The Current
LOSD News • December 20, 2019
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Important to Know About Health Curriculum
Winter Break Office Hours
SSPAC Volunteers Honored as Unsung Heros
Kindergarten Registration Coming Up
Share Your Tales from Middle School
The Truth About Vaping
Nominate a Student for SASEE Awards, Submission Deadline Jan. 10
Rotary Needs Host Family for Exchange Student at Lake Oswego High
LO Rotary Continues Tradition of Generosity
A Gift of Food Security
Financial Assistance for Sports Registration Fees
Weather Event Communications
PeachJar on Pause
Community Info:
- ILovelakeoswego Moved to the Green House
- Winter Camps at Environmental Learning Center
- 15th Annual Preschool Forum
Regular Reminders:
- Get Social with LOSD
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
- What's New at Community School?
Message from the Superintendent
Sometimes inspiration comes during the most unexpected times and circumstances. In my last message of 2019 to all of you I had planned to reflect on and celebrate all of the wonderful developments this past year. What I had not expected is that events at the last school board meeting of the calendar year would provide me and others with such deep hope for our community and our future.
On behalf of myself and my administrative team, school board members and all who attended the school board meeting this past Monday night, I want to share how moved we were by the outpouring of support from community leaders, teachers, staff, parents and students for each and every person in our care, especially our vulnerable students who identify as LGBTQIA+.
More than 150 people attended the meeting, an overwhelming majority who were compelled to show up and stand up for our newly adopted health curriculum that recognizes and gives a voice to critical topics once shunned, sidelined or silenced. The courage it took to share deeply personal stories and experiences was profound.
I hope that the love felt in the boardroom can be shared and felt by all. We talk often about providing safe and inclusive schools, and the affirmation of support at the board meeting sends a strong message that it’s a mission at the heart of who we are. To paraphrase one ally who spoke up, “What you are giving with your steadfast position on the new curriculum is hope, and what I hope is that we can keep doing more.”
I am very hopeful for our community.
You can click here to listen to the compelling 1.5 hours of testimony on the recording of the board meeting. In particular, please take time to listen to Chair Wagner’s opening remarks that set the tone for the rest of the meeting, or read below (Important to Know About Health Curriculum) for an excerpt from his remarks.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday. I am excited about the possibilities that await us as we usher in the new decade of 2020.
Important to Know About Health Curriculum
The State of Oregon requires local school boards adopt curriculum in alignment with state law. One issue that can be contentious is around Oregon’s Human Sexuality Education curriculum. Following is important information to know about the health curriculum.
Sexual Abuse Prevention
In 2015, the State of Oregon passed Senate Bill 856 - Erin’s Law - that addresses sexual abuse prevention instruction, and it requires schools to provide a minimum of four instructional sessions each year on sexual abuse prevention instruction. The sessions are in every grade level, kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The bill also creates a state requirement for districts to develop comprehensive sexuality education plans that integrate sexual abuse prevention. The plans must be aligned with state standards and will be revisited every two years.
Also required is sexual abuse prevention instruction that is:
- Age appropriate, medically accurate and not shame or fear based;
- Clear about the effects of trauma on victims of abuse; and
- Culturally inclusive and responsive to diverse students.
Equity and Access
Another impact on the school district's curriculum is the revised 2015 version of the National Health Education Standards. One major adjustment is a new chapter on equity and access for all students.
Equity involves fair treatment of each and every student, while access involves making services open to everyone who is entitled to them, free of any form of discrimination based on factors such as gender, culture, race, religion and sexual orientation.
Not Optional
Consistent with the law, in 2017, the Lake Oswego School Board voted in favor of creating a human sexuality education plan that maps out how to implement new state health education standards and achieve compliance with new state legislation on sexual abuse prevention instruction and education.
As part of that plan, LOSD adopted the Great Body Shop. It is a curriculum used nationally, that includes lessons noted as “for consideration.” However, these lessons are mandated by the State of Oregon Department of Education standards. Therefore, what some refer to as “optional” are not optional for public schools in Oregon.
LOSD's mission is to provide a safe and inclusive schools for each and every student in our care. The safety of our students is paramount.
Winter Break Office Hours
SSPAC Volunteers Honored as Unsung Heros
Cyndi and Becky have served as co-chairs of the LOSD Student Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC) for more than 10 years each. SSPAC focuses on improving support services and programs for all students, especially services for students in special education.
Please join us in congratulating Cyndi and Becky and thanking them for helping make our schools better for all students.
Kindergarten Registration Coming Up
Registration for kindergarteners, and all students who are new to LOSD, will open online that day at losdschools.org.
An information night, Kindergarten Counts, will be hosted at each elementary school that evening, 6-7 p.m. Kindergarten Counts will provide parents and guardians an opportunity to meet the principal, kindergarten teachers, and other parents. You will learn about several upcoming opportunities for your new student between now and the first day of school.
Plan to register and attend Kindergarten Counts at your student's resident elementary school. Visit losdschools.org to verify. LOSD welcomes kindergarteners who will be five years old by Sept. 1.
