The Current
LOSD News • October 28, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Reminder: No School Friday
Be Sure to Vote by Election Day, November 2
LOSD COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session TONIGHT
- COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Children Age 5-11 Interest Survey
Recognizing Native American Heritage Month
Red Ribbon Week Proclamation
Food Drive to Support Hunger Fighters Oregon
Safe Routes to School Study
National French Week Fundraiser
Dyslexia Awareness Month: What is Oregon’s State of Mind on Dyslexia?
Bond Accountability Committee Meeting
Our Schools Musicals: All Are Invited! Get Your Tickets Today!
- 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
Staying well and creating connections are highlights of this past week. Our predominant health and wellness initiative has been preventing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our students in school. The first two weeks of our OHSU COVID-19 Student Screening Program have resulted in a less than .05% positivity rate amongst our elementary students, which is encouraging. Shared on our dashboard we have had a total of 59 cases of COVID-19 in our schools over the last nine weeks. On average, that is less than one case per school building per week, with no known transmissions in school. And, as of October 18, 98.6% of our employees are fully vaccinated and 1.4% have approved medical or religious exemptions. I want to thank our families for taking responsibility for following protocols and our employees for taking the state vaccine mandate seriously, all doing what it takes to help make a difference for our students and our community.
Part of staying well and being in school is establishing connections with one another. Our Central Office team had the chance to connect with school staff when they delivered baskets of apples as a token of our gratitude because: "They are Core to What we are Doing.” Also, I am meeting with students at all grade levels, starting with our high school students during lunch dates called Taco Tuesday with the Superintendent. Students are invited to join me over Taco Bell and discuss whatever is of importance to them. Conversation topics have ranged from school lunches, bathroom conditions, and garbage and recycling, to the stress students have experienced as they returned to school with full time schedules. I have shared all that I learned with the school leadership.
Fostering healthy connections is an intentional part of our new social-emotional curriculum. This past month has been filled with lessons about building empathy. At River Grover, our fourth grade classes worked on projects that teach giving to others without expecting something in return. The students made art kits to donate to Doernbecher Children's Hospital and are collecting canned food to donate to Hunger Fighters Oregon.
Seeing our teachers and students take to heart lessons of empathy and connection is very heartwarming. In this and future editions of the newsletter I look forward to sharing more of these highlights in hope that they may be as inspiring to you as they are to me.
Reminder: No School Friday
Friday, Oct. 29
Elementary and middle school students are off school for guardian-teacher conferences.
High school students are off school for grade preparation.
All levels back in school Monday, Nov. 1.
Be Sure to Vote by Election Day, November 2
Turn in your ballot by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2. There is a ballot dropbox at Lake Oswego City Hall. Or, click here to find a dropbox location near you.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session TONIGHT
Thursday, Oct. 28
7-8 p.m.
Zoom: https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/83744173393
Learn about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 from a compassionate pediatrician. The 30-minute workshop will discuss the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for children, the process of developing the vaccines and monitoring their safety, and potential reactions to the vaccines. A 30-minute Q&A immediately following the workshop will address questions from participants.
The session will be led by Ryan Hassan, M.D., a pediatrician working at Oregon Pediatrics in Happy Valley. He attended Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso, Texas, where he completed his medical and public health degrees in 2014. He completed his pediatric residency in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2017, and moved to Oregon. Dr. Hassan leads community workshops on vaccines for Boost Oregon, a parent-led organization that provides science-based vaccine education to all Oregonians, and he trains other health professionals on counseling vaccine-hesitant patients.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Children Age 5-11 Interest Survey
Recognizing Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It also an opportune time to learn more about tribes, the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
This month marks the one year anniversary of LOSD forming the Land Acknowledgement Task Force, a committee of students, parents-guardians, and staff charged with developing ways in which we may acknowledge and honor the Native people whose land our schools reside. One of the outcomes of the taskforce is our district's official Land Acknowledgement, included in each back-to-school night this year and posted at the entrance of each of our schools.
Additionally, this year the LO School Board read a resolution honoring the start of the Heritage Month. Please click here for the resolution read at the board meeting Monday.
