April is Deaf History month.
April is Deaf History Month, so we invite Emmanuel folks to learn a bit about Maryland Schools for the Deaf.
And on April 16th, the congregation will sing and sign the Song “ Jesus LovesMe” . Please see the video below and Brian, our ASL interpreter, will guide us.
"Jesus Loves Me" in ASL
Summary History of Maryland Schools for the Deaf
After the Civil War, some States began to establish one separate school in the State for children who were deaf or blind. Maryland established its school in 1868 in the old Revolutionary War prisoner barracks in Frederick, Maryland, with 34 students from all over the State living there. The Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick is now a diverse, modern school serving over 500 students from preschool 3 to 12th grade, and many students reside in the dormitories during the week.
In 1872, following Jim Crow segregation by race, Maryland established a deaf school in a house in Baltimore for “Colored Deaf and Blind” students. This school operated until 1955 when Black students were integrated into the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, 12 years before Maryland integrated its other public schools.
In 1973, a school for deaf children in preschool 3 to 8th grade was established in Columbia, Maryland. It serves over 200 children now, and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
Take a look at some Students from Maryland School for the Deaf discussing the history in videos celebrating 150th Anniversary.