The Current
LOSD News • Feb. 19 2021
In this Message:
Message from the Superintendent
Meal Distribution Schedule Changing
Elementary Bus Routes Available
SIA Grant ThoughtExchange Deadline Extended
Bond Development Committee Interest Extended
An Inclusive English 9 Experience - Update
School Board Meeting Feb. 22
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting Rescheduled
Kindergarten Counts & Registration Feb. 24
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Registration Opens Feb. 24
LO High School Virtual Open House
QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Parents Mar. 2
You're Invited: Climate Change Discussion Mar. 4
Interact Club Talent Show Rescheduled Mar. 6
Save the Date: LOSD CARES Workshop Mar. 10
Recommended Quarantining After Travel
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
We have weathered many storms over the last 12 months, culminating with the snow and ice storms last week and ensuing damage. Let’s hope the worst will be behind us soon, and that we have better days ahead in every way.
We recognize the decision to resume school today was difficult for some, given that parts of our community are still without power. We are focusing on moving forward, with the greater good in mind of being on track to return students to school beginning Tuesday. These are trying and imperfect times, and we empathize with those without power, as we all shared that experience over the last several days to some extent.
Gratitude and appreciation can serve as a salve during trying times. I want to express gratitude and appreciation to our LOSD team members who went above and beyond during this difficult week. Our facilities team worked tirelessly to secure our properties, our nutrition services staff overcame many obstacles to get meals to children, our elementary principals and secretaries kept up foundational work for our transition to in-person, and many teachers, staff and coaches provided students with messages of reassurance. I hope that as a community we can focus forward on progress through a lens of gratitude and appreciation as we keep our sights on the greater good of serving our students in the best ways possible.
Meal Distribution Schedule Changing
With the transition to Hybrid in-person at our elementary schools, the grab and go meal distribution schedule will be changing over the next two weeks. Following is the transition schedule:
Monday, Feb. 22 -- Same Pickup Schedule
Lake Grove and River Grove 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., curbside pickup
Lake Oswego and Lakeridge Highs 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., curbside pickup
Thursday, Feb. 25 - New Elementary Pickup Time
Lake Grove and River Grove 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., curbside pickup
Lake Oswego and Lakeridge Highs 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., curbside pickup
Monday, Mar. 1 -- New Elementary Pickup Time
Lake Grove and River Grove 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., curbside pickup
Lake Oswego and Lakeridge Highs 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., curbside pickup
Thursday, Mar. 4 -- Elementary Curbside Pickups Discontinue, All Pickups at High Schools
Lake Grove and River Grove, curbside distribution discontinues and classroom distribution begins at all elementary schools
Lake Oswego and Lakeridge Highs 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., curbside pickup
On Thursday, Feb. 25 and Monday, Mar. 1, the new grab-and-go pick up time at the elementary schools is to accommodate hybrid students' classroom schedules.
Starting Thursday, Mar. 4, the elementary grab-and-go curbside distribution is discontinued and classroom distribution to the students at all elementary schools begins. Grab-and-go meals will be distributed to students everyday the students are in the classrooms. More detailed information coming next week.
Now through the end of school year, high schools grab-and-go curbside distribution will continue for LO Online students, secondary-level students, homeschooled students, and community students.
Grab-and-Go Meal Survey
Please complete this short five-question Grab-and-Go Meal Survey to help Food Services plan for our return to school.
Elementary Bus Routes Coming Very Soon
Elementary school hybrid in-person bus routes are nearly complete, and will be posted on the district website and sent to elementary families as soon as final.
Bus routes are developed based on students who are registered to take the bus to and/or from school each day. To keep consistent cohorts on the buses, students need to ride their registered routes.
Each route allows for registered riders to have necessary distancing on the bus. All bus drivers and riders are required to wear face coverings. Bus drivers will be conducting visual health screenings as they welcome each rider onto the bus, and if a student appears ill they will have a seat next to the driver. The driver will contact the front office for further health assessment upon arrival at the school.
It's possible bus routes may be adjusted as the transition to Hybrid in-person gets underway. If you have questions, please contact your school secretary.
SIA Grant ThoughtExchange Extended
There are some great ideas in this exchange, and we need your help to make sure we understand what’s most important to you. Everyone’s voice matters, so your participation is crucial and valued.
Please click here to jump back into the exchange and add stars to show how strongly you agree or disagree with the many thoughts. The exchange will be open until Monday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.
The results of this ThoughtExchange will help us understand what you see as opportunities around how our SIA grant funds should be allocated for the 2021-22 school year.
Bond Development Committee Interest Extended
Please complete this interest form by Monday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
An Inclusive English 9 Experience - Update
We understand that this is a very trying time and complex school year and changes are difficult even in the best of times. For this reason, we will continue the process of engagement but are not going to be making the change to Honors English for fall of 2021. The following message that has been shared by our high school principals in their newsletters:
We have been sharing that the English departments and admin teams at all four Lake Oswego secondary schools are advocating for a model that allows our 9th-grade students to be together in their 9th-grade English classes rather than split in tracks, with some in honors and some in regular college-prep English 9.
