ASHLAND — For over 20 years, according to St. Edward School principal Suellen Valentine, the school’s students have learned sign language as part of their music class.
The students perform songs at Wednesday evening masses in American Sign Language.
The tradition of doing so began with Susan Gregg, formerly the music teacher at the school. Kelly Knowlton, who has taught music and art there for seven years, carried it on.
On Sunday, the school’s efforts were recognized by the Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland, Medina at its annual Harvest of Justice and Peace brunch. The event, in its 37th year, hands out four awards:
- Michael Berken Peace & Justice Award
- The Faithful Servant Award
- The Youth Social Justice Award
- The Carol Perzy Laudato Si’ Award
St. Edward School received this year’s Youth Social Justice Award for being the only program in the Diocese of Cleveland to teach sign language to students, according to the event program.
It was honored with the award Aug. 25. Four students — Avery Neill, Emma Haag, Cora Donatini and Mary Hamilton — performed at the brunch.
“To be honest, (the award) came as a complete surprise to me because this is not something that we were doing in an attempt to be recognized or have our backs patted in any way,” Knowlton said.
Sign language fosters inclusion
Knowlton said she continued teaching sign language after taking over for her predecessor, Gregg. She thought it served as a way to engage students in music class with movement.
She didn’t know sign language herself before teaching the course. Knowlton said she’s still learning it alongside her students. She said she prepares herself to teach with online videos and resources.
But the importance of teaching sign language extends beyond just helping students engage in class, Knowlton said.
It’s about inclusion — both in the classroom, and at St. Edward Catholic Church.
Knowlton said in choir classes, some students don’t feel comfortable singing.
“There are some kids that show up at my door for music that love to sing and would happily sing all day long,” Knowlton said. “And there are some students who need a little more coaxing because our voices are part of who we are, and that feels a little vulnerable sometimes.”
So, by teaching the songs in sign language, Knowlton said it offers those students another way to participate.
At masses, when students sign, it has the potential to give anybody entering into the church a chance to belong, Knowlton said. The church doesn’t have any members of its current congregation that are deaf, according to Valentine.
Still, Knowlton said you never know who might walk through the church’s doors on any given day.
“Adding sign language to songs in the liturgy, occasionally doing songs in other languages — I think that’s just part of… affirming the worth and dignity of everybody that God has created,” Knowlton said.
Caring about the school’s culture
For the students who learn sign language and get to perform each week, the award is a point of pride.
Neill and Donatini, both sixth graders who performed at the awards brunch, said they appreciate the ability to communicate with people who may not be able to speak English. For Donatini, the award indicates the school values kindness.
Haag, another sixth grader, said the sign language is something even younger students at the school are excited about learning.
Donatini said younger students look up to the older students, asking them for help with different signs.
For Knowlton, that culture is something special.
“As a teacher, I love that teachers here aren’t the only ones working to make it a positive environment because students take that on themselves, too,” Knowlton said.
