NMSD Annual Report 2021-2022

Our Vision, Mission & Beliefs

Vision

Children and students in New Mexico who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing will become lifelong learners and contributing, well-rounded successful individuals in an increasingly global society.

Mission

The mission of the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD), New Mexico’s first public school, is to provide for the unique needs of children and students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, their families, and professional partners by providing a comprehensive array of school and statewide programs.

As a school, NMSD provides an American Sign Language and English bilingual learning environment that includes direct, ongoing access to language and communication in and out of the classroom with a wide range of peers and adults. The students are interactive learners who receive dynamic high quality standards-based instruction in a variety of curricular and extra-curricular activities.

As a statewide service agency, NMSD collaborates with families, school districts, agencies and communities throughout the state to meet the critical language, communication, and learning needs of children and students in New Mexico who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, birth through high school.

A Message from our Superintendent & Board President

Dear NMSD Community and Friends,

I am proud to present our Annual Report. During my first year as Superintendent, we moved toward normal operations although some programs shifted to remote briefly due to Covid-19. While we were proud of our students for seamlessly making the switch, students of all ages were upset and told us in no uncertain terms that in-person learning works best for them. Remote schooling is not appropriate for many Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students and this fact cements why NMSD’s center-based programs are a valuable and critical state resource. NMSD also remained committed to our statewide supports ensuring those remaining in their communities received quality services.

In addition to developing academic skills, the pandemic highlighted the importance of social-emotional wellbeing. Children must experience deep human connections rooted in full access to language. In 1913, George Veditz, then President of the National Association of the Deaf, said, “It is my hope that we will all love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.” Since then, there have been significant advances in listening and speaking technology and research on signed and spoken language bilingualism. Research shows that children benefit most when they are immersed in the wealth of all available language and communication tools through both spoken and signed languages. Armed with this knowledge, NMSD remains committed to supporting spoken and signed languages in language-rich environments appropriate and individualized for each child.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our services. Providing critical programs to New Mexico’s D/HH children would not be possible without the support of the Governor’s Office, Cabinet, Legislature, NMSD’s Board of Regents, and our Community.

Best regards,

Dr. Jennifer Herbold, Superintendent

Dear NMSD Community and Friends,

New school years always provide an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the past year. This Annual Report provides the perfect opportunity for us to do just that.

The pandemic continued to present challenges in a number of operational areas, but none that were not effectively addressed by the talented and dedicated staff. Our new superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Herbold, kept the safety and needs of students and families at the forefront when making decisions, and she successfully shepherded the school through the second year of the continuing pandemic.

Even with the on-going challenges of the pandemic, students and families continued to receive quality services and much was accomplished. As you read through this Annual Report, you will learn about the accomplishments of the wide array of programs and services provided throughout the state of New Mexico to infants, toddlers, children, youth, and young adults who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and their families and communities.

NMSD is a state treasure with a proud legacy. We appreciate the continued support from the Governor, State Legislature, and HED that allows us to continue providing the highest quality services possible. We are looking forward to another year of great things for the Deaf community in New Mexico!

Best regards,

Lynann Barbero, President of the Board of Regents

FAMILIES CAMPUSES

EIDS (Early Intervention):

Statewide Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C early intervention services that include but are not limited to evaluation / assessment, early language and cognitive development, and Deaf Mentor services.

2021-2022 259 children

CECT (Statewide Educational Outreach):

Our team engages with families directly and in collaboration with their child’s school programs. Staff attend IEP meetings and provide ASL services, learning and social events.

2021-2022 - Programming and supports offered to all of the families of students served within their local school district.

INSTRUCTION:

Preschool Locations: Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe K-12: Santa Fe

Accredited Academic Instruction provided along with a wide range of Support Services.

Instruction follows standards, guidelines and requirements put forth by the New Mexico Public Education Department with the addition of classes specifically geared for Deaf/Hard of Hearing children.

