Friends of OSD - FOSD

Enhancing the educational experience for OSD students.

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Family Learning Program

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In October 2013, families with children of all ages came to OSD for a weekend of workshops and activities at no cost to them.  OSD’s dietary staff prepared delicious meals for families who were housed in OSD’s dormitories.  Parents really enjoyed being able to relax, to eat without doing all the chores, and to get to know other parents.  A full schedule of workshops for parents rounded out the weekend.

During the workshops, the children were divided into age groups for supervised activities including swimming, captioned movies, and a bouncy house.  Before leaving, families participated in team-building activities, a family photo opportunity, an art contest, and a thrilling scavenger hunt.

It is hoped that this program will become an annual event.

This event was made possible by an award from FOSD. Learn more about FOSD’s award opportunities »

TV Broadcasting Equipment

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Bill Cruscial’s proposal was awarded $1,450.83 for the Certified Video Career and Technical Education Program at OSD, which trains students in the creation, editing and broadcasting of video. The grant will be used to replace an old camcorder, purchase three tripods with dollys and a 6 month subscription to Ustream for an online webcast channel dedicated to Panther TV.

Middle School Leadership Conference 2013

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Sharla Jones’ proposal was awarded $500 towards the LIFE: Middle School Leadership Conference, which involves students from all over the state. This was the 5th year for this 4-day conference which includes deaf and hearing impaired students from all over the state of Oregon.

More than half of the participants were from regular public schools and rarely get the opportunity to socialize with other deaf students their own age.  The number of participants varies from year-to-year, depending on the middle school population.  The 2011 Conference hosted 72 students.  The 2012 Conference hosted 45.

Funds were used for gas cards for the presenters, food, office supplies and workshop materials.  No stipends or gratuities were given, and 20 volunteers were involved in the Conference.  Other fundraising activities (T-shirt sales, the Haunted House, etc.) supplemented the Weston Foundation contribution.

Presenters at the workshops included deaf adults from a variety of professions to inspire and instruct the students.  The Conference Coordinator reported that this activity was a huge success and generated many positive comments by students and presenters alike.

Family Learning Program – 2013

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Sharla’s proposal was awarded up to $6,000 for a full weekend Family Learning Program for parents and students to receive training, problem solve, learn new skills.

In the past (8-10 years ago), the Family Learning Program was an event that brought families of deaf and hearing impaired students to the School for a week during the summer.  The costs were included in the School’s budget, and it was one of the most successful and anticipated activities of the year. When budgets were cut, some tough decisions had to be made, and the Family Learning Program was eliminated.  Since that time it has been the hope of school administrators that other funds could be found to re-establish the Program. During 2012, Board members successfully acquired private foundation grants and income from fundraising activities to re-establish a more modest weekend Family Learning Program that was held on November 10-11. A number of families attended (a total of 54 participants), with children of all ages. OSD’s dietary staff prepared delicious meals for families who were housed in OSD’s dormitories.  Moms really enjoyed being able to relax, to eat without doing all the chores, and to get to know other parents.

Workshops for parents included: “Reading with your Deaf Child;”“Love and Logic: Behavior and your Deaf Child.” (led by a parent of deaf children); “Hands and Voices:  Resources for your Deaf Child in Oregon;” A Sign Language Clinic to help parents improve their signing skills; A sharing of resources available in the community. During the workshops, the children were divided into age groups for supervised activities including swimming, captioned movies, and a bouncy house.

Before leaving, families participated in team-building activities, a family photo opportunity, an art contest, and a thrilling scavenger hunt. The families commented on how grateful they were to be able to take part in this weekend–there was bonding time, and moments of reflection and appreciation for the deaf children in their lives.

Thanks to funding from THE SALEM FOUNDATION, the OCF JOSEPH E. WESTON PUBLIC FOUNDATION, and Friends of OSD fundraising activities.

Pool Lift Equipment

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Alex Olsen’s proposal was awarded $1,500 towards a $6,000 pool lift, required by ADA to keep the swimming pool open past January 13, 2013. OSD has a beautiful pool that students may use for exercise regiments, learning life saving skills, teamwork, endurance, and recreation.

The benefits of water exercise have been shown to improve well-being, intellectual development, emotional regulation, self-esteem, mood, sleep patterns and more. Due to changes in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), after January 31, 2013 all public pools are required to have a lift chair to provide pool access for those with physical disabilities.

FOSD partnered with OSD’s Nightmare Factory Haunted House to fund the purchase and installation of this required piece of equipment, and OSD’s pool remains open.

Our Mission

IMG_2702The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD beyond the State’s funding responsibility*. The FOSD Board has identified four initiatives for which awards may be granted:  education, cultural activities, innovative programs and minor capital improvement projects.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006, FOSD was established to support the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD).  From that beginning, Friends of OSD has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. In 2014, FOSD created an Advisory Council of 15 members.

The Friends of OSD Strategic Plan provides direction as the nonprofit continues to expand. We are proud to say that 95% of all grants and donations go directly to programs that benefit students.

*The State of Oregon is responsible for operating programs and services for the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD). Federal case law establishes the expectation that special education services provided by a school be reasonably designed to ensure students make progress. Friends of OSD will not replace or supplant the responsibilities of the state.

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