Our teachers believe and so much education research supports that all students will benefit in this more inclusive model in 9th grade. We are excited to make it work well and are confident that we can.
The proposed model brings us together rather than separates us. It is a model that allows us to create a learning community where each student belongs and to differentiate within our classes to meet the beautiful variety of needs, personalities, and interests of our students. That is the good, joyful work of teaching and what equity and excellence look like in practice.
We have had such meaningful conversations about this topic as a staff and are in the process of engaging in this conversation more with students and families.
Our current timeline allows us to potentially make this positive change beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
As you know, we are beginning our process of forecasting for next year. As has been past practice, students in 8th grade will only forecast for English 9 at this time. In the coming months 8th-grade students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their interest in forecasting for Honors English 9 for the 2021-22 school year.
School Board Meeting
All are welcome to observe the public sessions remotely.
Monday, Feb. 22
Regular Session approximately 6:00 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, Feb. 22, 2021 by emailing losdschoolboard@loswego.k12.or.us. IMPORTANT: Please type “2/22/21 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.
TAG Advisory Committee Meeting Rescheduled
Wednesday, Feb. 24
6-7:30 p.m.
Please see the district calendar for a Zoom link to the meeting.
Kindergarten Counts & Feb. 24
Mark your calendar for Wednesday Feb. 24 for registration and information night for students starting kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year.
Registration for kindergarteners, and all students who are new to LOSD, will open online that day on the district website enrollment page.
An informational video, Kindergarten Counts, will be hosted virtually by each elementary school. 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.
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Registration Opens Feb. 24
- Application available on the District website: February 24, 2021
- 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.
LO High School Virtual Open House
QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Parents
Parents and guardians of middle and high school students are invited to join Counselor and QPR Trainer, Marcy Watts, for a suicide prevention training called QPR. Suicide prevention training is one prong of LOSD's comprehensive suicide prevention policy. Our Wellness Team is always looking for new ways to reach out to our students and their families to support their mental health and provide resources. If you have other concerns that are unique from this topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor and/or social worker.
March 2, 2021
Two session times (only attend one session)
Morning 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Evening 6:00pm to 7:30 pm
What does QPR mean?
As someone who may be in the best possible position to prevent a suicide, you will find that QPR is designed to help you save a life. QPR consists of these three skills:
Question...a person about suicide
Persuade....someone to get help and,
Refer....someone to the appropriate resource.
QPR is not a form of counseling or treatment. Rather it is intended to offer hope through positive action. By learning QPR, you will come to recognize the warning signs, clues, and suicidal communications of people in trouble, and gain skills to act vigorously to prevent a possible tragedy.
Registration for this class is limited to 60 people and is designed for parents and guardians of middle and high school students. If there is more interest we will set a date for a second training. Click here to register.
Important Note: QPR requires that all participants have their cameras on at all times during this training. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, we need to ensure the safety and well being of all attendees. Feel free to reach out to Marcy Watts if you have any questions or concerns about this at wattsm@loswego.k12.or.us
You're Invited: Climate Change Discussion
Oregon author, Emma Marris, will be speaking about "Fighting Climate Change When Everything Feels Overwhelming" at the Lake Oswego High School Green Team meeting. All are welcome to participate in the session.
Thursday, Mar. 4
12-1 p.m.
https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/81921293040
Emma Marris has written for National Geographic, The New York Times, and Nature, as well as authored books on nature and people. Her newest, Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World, comes out this summer.
Emma Marris will elaborate on her belief in taking action in the face of climate change: We never used to have a "smoke season" in Oregon, but increasingly, climate change is making massive wildfires an annual occurrence in our state. This talk will present a realistic, science-based approach to tackling climate change that anyone can engage with--and it doesn't require feeling guilty all the time. The climate has already changed, and it will change more; some things will be lost. But much can still be saved. A good future for planet Earth is still achievable.
Until then, you might enjoy her Ted Talk or New York Times piece. You can read more about her here.
Interact Club Talent Show Rescheduled
All are welcome to the Interact Club Talent Show Fundraiser supporting Sunshine Division, an organization that strives to help fight hunger, especially during the pandemic.
Rescheduled for March 6
3-4 p.m.
The performance lineup will include many fun acts from our students, including a short theatrical play, unicycling and more. Tickets by donation accepted by clicking here. Any questions or concerns? Contact lointeractclub@gmail.com.
Save the Date: LOSD CARES Workshop Mar. 10
You're invited to join our LOSD CARES Team and other parents and guardians as we connect together at the second LOSD CARES Workshop with presenters from Sundstrom Clinical Services: Parenting in a Pandemic: Navigating Transitions in Partnership with your Kids
Wednesday, Mar. 10
5-6:30 p.m.
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, but it is not required. Schools will not be keeping track of travel plans. It is up to each person and family to decide. 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.
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