SPORTS CLASS FOR 
HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN

at MID-ISLAND YJCC

Debbie Goldmeier Joins as Sign Interpreter

Plainview, NY – In an effort to reach older hearing impaired children, the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center (45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview) has expanded its unique Silent Creations program to include Silent Sports & Lunch.  This Special Needs Creation class, which meets Thursdays from 10:15 - 11 a.m., is designed to provide varied sports activities for hearing impaired children who are between the ages of four and nine.

    Silent Creations, which was successfully launched last fall and was awarded a grant from United Way of Long Island’s Success By 6, is an innovative Health & Physical Fitness class for hearing impaired children (ages 12-24 months) or caregivers.  The class, which is supervised by a qualified early childhood physical education instructor and includes a sign language interpreter, features movement, parachute play, brightly colored climbing equipment, visual aids and tactile toys.   The JCC works in partnership with the Mill Neck School for the Deaf.

    The Mid-Island Y JCC is also pleased to welcome Debbie Goldmeier as a Sign Interpreter.   Debbie received a Masters of Arts Degree in Education of the Hearing Impaired from Gallaudet University.  She has worked as a speech therapist at Midland School in North Branch, NJ, a private school for communication handicapped children, and as a high school teacher of the deaf in the New York City school system.  Additionally, Debbie has taught beginning sign language classes and has served as a substitute teacher for Nassau Boces Hearing Impaired programs.

    “We are always looking for new ideas and ways in which we can expand our Creation classes,” said Barbara Sachs-Traina, Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator.  “If there is a particular age group or target population that is not currently being served, the JCC is more than ready to meet that need.”

    To register for one of these classes or to suggest a new one, 
please call Barbara  at 516-822-3535, x317.

    The Mid-Island Y JCC is a non-profit community center offering programs for children, adults, seniors, singles and teens.  For more information about the JCC, visit the website at www.miyjcc.org .           

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