The Current
LOSD News • Nov. 13, 2020
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
American Indian Heritage Month
Grab-and-Go Meal Schedule Change
Pools Closed During Two-Week Freeze
Bond Milestone: Certificates of Occupancy
LOJ Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Winner
LO High School Student Elected to Oregon State Student Council Executive Board
School Board Meeting
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting
Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
Foundation New Family Coffees
New Info: iReady Diagnostic Assessments
District Website: Under Construction
LOSD Covid-19 Dashboard
SRO Discussion: Status Update
Regular Reminders:
- 3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
- Childcare Providers in Clackamas County
- Local Testing Sites for Covid-19
- Clackamas County Go Teams
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Message from the Superintendent
The district team and I spend a lot of time studying metrics, managing internal mechanics for a safe return to school, and struggling with inequities playing out for children and families. There are no easy answers, and no decision we are having to make is welcome with all stakeholders in our learning community.
One such decision is our schedule change for Wednesdays, which begins Nov. 18. We made this change to support a myriad of needs. This change was made in conjunction with our teachers association and intended to support as many as we can.
We had anticipated the change to Wednesdays would align with a return to classrooms in our hybrid model. However, even with the updated health metrics, we are not currently within range to begin activating the hybrid model due to the accelerated rate of transmission of Covid-19 in Clackamas County.
Principals are working actively on plans to provide support for students on Wednesdays with staff who are available, including our educational assistants and special education assistants. And, thinking ahead, principals are working directly with families who may need flexibility when the metrics will permit us to return to classrooms.
The Oregon Department of Education has reaffirmed we are able to continue providing limited in-person instruction because our schools, following strict health and safety protocols, are not a source of transmission for Covid-19. Over the past month, we have slowly and carefully onboarded students with the greatest barriers to accessing online instruction. We plan to continue with limited in-person instruction for these students who have already begun, and for those who have already been invited to begin. We will pause on adding additional students as we ongoingly monitor the incidence of Covid-19. This is in alignment with what we have said all along; we are proceeding slowly and safely.
Our schools continue to provide a safe space for students and staff. The rise in COVID in our county and community is occurring outside of schools, with few to no students in schools. Yet, community incidence of Covid-19 is directly correlated with our ability to return students to school. What we can all do to return to school is help mitigate the spread of Covid-19 by wearing a mask, washing your hands, watching your distance and limiting social gatherings.
This is an extraordinarily difficult time for all in our learning community. As cases rise, my heart goes out to all who continue to be impacted by Covid-19. Please know that LOSD is working hard to make the best decisions possible under a very challenging set of complex dynamics, keeping the wellbeing of our stakeholders at the forefront.
American Indian Heritage Month
Throughout the month of November we celebrate the history and continuing culture of America's indigenous peoples. November was officially recognized as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month in 1990 when President George H.W. Bush signed it into Public Law. The history, heritage and culture of America's indigenous peoples are part of our national parks and communities across the United States.
Following is more information: https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
Grab-and-Go Meal Schedule Change
Next Thursday, Nov. 19, the grab-and-go meal sack will include seven days of breakfasts and lunches. Grab-and-go pick up are canceled on Monday, Nov. 23 and Thursday, Nov. 26 while students are out on Thanksgiving break. LOSD's regular grab-and-go meal distribution (Mondays and Thursdays) will resume on Monday, Nov. 30.
Pools Closed During Two-Week Freeze
Pools in Oregon are closing during the Governor's "two-week freeze" period. The last day of swimming in the LOSD pool will be Tuesday, Nov. 17. If permitted, we plan to reopen the pool for practices and community lap swimming on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Bond Milestone: Certificates of Occupancy
Hallinan's Innovation Lab extension will be complete by the end of the month, and the outdoor garden area to follow soon. Lakeridge Middle School is in phase two of its project, with demolition of the old Waluga building underway. In the old building's place will be the new parking lot. The Lakeridge Middle School site will be complete by spring 2021.
LOJ Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Winner
Lake Oswego Junior High seventh grader Haylee Loveless, a student of Debra Owen, created the winning entry for the 2020-2021 Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest.
The 2020-2021 contest theme was "Peace Through Service," asking young people to express their visions of peace through the lens of service. The Lake Oswego Lions Club contacted local youth groups and schools about this unique opportunity and it was wholeheartedly embraced by LOJ art teacher Debora Owen, who turned the contest into a class project for her students.
For more than three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. To learn more visit https://www.lionsclubs.org/en
Please join us in congratulating Haylee, and thanking Debora Owen for fostering a love of art in our students.
LO High School Student Elected to Oregon State Student Council Executive Board
Lake Oswego High School student Ji Reiche was elected to serve a one-year term on the executive board of the Oregon Association of Student Councils. The elections took place at the Annual Fall Conference—virtually, over Zoom—where a group of 400 students and advisors from over 50 high schools were in attendance. Ji is the first LOSD student in more than a decade to serve on the statewide student council.
