The Current
LOSD News • January 7, 2022
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
School Board Appreciation Month
LOSD COVID-19 Information:
- Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
- COVID-19 Testing Options
- About the LOSD Dashboard
- Where to Get Vaccinated and Boosted
- Extracurricular Activity Protocols
School Board Meeting
2022-23 New Student Registration
Kindergarten Counts
You're Invited: Review the Reimagined River Grove
iReady Assessments
Ongoing Investigation of LOH Incident
Save the Date: LOSD K-12 Safety Symposium
Black Student Magazine Writing Competition
Community:
- Softball Registration Open
- Respond to Racism Workshop
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters: New Pantry Hours
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
Message from the Superintendent
The profound feeling this week is undoubtedly deep appreciation for our amazing team of school nurses -- Ann, Jenny, Lisa and Nikki. They have been working incredibly long hours seven days a week since school began in August, assisting with COVID-19 cases that arise in our community, making contact tracing phone calls, providing testing to students and staff, and hosting vaccine clinics. These duties are on top of the regular responsibilities they shoulder every school day in our schools.
With the surge in COVID-19 cases from winter break, too many in our community have had to turn to our nurses but I am comforted knowing we are in great care. Their priority has been to guide and support our staff and families in isolation and quarantine while ensuring the safety of all in school. They truly are on the front lines during this health crisis and we would not be able to stay in school and participate in extracurricular activities without them. Our nurses deserve our greatest gratitude and respect.
2022 has brought more turns for all of us to navigate. We recognize that doing your part to follow the ultimate mitigation measures of isolation and quarantine brings with it added stress of missing school and activities. It weighs on all of us, and teachers, staff and administrators are working together on many different ways to ease this burden.
Thank you to our school community for your continued understanding, cooperation and support. We count on everyone doing their part to protect the health and wellbeing of our community and keep our students and staff in school.
School Board Appreciation Month
It's School Board Appreciation Month and we’re celebrating our School Board “Heroes”! This year more than every LOSD is appreciative for such thoughtful, professional, caring and fearless leaders. Thank you to our LO School Board members Chair Kirsten Aird, Vice Chair Neelam Gupta, and Directors Brian Bills, Liz Hartman, and John Wallin, as well as Student Representatives Alicia Li and Emily Zou. You work tirelessly and courageously to advocate for students, staff and community. We look forward to celebrating you at the board meeting next Tuesday, and throughout the month.
Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
Effective immediately, Clackamas County Public Health has updated our isolation and quarantine guidance in alignment with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balances what is known about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. Prevention remains our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings, and consider all risks before you gather. A summary of these recommendations are as follows:
Isolation
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms, must isolate. In alignment with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recommendations, individuals who have COVID-19 should isolate at home and away from others for a minimum of 5 full days, with day 0 being the first day of symptoms. For those with no symptoms, day 0 is the day they took the test that came back positive.
If the ill individual continues to have fever or other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of in-home isolation, they should wait to end their isolation until they have been fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication, and other symptoms have improved. If they have no symptoms, or mild symptoms that have resolved after 5 days, they may return to school if they consistently and diligently wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional 5 days. Note if they cannot consistently and diligently wear a well-fitting mask during this 5-day period, they should continue to isolate at home for a full 10 days. Similarly, if masking is not feasible during certain extracurricular activities (such as sports), then the individual should not participate in that activity during this 5-day isolation period.
Quarantine
Close contacts will not need to quarantine if, at the time of exposure:
They are ≥18 years old and are eligible for and had received a booster dose; OR
They are 5-17 years old and completed the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine; OR
They completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 6 months; OR
They completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson within the last 2 months; OR
They had COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
Individuals who meet the criteria above do not need to be quarantined, but should wear a well-fitting mask when around others and monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days. Close contacts will need to be quarantined if they do not meet the criteria above at the time of exposure. Quarantine starts the day after your last exposure to a case, with day 0 being the date of last exposure. Close contacts should quarantine away from others for at least 5 days after their last contact with a person who has COVID-19, and monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure. If symptoms develop, they should seek testing immediately and stay home until they receive their test result.
If the close contact does not develop symptoms, they should seek testing at least 5 days after their last exposure. A negative result means they can return to school, but must continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional 5 days. Test availability is currently very limited and testing is not required. If they are unable to test 5 days after exposure they can return to school after 5 days, so long as they continue to mask around others for an additional 5 days. Note if they cannot consistently and diligently wear a well-fitting mask during this 5-day period, they should continue to quarantine at home for a full 10 days. Similarly, if masking is not feasible during certain extracurricular activities (such as sports), then the individual should not participate in that activity during this 5-day quarantine period.
