The Summer Current
LOSD News • Aug. 5, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Mask Requirement Information
School Board Meeting
Bus Registration Required
LO Virtual Follow Up Session, Sign Ups
Celebration of Life for Brian Bartsch Aug. 12
New Lakeridge Athletic Director
Superintendent Medical Advisory Committee
Extended Day Registration Opens Aug. 6
Elementary Strings
School Arrival and Dismissal Times
Save the Date: Smart Start Aug. 26
Verify Student Info Before Returning to School
Regular Reminders:
- Hunger Fighters
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Message from the Superintendent
Our administrators gathered this week to prepare for welcoming students and staff back to school five days, full time in person. It is an understatement when I say we are excited to be back together in school! Our focus is on care and connection, rekindling joy and learning in our classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, stadiums and playgrounds. Some of the factors in our planning include:
Enrollment is climbing, which means even more students to welcome into our learning community. That includes opening Palisades Elementary, the new home for our immersion program. We are pleased to be able to begin a second strand of Spanish Immersion this fall, and Chinese Immersion will begin in the 2023-2024 school year.
Construction at Lake Grove, Forest Hills, Lakeridge Middle, Lakeridge High and Lake Oswego High Schools will be complete in time for the start of school. Until then, please refrain from entering the work zones and thank you for your understanding while communication lines get rewired.
Hiring is underway for several crucial staff positions, including educational assistant and food service staff. Additionally, our transportation provider Student Transportation of America needs bus drivers. Please consider applying or referring people to our district.
Mask requirements are being clarified by the state and we are sharing new understandings in this newsletter. Our health and safety plan will be updated for the Aug. 16 board meeting, and continuously updated as the state will be evaluating mask requirements each month. We encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated.
Virtual LO is being provided by LOSD for our students who prefer online learning at this time. Next Tuesday is an information session. Sign ups committing to the program will be due Tuesday, Aug. 17.
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer. We will see you soon back at school!
Mask Requirement Information
On Thursday, July 29, Governor Brown issued a new mandate for universal indoor face coverings for all K-12 schools starting in the fall of the 2021-2022 school year. On Monday, August 2, school superintendents were able to meet with Director of Education Colt Gill and State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger to receive more information as we await the official state ruling and the updated Ready Schools Safe Learners Resiliency Framework.
Once we have the official ruling LOSD will update and finalize the Health and Safety Plan for the School Board meeting Monday, Aug. 16. Until then, here is what we can share at this time:
Face coverings are required during school day while indoors.
Face coverings will be required, effective immediately, at all times for students, staff, visitors and contractors when in an indoor setting and during the school day:
At school during regular school hours;
Engaged in educational activities such as field trips or off-campus classes during regular school hours; and
At school engaged in educational activities outside of regular school hours.
Face coverings remain required on school buses as part of the federal mandate.
When is a face covering not required?
Face coverings will not be required outdoors, during outdoor recess or when actively eating or drinking. Face coverings will not be required when playing a musical instrument that requires using the mouth, or for sports such as swimming, water sports or where wearing a mask could be a strangulation hazard such as gymnastics or wrestling.
Will my child be able to take a face covering break during the day?
Yes. As all outdoor activities do not require face coverings, students will be able to remove their masks during recesses, outdoor PE classes, and any outdoor activities. Students will also be able to remove their masks when eating or drinking. Individual, group, or full classroom mask breaks are also permitted, while ensuring that students still keep to 3 feet physical distance to the extent possible.
Are there any changes to quarantining?
Several factors are unchanged at this time:
An exposure is defined as a susceptible individual who has had close contact (less than 6 feet) for longer than 15 cumulative minutes in a day with a person who has COVID-19.
Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine.
These factors have been updated/changed:
Exception: Quarantine is not necessary for students who were within 3 or more feet of a person with COVID-19 and both students were consistently and correctly wearing face coverings and other prevention strategies were in place in the school setting (e.g. proper ventilation, hand washing). This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
Will a vaccinated student have to quarantine?
No. Any vaccinated student who is exposed to an individual who has COVID-19 will not have to quarantine. An unvaccinated student who did not maintain at least 3 feet distance from the person with COVID-19 and consistently wear their face covering will need to quarantine according to the local public health authority time frame. Vaccinations are still available to all persons 12 years and older and accessible at most local pharmacies and health care providers: https://www.vaccines.gov.
Are face coverings required for indoor sports?
This is a local decision. Noneducational before-and-after-school programs are voluntary, unlike the regular school day and some required educational programs that occur outside the school day. The Lake Oswego School Board will approve the updated health and safety plan at the Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, and that plan will apply to all district events and activities that are not subject to the new state ruling.
Is this rule for the full 2021-2022 school year?
