Perkins Stories

Perkins Early Learning Center student Emily practices her cane skills while crossing John's Bridge on the Perkins pond.

Perkins Lower School student Xavier prepares to throw a football through a goalpost with help from adapted physical education teacher Matt LaCortiglia.

Secondary Program students Mercedes and Bill join the many students, staff and family members taking pictures outside before the Perkins Prom.

Ashley Riva, a graduating senior from the Perkins Deafblind Program, waves to her friends, family and teachers during the Perkins 2016 Commencement Ceremony.

Lower School student Jae and teaching assistant Andre Harris playfully count aloud.

Nolan proudly beamed as he received the Reach for the Stars Award during his graduation from the Perkins Early Learning Center.

Perkins Deafblind Program student Osamh (center) and Lower School student Isabella (right) tested their balance on the new accessible playground at Perkins School for the Blind.

Matteo explored the many musical instruments installed in the accessible Perkins playground, before trying his hand at the xylophone.

Kaylena had great time checking out Perkins’ new playground’s features.

Secondary student Alex was one of many Perkins Chorus members who joined the Revels music and dance group on stage, performing this year’s “Celebration of Spring” concert for the community.

Musician and Perkins alum Ellis Hall rehearses Motown hits with the Perkins Chorus before the 10th annual Perkins Possibilities Gala.

Perkins staff member Cristian Pena (left) congratulates Anderson for hitting a baseball during Camp Abilities – a week-long sports program for students who are visually impaired.

Kimi smiles as she enjoys a book about her birthday she helped write with Deafblind Program teacher Sharon Stelzer.

Students from across Massachusetts took part in the annual audible egg hunt at Perkins School for the Blind.

Perkins’ Lead Job Coach, David McDermott, connects students to dozens of vocational opportunities, including shifts at the Perk Café.

“Skiing is exciting, it’s exhilarating,” said Zachary, a Perkins Outreach student who shredded some powder at the New England Blind and Visually Impaired Ski Festival at Sugarloaf in Maine. “I’m a bit of a thrill seeker so I love it.”

Secondary student Isabella uses a variety of adaptive devices, including a video magnifier that enlarges printed documents, during math class with teacher Elaine Phillips.

Pietro Fusco manufactures components for Perkins braillers.

Dec. 13 - Students build and test a solar-powered robot during the Outreach Program’s first-ever Robotics Weekend.

Brothers Jonah and Jamie raise their voices in song during a rehearsal for the Perkins Holiday Concert.

Perkins students Logan (left) and Matteo read up on Plimoth Plantation using the museum’s braille materials and tactile maps.

Early Learning Center student Xavier listens to a rain stick, a percussion instrument that mimics the sound of rain when tilted.

A student and teacher from the Perkins Deafblind Program use sign language to communicate at an assembly.

Before being elected into office in Nov. 2013, then-congressional candidate Katherine Clark listened to Perkins Library Director Kim Charlson (center) and National Deaf-blind Equipment Distribution Program Manager Jerry Berrier describe Perkins services.

Lower School student Prasha reaches to touch the tactile world map in the Grousbeck Center for Students & Technology.

Family and friends congratulate the newly minted Early Learning Center graduates.

Perkins students played a lively game of baseball. Lower School student Kyle took a moment to feel the ball, which rattled with bells inside.

Educational Leadership Program graduates Stephanie Yang of Taiwan and Zhao Yu of China applaud during the commencement ceremony.

Perkins student Mikolai kicks the soccer ball past goalkeeper and Liverpool Football Club (LFC) mascot, Mighty Red, during an adaptive sport clinic led by LFC soccer legends.

Deafblind Program student Millie and her teacher, Lindsey Varrin, make a new friend in Mighty Red, Liverpool Football Club’s mascot.

The Boston Red Sox shared their World Series victory with Perkins students, bringing the 2013 Commissioner's Trophy to campus for students to touch.

Eric Gama, an educator from South Africa who is blind, teaches Lower School student Danzel how to read braille. Gama is one of 14 international teachers participating in the 2014 Educational Leadership Program.

After nine months of intensive study at Perkins, Zhao Yu of China embraces friends and supporters before she graduates with her 2014 Educational Leadership Program classmates.

Educators from around the state come to Perkins to attend day-long workshops with Perkins experts.

In May 2014, Dave Power became Perkins’ CEO and 10th president in the school’s 185-year history.

Secondary Program student Travis learns how to run his own radio show under the direction of Radio Perkins Program Director Matt Carlson.

Lower School student Sai plays a guitar solo during a concert.

Perkins music teacher Adele Trytko accompanies the student chorus on piano during a school-wide assembly. Trytko retired after teaching Perkins students for 55 years.

Students ride a tandem bike around the Perkins track during the Camp Abilities sports program.

Camper Chloe and counselor Miguel, who is attending Perkins Educational Leadership Program from Brazil, share a laugh during Camp Abilities, a week-long adaptive sports program.

Kyle practices his navigation skills during an orientation and mobility lesson with his teacher Matt Edwards.

Emilia, a student in the Perkins Deafblind Program, explores a prickly pumpkin stem during the annual Farm to School Festival.

Secondary students Carolyn and Mikolai cross John’s Bridge to collect water samples from the campus pond during science class.

Jack is awarded a braille sticker after answering a question correctly in his classroom at McCall Middle School in Winchester, Mass.

Xavier uses his white cane during a field trip to Watertown center.

During Perkins’ annual Founder’s Day celebration, Logan and his teacher explore a statue of Michael Anagnos, Perkins’ second director and founder of the kindergarten program in 1887.

Deafblind Program student Zachary and Rebecca Chelimo, an Education Leadership Program teacher from Kenya, sort recyclables in the work activities room.

Jake makes a new friend during the annual Farm to School Fair.

Secondary student Jamie learns how to cook during an adult living skills class with teacher Suha Al-Musa, an Education Leadership Program educator from Saudi Arabia.

Cara Coller and her daughter Izzy head into the 5th annual Beeping Egg Hunt.