Kids Sign ‘Happy Birthday’ to Hearing-Impaired Janitor

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (AP) – A kindergarten class in Tennessee decided to surprise their school’s longtime janitor for his 60th birthday by singing to him — in American Sign Language.

The Tennessean reports Hickerson Elementary School posted a video of the surprise on Facebook Tuesday.

It shows janitor James Anthony laughing in disbelief and bringing his hands to his head as the children sign the “Happy Birthday” song.

Anthony has worked for the school system since 1991 and is hearing-impaired, but he can read lips. The children learned the song with the help of a teacher, teacher’s aide and nurse. One parent commented that their children attended the school several years ago and were taught to sign “Intruder Alert” so they could warn Anthony if necessary.

First published: https://katc.com/ap-national-news/2018/10/25/video-kids-sign-happy-birthday-to-hearing-impaired-janitor/