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About OSD

Vision

Oregon School for the Deaf: Empowering Students with Language, Culture, and Community.


Mission

 

Oregon School for the Deaf is where Oregon Deaf students Belong. We are an institution steeped in tradition and a renewable dedication to equity. It is our continuing mission to create a safe and empowering learning environment, rich in language where Deaf students can thrive, entering the world with new connections.


Philosophy Statement

All students enrolled at the Oregon School for the Deaf are entitled to the best education that our resources can provide. Each student is valued as a unique individual, to be treated with dignity, in an atmosphere where individual differences are accepted. We believe that each student can learn, and accept the challenge of providing a nurturing environment which allows each student to fulfill his/her potential. We endeavor to instill in all students the intrinsic value of learning.

Guiding Beliefs of Philosophy Statement

  • We set high standards for student achievement and work to provide the best education possible for each individual.

  • We foster a creative, motivating, barrier-free communication environment that recognizes and honors Deaf Culture, American Sign Language, and Deaf role models.

  • We provide instruction, model values, and demonstrate ethical behavior that will develop character and motivate our students to become enriched, empowered and involved citizens within their communities.

  • We cultivate a campus-wide respect for individual values and cultures. We cultivate a positive, safe environment for each student for learning, living, working and belonging and we recognize everyone who works at OSD as an educator.

  • We believe mutual support and involvement, and open and direct communication among staff, parents and students are critical elements to success.

  • We maintain campus-wide, fair and consistent discipline, thereby teaching our students responsibility.

  • We provide instruction, model values, and demonstrate ethical behavior that will develop character and motivate our students to become enriched, empowered and involved citizens within their communities. We are a safe community in which students feel a sense of belonging.

  • Our staff recognizes and promotes the importance of developing self-respect and our staff and students respect individual values and cultures.

  • We promote and support academic excellence and actualization of potential for staff and students.

  • We facilitate learning through communication; students have access to communication throughout campus. (ASL, speech, written and printed English) and provide opportunities for students to interact with deaf adults and peers.