The Current
LOSD News • September 10, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Patriot Day, Remembering 9-11
COVID-19 Information
- How to Find LOSD COVID-19 Information
- Determining Close Contacts on the Bus
- Ready Schools, Safe Learners Mask Update
- Diagnostic and Screening Testing Available
- Five Back to School Safety Tips
- Reminder: Volunteer Vaccinations Required
Meal Plans for Next Week
School Board Meeting
School Routes Are Everywhere -- Drive Like It!
iReady This Fall
Community News
- Lifeguards Needed
- Screening of Connecting the Dots
- Let's Talk about Islamophobia
Regular Reminders:
- Verify Student Info
- Vaccination Sites Near Us
- 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
Week two of this school year is in the books, and what a week it’s been. The highlight is experiencing the delight of our students and staff in our schools and witnessing the support and cooperation of our families and community.
Unfortunately, we’ve had members of our school communities diagnosed with COVID-19, and have had to put into action our exposure protocols. Cases of COVID-19 are to be expected, but that does not diminish our feelings of concern and care. We recognize and appreciate that it’s hardest on our students missing time out of school. Please know we are grateful for you who are isolating and quarantining so that we may reduce the risk of exposure and spread in our schools.
Bus transportation continues to be a challenge because there are too few people with commercial driver licenses, and many are unwilling to drive school buses during a pandemic. We very much appreciate the drivers who are sticking with us! Expect some updated routes and stops made available on Sunday by 1 p.m. in preparation for some improvement to service starting Monday. Our apologies in advance for the interruption on a weekend, but work is being done around the clock to improve this essential service.
I have witnessed so many people stepping up to help get your classmates and neighbors to school. Thank you! I strongly encourage all who are able to carpool (while wearing masks and keeping windows down!), ride bikes, or walk to school to help lighten the load on our buses and roads. We are reaching out to our partners in the City and community, as well as our parent clubs, to identify and support safer routes to school. I hope to have more specific information for you soon.
This week is not without its challenges but those difficulties pale in comparison to the joy of being back in school. Keep up the good work together.
Patriot Day, Remembering 9-11
In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the people killed in the September 11 attacks of the year 2001. A bill to make September 11 a national day of mourning was introduced in the U.S. House on October 25, 2001. The result was the resolution to proclaim September 11, 2002, as the first Patriot Day.
How to Find LOSD COVID-19 Information
We have made all of our COVID-19 information easier to find on our district and school websites. Look for the new LOSD COVID-19 Information graphic (above) and find information about guidance, protocols, notifications and more.
Included is a new COVID-19 Dashboard, which notes all active cases in each school currently. Active cases are people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are currently in their 10-day isolation period. Once the isolation period is complete, the case is removed from the dashboard. The dashboard is updated with exposure notices.
Also new is the recording of last night's Information Session about exposures and quarantining. We anticipate making these Information Sessions regular events to make sure we address all of your questions and concerns. Look forward to notices about upcoming sessions.
Determining Close Contacts on the Bus
Understandably there is a lot of discussion about people having to quarantine after an exposure on the bus. Who exactly needs to quarantine? An individual sitting within a 6 foot distance of the person diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 or more cumulative minutes within 24 hours will be considered a close contact and evaluated for quarantine, unless they meet an exemption.
Ready Schools, Safe Learners Mask Update
This update means that when our students are outside for any school-related activity (including recess) and cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves, they will need to wear masks. Students will be told by their teachers that we will start implementing this rule immediately, effective September 10, 2021. This is a great opportunity to discuss safety protocols with your children tonight. Thank you for your partnership!
Reminder: Volunteer Vaccinations Required
All school personnel, contractors, and volunteers in K-12 schools are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18. As with state employees and healthcare workers - religious and medical/disability related exceptions apply.
LOSD employees and volunteers will need to show proof of vaccination to your school secretary.
