The Current
LOSD News • May 22, 2020
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Senior Week Proclamation
Watching Diploma Processions
Key Dates: Memorial Day Holiday
Updated Meal Service Schedule
Lake Grove Teacher Awarded For Excellence
State Economic Forecast and Budget Planning
School Reopening Planning Process
Returning School Devices
Facilities Planning Survey Input Due May 29
Board & District-Wide SAC Meeting
State Assessments
Lake Grove Swim Park Reopening Plans
Reminder: Outside School Facilities Closed
Be Sure to Wear Face Coverings at School Pickups
LOSD Wellness Team is Here to Help
Please Verify Your Student's Information
LO Youth Advisory Recruitment
Youth Football Registration
Regular Reminders:
- Clackamas County Go Teams Ready to Help
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Message from the Superintendent
As we head into the home stretch of what has certainly been a very aberrant second semester, we are focused on many matters, from a sobering budget forecast to reopening schools with extensive new measures in place. Amidst all of this, however, one topic is front and center for the coming week -- our seniors.
We are delighted to be celebrating our seniors with diploma processions next week at each high school. Additionally, I’m pleased that we have partnered with the Lake Oswego City Council to proclaim May 25-29 as Senior Week in our town. This is a wonderful opportunity for our local businesses, and all of our community, to rally around the Class of 2020 and let our graduates know how proud we are of them. While this is not the traditional pomp and circumstance we can usually count on at graduation time, how wonderful to have these creative ways to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of our seniors.
Watching Diploma Processions
Attendance is very limited at the high schools' drive-thru diploma processions. Everyone is welcome to watch the events remotely, live or recorded. Click on the tile "Graduation Day Information Class of 2020" on each high school's website. It will take you to a page with information about the day and a link to the video.
Memorial Day Holiday Schedule
In honor of the national Memorial Day holiday, school will not be in session on Monday, May 25. Students will engage in the Wellness and Innovation teams' social-emotional learning and STEM lessons on Tuesday, and with their classroom teachers' lessons and assignments on Wednesday-Friday.
Updated Meal Service Schedule
We have several updates to the LOSD meal service schedule.
Because of the Memorial Day holiday, the LOSD meal service will not be distributing grab-and-go meals on Monday, May 25. To make up for this missed day, we will be providing four days of meals on Tuesday, May 26.
We will resume the Monday-Wednesday pick up schedule at all four schools through June 10th.
After that day, starting Monday, June 15, LOSD will be providing grab-and-go meals once a week on Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., from one location at Lake Oswego High School. Students will be able to pick up four days of meals on this single day. As of now, LOSD is able to provide its meal service through June 29.
Please go the Distance Learning Resources/Meal Service site for more information.
Lake Grove Teacher Awarded for Excellence
Congratulations to Lake Grove first grade teacher Erika Pollock for receiving an award from OnPoint's Prize for Excellence in Education. Erika has been selected for the Circle of Excellence Award. The recognition covers all of Oregon and southern Washington and she was one of six teachers from grades K-12 to have the honor of being selected for the Circle of Excellence.
Click here to read the official announcement displayed on OnPoint's website. It is an alphabetical list, so you have to scroll down.
State Economic Forecast and Budget Planning
On Wednesday, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the latest state economic and revenue forecast, the first since the onset of the pandemic. This forecast predicts what resources the state has for the balance of this current and upcoming budget cycles.
While we are still awaiting guidance and additional details from the Oregon Department of Education and others as to what this forecast means for state school funding for LOSD for the 2020-21 school year, preliminary indications are that it is roughly a $4.5 million reduction in the district’s allocation of state resources, or less than 6.5 percent. While still very impactful, this is less than the upper range 8.5 percent reduction in biennial appropriations Governor Brown had planned for as a worst-case scenario earlier this month. It is possible it could be less, and possibly appreciably less, but that would require action by the legislature through a special session and/or significant additional federal aide.
Of perhaps more significance is the revenue forecast for the 2021-23 biennium, which is now projected to be more than $4 billion less than forecast in the March 2020 forecast, an 18 percent decrease. While nine months remain before the legislature convenes in regular session in February 2021, it is clear they will have significantly less resources available for the next biennium. As we all know, many sectors of our economy have been affected by this pandemic, with record unemployment and businesses shuttered in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
The forecast says we should expect economic impacts up to three state budget cycles, which is six years. Click here for a presentation outlining the economic and revenue forecast for the state of Oregon.
Again, what this means exactly for LOSD is still unclear. We are also awaiting information about funding from the Student Investment Account and whether we will have flexibility to use significant portions of it to help close our funding gap. Prior to the pandemic, we had anticipated receiving $5.2 million in SIA funding; preliminary indications are it will now be roughly $3 million, potentially less. As hinted at in the Governor’s press release on the forecast released earlier today, the Oregon Legislature will likely meet in a Special Session, hopefully in the next few months or sooner to balance the state budget, including adjustments to funding levels for school districts and other state agencies based on this current forecast.
