The Current
LOSD News • Dec. 4, 2020
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Last Call: Return to In-Person Committee
Last Call: Land Acknowledgement Committee
Grab & Go Meals During Winter Break
Athletic Outdoor Conditioning to Resume, Winter Season Status, Dec. 7
DEI-AC Committee Meeting
You're Invited: Community Film Experience
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
Weather Event Communications
Regular Reminders:
- 3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
- Childcare Providers in Clackamas County
- Local Testing Sites for Covid-19
- Clackamas County Go Teams
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Message from the Superintendent
The Lake Oswego School Board hired me with the charge of furthering the district’s equity work, and that has been at the forefront of my leadership since starting as LOSD superintendent in June 2019.
As a district, we are committed to creating a culture of belonging. The LOSD Equity Policy, adopted in 2019, is at the center of our commitment and directs all aspects of the district’s operations. For this reason, any allegations of LOSD failing to meet the principles articulated in the Equity Policy are taken extremely seriously and LOSD undertakes appropriate action.
Whenever matters involve specific students, LOSD cannot speak directly to the matter because student information is confidential under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). What I have shared and will continue to elevate is the work being done by individuals, students, teachers, staff and families to create a culture of belonging and provide educational excellence, including the following:
In 2019, LOSD implemented a Windows and Mirrors framework at all grade levels introducing new literature into schools that reflect diverse cultures and abilities and build identity, and provides a view into someone else’s experience.
In 2019, LOSD adopted a social-emotional learning curriculum and professional development to help improve school safety and culture.
In 2020, LOSD hired an Equity and Family Engagement Teacher on Special Assignment accountable directly to the superintendent to work closely with students and staff members to educate, engage and elevate anti-racism discussions.
In June 2020, the School Board approved the LOSD Anti-racism Resolution that prioritizes the internal work of eradicating systemic racism, in all its forms, in all instruction and operations to cultivate a culture of belonging.
LOSD created a multi-year professional development plan for administrators, teachers and staff to facilitate important conversations on race, ability, and identity. LOSD hosted the first district-wide professional development session in August 2020, with a focus on social emotional learning infused with racial justice and implicit bias awareness training.
LOSD licensed and classified educators receive ongoing professional development in the areas of inclusion, belonging, trauma-informed practices, anti-racism, culturally responsive practices, and more as part of the district’s PD November, along with learning circles, BARWE (Building Anti-Racist White Educators) and on-demand PD and resources on our website.
LOSD organizes and supports affinity groups for teachers and staff.
LOSD is actively partnering with members of the Student Services Parent Advisory Committee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and school equity and diversity councils.
LOSD’s new five-year strategic plan in development, which we anticipate being adopted by January 2021, sets direction, provides focus, and guides resources under four strategic priorities: to create a culture of belonging, achieve equitable academic outcomes, promote health and resiliency, and teach and practice sustainability.
As educators, providing an environment in which students learn to understand themselves, each other, and the world around them is among the most important work we can undertake. Our hope for our students, teachers, staff and families is to continue to ask questions, continue to support our change efforts, and together, strive to build understanding across our community.
Last Call: Return to In-Person Committee
The superintendent is forming an ad hoc committee regarding our return to in-person learning. The committee's charge is to consider LOSD's plans from the perspectives of students, families, teachers and staff and advise the district administration on how we may help stakeholders be and feel safe and cared for when we make the transition to in-person school. We are looking for committee members who are considerate of all perspectives and willing to collaborate and serve as ambassadors on the outcomes of the committee's reopening plans.
Please click here if you are interested in serving on the superintendent's committee. Interest form is due by Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
LOSD is committed to transitioning to in-person learning when eligible, based on health metrics for Clackamas County schools, and following the required guidance from the Oregon Department of Education. Each school has established blueprints with procedures and protocols for hybrid in-person learning. All of this information is available on the district website under Roadmap to Reopening.
Last Call: Land Acknowledgement Committee
The Lake Oswego School Board is creating an ad-hoc committee to study how and in what form LOSD acknowledges the land that it occupies throughout the City of Lake Oswego and parts of Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties.
Please click here if you are interested in serving on the ad-hoc committee. Interest form is due by Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
LOSD schools are located on the ancestral homelands of the Clackamas Chinook [Cha-nook] and Tualatin Kalapuya [Cal-a-poo-yah] peoples, as well as other Indigenous peoples who made their homes along the Willamette and Tualatin rivers, and Waluga Lake, also known as Oswego Lake. We acknowledge that these tribes were subjected to disease, death, and displacement as a result of the westward expansion by European colonists. We honor the rich history, culture, and spiritual practices that are tied to this land, as well as the resilience of the descendents of these and other native communities, some of whom we are fortunate to learn with and teach alongside in our schools, and who live in Lake Oswego. We respect and are grateful to the indigenous stewards of this land.
