The Current
LOSD News • October 1, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Register to Vote
Save the Date: LO School Bond Town Hall
LOSD COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Student Screening Program
- Volunteers Need to Be Vaccinated
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Bike & Walk to School Day
Bus Transportation Update
Gratitude from Our Bus DriversTechnology Consent Form Required, Device Damage and Loss Protection Program Offer
Community News
Respond to Racism Hosts Kids' Storytime
Laker Dance Game Day Workshop
- Laker Youth Basketball Registration
- Getting More Affordable Health Coverage
- Public Complaint Procedure
- Reporting Incidents at School
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Message from the Superintendent
Believe it or not, we are four weeks away from election day! I encourage you to vote in this current election and in all elections. If you are new to voting in Oregon, in this newsletter is information on how you can register to vote before ballots arrive in your mailbox.
On the November 2021 ballot is the Lake Oswego School Bond Measure 3-577. A school bond is how school districts in Oregon typically fund major capital construction upgrades, updates and/or replacements of buildings. LOSD is on track to complete all capital projects promised in our 2017 bond measure -- on time and on budget. We are now turning our attention to the second phase of the three-part capital improvement program.
The proposed Lake Oswego School Bond, if passed, would modernize classrooms, prioritize safety and security, improve accessibility, and protect capital investments at all of our schools. It would rebuild Lake Oswego Junior High and River Grove Elementary to relieve capacity and support best practices in education. You can find more information, including a complete project list and Frequently Asked Questions, online at www.LakeOswegoSchoolBond.org.
You and your neighbors are invited to a Virtual Town Hall Monday, Oct. 18, to talk through the proposed bond and answer questions. I look forward to seeing you at the information session and at the ballot box!
Register to Vote
If you are already registered or think you might be registered to vote, use My Vote to:
- check if you are registered to vote
- view your voter registration information
- update your voter registration
- check the status of your ballot
- find contact information for your county elections office
- find contact information for your elected officials
- find a ballot drop site
Save the Date: LO School Bond Town Hall
Monday, Oct. 18
5-6 p.m.
New, Improved LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
All LOSD COVID-19 information can be found on our district and school websites under the LOSD COVID-19 Information graphic (above). Included is information about guidance, protocols, notifications and more.
COVID-19 Student Screening Program
We exceeded OHSU’s expectations with an overwhelming response to the COVID-19 Student Screening program. More than 1,400 LOSD elementary students (54%) have opted in to the voluntary program that offers free weekly COVID-19 PCR tests through our schools. Our first collection day will be Wednesday, Oct. 13. Families with enrolled students will receive detailed instructions next week.
The facilitation of the important program is a huge lift for our schools and district. LOSD needs to hire 2-3 substitute medical educational assistants to help distribute and collect test kits in our schools on Wednesday mornings. If interested in helping support this program, please click here to apply to be an LOSD substitute today. No medical experience necessary; must verify full vaccination status.
LOSD will be opening enrollment for students in our secondary-level schools once testing is underway with our elementary schools. Stay tuned for online enrollment information.
For more information, go to the LOSD COVID-19 Information and click on COVID-19 Student Testing Program.
Volunteers Need to Be Vaccinated
Reminder, all school volunteers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Show proof of vaccination to your school secretary. Please click here to find vaccination sites near you.
LOSD Brings Attention to Dyslexia Awareness Month
LOSD celebrates Dyslexia Awareness Month during the month of October. In the coming weeks, information about Dyslexia will be shared in our newsletters to create awareness, build understanding, and provide support for students and their families.
In bringing attention to Dyslexia, the Lake Oswego School board adopted its Dyslexia Awareness Month Proclamation, read by LOSD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction LaKeysha Washington at Monday's public session. Click here for the proclamation.
Bike & Walk to School Day
Bus Transportation Update
At the school board meeting Monday, LOSD discussed considerations for resolving ongoing bus transportation issues resulting from severe staffing shortages. Our transportation provider Lake Oswego Student Transportation of America (STA) is currently understaffed by at least seven drivers. STA has a few new drivers in various stages of training, and once approved to operate a school bus, they will be deployed to our most impacted bus routes.
Additionally, depending on the relief these few new drivers provide to our transportation service, STA and LOSD are continuing to identify efficiencies in our pick-up and drop-off points.
LOSD is also considering using flexibility authorized by the Oregon Department of Education's Transportation Division to provide reimbursement to parents of K-8 students that transport their own child to school. Families who might otherwise access our most impacted bus routes may be eligible for this program, if LOSD implements it. We expect to know more within the next week.
