It was a moment of pride when teacher Michelle Evans watched her students at Easter mass.
The kids were quietly observing the Lord’s Prayer in sign language — an undertaking even Evans didn’t think they would be ready for until the end of the year.
Together, since November last year, the group from St. Anne Catholic School in Cambridge has been meeting to learn sign language from Evans and fellow teacher Sarah Launslager. The club that draws upwards of 20 kids began after a single student expressed interest last year, having seen Evans signing O Canada each morning.
“You never know if you’ll meet someone who is hearing impaired,” Evans said, and the benefits in connection and understanding are crucial. “At least to be able to say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you.”
Beyond the basics of sign language, Evans’ students are gaining a better understanding of acceptance of differences — that in one way or another, everyone communicates differently, she said.
The kids so far have learned the basics, how to express their favourite foods and colours, and nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
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