Outdoor School - Multnomah Education Service District
  • About
    • Mission
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Session Calendar
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Merchandise
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Programs
    • Outdoor School >
      • Program Tour
      • Field Study Tour >
        • Animals Field Study Tour
        • Plants Field Study Tour
        • Soil Field Study Tour
        • Water Field Study Tour
        • Academic Program Elements
      • Sample Daily Schedule
      • Register Your Class for ODS
      • Session Calendar
    • 4th Grade Overnight
    • StarLab >
      • Presentations
      • Space Requirements
      • Adjustments & Fees
  • Sites
    • Angelos / Sandy River >
      • ASR Location & Directions
      • ASR Facilities
      • ASR Science & Nature
      • ASR Land & History
      • ASR Meet the Staff
    • Collins >
      • CL Location & Directions
      • CL Facilities
      • CL Science & Nature
      • CL Land & History
      • CL Meet the Staff
    • Kuratli / Trestle Glen >
      • KR Location & Directions
      • KR Facilities
      • KR Science & Nature
      • KR Land & History
      • KR Meet the Staff
    • Namanu >
      • NM Location & Directions
      • NM Facilities
      • NM Science & Nature
      • NM Land & History
      • NM Meet the Staff
    • Westwind >
      • WW Location & Directions
      • WW Facilities
      • WW Science & Nature
      • WW Land & History
      • WW Meet the Staff
  • History
    • History by Decade >
      • The 1960s
      • The 1970s
      • The 1980s
      • The 1990s
      • The 2000s
      • The 2010s
      • The 2020s
    • Retired Sites >
      • Adams / Milk Creek
      • Adams / Nate Creek
      • Arrah Wanna >
        • AW Location & Directions
        • AW Facilities
        • AW Science & Nature
        • AW Land & History
        • AW Meet the Staff
      • Canby Grove >
        • CG Location & Directions
        • CG Facilities
        • CG Science & Nature
        • CG Land & History
        • CG Meet the Staff
      • Cascade >
        • CAS Location & Directions
        • CAS Facilities
        • CAS Science & Nature
        • CAS Land & History
        • CAS Meet the Staff
      • Colton
      • Crestview
      • Eagle Fern
      • Howard >
        • HO Location & Directions
        • HO Facilities
        • HO Science & Nature
        • HO Land & History
        • HO Meet the Staff
      • Kiwanis >
        • KW Location & Directions
        • KW Facilities
        • KW Land & History
        • KW Staff
      • Scouter's Mountain
      • Sports Acres
      • Trout Creek
      • Yamhill
    • Outdoor School Staff Photos
  • For Parents
    • Dear Parents and / or Guardians
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • English
      • Español
      • русски
      • tiếng Việt
    • Forms for Parents
    • Sample Daily Schedule
    • Sample Menu
    • Students with Specific Needs
    • Parents of Student Leaders
    • Session Calendar
  • For Teachers
    • Outdoor School Curriculum
    • Preparation & Follow-Up Ideas
    • Special Needs - Outdoor School
    • Supporting Transgender Youth
    • Forms for Teachers
    • Translated Parent Info
    • Sample Teacher Schedule
    • Ideas for Class Meetings
    • Fundraising Ideas
    • Next Gen Science Standards >
      • NGSS Alignment: Animals
      • NGSS Alignment: Plants
      • NGSS Alignment: Soil
      • NGSS Alignment: Water
    • Teacher Calendar
  • For Student Leaders
    • Criteria for Participation
    • SL Workshop Training
    • Register for Workshop
    • Makeup Workshop
    • Student Leader Recruiters
    • Student Leader Calendar
    • Bus Schedules
    • Forms for Student Leaders
    • Parents of Student Leaders
    • 10 Reasons to Participate
    • Handbook, Songbook, & Skits >
      • Beginner Handbook
      • Advanced Handbook
      • Outdoor School Songbook
    • SL Sample Weekly Schedule
    • Evaluation Rubric
    • College Credit & Scholarships >
      • PCC College Credit
      • Student Leader Scholarship
    • Jobs, Internships & Programs
    • Support Resources
    • Social Media
    • Special Needs Volunteers
  • For Staff
    • Trainings & Certifications
    • Incident Reporting
    • Wildlife Handling Guidelines
    • How to Field Instructor
    • How to Program Leader
    • Staff & Field Study Songs
    • Professional Resources
    • Seasonal Employment
    • Job Listings
    • Merchandise Payment
    • Staff Calendar
  • MESD


Special Needs Information for Teachers


MESD Outdoor School > For Teachers > Special Needs Information for Teachers

​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.
Electronic Special Needs Form for Outdoor School Teachers
Special Needs Form for Outdoor School (PDF)
Special Needs Form for Outdoor School (Word)
Special Needs Form for 4th Grade Overnight Teachers (PDF)
Special Needs Form for 4th Grade Overnight (Word)

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.
Social Stories with Pictures (PDF)
Social Stories without Pictures (PDF)
Outdoor School Picture Schedule
Schedule in pictures; can be conveniently cut up into pocket-sized cards.
Outdoor School Picture Schedule (PDF)
Outdoor School Picture Schedule (Word)
ODS Logo