COVID-19 Testing Options
Following is an overview of options for our LOSD learning community to help determine how best to obtain a test and determine the most effective test option for each circumstance. These considerations follow the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Clackamas County Public Health Department (CCPHD) guidance for our schools, including the new isolation and quarantine guidelines. Please contact a trained medical professional for additional guidance in navigating the complexity of the pandemic.
If you (or a dependant) tests positive for COVID-19:
Isolate and contact the school nurse for guidance regarding the isolation timeline, and email your school attendance secretary regarding absence.
See updated guidelines for isolation timeline.
A second, negative test is not required to return to school.
If you (or a dependant) are presenting symptoms:
Seek a COVID-19 test at one of the sites near us or use an at home test. People who are symptomatic may take a test immediately. If positive, please isolate and contact the school nurse for guidance on the isolation timeline, and email the school attendance secretary regarding absence.
See updated guidelines for isolation timeline.
If you are unavailable to obtain a test, please stay home, contact the school nurse, and wait for a response within 24-48 hours regarding next steps. The district has a limited supply of rapid tests and may be able to arrange a test by appointment for staff and students who are symptomatic.
Diagnostic testing is still being offered by LOSD for students and staff who show the primary symptoms of COVID-19 while at school. Nurses will contact guardians to obtain permission to administer the diagnostic test in the health room. Please do not come to school for a test, and potentially risk exposing more students and staff.
If you are not presenting symptoms:
Close contacts of someone who has tested positive need to review and follow OHA quarantine guidelines. If you meet one of the OHA exemptions you may continue attending school and participating in activities. If you start to have symptoms, isolate immediately and seek testing (follow the instructions above for people who are symptomatic).
We understand the desire to test at LOSD, just in case, but our testing is limited and our test is not as accurate for those without symptoms.
Test to Stay is an option that LOSD is planning to still offer for modified quarantine for asymptomatic students who qualify. Additional statewide guidance on how Test to Stay may change in light of the CDC’s recommendations is forthcoming.
OHSU Student Screening Program is an option LOSD is facilitating with our currently enrolled elementary students. We are considering the viability of the program in light of the new isolation and quarantine guidelines.
Need a COVID-19 test? Don’t go to the emergency department. Check here for local testing options.
About LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Known cases with a school-related exposure are communicated in the LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard. Due the influx in cases coming in from winter break, the dashboard is still being updated and will take more time than usual. A known case is someone who contacts the district nurse regarding their own or their dependents' positivity. If someone tests positive for COVID-19 and was not in school or participating in a school-related activity during their infectious period, they are not considered a school exposure and therefore are not included on the dashboard. We cannot, with fidelity, keep track of all cases outside of school exposure.
Where to Get Vaccinated and Boosted
If you are looking for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, families can use this easy tool developed by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) to find a clinic. Families can also schedule an appointment or ask questions by calling the OHSU hotline at 833-647-8222, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Our community’s vaccination rates continue to climb. Per data provided to LOSD by Clackamas County Public Health Department (CCPHD), for Lake Oswego residents aged 5-11 years, 59.2% have received at least one dose. For Lake Oswego residents aged 12-18 years, 91.2% have received at least one dose.
Extracurricular Activity Protocols
Families with students in extracurricular activities should note the increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 when participants are unmasked. LOSD plans to continue to host extracurricular activities, but we may experience some disruptions as this new variant becomes widespread. The following new LOSD protocols are in effect now:
Athletics in LOSD Gymnasiums
Each home and away team's athletes will be allotted four tickets for spectators. Schools will be sending athletes a Google Sign Up form. No other spectators., including pep bands, will be permitted inside the LOSD gymnasiums, at this time.
Food and concessions will be suspended, at this time.
LOSD will live stream these games.
Swim Meets in LOSD Pool
Home team senior athletes will be allotted two tickets for spectators. Schools will be sending athletes a Google Sign Up form. No other spectators will be permitted inside the LOSD pool at this time.
LOSD is looking into how it may live stream swim meets.
Cheer and Dance Competitions
No spectators will be permitted at the upcoming competitions being hosted at LOSD facilities.
More sessions are being added to the schedule to spread out and reduce the number of schools participating during a time slot.
LOSD will live stream these events.