On the Santa Fe campus, this also includes:

• Residential Services

• Student Organizations

• After-school Activities

• Athletics

2021-2022 183 children

DISTRICTS COMMUNITIES

CECT (Statewide Educational Outreach):

Customized services for students attending public and charter schools provided. The services include but are not limited to the following:

• ASL interpreter training/mentoring

• Spoken language supports, training/ consultation for SLPs

• IEP attendance and consultation on the addendum for D/HH children

• Instructional guidance, student observations, ASL instruction and professional development for teachers

• Student evaluations as appropriate 2021-2022 250 children

EIDS (Early Intervention):

• Provides follow-up support for Children’s Medical Services to ensure that timely services are delivered for the 23,000 newborns screened in New Mexico each year

• Provides hearing screening trainings to ECECD FIT agencies enabling them to screen over 15,000 IDEA Part C children per year

• Collaborates with higher education institutions on research and training

• Provides short-term consultation to 275+ children/families per year transitioning into other community services

• Provides representation on the Interagency Coordinating Council for children with special needs

CECT (Statewide Educational Outreach):

NMSD provides additional consultation and supports to nationwide and statewide agencies on topics relevant to Deaf/Hard of Hearing children and adults.

NMSD serves as the only comprehensive and directly accessible hub in the state for the New Mexico Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community to participate in or attend activities and events such as performing arts, athletic programs, and academic competitions.

NMSD is also the largest employer of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals including those with additional disabilities in the state.

NMSD Children & Students Served Statewide in 31 Counties

Instruction 2021 – 2022: 183

Santa Fe: Preschool to 12th Grade; Preschools: Albuquerque, Farmington & Las Cruces

Early Intervention 2021 – 2022: 259

Home visiting services for children ages birth - six

Outreach 2021 – 2022: 250

Support to school districts and families

Total Served 2021 – 2022: 692* *727 services provided. 35 students served by both Early Intervention and our Preschools

Statewide Early Intervention & Developmental Services

Since early intervention has been shown to lead to positive outcomes, our NMSD professional early intervention staff live and work in communities throughout New Mexico. They offer guidance and expertise where needed - truly “boots on the ground” all over the state. Whether through twice a week home visits to families or helping communities develop resources to enable early identification of hearing differences; their outreach touches the lives of children and families in every county.

Some of the many ways NMSD Early Intervention has served families in New Mexico included:

• Direct services to 263 families with 5,263 home visits. Average yearly mileage traveled is around 255,000 miles.

• Consistent family-to-family events within regions

• Ongoing assessment to support families in making informed decisions for their child

• Short-term consultation to an additional 271 children and families

• Assistance to families in maximizing their home environment and daily routines to promote the development of language, listening, and thinking

Of the families served this year:

• 22% do not use English as their primary language

• 84% are at or below 138% of poverty

• 46% live in “highly rural” or “isolated” areas

• 23% of the families served are Native American

• 53% are Hispanic/Latino

It is impressive that children with early-identified hearing loss who receive consistent early intervention services from NMSD maintain a typical developmental trajectory at or above their peers. This is regardless of their background or social economic status.

Crucial statewide supports included:

• Procuring funding and developing infrastructure for the first sustainable tele-audiology program in New Mexico. Distance diagnosis is critical for such a rural state. Several other sites in underserved areas around the state are in conversation at present.

• Partnering with CMS to ensure that none of the 23,000 newborns screened in New Mexico each year are missed and that timely services are delivered

• Providing hearing screening training to ECECD FIT agencies, enabling them to screen over 15,000 IDEA Part C children per year.

• Conducting more than 2,400 hearing screenings at Child Finds and Health Fairs throughout New Mexico

• Collaborating with higher education institutions on research and training

Statewide Center for Educational Consultation & Training

While we were grateful that our statewide supports were increasingly available in-person this year, virtual engagement continued as needed or desired. Our multi-disciplinary team worked with school district staff, administrators, and families through Individual Education Plan (IEP) attendance, school-based observations, demonstration lessons, and program or student-specific workshops/trainings. We also provided American Sign Language (ASL) services via ASL tutoring and ASL instruction statewide.

