School Starts Thursday, September 10th

We look forward to welcoming students back to campus on Thursday, September 10, with our traditional "Rock the School" celebration! Families are encouraged to visit our website and check out the school calendar for special events and school holidays during the year. Questions about bus schedules and student transportation should be directed to Susana Ramirez, Transportation Coordinator, at sramirez@lexnyc.org or phone 718-350-3037.

Deaf Awareness Week Fundraiser

Lexington's Deaf Awareness Committee is planning many special activities in support of the school's Deaf Awareness Week (DAW) celebration on September 22-30. To fund student activities in support of Deaf Awareness Week and Deaf History Month, the Committee is hosting an on-line T-shirt fundraiser. The sale ends on August 31 with a second t-shirt sale in September. Click here to purchase adult/children's shirts! Click here to purchase toddler shirts!

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) - Older Youth

NYC's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation's largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences. The six-week program is sponsored by NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development. 

A total of 34 Lexington students, ages 16+, participated in real-world work experiences at thirteen sites across the city as part of the SYEP Older Youth program. These paid experiences allowed students to develop professional and workplace skills. This summer's placements included: Bobbi & the Strays, Lexington School, the Queens Botanical Garden, ReelAbilities, Deaf Kids Code, Sunnyside Community Center, and the NYPD.

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) - Younger Youth

This summer Lexington hosted its first Younger Youth SYEP Program for 14 and 15 year-olds. Fourteen students explored a variety of careers based upon personal interests. Guest speakers met with students to share career information. Students developed detailed plans for new businesses and completed Pre-ETS workshops, led by Lexington’s Vocational Services Center, focusing on self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and career exploration. At the conclusion of the program, students presented their business plans to fellow students, staff, and administrators. This gave students an opportunity to showcase what they learned and celebrate their accomplishments.

Bat Research Project

Under the guidance of teacher David Wilcox, Elementary 8 (E8) completed National Geographic’s Explorer Classroom Project over the spring and summer. Visits from the Gotham Bat Conservancy helped students learn about bat species, habitats, and ecological contributions. They met with park rangers at NYC’s Forest Park and hiked to Strack Pond, a known bat habitat. Using data from the Bat Conservancy’s ultrasonic recorders, students analyzed bat call sound waves to identify bat species in Forest Park. The Gotham Bat workshops were made possible through a generous donation from Ms. Julia Kramer. Click on the link to read their bat research newsletter! https://app.smore.com/n/v1kj8

Deaf Mentor Training

Representatives from the Ski-Hi Deaf Mentor program were on campus July 24 to 26 to train seven additional mentors. Deaf Mentors use daily routines and activities to help families incorporate early visual communication and American Sign Language (ASL) into home life. Mentors support families in understanding Deaf culture, provide information on resources, and make introductions to local support groups and events. Sessions - provided at home, at Lexington, or virtually - are tailored to meet each family's needs.

The evidence-based Ski-Hi program was developed with funding from the US Office of Special Education. The Lexington training was funded by a grant from The Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation. For more information, contact Carlos Aponte-Salcedo, Jr., Director, Student and Family Engagement, at caponte-salcedo@lexnyc.org.