Proof of Vaccination=Documentation provided by a tribal, federal, state or local government, or a health care provider, that includes an individual’s name, date of birth, type of COVID-19 vaccination given, date or dates given, depending on whether it is a one-dose or two-dose vaccine, and the name/location of the health care provider or site where the vaccine was administered. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, COVID-19 vaccination record card, a photocopy, digital picture, or patient portal.
Five Back to School Safety Tips
- Make a plan to vaccinate all eligible household members
- Wear face coverings or masks in public and in carpools
- Limit gatherings with other households
- Move social activities outdoors
- Make a plan in case your child needs to miss school
Diagnostic and Screening Testing
In addition to the in-school mitigation measures, LOSD is helping facilitate two types of testing in partnership with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). All testing is voluntary and requires active permission.
Diagnostic testing is for students who show any symptoms of COVID-19 while at school. This is currently being implemented using the BinaxNow antigen test.
Screening testing is to detect COVID-19 in people who do not show symptoms. All students will have the opportunity for weekly testing as soon as OHSU completes its scheduling calendar. LOSD is signed up for the program and is ready to go at any time.
Additionally, there are many FREE testing sites near us.
We will highly encourage all unvaccinated students to participate in the screening testing through OHSU. We will require unvaccinated staff who have an exemption to participate in weekly testing.
Meal Plans for Next Week
Thank you for your patience and flexibility with our menu changes this past week. Nutrition Services plans to switch back to our original September 2021 menus district wide next week. There are currently shortages on products from our mainline distributors that are still causing us to adjust our menus. Items continue to be substituted for like items when available. Click here for a link for menus and updates.
School Board Meeting
Monday, Sept. 13
Regular Session -- 6 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
Oak Creek Elementary School
Lake Oswego School Board meetings are being held in person. Board members, staff, invited guests, and members of the community signed up and confirmed to give in-person testimony are able to attend the meeting in person. All are welcome to observe the public session remotely by clicking here.
Board members take both written and in-person testimony. Click here for instructions for members of the public who wish to provide in-person testimony. Submit an email to the Board Secretary kelli.cranston@loswego.k12.or.us by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. IMPORTANT: Type “In-Person Testimony” in the subject line.
School Routes Are Everywhere -- Drive Like It!
Check out this video for more information on back to school safety.
iReady This Fall
This Fall, all students in Grades 1-8 will complete two online i-Ready assessments in class. One is for math and the other is for reading. i-Ready is a program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform and tailor instruction to accelerate growth. This is the first of three i-Ready assessments we give each year, and results will be shared with parents in October.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s skill level. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.
Your school will be sending out a message with specific dates and information about i-Ready.
Let's Talk about Islamophobia
Monday, Sept. 13
7 p.m.
Instagram Live @respond_to_racism
Screening of Connecting the Dots
Harmony Academy is hosting a special screening of the documentary Connecting the Dots from award-winning director Noemi Weis. It's the first documentary of its kind that takes on the subject of mental health through the voices of young people around the world.
Friday, Sept. 24
7 p.m.
The screening is followed by a Panel Discussion with Newport Healthcare Alumni and Harmony Academy Students. Masks are required. Parking is $10.
Lifeguards Needed
Verify Student Info Before Returning to School
LOSD needs parents-guardians of all students enrolled for the 2021-22 school year to log into ParentVUE and review/update your students' information through the Register/Verify tab.
If you have forgotten your ParentVUE password, go to the login page, click "I am a Parent," then click "Forgot Password." If you are unsure whether you have a ParentVUE account, contact your student's school. For assistance with the verification process, refer to the user guide on the LOSD website or contact your student's school.
Vaccination Sites Near Us
All three COVID-19 vaccines are available at the following locations in Lake Oswego:
Lake Oswego Fire Department Station 214 (300 B Ave.) - email lgordon@ci.oswego.or.us for an appointment. First/second shots only.
Northwest Medical Clinic (9 Centerpointe Dr. A) - call (503) 352-5410
Check with our local pharmacies; walk-in and appointments available
Please click here to find additional vaccination sites near you.
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
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
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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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