FAQs - Family Support - New Mexico School for the Deaf

FAQs - Family Support

What support services do students receive while attending NMSD?
NMSD provides a wide range of instructional services in and out of the classroom. To address each student's individual needs, and to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), we provide a wide variety of related and support services. Click here to learn more about the range of related services that are provided at NMSD.
Where can I learn sign language/ASL?
NMSD provides a variety of sign language classes in Santa Fe and Albuquerque that is free of charge to families. There are also ASL immersion classes in which families and educational providers immerse themselves in ASL on the Santa Fe campus for one week during the summer. Click here to learn more about our ASL Immersion Program.

Click here to learn more information about the sign language classes that are available throughout the year.

Additionally, as part of NMSD’s ASL Coach Program, sign language models have been hired to live in rural locations around the state to provide direct signed language instruction in different areas across the state in schools and at homes. Click here to learn more about the ASL Coach Program.
What after school programs are available to my child?
Day Students: For both day students, after school care is provided for all day students starting at two years old. Day students may also participate in various after school activities such as sports, student organizations, field trips and so forth, depending upon the age of the student.

Activities and Sports: For both day students and residential students, a wide variety of sports opportunities are offered to students at the elementary, middle school and high school ages. As part of NMSD’s after school program, children are provided with the opportunity to interact with peers, experience various workshops (depending on age), games and activities.

The activities include but are not limited to swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, viewing appropriate captioned movies, field trips, cooking, hiking, recreational sports, workshops from the community (learning about wildlife, for example), and so forth. Older students also participate in student organizations.

Tutoring and Homework Time: In addition to extracurricular and leisure activities, time is allotted for homework and study. Students have access to computers, the school library and private desks in their cottages. Tutoring support is available as needed.
What does the residential program look like?
If your child is at least five years old and lives too far from the Santa Fe campus to commute on a daily basis, your child may apply to become a residential student. During the week, under the supervision of trained Student Life Educators, residential students live in new, spacious cottages. The capacity of each fully furnished cottage is 12 students. Each cottage contains:

• A multi-purpose living room, kitchen and laundry room
• Six bedrooms, each with private bath and two beds
• Sleep-time supervision from Residential Night Attendants
• For eligible seniors, the school has a focused independent living skills cottage to promote skills for successful
post- high school transition.

Supervision: During the after school hours, students are directly supervised by their cottage’s SLE (Student Life Educator). Usually two staff members are assigned to each cottage. If a student is on a team or club, the sponsor or coach of these groups will supervise participants until they return to the cottage. While the student is sleeping, there is a Residential Night Assistant overseeing the cottage at all times. Click here for more information on our Student Life program.
How is transportation arranged?
Transportation can be arranged by calling our Transportation Department Coordinator of Transportation Services Michael Vigil at (505) 476-6352 or (505) 570-0410 (Cell). Transportation can be arranged for any student throughout the state of New Mexico. Students above 5 years old, who live outside the Santa Fe County area, can be brought to campus on Sundays to reside in the cottages for the week.
Why does my child need to be evaluated and why does my child go through evaluations every three years?
Prior to attending NMSD, evaluation information is needed to determine eligibility and appropriateness for the program. An IEP team meeting is conducted to review the information, develop goals and a plan for meeting your child’s educational goals based on the evaluation information.

Every three years, the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) requires that we consider and implement needed evaluations. Regulations have changed over the years to not require a full battery of tests, as was done in the past. Even if formal testing is not conducted, a review every three years continues to be required to make sure a student’s program meets their educational needs and supports appropriate transition after graduation from high school.

Evaluations are recommended through the IEP process to address specific concerns, such as learning and progress in the classrooms, need for additional related services to support learning, social-emotional development/behavior, language or academic delays, and transition/career interests. These questions/concerns are identified by the members of the IEP team. Testing will then be designed to address those specific concerns identified by the IEP team. Testing cannot be done without parental consent.
I want to visit my child at school. Who do I contact?
Contact your child’s principal to arrange your visit. If needed, an interpreter will be provided. Click here for contact information.
What is the Family Housing program and how do I qualify?
The Family Housing Program is for families from rural areas with minimal resources and/or support access to resources for their Deaf/Hard of Hearing children. To qualify the child must be between the ages of 18 months to 5 years old. Family members along with child would move to on-campus housing, the child attends appropriate grade assigned classes, parents and family members are required to attend ASL classes and volunteer 5 hours per month on campus.
Can my child have speech training while at NMSD?
During a child’s IEP, speech training and spoken language development as well as other services are discussed and scheduled for the child.