Reuben Gershin’s breaking point was in early October, when his son tried to pry him from his work so the two could spend time together. “But dad, it’s Saturday,” the kindergartener said. Gershin, a high school science teacher in the Salem-Keizer School District’s online EDGE program, said he and his[Read More…]
SCHOOLS
Salem’s 2021 grad rates mostly flat, but 2 schools had a different path
A North Salem High School graduate at an August 2020 ceremony (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Erik Jespersen was worried about his students’ grades in fall 2020. With a week left to go during the first quarter of online school, the McNary High School principal saw far more students failing classes than[Read More…]
With pandemic challenges, 81% of Salem seniors graduated in 2021
Members of the South Salem High School Class of 2021 celebrate following their graduation ceremony (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Four in five Salem-Keizer seniors graduated high school in 2021, a rate virtually unchanged from 2020, according to state data released Thursday. Members of the class of 2021 were the first to[Read More…]
Salem-Keizer cancels classes Friday due to staffing shortage
High rates of illness in Salem schools have led to consolidated bus routes and a canceled day of school on Jan. 14 (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Oregon’s second-largest school district is canceling all classes Friday because of staffing shortages. Christy Perry, superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District, announced the decision in[Read More…]
Salem schools turn to superintendent, administrators to cover classes as teacher absences rise
Christy Perry was back in the classroom Monday, teaching a math lesson to first grade students at Harritt Elementary School. Perry, the superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District, often stops by schools for events or special occasions. But her return to teaching Monday was a first this school year and[Read More…]
Celia Hyman Baculi, parent volunteer and South Salem High fixture, honored
Celia Hyman Baculi, center, is honored by friends, supporters and former students at a South Salem High School event celebrating her volunteer service on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Celia Hyman Baculi once took the seats out of her van so she could fill it with thousands of[Read More…]
Sprague students spread holiday cheer at Hoover Elementary
Hoover Elementary first grade students open gifts from Sprague High School students on Dec. 17, 2021 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) First graders at Hoover Elementary School vibrated with excitement as Gwen Duncan and Juliana Fuentes stepped into their classroom. “What. The. Heck.” one student deadpanned as the Sprague High School juniors[Read More…]
Following Michigan school shooting, hoax threats in local schools on the rise
Salem schools have seen an uptick in hoax threats in December which district officials say are disrupting classes and increasing fear among students and employees. In recent weeks, the Salem-Keizer School District has recorded eight hoax threats against local schools, assistant superintendent Iton Udosenata said. “They’re typically social media posts[Read More…]
Split school board adopts redistricting map with minor tweaks
Alternative 1, the new Salem-Keizer School Board zone map adopted on Dec. 14, 2021. A split Salem-Keizer School Board Tuesday night voted to adopt a redistricting map which makes minor adjustments to the current zones used in school board elections. In a 4-3 vote, board Chair Osvaldo Avila, Vice Chair[Read More…]
Salem-Keizer sues construction firm over fire damages at Waldo Middle School
Fire damage at Waldo Middle School following the April 29, 2020 fire (Courtesy/Crime Stoppers of Oregon) The Salem-Keizer School District is suing a construction contractor alleging that their failure to secure a construction site at Waldo Middle School allowed an arsonist to set fire to materials at the building and[Read More…]