Educational Consultation

Educational Consultants were happy to resume in-person visits, while continuing to use virtual technology whenever necessary. We also began providing joint consultation with colleagues for additional insights and expertise during virtual consultation and select school visits.

• 854 school/district consultations (327 with Administrators/525 with Staff)

• 137 IEP meetings attended

• 486 family consultations

K-12 Interpreting Consultation

Thanks to our Educational Interpreting Consultant, interpreters working in public and charter schools had many opportunities for professional development and support, both virtually and in-person.

• 263 consultation hours, 122 mentoring hours, 45 administrator support hours, 24 workshops/event hours

• 9 school districts served

• 9.5 hours of CEUs provided

• Training Topics Developed: Leadership and K-12 Interpreting, Prosody, IEP Interpreting, Meeting Student Language-for-Learning Needs

Speech-Language Consultation

Speech-Language Pathologists and school teams all benefitted from engaging with our Speech-Language Consultant.

• 12 SLP consultations, 12 consultations with NMSD Educational Consultants, 38 email/phone consultations, 8 hours of school district training for SLPs (“Maximizing Hearing Levels for D/HH Students Who Use Spoken Language”)

• 11 school districts served

ASL Programming

ASL tutors supported family and school staff both virtually and in-person, improving communication in the home and school grounds.

• ASL Service Corps Tutors supported 43 D/HH students by working with their family members and/or school staff, growing ASL skills through 446 virtual sessions in 17 school districts and 163 virtual/home visits to 14 families.

• July 2021 Virtual ASL Immersion – 55 family members/23 public school staff

• 2021-2022 ASL Classes – 102 family members/37 public school staff

Early Childhood and Elementary

At NMSD, communication has always been our goal. To give students optimal access to language and learning, our school programs use a Bilingual (ASL and English) and Bimodal (Signed and Spoken) approach.

Our staff includes a variety of specialists such as audiologists, speech language pathologists (SLPs), language facilitators, licensed and trained teachers of the Deaf, educational assistants, fluent users of ASL and Deaf professionals.

Early Childhood

• Preschools continued to operate at our Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe locations.

• Inspired by Reggio Emilia principles for authentic hands-on learning, created an environment for language rich communication opportunities.

• 90% of children were enrolled in our preschools use cochlear implants, hearing aids, or BAHA devices.

• Spoken language and listening were supported by a variety of models responsive to each child such as Spoken Language classes and groups, individual speech language therapy, aural habilitation, and reading and writing.

• Verbalizing and Visualizing program (Lindamood-Bell) strategies were provided by trained teachers and support staff for early literacy.

• Persona Dolls ordered for ECE programs to support the Social Emotional learning needs of students and used during play, conflict resolution situations, and small group instruction.

• New STEAM classes were provided for PreK/Kindergarten students.

Elementary

• Curricular programming adheres to the New Mexico State Standards.

• Verbalizing and Visualizing program strategies was provided by trained teachers and support staff.

• Teachers participated in training sessions for Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). Full implementation expected for the 2022-2023 school year.

• Students in alternative curriculum classes participated in NM’s Center for Therapeutic Riding program which supported their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development.

• New STEAM classes were provided for Lower Elementary students as part of elective classes. Upper Elementary students participated in STEAM Fridays.

Middle School & High School

We were all delighted to finally go back to in-person instruction throughout the academic year! Additional changes include a new block schedule proposed by students. Teachers liked having longer classes to focus on instruction and experience more hands-on activities and projects.

Teachers allowed a transition period to help students adjust to being back in school full-time. This included reduced homework assignments, more time for conversations and relationship building as well as social-emotional development.

As NMSD followed the Department of Health and the Public Education Department’s Covid-19 guidelines, many teachers or students stayed home whenever health was a concern. Remote learning continued for students who had to quarantine for any length of time.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS):

We implemented the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) to ensure strong collaboration between the counseling team, teachers, and administrators. This includes a new reporting system in our Student Information System to keep better track of our students and related incident reports. Coaches support each department related to PBIS and teachers continue to participate in training sessions. Full implementation is expected for the 2022-2023 school year.

