Hello Laker Community,

It is hard to believe we are already planning for the 2023/24 school year but planning is in full swing. In this newsletter, you will find a section about forecasting for the 2023/24 school year. Please take time to review this with your student(s) and be mindful of when forecasting closes for each incoming class.

Most importantly, as your student determines which courses they would like to take next year we'd like to encourage all students to take a balanced course load. Balancing a course load in high school is important for many reasons, including time management, mental health, and success. By taking a well-rounded schedule that includes a mix of challenging and manageable classes, students can avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. This can lead to better time management, as students are able to prioritize their time and meet deadlines. Additionally, taking a balanced course load can have a positive impact on mental health, as students are able to balance their academic and personal lives, reducing stress and promoting well-being.

Finally, the district calendars for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years are now available on the district and school websites under Find It Fast / Calendars. These calendars have been approved by the Lake Oswego School Board. Please review and plan accordingly.

Take care,

Kristen Colyer

Principal

Monday, February 13 - A Day

Tuesday, February 14 - B Day

• Current 9th-grade student's forecasting closes

Wednesday, February 15 - A Day

Thursday, February 16 - B Day

Friday, February 17 - A Day

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this opportunity to acknowledge and honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans in our country’s history. This is a time to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the past and present, and to celebrate the diversity and resilience of our community.

Throughout the month of February, we encourage you to learn about the important figures, events and movements that have shaped African American history. Take this time to broaden your understanding of the experiences and perspectives of others and recognize the impact that African Americans have had in our society.

We also encourage you to participate in events and activities that highlight the contributions of African Americans, both locally and nationally. From visiting museums to attending cultural events, there are many ways to engage and show your support for the African American community.

Let us come together as a community to celebrate Black History Month and to continue to work towards a future of equity and justice for all.

It's forecasting time! Students should review the following information:

Forecasting video (this reviews the forecasting process, discusses forecasting materials, and explains how to forecast for classes online using StudentVue)

Electives video (Showcases a wide variety of elective options)

Forecasting materials you will need to schedule your classes for next year are linked below:
Class of 2024 (Current 11th graders)
Class of 2025 (Current 10th graders)
Class of 2026 (Current 9th graders)

Curriculum Guide In preparation for forecasting, we encourage students to check out the updated Curriculum Guide on our school website. You will find information about graduation requirements, AP courses, four-year college requirements, course descriptions, course prerequisites, and much more.

You can find more information and applications for courses that require applications on the LOHS website Forecasting Page.

Forecasting materials will include a worksheet that can be used to help you choose the correct amount of courses BEFORE you make your course selections online in StudentVue. Students will not be able to change or apply for classes in the fall, so it is very important that you make appropriate choices and apply for the desired classes in the spring.

Current 9th graders: ONLINE FORECASTING CLOSES FEB 14th
Counselors will be meeting one-on-one with 9th graders to review their selections February 15th-21st during World History.

Current 10th graders: ONLINE FORECASTING CLOSES FEB 21st
Counselors will be meeting one-on-one with 10th graders to review their selections February 24th-March 1st during US History/Government.

Current 11th graders: ONLINE FORECASTING CLOSES FEB 27th
Counselors will be meeting one-on-one with 11th graders to review their selections March 6th-9th during ACW/AP US History.

Please do not leave any medications for your student(s) on the counter in the vestibule area. If you are dropping off medications for your student, please check in with the front office in order to ensure proper distribution. By checking in medications with the front office, the school can ensure that they are stored properly and only given to the intended recipient. This also helps to keep accurate records and maintain accountability.

The Oregon Department of Education has contracted with PreACT as the state’s new 10th-grade college-readiness assessment. This replaces the PSAT that Oregon high schools used to offer in October. All 10th graders have the opportunity to take this assessment and it is optional for students. 10th graders will need to opt-in to take the PreACT. For 2022-23, the assessment window is in March, but for future years the window will be in October.

Lake Oswego High School will offer all current 10th-grade students the opportunity to take the PreACT on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The test takes approximately 3 hours to administer and students will be excused from their classes to participate, however, students will be responsible to make up any classwork they miss.

Students who are interested in taking the PreACT must opt-in by completing this PreACT Registration by Tuesday, February 21.

There is no fee for the PreACT because the Oregon Department of Education has been directed to provide a statewide opportunity for 10th-grade students served by public schools to access a nationally-normed college entrance practice exam.

The PreACT is a low-stakes test-practice experience for four-year-college-bound students. Score reports provide insight into students’ predicted performance on the ACT, and include valuable career indicators. It is important to note that most four-year colleges and universities are test-optional or test-free, so the ACT or SAT may not be required for admission. Please contact your school counselor with questions. The test covers Math, Science, Reading, and English.

Go to Learn More About PreACT (pdf) if you would like more information.

The bus loading zone is designated specifically for the safe loading and unloading of students. It is important to keep this area clear of parked cars, so that buses can pull in and out of the zone easily and safely. When cars are parked in the loading zone, it can cause buses to block traffic, make it difficult for students to cross the street, and cause unsafe conditions for our students.

