Bullying Presents Unique Challenge For Deaf School

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is cracking down on a problem affecting many schools nationwide: bullying.

And when the communication isn't all spoken, there are special considerations.

Marsha Micele (right), director of student development and schoolwide programs at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Germantown, says the anti-bullying messages are given in class, at lunch, during breaks, and after school. She says the students need to know that negative messages can be found in what they sign, what they write, and even the way they look.

Micele says, "You have to watch your face because we don't only sign, we make faces when we sign to put emphasis on what we're saying.  So it helps for us to keep our face in check."

She claims there has already been some progress with students saying they understand that even playful name-calling can be misunderstood and hurtful.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio 1060.