The Current
LOSD News • February 11, 2022
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Black History Celebrated Throughout the Month
Elementary Boundary Maps for Open House
Standard Response Protocol Session Reschedule
Budget Committee Application Deadline Extended
Looking for a Lead Cook
Outdoor Classrooms Coming to Our High Schools
Attaining the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy
Board Adopts Shared Language Around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access
You're Invited: Lakeridge 50th Anniversary Concert
Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting
LOSD COVID-19 Information:
- Lifting Outdoor Masks, Spectator Limits
- LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Kindergarten Spanish Immersion Registration
LO Schools Foundation Board Applications Open
Community:
- Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
- Lake Oswego Water Polo Registration
- Lake Oswego Youth Lacrosse Registration
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters: New Pantry Hours
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
Message from the Superintendent
Our learning community -- with many strong and varying perspectives -- is asking for a firm plan from LOSD regarding lifting face covering requirements in schools. I, too, am looking forward to providing more certainty. Over the next six weeks, we will get there, together.
Earlier this week, the Oregon Health Authority announced it is lifting statewide indoor face covering requirements on March 31 because that is the date by which hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are projected to be at a “safe” level. On that date, the state will give school districts local control on how we decide to proceed with our face covering requirements. Between now and then, LOSD will be working with our staff, students, and parents/guardians in supporting each other in taking this significant step forward and making masks optional in our schools.
I am encouraged by the prospect of having more local control because our learning community has taken great care in helping protect the health and safety of the community, particularly with our high vaccination rates. While our community was not spared the Omicron surge, we kept our schools open. Widespread vaccinations support our decision-making centered on providing successful, full time instruction and protecting the health and well being of our learning community.
Our school personnel are 98.6% vaccinated; our students ages 12-18 are 92% vaccinated; and our students ages 5-11 are 71% vaccinated, and that percentage continues to increase. We now need to make sure all in our schools who are 18 years or older are getting their boosters when eligible because that third dose will be required to be considered fully vaccinated and exempt from quarantine after March 18. The percentage of school personnel and students who are considered fully vaccinated will continue to factor greatly into our district’s decision-making.
As superintendent, I have the advantage of hearing from all points of view in our community. What I know is people in our learning community are all at different stages of comfort regarding the pandemic and mitigation measures. It’s important that in working together we are open to listening and understanding each other's experience. Please continue to practice consideration and kindness with each other as we make strides to navigate our way forward together.
Black History Celebrated Throughout the Month
At River Grove Elementary, music teacher Ben Kinkley wrote the lyrics and music to "Everyone Is Equal," (click here for recording) which first graders are practicing for their performance at an upcoming school concert. Lake Oswego High's Black Student Union (BSU) welcomed their community on Monday with decorations throughout the school halls, including posters about Black Americans who have made significant contributions to science and health, as a nod to the national BHM theme.
The School Board invited BSU president and recipient of the 2021 City of Lake Oswego Unsung Hero Julia Bohanon to talk about the Black Student Mentor program that she and Jaden Hill started in LOSD two years ago. Julia discussed the connection between the high school leaders and their mentees, and shared hope for the program to continue long after she graduates this June 2022.
Elementary Boundary Maps for Open House
The latest iteration of boundary maps for Lake Grove and Oak Creek Elementary Schools are now available on the district website under Elementary Boundary Review 2022. Boundary changes balance enrollment at these two schools to ensure students have adequate spaces and resources for equitable educational experiences. Ways for our learning community to provide input about the boundaries include:
Virtual Open House Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5:30-7 p.m. The Open House is organized into three sessions for 20 participants each to allow space for voices to be seen and heard. Please click here to sign up for the Open House.
A second, anonymous survey. Click here to complete the survey after reviewing the maps and considering the data. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
This week's boundary committee meeting presentation with first survey results and an updated FAQ with answers to the questions asked in the survey are also posted on the website.
Standard Response Protocol Session Resheduled
Thursday, Feb. 17
7-8:30 p.m.
Webinar Link: https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/88944659726
The session will be recorded and shared in The Current for those who cannot participate live.
Budget Committee Applications Extended
LOSD is currently accepting applications for two open positions on the Legal Budget Committee. The Legal Budget Committee consists of members of the LO School Board and five citizen members who are charged with reviewing and approving the budget for the upcoming school year. Citizen members are appointed to three-year terms and typically meet three to four times in the spring.
