The Current
LOSD News • March 5, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Spotlight on School Social Work Week
Honoring Women's History Month
LOSD & LOEA: Optimistic About Spring
Spectators: Cooperation Needed for Kids to Play
LOSD CARES Workshop March 10
Middle Schoolers To Begin Hybrid In-Person
Meal Distribution Schedule
More Info Regarding COVID-19 Exposure
School Board Meeting
DEI Advisory Committee Meeting
Bond Development Committee Meeting
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Registration Due March 12
Kindergarten Registration Open
School Board Filing Deadline March 18
Bus Drivers Needed for Schools to Open
Recommended Quarantining After Travel
Now Accepting Applications for Foundation Board of Directors
Community Reminders:
- Rotary's SASEE Award Nominations
Regular Reminders:
- Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
- What's New at Community School
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
- 3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
- Safe Oregon
Message from the Superintendent
Throughout this year, we have diligently been working toward having in-person class and activities. We have never said COVID-19 cases would not arise, but we have committed that we would be transparent and responsive, and that we would adhere to public health protocols and processes when cases do arise. This week we did just that when COVID-19 cases showed up on Lake Oswego High School athletic teams.
District and school personnel, including our remarkable nurse team, and Public Health authorities, have spent three days and counting conducting contact tracing. Public Health ultimately determined what needed to be canceled on Wednesday. Contact tracing revealed that students on several teams had been exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. As we learned more through contact tracing and testing, we knew more and made further decisions. By the end of the week, all athletic activities except LOHS football have been able to resume.
None of us wants to cancel activities for children, which is why I have been a vocal supporter and advocate of bringing students into school, athletics and activities. District leaders, school administrators, teachers, staff, coaches and more have worked extremely hard to provide activities and opportunities for students amid the restrictions of Oregon and we have been pushing to move forward.
The actions taken Wednesday (canceling events and asking people to quarantine) were to reduce exposure until we had more information. When COVID-19 cases arise, we will conduct this process each time. This may lead to cancellations and quarantines and we are going to have to live with this for the foreseeable future until the pandemic wanes further.
We are doing all we can at the district level. I have said this many times but it bears repeating - the community has a great responsibility in this too. We cannot be successful in having in-person school and activities without our community contributing to keeping COVID-19 cases at bay. We must be partners in keeping COVID-19 cases down so that we can continue on the path forward.
Spotlight on School Social Work Week
March 7-13 we recognize School Social Work Week. School social workers are an integral link between school, home, and community. They emphasize the whole child, collaborate with other professionals, and link students and families with needed services.
LOSD school social workers are always here for us. Thank you!
Honoring Women's History Month
In the United States, March is Women's History Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. This month we will highlight women who have made an impact, commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in history. To contribute to the conversation please follow us on socials @weareLOSD.
LOSD & LOEA: Optimistic About Spring
Following is a joint letter from LOSD and the Lake Oswego Education Association (LOEA):
As this week culminates, LOSD and LOEA join in recognizing the great work of our elementary teachers and staff in welcoming back K-5 learners to in-person/hybrid in schools. It certainly took much planning and preparation to make this endeavor a success, and we want to recognize the great work of all in welcoming back students with warmth and enthusiasm. As our middle schools welcome students in-person in March and our high schools provide increased in-person activities, LOSD and LOEA look forward to partnering in creating the conditions for success. We also recognize and appreciate LO Online teachers who continue to provide a very important service to our students and families. Each and every teacher is contributing to LOSD being able to provide two quality choices for students and families.
As our schools plan and provide in-person opportunities for students at every level, we are optimistic about a positive and engaging spring semester.
Spectators: Cooperation Needed for Kids to Play
We are incredibly excited many of our high school student-athletes have begun Season 2 Competitions this week. As a reminder, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) protocols require that we limit spectators at our sporting events.
Given Clackamas County’s current designation of “Moderate Risk,” OHA allows for the following maximum number of athletes, coaches, officials and others at athletic contests:
Outdoor Maximum — 150 people
Indoor Maximum — 50% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
Any protest, demonstration, or other actions that jeopardizes those health and safety measures could delay, postpone, or even cancel an athletic activity.
LOSD is making plans for limited spectators and will rollout plans next week about how to participate in upcoming home events. We need our families and community member's cooperation to ensure our student-athletes can enjoy the activities they’ve worked so hard to play.
LOSD CARES Workshop March 10
Join our LOSD community and caregivers on Zoom for a virtual workshop -- Parenting in a Pandemic: Embracing Transitions in Partnerships with Your Kids -- with Psychologists Kristin Valerius, Ph.D. and Lisa Snow, Psy.D of Sundstrom Clinical Services.
Wednesday, Mar. 10
5-6:30 p.m.
Middle Schoolers To Begin Hybrid In-Person
We are making plans to begin returning our middle schoolers to school. Following is the timeline for transitioning middle schools to Hybrid in person:
Friday, March 12: All staff work day (no school for middle school students)
Monday, March 15: Asynchronous day
Tuesday, March 16: 6th graders in-person begins
Thursday, March 18: 7th graders in-person begins
Friday, March 19: 8th graders in-person begins
In the days ahead, the principals will communicate more details about student schedule changes and share more specifics about in-person protocols and other preparations underway to support the transition. It also will be discussed at the School Board meeting Monday, Mar. 8.