Share Your Tales from Middle School
As we anticipate a move out of the current school building and into a new Lakeridge Middle School in fall 2020, LOSD wants to honor the stories and experiences that have taken place at 4700 Jean Road over the years. Whether you have memories from the Bryant, Waluga, Lakeridge Junior High or Lakeridge Middle School days, we want to hear from you.
Help LMS Theatre Arts with a salute to the lives impacted by this community institution. We are looking for real stories and memories from people who were/are students, staff, parents of students of our school. Poignant, funny or just interesting stories are welcome as long as they're middle school appropriate. If your story is selected, the creative writing class will dramatize it for the Theatre arts department to produce as a spring play in 2020. Not all submissions will be selected, but we hope this can be part of a fitting celebration of this building’s impact on our community from 1962 to 2020.
The Truth About Vaping
Parents, teens and community residents are invited to come hear renowned expert Michael DeLeon of Steered Straight speak on vaping and the dangers associated with vaping.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
6:30-9 p.m.
Lakeridge High School Auditorium
Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce is hosting a coffee for Michael to speak to local business leaders the following morning.
For more information about Michael DeLeon and Steered Straight, visit www.steeredstraight.org.
Nominate a Student for SASEE Awards, Submission Deadline Jan. 10
Do you know an educator, support staff member, student or citizen who demonstrates a commitment to education through work, projects and activities that emphasize "service above self?" LO Rotary Club wants to recognize and support the people who make education in Lake Oswego exceptional.
To nominate someone, go to https://www.rotarysasee.org. Nominations close on Jan. 10, 2020.
LO Rotary Club awards thousands of dollars in cash and scholarships in several SASEE categories. In each case, SASEE Award recipients have the opportunity to “pay it forward” by passing their monetary award on to their school or project.
- Teachers, administrators and support staff: $1,000 for their school or project
- Students: $1,000 for their school or project
- Citizens: $2,500 scholarships awarded in their names to students who also demonstrate "service above self"
Rotary Needs Host Family for Exchange Student at Lake Oswego High
Host families are asked to provide meals, a bedroom and transportation to and from school. The Rotary Club provides the student with a monthly stipend for contingency expenses.
Interested families should contact Ken Jensen, the youth exchange officer for Rotary Club of Lake Oswego. Ken can be reached at kjensenmccoy@gmail.com or by calling 503-819-4448.
LO Rotary Continues Tradition of Generosity
LOSD would like to recognize LO Rotary for your tradition of generosity.
Lake Oswego Rotarians personally donated more than $3,000 in gift cards for our families in need this holiday season. Counselors at each school hand out these gift cards to those in our community who can use them most.
LO Rotary, your altruism is appreciated by all in our community. Thank you!
A Gift of Food Security
Financial Assistance for Sports Registration Fees
Kids in the Game is a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to low income families for sports registration fees. This program has found that engagement in school/intramural sports helps increase student attendance in schools and also brings positive mentors into the lives of students.
Please find additional information on their website, or contact Amanda Conde, program administrator.
Weather Event Communications
As we edge closer to winter, please be sure to review the LOSD emergency communications page of our district website for information, including when and how you will be notified if we have a school closure or delay.
PeachJar on Pause
ILovelakeoswego Moved to the Green House
Ilovelakeoswego has moved behind the "green house" located on the far North corner of Lake Oswego High School, 2301 Hazel Road. ILoveLakeOswego is a student managed, donation based clothing closet for students enrolled in Lake Oswego School District.
Open Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. or other times by appointment
LOSD middle and high school students created the organization to benefit families who cannot regularly afford to buy new clothes, with the goal of helping foster confidence for a successful experience at school.
Winter Camps at Environmental Learning Center
Environmental Learning Center through Clackamas Community College is offering three-day camps over winter break for students in grades first through fifth.
Monday, Dec. 30, Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City
Scholarships and before and after care offered.
15th Annual Preschool Forum
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
6-8 p.m.
Christ Church, 1060 Chandler Rd., Lake Oswego
Meet representatives and caregivers from dozens of local schools to learn about different teaching philosophies and get a feel for the wide range of opportunities available in Lake Oswego and across the region. This event is co-sponsored by the Lake Oswego Mothers Club and Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation.
For more information, visit lomoms.com or contact Connie Harrell at preschool@lomoms.com.
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage
SafeOregon
Parents who have concerns about a student’s well-being are encouraged to reach out to their principal, and to maintain strong lines of communication and partnership between students, families, staff, and other resources.
SafeOregon is also an effective way to report a tip regarding safety threats or potential acts of violence to our students or schools.
(Students should also be aware that intentionally providing a false report is a serious offense.)
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
What's New at Community School?
The LOSD Community School offers enrichment and athletic programs, and activities for students of all ages including robotics, STEM, arts, language, and theater.
Lake Oswego School District
Email: info@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org
Location: 2455 Country Club Road, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 534-2000
Facebook: facebook.com/LOSDProud
Twitter: @LOSD_Proud
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