California School for the Deaf, Riverside

California School for the Deaf, Riverside
Location
Riverside, California
United States
Information
Type Public
Established 1953
Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hlibok Amann (Appointed on April 12, 2016, effective July 1, 2016)
Faculty 80
Grades K-12
Number of students 500
School color(s) Scarlet Red(Crimson) and Grey
Athletics conference CIF - Southern Section
Arrowhead League
Mascot Cubs
Website csdr-cde.ca.gov

The California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSD-R or CSDR) is a school for deaf children located in Riverside, California. The school educates children from all over Southern California. Its companion school in Northern California is California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSD-F or CSDF).

History

On March 26, 1946, California assembly bill 75 was signed by Governor Earl Warren, future United States Supreme Court Chief Justice, authorizing appropriations to establish the Southern California School for the Deaf, later renamed the California School for the Deaf, Riverside.[1] In May, 1948, the State Department of Education in Sacramento chose Riverside as the site for the new school on the Arlington Avenue agricultural property.[2] The school began to accept students on February 2, 1953.[3][4] Perry E. Seely (1886–1949) (himself deaf) is the founding father of today’s CSDR.

In 1951, Dr. Richard G. Brill took up the educational leadership to get the new school off the ground. During his 26-year administration, Dr. Brill set up a school system that continues to this day. In 1958, student population reached 500. Dr. Brill was instrumental in bringing CSDR to the forefront of educational excellence.

In 1977, Dr. Robert Lennan became the second school superintendent. One of the big changes during his era was the implementation of individualized education plan (IEP) as required by federal law. He instituted new programs, including an assessment center, a computer lab and a work experience program.

In 1989, Dr. Kenneth Randall took over as the school's new head. He helped bring the student population back to the 500-student level. He also instituted enhancements and changes in different areas of the school system at CSDR.

In 2000, Dr. Rachel Stone, deaf since birth, became the fourth school chief and brought a number of changes including the increased respect to American Sign Language and opening up new opportunities for leadership among the deaf employees. CSDR students were her highest priority in school business.

In 2001, Mr. Harold Kund became the fifth school superintendent. His administration period was characterized by a rebuilding program on campus and maintaining high expectations from the entire campus community. He was responsible for a number of reforms to increase operational efficiency at the school. Mr. Kund retired in 2005.

In 2006, Mal Grossinger was selected as the sixth superintendent of CSDR and remains in that position today. He is the second deaf superintendent to lead CSDR. Mr. Grossinger brings to the school over 25 years of experience in the field of deaf education. He is credited with bringing stability and unity back to the campus. Mr. Grossinger’s commitment to raising the educational standards of the CSDR students continues to be his top priority. Under his leadership CSDR recently received the maximum six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Struxness, Kevin. The CSDR Story 1945-2003. DeBee Communications, Inc., 2008. Page 18.
  2. ↑ Struxness, page 35.
  3. ↑ Struxness, page 58.
  4. ↑ Gannon, Jack. 1981. Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America, Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, p. 55 (PDF)

External links

33°56′44″N 117°22′55″W / 33.9455°N 117.3820°W / 33.9455; -117.3820Coordinates: 33°56′44″N 117°22′55″W / 33.9455°N 117.3820°W / 33.9455; -117.3820

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