Aggrey Sawuka’s application was awarded a Special Projects grant for $1,500 towards the purchase of 6 aquariums to encourage students’ scientific observations and literacy. More than 60 OSD students are currently taking biology and they need real life, hands on learning to increase their skills in the area of: observation of living organisms, documentation, data analysis and regular reporting. The state designed scientific inquiry rubric will be used to evaluate students’ performances and documents will be preserved in their science portfolios.
Family Learning Program – 2013
Matt Boyd’s proposal was awarded the remainder of the $6,000 grant 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 2013, 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 in October. A number of families attended, 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 were included. During the workshops, the children were divided into age groups for supervised activities including swimming, captioned movies, and a bouncy house. 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, the JUAN YOUNG FOUNDATION and Friends of OSD fundraising activities.
Family Learning Program – 2013
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.
Positive Behavior Instructional Support Program – 2011 Funding
Donna Schuyler’s Positive Behavior Instructional Support Program was awarded $339 to purchase incentives for students as part of a campus-wide program that recognizes safe, respectful, or responsible behavior.
Started in the 2010-11 school year, and based on a nationally-known model, any staff member who sees a student demonstrating safe, respectful, or responsible behavior fills out and submits a “PAH! Paper”. Every full week of school, there is a drawing in each area: elementary, middle, and high school. PAH! Papers are randomly drawn, and the students receive small awards, such as gift cards, books, small toys or craft kits.
On average; 50 students are recognized weekly through this program. At the end of the school year, one PAH! Paper is drawn from each area for larger awards, such as backpacks, flashing alarm clocks, sports equipment, etc. At the end of the school year, staff reported that the program was a huge success and wanted to continue this work.
Video Camera Repair
Bill Cruscial’s proposal was awarded $976.29 to repair the video camera used for webcast/broadcast of Panther TV, OSD News, and OSD basketball games. Panther TV is an innovative broadcasting program at OSD that allows students to plan, script and broadcast live TV shows. The video camera used by students for the weekly Panther TV productions needed repair. There were no School funds available, so staff applied to Friends of OSD for an Educational Enhancement Award which was granted.Visual communications (television, video, movies) is an emerging career field for individuals with hearing problems. With the studio and professional equipment available, students become aware of the wide variety of work it takes to produce a program, a video, a movie. Besides the technical aspects, they also learn how to work as a team/crew, how to cooperate and make sometimes tough decisions in the planning, writing, editing, production and direction. They critique each broadcast and work to improve each week. These broadcasts have become cultural events, not only for students and their families, but also for the greater community—both deaf and hearing. If you would like to see the actual videos produced by students using FOSD-funded equipment, go to: https://www.osd.k12.or.us/content/oregon-news-videos