Click here for an application or visit the district website, Business & Finance Department. Applications are due Monday, Feb. 14, by 10 a.m.
Looking for a Lead Cook
Our Nutrition Services Department is looking to hire a lead cook immediately at Lakeridge High School. Responsibilities include food safety compliance, planning and record keeping, inventory control, ensuring that food is attractive and tasty, maintaining high standards of cleanliness, multitasking, training, and team building.
Go to losdschools.org under Careers. Interested candidates must apply to apply for both position 4133 and position 4132 (5.5 +1.0 =6.5 hours a day). If you have questions, please call 503-534-2361.
Outdoor Classrooms Coming to Our High Schools
Attaining The Oregon Seal of Biliteracy
LOSD encourages all students to study language to the attainment of biliteracy and recognizes the importance and value of being bilingual and bilerate in today's global society. With our rising middle and high school students forecasting their classes for next school year, now is a good time to bring attention to The Oregon Seal of Biliteracy.
The Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to graduating seniors who have attained biliteracy in at least two languages (include their native language) by the time they graduate. To qualify, students demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking at the ACTFL Intermediate High level and meet the Essential Skills requirement for graduation in English reading and writing. Qualifying graduates receive the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation, earning an official certificate, a notification on their transcript, and a medal to wear at graduation.
For more information, students are encouraged to contact their school counselor, test coordinator, or World Language teacher.
Board Adopts Shared Language Around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access
Equity: Giving every member of our learning community the distinct opportunities, supports and resources they need to develop and thrive.
Access: Providing diverse pathways and necessary supports that remove physical and/or other barriers to ensure meaningful educational opportunities and equitable outcomes for all people.
Diversity: Acknowledging, understanding and celebrating all the characteristics and experiences that make people different from one another.
Inclusion: Recognizing every individual as an essential part of the learning community with a right to authentic, meaningful participation and decision making.
Anti-bias, anti-racism: Actively challenging stereotyping, prejudice and all forms of discrimination in order to create a community that supports all dimensions of human differences, including culture, race, language, ability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, socioeconomic, and other areas of social differences.
You're Invited: Lakeridge High School's 50th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, Feb. 19
1 p.m.
Click here to reserve your spot and purchase your $15 ticket.
SSPAC Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 17
6-7:30 p.m.
See district calendar for meeting access.
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 17
6-7:30 p.m.
See district calendar for meeting access.
Lifting Outdoor Masks, Spectator Limits
This week, LOSD lifted its outdoor face covering requirement for elementary students, allowing students to take a mask break during outdoor activities such as recess and outdoor PE. The outdoor face covering requirement was lifted at LOSD middle and high schools before winter break. LOSD is awaiting final guidance from Clackamas County Public Health Department before making plans for lifting its indoor face covering requirement. Once CCPHD guidance is confirmed and assessed, LOSD will begin engaging our learning community in making plans for that significant next step.
In addition to face coverings, LOSD lifted limitations on the number of spectators in our gymnasiums.
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.
Kindergarten Spanish Immersion Registration
Registration is now open for students who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2022. Families interested in the LOSD Spanish Immersion (SI) program, now hosted at Palisades World Language School, must register your kindergartener at your resident elementary school and submit an application for the SI program. More information about the SI program can be found on the district site, either under New Enrollment and/or Palisades school website.
Foundation Board Applications Open
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. Please click HERE to access the online application form. Interested people should submit applications by Friday, Mar. 4, 2022.
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
The Rotary Club of Lake Oswego is seeking nominees for the 2022 SASEE Awards, which honor service above self in educational excellence. View the new SASEE Awards Highlights promotional trailer!
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.
Lake Oswego Water Polo Registration
Registration is open for Spring (February 21-June 19) 2022 Lake Oswego Water Polo Season. All 3rd-12th graders are welcome. Please visit www.lowpo.org for sign up information.
Lake Oswego Youth Lacrosse Registration
Registration is open for Spring 2022 Lake Oswego Youth Lacrosse! The program is open to all children around the lake in grades 1-8. Please click here for a registration link and more information about the program.
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: New Pantry Hours
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
You are receiving this message because you are the parent or guardian of a student in the Lake Oswego School District.
We hope you will assist us in our efforts to communicate efficiently and economically by continuing to receive these messages.
Contact info@loswego.k12.or.us if you believe you have received this communication in error, or if you no longer wish to receive email communications from your school and the district.
If you need to change your parent email address, please contact your school.