Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

📚 We honored Dr. Michelle Eisan-Smith, Principal of the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for her compassionate leadership and fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for all students. Thank you to Councilor Flynn for including me in this recognition.

Collage of two photos, each showing three students positioned around a table in a colorful classroom. They are gathered closely, looking down with hands creating oobleck in a metal bowl.

Liquid? Solid? Somewhere in between? 🔍 These students mastered the art of Oobleck! Pure science, pure chaos, and 100% engagement. 🥣👐

Collage of three photos from around the school with staff and students wearing their Patriots gear in celebration of the Super Bowl LX.

🏈 It’s Super Bowl Sunday! 🎉 HMS students and staff are showing their Patriots pride as we cheer on New England in the big game! ❤️💙

🏈✨ NBC Sports is streaming the Super Bowl pre-game and halftime performances in ASL. For the first time ever, the halftime show will also include Puerto Rican Sign Language (LSPR). 🌎🤟
📺 Tune in here: nbcsports.com/asl

Group photo of the HMS girls’ and boys’ basketball teams together in Governor Baxter School for the Deaf’s gym after their game, all smiling and looking at the camera.

🏀 What a way to tip off the season! Our basketball teams faced Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (ME) in their first game and came away with a big win. We’re so proud of their sportsmanship, teamwork, and the camaraderie they showed on and off the court! 💛💙👏

Four school counselors from HMS stand smiling in a lobby in front of a sign that reads “Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” in blue and yellow lettering above the word “Welcome” in blue (in ASL), with multiple translations of “welcome” in white text on a yellow background.

💙 It’s School Counselors Week! We are so grateful for our incredible counseling team who support, guide, and advocate for our students every single day. Thank you for all you do! 👏✨

Top image: A photo taken from the back of the auditorium shows guests seated at tables, facing presenters on stage. A large screen beside the presenters displays event content. Bottom left image: A close-up of four students, the Academic Bowl team, standing on stage next to a large screen that reads, “Welcome to our 4th Trivia Night!” Bottom right image: A group of students wearing masks and gloves stand behind a table filled with assorted baked goods. They are giving thumbs up, and a sign behind them reads, “HMS Bake Sale.”

🎉 Thank you for making our 4th Annual ASL Trivia Night a success! We are so grateful to everyone who came out to play, cheer, and support our students. Your energy and community spirit made the night truly special. 🤟💙

Top Left: A teacher and student exploring a book together, highlighting global stories. Top Right: A festive centerpiece welcoming the "Happy 2026 New Year." Bottom Left: A meaningful moment on stage as an administrator and student connect using American Sign Language (ASL). Bottom Right: A vibrant, colorful rug surrounded by an inviting display of international books.

Top: A group of seven students gathered around a global flag tablecloth, sharing smiles. Bottom Left: A student getting creative, coloring in a world map. Bottom Right: Two students enjoying the festivities while seated together on the floor.

Recently, we traveled the globe to celebrate world traditions and the start of the New Year! 🌍✨ It was a wonderful opportunity to explore heritage, history, and festive customs from around the world. A great way to ring in the year together! 🎊🗺️

Our students have a message for you… 👇
It’s not too late to register for ASL Trivia Night on January 30!
Join us for a fun night of ASL trivia, friendly competition, and community connection. 🤟🎉
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/acbowlhms

Two photos each showing two students sitting at a table in front of a tub of water with a variety of materials they are testing to determine whether they sink or float.

Young scientists at HMS are making predictions, testing their ideas, and discovering how different materials behave in water! These hands-on experiments help build curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning. 💧🔬

Boston Public Schools From powerful music to electric dance performances, Boston Public Schools students reminded us why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words still matter today. The 43rd Annual BPS MLK Celebration,...

Proud to see HMS students represented as part of the DEAFinitely crew at the annual BPS MLK Celebration, demonstrating powerful art for a powerful message.
www.facebook.com/bostonschool...

A four-panel photo collage capturing the school-wide chess craze. Each panel features students of different age levels from elementary to older grades hunched over chessboards in deep concentration. The photos capture dynamic "action shots" of hands mid-move and focused expressions as students calculate their next strategy in various classrooms.

It’s official: Chess is the new school obsession! ♟️ We love seeing our students realize that great things happen when you slow down and strategize. Building critical thinkers, one move at a time.

A collage of four photos capturing middle schoolers in action during a hands-on archaeology workshop at the Peabody Museum. Students are shown carefully brushing away sediment, examining pottery shards, and using tools to uncover artifacts, fully immersed in the process of historical discovery.

🏛️✨ There’s nothing quite like seeing history in person! Our Middle School students visited Harvard’s Peabody Museum for a journey across continents and centuries. From ancient artifacts to towering monuments, it was a day full of discovery. 🌎🗿

Group of 4 students seated in front of 2 coaches, all wearing HMS Cougar jackets, with a hallway wall as the backdrop featuring a sign with the HMS logo hands: HMS Est. 1869

📣 Meet this year’s Academic Bowl team! 🧠
🗓️ ASL Trivia Night: January 30
🤟 Join us for a fun night of ASL trivia, friendly competition, and community connection in support of this year’s Academic Bowl team.
💡 Organizations can sponsor a table and bring a team along!
🎉 We hope to see you there!

🎉✨ Sending New Year wishes from our school community to yours, signed and shared with joy. Happy New Year! 🌎🤟
🎥 youtu.be/bM39EJGuywY

Collage of four photos. The large photo on the left shows three students seated and focused on the teacher at the front of the classroom, signing in ASL in front of a whiteboard with two hand-drawn posters. The three smaller photos on the right each show the teacher working individually with one of the students, who is copying her ASL signs.

