The Current
LOSD News • March 11, 2022
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Chair Aird Board Meeting Opening Remarks
Classified Employee Appreciation Week
National School Social Worker Week
Developmental Disabilities Month
LOSD Women's History Month Spotlight of the Week
Board Advisory Committee Applications Open
Elementary Boundary Board Testimony
LOSD COVID-19 Information:
- Face Covering Recommendations
- OHSU Student Screening Enrollment Reopened
- Community Transition Level: Green
- LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Talking About the Dangers of Fentanyl
Safety Symposium Rescheduled for April 7
Youth Truth Surveys
SSPAC Meeting
Extended Day Needs Assessment Survey
AASU's Asian Cultural Festival Seeking Sponsorships, Donations
Community:
Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears Event
If I Were Mayor Contest
SASEE Award Nomination Deadline Extended
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
Message from the Superintendent
This week I want to bring our learning community's attention to the March 7th School Board meeting. The recording is available on the district website under School Board / Available Archives.
This board meeting, in particular, covered several topics that I know are of interest to our community, including opening remarks from Board Chair Aird about the war in Ukraine, as well as resolutions, actions, and discussion regarding Classified Appreciation Week, Lifting Face Covering Requirement, Elementary School Boundaries, Equitable Academic Outcomes, and more! Click on the agenda items of interest to watch the presentation.
Additionally, I want to make sure you watch the video explaining what the change in face covering requirements means for our learning community. Students had an opportunity to watch it in class this week, and I encourage families to click here to watch the video and discuss your household’s plans with your student.
Thank you for your support and consideration of each other as we take this step in our pandemic journey.
Chair Aird Board Meeting Opening Remarks
On tonight’s agenda, we are discussing several sensitive matters that require us to think outside of ourselves and really be mindful of others' circumstances and recognize that they may not be our own. Some circumstances are readily apparent, many are not. Please be open to listening and considerate with our words and actions because people need compassion and care, now more than ever.
We are having our discussions against the backdrop of a frightening war waging in Eastern Europe. It is affecting many students, families, coworkers, and neighbors directly and indirectly. Communities halfway around the world may be under fire, but we cannot help but step outside ourselves when we think about these heartbreaking events.
On behalf of the board and administration, I want to express our deepest concern and sadness for the millions of innocent Ukrainians whose lives will forever be altered and too many lost by the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russia on their sovereign country. We also want to acknowledge those here in Lake Oswego and our neighboring communities who have loved ones caught in harm’s way. Many in our learning community…
Are struggling with uncertainty;
Have relatives still in their homelands, who are trapped in cities under attack and who have been forced to flee neighboring countries;
Have loved ones who are serving in the U.S. military, and have recent and soon-to-be-graduates who are choosing a life of service and answering the call of duty;
Have experienced the previous trauma of war, the effects of which are never far away;
And, are deeply worried about the safety of the world, and looking for ways to help cope personally with the stressors of warfare.
Teachers are doing their best to discuss world events in an age appropriate way. Children will likely turn to their parents and guardians with questions. LOSD has resources shared on the website, and in newsletters, to help us try to explain the ugliness and tragedy of war.
Our educators’ top priority -- and that of the board -- is to protect the well-being of our students and to make our schools a safe and welcoming place to learn, grow and be. We appreciate all of us embracing and furthering that mission.
Classified School Employee Appreciation Week
It is Classified School Employees Appreciation Week, an opportunity to celebrate all who keep our schools running and make it possible for our students to learn in safe, supportive environments. From cooking, cleaning, fixing, driving, caring for, scheduling, supporting students, and more...classified school employees do it all! This year, more than ever, our classified school employees have gone above and beyond in countless and immeasurable ways. Thank you!!
The Lake Oswego School Board presented a resolution to formally spotlight the work of our classified employees and kick off our week of appreciation.
National School Social Worker Week
It's National School Social Worker Week, a time for us to celebrate school social workers across the nation and appreciate their work in helping students achieve academic success. We are so very appreciative of our social workers in LOSD.
Now is a great opportunity to shine a light on our district’s newest social workers, Kylie Goertz and Tara Roland, who have joined the LOSD Wellness Team with social workers Alena Lauritzen and Sina Wibstad in supporting our students and families experiencing the many and varied impacts of the pandemic. Welcome and thank you!
Developmental Disabilities Month
Developmental Disabilities Month highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. The 2022 theme, Worlds Imagined, focuses on how the world is changing as we move through and beyond the pandemic and highlights intersectionality and disability, as well as how people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities are living longer and more productive lives than ever before.
Board Advisory Committee Applications Open
The Lake Oswego School Board of Directors invites students, teachers, staff members, parents/guardians and community residents to consider serving on its advisory committees. Applications and committee charters are available on the district website under School Board. Please submit your application by Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. Possible interviews following submission, and notification of selected committee members by May 10, 2022.
Elementary Boundary Board Testimony
The Elementary Boundary Review Committee presented its recommendations for balancing enrollment between Lake Grove and Oak Creek. The School Board is inviting public testimony about the proposed boundary changes at its meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 29, before taking action on the recommendations at the board meeting on Monday, Apr. 11. Click here for instructions on how to provide board testimony.
Information about the boundary review process, including the new proposed boundary map, is available on the district homepage Trending Topics, Elementary Boundary Review 2022.
Face Covering Recommendations
LOSD is lifting face covering requirements in our school settings, including indoor school buildings and buses, effective Saturday, Mar. 12. This decision was made in accordance with state guidance and informed by feedback from our students, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians.
