The Current
LOSD News • April 15, 2022
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Recognizing Arab American Heritage Month
Promoting Autism Acceptance Month
LOSD Middle School Teams Top in OBOB
Committee Applications Deadline Extended
Elementary Boundary Changes Approved
Intra-District Transfer Requests
Receiving Text Messages from LOSD
Curriculum Adoption for Review
Asian Cultural Festival April 16
LO Sustainability Resource Fair April 24
SSPAC Meeting
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet Seeking Student Board Members
LOSD COVID-19 Information:
- COVID-19 Screening: Participant Action Required
- Places to Access Vaccines
- Stay Home When Ill & Test for COVID-19
- OHA COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance
- Community Transition Level: Green
- LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Community:
Lake Oswego Nonprofit Grant Program
Lakeridge Youth Football Spring Clinic Registration
Student Art on Display at Regional Show
LO Arbor Month Art Contest for Students
Soil Your Undies With OLWC
- What's New at Community School
- Hunger Fighters
- Clothing Closet
- Safe Oregon
- Get Social with LOSD
Message from the Superintendent
April snowfall is one for the record books! I appreciate our staff, students and families for rolling with the surprising start to our week. The various topography of our area and the timing of this week's weather event made for a challenging call. However, one of the buses slid into a ditch during a test run. Thankfully the operators and vehicle were alright, but we knew then that keeping people off the roads was the right thing to do. The decision to delay or cancel school is based on the safety of people being on the roads before the arrival times, including school buses, student drivers, and staff traveling from all parts of the Portland Metro Area.
Other than newly planted gardens getting a cold shock and our Hallinan community experiencing a second delay day because of a water heater break, we were able to get back into our routine and rounded out the week with great progress. Our learning community is thriving in the classrooms and in extra curriculars, as we make the most of these last few months of school. It's wonderful to see such amazing growth and development.
Stay warm and dry, and let's look forward to some spring sunshine soon!
Recognizing Arab American Heritage Month
National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAM) celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans. In recognition of NAAM in April, Lake Oswego High freshman class president Sarah Al Qirem spoke at the School Board meeting about the contributions of the diverse community to America.
An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Immigrants with origins from the Arab world have contributed to virtually every aspect of American society including advancements in science, medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, and culture.
Promoting Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children in the United States, including many students in LOSD. Throughout the month, we will address questions to build understanding.
What is Autistic culture? Autistic culture is the shared history, patterns of movement, communication styles, creativite work, shared experiences, and world perceptions of Autistic individuals. Some values in Autistic culture include respecting all forms of communication, rejecting the use of functioning labels, using identity-first language, respecting stimming and sensory needs, and presuming competence.
What is autism acceptance? Autism acceptance means celebrating diversity by recognizing that Autistic people are different and not less, thriving as equally valid and valuable members of our community. Autism acceptance invites us to recognize that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Sharing mutual support and respecting each person's individual differences are just some of the ways we can accept each other and celebrate diversity.
LOSD Middle School Teams Top in OBOB
Congratulations to the Lake Middle School Bibliophiles and Lake Oswego Junior High Platypi, The teams took first and third place respectively in the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) Regional Championship, competing at the highest level this year. The teams were supported by parent volunteers and LOSD Middle School TAG coordinator Aletia Cochran.
In six out of their seven battles, the Bibliophiles answered every single question correctly. Moderators, scorekeepers, other teams, and coaches were impressed by not only their vast knowledge of the 16 OBOB books but also by their sportsmanship and care shown to all teams in the tournament.
OBOB is a statewide voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program. Its mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students. LOSD schools are active in the OBOB program.
Left photo (left to right): LMS's Bibliophiles Ceci Hahn, Alani LoBravo, Maya Naik, and Grace Kriwanek.
Right photo (left to right): LOJ’s Platypi Liam Alberte, Anna Bates, Sydney Lindsey, Chase Markham, and Alexa Marrow.
Committee Applications Deadline Extended
Thank you to all who have submitted applications. We are still in need of more volunteers to lend their voices, expertise, experiences and perspectives to our district wide and school advisory committees. We are extending the deadline another week to give more people a chance to apply.
Parents/guardians, students, teachers, staff members, and community residents are needed to serve on LOSD school and board advisory committees. Applications and committee charters are available on the district website under School Board.
Please submit your application by Monday, April 25 10 a.m. Your service is greatly appreciated.
