The Current
LOSD News • December 2, 2022
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
New Chinese Immersion Program Info Night
Open House to Review New LOJ Plans
Consider Serving on LO School Board
Sustainability Advisory Committee
Health & Resiliency Advisory Committee Meeting
Come Watch Award-Winning Documentary
Contact Special Education Representatives
Review Snow Routes, Just In Case
Reunification Drill a Success
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
Health Information:
- Medical Guidance from Health Authorities
- LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
- Community Level: Low
- Register for Winter Little Hoopers Basketball Now
Community Reminders:
- Respond to Racism Community Meeting and Special Announcement
- Last Call to Nominate an Unsung Hero Dec. 5
- Annual SASEE Awards: Call for Nominations
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters Oregon
- Safe Oregon
- School Incident Reporting
- Get Social with LOSD
Message from the Superintendent
This time of year can be especially difficult for many people and we share the responsibility of looking after our students and each other. Essential wellness work to support the whole child academically, physically, and emotionally is prioritized by our learning community.
LOSD is fortunate to have the dedicated expertise of our school counselors, social workers, behavioral specialists, and psychologists, and we are grateful for our families’ partnership and support. We are committed to integrating our social-emotional learning curriculum into the school day, as well as offering QPR Suicide Prevention Training, LOSD CARES Wellness Workshops, Safety Symposiums, and many other resources for families.
Data from our YouthTruth and Healthy Teens surveys demonstrate a need to focus keenly on stress and anxiety management and suicide prevention. This week many came together with NW Anxiety Institute’s Kevin Ashworth, MA, LPC, to learn about ways we can help our students manage their stress and anxiety through resiliency. We also hosted a Safety and Security discussion regarding gun safety and the fentanyl/opioid crisis and encouraged all to stay informed about the dangers and measures we can take to keep our community safe.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more because the more we know the better we may care for one another.
New Chinese Immersion Program Info Night
You're invited to the Parent/Guardian Information Night to learn more about the new Mandarin Chinese Immersion program in LOSD starting for the 2023-2024 school year. Meet the principal and teachers developing and leading the program.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
6-7 p.m.
Palisades World Language School
1500 Greentree Ave., Lake Oswego
Please note: all new students, including kindergarteners, need to be registered with their resident elementary school first. Registration opens mid-January coinciding with the Kindergarten Counts open houses hosted at each resident elementary school. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the Kindergarten Counts event, then attend the Spanish Immersion and Chinese Immersion Open Houses at Palisades in the following weeks. Dates for registration events will be confirmed soon.
Open House to Review New LOJ Plans
Saturday, Dec. 10
10-11 a.m.
Lake Oswego Junior High
We look forward to sharing the plans developed in collaboration with our design advisory team and feedback from students, staff, families, and neighbors. The new school will be open in the 2025-2026 school year. Construction of the new school building is funded by the bond measure approved by Lake Oswego voters. Thank you!
Consider Serving on LO School Board
Lake Oswego School Board elections are coming up in May of 2023. Our current directors are hosting an informational session for people interested in serving on the board. Both sessions will be held in person the hour before the next two board meetings:
- Monday, Dec. 12, Lake Oswego Junior High Library, 5-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 10, LOSD Central Office Boardroom, 5-6 p.m.
Directors serve four-year terms. Following are the board positions up for election this year:
- Position 1: Currently held by Director John Wallin
- Position 5: Currently held by Director Kirsten Aird
For more information about the LO School Board, please visit the district website School Board page or the Oregon School Boards Association at www.osba.org.
Sustainability Advisory Committee
All are welcome to observe the school board's Teach & Practice Sustainability Advisory Committee Meeting.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
5:15-6:45 p.m.
Health & Resiliency Advisory Committee Meeting
All are welcome to observe the school board's Health & Resiliency Advisory Committee Meeting.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
7-8:30 p.m.
Come Watch Award-Winning Documentary
The Lake Oswego High School Sustainability Class and Green Team are hosting a FREE screening of the National Geographic 2022 documentary "The Territory."
Friday, Dec. 9
3:45 p.m. Screening of the film
5:30 p.m. Discussion led by Oswego Lake Watershed Council
Lake Oswego High School auditorium
Please RSVP here by Wednesday, Dec. 7.
