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RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM
The Residential Services Program, a program under Student Life, is provided for those students who cannot live at home and attend class at KSD due to distance. The residential option is open to all students who wish to develop their interaction, social and independent living skills. Under the guidance of residential staff, students are directly responsible for the daily management of the household, including cleaning and maintaining their household. Social skills are enhanced with interaction among students and staff in a culturally Deaf environment.
After school programs include clubs, a variety of activities, and intramural sports to promote positive, quality leisure times. Study halls are a required, integral part of the Residential Services Program, with academic support provided by residential staff. To foster positive identity development, dormitory staff plan for, and encourage student participation in Deaf community events.
Students are encouraged to be involved in planning group activities and special field trips. Their involvement in decision-making is important to the program, because it helps build their problem-solving skills and their confidence in decision making.
Residency
Students are required to live either with their parent/guardian, spouse, or in KSD's dormitory. The IEP team may consider alternate living arrangements. If the IEP team feels that an alternate living arrangement better fits the individual needs of the student, they will make a recommendation to the Superintendent that this requirement be waived.
Use of the Dormitories
The Kansas School for the Deaf strives to support the family unit. However, at times, there is a need to reside on campus. Generally, to live in the dormitories, it is expected that the student live more than 25 miles from the Kansas School for the Deaf. However, there are times when it is beneficial for day students to take advantage of the Residential Services Programs offered in the dormitories. The following rules govern the acceptance and placement of students in the dormitories.
1. The student requires additional communication, language or
social development activities beyond the school day.
2. The student's social and physical well being is better served
in the Dormitories.
3. The student is involved in school activities that might end
late at night.
Day students wishing to stay in the dormitory must send a letter of request. Then a conference will be set up to discuss the reasons for the request and the rules for the student. Parents/legal guardians are expected to be at this meeting.
The day student that chooses to stay in the dormitory agrees to follow the rules of the dormitories and the direction of the dormitory staff. If he/she does not agree to this or fails to follow the rules, the student will lose his dormitory privilege and will need to get transportation to school each day.
After School Programs:
Recreational activities, social and emotional developmental activities,
independent living skills training, and incidental educational
activities are 
incorporated
into the students' daily living schedule in the dormitories. Throughout
the year, the Residential Services staff and the students plan activities
that explore new knowledge and skills in support of the educational
programs. The students use the Learning Center (a tutorial and
homework center) for homework and study time. Students also can
use the computer located in the dormitories to contact families
and friends via email.
The students have the use of the swimming pool, Student Center, the gyms, and the playground areas for relaxation. Movies are rented periodically for their enjoyment (ratings are dependent on age group of the students). Field trips to shopping malls, restaurants, plays, or the library are regularly scheduled.
The Elementary Dormitory, with the assistance of the Olathe Clockwinder
Optimists, sponsors the Alpha Deaf Optimist Club. Sharon Volk
is the sponsor. This learning and fun opportunity includes boys
and girls from ages 10 to 14. Weekly meetings provide an opportunity
for elementary-age children to learn about the community they
live in. The students participate in several community service
projects throughout the school year.
Contact:
If you have a question about the Residential Services Program, contact
the Director, Student Life at (913) 791-0550
[TTY/Voice].
