Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 133 No. 1 Fall 2011 | Page 23

Common Core Standards
By: Connie Gartner

WSD is starting our second year of discussions
and reflections regarding the implementation of
the Common Core Standards. The Common Core
Standards (CCS) are learning standards in English/
Language Arts (ELA) and Math in grades K – 12. The
CCS has been adopted by 48 states. Currently, more
K – 12 standards are under development for Social
Studies and Science.
Beginning in the 2010 – 2011 school year,
WSD teachers reviewed existing WSD curriculum
in all areas (English/Language Arts, Math, Social
Studies, and Science) to compare what WSD had with
the new proposed standards in English/Language Arts
and Math in grades K – 12. We made note to which
standards already exist within the curriculum, which
standards need to be updated and/or incorporated with
other learning standards, and which standards were
missing. These discussions will form the basis for
changes and updates to the existing WSD curriculum.
In addition to updating curriculums, the CCS allows
WSD to update our textbook collections to be more
up-to-date and in line with our curriculum as well
as pursuing online textbooks and portfolios to help
document student growth and achievement.

Obituaries

Reverend Silas J. Hirte
Reverend Silas J. Hirte (91) passed away Friday,
October 7, 2011. He was born February 10, 1920 in
Sparta, Wisconsin to Christian and Laura (Lang) Hirte.
He was a 1941graduate of WSD and later, Gallaudet
University.
Reverend Hirte was ordained in 1950, in St. Louis,
Missouri as the first Deaf Episcopal Priest and
ministered to the Deaf for 65 years in various
churches in many states, including Missouri, Illinois,
Kentucky, and Arkansas, semi-retiring in New York
and Alabama, and finally returning to his home state
of Wisconsin. He was also instrumental in helping
establish Deaf church groups of other faiths and
religions including Jewish and African