Sec. of Education meets VSDB students, staff

STAUNTON — While meeting Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton on Monday, students at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind used their "name signs" to introduce themselves. Instead of signing the individual letters of a name, a name sign is given to someone by a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to represent their name. For example, the students gave retired Judge Harrison May, a VSDB foundation member, the name sign "Judge H" signing the symbol for judge and the letter "H."

Holton asked if she could have a name sign and asked if it's something she chooses or is given to her.

"It's given to you by someone who signs," answered Superintendent Pat Trice.

During a tour of the school, Holton asked a class of fourth and fifth graders to give her a name sign. One boy signed the letter "A" across his cheek, for "Anne."

"That's a beautiful name sign," Holton said.

The secretary got a chance to explore the school and meet many members of the staff and student body. While visiting classrooms she stopped to talk with students, ask them what they were working on and to hear about their time at VSDB.

Trice has been asking Holton to visit VSDB for some time, having set up a number of tours that needed to be rescheduled. On Monday, Holton was on her way to Blacksburg and was able to stop by for a trip to VSDB.

Following the tour, Holton said she was impressed with the staff, and that the students make the school important and special. Holton added that she hopes VSDB can continue to expand services and outreach to boost enrollment and that since coming on as superintendent, Trice has put together a comprehensive plan for how to do that.

Holton ended her visit in the Chapel, a historic building once used as hospital space during the Civil War, with a reception that included the entire school.

"You can read about VSDB but you really have to see VSDB to appreciate and gain understanding of it," Trice said.