Message from the Superintendent
The news of schools being closed through the remainder of the school year has been difficult for all of us. We miss you! Thank you for coming together as a community as we meet this challenge together. The closure of schools will naturally continue to generate questions, and we are committed to providing you with timely updates. While there are many uncertainties, I encourage all of us to confront our current reality with calmness and reason, and more importantly, to extend care and support for each other and compassion for those in need. I wish everyone health and safety. I hope you will take a few minutes to view the video message below. Although we are apart, I know that we remain together as a community.
Distance Learning: A Sample Instructional Day
It is important for us all to understand the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) guidance for Distance Learning instructional days, which public school districts must follow, to accommodate various circumstances at home.
LOSD created a framework from the ODE guidance to help families know what to expect and how best to support your students and their teachers. Please click here for sample instructional days by grade level for students in LOSD.
Grades and Assessments
These remaining months of school count for all students who are working to fulfill credits towards graduation and progressing to the next grade level. The only difference is that teachers will award a Pass or Incomplete credit instead of a letter grade in June.
This grading system is a mandate from ODE for students in grades 9-11. At this time until further notice, LOSD is applying the grading changes for our students in grades K-11.
Following is more information from frequently asked questions:
High school students will be awarded a Pass (P) or Incomplete (I) for their second semester grades this year. The work completed in the third quarter will count towards a Pass or Incomplete for the second semester. A Pass or Incomplete does not factor into a student's grade point average; a pass may earn a credit towards graduation.
A current high school student's cumulative GPA will be based on a division of seven semesters, not eight. A GPA is also impacted by how many courses a student will take in future semesters, plus any AP or honors courses with a weighted grade scale.
For student-athletes' eligibility, please click here for the latest update from NCAA Eligibility Center in response to Covid-19.
For more information on diplomas, grading and assessments for all grade levels, please click here.
Senior Graduation Plans
Seniors have been on the minds and in the hearts of all in our community, with many thinking about graduation. Here is what is being planned for the Class of 2020:
Mark the official day of commencement (May 28/29) with a video that expresses the feelings shared by each other. We’ve considered many ideas about replicating our graduation ceremony virtually. With more than 300 graduates at each high school, a remote production becomes cumbersome and loses its charm quickly. Instead, we plan to wait until seniors can gather together.
Bring seniors together for a live graduation ceremony on our high school fields, likely in July. Event attendance will be limited, based on physical distancing requirements at that time. It will be live streamed for all to observe.
Honor senior awards and recognitions with a pre-recorded video created with teachers and recipients participating. This video will be keep-sake quality.
Additionally, student leaders and faculty are hard at work creating memorable videos that will involve our students throughout the months and weeks leading up to graduation. While we cannot be together physically, these creations give us an outlet to express ourselves and connect with one another.
High school principals will continue to provide more specific updates to seniors and their families.
Boundary Changes Put On Hold
As discussed at this week's School Board meeting, LOSD is holding off on making any boundary changes for the 2020-2021 school year.
The uncertainties, impacts and hindrances caused by the Covid-19 stay home orders make it an extremely difficult and insensitive time to move students, staff and families. Right now, the sole focus of our LOSD team needs to be on providing the best possible teaching, learning and service during this time.
The decision to pause on boundary changes is not a reflection of the Boundary Review Committee's work. Quite the opposite. LOSD believes strongly in the need to adjust boundaries for the long-term benefit of our elementary schools. All of the work leading up to this point will continue to inform the district and School Board when the discussion is revisited next fall. The district’s intention is to make a decision by next winter to allow our school communities ample time to prepare for any boundary changes.
While we wait to make boundary changes, the district is committed to providing more equitable experiences at each elementary school, including additional support for the larger schools. This discussion will continue throughout the spring and summer as we prepare to welcome everyone back to school next year.
Bond Update: Forest Hills and Lake Grove
During the quarantine, the LOSD bond team has continued to conduct as much construction work as possible in light of complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, due to the continued uncertainty and risks created by Covid-19, LOSD needs to postpone the Forest Hills and Lake Grove capital improvement projects until the summer of 2021. Both projects, originally planned for summer of 2020, have extremely tight timeframes, making successful and timely completion challenging in even the best of circumstances. Delays due to potential additional orders from the state or federal governments, labor inefficiencies, and supply disruptions due to Covid-19 would increase those challenges in ways that would have been difficult, if not impossible, to overcome. Additionally, all standard construction contracts include provisions that primarily transfer increased risks from Covid-19 within the district’s responsibility to overcome or mitigate.