NMSD winners in the national writing and ASL competitions hosted by Gallaudet University:

• High School ASL Presentation: Chloe (Santa Fe), 2nd place

• High School ASL Presentation; Adrien (Santa Fe), Honorable Mention

• High School Poetry Writing: Tori (Albuquerque), 1st place

NMSD winner in the Rochester Institute of Technology’s SpiRIT Writing Contest

• High School Poetry Writing: Tori (Albuquerque), 1st place

Whole Child Support Team

NMSD’s Whole Child Support Team provides a comprehensive array of educational support services according to each child’s need including:

• Speech Language Therapy

• Audiology

• Occupational Therapy

Therapy Services

• Art Therapy

• Counseling

• Behavior Support

• 85% of NMSD students received at least one related service.

• Therapy services were provided in person and virtually.

• Student evaluations were conducted in person.

• Social Work

• Evaluations

• Occupational therapists implemented the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, schoolwide.

• Speech language pathologists trained with outside organizations to better improve evaluations and services provided to our students.

• Evaluation team members trained in administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule to help better identify students with Autism.

Audiology Services

• 61% of students across all campuses used hearing devices.

• Audiology equipment was sent home to improve students’ access to speech and spoken language during temporary classroom closures.

• Audiologists trained with outside organizations to improve student access to speech and spoken language services, as well as to improve evaluation techniques/logistics for younger students.

• Audiologists represented NMSD in initiatives, including Tele-Audiology, hosting UNMH Pediatric Residents in person tours as part of their developmental rotation, presentation to pediatricians in a rural medical center, and presentation to UNM Aural Rehabilitation class.

Health Center

• New Covid-19 procedures continued to be developed and maintained by the Health Center.

• The Health Center facilitated Covid-19 Vaccine clinics for students and families.

• Daily nursing services were provided during in-person learning.

• Staff CPR/First Aid training was taught by one of our nurses.

• A full-time nurse was hired for our Albuquerque Preschool.

Student Life

Residential Progam

We were all excited to return to residential housing on campus. Last year, we were able to reopen our cottages to all eligible students. Residential students enjoyed events and scaled-down activities. We continued to follow all CDC-recommended hygiene and safety protocols and made it through the year without any major outbreaks. Returning to the cottages was a joyful time for all!

Transportation

We provided transportation to a large majority of our students, with a total of ten daily and thirteen weekend routes. Our Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, and Espanola day students are transported to and from NMSD via suburban, buses, and the Rail Runner. Every Friday after school, our residential students rode home on NMSD buses to Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Artesia, Roswell, Gallup, Farmington, Clovis, Pie Town and other outlying communities. We also provided transportation means to statewide services. All in all, we drove enough miles to go to the moon and back and around the Earth at least once during the 2021-2022 fiscal year!

Nutrition Services

During the dining hall renovation, our Nutrition Services team used two cottages as their base for operations. We managed without our usual kitchen to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner - including bagged breakfast that students ate in their classrooms. We also had a contract with YouthWorks! to provide lunch and dinner. Nice weather meant students were able to enjoy lunch outdoors. All cottages became dining areas for lunch if the weather didn’t allow for al fresco dining. Although we managed to keep the food coming, we all look forward to the re-opening of our dining hall during Fall 2022!

Student Activities

Athletics

After a long pandemic pause, all NMSD sports were resumed for the 2021-2022 academic year. Safety was the main priority however, and all pandemic precautions remained in place as determined by the school Covid task force. The task force continually revisited and adjusted precautions to match circumstances.

Highlights of the Sports Year

• Football: Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Champions!

• Boys Basketball: Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Champions!

• Cheerleading: After a hiatus, we returned to competition.

• Rochester Institute of Technology Middle School Math Competition: Our team made it all the way to the semi-finals!