Elementary Boundary Changes Approved
This week the Lake Oswego School Board approved the Elementary Boundary Review Committee’s recommendations to adjust attendance boundaries between Lake Grove and Oak Creek Elementary Schools for balancing enrollment. Changing boundaries is a difficult decision, but it is sometimes necessary to ensure that students have access to equitable educational experiences.
Approximately 100 students are slated to move from Oak Creek to Lake Grove starting for the 2022-23 school year. Click here for a map of the boundary change, and other information related to the boundary review process.
Intra-District Transfer Requests
Due to extenuating circumstances from the pandemic and construction, LOSD is providing an early transfer window option for fourth grade students and their siblings currently enrolled at Oak Creek and slated to move to Lake Grove but wish to remain at Oak Creek. Parents of students eligible for this decision need to submit their transfer request by Friday, April 22, at 3 p.m. While this early transfer window is open to eligible students, early decisions will still be based on the number of requests and maintaining acceptable class sizes. If there are a large number of early transfer requests, it is possible that not all will be approved. LOSD will communicate early decisions by May 13.
For all families, LOSD offers transfer requests for those who want to attend a school outside of their attendance area. Transfer requests are subject to approval based on class-size balance and are typically made in July for the following year. Transfer requests are good for one year, and need to be submitted each year.
Following is the criteria in order of how transfer requests are prioritized:
- Student was originally moved by LOSD requirement, i.e. kindergarten overflow or enrollment in a program, and wishes to remain at the school
- Student has tenure at the school
- Student is the sibling of a student opting into a program at the requested school
- Student is making a transfer request for the first time
- Student is new to the district
Except for those eligible for the early transfer window, transfer request decisions are communicated August 1. LOSD maintains a waitlist and notifies families if there are any openings throughout the year.
Please click here for the transfer request form.
Receiving Text Messages from LOSD
We are hearing that some in our learning community are not receiving notifications. For example, some did not receive a text message about the snow day sent on Monday, April 11.
If you are NOT receiving notifications from LOSD via text, phone or email, please click here to complete a form. We will use this information to reactive your contact information in the system, or follow up with you about other steps.
Please note, the system is used for all school and district-wide mass communications. People cannot be removed from some communications (i.e. bus messages) without being removed from all messages, including school delays and closers.
Curriculum Adoption for Review
Click here to review the recommended Elementary, Middle School, and High School curriculum. The curriculum is available for public review through April 25.
Asian Cultural Festival Saturday
All are invited to the Asian Cultural Festival hosted by the Lake Oswego High School Asian American Student Union (AASU).
Saturday, Apr. 16
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Lake Oswego High School
The festival will feature Asian culture through performances, free food samples, and more than 15 different activities/exhibits, including fashion exhibits, arts and crafts, and bollywood dancing with DJ Prashant.
Admission is free for the general event; tickets are required to watch the performances due to limited space in the auditorium. The show is from 2- 3:30 p.m. and includes ten acts including lion dancers, martial arts, traditional Asian instruments, cultural dance, and much more. To buy tickets or learn more about the event, please visit AsianFestivalLO.com. LOSD families can get discounted tickets (only $3 each) with the promo code: LOSDSTUDENT
LO Sustainability Resource Fair April 24
In celebration of Earth Day, LOSD is partnering with the City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Advisory Board, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, and Oswego Lake Watershed Council to hold the first annual Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair.
Sunday, Apr. 24
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Lakeridge Middle School
Come learn about the work organizations across our community are doing to advance sustainability, find opportunities to volunteer and to participate in educational programs, connect with community members who are interested in sustainability, and learn how you can help protect the environment, save money, and give back to your community. Kids can participate in arts and crafts and everyone can tour the new Lakeridge Middle School and its sustainable design features. There will also be a tree seedling giveaway!
Food will be available for purchase from Poblano Pepper PDX, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Lake Oswego Electric Tool Exchange
PGE will also be holding an electric tool exchange where you can recycle your gas-powered yard tool and purchase an electric model. Take a step towards a clean energy future and receive up to $110 off select EGO brand electric tools! Advance registration with PGE is required to participate in the tool exchange. Visit portlandgeneral.com/apriltoolexchange(link is external)o register and pre-order your tool.
The resource fair is free and open to all.
SSPAC Meeting
SPAC Meeting
All are welcome to observe the Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting.
Thursday, Apr. 21
6-8 p.m.
See district calendar for meeting access.
Lakeridge Middle School Presents Matilda Jr.
