Honouring Deaf Identity Through Connection and Culture - Burnaby Schools

Students and staff at the District-administered BC Provincial School for the Deaf have been leading celebrations and learning in connection with the International Week of Deaf People.

BCSD’s elementary and secondary sites began the week with their second annual raising of the Deaf Flag – building community by inviting students from South Slope Elementary and Burnaby South Secondary, which share school sites with BCSD, to join in the ceremony.

At the high school level, the community also came together to hear the stories of Deaf Elders, further highlighting the richness of Deaf experiences and heritage. Another example is when students in a BCSD ASL class led games showcasing Deaf culture, history, identity and celebrating ASL.

There were daily learning and celebratory opportunities at the BCSD elementary site. Students gathered in the gym with their peers from South Slope for an immersive experience called Deafland, where the children and staff “entered” a world without sound and explored challenge stations – all while communicating with sign language or gestures. This is the second year the school has led Deafland as a powerful way to build empathy, awareness, and appreciation for Deaf culture and communication. Additional examples at the elementary level included Deaf Role Model presentations and ASL Bingo.

Earlier in the month and for the first time, BCSD’s elementary site received a hand-delivered copy of the provincial proclamation for with the International Week of Deaf People, which runs this year from September 22 to 28, and International Day of Sign Languages on September 23. While at BCSD, Minister of Children and Families Jodie Wickens was given a tour of the school and the neighbouring District-administered Provincial Outreach Program: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (POPDHH).