Two people walk through Willamette University on May 15. 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) As Salem six-year-olds prepare to learn to read over Zoom, more than one thousand local college students will be back inside classrooms and dorms this fall. Willamette and Corban, both small private universities, are planning for in-person classes[Read More…]
Rachel Alexander
Oregon special education and English-learning students can attend school in-person under new guidelines
Highland Elementary 2nd grade teacher Becky Montgomery works with a student during a computer math exercise Wednesday March 13, 2019. (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem students who receive special education services, are learning English or don’t have reliable Internet access could see the inside of a classroom much sooner[Read More…]
Salem, our reporters need your help to write the first draft of history
During a rare in-person bit of journalism during a pandemic, reporter Rachel Alexander chats data with Lillian Govus, communications director for Salem-Keizer School District, at a July 10 meeting on school reopening. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) At Salem Reporter, we try to dig deeper, explaining the history of hot-button issues and[Read More…]
AGENDA: School board to hear plans for fall remote classes, vote on homeless alliance agreement
The Salem-Keizer School Board meets virtually for a work session on July 28, 2020 (Screenshot) Salem-Keizer School Board directors will hear the latest district plans for all-remote fall classes in a work session and meeting Tuesday evening, though they won’t vote on the plans. District administrators will first update the[Read More…]
After waiting months, over 2,000 graduates earn diplomas at local high schools
Subhi Aryan, left, and sister Majida, wait their turn to walk the stage during the 3:30 p.m. North Salem High School graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) They waited months to don caps and gowns, hoping they’d be able to enjoy one traditional rite of passage for[Read More…]
DATA: Hospitalizations flat as virus cases grow in Marion, Polk counties
The popular statue of former Governor Tom McCall in Salem’s Riverfront Park, has become a photo destination after getting a pandemic update. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The Salem area is meeting four of five state public health metrics for controlling the spread of the coronavirus, according to updated data released Aug.[Read More…]
Most Oregon students will start fall class online. These Salem teens can help with tutoring.
Luke Clifton, Esha Puri and Pranav Ramesh stand in front of South Salem High School. The three rising seniors set up the free tutoring program, Connect Oregon Students, to assist K-12 students with distance learning. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) South Salem High School seniors Esha Puri, Luke Clifton and Pranav Ramesh[Read More…]
Marion County’s coronavirus watch list review shows the challenge of figuring out where the virus is spreading
Katrina Rothenberger, incident commander, stands in the COVID-19 incident command at the Marion County Health and Human Services office on Monday, July 13. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County epidemiologists have linked about 30 cases of coronavirus in the past two weeks to social gatherings like potlucks and bachelorette parties after[Read More…]
Adapting with industry, high school classes in welding, hairstyling and auto detailing shift online
The school district salon at the Career Technical Education Center awaits both students and customers. (Moriah Ratner/Special to Salem Reporter) As Salem-Keizer teachers and principals prepare for remote classes, Rhonda Rhodes has more unusual questions than the average administrator. She’s the principal of the district’s Career Technical Education Center, a[Read More…]
Desire for stability, health risks drive some local families to a full year of online school
A door sign on the outside of Bush Elementary School on Thursday, July 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Nicki Marazzani’s daughter, Chloe, 12, does best in school when she has a clear schedule. When she saw the Salem-Keizer School District was offering an all-online option for the entire school year, Chloe was signed[Read More…]