Masks will be optional in LOSD. That means our learning community will support those who opt to continue wearing face coverings, as well as those who choose not to wear face coverings. Bullying or harassment will not be tolerated.
To review the guidance, metrics, input and continued mitigation measures informing the district’s decision, please see the presentation posted on the district website under LOSD COVID-19 Information, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document that is being updated regularly.
Student Screening Enrollment Reopened
LOSD is reopening enrollment for K12 students in the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) COVID-19 Student Screening Program. Students who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 are encouraged to enroll in the screening program. Enrollment and testing is voluntary and requires active permission from students’ guardians.
If you are interested in enrolling/re-enrolling your K-12 student in the program, click here to complete ENROLLMENT forms. Enrollment forms are due by Tuesday, Mar. 29.
Also on the LOSD COVID-19 student screening site are form to HOLD, OPT OUT and REQUEST LABELS for student already enrolled.
Community Transition Level: Green
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days — to determine the COVID-19 community level.
Using this data, the COVID-19 community level is classified as low, medium, or high. Clackamas County is current in low (green). Click here to follow the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker Weekly Review.
LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
The LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard is up to date, corresponding with new reporting protocols for Clackamas County Public Health. The new dashboard shows the number of staff and students who have reported to LOSD testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of school exposure.
Talking About the Dangers of Fentanyl
Recent deaths related to blue fentanyl-laced pills in the Portland area are a tragic reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and overdoses. Important information from the Portland Police Bureau’s Community Alert was released this week in response to two accidental deaths of Portland Public students related to Fentanyl use.
Families need to talk with their children about drug use. Following are two trusted sites with information about fentanyl to aid in these conversations:
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
Additionally, LOSD is hosting a Safety Symposium on Thursday, Apr. 7, which includes a session discussing fentanyl and other substance abuses. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the symposium and learn more about what can be done to support the health and safety of our students.
To get support or help with substance abuse, students are encouraged to seek help from a trusted adult in our learning community, such as a counselor, social worker or administrator. Students and families can also report confidential concerns about substances by going to safeoregon.com.
LOSD Safety Symposium April 7
LOSD is hosting its first annual LOSD K-12 Safety Symposium. We are excited to provide this opportunity for parents to learn about safety issues affecting students and actions we can all take to create a safer community. Please save the date and plan to join us.
Thursday, Apr. 7
6:00 p.m.; doors open at 5.30 p.m.
Lakeridge High School
Youth Truth Surveys
As part of LOSD’s efforts to create a culture of belonging and to achieve equitable academic outcomes, we are administering the annual Youth Truth survey to all parents/guardians, staff members, and students in grades 3-12. Please click here to complete the Family Survey for parents/guardians. The survey takes about 15-30 minutes to complete.
SSPAC Meeting
All are welcome to observe the Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting.
Tuesday, Mar. 15
6-7:30 p.m.
See district calendar for meeting access.
Extended Day Needs Assessment Survey
LOSD seeks to identify our families’ needs for before and after school care for students in Preschool - Grade 5 in the 2022-2023 school year. We know that this has been a pain point for many who have had limited options, and we are developing ways to expand this service for all who need it. Please click here to complete the parent/guardian survey. Survey results will be shared soon thereafter. This survey takes on about 1 minute to complete.
AASU's Asian Cultural Festival Seeking Sponsorships, Donations
AASU is accepting sponsorships from businesses, food donations from local restaurants, and donations from families. The sponsorship and food donation guides can be found here. Please contact lohsaasu@gmail.com if you are interested in supporting or have any questions or comments. The students are incredibly thankful for the community’s support!
Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears Event
Shifting Gears/Gifting Gear was created with the goal of passing on sporting equipment to families that would enjoy it when your family has outgrown it. If you have sporting gear -- in good/safe/working condition -- that your family/children have outgrown, please drop it off. This event is totally FREE! Donating gear does not guarantee that you will find replacement gear for your family. It does however get it out of your garage and into the hands of an excited child who will love it.
Drop-off Gear
See "Types of Gear" HERE for a listing of gear that can be dropped off for other families to enjoy.
Monday, Apr. 4- Wednesday, Apr. 6
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
River Grove Elementary Gym
Pick-up Gear
Come "shop" (FREE) for gear that your family might enjoy!
Friday, Apr. 8
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
River Grove Elementary Gym
Volunteers Needed
If you are interested in volunteering please sign-up HERE. Any bike mechanic hobbyists? They are looking for a couple people to do basic tune-ups and sizing (see sign-up).
See the Shifting Gears/Gifting Gear website HERE for additional details and community participation.
If I Were Mayor Contest
Mayor Joe Buck, along with the Oregon Mayors Association, invite Lake Oswego students grades 4-12, including home-schooled students, to participate in the “If I Were Mayor...” contest where students can share their creative and inspirational ideas about what they would do as a mayor. Entries must be submitted by March 18, 2022. Click here for more information.
First, second and third place winners will be selected from the following categories:
- Posters (grades 4-5)
- Essays (grades 6-8)
- Digital Media Presentations (grades 9-12)
First place Lake Oswego winners in each of the three categories will win a gift card to a local business of their choice for $250, Second place winners will receive $150 and third place winners will receive $100.
The winners will also receive recognition from the Mayor and City Council at a City Council meeting this spring. The three local winning entries will then be submitted to the statewide competition for the opportunity to win $500. These students will receive their prizes at an awards ceremony during the OMA Annual Summer Conference. The last time the City of Lake Oswego offered this program a Lake Oswego student won the statewide contest!
SASEE Award Nomination Deadline Extended
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 nomination deadline has been extended to Saturday, Mar. 19
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
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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