To provide academics and social excellence - rich in ASL and English literacy for all students from infancy to graduation, to be the leader in educating Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Michigan, and to provide services to their families and the community.

Michigan School for the Deaf’s Early Childhood program is built upon the mission, vision, and belief statements of the Michigan School for the Deaf. The program has been designed for d/Deaf and hard of hearing children ages 2 ½ -7 in grades preschool through first grade.The focus of the program centers on early language development with the primary mode of communication being American Sign Language. Along with a focus on building language, each classroom follows the academic standards laid out by the Michigan Department of Education. Michigan School for the Deaf’s Early Childhood program provides a language rich academic environment that supports each child at their level and provides them the tools they need to thrive.

Support services are available to all students who are determined eligible according to their IEP. Michigan School for the Deaf provides all of the following services.

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy Social Work

• Auditory Training

• Speech Therapy

• Orientation and Mobility

• Visual Impairment Teacher Consultant

• ASL Intervention

• and More!

The early childhood program believes in the essential role of the family in each child's life. The professionals of the program are dedicated to partnering with families to ensure valuable students outcomes. The list below outlines just a few of the approaches MSD professionals take to create a meaningful relationship.

Daily Updates

At the start of school, each child is provided with an agenda book. This book is a way for parents and teachers to communicate daily. Teachers provide daily updates that are tailored to each child and may include eating habits, nap/rest information, behavioral updates, language updates, skills worked on, therapies attended, health information, daily learning and more.

Weekly Newsletters

Teachers utilize the online SMORE platform to create weekly newsletters. Newsletters include learning from the week, upcoming events, classroom updates, links to at home learning resources, weekly cafeteria menus, and more. Newsletters are also filled with pictures from the classroom and school events!

Classroom App

ClassDojo is the app of choice for the early childhood department as well as throughout the elementary school. This ensures parents will have one platform to learn and utilize as their child moves through grade levels. Teachers post information and pictures that can be accessed instantly from your mobile device. It is also a way to communicate quickly with your child's teacher and interact with the families of other student's in your child's class.

Field Trips and In School Events

The early childhood classrooms take several field trips throughout the year. Families are informed early of these events and encouraged to join us. Families are also invited to participate in in school events during the school year. These include classroom parties, students presentations and award ceremonies, and more.

Interpreters

Michigan School for the Deaf has on staff interpreters that are readily available in supporting families. Communication access is vital. Interpreters are always available to support communication.

Family Night Events

Throughout the school year Family Night Events are hosted at the school. We invite families to come to the school to spend time in the classroom and see what we are learning and join us for a dinner. At the end of the evening, we provide supervision for students and their siblings so parents can attend a parent meeting. During the parent meetings, we provide resources and information that supports parents in helping their child thrive!

Quarterly Reports

Student progress is formally reported to families quarterly unless otherwise noted in the child's IEP. The early childhood classrooms follow a standard based report card. Parents are informed of their child's progress on the academic standards set by the Michigan Department of Education. Parents also receive progress reports on their child's IEP goals.

Family night on January 15, 2025!

Winter 2025

Family Night: