Awards

To celebrate Black History Month 2025, FOSD fulfilled a request to pay for licensing and screening fees for the film, “The Shattered Mind,” written and directed by a Black Deaf woman. Viewing the film provided OSD Seniors with an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Black Deaf community while fostering a deeper sense of connection and inclusivity.

FOSD provided refreshments which were enjoyed as students discussed their own identities as Deaf individuals and as a part of the Deaf community.

In March 2025 Friends of OSD provided funding for program fees, travel costs and accommodations for 7 middle school students and 2 staff members to participate in the 5-day Close Up program in Washington, DC.

Sponsored by the Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic education organization, the program’s mission is to educate young people about civic engagement. Close Up deepens their understanding of American history, government and Deaf culture by learning about civic processes and historical events, and fosters an appreciation for Deaf history and culture with visits to Gallaudet University and Deaf-owned establishments.

Students came away with knowledge and experiences that inspire civic engagement and community involvement.

For the past several years, FOSD has provided tuition and airfare for two OSD students to participate in the Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Explore Your Future program in Rochester, New York.

This six-day career exploration program focuses on personal growth and career awareness for college-bound deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students as they begin to think about post-secondary opportunities. They learn about education options for careers in various fields including arts, business, sciences, engineering, information technology and health sciences. In addition to the technical classes, they attend career counseling and workshops on learning styles, values and decision-making.

Students who attend EYF and go on to enroll at RIT/NTID for college receive a $1,000 scholarship and an application fee waiver to apply to RIT at no cost.

Each summer the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) conducts an intensive four-week Youth Leadership Camp where deaf high school leaders from around the United States come to meet deaf professionals and role models who not only provide seminars and hands-on training but also offer opportunities for these young people to apply their newly-acquired knowledge in self-advocacy, communication, career exploration, and disability rights as they transition from high school to higher education, meaningful employment and leadership positions in their communities.

For the past few years this national event has been held at an Oregon location: Camp Taloali near Stayton on the North Santiam River. So besides making new friends and learning new leadership skills, the OSD representatives are proud to introduce participants to the beautiful Northwest—and Oregon in particular.

FOSD provided equipment, software licenses, cabling and furnishings so that 10-15 OSD students could establish a competitive, educational, team-based Esports program.  Besides the recreational aspect, this program recognizes the diverse interests and talents of OSD students while promoting 21^st Century skill development.  It incorporates coding, game analytics, problem solving, and acquaints students with technology-driven industries related to gaming—such as design, programming and events management.  It also fosters strategic decision-making, improved focus, teamwork, leadership, collaboration, sportsmanship and social connections within the Deaf community.

Poetry Out Loud invites high school students from across the US to participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history and contemporary life.  The program starts at the local level with OSD.  Winners then may advance to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the national finals.  Poetry Out Loud takes place in all 50 states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools have participated.

The Poetry Out Loud 2025 Celebration was a special event for OSD students who participated in the OSD competition.  FOSD was pleased to treat 8 students and their coach to lunch at a local restaurant where they were recognized for their hard work and courage to participate.  They were encouraged to continue participating in the Performing Arts and to promote bilingual literacy (American Sign Language and English).

Each year the OSD graduating Seniors plan a trip of their choosing to celebrate the culmination of their education at the School.  Rather than the typical beach getaway or other recreational activity, the 17 Class of 2024 graduates wanted to know more about community resources available to them after leaving OSD.

In Salem, they visited Bridges Oregon and were treated to pizza by Oregon Association of the Deaf.  They learned about local resources available to them after graduation, as well as services and support from OAD.

Friends of OSD was happy to help with expenses for them to travel to Seattle.  They planned some “fun” activities, but also explored community resources available to the Deaf to better understand what living an informed and independent life could mean for them.

This road trip to this more urban area included visiting several Seattle community-based organizations:  the Hearing, Speech and Deaf Center; the Seattle Deaf-Blind Service Center; and the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Center.  They learned what services these organizations provide, where to find advocacy resources, who to talk with if they need support, and how to find resources independently.

In addition to discussing what they had learned, they also explored the city of Seattle.  During the day they rode the Great (ferris) Wheel on the waterfront and explored Pike Place Market.  They also attended a Minecraft workshop at the Museum of Pop Culture at Seattle Center.  The culminating treat was an after-dark view from the top of the Seattle Space Needle.

In addition to learning about services they might RECEIVE, they also learned about how they might CONTRIBUTE their own knowledge, skills and abilities to organizations serving the Deaf in their communities.

Friends of OSD approved a request for funds to expand a trial school merchandise program.  After analyzing initial sales to gauge interest and develop a marketing strategy, the redefined student-staff goal is to create a diverse range of reasonably priced, high-quality merchandise available for purchase by students, alumni, parents, staff and other school supporters. 

Using and wearing these items not only will enhance a sense of pride, unity, and school spirit, but also will be a self-sustaining revenue source to support various school activities such as the Prom and other special events.  These occasions contribute to the social fabric of our community and foster a positive and inclusive environment for OSD students.

The DeafWest Theatre Company, in conjunction with the Utah School for the Deaf, invited schools for the deaf across the nation gather in Utah in March 2024 to learn about and gain experience in Theater, Deaf Literature, Stage Traditions, and Acting.  FOSD was happy to fund the airfare and other travel expenses for 10 OSD students to participate in this program, accompanied by 2 chaperones.

In Utah they learned about the world of theater through their own eyes and with their own hands, getting direct instruction and guidance from professional actors who used American Sign Language.  (See photos below)  Upon their return, these students and the OSD Drama Club presented The Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe for the student body, staff, parents and other interested supporters.

The OSD “Student Voice” representatives requested furnishings for a “sensory room”—a place where students could go to help calm the hyperactive and stimulate the disinterested, soothe those with stress and high anxiety, and benefit those with ADHD and autism as well.  The room is accessible to all ages and is full of sensory-friendly decor, interactive objects, physically immersive games and challenges.

FOSD was happy to create a place where students can learn skills in controlling their emotions, reduce stress, and explore their senses in a safe environment and in their own time.

Friends of OSD was happy to fund accessories and furnishings for a unique classroom for elementary students.  Students with special needs learn and play together and with other students during the school day.  But creating their own space with a higher sensory environment of colors, lights, textures and sound will enhance learning opportunities for these students as well as providing a safe area to take a calming break.  Available to all students, but especially designed for those with special needs, the teacher reports students are more focused, calmer, more attentive, and thus better able to learn.

Not all families can afford to provide school supplies, clothing that keeps up with their child’s growth, hygiene supplies, or even groceries.  To address these inequities, the OSD School Nurse asked FOSD to provide funding to meet those needs in the form of the Panther Student Success Store, and we were happy to do so.

Items now available include winter clothing, shoes, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, tissue, chapstick, razors and shaving cream.  The food pantry includes canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and other non-perishable items that students can take when they go home to their families on weekends.

In the summer of 2023, FOSD provided tuition and airfare for two OSD students to participate in the Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Explore Your Future program in Rochester, New York

This six-day career exploration program focused on personal growth and career awareness for college-bound deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students as they began to think about post-secondary opportunities. They learned about education options for careers in various fields including arts, business, sciences, engineering, information technology and health sciences. In addition to the technical classes, they attended career counseling and workshops on learning styles, values and decision-making.

Students who attended EYF and went on to enroll at RIT/NTID for college received a $1,000 scholarship and an application fee waiver to apply to RIT at no cost.

Each summer the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) conducts an intensive four-week Youth Leadership Camp where deaf high school leaders meet deaf professionals and role models who not only provide seminars and hands-on training but also offer opportunities for these young people to apply their newly-acquired knowledge in self-advocacy, communication, career exploration, disability rights, and more.

FOSD provided deposits to hold highly sought after space for three OSD students to attend the 2023 Camp where they received training and education to transition to higher education, meaningful employment and leadership positions in their communities.

FOSD funded a refurbishment of the Black Cat Espresso (re-named Jungle Java) on-campus, student-operated coffee business.  With updated equipment and start-up supplies, students received barista training and tutoring to obtain an Oregon Food Handlers Card.  In addition to job skills, students learn safety, responsibility, customer service and work ethics.

The ATP (Adult Transition Program) is for students who have graduated with a Modified or Extended diploma, or a Certificate of Completion.  The ATP provides essential support to students transitioning out of the school environment and into the community, while living in an accessible apartment environment on campus.

Some continue to attend OSD high school or Chemeketa Community College classes.  Others may take classes, but focus more on developing skills and work experience that will prepare them for independent living.  Students can continue in the ATP until they are ready for work/college or reach the age of 21.

The ATP apartment is housed in a former elementary dormitory which has been remodeled for these young adults.  OSD staff have done an admirable job of making it cheerful and comfortable, but the kitchen area needed some additional accessories to enhance the culinary learning environment.

FOSD was happy to provide a set of professional-grade knives and a kitchen island workspace for students as they continue to learn how to prepare their own meals.

Gaga Ball is popular with students of all ages. The ball is super soft foam, and the “pit” keeps the game in one place. At the request of the Physical Education staff, FOSD purchased two pits which can be used either inside or outside.

An ADA gate makes them wheelchair friendly, autism friendly, and overall more user friendly by being kinder and gentler than traditional dodgeball, but still providing a workout.

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a nationally-recognized model that many schools use to promote good behavior.

Any student or staff who sees another student or staff demonstrating safe, respectful, or responsible behavior fills out and submits a form.

FOSD provided all students and staff with T-shirts (student-produced art) and reporting forms to support this activity as well as prizes that encourage a sense of union and community, working together toward a common goal.

Poetry Out Loud, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission, is open to all Oregon high school students.  It encourages young performers to dive into American poetry through memorization and performance competition.

https://youtu.be/UvYrr5OXjvE

Students interested in participating in the Poetry Out Loud program attended an FOSD-funded weekend at a rental beach house where they took part in poetry activities and workshops.  They were exposed to various forms of poetry, works of published poets, compared ASL to English poetic devices, and discovered the power of poetry when translated into sign language.

https://youtu.be/9UfuDBrWSHs

OSD is striving to invest in and expand their trades program.  FOSD previously purchased a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) router for the Construction Technology Academy.

In 2022 FOSD purchased a CNC plasma cutting table and training for OSD staff.  This amazing tool gives students experience on a professional grade machine just like they would use in an industrial setting to create precision parts.  They design the end product on the computer, send the design to the cutting head, and the plasma cutter does the rest.