The IRIS School for the Deaf
Academy of Toulouse School District

SignWriting in France
Literacy Project Begins, Spring 2000

Date: 23 jan 2000

FROM: Patrice DALLE
Teacher's Name : Mary LAURENT
School's Name : IRIS
13 rue des pinsons
31520 RAMONVILLE
FRANCE

TO: Valerie Sutton
SignWriting Literacy Project
Deaf Action Committee For SignWriting
P.O. Box 517
La Jolla, CA. 92038-0517, USA

Dear Valerie,
The teachers of the high school and middle school (and possibly our elementary school) grade, at the IRIS School, in the city of Toulouse would like to participate in your SignWriting Literacy Project.

We are part of the Accademy of Toulouse School District. Some other information about our hearing impaired program is : a. bilingual (French Sign Language / written French) b. we have 15 high school students, 7 middle school students and 14 elementary school students.

We have a wide range of students from all over France from very different backgrounds. Some are DOD and are strong signers and active in the Deaf Community. Others, DOH have families that sign and are involved in bilingual education for their children. Others have little experience in Sign language and Deaf culture when they enter our program.

We are not really a school, we have classrooms for our Deaf students, taught in Sign language by Deaf and hearing teachers. In the high school, because of a lack of teachers, Deaf and hearing fluent in Sign language, we have interpreters for a number of classes.

We have all of the usual difficulties with written French. Some of ours students are able to attain a very high level in written French which is required by the French school system and the comprehensive exams at the end of high school. However others even some very good students strugggle to achieve the required level.

Some of our teachers would like to introduce SignWriting to their students.

These teacher's are interested in learning and using SignWriting because it will interesting for our students and may help them in their studies..

Each teacher has approximately (b) number of students who will be participating in the Literacy Project.

We agree, as a group, to complete three Web Reports in return for the SignWriting materials and technical support you donate to us. We understand that this letter and all three reports will become public information and will be posted to the SignWriting Email List and posted on the SignWriting Web Site. You have our full permission to use the information as needed.

Please send SignWriting materials for 3 teachers and 34 students if possible. But we will be grateful for whatever you can send us..

Thank you for considering us for your project.

Sincerely,
Patrice DALLE