ASL Program to Expand After Strong First Year

“The ASL program has taught me things I didn’t even know I wanted to learn about,” said rising eighth grader Joselyn Perl. “It has exceeded my expectations in many ways.”

Yorktown Central School District’s new American Sign Language (ASL) course wrapped up its first year with strong student engagement and growing excitement. Introduced last fall at both the middle and high school levels, the program is already set to expand in 2025–26 to offer more classes and reach more students.

Taught by Ms. Molly Dineen-Carey, the course covers the fundamentals of ASL — grammar, vocabulary, and conversational signing — while also exploring the culture and experiences of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Classmate Aislinn Downes added, “By learning ASL, students can connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing peers, which helps everyone feel seen and valued. It also encourages respect for Deaf culture and can even lead to future career opportunities. Overall, ASL builds a more inclusive, respectful, and connected school environment.”

A highlight of the year was a collaborative event in May with Ossining students, featuring immersive ASL activities and a panel discussion with members of the Deaf community. The event gave students a chance to apply their learning in a real-world setting.

“The panelists were the first Deaf people I’ve met,” said rising eighth grader Allison Xiao. “It was an amazing experience to see professionals come together and share real-life perspectives.”

“The ability to learn ASL and speak to Deaf people has been such a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” added classmate Olivia Rodman. “I’m so happy I got to be part of the program in its first year.”

For many students, the course sparked a lasting appreciation not only for the language, but for the people who use it.

“Each person’s signing reflects their experience, personality, and thoughtfulness, which makes ASL truly unique,” said rising eighth grader Sophia Daskaleas. “I wanted to experience a fun subject full of learning, and this program went beyond my expectations, even helping me in other subjects like English and Social Studies.”

Students are already looking ahead to September, eager to continue their studies, expand their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of Deaf culture.