Check out one of our ASL specialists in action! 🤩 Students were engaged in thoughtful discussions, building vocabulary through conversation, and learning how to organize and share their ideas clearly using visuals and technology along the way. Great learning happens every day at HMS. ✨

Top left image shows 3 students in a classroom smiling at the camera while proudly holding the smart crab robots they built. Top right image is a close up of a desk with two different students' hands working with their individual crab robot. Bottom two images are pictures taken from behind students engaged in a webinar about building smart crab robots. The webinar is projected on the screen in front of them.

HS students had a blast participating in @ritntid.bsky.social Youth Programs' latest Career Exploration webinar! 🦀🤖 Huge thank you to NTID for providing these career exploration opportunities for DHH students. Each session opens doors to new possibilities & helps students imagine their future paths.

Photo shows two Heads of School from the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing standing in front of the HMS booth at the annual Boston Public Schools Showcase of Schools, smiling at the camera.

HMS is @bostonschools.boston.gov Showcase of Schools today! Our Heads of School are excited to share what makes HMS unique. From our ASL & English dual language program to our inclusive, multilingual school community, we’re proud of the space we create for Deaf & hard of hearing students to thrive.

Thanks for the teaser, @bostonschools.boston.gov!
"Did you know Dr. Michelle Eisan-Smith is the first Deaf principal of HMS? Dr. Eisan-Smith is the subject of an upcoming Boston Public Schools video that will highlight the impact she has made in her four-plus years at Horace Mann."

We are hiring! Available Positions: - Long-Term Substitute Teacher for Pre-School - Paraprofessional careers.hms1869.org

Check out careers.hms1869.org for more information about our available positions.

Excited to share this @bostonschools.boston.gov BPS Stories spotlight featuring Assistant Head of School, Jennifer Greenfield! Jennifer reflects on her 18 years at HMS, the rich & diverse identities within our community, & her commitment to ensuring Deaf students have full access & connection.

Collage of two photos showing students in a colorful makerspace classroom working together on hands-on projects.

✨ Makerspace is where the magic happens! Students dive into hands-on challenges, communicate, collaborate, and stretch their creativity in every direction. Thinking outside the box isn’t the exception, it’s the norm. 🛠️💡

A backdrop photo shows students in graduation gowns tossing their caps into the air. Centered near the top, the text “A Brighter Future” appears in bold white font. Below it are five framed images of students engaged in various academic activities, each set against a dark blue background. Underneath, a message reads: “Support our students as they pursue their goals and dreams by investing in programs rooted in Family Engagement, fostering Community Partnerships, and creating Enrichment Opportunities.” At the bottom, on a white background, the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing logo appears on the left, the “Celebrating 155 Years” logo on the right, and centered between them is the text “Visit us online! www.hms1869.org” in blue font.

Help our students build a brighter future this #GivingTuesday! Your donation at tinyurl.com/supporthmsdeaf directly supports ongoing programs that help students thrive. Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for supporting HMS! 💙📚✨

Group selfie with 3 students and 2 staff members all smiles while looking at the camera.

🎒 We're thrilled to be back to school and bringing the sunshine! ☀️ We hope everyone had a wonderful break. Our staff and students are all smiles and excited to jump into the week! #HMS1869 #MondayVibes

Collage of four pictures showing students and staff enjoying themselves at HMS's annual community meal.

Collage of three pictures showing students and staff enjoying themselves at HMS's annual community meal.

Our secondary program enjoyed a wonderful Community Meal! For 20+ years, this tradition has brought together middle and high school students and staff to celebrate our diverse Deaf community. A joyful afternoon of culture, connection, and gratitude.

Picture taken from the back of a classroom behind students, a teacher, and the HMS Head of School Dr. Michelle Eisan-Smith. They are all actively engagement in a brain break, standing up and moving around with an animated soccer game "Croatia Vs. Morocco" can be seen displayed on the screen.

Brain breaks at HMS are always full of energy! ⚡ Students enjoy an active movement break, and Head of School Dr. Michelle joined in on the fun! 🏃‍♀️💨

Picture of 4 students bouldering on a rock climbing wall at a local rock climbing gym, They are all turned and smiling as they face the camera.

High school students are literally taking on new heights! Students in the after-school program have the chance to try bouldering and/or climbing. They’re also learning gym etiquette, building strength on the weights, and cheering on seasoned climbers attempting impressive climbs.

Square image with white background. Blue square around the border with HMS logo on the bottom left, 155th logo on bottom right, and an apple emoji with "Friends" at the middle top. Inside the blue square is the logo for BTU Boston Teachers Union, Friends of HMS, and Ounce I.T. above "Thank you" with a line drawing of the ASL sign for "thank you."

Square image with white background. Blue square around the border with HMS logo on the bottom left, 155th logo on bottom right, and an apple emoji with "Friends" at the middle top. Inside the blue square is a list of names (Jennifer Greenfield, Kate Angoff, Patrice DiNatale, Matirza Ciliberto, Hon Tran, Eileen Gorman, Jennifer O'Brien, Becky McVey, Jody Steiner, Alma Bournazian, Silvestri Family, Angela Lindeback, Christine Erikson) above "Thank you" with a line drawing of the ASL sign for "thank you."

💛 Huge thanks to our Friends Sponsors for supporting our 155th celebration! Your generosity and school spirit help make this milestone extra special. 💙