How We Started

HOW WE STARTED

It was in October of 2003 that the La Salle University School for the Deaf was officially opened. Previously, it was under the Community of Hope Special Education Center, Inc. (CHSEC), a non-government organization (NGO) which was administered by the Missionary Sisters of Saint Columban.
The CHSEC was formed as a response to the many needs of people with disabilities in Ozamiz City, Mindanao, Philippines. Since there was no basic education being provided for them, Sister Mary McManus, a Columban Sister, with student volunteers, began visiting them in their houses to extend tutorial services for stimulation. Due to the growth in numbers, the visiting to families become impossible. At the Columban Sisters’ request, the Diocesan Social Action Commission provided a room where the Deaf people could attend daily.



However, since it was not registered with the Department of Education, after a negotiation between the administration of La Salle University and the Columban Sisters it was agreed upon to transfer the Deaf students under the care of La Salle University.

VISION

La Salle University School for the Deaf is one of the programs of La Salle University – Ozamiz. It provides a quality Lasallian education to the less privileged differently-abled Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. It envisions to be the catalyst for the social recognition and acceptance of all Deaf people as full and equal citizens, empowered to actualize their potentials by an active participation in the economic, social and cultural life of the community.

MISSION

The School for the Deaf is committed to provide with appropriate education, empower the Deaf and their families and create opportunities for the Deaf to engage in activities in the communities where they live.

OBJECTIVES

The School for the Deaf aims to: 1. improve the Deaf’s quality of life by providing appropriate education from preparatory, secondary and tertiary levels; 2. provide vocational and life skills training, sporting activities, artistic and creative activities; 3. empower the Deaf and their families so that they can advocate for their rights in the society; and 4. provide special services where the Deaf are welcomed, loved and cared.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

  1. Complete Basic Education: Preparatory, Elementary, and High School in multi-grade level self-contained set-up
  2. Post Secondary: 2-year Certificate in Computer Operation and Multimedia Technology
  3. Mass in Sign Language at the Local Catholic Church
  4. Sports
  5. Basic Sign Language classes
  6. Values Formation for the Deaf
  7. Deaf Counseling
  8. Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program for the Deaf
  9. Retreat for the Deaf
  10. Summer of Service Training
  11. Deaf Camp
  12. Home Visitation

ANNOUNCEMENT

La Salle University School for the Deaf Ozamiz City is now accepting Basic Education and Post Secondary Deaf students for academic year 2015-2016.

Preparatory: Kinder 1 and Kinder 2

Elementary: Grades 1 to 6

High School: Grades 7 to 10

College: 2-year Certificate in Computer Operation and Multimedia Technology

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Retreat for the deaf held





Aiming to strengthen their spirituality and restore their broken relationship with God due to sins, 29 deaf students of La Salle University (LSU), School for the Deaf,and 4 Deaf adults from the Community of Hope Special Education Center Ozamiz City gathered for a two-day Deaf retreat, March 5-6, 2011.
LSU School for the Deaf principal Sarah O. Talibong said the retreat for the Deaf was part of the school’s yearly activities during the season of Lent.
Held at the LSU Retreat Center, the retreat had the theme: “Deaf Encountering Christ”. Rev. Fr. Peter Miles S. Sollesta, PMS, from the Gualandi Mission for the Deaf, Cebu City was the retreat master.
The ministry of the Gualandi Mission for the Deaf is to help the spiritual formation of Deaf individuals. Sollesta used sign language during the retreat.
The retreat’s highlight was the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation of individual Deaf participant. The Deaf wrote their sins on a piece of paper and the priest read it. After the confession, a para-liturgy was celebrated where students put their written sins inside a clay jar and burned them.
Integrated in the anticipated signed Mass was the First Communion of the seven Deaf students of LSU School for the Deaf who received a rosary from Italy and a wooden cross necklace given by the priest. All the Deaf students including their teachers received a wooden cross necklace from their retreat master.
The retreat culminated with a Sunday interpreted Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Sandy Cometa at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish.
Assisted by Sarah Talibong, Sollesta acted as interpreter using the sign language.

Tingog sa mga Adunay Kabilinggan, July 24, 2011. Topic: Magna Carta for PWDs