The Current
LOSD News • October 22, 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
No School Days Next Week
Elementary and Middle School Conferences: You Choose
Red Ribbon Week
6 Things to Know About Proposed Bond
LOSD COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session Oct. 28
Equity Review of Practices, Policies and Protocols
Dyslexia Awareness Month: What are the signs of Dyslexia?
School Board Meeting
Technology Consent Form Required, Device Damage and Loss Protection Program Offer
Black Student Union Mentorship Program
High School Musicals - Tickets on Sale
Community News
City League Basketball Registration
Spanish Language Health Workshops for Families
- 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
This week LOSD was awarded our latest ranking of the number one school district in the state of Oregon, with an A+ rating from Niche. These rankings are based on a number of factors, including metrics from the state as well as input from all of you! Our district and schools have continuously earned top rankings like these for the past several decades.
Being number one doesn’t mean we rest, ever. In fact, quite the opposite. Highly ranked organizations must be committed to continuous improvement. Hold true to core values, and be willing to innovate. That is why we are referring to Lake Oswego voters Measure 3-577 on the ballot this November 2021. The proposed bond measure is the second phase in a three-part capital improvement program. Our school facilities, their form and how they function, are foundational to our strategic priorities and, nestled in neighborhoods, they serve as hubs for all in our community.
Good schools can impact home values, encourage people to stay and invest in the local area, and can supply the local economy with better skilled workers. Good schools can improve community pride, connections, and a sense of belonging. I have the honor of experiencing our community’s pride, connection, and belonging with LOSD. My goal is to help ensure all of you experience it, too.
No School Days Next Week
Elementary and middle school students are off school for guardian-teacher conferences.
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.
Elementary and Middle School Conferences: You Choose
This year, parents-guardians of our elementary and middle school students have the opportunity to choose a virtual Zoom conference or an in-person conference for next week. If you choose an in-person conference please note that people inside school buildings are required to follow current state guidance, including:
Wear a properly fitted mask over your face and nose while indoors.
Maintain 6 or more feet of distance from other adults; except household partners may be within 6 feet of each other.
Visitors are not allowed in schools during school day while children are present. We are able to have in-person conferences for adults only.
Please note that in a few pre-arranged circumstances a child may attend their own conference, but we need to limit siblings attending to decrease the possibility of exposure, particularly with the possibility of unvaccinated individuals in the building. You will be notified directly if your child's teacher is planning for student-led conferences.
If you are unable to follow these guidelines, we ask that you sign up for a virtual conference instead. Teachers are prepared to offer a quality conference experience no matter the format, and they are looking forward to talking with you about your child’s progress.
Red Ribbon Week
A resolution marking the week will be presented at the LO School Board meeting Monday, Oct. 25
6 Things to Know About Proposed Bond
1) Measure 3-577 is on your November ballot.
2) The State of Oregon would award LOSD a matching grant of $4,000,000 to help fund additional bond projects, but only if the measure passes.
If it passes, the proposed bond measure would:
3) Fund the construction of two new school buildings: Lake Oswego Junior High and River Grove Elementary
4) Extend the life of schools by replacing failing building systems
5) Enhance students' Career Technical Education and STEM experiences
6) Improve the safety, security and accessibility of school campuses for students, staff and community
Find more information about the proposed bond, including a recording of the Virtual Information Session, visit www.LakeOswegoSchooBond.org.
LOSD COVID-19 Information
All LOSD COVID-19 information can be found on our district and school websites under the LOSD COVID-19 Information graphic (above). Included is information about guidance, protocols, notifications and more.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session
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.
Equity Review of Practices, Policies and Protocols
LOSD has engaged the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC) from Metropolitan State University of Denver for a review of our practices, policies, and protocols in relation to instruction and educational equity. Monday, Nov. 15 - Thursday, Nov. 18 the WEEAC staff will be conducting virtual interviews and surveys with administrators, staff, teachers, students, and parents. This will help guide our continued development of a systemic approach to issues of equity.
Anonymity: It is important to note that the data collected by the WEEAC Team will be aggregated as a group and individual answers will not be noted nor disclosed. Your name will not appear in any reports.
Please click here to complete a form if interested in participating in a focus group.
Questions about the equity review process should be directed to Colleen Toomey, Principal Analyst, WEEAC, at ctoomey1@msudenver.edu.
Dyslexia Awareness Month: Assistive Technology
Userway is LOSD’s primary accessibility tool. When you see the graphic (or “widget”) on our district webpages, click on it to view a variety of accessibility tools, e.g., keyboard navigation, screen reader, pause animations, text spacing or color options. You can add this tool to your own computer at WCAG 2.1 AA Website Accessibility - Accessible Websites with UserWay | UserWay. Userway does not store information on users and is COPPA, FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR and ADA compliant.
Assistive Technology … Did you know?
Technology is changing and improving the school experience for students with dyslexia. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, calculators, and note-taking apps are common examples of “assistive technology”. Many of us enjoy audiobooks for pleasure reading, but audiobooks also can serve as a vital piece of assistive technology for those with learning differences such as dyslexia.
With audiobooks everyone can acquire new vocabulary, expand their knowledge and love of books, and enjoy complex or intriguing storylines. Because dyslexics have great listening comprehension, audiobooks enable independent access to school curriculum through “ear-reading” of complex or voluminous textbooks and novels.
The Lake Oswego Public Library has many audiobook services here:
LOSD assistive technology and audiobook resource information can be found here:
LOSD Audiobooks & Read-Aloud Tools
If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning, please contact the school principal and/or literacy specialist. Another great parent resource would be to contact your school’s Student Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC) representative.
School Board Meeting
Monday, Oct. 25
Regular Session -- 6 p.m.
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
Lake Oswego Junior High
Lake Oswego School Board meetings are being held in person. Board members, staff, invited guests, and members of the community signed up and confirmed to give in-person testimony are able to attend the meeting in person. All are welcome to observe the public session remotely by clicking here.
Board members take both written and in-person testimony. Click here for instructions for members of the public who wish to provide in-person testimony. Submit an email to the Board Secretary kelli.cranston@loswego.k12.or.us by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. IMPORTANT: Type “In-Person Testimony” in the subject line.
Technology Consent Form Required, Device Damage and Loss Protection Program Offer
Each student must have a Technology Consent Form on file each year. Click here to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form. Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions for those who opt in for the damage and loss protection plan will be communicated to participating families.
LOSD is once again offering a Device Damage and Loss Protection Plan to ease the financial obligation if your student's district device is damaged or lost. When you fill out the Technology Consent form, "accept" or "decline" participation in the Protection Plan. The cost is $20 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Participation in the program is completely optional. Fee waivers are available for those with financial need.
Click here to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form. Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions will be communicated to participating families.
For a complete description of the Device Damage and Loss Protection Program, please visit the district website under Computer Networking Service or click here.
For fee waiver forms click here. Please mail the completed form to:
Lake Oswego School District Office
c/o James Miller
PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Have a Technical Question or a device that's not working? Please submit a work order here: https://losdhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
Black Student Mentorship Program
If you are a Black student interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, please email: hilljaydenn@gmail.com and proboh1@gmail.com.
Lakeridge High School Musical Tickets on Sale
November 11, 13, 18, 20 -- 7 p.m.
November 13 and 20 -- 2 p.m.
Lakeridge Auditorium
Tickets can be purchased through pacer-drama.org, or by accessing the QR code in the flyer.
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
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
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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