaf/HoH, and communication was a bit difficult. Many times we would pass notes but other times the HoH kids were stuck trying to interpret, which was wild since they utilized interpretation services themselves. I was one of two hearing kids who even bothered to make an effort. Providing ASL classes would allow an opportunity for Deaf/HoH and hearing individuals to interact and open the door for them to potentially create lasting friendships.

ASL is so important!!!

My son is deaf from birth. Sign language is his only means of communication. The more people who learn it, the better for him and the community. Sign language isn’t an option, but a lifeline.