About

Mission
Meet Our Staff
Session Calendar
​Employment
Merchandise
Partners
​Contact

PROGRAMS

Outdoor School
4th Grade Overnight
​StarLab

History

ODS since 1966
ODS Staff Photos

Locations

Angelos ODS
Arrah Wanna ODS
Canby Grove ODS
Howard ODS
Kiwanis 4th Grade
Kuratli ODS
​
Namanu ODS

Resources

For Parents
For Teachers
For Student Leaders
For Volunteers
For Staff
MESD Logo
11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland OR 97220
phone: (503) 257-1600 fax: (503) 257-1592
​outdoorschool@mesd.k12.or.us
© COPYRIGHT 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  • About
    • Mission
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Session Calendar
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Merchandise
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Programs
    • Outdoor School >
      • Program Tour
      • Field Study Tour >
        • Animals Field Study Tour
        • Plants Field Study Tour
        • Soil Field Study Tour
        • Water Field Study Tour
        • Academic Program Elements
      • Sample Daily Schedule
      • Register Your Class for ODS
      • Session Calendar
    • 4th Grade Overnight
    • StarLab >
      • Presentations
      • Space Requirements
      • Adjustments & Fees
  • Sites
    • Angelos / Sandy River >
      • ASR Location & Directions
      • ASR Facilities
      • ASR Science & Nature
      • ASR Land & History
      • ASR Meet the Staff
    • Collins >
      • CL Location & Directions
      • CL Facilities
      • CL Science & Nature
      • CL Land & History
      • CL Meet the Staff
    • Kuratli / Trestle Glen >
      • KR Location & Directions
      • KR Facilities
      • KR Science & Nature
      • KR Land & History
      • KR Meet the Staff
    • Namanu >
      • NM Location & Directions
      • NM Facilities
      • NM Science & Nature
      • NM Land & History
      • NM Meet the Staff
    • Westwind >
      • WW Location & Directions
      • WW Facilities
      • WW Science & Nature
      • WW Land & History
      • WW Meet the Staff
  • History
    • History by Decade >
      • The 1960s
      • The 1970s
      • The 1980s
      • The 1990s
      • The 2000s
      • The 2010s
      • The 2020s
    • Retired Sites >
      • Adams / Milk Creek
      • Adams / Nate Creek
      • Arrah Wanna >
        • AW Location & Directions
        • AW Facilities
        • AW Science & Nature
        • AW Land & History
        • AW Meet the Staff
      • Canby Grove >
        • CG Location & Directions
        • CG Facilities
        • CG Science & Nature
        • CG Land & History
        • CG Meet the Staff
      • Cascade >
        • CAS Location & Directions
        • CAS Facilities
        • CAS Science & Nature
        • CAS Land & History
        • CAS Meet the Staff
      • Colton
      • Crestview
      • Eagle Fern
      • Howard >
        • HO Location & Directions
        • HO Facilities
        • HO Science & Nature
        • HO Land & History
        • HO Meet the Staff
      • Kiwanis >
        • KW Location & Directions
        • KW Facilities
        • KW Land & History
        • KW Staff
      • Scouter's Mountain
      • Sports Acres
      • Trout Creek
      • Yamhill
    • Outdoor School Staff Photos
  • For Parents
    • Dear Parents and / or Guardians
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • English
      • Español
      • русски
      • tiếng Việt
    • Forms for Parents
    • Sample Daily Schedule
    • Sample Menu
    • Students with Specific Needs
    • Parents of Student Leaders
    • Session Calendar
  • For Teachers
    • Outdoor School Curriculum
    • Preparation & Follow-Up Ideas
    • Special Needs - Outdoor School
    • Supporting Transgender Youth
    • Forms for Teachers
    • Translated Parent Info
    • Sample Teacher Schedule
    • Ideas for Class Meetings
    • Fundraising Ideas
    • Next Gen Science Standards >
      • NGSS Alignment: Animals
      • NGSS Alignment: Plants
      • NGSS Alignment: Soil
      • NGSS Alignment: Water
    • Teacher Calendar
  • For Student Leaders
    • Criteria for Participation
    • SL Workshop Training
    • Register for Workshop
    • Makeup Workshop
    • Student Leader Recruiters
    • Student Leader Calendar
    • Bus Schedules
    • Forms for Student Leaders
    • Parents of Student Leaders
    • 10 Reasons to Participate
    • Handbook, Songbook, & Skits >
      • Beginner Handbook
      • Advanced Handbook
      • Outdoor School Songbook
    • SL Sample Weekly Schedule
    • Evaluation Rubric
    • College Credit & Scholarships >
      • PCC College Credit
      • Student Leader Scholarship
    • Jobs, Internships & Programs
    • Support Resources
    • Social Media
    • Special Needs Volunteers
  • For Staff
    • Trainings & Certifications
    • Incident Reporting
    • Wildlife Handling Guidelines
    • How to Field Instructor
    • How to Program Leader
    • Staff & Field Study Songs
    • Professional Resources
    • Seasonal Employment
    • Job Listings
    • Merchandise Payment
    • Staff Calendar
  • MESD