Grab & Go Meals During Winter Break
Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School
Monday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 28
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
On Thursday, December 10, a meal count for the above dates will be taken for accuracy at the time you pick up your grab-and-go meals. We can provide one meal bag per child.
Face coverings are required at pickups.
Athletic Outdoor Conditioning to Resume, Winter Season Status Expected, Dec. 7
LOSD high school student-athletes will be able to resume their Season 1 training and conditioning on Monday, December 7. Our students are able to participate in co-curricular activities because the statewide “freeze period” is coming to an end and the Governor and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have provided clarifications on how schools may proceed.
LOSD had paused our OSAA Season 1 athletics and activities in response to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-65 on November 13. Other factors in that decision included an LOSD moratorium already scheduled for Thanksgiving break, and an alignment with our neighboring school districts.
As of the writing of this message, the following are the major allowable parameters during this period, per OHA and OSAA:
Outdoor training and conditioning are allowed with a limit of 50 persons (coaches and student-athletes combined) per event.
Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet per person.
Prohibition on all indoor sports, including conditioning and training.
Mask/face coverings must be worn when actively participating in an outdoor sport.
All pools are closed.
Athletes and coaches must quarantine for 14 days if they have traveled out of state.
We are including documents from the Governor’s Office and OHA - Statewide Freeze Guidance for K-12 School Sports and the guidance from OHA and OSAA - OHA guidance for K-12 athletics. Please understand this guidance can change from week to week and we will have to adapt to any updated guidance.
Currently, Season 2 (Basketball, Skiing, Swimming, Wrestling) is scheduled to commence on December 28. The OSAA’s Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6 to determine the status of Season 2. We expect to hear this determination Monday, Dec. 7, and we will message out regarding its impact on both Season 1 activities and the traditional Winter Sports season.
Since early July, we have been able to provide the opportunity for our students to participate in various practices and training opportunities. We understand the importance that these activities have for our students, both physically and mentally, and we have remained determined to continue their operation when advisable. We appreciate the support of our families and community in this effort and are grateful for the time and effort of our coaches.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
All are welcome to observe the meeting remotely.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Please click here for Zoom link posted on the district calendar.
iReady Info Sessions Recordings
LOSD partnered with iReady to host information sessions for parents and guardians of students in grades K-8 to learn more about the diagnostic assessments being piloted by LOSD this year.
Recordings of the information sessions are posted on the district website under Teaching & Learning Assessments and Intervention Pilots. Visit the site to learn more about iReady.
The iReady Diagnostic can help teachers determine what students already know and what they still need to learn so we can plan how to teach them best. This fall, and two additional times later in the school year, LOSD students in grades K-8 will be participating in iReady math and reading diagnostic assessments.
You're Invited: Community Film Experience
Join the LO community on Zoom to watch the film Racism in Oregon History: A Brief Overview.
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6-7 p.m.
Click here to register by Dec. 10 at 12 noon
All are invited to this free event to learn about Oregon's history from Kerry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society. Kerry is joined by Eliza Canty-Jones, editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly. This presentation focuses on racism in Oregon history.
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
Lake Oswego Rotary Club is seeking nominees for this year's SASEE Awards, which honor service above self in educational excellence.
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.
Please click here to learn more and nominate someone.
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"
Weather Event Communications
Why do we need to notify during comprehensive distance learning? Because many of our staff, teachers and administrators are working from the school buildings, and many students are coming in for limited in-person instruction. Alerts will share information and plans for that day.
Download the Lake Oswego Schools mobile app and enable push notifications to receive important alerts and emergency notifications. Emergency information sent via @LOSD_Proud Twitter will also be sent as push notifications.
During setup, be sure to follow Lake Oswego Schools and the schools your students attend to receive district-level and school notifications. (Go to Settings, Follow schools)
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.
3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
Local Testing Sites for Covid-19
For testing Covid-19 sites in our area, please click on the county:
Washington County COVID-19 Testing Sites
Multnomah County COVID-19 Testing Sites
Oregon Health Authority has also released a webpage that allows users to put in their address or zip code to find the nearest testing site. Click here to find a testing site near you
Childcare Providers in Clackamas County
Clackamas County currently has 76 childcare providers who have openings for child care. 211 is the first point of contact if parents are interested in reaching out about child care options in the area. Parents will need to have the following information ready when working with 211.
