The Current
LOSD News • March 18, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
They're Back! Middle Schools Start In-Person
Welcome to the New Lakeridge Middle School
Spring Break - No School
Recommended Quarantining After Travel
Bus Transportation Update
Status of SRO Program, School Safety Task Force Interest Form
New Executive Director of Student Services
Meal Distribution Spring Break, Middle Schools
Board-Appointed Committee Applications Open
Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten Applications Due April 2
Elementary Students' Wednesday Workshops
School Board Meeting
Bond Development Committee Meeting
Now Accepting Applications for Foundation Board of Directors
Regular Reminders:
- Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
- What's New at Community School
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
- 3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
- Safe Oregon
Message from the Superintendent
We are dismayed to see the recent rise in hate crimes against people of Asian and Asian American heritage. This week we were shocked with the news of tragic shootings in Atlanta. Although it is not clear yet if the attack was racially motivated, it has added to the anxiety that the Asian and Asian American communities are currently feeling.
On March 4th, the Washington Post reported that “as school buildings start to reopen, Asian and Asian American families are choosing to keep their children learning from home at disproportionately high rates.” The report indicates that this disparity is due in part to the anxiety that Asian and Asian American families are feeling around the possibility of becoming targets of harassment and acts of hate.
As a district, we want all students to feel safe and free from hate and discrimination. LOSD is committed to continuing our work on inclusion, equity and social justice in which we have embarked with the goal of becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist organization.
We encourage our staff, teachers and community to join us in taking a stand against anti-Asian or any kind of racism in our community, our state and our nation. We also ask that you report any bias and/or racist incident that you experience personally or as a bystander via SafeOregon or the LOSD incident report.
To help support and make sense of what many of our students, families and staff are experiencing in light of these attacks and harassment, below is a list of resources that may help.
In an effort to reach our learning community before many turn their attention to Spring Break, we are sending this edition of The Current at day early.
They're Back! Middle Schools Start In-Person
More and more high schoolers are having in-person opportunities as we prepare to welcome them back to campus for 4th quarter. Information about high schoolers' return to schools will continue coming from principals.
Welcome to the New Lakeridge Middle School
LMS and the district are looking for ways to share the new asset with all in our community. When COVID-19 restrictions allow, we will be hosting open houses and meetings for our learning community and residents to experience the new asset.
The old Waluga building is gone, and in its place the parking lot and landscaping are being constructed. All work on the site should be complete by this summer.
Photo credit: PMG's Jonathan House. See the Lake Oswego Review for more photos.
Spring Break -- No School
Recommended Quarantining After Travel
With many in our community transitioning to in-person learning and Spring Break coming up at the end of March, it’s a good time to clarify the statewide guidance for travel. It’s recommended that people who are not vaccinated and who travel outside of the state of Oregon consider quarantining upon returning home.
LOSD is asking people to consider quarantining. If students choose to quarantine, instructional materials will be provided while out of school.
Per the Oregon Statewide Guidance for Travel, people are recommended to practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival in the state and limit their interactions to their immediate household. People may consider ending quarantine if they have had no symptoms: after 10 days with no testing or after 7 days with an antigen or PCR test.
Bus Transportation Update
Bus service has been a challenging experience for many this week. We are working with the bus transportation company and have been given assurances that service will improve.
The complexities of an AM/PM schedule and a national and local school bus driver shortage coupled with an influx of rider registrations have been the source of many challenges. On a positive note, we have learned the bus company has acquired several new drivers, which will help improve and enable service to students at all grade levels.
As always, please contact the bus transportation company if you have questions or share them with the district office.
Status of SRO Program, School Safety Task Force Interest Form
The School Board, considering inputs from the School Resource Officer (SRO) Listening Sessions and Needs Assessment, has directed the Superintendent to convene a task force. The School Safety Task Force will study options to address the district needs that are currently served through the SRO program and to make a recommendation to the Board on how to move forward in a way that centers student health and well-being.
Teresa Sanchez, Equity and Family Engagement TOSA, will lead the task force in collaboration with a professional facilitator, to be hired. We are currently taking interest forms from teachers, staff, students and parents-guardians interested in serving on the School Safety Task Force. Interest forms are due by Monday, Mar. 29 at 10 a.m. The task force will meet 4-5 times in April and May to make a recommendation to submit to the School Board by the end of May, early June 2021
The School Board will make a decision about the SRO contract after considering the recommendations of the task force. Therefore, the current agreement between LOSD and LOPD is that the contract is on pause for the remainder of the school year and during this time LOPD is funding both officers. The contract is a financial agreement, not a job description.
Until we have a decision about the SRO contract, or through the rest of this school year, our schools will continue to engage with SROs as needed.
New Executive Director of Student Services
LOSD has hired Scott Schinderle as Executive Director of Student Services. Since February, Scott has been serving as the Interim Executive Director and he will continue as head of the Student Services department permanently.
“Scott has invested extensively in our district’s improvement efforts and practices in Special Education programming as principal at Lake Grove Elementary and now as director of Student Services. We are grateful that he is sharing his expertise and experience for the benefit of all in our district,” said Dr. Lora de la Cruz, Superintendent, LOSD. “Scott is a courageous and thoughtful leader who works steadfast in ensuring each student receives a quality education and works collaboratively with students, families and staff to make decisions as a community. These attributes, and a clear focus on equitable outcomes for all students, make Scott a strong leader for Student Services.”
