First and second grade students sit during a introductory activity on the first day of school at Chavez Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
Yellow buses are back on the road, school mascots are out in force, and about 39,000 local kids have resumed classes for the fall.
School started Wednesday across the Salem-Keizer School District, with a mix of enthusiasm and tearful goodbyes as parents walked their kids to class.
Sixth and ninth graders began a day earlier, on Tuesday, for some extra time to adjust to their new, bigger schools. That meant a chance to walk through class schedules, meet older mentors and learn the ropes. Teachers greeted students outside with enthusiasm, offering high-fives and inquiring about what students were most excited for.
While the start of classes was a highlight for educators, some had other things to celebrate. Sean Kubishta, the PE teacher at Chavez Elementary School, reported the school had finally ordered a new mascot costume for Ringo the Rhino. He’s played the mascot for the past four years, greeting students and their families outside Chavez.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Kubishta said.
Kindergarten students will begin classes Sept. 13. Teachers are currently assessing students for kindergarten readiness.
PE teacher Sean Kubishta, dressed as Ringo the Rhino, greets Chavez Elementary students on the first day of school Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Kubushita has been teaching for seven years and played Rusty for four. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)A student gets help finding her classroom at Chavez Elementary on the first day of class, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)The Houck Husky greets students arriving at Houck Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Charlene Williams, interim director of the Oregon Department of Education, visits a classroom at Chavez Elementary in Salem on the first day of school, Wednesday Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Campus safety officers stand outside as freshman arrive for the first day of class at South Salem High School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)A student gets help putting belongings in a cubby on the first day of school at Chavez Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)A student eats breakfast while listening to a presentation in class at Chavez Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Students file into Chavez Elementary on the first day of class, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Student mentors prepare for the arrival of freshmen at South Salem High School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Sixth grade students sit in on the first day at Houck Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)A student gets help finding her classroom at Chavez Elementary on the first day of class, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Educators welcome students to Chavez Elementary on the first day of class, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Science teacher Steven DeYoung collects nameplates from students at the end of advisory period on the first day for sixth graders at Houck Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)The Houck Husky greets students arriving at Houck Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)Mia Madland, a student mentor at South Salem High School, directs freshman during a first day orientation on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
Correction: This story originally misspelled teacher Sean Kubishta’s last name. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