"The Territory" provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. Before the film, World History and Geography and Native/First Nations Heritage Club students will share a brief history of Brazil and the connections between indigenous peoples in the United States and globally. Following the screening, participants are invited to the cafeteria for an interactive discussion and a short talk from Oswego Lake Watershed Council about our own urban forest.
Pizza and drinks will be sold.
Parental guidance: film preview. The film has some references to violence that may be disturbing to younger audiences. The emphasis is on the conflict over scarce resources and the social movement that has arisen to protect indigenous land rights and the Amazon. While not rated, the film will stream on Disney+ and is probably appropriate for secondary students and older based on your own discretion.
Contact Special Education Representatives
Work of the new Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is underway and the committee members encourage you to reach out to them if you wish to consult with another parent/guardian about questions, concerns, and advice regarding your child's special education. The SEAC is a collaboration between Student Services staff and parents/guardians of students receiving special education services or 504 plan accommodations.
More information about the committee, and contact information, can be found on the district website under Student Services / Special Education Advisory Committee.
Review Snow Routes, Just in Case
Next week we will have updated snow routes on the website under Transportation, which could be used during an inclement weather event depending on the conditions of roads in Lake Oswego. Rarely are snow routes used, but it's best to be prepared!
If severe weather is forecasted, in most circumstances, the decision to cancel classes or start school 2-hours late will not be made the night before but will be made before 6:20 a.m. on the day of the weather event.
You will be notified via voice message, text, email, and push notification via LOSD mobile app, as well as an alert on the school websites and local news channels. If you are unsure of a notification, double-check multiple communication channels to verify its validity.
In the event of inclement weather, schools will remain in session if the majority of our students and staff members can travel safely. Because of the varied topography in Lake Oswego, hazardous conditions occasionally may exist in a limited area while roads in the remainder of the district are safe for travel. If parents believe conditions in their area make it unsafe for students to travel to school, LOSD will support their decision to keep their children at home.
Reunification Drill a Success
LOSD performed its first-ever reunification drill with the third, fourth, and fifth-grade classes at Palisades World Language School. The drill started with practicing a lockdown before the students and their teachers were transported by bus to an offsite location. LOSD's Director of Security and Safety John Parke led the drill in partnership with the LOPD and STA, and with support from our district strike team (pictured). Thank you to all who participated and made it a smooth and productive exercise.
Several times a year LOSD schools practice Standard Response Protocols. All of our schools have completed the first of two annual lockdown drills for this school year.
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
Each school year, Oregon students take assessments to meet federal requirements. The purpose of these assessments is to provide data that schools can use to ensure that every child is on track and achieving learning goals.
State law requires us to inform you that a form is available from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) that allows you to opt your child out of the math and English Language Arts assessments for the current school year. Should you wish to opt-out your child, fill out the form and submit it to the main office at your child’s school. Please note the submission deadlines listed on the form. Meeting the deadline will help the school with planning and preparation. If you wish your child not to participate in the science assessment for grades 5, 8, and 11, submit this request in writing to the principal of your child's school.
If you have questions or want more information about state assessments, please contact your child’s principal or teacher(s).
Click here for opt-out form for Math and English Language Arts.
Medical Guidance from Health Authorities
Please take a few minutes to review the information and resources below regarding Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) updates and resources for respiratory viruses, including Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Monkeypox (mpox), plus Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFMD). This information can also be found on our District Nurse website page.
Oregon health officials recently issued a call to action in response to the rapid spread of RSV and Influenza virus. State health officials recommend that people:
Stay home when sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow, or with a tissue that you immediately throw away after use.
Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including doorknobs, faucets, chairs, countertops, and tables.
Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
Avoid sharing cups, water bottles, and other drink containers, or eating utensils.
Get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including new bivalent boosters. There is no vaccine for RSV.
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces.
Monkeypox (mpox)
Monkeypox is passed from person to person by close physical contact (not just sexual), but unlike some other disorders affecting skin it remains infectious until all scabs are gone and skin is dry. As such, a very precise and accurate diagnosis of skin lesions, particularly in high-contact sports such as wrestling is important. We continue to advocate for early testing and treatment of students who are ill as well as close collaboration with local and state health departments during times of outbreaks. Most importantly, prevention is the hallmark of controlling these illnesses in our students. With OHA’s announcement this Fall of pediatric mpox (monkeypox) cases in Oregon, it’s important to share information on tools available to manage this illness.