No. The goal is to go back to local decision-making. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will review the data at least monthly and make this determination.
Stay informed on updates and communications.
It is recommended that parents-guardians stay informed on these COVID-19 related updates and communications by checking district and school-sent emails and checking the district website as frequently as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school office or principal.
School Board Meetings
Monday, Aug. 9
Regular Session -- 6 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
Public testimony: Please note that public testimony will not be received for this meeting. The School Board will accept public testimony at the August 16, 2021 School Board meeting per School Board Meeting Guidelines for Conduct and Testimony.
Bus Registration Required, Due Aug. 13
LO Virtual Follow Up Session, Sign Ups
LOSD hosted an introductory information session about LO Virtual. Please click here for a recording of that session to learn more.
LOSD is hosting a follow up session with Stride K12 Education to provide more details about the online learning experience, and answer questions not addressed in the first session.
Tuesday, Aug. 10
5-6 p.m.
Zoom: https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/86956540218
The session will be recorded.
LO Virtual sign ups will open at the Aug. 10 session, and will be due Tuesday, Aug. 17, 5 p.m.
Celebration of Life for Brian Bartsch Aug. 12
A Celebration of Life for Brian Bartsch will be held at the LO High Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the cafeteria. Brian Bartsch was a beloved teacher and coach in LOSD who passed away unexpectedly earlier this summer.
Our condolences to loved ones and all in our community who are touched by this loss of life.
New Lakeridge Athletic Director
Mark Horak has been hired as the new assistant principal and athletic director for Lakeridge High School.
Mark brings more than 38 years of experience in education and athletics to Lakeridge, having served as an athletic director, assistant principal, health and physical education and social studies teacher and coach.
Please join in giving Mark a warm welcome.
Superintendent Medical Advisory Committee
A medical advisory committee is being established to consult with the superintendent periodically on student health and safety protocols as the community continues to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Committee qualifications: Community medical professionals, especially those with a specialty in infectious diseases and epidemiology
Time commitment: Monthly meetings
Length of service: 2021-22 school year
To apply: Click here to submit an application by Friday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. Committee members will be selected by Superintendent Schiele by August 20.
Thanks for lending your expertise to this important volunteer role.
Extended Day Registration Opens Aug. 6
LOSD is providing Extended Day Service (before and after school) for the 2021-22 school year. Online registration opens on the district website under Extended Programs tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 6.
Extended Care will be hosted by LOSD Community Schools at Oak Creek and River Grove Elementary Schools. Students attending Lake Grove and Forest Hills will be bused from and to Oak Creek Elementary, and students attending Hallinan, Palisades and Westridge will be bused from and to River Grove Elementary.
Elementary Strings
View important program details here: Begin Your Musical Journey!
School Arrival and Dismissal Times
Following are the arrival and dismissal times for each school level.
Elementary
MTWF: 8:20 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
TH: 8:20 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Middle School
MTWF: 9 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
TH: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
High School
MTWF: 8:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
TH: 8:25 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Click here for the full schedule on the district website.
Save the Date: Smart Start Aug. 26
Smart Start is an opportunity specifically for our students with 504s and IEPs, and their parents and guardians, to make introductions with their teachers and to feel prepared for the start of school. For the 2021-22 School Year, Smart Start is in person Aug. 26, 2021, from 1-3 p.m.
Teachers will be familiar with your student’s plan and accommodations. To help better know your students, please complete the attached one-page profile or create one on your own ahead of time, and give it to the teacher at the Smart Start introduction.
Also, to assist in your family’s preparation for the new school year, please click here for a Smart Start checklist for parents and guardians of students with 504s and IEPs.
Verify Student Info Before Returning to School
Beginning April 30, LOSD needs parents-guardians of all students enrolled for the 2021-22 school year to log into ParentVUE and review/update your students' information through the Register/Verify tab. This benefits both families and schools by:
- Ensuring that schools have accurate information to reach parents and other contacts in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Verification is important even if your address or contact information has not changed over the past year because the school may have incorrect information from a previous year.
- Confirming parent email addresses for Google Classroom and other applications to participate in your student's learning.
- Enabling distribution of key information in the district's K-12 Family Handbook and Technology Agreement.
If you have forgotten your ParentVUE password, go to the login page, click "I am a Parent," then click "Forgot Password." If you are unsure whether you have a ParentVUE account, contact your student's school. For assistance with the verification process, refer to the user guide on the LOSD website or contact your student's school.
What's New at Community School?
The LOSD Community School is offering virtual enrichment programs and activities for students of all ages including culinary, STEM, arts, language, and athletics.
Hunger Fighters
Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
Open Saturdays
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
SafeOregon
Parents-guardians 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.)
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
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/weareLOSD
Twitter: @weareLOSD
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