- parent first name and last name
- child’s DOB and first name
- address to search for care (near home or work)
- email address to send referrals
- any childcare requests
- days/times needed
Parents can reach 211 in the following ways:
- Calling 211 1-866-698-6155 - Listen to the prompt for child care and press the specified number
- Texting the keyword “children” or “niños” to 898211 (TXT211)
- Emailing children@211info.org
- Click here to visit the website
Clackamas CCRR can support parents if they aren't able to connect with 211. CCRR can be reached at (503) 675-4100 or via e-mail at ccrr@clackesd.org.
Tutoring Resources
Are you looking for someone to tutor your students? Many people, including students, reach out to LOSD offering assistance. Each year LOSD updates its list of approved tutors. Click here to access that list.
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.)
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage
Subscribe to 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/LOSDProud
Twitter: @LOSD_Proud
You are receiving this message because you are the parent or guardian of a student in the Lake Oswego School District.
We hope you will assist us in our efforts to communicate efficiently and economically by continuing to receive these messages.
Contact info@loswego.k12.or.us if you believe you have received this communication in error, or if you no longer wish to receive email communications from your school and the district.
If you need to change your parent email address, please contact your school.
Last Call: Applicants for Superintendent's Return to In-Person Committee
The committee's charge is to consider LOSD's plans from the perspectives of students, families, teachers and staff and advise the district administration on how we may help stakeholders be and feel safe and cared for when we make the transition to in-person school. We are looking for committee members who are considerate of all perspectives and willing to collaborate and serve as ambassadors on the outcomes of the committee's reopening plans.
Please click here if you are interested in serving on the superintendent's committee. Interest form is due by Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
Last Call: Applicants for Board's Land Acknowledgement Ad Hoc Committee
LOSD schools are located on the ancestral homelands of the Clackamas Chinook [Cha-nook] and Tualatin Kalapuya [Cal-a-poo-yah] peoples, as well as other Indigenous peoples who made their homes along the Willamette and Tualatin rivers, and Waluga Lake, also known as Oswego Lake. We acknowledge that these tribes were subjected to disease, death, and displacement as a result of the westward expansion by European colonists. We honor the rich history, culture, and spiritual practices that are tied to this land, as well as the resilience of the descendents of these and other native communities, some of whom we are fortunate to learn with and teach alongside in our schools, and who live in Lake Oswego.
We respect and are grateful to the indigenous stewards of this land. The Lake Oswego School Board is creating an ad-hoc committee to study how and in what form LOSD acknowledges the land that it occupies throughout the City of Lake Oswego and parts of Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties.
Please click here if you are interested in serving on the ad-hoc committee. Interest form is due by Monday, Dec. 7.
Student-Athlete Outdoor Conditioning to Resume and Status of Winter Sports Anticipated Dec. 7
We are pleased to inform you that our (insert school name) student-athletes will be able to resume their Season 1 training and conditioning on Monday, Dec 7. Our students are able to participate in cocurricular activities because the statewide “freeze period” is coming to an end and the Governor and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have provided clarifications on how schools may proceed.
LOSD had paused our OSAA Season 1 athletics and activities in response to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-65 on November 13. Other factors in that decision included an LOSD moratorium already scheduled for Thanksgiving break, and an alignment with our neighboring school districts.
As of the writing of this message, following are the major allowable parameters during this period, per OHA and OSAA:
Outdoor training and conditioning are allowed with a limit of 50 persons (coaches and student-athletes combined) per event.
Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet per person.
Prohibition on all indoor sports, including conditioning and training.
Mask/face coverings must be worn when actively participating in an outdoor sport.
All pools are closed.
Athletes and coaches must quarantine for 14 days if they have traveled out of state.
We have included the full updated OHA guidance for K-12 athletics at the end of this email for further information.
Currently, Season 2 (Basketball, Skiing, Swimming, Wrestling) is scheduled to commence on December 28. The OSAA’s Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6 to determine the status of Season 2. We expect to hear this determination Monday, Dec. 7, and we will message out regarding its impact on both Season 1 activities and the traditional Winter Sports season.
Since early July, we have been able to provide the opportunity for our students to participate in various practices and training opportunities. We understand the importance that these activities have for our students, both physically and mentally, and we have remained determined to continue their operation when advisable. We appreciate the support of our families and community in this effort and are grateful for the time and effort of our coaches.