Message from the Superintendent
Along with school districts across the United States, we in LOSD are facing unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19. It is never an easy decision to close schools. Ultimately, we made the decision to do so as a protective measure because we want our students, staff and community members to be safe and healthy.
I want to remind everyone that this not a time to go about our normal business. We need to protect our vulnerable community members who are at greater risk. Let’s all be mindful to use this time wisely, and stay home to the greatest extent possible.
The LOSD team has worked incredibly hard to communicate, add additional resources for families to our website, and support staff, families and children. I am proud of our team’s extraordinary efforts during this time.
Thank you for the heartfelt outpouring of support for all in our community. I am grateful to lead and learn in LOSD with you all. May we all be healthy and well.
Family Resources During School Closure
Hunger Fighters Could Use Donations
Your outpouring of concern for our families and staff has been overwhelming and heartwarming. Many are asking specifically about how best to help support students experiencing food insecurity while our schools are closed.
Today, LOSD will mail each of these students a Safeway gift card to compensate for the meals missed while our schools are closed. Additionally, we’ll be providing a list of local food pantries. Specifically, we are partnering with Hunger Fighters, a non-profit food pantry that provides basic food and hygiene items at no charge to families and individuals in the Lake Oswego community.
Hunger Fighters operates out of the house that is green, located behind the Lake Oswego High School campus, 2301 Hazel Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035. The pantry will be open to families every Saturday, between 1-3 p.m., even during the school closure.
The pantry could use donations of food and money to purchase items. It accepts ALL non-expired donations. Please visit hungerfightersoregon.org for specifics on what the pantry can use most at this time. Hunger Fighters is currently staffed sufficiently to support its efforts on Saturdays.
Events, Meetings and Activities Postponed or Canceled During School Closure
Because of mandated school closures, all school facilities and school programming, extended care services, extra-curricular activities and classes, and athletic practices and contests are canceled through March 31.
Additionally, per the governor’s mandate to limit gatherings of more than 250 people and create social distancing for the next four weeks, all nonessential activities, meetings and events are canceled or postponed through April 8.
Specifically, effective tonight at 6:30 p.m. all LOSD facilities will be closed through March 31. The pool is closing at 4 p.m. today. The only exception is the house that is green on the Lake Oswego High School property, which is home to Hunger Fighters providing meals to families who are food insecure in our community; that LOSD facility will be open from 12:30-3 p.m. every Saturday.
These changed events, activities and meetings include but are not limited to the following:
Community School:
- Before and after care at Palisades and Lake Grove -- suspended until schools reopen April 1
- Enrichment classes and activities -- suspended until schools reopen April 1
- Elementary Strings – suspended until schools reopen April 1
- Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (April 2-April 3) -- canceled to make up instructional time
Events and gatherings:
- Book fairs - canceled
- Team banquets - canceled
- One Act Plays - canceled
- Inter-district Band Festival - canceled
- SAT and ACT testing - canceled
Offsite events:
- Model United Nations - organizer canceled
- Regional Spelling Bee - organizer canceled
- Regional Geography Bee - organizer canceled
- OBOB State Competition - organizer canceled
- Robotics Regional Competition in Seattle - organizer canceled
- LOHS baseball to Arizona - canceled
- LOHS choir to Disneyland - canceled (Disneyland closed)
- LOHS Girls Lacrosse to Georgia - canceled
- LHS Baseball to California - canceled
- LHS Lacrosse to Seattle - canceled
Athletics and Activities:
- Basketball Championship Tournament - OSAA canceled
- State Dance Championship - OSAA canceled
- Spring sport season practices and competitions - OSAA suspended until schools reopen April 1
- After-school clubs held at LOSD schools - suspended until schools reopen April 1
- Green Team planting at LOHS - canceled
Meetings:
- Coordinating Council meeting March 13 - canceled
- Athletic Task Force meeting March 16 - conducting remotely
- Hallinan outdoor classroom discussion March 16 - conducting remotely
- LOSD-City Council Joint meeting March 16 -- meeting has been planned and posted as no public testimony; public may view remotely
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting March 17 - canceled
- Long Range Facilities Planning Committee meeting March 17 - conducting remotely
- Strategic planning meeting March 18 - postponed
- Student Services Parent Advisory Council meeting March 18 meeting - canceled
- School Board meeting March 30 - conducting remotely with offsite participation; details being worked out
- Educational assessment tours - postponed until after April 8
LOSD-City Council to Make Pool Decision
The LOSD School Board and Lake Oswego City Council are holding a joint meeting to make a decision on the proposed recreation aquatic center concept.
Monday, Mar. 16
12-1:30 p.m.
Lake Oswego City Hall
The meeting agenda and materials can be found on the LOSD and City Council websites at:
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=1470501&repo=CityOfLakeOswego
Elementary Boundary Review Committee Recommendations
The Elementary Boundary Review Committee has completed its charge, and landed on three recommendations to consider. These recommendations are posted on the boundary landing page on losdschools.org. All three recommendations, with pros and cons developed by the committee, will be presented at the School Board Meeting on March 30.
Thank you to the parents and principals who gave tirelessly to the boundary review process. Your dedication and willingness to take on this challenging task is appreciated.
Student Services Parent Advisory Committee Positions Open
The purpose of the Student Services Parent Advisory Committee is to provide advice and feedback to district staff and the LOSD School Board on issues related to disability. This committee strives to connect special needs families in Lake Oswego with resources, events, and each other to benefit our kids.
The committee strives to have all schools and as many needs as possible represented. The coming year SSPAC is seeking members to fill three positions: one representative from Forest Hills, and two at-large positions (from any school in the district).
If interested in serving on SSPAC, please submit this application to Patrick Tomblin, patrick.tomblin@loswego.k12.or.us by Friday, April 3.
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