Bill Cruscial’s proposal was awarded $500.42 for the purchase of a large screen TV for the DeafPantherProductions studio so that student actors preparing webcasts/broadcasts can monitor what is being broadcast.

Panther TV is an enrichment offering for high school students with 39 students currently enrolled in these classes.  As funds permit, OSD has been creating a television studio environment where students about television broadcasting.  They plan, produce, direct and broadcast news events and happenings of all age levels and interests at the School. The 42” television monitor was needed for the studio floor so that the actors and reporters actually can see themselves as the broadcast is occurring.

All students and staff are encouraged to suggest topics and activities for filming, so there is a first-level decision-making of what is “newsworthy.”  Guided by OSD staff, students then use professional equipment to film short videos, edit them, plan a broadcast, write a script and do a live weekly broadcast to the OSD audience.  Then they post it on the OSD website for interested viewers.

OSD is a residential program, so students come from all corners of the state of Oregon.  It is often a hardship for families to make the trip to Salem.  The Panther TV broadcasts provide families and friends the opportunity to keep in touch with activities and events at the School and encourages communication about what they have viewed.