The Current
LOSD News • June 11, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Last Day of School June 16
Pride Month Board Resolution
Summer Grab & Go Meal Plan
New Oak Creek Principal
New Westridge Principal
Recognizing Our Retirees
Online Program Status for 2021-22 School Year
Spanish Immersion Moving and Expanding
Continuing with Diagnostic Assessment
Make Your Appointment for LO Vaccine Clinic
Vaccination Clinic Volunteers Needed
Summer Specials Sign Ups Open
Tour the New Lakeridge Middle School
Save the Date: Smart Start Aug. 26
Students Invited to Empower Rally June 13-14
SSPAC Meeting June 17
Lake Grove Swim Park Opens June 18
Rassekh Park Development Online Open House
Regular Reminders:
- Hunger Fighters Food Pantry: Open and Hiring
- Please Verify Your Student's Information
- Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
- What's New at Community School
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
- Back-to-School Clothes at Clothing Closet
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- 3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
- Safe Oregon
Message from the Superintendent
At long last, we have made it to the last few days of the school year. It’s been an incredibly complex year, and yet there has also been much progress. We have navigated many unimaginable challenges together. Children, teachers, staff, leaders, parents and community members have persevered through experiencing many changes and new ways of teaching and learning. Despite it all, LOSD remains a caring community and I’m confident that the community will continue to grow, heal and progress together. Summer school opportunities and experiences are being teed up for students, and plans are underway for five full days of instruction next school year. LOSD is built on a foundation of academic excellence and plans underway will continue that tradition. However we look at it, many great things are ahead in LOSD.
Last Day of School June 16
- June 15 -- Last day physically at school for Hybrid In-person; synchronous online
- June 16 -- Last day of classes; multi-synchronous Wednesday
If your student is returning to LOSD in the fall, please keep your devices over the summer. If your student has graduated or is leaving LOSD, please work with your school to return your school-issued iPad or Chromebook.
Returning for the 2021-22 School Year:
- Aug. 30 -- Students in grades K-5, 6, and 9 first day of school
- Aug. 31 -- Students in grades 7-8, and 10-12 first day of school
Click here for the district calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
Pride Month School Board Resolution
The month of June is a time to celebrate the identities and contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual and/or Ally (LGBTQIA+) community, raise awareness of quality services, and foster a dialogue to promote healthy, safe, and prosperous school climates and communities for all.
Our School Board made a resolution at Monday's meeting in honor of Pride Month. You may read it on the district website under School Board or click here.
New Oak Creek Principal
Barb Keeton has been hired as the principal of Oak Creek Elementary School. Barb’s career in education started at the elementary level, where she was able to have an extended administrative experience, followed by multiple years in administration at the K-8 level. She is currently working as the principal of Deep Creek-Damascus K-8 School.
Barb earned her Administrator Licensure from Lewis and Clark College, her Master of Arts in Teaching from George Fox University, and her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Portland State University.
Barb will fill the principal position made available by Lilian Sarlos, who will be coordinating the LOSD Spanish Immersion Program.
New Westridge Principal
Jules Laaperi has been hired as the principal of Westridge Elementary School. Jules is currently serving as the director of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District’s K-5 Online Program. Prior to this administrative position, she served as the instructional coordinator for Cedaroak Park Primary School and as a classroom teacher at Willamette Primary School, in West Linn-Wilsonville School District.
Jules earned her Administrator Licensure and Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College, and her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College.
Jules will fill the principal position made available by Kari Montgomery, who has taken a job in education closer to home in the state of Washington.
Recognizing Our Retirees
We are giving a shoutout to our teachers and staff retiring this year. Thank you for your years of service!
Kristina Aalberg, Teacher
Alison Bertrand, Teacher
Janet Boulis, Special Education Assistant
Cheryl Davidson, Teacher
Teresa Flanigan-Jones, Teacher
Amy Freyer, Food Service Worker
Donna Grossman, OT/PT
Molly Healy, Counselor
Deborah Hennessey, Teacher
Jane Lewis, Special Education Assistant
Robert McGranahan, Teacher
Leigh Metzger, Library Assistant
Jan Michael, Teacher - TOSA
Arleen (Beth) Nelson, Special Education Assistant
Beckie Plaza, Teacher
Patrick Tomblin, Executive Director
Paula Welshons, Special Education Assistant
Online Program Status for 2021-22 School Year
At this time, we are not certain LOSD will be able to offer an online program next year based on current state guidance. If the state guidance changes, then we are certain our online program will be different from this year’s offering.
New Restrictions: We were exploring working with a third-party vendor, Stride, to provide an online program with support from LOSD student coaches. Unfortunately, with the draft guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), this does not appear to be a viable option. ODE has shared draft guidance for the 2021-22 school year that requires public and charter school online programs to provide at least 50 percent synchronous instruction. Most online programs, including Stride, are set up to offer only asynchronous instruction. While the guidance is still a draft, we do not expect this part of the guidance to change before it is finalized on July 22, which is only 40 days before the first day of the new school year.
Low Demand: Of the 3,800 students represented in the survey, 2 percent from grades K-12 expressed interest in remaining in the online program for next school year. LOSD policy has our teacher-student ratio target at 1-to-28 on average; in the survey, roughly 8 students per grade on average districtwide expressed an interest in remaining online. Some grades were as low as 2 students for the entire district.
