Senate Resolution No. 476

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Cleary
School for the Deaf

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishment clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence for the citizens and youth of this great Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Cleary School for the Deaf, to
be celebrated on Monday, June 23, 2025, at a barbecue and "Walk Down
Memory Lane" at the Nesconset Campus; and

WHEREAS, The Cleary School for the Deaf had its beginning in 1925
when Rosemary Cleary opened Camp Peter Pan, the first summer camp for
the deaf in the United States; it accepted children aged three to eight
and offered lessons in speech, language, and lip reading, affording
educational goals as well as camping activities and games; and

WHEREAS, Rosemary Cleary was the visionary who taught at St.
Joseph's School for the Deaf, in the Bronx, New York for 20 years; she
additionally established a school at her father's residence in
Ronkonkoma, New York, filling an important need for such an institution
on Long Island; this new school admitted students at the age of three,
likely becoming the first nursery school for the deaf in the nation, and
was staffed by Rosemary Cleary and her sisters, Genevieve, Irene,
Florence; Min Jordan was also an early employee; and

WHEREAS, In 1960, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville
Centre took ownership of Cleary Deaf Child Center at the request of
Rosemary Cleary; the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood joined the staff
and later assumed administration, while Catholic Charities provided
financial support, including state fund supplements and capital
improvements; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Cleary School for the Deaf was designated a
state-supported school for the deaf, with Sister Loyola Marie Curtin as
its first superintendent; leadership changes occurred in 1973, with
Sister Doris Batt as superintendent and Sister Virginia Barry as the
principal; the school embraced the Total Communication Philosophy in
1975, which combined various communication methods such as sign
language, speech, and auditory training; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Association of Educators of the Deaf
(NYSAED) benefited the school, and Cleary School for the Deaf hosted its
annual convention in 1976; the school expanded in 1979 with an Infant
Program for children from birth to age three, and a secondary program at
Mercy High School; this new initiative fostered a strong partnership
between families, teachers, and students; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, Sister Catherine Fitzgibbon became the
superintendent, and Sister Eileen Kelly became the principal; the
administration advanced the Total Communication Philosophy, added
remedial education, therapy services, and a diagnostic center; and

WHEREAS, As a result, enrollment grew, and additional space was
created after the last Cleary sister passed away in 1985; between 1984
and 1990, multiple renovations and expansions took place, including an
art studio, storage facilities, a faculty room, and a dance room; Cleary
School for the Deaf later underwent further renovations with the support
of Ronald Parr, adding an assembly hall, modern kitchen, dining hall,
new library, and upgraded classrooms; and

WHEREAS, An increase in students with additional disabilities led to
new outdoor therapeutic playgrounds in 1987; that same year, Cleary
School for the Deaf's secondary program moved to East Islip High School;
and

WHEREAS, In 1990, the Cleary School for the Deaf pursued and
achieved a 20-year accreditation from the Middle States Association,
becoming the first school for the deaf to do so; this process led to the
adoption of a Bi-Lingual, Bi-Cultural ("Bi-Bi") philosophy in 1991,
making the school the first New York school to use ASL as its primary
language of instruction; experts in Deaf Culture and ASL justly visited
Cleary to enhance learning; and

WHEREAS, Advancements in cochlear implants created a need for
specialized programs; in 2002, the Cleary School for the Deaf launched
an Auditory-Oral Preschool Program; the program helps deaf students
transition into mainstream education; from 2014-2015, the school
introduced a monumental state-approved integrated class with co-teaching
to address both general and auditory learning needs; and

WHEREAS, Leadership changes occurred in the 2000s, with Ken Morseon
becoming the superintendent in 2005, Ellen McCarthy becoming principal
in 2006, and in 2013, Dr.Jacqueline Simms became the executive director;
and

WHEREAS, Today, the Cleary School for the Deaf remains a leading
resource on deaf education in Suffolk County, continuing to expand under
Dr. Simms' leadership; the school now operates across five campuses,
including Nesconset and four others within the East Islip School
District; and

WHEREAS, The Cleary School for the Deaf is proudly aware of its
distinguished past, eager to fulfill its present commitment to parents,
students, and the community, and is prepared with a meaningful vision
and distinct sense of purpose for the ebb and flow of growth and change
it will encounter in the years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Cleary School for the Deaf; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Cleary School for the Deaf.