Food Drive to Support Hunger Fighters Oregon
The Lake Oswego High School Leadership Class is hosting a canned food drive November 1-19, and is asking for our community's support in reaching the goal of 10,000 cans for Hunger Fighters Oregon.
Donations of non-perishables, pasta, and financial contributions to the cause are appreciated. $1 purchased 3 cans. Financial contributions can be accepted in cash, checks made out to Lake Oswego High School, or venmo LO ASB @wearelo.
Drop off locations include:
- LOH students bring donations to school; each classroom has collection boxes
- Donation bins in front of LOH 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on school days
- Students collection donations outside of Albertsons and Zupans in Lake Oswego, Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Safe Routes to School Study
Lake Oswego School District is working to make safe and convenient active transportation to school a reality for more families, but we need your help. Share your ideas and experiences through our interactive online map by November 10. By sharing your feedback, you’ll be entered to win a walking or rolling safety pack ($50 value).
National French Week Fundraiser
In recognition of National French Week, the Lake Oswego High School French Club is raising money to donate to Hope for Haiti, a non-profit that was researched and voted on by students in the school's French classes. The students are hosting an online drawing for gift cards to several local businesses including Lola's, St. Honore, and Lac St. Jack. All are invited to buy one ticket for $3, or two for $5.
Starting Monday, Nov. 1, you may enter the drawing by visiting the LOHS web store and selecting the card of choice. Drawing entries are due by Friday, Nov. 5.
Dyslexia Awareness Month: What is Oregon’s State of Mind on Dyslexia?
Oregon developed its first legislative guidelines for dyslexia in 2015 with the passing of Senate Bill 612 followed by 1003 in 2017. By law each school is required to complete a universal screening on all kindergarten and first grade students to identify those who are at risk for dyslexia. This law also mandates that each K-5 school have an extensively-trained educator who is able to recognize the warning signs of dyslexia and support students, teachers, parents, and the community.
LOSD currently uses Dibels as our dyslexia screening tool. We have also selected LETRS Literacy training to support our educators in meeting the expectations of Senate Bill 612. If you have more questions please reach out to your school’s literacy specialist.
There also are three major federal laws that directly affect children with dyslexia. They are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Oregon Department of Education Dyslexia Resources: Oregon Department of Education : Dyslexia : Regional Programs and Best Practices : State of Oregon
Gifted and Dyslexic?
Some kids with learning and attention difficulties have exceptional skills in certain areas. These kids are often called “twice-exceptional” (2E) learners.
LOSD Student Services and TAG (Talented & Gifted) Services are both responsible and should work in cooperation to meet the needs of twice-exceptional students. The student’s abilities will determine appropriate instruction.
To read about twice exceptional students, visit UNDERSTOOD.ORG:
Twice-Exceptional Students | 2E Learners | Gifted and Learning Disabilities
Each week this past month, we featured a message about dyslexia in this newsletter. If you have questions or concerns regarding our child’s learning, please call the school principal, TAG coordinator, and/or literacy specialist. You can also contact your school’s representatives for TAG-AC (TAG Advisory Committee) or SSPAC (Student Services Parent Advisory Committee).
Bond Accountability Committee Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 4
4-6 p.m.
See district event calendar for virtual meeting link
LOSD's BAC is made up of citizens appointed for their expertise in building design, construction, and construction finance, law, contracting, budgeting and auditing. BAC assists in monitoring the planning and progress of the LOSD bond program.
Our Schools Musicals: All Are Invited! Get Your Tickets Today!
Lakeridge High School: Mamma Mia!
November 11, 13, 18, 20 at 7 p.m.
November 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.
Lakeridge High School Auditorium
Tickets can be purchased through pacer-drama.org, or by accessing the QR code in the flyer.
Lake Oswego High: Newsies
November 11, 13, 18, 20 at 7 p.m.
November 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.
Lake Oswego High School Auditorium
Tickets can be purchased through the QR code in the flyer.
Lakeridge Middle School
November 18 and 19 at 7 p.m.
November 20 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Lakeridge Middle School Auditorium
Coming This Winter: Lake Oswego Junior High's Musical in February
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
Hunger Fighters Oregon Food Pantry offers assistance to anyone in the community by providing fresh, canned and boxed foods. A delivery program is also available. More info can be found at hungerfightersoregon.org.
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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