If the guidance from ODE changes and we are able to offer an online program through Stride, we will notify families immediately upon receiving the final guidance.
Spanish Immersion Moving and Expanding
The School Board unanimously approved the Spanish Immersion Task Force recommendations at the public meeting this past Monday. Thank you to all of the parents-guardians, teachers and staff who worked on the task force. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Part of the recommendations means the Spanish Immersion program is moving to Palisades Elementary School, the new, permanent location, starting in the 2021-22 School Year. The plan is for Palisades to become our World Language and Culture Elementary School, home to two strands of Spanish Immersion and one strand of Chinese Immersion programs. Our Student Services team will be moving to Uplands next year. Also, to make room for our K-5 students at Palisades and provide a more convenient service for all of our families, Community School’s pre-school, pre-k and extended care will possibly move back to each elementary school in the 2024-2025 school year. Please click here for a 9-year outlook for the expansion of our immersion programs.
With newfound space at Palisades, we have opened up the application and lottery process for incoming kindergarteners who are interested in being a part of a possible second strand of the Spanish Immersion program. We have several kindergarteners on the waitlist, and need to fill the remaining open spots in order to open a second kindergarten class for the 2021-22 school year. Click here to apply. Applications are due by Friday, June 18 at 3:30 p.m.. The lottery will be conducted on June 23 and all applicants will be notified of lottery outcomes by June 25.
Continuing with Diagnostic Assessment
Make Your Appointment for LO Vaccine Clinic
The Lake Oswego Fire Department is hosting several COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Lakeridge Middle School. The clinics are for Pfizer vaccine first and second doses on: June 16, June 30, July 7, July 14, and July 21.
To schedule an appointment, use this link or QR code. You can now schedule for June 16 and June 30.
Be sure to read here for full instructions before heading to the clinic.
Vaccination Clinic Volunteers Needed
Thank you to all who helped with the LOSD/LOFD COVID-19 vaccination clinic this week. More volunteers are needed for the upcoming clinics. You do not need a medical background to volunteer.
Volunteer positions needed:
Greeter: Greets patients as they arrive and directs them to check-in stations
Check In: Registers patients, reviews and verifies paperwork, and directs to the vaccine waiting area
Wait Time Manager: Primary function is to direct patients to the post vaccine waiting area and determine post vaccine wait time. Assists post vaccine monitor as directed.
Please click here to volunteer. Thank you!
Summer Specials Sign Ups Open
Registration for LOSD Summer Specials is OPEN on Community School website by clicking here. The afternoon enrichment programs will be offered in-person July 5 - Aug. 6.
Each enrichment opportunity runs for one week and will be held at either Palisades, River Grove, or Oak Creek. We are able to provide these in-person opportunities for enrichment at a free or nearly free cost thanks to a Summer Enrichment Grant from the Oregon Department of Education.
Tour the New Lakeridge Middle School
Check out the new Lakeridge Middle School!
Click here to sign up for a tour time on Friday, June 18.
The self-guided tours (with special recordings accessed from your smartphone) start every 2 minutes to allow for ample spacing in the building. Tours of the building will also be available to incoming students and their families in August, if this date does not work for you.
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.
Students Invited to Empower Rally June 12-13
Oregon Student Voice, a student-led nonprofit that aims to make students authentic partners with other stakeholders in the K-12 education system is holding its annual Empower Rally (virtually on Zoom this year) for middle and high school students across Oregon.
June 12-13
Four sessions; two each day
Register for free through this form and flyer. Students can register for up to all four sessions.
SSPAC Meeting June 17
All are welcome to observe the meeting.
Thursday, June 17
6-8 p.m.
Please see the district calendar for information to access this meeting.
Lake Grove Swim Park Opens June 18
The Lake Grove Swim Park, operated by the school district, opens June 18 for the 2021 summer season. It is located at 3800 Lakeview Blvd., Lake Oswego.
Swim park amenities include: restroom facilities, lifeguards on duty for swimmers in the lake during all operating hours (swim tests are required) and a snack shack.
This year, patrons will need to bring your own equipment for: ping pong, volleyball, tetherball and basketball. The kiddie pool is under repair and no swim lessons will be offered. Social distancing will be required.
More information about the swim park can be found on the district website or by clicking here.
Rassekh Park Development Online Open House
In April, our community was asked for input on the development of a multi-purpose sports field and play are at Rassekh Park. Based on feedback from over 600 surveys, the design team has put together three design options for Rassekh Park.
From June 4-June 13, you can visit the online open house to:
- View the three design options
- Watch short videos about each design
- Take a map tour of each design
- Leave feedback on the designs and park elements
Your feedback on these design options will help shape the next steps in the design process.
Click here to view the online open house or visit RassekhPark.com.
Hunger Fighters Food Pantry: Open and Hiring
The pantry will be open all summer for contactless curbside pickup every Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m.. Visit the website for more info.www.hungerfightersoregon.org
Hunger Fighters is also hiring. It's currently in the process of searching for its first Executive Director to manage the pantry for a part-time position, starting as soon as possible. Find all the information here: HFO - We're Hiring
Please Verify Your Student's Information
- 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.
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Back-to-School Clothes at Clothing Closet
Open Saturdays
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
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.
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.)
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