We are preparing to adjust our 2020-2021 Budget based on the best current information, when that information becomes available, which may be as late as August. We will keep you apprised of all new developments.
School Reopening Planning Process
Returning School Devices
Facilities Planning Survey Input Due May 29
LOSD bond work continues during distance learning, and the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee is looking towards our future. Please harken back to when we could be inside our schools, and complete the school facility adequacy survey. Thanks for your input.
School Board & District-wide SAC Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, May 26
Regular Session - 6:15 p.m.
District-wide SAC - approx. 7 p.m.
See the full agenda and supporting materials here.
All board members and administrators will be participating in the meeting remotely. There will not be a public gathering in the LOSD Administration Board Room.
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.
If you wish to comment on an agenda item or another item not on the agenda, please submit your comments by Tuesday, May 26 at 12 p.m. to losdschoolboard@loswego.k12.or.us. IMPORTANT: Please type “5/26/20 Testimony” in the subject line and include your 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. All non-agenda item testimony will be posted online under agenda item 2.0. For testimony received after the 12:00 noon deadline, names of patrons will not be read during the meeting, however, testimony will be posted online at the conclusion of the meeting in accordance with the aforementioned procedures.
Thank you for your continued engagement and participation during our school closures.
State Assessments
Each spring, students take various state assessments based on their grade level and participation in the district’s English Learner program. This year, most students did not take the assessments due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Scores on state assessments are only one measure of a student’s academic progress. If students completed a state assessment this year — as some schools administered some tests before March 13 — their score will be shared with parents/guardians as in past years.
Lake Grove Swim Park Reopening Status
The Lake Grove Swim Park property was originally granted via a restrictive deed from the Oregon Iron & Steel Company to the former Lake Grove School District, which merged with the former Oswego School District in 1953 to form LOSD.
While the park is operated by LOSD, because it is off school campuses, it will reopen when Clackamas County enters Phase 2 of the State of Oregon's Reopening Plan. The earliest we expect Clackamas County to enter Phase 2 is late June.
Reminder: Outside School Facilities Closed
Until further notice, LOSD needs to follow executive orders that mandates school campuses remain closed through June 30. That includes school fields, tracks, courts and playgrounds. When the Governor's reopening plan includes athletic facilities, the previous mandate may relax and we may be able to reopen our facilities. Thank you for your continued cooperation for the safety and well being of all in our community.
Be Sure to Wear Face Coverings at School Pickups
With new guidance from the CDC, everyone involved in meal and device pickups, and other scheduled school visits, must wear face coverings.
LOSD Wellness Team is Here to Help
The routine of staying at home is tiresome and the effects of social isolation and financial uncertainty are real. LOSD school counselors and social workers are available to help students and families. Please reach out -- click here for emails.
If your concern is urgent, please call the 24-7 Clackamas County Crisis and Support at 503-655-8585.
Also, in Distance Learning Resources is a comprehensive list of resources on social, emotional and mental health supports.
Please Verify Your Student's Information
LOSD needs parents/guardians of all students enrolled for the 2020-21 school year to log into ParentVUE and review/update your students' information through the Register/Verify tab. If you tried earlier, the ParentVUE link is working now. This benefits both families and schools by:
- Ensuring that schools have accurate information to reach parents and other contacts in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Verification is important even if your contact information has not changed over the past year because the school may have incorrect information from a previous year.
- Allowing parents to review the health conditions on file at your student's school.
- Enabling distribution of electronic devices covered by the district's Technology Agreement
LO Youth Advisory Recruitment
The City Council seeks your help and cooperation in selecting its youth advisory members for the 2020-2021 school year. Positions are available to current sophomores and juniors who reside within the city limits of Lake Oswego.
There are seven positions available on five advisory boards including the Historic Resources Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Sustainability Advisory Board, Transportation Advisory Board, and Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Advisory Board.
Interested students should submit an application and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member from their school.
Applications can be submitted from April 20 through May 31 on the city website.
Interviews will be held on Thursday, June 11 or Saturday, June 13, with appointments made on July 7.
Clothing Closet Expands Service
I Love Lake Oswego provides clothing and essential hygiene products to people in need. It has expanded its services to everyone in the community. Families should contact the service through its website, phone or email. Provide your needs and clothing sizes. Volunteers will either deliver the items, or make arrangements for pick up.
Website: www.iLLOclothingcloset.org
Email: info@ilovelakeoswego.com
Call/Text: 503-882-0880
Youth Football Registration
Please go to www.lakeridgeyouthfootball.org to register your child and to find a ton of information about the program.
Clackamas County Go Teams Ready to Help
Clackamas County recently developed “Go Teams.” These staff members go out into the community to help individuals and families who are struggling with anxiety, unemployment, grief and a host of other emotional and social problems that are becoming more and more common during this time.
Call Clackamas County Go Teams at 503-655-8585.
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.)
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage
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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/LOSDProud
Twitter: @LOSD_Proud
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