Meal Distribution Schedule Changing
Due to a USDA waiver, LOSD is providing FREE packaged breakfasts and lunches for ALL children (ages 1-18) who wish to participate in the grab-and-go meal service through June 2021.
Elementary hybrid students have grab-and-go distribution to students everyday students
are in the classrooms
All LO Online students, middle and high school students, homeschooled students, and community students or parents of elementary school students that prefer curbside pick up at our high schools curbside grab-and-go distribution continues Mondays and Thursdays, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
One breakfast and lunch meal per child per day.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the district website Food Services page.
More Info Regarding COVID-19 Exposure
As you may be aware, we had multiple student-athletes test positive for COVID-19, which they contracted off campus late last week. Superintendent Dr. Lora de la Cruz shared this update about the situation with the community yesterday.
LOSD district and school personnel have been working closely with Clackamas County Public Health authorities to conduct contact tracing and implement decisions to reduce exposure and mitigate transmission in our community. For more information about our process and protocols, please see the following letters:
Click here for the Clackamas County Public Health notification of COVID-19 exposure.
These communications are posted on the district website District Nurse page, which includes more COVID-19 and other health related information. These resources are for our learning community to access.
School Board Meeting
All are welcome to observe the public sessions remotely.
Monday, March 8
Contract Review 6:00 p.m.
Regular Session approximately 6:10 p.m.
Work Session approximately 6:45 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
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 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021, by emailing losdschoolboard@loswego.k12.or.us. IMPORTANT: Please type “3/8/21 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. For testimony received after the 12 p.m. 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.
DEI Advisory Committee Meeting
All are welcome to observe the committee meeting.
Tuesday, Mar. 9
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Please see the district calendar for meeting access information.
Bond Development Committee Meeting
All are welcome to observe the committee meeting.
Wednesday, Mar. 10
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Please see the district calendar for access information.
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Registration Due March 12
The Spanish Immersion kindergarten application is now available: 2021-22 APPLICATION FORM
- Application Deadline: March 12, 2021, 3:30 p.m.
- Lottery Date: March 17, 2021, 3:00 p.m.*
- Lottery Notification: March 19, 2021
*Should the district receive more applications than spaces available, a lottery will be held. Those wishing to participate in the lottery must submit their application to the District Administration Office no later than 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021.
*Younger siblings of students currently in kindergarten through 4th grade of the Spanish Immersion program have priority for enrollment only at the kindergarten level. Sibling priority does not apply to current siblings on the waitlist. If you currently have a child enrolled in LOSD’s kindergarten through 4th grade Spanish immersion program, you will have the first choice for enrollment in the kindergarten program. You will not be entered into the lottery, but you must submit an application to the program prior to the March 12, 2021 (3:30 p.m.) lottery deadline to be assured a slot. Slots not filled from sibling applications will be available in the general lottery.
Visit the LOSD Spanish Immersion Website for more details.
Kindergarten Registration Open
Registration for kindergarteners, and all students who are new to LOSD, is now open online on the district website enrollment page.
An informational video, Kindergarten Counts, is available at each elementary school website Kindergarten Counts will provide parents and guardians an opportunity to meet the principal and kindergarten teachers. You will learn about several upcoming opportunities for your new student between now and the first day of school.
Plan to register and attend Kindergarten Counts at your student's resident elementary school. Visit losdschools.org to verify. LOSD welcomes kindergarteners who will be five years old by Sept. 1.
School Board Filing Deadline March 18
LO School Board elections are coming up. The filing deadline is March 18, 2021. Click here for more information about Clackamas County elections.
LO School Board members serve four-year terms. Following are the board positions up for election this year:
- Position 2: Currently held by Neelam Gupta
- Position 3: Currently held by Sara Pocklington
- Position 4: Currently held by Liz Hartman
For more information about the LO School Board, please visit the district website School Board page or the Oregon School Boards Association at www.osba.org
Recommended Quarantining After Travel
With many in our community transitioning to in-person learning and Spring Break coming up at the end of March, it’s a good time to clarify the statewide guidance for travel. It’s recommended that people who are not vaccinated and who travel outside of the state of Oregon consider quarantining upon returning home.
LOSD is asking people to consider quarantining. If students choose to quarantine, instructional materials will be provided while out of school.
Per the Oregon Statewide Guidance for Travel, people are recommended to practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival in the state and limit their interactions to their immediate household. People may consider ending quarantine if they have had no symptoms: after 10 days with no testing or after 7 days with an antigen or PCR test.
Bus Drivers Needed for Schools to Open
If you or someone you know is interested in working as a bus driver, please consider applying for this very important job. It is a great job for stay at home parents, retirees or anyone looking for work. STA provides paid training for good drivers. Candidates will need have a clean driving record with at least three years of personal driving experience, be able to pass a DOT physical, pre-employment drug test and criminal background check and be over 21 years of age.
Now Accepting Applications for Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Board of Directors
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. Board members must demonstrate a commitment to the Foundation, the School District and the Lake Oswego community.
The term for new board members will begin June 2021. Board members commit to a two-year term and may serve up to three terms. Please click HERE to access the online application form. The application provides more information about being a board member.
Interested people should submit applications by Friday, April 9, 2021. The Nominating committee will review applications and conduct interviews in the April time frame. If you are unable to access the application, please contact woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us to receive a pdf version of the application.
Click here for the Foundation prospective board member application.
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"
Get Social: Follow, Share, Engage @wearelosd
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.
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
3 Ws: Watch Distance, Wear Mask, Wash Hands
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.)
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