Please keep an eye on your LOHS gmail accounts during the second week of February for an invitation to apply to be a member of NHS for all qualifying sophomores and juniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. If you think you qualify and don't receive an invitation in your school email account by February 13th, please check your spam or email Ms. Nalty at naltyk@loswego.k12.or.us.

We have partnered with Hunger Fighters, a local non-profit that began here at LOHS, for weekly volunteer opportunities! Hunger Fighters is located near the gas station on Boones Ferry (which is a walkable distance from the high school). They are looking for groups of kids (limited to 6) to volunteer every Thursday, between 3-5. The minimum commitment is one hour but you can stay for longer. Please sign up to volunteer using the Google Form on the NHS Google Classroom

Outdoor School will run from March 6th - June 2nd this spring. Have fun and learn a lot as a Student Leader of sixth-graders at Outdoor School for one week, and you can earn community service hours & college credit. 10th – 12th graders are eligible. Students interested in being new Student Leaders at Outdoor School should attend one training at a location of their choice between February 5th - mid-March. LOHS students are especially desired to assist LOJH classes from April 10th - 14th at Camp Cedar Ridge & Camp Trickle Creek, but any week works. Visit the Counseling Office for sign-up forms, or go to www.nwoutdoorschool.org to register online.

As many of you know, parking at LOHS is not easy. We are seeing a huge increase in students who don't have a parking pass parking in staff, student reserved, and visitors spots illegally. Unfortunately, this causes a trickle-down effect and others then park in a spot that is not theirs. Beginning Monday, January 30, 2023, we are updating our parking policy and we will enforce an additional step for students parking illegally:

1. Any student parking at the pool, visitor, central office, or a spot that isn't specifically reserved for them during school hours will be ticketed.

2. Any student who receives THREE or more tickets prior to their senior year WILL NOT be guaranteed a parking spot their senior year.

Under current policy, all seniors are guaranteed a parking spot in either our main lot or gravel lot and across the street at the church. Any remaining spots are put into a "lottery" for juniors.

Wealth Building 101

Students & Parents

March 2nd, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, cafeteria

Come join LOHS parent, Dawn Carter, as she shares information with students about ways they can prepare for a strong financial future.

How to Maximum Your Wealth &

buy what you want when you want:

• The importance of a good credit score
• How to have the highest credit score
• How to know what you can afford
• The truth about credit cards and how to use them
• Plugging the holes in your budget
• You have extra money, where should it go
• How to get out of debt the fastest
• How to protect your credit and buying power when you co-sign for a car, student loan, or mortgage
• How to avoid co-signing for your kids
• The importance of saving
• How to build your wealth

LOHS theater students participated in our regional acting competition and walked away with many wins!

Going to compete at the state level:

Pantomime: Thalia Austin & Robin Rosenau

Duo Comedic Acting: Connor Ramsey & Lilian McIlraith

Small Group Musical: Ashby Coughey, Faith Walker & August Kennedy

WE ALSO HAVE MORE BIG NEWS!

Our Fall play "Clue" was judged among many other plays around the state and was selected as one of only 2 shows to be performed at the state-level conference in April.

SO EXCITING! The cast and crew will have about 3 weeks after our musical ends to pick that show back up and get it ready to perform again in front of nearly 2,000 people attending the thespian state conference. For those of you in the sports world out there....this is somewhat equivalent to winning a state championship!

If you see one of these students competing at state, or know a student who participated in "Clue", give them a BIG congratulations!

I'm so proud!

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics held two qualifying tournaments on Jan. 21 and Jan. 28. LOHS has three FTC teams participating in the highly competitive Willamette Valley and Silicon Forest leagues, in which a limited number of teams proceed to the Oregon State Championship. After two very exciting and ambitious days, all three teams will advance to State on Feb. 25 and 26!

Within each tournament, all three teams progressed to the semifinals. Tobor Tech and All Hands on Tech finished in first place in their tournaments. In addition, all three teams were recognized for their respective strengths throughout the season. Mostly Operational received the 1st Place Innovate Award and 3rd Place Think Award. All Hands on Tech received the 1st Place Think Award. Tobor Tech received the 1st Place Connect Award and 3rd Place Inspire Award.

To learn more, or follow each team, check them out on Instagram.

@18119mostlyoperational @tobortech_ftc @allhandsontech_18127

Team member recruitment for next season will begin this spring. To express interest, reach out to individual teams or visit https://lorobotics.org

Now Accepting Applications for 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 July 2023. 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 becoming a board member.

Interested people should submit applications by Friday, February 24, 2023. The Nominating committee will review applications and conduct interviews in the March timeframe. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us to receive a pdf version of the application.

Heart Health Month

February is National Heart Health Month. Click this link to see 10 ways you can help keep your students heart healthy.

Sleep Matters!

Studies suggest most students do not get enough sleep. This puts them at a higher risk of health problems and injuries. Click this link to learn more about sleep and your student including how many hours are recommended.

If you would like to speak to your school nurse, click the link below for contact information.

Contact your District Nurse

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. https://www.safeoregon.com/

In addition, below are reporting methods for parents-guardians or students to use to report issues related to racist, bias, or harassment incidents.

• Incident Report for Elementary School

• Incident Report for Middle Schools

• Incident Report for High Schools