• Battle of the Books: NMSD qualified for the Nationals.

• Academic Bowl: NMSD placed in the top five of Regionals, as well as qualifying for the Nationals.

• Track and Field: Two students and the 4x100 relay team qualified for State events; and 8th grader Santiago (Los Lunas) medaled 5th in the 100m.

Student Organizations

Student Body Government (SBG) & Junior National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD)

Jr. NAD was busy lsat year! We hosted a food drive with goods donated to both the Food Depot and to St. Elizabeth Shelters & Supportive Housing. We also won a bid to host the National Jr. NAD Conference during the 2025-2026 school year. This was very exciting for all.

The SBG were responsible for Spirit Week and Field Day with teambuilding and other challenging activities. It was a good way to wrap up a wonderful 2021-2022 school year.

Class Events

The Class of 2022 hosted a “Trunk or Treat” event in the James A. Little Theater parking lot to celebrate Halloween. Various vehicles were decorated based on spooky themes. It was a successful and fun event with a good turnout from the NMSD community.

The Class of 2023 also hosted our annual Prom in May at a roller-skating rink. After the skating event, students returned to NMSD for a post party - it turned into a fun-filled night, and one that our class will never forget.

CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT

Belle & Cora Larson Dining Hall Renovation

NMSD was thankful to receive $5.3 million in Capital Outlay funds when the General Obligation Bond for Education passed in November of 2020. The funds were earmarked for planning, designing, renovating, equipping, and furnishing NMSD’s Dining Hall.

The current Dining Hall badly needed repairs due to health and safety concerns. The significant improvements to the dining hall included:

• Updated safety systems including the addition of a sprinkler system

• Asbestos abatement

• Electrical upgrades

• Enhanced lighting

• Renovated bathrooms

• Upgraded student dining area, along with new furniture

• State of the art kitchen food preparation spaces and more

The improvements also make possible instructional offerings that support the development of lifelong skills and college preparation through a new culinary arts classroom space within the dining hall’s renovated kitchen.

The space is also used for meetings, student and staff activities, as well as community events. As a residential program, we provide students with three meals a day.

The Dining Hall is now a Deaf/Hard of Hearing friendly space that adds a delicious enhancement to daily student experiences.

Financials

FY21 Unaudited Actuals to FY22 Budget

* Academic support includes the Early Intervention and Center for Educational Training and Consultation programs

Stained glass panes from Hester Hall

“The Early Intervention services from NMSD have been a tremendous blessing to us. We have learned so much about how to rally around Wes as a family as we begin our journey together.” ~ Danielle & Kyle Gardner

Accountability

Accreditation

NMSD holds Certificates of Accreditation from:

• Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD)

• Cognia, North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)

State Performance Measures

Target Result

Rate of transition to postsecondary education, vocational-technical training school, junior colleges, work training or employment for graduates based on a three-year rolling average 100% 84%

Percent of LEA (Local Education Agency) staff satisfied with educational services from the Center for Educational Consultation and Training (Statewide Outreach) 90% 98%

Percent of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings that address special factors of language and communication 95% 100%

Percent of students from grades K-12 with IEP goals in reading and/or math demonstrating progress as documented by quarterly IEP progress reports 90% Reading 93% Math 90%

Percent of first year signers who demonstrate improvement in American Sign Language based on Fall/Spring assessments 100% 100%

Percent of parents indicating that programs from the Center for Educational Consultation and Training (Statewide Outreach) have increased their ability to understand their child’s language and communication access needs 90% 100%

For NMSD’s Early Intervention Program, percentage of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C Early Intervention Performance Indicators that are met. (Performance indicators are outlined by the Office of Special Education Programs and adopted by the New Mexico Department of Health.) 95% 100%

“NMSD will always be close to my heart and I thank you for providing me with such excellent support while I was a student. I’m now attending New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) where I am pursuing a degree in nursing. The past several months have been a great experience and I’m grateful for the support NMHU is giving me also.”

~ Emily Begay, NMSD Class of 2022