LOSD had received bids for the projects, but after much consideration and disappointment, decided not to move forward with them. LOSD intends to re-issue invitations to bid for both projects late next winer for work during the summer of 2021.
Until further notice, LOSD is continuing with projects already in progress because those school populations would not be displaced by construction delays. The Lakeridge Middle School and Oak Creek communities can stay in their alternative locations as necessary, and instruction time at Hallian could continue during construction.
SSPAC 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 April 17.
Foundation Board Applications Extended
Are you interested in contributing to a dynamic volunteer organization dedicated to advancing our community's commitment to educational excellence?
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, LOSD and the Lake Oswego community.
The term for new board members will begin June 2020. Board members commit to a two-year term and may serve up to three terms. Please click HERE to download. The application provides more information about being a board member.
Interested people should submit applications by Friday, April 24, 2020. The Nominating committee will review applications and conduct interviews the week of April 27, 2020. Please send your completed application via email to woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us.
Kindergarten Registration Due May 1
If you have an incoming Kindergarten Student, please click here to register as soon as possible - the registration deadline is May 1.
- On May 1st, any school that has more age-eligible registered kindergarten students than capacity will conduct a lottery.
- Lottery Deadline: May 1, 2020.
- Lottery Tier 1: Applicants with age-eligible siblings currently attending the same resident school will be given priority and will not go into the lottery but MUST register by the May 1 deadline.
- Lottery Tier 2: Age-eligible registrations received by May 1, 2020.
- Lottery Tier 3: All registrations (including sibling and early admission) received after May 1, 2020 are subject to availability.
- Lottery Date: May 6, 2020.
- Lottery Notification Date: May 8, 2020.
- All enrollments not selected in the lottery or received after the May 1 cut off, whose school is at capacity, would then be automatically overflowed to other schools in the district.
- Overflow schools won't be finalized until summer and we will notify families as soon as school assignments are determined.
- Most families are enrolled and attend at their resident school and are not included in the lottery process.
- Bus transportation will be provided for overflow students.
- Early-admission candidates must be assessed and pass the approval process. Approved early-admission students will be placed at the end of the applicant list for placement in their resident school.
- Any students who are overflowed for kindergarten will return to their home school for first grade.
Distance Learning Resources
New digital materials to support you and your students with distance learning have been created, including two helpful Frequently Asked Questions Infographics:
These and other materials can be found on Distance Learning Resources on losdschools.org, a new central location for resources, instructions and supports while schools are closed.
Tech Support & Devices
Having trouble with your device? Please submit a help request ticket here or go onto losdschools.org if you run into any technology concerns. Your help request ticket will get routed to the best person to assist you with your needs.
Having trouble with student user names and/or passwords? Your school library tech can help -- please click here for their emails.
In need of an instructional device for your student? Please email info@loswego.k12.or.us.
Meal Service for All Students in Need
LOSD is providing free meal service for all students in need -- no sign-up required. The “grab and go” meals are available for pick up every Monday and Wednesday, between 10:30-11:30, at any one of the following four schools:
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.
Hunger Fighter Update
Hunger Fighters is continuing to serve all families in Lake Oswego on Wednesdays between 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays between 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.
Hunger Fighters gives families food for seven days at a time. Please visit the pantry once a week. The pantry is located in the green house adjacent to Lake Oswego High School. Enter through the school's front driveway off of Country Club Road and follow the signs for the drive-thru pickup service.
Emergency Childcare
LOSD is providing emergency childcare for first responders, emergency workers, health care professionals and all who are working on the frontlines to keep our community safe and whole.
Please call 211, an information service that connects people with health and social organizations, to find available childcare providers in our area and to begin the registration process for this emergency service.
Restricting Access Inside Schools
At this time, we cannot allow parents or students to enter school buildings. In a few weeks, we will schedule time for parents and guardians to request access to lockers and desks.
Most district work can be done remotely, but a few essential tasks require an onsite presence. For the safety of our staff and community, people entering schools is restricted to essential staff only.
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