Message from the Superintendent
Many significant matters, from masks, boundaries and mental health to transportation, child care and curriculum, are being discussed in our learning community. These conversations are all happening against the backdrop of a frightening war waging in Ukraine that is affecting many students, families, coworkers, and neighbors directly and indirectly.
I want to emphasize the importance of us being mindful of each other’s circumstances and remaining open to listening and understanding different perspectives. Thoughtful and respectful airing of viewpoints to promote greater understanding is what will keep us moving forward together.
We have engaged our community in several surveys and open houses over the past month and your input has informed recommendations regarding elementary school boundaries and districtwide face coverings. These recommendation are being presented to the School Board at the public session this coming Monday. As always, the Lake Oswego Board of Directors welcomes hearing testimony from members of our learning community. In this newsletter and on the district website under School Board are instructions for how you may participate in this important part of our community engagement process.
More surveys are still open in this newsletter. The Extended Day Service survey is seeking to identify our families needs for before and after school care and our annual Youth Truth survey provides indicators for how students, staff and families feels a sense of belonging and success in our schools. Thank you in advance for your input.
Most decisions are complex, and our learning community’s thoughtful and considerate engagement is essential. Please remember that much of the work is being conducted by friends, neighbors and coworkers, all who are focused on the needs of students.
Women's History Month Resolution
Join us this March in celebrating Women’s History Month. This year’s theme, "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope," is a tribute to caregivers and frontline workers and a recognition of the ways that women have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
The Lake Oswego School Board adopted a resolution that LOSD will celebrate the month of March as Women's History Month and encourage our schools to infuse instructional learning activities to incorporate the contributions of women.
National School Breakfast Week
Families are encouraged to participate in our school breakfast program as part of National School Breakfast Week, March 7-11. Having a breakfast meal is the perfect way to help jump-start a morning. LOSD offers whole grain products, fresh fruit, 100% fruit juice, and milk each day. Elementary students can participate by taking home a breakfast, and middle and high school students can eat in the cafeteria before school. A nutritious breakfast ensures students are fueled for learning every school day.
School Board Meeting
Monday, Mar. 7
Exec Session: 5 p.m. (re: labor negotiations with ORS, closed session)
Regular Session: follows Exec Session, approx. 6 p.m. (open session)
Click here for the agenda posted on district website
LOSD Boardroom
The Lake Oswego School Board meetings are being held in person. Board members, staff, invited guests, and members of the community signed up and confirmed to give in-person testimony are able to attend the meeting in person. All are welcome to observe the public session remotely by clicking here.
Board members take both written and in-person testimony. Click here for instructions for members of the public who wish to provide in-person testimony. Submit an email to the Board Secretary kelli.cranston@loswego.k12.or.us by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. IMPORTANT: Type “In-Person Testimony” in the subject line.
Board Advisory Committee Applications Open
The Lake Oswego School Board of Directors invites students, teachers, staff members, parents/guardians and community residents to consider serving on its advisory committees. As part of its continuous efforts to increase communication with the public and to provide for citizen involvement, the Board appoints advisory committees to consider matters of district-wide importance. Committees meet monthly, September through May.
Applications and committee charters are available on the district website under School Board. Please submit your application by Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. Possible interviews following submission, and notification of selected committee members by May 10, 2022.
Board-appointed District Advisory Committees
Culture of Belonging
Achieve Equitable Academic Outcomes
Promote Health & Resiliency
Teach & Practice Sustainability
Bond Accountability Committee
Long Range Facility Planning
Legal Budget Committee (not accepting applications at this time)
Board-appointed School Advisory Committees
School Advisory Committee
Elementary Boundary Recommendations
LOSD is planning boundary changes to balance enrollment at Lake Grove and Oak Creek to ensure students have adequate spaces and resources for equitable educational experiences. The Elementary Boundary Review Committee, charged with determining how the boundary lines are redrawn, has arrived at its recommendation.
