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Our Mission

Ensuring more teachers, classes and experiences for all Lake Oswego students. With your help we can make a difference. Learn more and get involved.

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LOSD Budget Shortfall for the 2025-26 School Year

LOSD is facing a budget shortfall and we encourage you to take action. The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation is the only fundraising organization that goes to teaching positions. If every family gave gave $500, we could save about 20 more teaching positions. All donations go directly to teaching positions and are 100% tax deductible. Learn more about LOSD's budget challenges HERE.

Our community has always been a cornerstone of strength in challenging times, and your support makes a difference.

  • $10M Budget Shortfall: Lake Oswego Schools face a significant state funding gap.

  • Protect Teaching Positions: Donations to the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation help retain more teachers.

  • 100% for Teachers: Every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to funding teaching positions.

  • Urgency: Donations today will fund staffing next year.

  • Strong Schools = Strong Community: Encourage family, friends, and neighbors to donate; it’s All Hands on Deck!

Here are some ways you can help:



Gala 2025

What an amazing night at Ironlight, organized by an incredible group of volunteers! Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate education in Lake Oswego.


Our Mission: We fund teaching positions.

All Gifts Help Support Our Schools!

Your contributions go a long way. Foundation support is a big reason why Lake Oswego schools have consistently ranked number one in the state, and among the top in the nation. With your gifts the Foundation provides to each and every student in the Lake Oswego School District:

  • More teachers and educational experience than what state and local taxes can provide
  • Teachers for music, reading, art, science and technology
  • Music instruction for every elementary student K-5
  • Additional reading support for students with greater needs in K-2
  • Greater exposure in in grades 6-12 to electives such as Robotics, Architecture, Oceanography, Performing Arts, to name just a few!

We need your support to continue to provide our kids the incredible education Lake Oswego offers. Please consider a gift or pledge your support today. Thank you!


Colored pencils

Our Impact This Year

  • People Helped

    6,815

  • Volunteer Hours

    750

  • Dollars Raised

    $1,500,000

6 Healthy Benefits of Reading

Many people are aware that reading regularly is good for their brains. However, they may not know exactly how it improves the mind, or that reading is also good for their health. If you’re not a frequent reader, you might be missing out on some important perks. We’re here to tell you all about the benefits reading can bring, besides knowledge and entertainment.

 

Reading boosts intelligence.


Reading, especially starting at a young age, expands your knowledge horizons. In fact, children’s books expose kids to 50% more words than television does. The vocabulary they learn while reading often results in higher scores on both reading and general knowledge tests. Better reading skills in children can also lead to higher intelligence as adults.

 

Reading improves your brain power.


Just like hitting the gym exercises your muscles, reading exercises your brain. Reading frequently helps slow down the memory-decline process as you age and helps keep your mind sharp. Avid readers can also be up to 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who participate in less brain-stimulating activities.

 

Reading can also enhance your short-term memory.


Think about all the information you take in when you read a book. You’re learning new characters’ names, plot lines and words with every turn of a page. The more you read, the better your brain gets at storing fresh information. So keep on reading, and you’ll be able to stop flipping back to old pages.

 

Reading can help with depression and stress.


A study of depressed patients in a mental ward showed a positive improvement in patients when they read aloud. They reported feeling better with a more positive outlook. Self-help books are best for those with more severe cases of depression, as books are a low-intensity form of intervention. Reading has also been found to reduce stress by nearly 68%, according to researchers.

 

Reading can make you more empathetic.
 

Fiction novels, in particular, help readers understand other people’s emotions. By relating to characters in a book, many people can translate that empathy to those they interact with in their daily lives.

 

Reading before bed can help you fall asleep.
 

A nighttime ritual, like reading, can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. However, if you’re going to start this routine, make sure you’re reading physical books. Screens on devices like e-readers and tablets will keep you awake longer and can give you a worse night’s sleep.

Reading is beneficial in so many ways. It’s great for both your mental and physical health, and is a great way to spend your time. If you’re looking for a new hobby, try your hand at being a bookworm, and you’ll feel better in more ways than one. 
 

Teacher reading to students
  • Maxine Walkenhorst, Lake Oswego
    Maxine Walkenhorst, Lake Oswego

    I am proud to be part of making our schools great for kids through the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation.

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