Greetings,
Administration, faculty and staff are preparing for the phase-in of our third quarter, Hybrid Learning Plan. Beginning February 23rd, Ready to Learn, Preschool, Elementary and Special Needs students who select the Hybrid Plan will begin in-class instruction on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with remote instruction on Mondays and Fridays. Middle and High School students who select the Hybrid Plan will come back to campus in March.
While everyone is excited to have the students return to the building, we know there are concerns about safety. The school has updated its Re-entry Plan, which is posted on our website, based upon the most recent federal and state guidelines. The Administration and our School Safety Committee have been revising procedures to keep everyone safe and have created videos to help everyone understand our new safety measures.
I was thrilled to have US Senator Chuck Schumer and New York Assemblymember 34th District Jessica González-Rojas (pictured above) visit our campus this month. Because Lexington is a state-funded school, the support of our New York State legislators is vital. The 4201 Schools Association, comprised of New York's schools for students with low-incidence disabilities, actively advocates to make sure legislators are aware of our mission and provide equitable funding.
With wishes for health and safety,
Russell O. West
CEO/Superintendent
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Legislators Visit Lexington |
We were honored to host incoming NYS 34th District Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, and her team, on January 14th. During a walking tour of the school, we discussed the unique needs of our Deaf students and the goal of equality in funding for our 4201 Association Schools. The tour included the 4th floor Learning Skills classroom, the library, and preschool classrooms. We look forward to a wonderful partnership and hope Assemblymember González-Rojas will visit when the students are back in the building.
On Friday, January 15th, Assemblymember González-Rojas returned to Lexington with a very special guest, US Senator, and incoming Senate Majority Leader, Charles “Chuck” Schumer. It was a wonderful opportunity to explain the unique role that Lexington fulfills in educating Deaf students throughout New York City and Nassau County. Lexington thanks both Senator Schumer and Assemblymember González-Rojas for making time to visit the school and learn about our programs.
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(L-r): Russell O. West and Jessica González-Rojas admire Lexington's 150th Anniversary mural. |
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(L-r): Russell O. West, Amanda Heinbaugh, Senator Schumer, Assemblymember González-Rojas and Anthony Joseph tour the school.
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CEO/Superintendent Russell O. West, Principal Jane Moran, Supervisor Catrina Zowak, Community Relations Director Cindy Casson, interpreters Amanda Heinbaugh and Dorothy Corporan-Nieves and students Liliana Ramirez Aviles and Andrew Constantinescu represented Lexington at the 4201 Association's Virtual Advocacy Day on January 27th. The annual event, which usually takes place in Albany, was changed to a virtual format due to the pandemic. Advocacy Day provides 4201 schools with the opportunity to meet with NYS legislators to explain our mission and advocate for equitable funding. Legislative offices represented at this year's Advocacy Day included Senators Addabbo, Comrie and Gianaris and Assemblymembers Braunstein, Hyndman and Rajkumar. |
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The 4201 Association has created the #4201MaintainToSustain campaign to advocate for equitable funding and access to capital and operating funds for the 4201 member schools. Suzanne Chen, Lexington Board member, PSA President and mother of middle school student, Parker Chen, and high school senior Liliana Rameriz Aviles were featured in two of the videos. Click on the screenshots below to view the videos! |
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Telemental Health Services at Lexington |
Lexington Center for Mental Health Services has received approval from the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to offer Telemental Health services. With this approval, Lexington can offer confidential remote therapy and counseling services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals throughout New York State. According to Executive Director Adele Agin, “It has been a long process and we’re thrilled that OMH has granted us permanent certification to offer Telemental Health services. New York is a large state and it’s not easy to find good therapists who are fluent signers. With remote Telemental Health, Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have access to therapy and counseling services without leaving their homes.” The program accepts most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid. If you or someone you know needs counseling services, please contact the program at (718) 350-3143 or email mentalhealth@lexnyc.org. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
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Lexington’s Safety Committee, co-chaired by Carolyn Izsak, RN, and Jacque Fresolo, has created a series of short videos to help families and students understand the new COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols that are in place throughout the building. The videos include how to enter the building, the proper way to wear a mask, walking in the halls, and how to clean your computer. A warm hand wave to everyone who helped with the videos and a special thanks to Meggi Smith for her video expertise. Click here to see the videos in English! Click here to see the videos in Spanish!
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Jacque Fresolo demonstrates the proper way to wear a mask. |
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After a delay due to the pandemic, work has restarted on Lexington’s new TV studio classroom. The studio will provide an opportunity for students to learn and apply broadcast production techniques and is part of Lexington's commitment to STEAM education. Students will be exposed to all aspects of multimedia production including storytelling, script writing, technical directing, floor managing, camera operation, close captioning, lighting and digital editing. The project is funded by a $250,000 New York State Technology and Development (TAD) grant sponsored by former NYS Assemblyman Michael DenDekker and the NYS Assembly.
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A sneak peak inside the new control room for the TV studio classroom. |
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PPE Donation from Queens Chamber |
Lexington has received a $5,000 PPE/IPC microgrant from the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The grant, which was funded with support from New York-Presbyterian Queens, will be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE). Pictured in the photo (l-r): Thomas Grech, Queens Chamber Executive Director; Cindy Casson, Community Relations - Lexington; Carolyn Izsak, RN, Health Coordinator - Lexington; and Brendan Leavy, Queens Chamber Business Development Manager. |
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PBIS Counselors Provide Social-Emotional Support |
The Capitol building is one of the most important symbols of American democracy. So, when the Capitol was violently attacked on January 6th, Lexington’s PBIS Team sprang into action to offer social-emotional support to students. The team created and posted a vlog for high school and middle students and scheduled emergency support groups to help students process the event. The Team also provided resource links to help classroom teachers with discussions.
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Employees at the Bulova/Queens Home Depot Store #6844 surprised Lexington with an end-of-year donation of supplies for the school. The donation included four pop-up canopy tents and clothing racks and storage boxes for the drama club. Special thanks to store manager, Oscar Castro, assistant store manager, Nicole Mckoy, and supervisor Tavi Leroi for their efforts to secure this donation for Lexington. Pictured in photo (l-r): Nicole McKoy and Oscar Castro. |
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