May 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21
All dates have shows at 7:30 p.m.; Matinee May 14 at 1 p.m.
Lakeridge Middle School
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet Seeking Student Board Members
Interested in being a board member for the I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet? More high school board members from both LOHS and LHS are needed for the next school year! The time commitment for a board position is about 1-2 hours a week and consists of volunteering, fundraising, and attending board meetings.
To apply, please click here to complete an application. Applications are due May 28. For more information, contact Ella Fuentes at fuent47762@loswego.k12.or.us.
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet is a donation-based closet that provides clothing items and hygiene products for residents, students, and employees that work or live within Lake Oswego.
Open Saturdays
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
Screening Participant Action Required
LOSD is preparing for the last distribution of COVID-19 Student Screening testing supplies. Please let us know if your student does not need any more supplies through the last collection day, Wednesday, Jun. 8.
If you are interested in un-enrolling your K-12 student in the program, click OPT OUT to complete the OPT OUT form.
If you are interested in your student continuing to participate in the program, but do not need any more supplies, click HOLD to complete the HOLD form.
No need to do anything if your student is planning to participate and needs to receive supplies in this last distribution.
Stay Home When Ill & Test for COVID-19
If your student experiences any of the following symptoms, please have them stay home, and contact their school office or district nurse about possible exclusion from school and COVID-19 testing.
Primary COVID-19 symptoms: • Cough • Temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or higher or chills • Shortness of breath or Difficulty breathing • New loss of taste or smell
Non-primary COVID-19 symptoms: • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • Sore throat • Nasal congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea
Resources:
You may obtain free Covid-19 at-home test kits at Covidtests.gov.
Vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 and reduces spread of the disease. Find a vaccine appointment for ages 5 and older at Get Vaccinated Oregon.
Please Keep Ill Students Out of School guide for communicable disease symptoms.
Covid-19 Exclusion Summary Guidance for K-12 chart (see image below)
Click here for LOSD nurse contact information
Community Transmission Level: Green
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days — to determine the COVID-19 community transmission level. Using this data, the COVID-19 community level is classified as low, medium, or high. Clackamas County is currently in low (green). Click here to follow the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker Weekly Review.
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.
Starting next week, LOSD will be notifying school communities of cases with daily updates in the dashboard in lieu of emails. These updates will also be communicated in the school newsletters. With any potential exposure, people are advised to watch for illness symptoms and follow exclusion procedures outlined above.
Lakeridge Youth Football Spring Clinic Registration
Lakeridge Youth Football is thrilled to again work with Head Varsity Football Coach Spencer Phillips to offer a fun and worthwhile football training experience this spring. Please click here to register; be sure to sign up your athlete for the grade they will enter in fall 2022.
Student Art on Display at Regional Show
Many art pieces created by our Lake Oswego and Lakeridge Middle and High School students are part of the annual Clackamas ESD art show that celebrates the extraordinary artistic talent of students in our region. The juried art show awards thousands of dollars in scholarships. All are welcome to visit the art show.
Mondays-Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CESD headquarters,13455 SE 97th Ave., Clackamas
LO Arbor Month Art Contest for Students
In celebration of Lake Oswego Arbor Month and the 150th Anniversary of National Arbor Day, and in honor of 33 years of Tree City USA status, the City of Lake Oswego is hosting a tree and wildlife themed art contest for students in grades K-5 residing in Lake Oswego.
Students are invited to create a work of art featuring insects, amphibians, birds, mammals or any other type of animal in the urban forest. The contest begins on Friday, Apr. 1, 2022 and entries must be received on Sunday, April 24, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. Winners will be notified on National Arbor Day, April 29, 2022 and prizes will be awarded by the Mayor at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Additional information, complete contest rules, and the on-line submission form is available at www.lakeoswego.city/formslf/ArborMonthArt.
Soil Your Undies With OLWC
Back by popular demand, Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OSWC) is hosting its second annual Soil Your Undies challenge. All returning and new participants are welcome to join in the learning fun.
Participants get their hands dirty and put their soil to the test by taking the OLWC Soil Your Undies challenge. The challenge is simple -- bury a brand-new pair of 100% cotton underwear under at least 6 inches of soil, wait 60 days, and then dig them back up. The more the undies break down while buried in the soil, the more active the biological community is in the soil.
To receive a free brand new pair of undies and learn more about how you can partake in this fun soil science activity, click here to register.
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
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
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