Westridge Elementary

Dear Wildcat Families,

This time in our history requires us all to show tremendous courage. Your teachers and staff at Westridge have been incredible examples of this. They have been working so hard to let go of so much that is and has been familiar to them--classrooms, schedules, routines, being with students, colleagues, class materials, a calendar, not to mention juggling the challenges outside of school with their own families.

As we start this next week together, please note our priorities are:

• focus on relationships with our students, not academic rigor
• to connect with families and students
• to troubleshoot technology needs and learn new platforms
• problem solve for families in crisis
• adjust to the recent, new expectations for student learning as outlined by ODE

On April 13th, we launch Distance Learning for All, which is going to take courage on the part of students and families. It will be unfamiliar and we will have to trust that everyone is doing their best.

Finally, I can't even begin to adequately explain all of the heroic, persistent, and dedicated efforts that all Westridge staff engaged in to set-up the digital learning opportunities for last week and this week. Next, we will transition our system to distance learning starting April 13. I am honored to be in their (virtual) company as our planning continues.

Stay home and stay healthy!

Principal Montgomery

1. Make sure you have a device. If you need one, information on how to sign up is in this newsletter.

2. Create a routine and/or schedule for learning. Short periods of work time with frequent breaks are best.

3. Create a dedicated learning space or work station (*See Rocky the Wildcat's video below for tips!)

4. Be positive and patient. This is new for all of us.

Digital Learning Opportunities will continue this week:

• April 6: teacher and staff planning/preparation day
• April 7-April 10: teachers engage students in digital learning opportunities using Seesaw (activities posted for students to respond)
• Our intent is to maintain connections with students and families through Seesaw, Google Hangout Meet, and/or email
• Until further notice, we anticipate carrying out the routine of Mondays for preparation and Tuesdays through Fridays for teacher-student engagement and interaction
• The daily schedule will be flexible enough to accommodate various and different teachers, students and families’ demands of working from home

Earlier this week LOSD received new guidance from Oregon Department of Education (ODE) from the original mandate of providing “Supplemental Education and Learning Supports” to delivering “Distance Learning for All.” This shift means students will be learning new material and receiving assessments and credit for their work remotely.

Between now and April 13, which is the date ODE has identified as the “go live” date for the new guidance, LOSD is putting structures and resources in place to help transition our community into a new way of teaching and learning. It’s an opportunity for us to practice and try new things, figuring out what works and what could work better.

Starting April 13, LOSD will provide teaching and learning experiences in accordance with the guidelines provided by ODE. Principals and teachers will be providing more details on what to expect in the coming days.

Please review the document by clicking on the button below for information

on how to access Seesaw.

Distance Learning Resources on losdschools.org is a new central location for parents and guardians to find resources, instructions and supports while schools are closed.

Resources range from setting up Seesaw and Google Classroom and submitting a requests for tech support and passwords, to participating in our "grab and go" meal service and registering for emergency childcare.

If you find your student needs a device, please email your student's name, school, grade and guardian's phone and email to: info@loswego.k12.or.us. We will make arrangements. Please remember, students K-2 will receive iPads, and students in grades 3-5 will receive Chromebooks.

The District is very selective when choosing and approving apps for our students. The tutorial below provides an explanation about how to add District approved apps to your device.

Dear LOSD Community,

At this time, we cannot allow parents or students to enter school buildings. In a few weeks, we will reevaluate and may consider scheduling time for parents and guardians to request access to lockers and desks.

Starting this week principals, teachers and staff will be introducing digital learning

opportunities, preparing “grab and go” meals, and providing emergency childcare

for children of first responders, health care professionals, and other front-line staff who are a vital support to enable communities to respond to challenges presented by COVID-19. Most district work and functions can be done remotely, but a few essential tasks require an onsite presence.

For the safety of our staff and the community, we are carefully adhering to the Governor’s executive order to stay home and to practice social distancing. Further, we must clean and disinfect the facilities after any spaces are used. For this reason, we are restricting the number of people entering schools to essential staff only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate our new normal for the safety and well-being of our LOSD community.

Lake Oswego School District

Grab and Go Meals

LOSD is providing free meal service for all students in need starting this Wednesday, April 1. The “grab and go” meals will be packaged individually and available for pick up at any one of the following four schools every Monday and Wednesday, between 10:30-11:30 a.m., until further notice:

• Lake Oswego High School

• Lake Grove Elementary School

• Lakeridge Middle School

• Lakeridge High School

Recipients may pick up the “grab and go” meals at the front entrance of each school. Students or a parent or guardian may pick up on behalf of a student by showing enrollment ID number or by providing the student’s name. Pick up will be for 2-3 days worth of breakfast and lunch meals.

For questions about the meal service for students, please email LOSD Director of Food Services Christ Hogan at hoganc@loswego.k12.or.us.

Additional Community Resources

Hunger Fighters is continuing to serve all families in Lake Oswego. The food pantry’s upcoming drive-thru service is this Wednesday, April 1, 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, April 4, 1-4 p.m. Please check the Hunger Fighters website for updates and more information. Local businesses and individuals have donated generously, and Hunger Fighters is prepared to serve all in need.

Mountain Park Church is offering free sack lunches to any family in need on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Families can either register online or via phone. Families need to register for the upcoming week by Sunday at 8 p.m.

We understand the additional hardships brought on by school closures. Please consider participating in these meal services provided by LOSD and our community partners.

At this time, we are working remotely. We will check voicemails daily, but the best way to reach us is by email.

Office Phone: 503-534-2371

Principal Kari Montgomery - montgomk@loswego.k12.or.us

Principal's Secretary Jodi Steward - stewardj@loswego.k12.or.us

Attendance/Records Secretary Andrea Murphy- murphya@loswego.k12.or.us

All members of our community are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment that cultivates empathy, creates challenging opportunities, and fosters lifelong learning.

Email: kari.montgomery@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 534-2371