Salem-Keizer School District leaders want to add more teachers to the district’s programs serving non-native English speakers and shift more educators to address students’ behavioral problems, according to a proposed budget for the 2022-23 school year. The $1.4 billion draft budget, published Tuesday evening, largely maintains current district services and[Read More…]
SCHOOLS
Children’s book on racism to remain in Salem-Keizer libraries following parent challenge
A children’s book about the history of racism and antiracist activism in the U.S. will remain in Salem-Keizer School District elementary school libraries following a challenge by a parent. A district review committee voted 8-1 last week to retain “Stamped (For Kids)” by Ibrahim X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds in[Read More…]
Years in the making, new trans student policies for Salem schools draw backlash
Three years ago, a transgender high school student approached leaders at the Salem-Keizer School District and told them they needed to do better. Julian, a nonbinary student who is now a senior, said the lack of consistent school or district policies led to teachers incorrectly referring to them as a[Read More…]
Enthusiasm, teamwork shine in Swegle soccer club
Karina Carrasco Patino, a first-grader at Swegle Elementary, lines up a goal during soccer camp on Wednesday, March 17 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Aubrey Garcia’s face erupted in a grin as she ran toward her coach. The first grader at Swegle Elementary School jumped and high-fived Sarai Castillo, 18, celebrating after[Read More…]
High schoolers are failing fewer classes this year, but still struggle adjusting from online school
A science classroom in at McKay High School (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) When the end of lunch bell rings at McKay High School, Ranae Quiring starts making the rounds. The principal of Salem’s largest high school said she usually has a few tables of students who seem to miss the normal[Read More…]
UPDATED: Oregon will drop Covid quarantines, contact tracing in schools March 12
A student sanitizes her hands upon entering Blanchet Catholic School on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Covid will soon be just another disease in Oregon’s schools. Starting March 12, students won’t be required to quarantine if they’re exposed to the virus, unless they get sick or test positive. [Read More…]
Salem’s first electric school bus is on the road
Bus driver Chris Mitzel demonstrates the controls on the Salem-Keizer School District’s first electric school bus at the district bus lot on Feb. 21, 2022 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Bus #427 has a control panel nearly identical to its neighbors in the Salem-Keizer School District’s transportation lot on Hawthorne Avenue. Only[Read More…]
School board directors join protesters at rally against school mask mandates
Protesters line Commercial St. during a Feb. 18 rally against school mask mandates. (Joey Cappelletti/Keizertimes) Over 200 people gathered outside Salem-Keizer School District’s Student Services Center Friday morning to protest mask requirements in the district’s schools. Many of the “Rally for Our Students” protesters stood along Commercial St. in south[Read More…]
Fourth graders render Salem-Keizer school board in colorful portraits
Fourth grade students at Chapman Hill Elementary School in Salem drew portraits of the district’s school board directors for School Board Appreciation Month in 2022. Members of the Salem-Keizer School Board got a special treat recently – a portrait hand-drawn by local fourth grade students. It’s the second year the[Read More…]
Volunteers help Salem educators de-stress with personal pies
Irma Dowd, left, an Auburn Elementary parent and city of Salem worker, delivers pies to the school’s community outreach coordinator, Yuri Coronado, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Elisa Evert thought some fresh cookies might help her coworkers at Swegle Elementary School feel appreciated during a difficult year.[Read More…]
