Hospital School Program

A bridge between home, hospital, and school

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Home > MESD Schools & Programs > Hospital School Program

Administrator
Amy Marquardt-Dustin
adustin@mesd.k12.or.us

Contact
Ph: 503-262-4200
Fax: 503-262-4216

Administrative Assistant
Tana Cyr
tcyr@mesd.k12.or.us

Administrative Assistant
Xochitl Tombleson
xtombleson@mesd.k12.or.us

2022-2023 School Year - 
Winter Break:
      For all schools - Monday, December 19, 2022 - Monday, January 2, 2023
      Schools will be back in session starting Tuesday, January 3, 2023

The Hospital School Program provides a flexible and motivational educational experience through instruction and educational support to students up to age 21 with significant, acute medical, rehabilitation or mental health needs during the course of their hospitalization and / or ongoing treatment.

The educational impact to hospitalized children is mitigated by receiving ongoing educational services, maintaining contact with their attending districts, and by planning a reasonable and realistic transition back to school following hospitalization. Program staff involve parents in the educational process and may include siblings and other family members in the instruction. Special Education, ELL and Transition Services are also provided.

Our program offers educational services to inpatient and outpatient students receiving medical care across five hospital sites in the Portland Metro area.

Why is school so important during hospitalization?
     •     Provides a sense of purpose and belonging
     •     Offers a welcome redirection of focus
     •     Combats feelings of isolation during hospitalization
     •     Develops and maintains academic skills
     •     Offers opportunities to make real connections with peers
     •     Participation in familiar routines, like school, helps children cope with hospitalization

Who does the program serve?
Patients, their siblings, and their children, regardless of state of residency who are in kindergarten through high school diploma / GED, or up to age 21 if receiving special education services.

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"Thank you all so much for making this week such a fun experience from. You guys really helped me to understand my work when I had troubles. Especially Lori, thank you a lot for wanting me to take a break and have some fun. It was great being able to play all the fun games with you. Also, Joe you were a huge help to my math work and I don’t know if I could’ve done it without you. Overall I just want to say thank you so much for making my week better and funner."

From Blake, 5th grade
Thank you

"Being in a classroom away from home makes me feel at home."
Kenadie (Transitions Program)

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Amy Marquardt-Dustin, Administrator Hospital School Programs; Long Term Care & Treatment

Amy Marquardt-Dustin
Administrator Hospital School Programs; Long Term Care & Treatment
​adustin@mesd.k12.or.us

Amy hails from sunny southern California where she enjoyed all things camping, fishing, and swimming in the Pacific Ocean with her parents. She went on to spend her undergraduate years in northern California’s beautiful redwood forest where she got her undergraduate degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Teacher Education from Cal Poly Humboldt, and then obtained her Masters of Education with an emphasis in Special Education from the University of San Diego

Amy moved to Portland in January 2006 where she has worked in education for 16 years and has taught almost every grade level. During this time, she found a particular adoration for fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, and a deep passion for racial equity work, inclusionary practices, and advocating for scholars and their families. Amy feels tremendously fortunate to be part of the MESD community, and especially the exceptional educators of the Hospital School and Long Term Care and Treatment Programs.

In her free time, Amy enjoys running amok and going on silly adventures with her husband Steve, bonus son Miles, daughter Vivienne, and her four rascally animals Lola, Tuco, Daffodil and Hedwig. She enjoys board games, bowling, pickleball, traveling, exploring museums, and watching her favorite flicks. 

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Tana Cyr
Administrative Assisitant Hospital School Programs
​tcyr@mesd.k12.or.us

Tana is a native Oregonian who grew up appreciating all things Pacific Northwest including liquid sunshine, camping, skiing, filberts, and Burgerville strawberry milkshakes. She spent many a summers on her great-grandmother’s farm picking berries, collecting eggs, and feeding the cows. It was during this time she established a deep and abiding passion for amazing food and gardening.

Tana attended college in the Midwest where she graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and discovered a love for Excel spreadsheets and spicy food. She eventually found her way back to Oregon, and with spouse in tow, have made their home in SE Portland.
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Tana spends her free time with her spouse, daughter, and family creating memories and trying new recipes. She’s a total hot pepper head and adores UW Badgers hockey. She also loves traveling and firmly believes that traveling cultivates appreciation and value for cultural diversities, customs, and
people while enhancing her own life and creativity.​​

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Xochitl Tombleson, Administrative Assistant

Xochitl Tombleson
Administrative Assisitant Hospital School Programs
​xtombleson@mesd.k12.or.us

Xochitl comes from a small town just outside of Portland named Scappoose. She grew up there with her mom, dad and 3 sisters. After graduating from Scappoose High School, she started working in the integrated circuit industry, but found that something was missing. After accepting a position at a Montessori preschool as a Spanish speaking teachers assistant, she felt that supporting students, whatever level or learning capacity they are at, is the best way to spend her time. She also has 2 boys of her own, one of them on the Autism spectrum. These experiences have helped shape her passion and focus in supporting the students and teachers in the Hospital School Program as well as the Wynne Watts LTCT Program. Xochitl enjoys sharing her experiences of being raised in a bi-racial family, proud to have Mexican and Swedish roots. She recently went to connect more deeply with her roots while visiting her many family members in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In her spare time Xochitl likes to spend time hiking the Wenatchee National Forest, camping, floating the river and riding horses.

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