Boundary "Option Pink" was selected by the committee. The committee's recommendations, which will include special considerations for rising 5th graders and suggestions for supporting those impacted by the transition, will be presented to the School Board at the meeting on Monday, Mar. 7. Anticipate the School Board taking action on the recommendations at its public session on Monday, April 11.
Information about the boundary review process, including a map of Option Pink, is available on the district homepage Trending Topics, Elementary Boundary Review 2022.
Face Covering Recommendations
On March 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m., the state is lifting its statewide indoor face covering rule, as well as the statewide K12 indoor face covering rule. At that time, the decision to require universal masking in school settings will rest with local decision makers in school districts and local public health authorities.
LOSD will be presenting our plans on changing indoor face covering requirements at the school board meeting March 7. Input from students, teachers, staff and families collected through surveys is helping inform recommendations for a safe and enriching educational experience for all in our learning community.
LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard
The LOSD COVID-19 Dashboard is up to date, corresponding with new reporting protocols for Clackamas County Public Health. The new dashboard shows the number of staff and students who have reported to LOSD testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of school exposure.
Extended Day Needs Assessment Survey
LOSD seeks to identify our families’ needs for before and after school care for students in Preschool - Grade 5 in the 2022-2023 school year. We know that this has been a pain point for many who have had limited options, and we are developing ways to expand this service for all who need it. Please click here to complete the parent/guardian survey. Survey results will be shared soon thereafter. This survey takes on about 1 minute to complete.
Youth Truth Surveys
As part of LOSD’s efforts to create a culture of belonging and to achieve equitable academic outcomes, we are administering the annual Youth Truth survey to all parents/guardians, staff members, and students in grades 3-12. Please click here to complete the Family Survey for parents/guardians. The survey takes about 15-30 minutes to complete.
DEIAC Meeting
All are welcome to observe the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee Meeting.
Tuesday, Mar. 8
6-7:30 p.m.
Click here for the Zoom link on the district calendar
Safety Symposium Rescheduled for April 7
LOSD is hosting our first annual LOSD K-12 Safety Symposium. We are excited to provide this opportunity for parents to learn about safety issues affecting students and actions we can all take to create a safer community. Please save the date and plan to join us.
Thursday, Apr. 7
6:00 p.m.; doors open at 5.30 p.m.
Lakeridge High School
AASU's Asian Cultural Festival Seeking Sponsorships, Donations
AASU is accepting sponsorships from businesses, food donations from local restaurants, and donations from families. The sponsorship and food donation guides can be found here. Please contact lohsaasu@gmail.com if you are interested in supporting or have any questions or comments. The students are incredibly thankful for the community’s support!
If I Were Mayor Contest
Mayor Joe Buck, along with the Oregon Mayors Association, invite Lake Oswego students grades 4-12, including home-schooled students, to participate in the “If I Were Mayor...” contest where students can share their creative and inspirational ideas about what they would do as a mayor. Entries must be submitted by March 18, 2022. Click here for more information.
First, second and third place winners will be selected from the following categories:
- Posters (grades 4-5)
- Essays (grades 6-8)
- Digital Media Presentations (grades 9-12)
First place Lake Oswego winners in each of the three categories will win a gift card to a local business of their choice for $250, Second place winners will receive $150 and third place winners will receive $100.
The winners will also receive recognition from the Mayor and City Council at a City Council meeting this spring. The three local winning entries will then be submitted to the statewide competition for the opportunity to win $500. These students will receive their prizes at an awards ceremony during the OMA Annual Summer Conference. The last time the City of Lake Oswego offered this program a Lake Oswego student won the statewide contest!
SASEE Award Nomination Deadline Extended
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. Click here to submit your nomination. The nomination deadline has been extended to Saturday, Mar. 19
Hunger Fighters: New Pantry Hours
Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
Open Saturdays
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
SafeOregon
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.)
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/weareLOSD
Twitter: @weareLOSD