As our school community is well aware, STA has had significant difficulties hiring and retaining bus drivers sufficient to meet our needs. This issue is not unique to Lake Oswego School District, but our transportation issues are worse than some of our neighbors. While we amended our STA contract this last March to make their school bus driver pay rates among the highest in the area, at over $26 per hour for a seasoned school bus driver, and STA has been and continues to offer hiring bonuses of up to $3,500 for new qualified bus drivers, those adjustments have not yet proven sufficient to overcome our bus driver shortage. We believe this is compounded by the recent peak of COVID-19 transmission, as well as other factors.
If you or someone you know is interested in being a bus driver, following is a link where you can apply. While a valid drivers license and clean record is required, previous bus driving experience is not. STA provides and pays for training. Click here to apply.
Gratitude from Our Bus Drivers
Following is a message sent on behalf of our drivers to our families and staff:
During these unprecedented times, it is easy to forget the challenges others are facing when we are so overwhelmed by our own. That has been especially true for the drivers and other members of the Student Transportation team. Happily, and thankfully the students, families, the educators and staff of the Lake Oswego School District have rallied around our hard-working group, and have demonstrated their affection and respect through kind words of support, sweet, tasty goodies and many other kind gestures.
On behalf of the drivers, dispatchers, training staff and mechanics of Student Transportation of America – Lake Oswego I would like to thank all of you for the outpouring of good will we have received throughout this shared ordeal. In spite of shifting routes and schedules, late buses and delayed service we have received and continue to receive support and words of encouragement from so many, every day. I cannot begin to describe how invaluable this has been to all of us, and how it has helped us to keep moving forward day after day, challenge after challenge.
We are so thankful to be a part of this community, and we look forward to serving for many years to come.
With great respect and many thanks,
Mark Poulson, Student Transportation of America
Technology Consent Form Required, Device Damage and Loss Protection Program Offer
Each student must have a Technology Consent Form on file each year. Click here to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form. Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions for those who opt in for the damage and loss protection plan will be communicated to participating families.
LOSD is once again offering a Device Damage and Loss Protection Plan to ease the financial obligation if your student's district device is damaged or lost. When you fill out the Technology Consent form, "accept" or "decline" participation in the Protection Plan. The cost is $20 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Participation in the program is completely optional. Fee waivers are available for those with financial need.
Click here to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form. Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions will be communicated to participating families.
For a complete description of the Device Damage and Loss Protection Program, please visit the district website under Computer Networking Service or click here.
For fee waiver forms click here. Please mail the completed form to:
Lake Oswego School District Office
c/o James Miller
PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Have a Technical Question or a device that's not working? Please submit a work order here: https://losdhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
Respond to Racism Hosts Kids' Storytime
All ages are welcome to join Katharine Phelps, special guest author Carmen Bernier-Grand, and the Respond to Racism Storytime community for a special children's read-aloud program as part of a series honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
Monday, Oct. 4
5 p.m.
Click here to register.
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is the Puerto Rican author of eleven books for children and young adults. Please visit the Lake Oswego Library's page on Hispanic Heritage Month for more information.
Laker Dance Game Day Workshop
Friday, Oct. 8 (No school for statewide Professional In-service Day)
Location: Lake Oswego High School gym
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Check-in at 9:30 a.m.
Price: $45 for pre-paid or $50 at the door
Workshop includes: Youth Workshop t-shirt for each registered dancer, showcase performance Oct. 8, and halftime performance with Laker Dancers at football game on Oct. 22.
To register go to www.LOSDschools.org and search for: LOHS Dance Team Workshop. For questions or assistance with registration, please contact Laurie at: iveylaurie@gmail.com, 703-477-7770.
Laker Youth Basketball Registration
Is your son or daughter in grades 4-8 and interested in playing competitive basketball? Registration is now OPEN for the Laker Youth Travel Basketball (LOYTBA) 2021-2022 season!
There will be an online informational parent meeting on Tuesday, Oct 5th at 7:30pm to learn more about the program. (A link will be provided on the website and by email.) Both the Laker Youth Basketball Board and the LOHS boys and girls varsity coaches will be in attendance to answer your questions. Go to Lakeoswegoyouthbasketball.com for additional information and to register your athlete TODAY!
Getting More Affordable Health Coverage
- More savings are now available.
- More people are now eligible for savings.
- Preview plans and savings in less than five minutes.
- Free expert help is available near you.
Public Complaint Procedure
Any member of the public who wishes to express a concern should following the Public Complaint Procedure articulated in Board Policy KL-AR1 Complaint Procedure, which can be found on in Find It Fast on homepage of the district website (circled above).
Reporting Incidents at School
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. The following incident reports by school level can be accessed on the district and school websites under Resources, and through QR codes on posters at schools.
Incidents may also be reported to an administrator, a trusted staff member, or anonymously to SafeOregon.com.
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
Hunger Fighters Oregon Food Pantry offers assistance to anyone in the community by providing fresh, canned and boxed foods. A delivery program is also available. More info can be found at hungerfightersoregon.org.
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
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the 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/weareLOSD
Twitter: @weareLOSD
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