Special Needs Information for Teachers |
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The staff at Outdoor School makes every effort to support all students, including those who may have special academic, social, behavioral or physical needs. Please fill out the Special Needs Information Form even if you do not have any students with special needs attending Outdoor School with your class. If you have questions, contact Kitty Boryer at 503-257-1607 or kboryer@mesd.k12.or.us.
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Special Needs Form for 4th Grade Overnight (Word)
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Recommendations
Contact Outdoor School early.
As soon as you know that you may have needs, contact the Outdoor School office at 503-257-1600. Include students from special classes in your Outdoor School preparations. Often students from a special education classroom will go to Outdoor School with another class. Contact your principal to find out if you are bringing any students who are not usually in your class. Take time to have your students get to know these students, and include them in the selection of cabin partners. Arrange with the special education teacher to include these students in the academic and social preparations for Outdoor School. Find out if students require an assistant. If a student has an aide who works with him or her at school, that person can help set the student up for success at Outdoor School. Check with your principal to arrange for the aide to help the student adjust to life at Outdoor School. In some cases it is most appropriate for an aide to attend Outdoor School with the class, for all or part of the day. Outdoor School can provide housing for classroom assistants who are needed to help students. Request a volunteer to help a student with special needs. Outdoor School recruits hundreds of adults each year to work one-on-one with students with special needs. While these volunteers may not have any formal training in special education, they are often college students who are working toward a career in education and are seeking an opportunity to work with children. Outdoor School cannot guarantee that we can provide a volunteer one-on-one, but we do our best to place volunteers with the students who need them most. Encourage parents to contact Outdoor School. Parents often have insights into their children’s needs that can be very helpful when supporting students in a residential environment. It is very helpful to know what parents do when a child cannot get to sleep, doesn’t like a particular food, or is anxious about being in a new environment. |
Resources
Social stories about Outdoor School
A simple narrative description of some of the events that students can expect to participate in. Available with or without pictures. Outdoor School Picture Schedule
Schedule in pictures; can be conveniently cut up into pocket-sized cards. |