LOSD will continue to monitor and evaluate protocols for its school-sponsored extracurricular activities every two weeks. Some events that can be postponed, such as high school dances and performing arts events, are being rescheduled for later this winter.
The protocols listed above pertain to LOSD-sponsored activities. If your student participates in a youth or club activity, please contact that organization for its health and safety regulations.
2022-23 New Student Registration
Registration for the 2022-23 school year will begin January 19, 2022, for new students who have never enrolled in Lake Oswego before and returning students who are not currently enrolled but will re-enroll for next year. LOSD is pleased to offer online registration through its parent portal, ParentVUE (contact your resident school for help with logging in). See the Registration & Verification page of the LOSD website for guidance. Parents do not need to register students for 2022-23 who are currently attending during the 2021-22 school year.
School Board Meeting
All are welcome to observe the public session remotely.
Tuesday, Jan. 11
General Session - 6:00 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
Meeting will be held virtually.
Board members will be taking both live and written testimony. Please click here for instructions on how to submit testimony for either way. Notification of live testimony and written testimony is due by Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 12 p.m.
You can observe the meeting remotely by clicking here.
You're Invited: Review the Reimagined River Grove
All are invited to a community session to review the building design plans for the reimagined River Grove Elementary on Thursday, Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m. The session will be hosted online: https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/81986257439
Your input during these sessions will inform the next iteration of the design plan that will be presented at the School Board meeting at the end of January. Thanks in advance for your engagement in the design process.
iReady Assessments
Ongoing Investigation of LOH Incident
The Lake Oswego Police Department’s investigation of the incident that occured at Lake Oswego High on Thursday, Dec. 16 remains open. The incident occured when a student found a message threatening violence at school, resulting in LOH being put in Secure and Hold and all other campus buildings, including the Technology Building for our Community Transition Program, Pool, and Central Office, as well as Lake Oswego Junior High, being put in Secure for several hours.
LOSD does not comment during ongoing investigations but please know that we take incidents seriously and are cooperating fully with the investigators.
If the public has any information that would lead to identifying a person of interest or further credible investigative information, please contact the LOSD SROs or Detectives at (503) 635-0038. As of now, there are no credible threats of any kind for LOH or any other school in LOSD.
Save the Date: LOSD K-12 Safety Symposium
LOSD is hosting our first annual LOSD K-12 Safety Symposium. We are excited to provide this in-person opportunity for parents to learn about safety issues affecting students and actions we can all take to create a safer community. Parent involvement is essential in realizing these goals. Please save the date and plan to join us.
Thursday, Feb. 24
6:00 p.m.; doors open at 5.30 p.m.
Lakeridge High School
Symposium attendees will hear from experts in their relevant fields about legislative updates, state statistics, and solution-based approaches for you and your family. Featured topics will include:
- Adolescent brain development
- Substance abuse
- Suicide prevention
- Secure storage of firearms
- Social and digital media impacts
Stay tuned for additional details regarding our speakers, sponsors, and door prizes.
LOSD is committed to creating a culture that enables a vibrant community; strong in health, well-being and safety. Our vision is to create a learning environment that enables and enriches a passion and freedom without fear, for educational exploration.
Black Student Magazine Writing Competition
The Student Voice, as part of the Black Student Magazine, is hosting its annual awards and LOSD students are invited to participate.
Black Student Magazine is accepting submissions of previously published articles from this school year and will pay students $100 stipends if their articles get published in BSM’s February 2022 issue! This opportunity is open to all Black middle and high school students in Oregon. The editing process is coming up in January so the sooner students can submit, the better.
Click here to learn more about the competition, and how to be part of the program.
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
The Rotary Club of Lake Oswego is seeking nominees for the 2022 SASEE Awards, which honor service above self in educational excellence. View the new SASEE Awards Highlights promotional trailer!
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. Click here to submit your nomination.
The 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"
Softball Registration Open
Lake Oswego Girls Softball registration is open for the Spring 2022 Little League season (rec competition for players ages 4-14). Register by Sunday, January 2 to take advantage of the league's "Winter Special" fee and save $25 per player. Final registration deadline is February 13.
Visit www.lakeoswegosoftball.org for more information.
Respond to Racism Workshop
Respond to Racism is pleased to partner with Bruce Poinsette to bring Bruce’s workshop: Repurposing your privilege: A strategy session to our community.
The workshop is being offered twice – pick the day/time that works best for you. A donation of $25 is suggested to attend; students attend for free and no one will be turned away because of cost.
Monday, Jan. 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Click here to register for this session.
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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: New Pantry Hours
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
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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