Greetings,
What a year it has been! It was wonderful to attend all of the end of year celebrations and visit with our students and families in person. What a change from a year ago!
As I look back on the 2020-2021 Pandemic School Year, I see amazing progress, growth and accomplishments. Our faculty demonstrated flexibility by providing remote, in-person and hybrid learning. They incorporated new technology and educational apps to meet their students’ needs. Faculty and staff went the extra mile to help our students and families feel supported and comfortable about physically returning to school. We handled complex bus schedules, ordered PPE, maintained 400+ remote devices, and used Zoom instead of in-person meetings.
This pandemic tested all of us, including our administrators and supervisors, who displayed remarkable optimism, ingenuity, and bravery in leading their departments through uncharted waters. As I look back on the past fifteen months, I am amazed by the adaptability and resilience displayed by our Lexington family. I am truly proud to be one of you.
Looking forward to the 2021-2022 School Year,
Russell O. West
CEO/Superintendent
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Congratulations to the Class of 2021 |
The Commencement Ceremony for Lexington's Class of 2021 was held on June 21st. Although this year's graduation was modified for social distancing, 27 seniors and their families were able to attend the event in person. Graduation speakers Lauren Ridloff and Manny Hernandez shared tips for success via pre-recorded video messages. CEO/Superintendent Russell O. West handed out certificates and diplomas to the proud graduates. Board President Russell Rosen, Ph.D. delivered the closing remarks and encouraged students to become active in alumni events. Photos from the graduation are posted on Lexington's Facebook page. Click here to view!
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Valedictorian Isatou Ceesay (left) and Salutatorian Liliana Ramirez-Aviles (right) delivered words of advice to their fellow classmates at the June 21st graduation ceremony. Board President Russell Rosen, Ph.D., First Vice President Ralph Reiser, Esq., and Program Committee Co-Chair Patrice Creamer presented the newly established Alan E. Mansfield, Esq. Scholarship awards in memory of long-time board member Alan E. Mansfield, Esq. Recipients of the awards were Isatou Ceesay (The Alan E. Mansfield, Esq., Scholarship for Excellence in Civics, Social Studies, and Related Activities) and Adem Mahassini (The Alan E. Mansfield, Esq., Scholarship for Effort and Achievement). |
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(L-R) Ralph Reiser, Esq., Patrice Creamer, Isatou Ceesay, and Russell Rosen, Ph.D. |
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Adem Mahassini (second from right) displays his Mansfield Award to the graduation attendees. |
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June 22nd was graduation day for 16 of Lexington's middle school students. Congratulations to Valedictorian Steven Fang, Salutatorian Leorenze Kyle D. Desepeda, and all of the graduates for their achievements! Click here for a copy of the graduation program and list of award recipients. A special thanks to the Middle School teachers and instructional assistants for creating the Middle School Slide Show and supporting this year's graduation event!
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Middle School Valedictorian Steven Fang |
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Salutatorian Leorenze Kyle D. Desepeda |
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On June 23rd, Lexington's fifth-graders celebrated their achievements at the Middle School Move-Up Ceremony. During the program, each student shared a Move-Up poem in front of a backdrop of their poem and artwork. Congratulations to the twelve students who will be entering Middle School in the fall. Special thanks to teachers Marjorie Ryall and David Wilcox and instructional assistants Miriam Andrade and Tina Stincone for making this a very special move-up event for students and families! To see more photos from the event, click here!
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Fifth graders shared their Move-Up poems with event attendees. |
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Pets and favorite activities were popular topics for the Move-Up poems. |
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Families of Lexington’s kindergarten students were treated to a special graduation program on June 24th. Balancing mortarboard caps on their heads, each student proudly took center stage to present special memories from the school year. They also shared colorful posters of class activities. Special recognition to teachers Andrea Keyloun and Jane Kim and instructional assistants Nour Ellakis and Wayne Stelmach for helping the six students create their posters and rehearse for the event!
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Deaf Kids Code visited Lexington from July 12th to 16th as part of a six-week STEM program for eight high school students. During the week, the students learned about website design, circuits, coding, and other technology skills. Then, they used these skills to build race cars, create moveable inventions from recycled materials, and program robots. The instructor for the program was NASA engineer Nadmi Casiano, the first Deaf Latina aerospace engineer. A special thanks to Shireen Hafeez, founder of Deaf Kids Code, for providing the program to our students.
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ASL Video Supports Asian Community |
The Multicultural Committee and School Administrators created a special ASL video in response to the rise in racism and hatred toward Asian American Pacific Island communities. The video is based on an e-book, which was written and created by Naomi O’Brien and LaNesha Tabb. Administrators collaborated to narrate the video, Stop Asian Hate: How Can We Support the Asian Community, and show their support for Asians and Asian-Americans. The video is available in ASL, spoken/written English, and spoken/written Spanish. Click here to view the video on Lexington’s YouTube channel. Click here for the Spanish version.
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Using overhead draping, balloons, and twinkling white lights, Lexington's gym was transformed into a starry venue for Prom 2021. Senior Class Advisors Dolly Dominguez and Sergio Valdivieso coordinated the special evening with decorating help from the Facilities Management team, students, and staff. Congratulations to seniors Dorigianny Flores-Reyes and Jomar Mercado, who were crowned Prom Queen and King. |
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Elementary 4's End of the Year Book |
Thanks to teacher Whitney Chesser and instructional assistants Mindy Daniels and Nick Pucciarelli, Elementary 4 students have a special memento of 2020-2021. Using the Book Creator app, the teachers highlighted projects and events from throughout the year. The book includes a farewell photo of Ms. Daniels, who retired in June. |
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Open House for Incoming Students |
On June 3rd, Lexington's Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) held an Open House for incoming high school students and their families. Students had an opportunity to tour the high school, while families learned about Lexington's educational program and support services. They also received helpful tips from current Lexington parents. The program concluded with a question and answer session between student-athletes and the visitors. |
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High school students served as tour guides for the June 3rd Open House. |
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Student-athletes provided tips on independent travel during the Q & A session. |
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Staples Donates Hand Sanitizer for Students |
Lexington employees Gustavo Orduz and Louis Cortez, and Staples Store employees Deycy, Melissa, and Gabe helped pack and deliver 25 crates of donated supplies to Lexington. The donation included 538 bags of hand sanitizer and tissues for students, as well as bulk hand sanitizer and pencil cases. Special thanks to Staples Operations Supervisor Natalie Belcon and Store Manager Melissa Concepcion at Staples #171 - Woodside for spearheading the donation drive to benefit Lexington's students.
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Remembering Roberta Carlin |
Current and former members of Lexington’s Speech Department came together on May 27th to remember retired speech therapist Roberta Peck Carlin, who passed away this spring after a long illness. Roberta was a beloved member of the Lexington Speech Department from 1979-2013. The department planted a blue spruce tree on the 30th Avenue lawn as a remembrance of Roberta’s dedication to Lexington’s students. Joining the ceremony were Roberta’s husband, Michael, and their daughter, Sydney, a practicing speech-language-pathologist.
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2022 Series Scholarships for Academic Excellence |
Dear Parents of rising senior students and rising senior students for the Class of 2022:
Lexington School for the Deaf's Upper School has the opportunity to nominate up to three senior students for the 2022 Series Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE). The selection criteria Lexington School will use for this SAE scholarship will be rank in class. The scholarship winners will be announced at the 2022 Senior Award Ceremony. Good luck to the students!
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