Scott brings decades of experience and knowledge to his new position with LOSD. Lake Grove Elementary is a learning community that includes students in our special education Access program. Prior to coming to LOSD, Scott served as Executive Director of Student Services for Hillsboro School District, Special Education Facilitator for Beaverton School District and a Special Education Teacher for Sherwood School District. Scott holds a bachelor’s of science degree in special education and general education from Central Michigan University, and a master’s of science in education from Portland State University.
Scott replaces Patrick Tomblin, who retired in February.
Please join in thanking Scott for all that he has done and will continue to do for the students, families and staff in our learning community.
Board-Appointed Committee Applications Open
Interested in getting involved? Consider serving on one of the district and board-appointed advisory committees. As part of its continuous efforts to increase communication with the public and to provide for citizen involvement, the School Board appoints advisory committees to consider matters of district-wide importance. Committees meet monthly, September through May. If you are interested in joining a board-appointed committee, please fill out this application:
Application for Board-appointed Committees
For terms beginning in Fall 2021, you can submit your application to the chair of the committee or principal of the SAC of interest to you, due by Monday, April 12, 2021. Applications will be reviewed, and recommendations sent to the Board for appointments.
- Bond Accountability Committee (BAC)
District lead: Tony Vandenberg, anthony.vandenberg@loswego.k12.or.us - Diversity, Equity and Inclusive (DEI) Advisory Committee
District lead: Teresa Sanchez, teresa.sanchez@loswego.k12.or.us - Student Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC)
District lead: Scott Schinderle schindes@loswego.k12.or.us - Talented and Gifted Advisory Committee
District lead: Frank Luzaich, frank.luzaich@loswego.k12.or.us - School Advisory Committee (SAC)
District lead: School principal - Long Range Facilities Planning (LRFP) Committee (not accepting applications this year)
Committee members are appointed to serve two-year terms, except SSPAC is three-year term.
Meal Distribution Spring Break, Middle Schools
LOSD schools will be closed and there will be no meal distribution during Spring Break March 20-28.
Grab and-go meal distribution to middle school hybrid students begins Monday, March 29.
For LO Online students, grab-and-go curbside distribution continues at the High Schools.
Due to new flexibility from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), LOSD is providing FREE packaged breakfasts and lunches for all children who wish to participate in the grab-and-go meal service through June 2021.
Preschool/Pre-K Applications Due April 2
For families interested in signing up their child for preschool or pre-kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year please visit the Extended Programs on the district website or click here to apply. Space is limited.
Application period closes: Friday, Apr. 2, 2021
Lottery Process: Monday, Apr. 5, 2021
Families will be notified by Friday, Apr. 9, 2021
Conclusion of Lottery Process
Following the completion of the lotteries, the district will make available any remaining slots in the classes on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications received after the lottery deadline will be date-stamped and enrolled in a class if space is available. If classes are full, applicants will be added to the wait list in order of receipt of application.
Elementary Students' Wednesday Workshops
Through a partnership with the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation, LOSD is pleased to offer another term of Wednesday Workshops enrichment classes. Please look for sign ups when you return from spring break.
Wednesday Workshops will run for 6 weeks from April 21, 2021 to May 26, 2021. Classes are scheduled from 9:15-10:15 a.m. and 10:30-11:30 a.m. and can accommodate both the AM and PM cohort schedules.
Wednesday Workshops sign up is through LOSD Community Schools and features fun, high-quality third-party instructors in science, robotics, engineering, art, world languages as well as activity classes in leadership, movement, writing, acting and more.
School Board Meeting Tuesday
All are welcome to observe the public sessions remotely.
Tuesday, March 30
Contract Review 6:00 p.m.
Regular Session approximately 6:10 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
You can observe the meeting and listen to the discussion remotely in the same way you can with other board meetings. Simply click on the "View Live" link on losdschools.org. You can watch the meeting live or a recording afterwards.
Procedures for providing public testimony: The Board of Education values public input. If you wish to comment on an agenda item or another item not on the agenda, please submit your comments by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, by emailing losdschoolboard@loswego.k12.or.us. IMPORTANT: Please type “3/30/21 Testimony” in the subject line and include your full name in the body of the email. Names of patrons providing input will be read during the meeting and their written testimony will be posted online under the agenda item for which their testimony pertains to. For testimony received after the 12 p.m. deadline, names of patrons will not be read during the meeting, however, their testimony will be posted online at the conclusion of the meeting in accordance with the aforementioned procedures.
Bond Development Committee
Wednesday, March 31
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Please see the district calendar for information to access this meeting.
Kindergarten Registration Open
Registration for kindergarteners, and all students who are new to LOSD, is now open online on the district website enrollment page.
An informational video, Kindergarten Counts, is available at each elementary school website Kindergarten Counts will provide parents and guardians an opportunity to meet the principal and kindergarten teachers. You will learn about several upcoming opportunities for your new student between now and the first day of school.
Plan to register and attend Kindergarten Counts at your student's resident elementary school. Visit losdschools.org to verify. LOSD welcomes kindergarteners who will be five years old by Sept. 1.
Now Accepting Applications for Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Board of Directors
Are you interested in contributing to a dynamic volunteer organization dedicated to advancing our community's commitment to educational excellence?
Please consider applying for the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation is seeking parents/guardians, students and community residents to serve on its Board of Directors. Board members must demonstrate a commitment to the Foundation, the School District and the Lake Oswego community.
The term for new board members will begin June 2021. Board members commit to a two-year term and may serve up to three terms. Please click HERE to access the online application form. The application provides more information about being a board member.
Interested people should submit applications by Friday, April 9, 2021. The Nominating committee will review applications and conduct interviews in the April time frame. If you are unable to access the application, please contact woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us to receive a pdf version of the application.
Click here for the Foundation prospective board member application.
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
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.
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
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