OHA Monkeypox Website – Regularly updated and includes evidence-based information about this illness.
Monkeypox Vaccination Providers – Use zip code to explore healthcare locations providing vaccines.
CDC Monkeypox Toolkit for Schools and Early Care and Education Programs – Provides a user-friendly format for existing monkeypox considerations in schools.
AAP Monkeypox Website – American Academy of Pediatrics site with information and resources.
Influenza (the Flu)
The flu was nearly nonexistent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but is now making a significant comeback and earlier in the year than normal. Many students have already been affected and many more will be. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) recommend early testing for those who are symptomatic to differentiate the Flu from COVID-19. Also, most antiviral medications against the Flu are most effective if started in the first 48 hours.
OHA Flu Prevention Website – Information for prevention and vaccines.
CDC Influenza Resource Center – Information and resources in multiple languages.
AAP Influenza Recommendations – American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for prevention and control.
AAFP Influenza Website – American Academy of Family Physicians resources for prevention.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a common respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact, and by touching contaminated surfaces. For most children, RSV produces mild illness, however, children under 2 years old are especially susceptible to RSV and are at increased risk of severe illness and hospitalization. It is important to note that many school-age children have siblings at home who may be younger and more susceptible to severe illness and hospitalization. The ways we can prevent the spread of RSV and other respiratory illnesses are familiar and include frequent and thorough handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, masking, and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
OHA RSV Website – Information about symptoms and prevention.
Oregon’s RSV Report – Updates RSV activity in Oregon every Wednesday.
CDC RSV Resources – Information about prevention, symptoms, and care.
AAP RSV Guidance – American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
There has been a notable increase in outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Oregon this year, particularly this Fall. HFMD is an infection caused by a virus. Although HFMD is common in children younger than 5, several recent outbreaks have involved high school or junior high students, including student-athletes. Common symptoms of HFMD include fever, mouth sores, and rash (commonly on the hands and feet). HFMD spreads through fluids spread through coughs and sneezes, fluids from blisters or scabs, contact with feces, and contact with objects and surfaces that have the virus on them. Most people with HFMD recover on their own in seven to 10 days. Treatment of HFMD is symptom-based: drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and use over-the-counter medication to relieve fever and pain from mouth sores.
OHA HFMD Information for ADs, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Parents (English)
OHA HFMD Information for ADs, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Parents (Spanish)
CDC HFMD Website – Information about symptoms and prevention.
LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Community Level: Low
Register for Winter LIttle Hoopers Basketball Now
Registration is now open for skill-development/recreational Little Hooper Winter basketball programs Grades K-2. Find program information and registration on the website under Community School Fall Programs / Sports.
Registration closes December 23, or when program capacity is reached. Don't miss out --register now!
Respond to Racism Community Meeting and Special Announcement
Respond to Racism is hosting the first of two training sessions, Bystander Intervention in Public Spaces. Training will be conducted online by Right to Be (formerly Hollaback!). All in our community are invited to participate.
Monday, Dec. 5
6:00 p.m. Special announcement
6:30-8 p.m. Training session
The evening will start with an important announcement from Willie Poinsette. Use this Zoom link for the special announcement and this password: DWYYj3?3G. Please REGISTER in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Last Call: Nominate an Unsung Hero By Dec. 5
Each year the City of Lake Oswego’s “Unsung Hero” Award honors an individual or a group who has worked quietly behind the scenes on behalf of the community without any expectation of recognition. If you know an unsung hero in our community, please submit Name an Unsung Hero ~ 2022 | City of Lake Oswego by Monday, Dec. 5, 9:00 AM. Contact Kim Vermillion with any questions.
Annual SASEE Awards: Call for Nominations
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. Check out this week's edition.
Hunger Fighters Food Pantry
Shop in hours:
- Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
- Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Sundays 3-5 p.m.
Learn more at hungerfightersoregon.org.
SafeOregon
Reach out to your principal with concerns 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. https://www.safeoregon.com/ Be aware that intentionally providing a false report is a serious offense.
School Incident Reporting
LOSD Incident Reports are for students and adults to report incidents that occur in school. Incidents may be microaggressions, harassment or discrimination related to race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of identity. Find incident reports on each school's website under Find It Fast / Report an Incident.
Incidents may also be reported to an administrator, a trusted staff member, or anonymously to SafeOregon.com.
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
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. If you need to change your parent email address, please contact your school.