As an executive board member, Ji will represent her region and join a group of eleven other student board members, and ten adult board members from around the state. Her duties include planning and presiding over two statewide conferences, communicating with schools in her region, writing newsletter articles and participating in policy decisions for the association.
The Oregon Association of Student Councils, founded in 1949 and sponsored by The Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), serves middle and high school students and advisers from around the state. They provide conferences, workshops, online newsletters and summer leadership camps designed to heighten student leadership development and improve school culture. In the last few years, OASC has also added a Capitol Ambassador program and has begun organizing with affinity groups.
School Board Meeting
All are welcome to observe the meeting remotely.
Monday, Nov. 16
Regular Session 6 p.m.
Please click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
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 noon on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 by emailing losdschoolboard@loswego.k12.or.us. IMPORTANT: Please type “11/16/20 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. All non-agenda item testimony will be posted online under agenda item 3.0. For testimony received after the 12:00 noon 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.
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 18
6-7:30 p.m.
See district calendar for link to meeting.
Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 19
6-8 p.m.
See district calendar for link to meeting.
Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations Open
Lake Oswego Rotary Club is seeking nominees for this year's SASEE Awards, which honor service above self in educational excellence.
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.
Please click here to learn more and nominate someone.
LO Rotary Club awards thousands of dollars in cash and scholarships in several SASEE categories. In each case, SASEE Award recipients have the opportunity to “pay it forward” by passing their monetary award on to their school or project.
- Teachers, administrators and support staff: $1,000 for their school or project
- Students: $1,000 for their school or project
- Citizens: $2,500 scholarships awarded in their names to students who also demonstrate "service above self"
Foundation Hosting Virtual New Family Coffees
The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation is keeping its tradition of hosting new families coffees, albeit virtually this year!
Parents and guardians who are new to the district are invited to join other new families, your principal and school Foundation board representatives for coffees hosted for each school. Click the link below for your school to RSVP.
Click here for the Lake Oswego Middle and High School New Family Coffee Tuesday, Nov. 17 @ 10 a.m.
Click here for the Lakeridge MIddle and High School New Family Coffee, Thursday, Nov. 19 @ 10 a.m.
Everyone who attends the virtual coffee will receive a free coffee card from Chuckie Pies in downtown Lake Oswego.
The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation is an independent non-profit whose sole mission is to provide more teachers for students, equitably. To find out more, visit www.losfoundation.org or contact Whitney Woolf, 503-534-2106 woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us.
New Info: iReady Diagnostic Assessments
The iReady Diagnostic can help teachers determine what students already know and what they still need to learn so we can plan how to teach them best. This fall, and two additional times later in the school year, LOSD students in grades K-8 will be participating in iReady math and reading diagnostic assessments.
Click here to learn more about iReady, the diagnostic assessment LOSD is piloting this school year.
District Website Under Construction
The district website www.losdschools.org is being updated for improved functionality. Our goal is to complete the update by Friday, Nov. 20. During this time, you will still be able to access information on the site, but the information may look a little different or links could be under construction. We liken it to road work; you can still access it but down from three to one lane of traffic.
LOSD Covid-19 Case Dashboard
The LOSD dashboard will be updated daily. Please click here to view the dashboard on the district website. Please note that known close contacts and those needing to quarantine will have been notified by county public health, a district nurse and/or the school administrator before the dashboard is updated. In other words, if you see a new case count and have not been notified, you are not considered exposed.
SRO Discussion: Status Update
Thank you to the students, families and staff members who have shared your perspectives in the survey and listening sessions about the presence of Safety Resource Officers in our schools.
Independent consultants will be presenting inputs at the school board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1. We anticipate the school board contemplating this information before making a final decision.
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.
3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
Local Testing Sites for Covid-19
For testing Covid-19 sites in our area, please click on the county:
Washington County COVID-19 Testing Sites
Multnomah County COVID-19 Testing Sites
Oregon Health Authority has also released a webpage that allows users to put in their address or zip code to find the nearest testing site. Click here to find a testing site near you
Childcare Providers in Clackamas County
Clackamas County currently has 76 childcare providers who have openings for child care. 211 is the first point of contact if parents are interested in reaching out about child care options in the area. Parents will need to have the following information ready when working with 211.
- parent first name and last name
- child’s DOB and first name
- address to search for care (near home or work)
- email address to send referrals
- any childcare requests
- days/times needed
Parents can reach 211 in the following ways:
- Calling 211 1-866-698-6155 - Listen to the prompt for child care and press the specified number
- Texting the keyword “children” or “niños” to 898211 (TXT211)
- Emailing children@211info.org
- Click here to visit the website
Clackamas CCRR can support parents if they aren't able to connect with 211. CCRR can be reached at (503) 675-4100 or via e-mail at ccrr@clackesd.org.
Tutoring Resources
Are you looking for someone to tutor your students? Many people, including students, reach out to LOSD offering assistance. Each year LOSD updates its list of approved tutors. Click here to access that list.
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.)
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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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