CEO/Superintendent's Message | | |
Greetings!
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to recognize our Lexington family - students, faculty, families, alumni, staff, board members, clients, and donors - for making our school and organization such a special place! I thank you for everything you do each and every day to support our community and help us achieve our vision and purpose. I hope you enjoy this recap of 2025 and I encourage you to make a year-end gift should circumstances allow.
With wishes for a happy and healthy 2026!
Seth Bravin, Lexington Class of '91
Interim CEO/Superintendent
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Holiday Spirit
The last days of school before the December break were filled with a whirlwind of activities. Ready to Learn, preschool, and elementary students received gifts from Signing Santa. Elementary students were on the watch as the Grinch tried to squelch the holiday spirit by stealing presents. Middle School students hosted a holiday craft and bake sale and competed in teams to build gingerbread houses out of recycled materials. High school students learned about different cultural celebrations and enjoyed playing board games and participating in relay races with their peers. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to see more photos from our holiday events!
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With wishes for a healthy and safe 2026!
We thank you for your support over the past year and look forward to the upcoming year with energy and excitement. Our ability to offer special opportunities to deaf students depends on support from our donors. Please remember Lexington in your end-of-year giving plans and make a gift today!
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Middle School STEM
Our Middle School STEM teams had a great year. The Soaring Bluejays Drone Team won the Communication Award at the 3rd Annual NRSC-ADIB D/HH Drone Tournament in LaGrange, GA. The Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) team tied for 3rd place in the mission course at the SeaPerch Underwater ROV Competition in Waterford, CT.
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Media Production
The High School Media Club initiated Lexington's first news broadcast in our modern TV studio. Students wrote scripts, filmed, edited, captioned, and served as on-air talent for a weekly broadcast in ASL and captioned English. Programs aired on the school's system of wall-mounted hall TVs.
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Travel Training
Using NYC District 75's model program, students received one-to-one instruction on the skills and behaviors necessary for traveling safely and independently on public transportation. As independent travelers, students have more options for after-school activities and work experiences.
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Graduation 2025
Congratulations to our graduates! Of the 18 students in the Class of 2025, 39% planned to attend college, 44% enrolled in supported employment programs, and 17% transitioned to day habilitation programs.
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Work Experience
Forty-five middle and high school students successfully completed the 2025 NYC Summer Youth Employment Program. Students were placed at 25 different job sites including the NYPD, REEL-Abilities, Queens Botanical Garden, Office of NYS Senator Ramos, Alpha Pointe Factory, & Bobby & the Strays Shelter.
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Athletic Accomplishments
Lexington's varsity soccer team won two championship trophies in 2025 - the Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association (ESDAA) and the Metro League. Lexington's 8-2 ESDAA win against American School for the Deaf was especially sweet since the BlueJays last captured the title in 2015. The team claimed the Metro League title for the second time in two years with a 2-2 match against Opportunity Charter School that resulted in a shootout win of 4-3. Congratulations to the players and coaches for an incredible season!
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Campus Improvements
Thanks to a grant from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), replacement of the Wing 2, 3, & 4 roofs was completed in 2025 with the Wing 1 roof scheduled for 2026. NYSED funds also covered upgrades to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and renovations to the cafeteria bathrooms. IDEA funding helped to transform the elementary playground into an accessible play environment to accommodate children with diverse physical and neurological needs. Design and development of the pool project continued during 2025 but revealed the need for more extensive work than originally planned.
| | The completed roof of Wing 2 with mineral cap sheet and cap sheet flashings installed to provide a watertight seal. | | The new elementary playground includes ramps, accessible play structures, and activities that support sensory-motor exploration. | |
With Appreciation to Our Alumni
We would like to express our appreciation to the Lexington Alumni Association and Lexington alumni for their support of the school throughout the year! Alumni helped with Homecoming 2025, provided recognition awards for students, supported athletic events, hosted special events, and visited campus to inspire and motivate students.
| | Maleni Chaitoo, Lex '96, (second from right) visited campus in support of Deaf Awareness Week 2025. | | Alumni prepared and served a tasty BlueJay Winter Breakfast to the entire school on December 19th. | |
Deaf President Now!
On May 2, Lexington was honored to host two special screenings of the Apple Original Films documentary, “Deaf President Now!” The "Deaf President NOW!" movement resulted in the appointment of Gallaudet University's first Deaf president, brought national recognition to the rights of people with disabilities, and helped to pave the way for the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The film's co-director, Nyle DiMarco, met with students and was honored at a special VIP reception alongside board member Greg Hlibok, Lex '85, a student leader in the movement.
| | Greg Hlibok (Lex '85), Nyle DiMarco & Seth Bravin (Lex '91) at the VIP reception. | | Nyle DiMarco delighted students with stories from his career. | | | | |
