North East ISD World Languages

Mac Arthur HS -

The MacArthur ASL Story of the Year

Ironically, after a year of more community service and performances than ever before, including our largest numbers for the Brook Hollow Library classes and most student teachers ever, 30, and an added Christmas retirement home show in addition to our regular retirement home show, KIN classes with 20 volunteering students, the annual World Language Tour and ASL Has Talent and a recently added Flex ASL Show, it has been something small that popped up recently that has been the surprise story of the year in ASL.
Brookdale Retirement Home near the Medical Center contacted us in March after seeing articles about our Brook Hollow library classes. They wanted to have a class at their location for a small group of residents and employees who wanted to learn how to sign so they could communicate with one of the deaf residents. Harry, who doesn’t speak and is profoundly deaf wasn’t able to communicate with anyone there, except through writing, which wasn’t easy. Even his daughter in law who is attending the classes couldn’t communicate very much when she visited.
The first week was hard as 4 of the top MacArthur ASL students started with the basics, the ABC’s and basic phrases, but most of the residents had a hard time with the fingerspelling. Week 2 brought a few new residents and several others from week 1 didn’t show. Week 3, the students tried a more basic approach with more communication practice amongst everyone. A few of the residents had returned this week and another supervisor who picked up on everything very fast started communicating with Harry almost immediately after learning a few basics. By the end of the class, all the residents were involved and signing to one degree or another with each other. It was obvious that Harry was enjoying it all.
I can’t emphasize enough how difficult the challenge was and how well the 4 MacArthur students were doing, who had volunteered for this 5 week Sunday afternoon class. They were patient and caring all the time with smiles on their faces. Seniors Victoria Medrano and Grace Robinson showed how experienced they’ve become, not only through the Brook Hollow Library ASL classes and KIN program, but PALs and other teaching experiences they’ve had while in high school. Sister Zabella Medrano and brother Xavier Robinson also have done a fantastic job following in their older siblings footsteps.
After all this year’s incredible classes and shows, this small class seemed more important than anything this year. Harry was excited finally having communication with some of those around him. We still have 2 weeks left, including Easter Sunday and then the possibility of continuing this next year. These 4 MacArthur students are truly doing something special.

MacArthur High School - Following the first Flex ASL Show Thursday during the day, ASL continued its annual tradition since 2016 with the ASL Has Talent show Friday night.

MacArthur HS - Last Thursday, MacArthur ASL performed it's first ASL Show during flex period. 20 songs were jammed into 35 minutes of great entertainment.

MacArthur HS - Tim Kitterman - This Sunday, 4 MacArthur ASL students went to the Brookdale Hamilton Wolfe Retirement Home in the afternoon to teach 10 adults some basic signing skills. One of the 10 was a resident named Harry, who was deaf and happy the 9 other students were learning to communicate with him. Another participant, Rachel Gonzalez, was the Resident Engagement Manager. Another person there was a relative of Harry, who, like the other residents in attendance, wanted to learn how to communicate with him there at the home.

It was an amazing hour as the experienced MacArthur student teachers along with their 10 adult students had fun learning some basic signing and spelling. This was the first of 5 classes this school year and could likely continue next year. This all came about after Rachel heard about the MacArthur Brookhollow library classes and reached out to MacArthur ASL to have these classes.

Johnson HS - on January 11th the Cultural Outreach Program, collaborated with Spanish Honor Society, and the Asian Pacific Island club to bring an amazing orchestra concert, make arts and crafts and decorate cupcakes with the retirement community at the Waterford ! It was truly a community effort 🤍💙🤍

Thank you for inviting us to visit the amazing 5th graders and share about World Languages!!!!

- Mac Arthur HS - The week before Christmas break, 30 ASL students received the Superintendent's Award
for teaching at the Brook Hollow Library classes this year. 💙🤍💙

- MacArthur HS - Our first ever Christmas show took place at The Forum at Lincoln Heights retirement home. The students were fantastic!
The residents loved it. We're going back January 31, 2025.

- Lee HS - Rafael Mercado’s - Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 Native Honors students created the Day of the Dead altars. This allowed the students to explore the meaningful holiday's cultural and traditional significance.
Additionally, Mrs. O'Halligan's students contributed by constructing paper skulls and paper-mâché flowers, collaborating on the final assembly of the altar. This project has been a unique and enriching experience for our students, combining creativity and cultural understanding. The lesson was also integrated into our curriculum, allowing students to deepen their appreciation for this tradition.
Thank you to everyone involved for your dedication and beautiful creations.

-MacArthur HS - Newsletter: Students perform at final class at Brook Hollow. Their next performance will be a retirement home Christmas show in December.

- MacArthur HS - Song week took place the week before the break. It was fantastic! - Part 2

- MacArthur HS - Song week took place the week before the break. It was fantastic! - Part 1