Randall Acute Care Unit

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Home > MESD Schools & Programs > Hospital School Program > Randall Acute Care Unit

We are a public school program that supports students, K-12, during their hospitalization and ongoing treatment plans. All students should have access to learning opportunities and a social learning environment when they are hospitalized. School in the hospital helps students reconnect to their routine and their school which in turn contributes to their healing process. Our staff works closely with the nursing and medical staff to determine the appropriate level of activity for each student. Simply stop by the classroom or ask your nurse about our program.

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Randall Children's Hospital
2801 N Gantenbein Ave
Portland, OR 97227
Ph: 503-276-9788
​Fax: 971-229-6361

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

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School Hours (M-F) — 10:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
School Office hours (M-F) — 8 am to 4 pm

Randall Children's Hospital School Program follows Portland Public School District for emergency / weather closures. Please visit FlashAlert or consult your local television / radio station for emergency / weather closure information.

Administrative Assistants
Tana Cyr
tcyr@mesd.k12.or.us​
Ph: 503-290-4621

Xochitl Tombleson
xtombleson@mesd.k12.or.us
Ph: 503-262-4200

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Shiehezi displays a beautiful cedar birdhouse built by her own hands. The birdhouse project kit was a collaboration with a former hospital school student aiming to fulfill his Eagle Scout requirements. Thanks in part to the successful completion of the project, he was recently awarded the Boy Scout’s highest honor.

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Meet the Randall Acute Care Unit Staff

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Joseph Cirillo, Teacher

Joseph Cirillo
Hospital Teacher Randall Acute Care Unit
jcirillo@mesd.k12.or.us
Ph: 503-276-9787

Joseph grew up in Brooklyn, NY and, even though life had other plans, he never wanted to become a teacher.  He attended public school and was a decent enough student.  For his undergraduate years, he escaped from NYC (to Westchester!) and finally realized the library was his key to graduation.  After earning a degree, he taught English as a Second Language for several years in Europe before moving to Portland, OR in 2001.  Joseph was in awe of the old growth cedar trees and surprised by strangers saying hello to him.  In the spirit of giving back to his community and pursuing his interest in sustainable economics (which was piqued by reading Small is Beautiful, Economics as if People Mattered) he did a year of service for the AmeriCorps.  In 2003, Joseph started working for MESD’s Hospital School Program.  He was hired as an Educational Assistant and earned his Masters Degree in Special Education at night school.  Teaching in a hospital setting was an opportunity to be part of a vital support network for students impacted by medical challenges.  Quickly, he realized two more important things about himself: It felt really good to help people and it was extremely important to work alongside thoughtful, compassionate people. 
When Joseph is not teaching, he serves on the board of a music and theatre arts education non-profit in St. Johns called Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective that, along with a friend, he and his wife founded in 2015. Cristina, his wife, and Charley Bear, are his bedrock. ​

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Lori Conner, Teacher

Lori Conner
Hospital Teacher Randall Acute Care Unit
mconner@mesd.k12.or.us
Ph: 503-276-9788

Lori feels truly blessed to be part of the Hospital School Program; serving students and families at Randall Children’s Hospital since 2006. Lori holds a BA in Psychology/Mental Health from Western Washington University and earned her teaching certification in Elementary and Special Education from Seattle Pacific University. Lori is passionate about supporting students who struggle to find success in school. She believes in the true potential in every student. She loves working alongside her supportive and talented coworkers and learning from her students while she supports their education.  When not working with students, you will likely find Lori stream-side with a fly rod in hand, and her wife and a miniature schnauzer by her side. Bird watching, fly fishing, camping and time with family and friends keep her grounded and energized. 

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Ali Kestel, Teacher

Allison Kestel
Hospital Teacher Randall Acute Care Unit
akestel@mesd.k12.or.us
Ph: 503-276-9787
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Education: I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oregon in 2001 with a Family and Human Services Major and Minor in Special Education. I went on to receive my Master’s Degree from U of O in 2002 in Early Childhood / Elementary Special Education.

Teaching Experience: After graduation I moved to Southern California and began my teaching career. I taught for the Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles for 3 years while earning my California degree from Cal State LA in Teaching Moderate to Severe Disabilities. In 2005, I moved to Santa Barbara and taught at the Devereux Foundation for 1 year. I then transferred to Santa Barbara School District for the next 3 years. I moved back to Oregon in 2009 and I have been teaching for the MESD from 2009-2013 in the Functional Living Skills Program.I then was excited to start with the Hospital School Program in 2013.

Hobbies: My favorite hobbies include hiking, canoeing, and making arts and crafts.

Favorite Book: My favorite book is… this is tough one! The Harry Potter series reminded me what it was to be a child reader again. I was traveling in Thailand when the 5th book came out and I spent the entire day wandering Bangkok looking for an English copy.

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