Category Schools
As Salem schools seek emergency subs, some experienced teachers struggle to get into classroom
Anne Haskell knew she wanted to substitute teach after she retired in June 2021. She’s been teaching in the Salem-Keizer School District since she graduated college in 1982, most recently spending a decade at Cummings Elementary in Keizer. Subbing would allow her to keep covering…
Substitute needs more than double as Salem-Keizer struggles to fill teacher, bus driver absences
A kindergarten student arrives by bus at Richmond Elementary. Driver and educator shortages are making operating local schools a daily challenge. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Local schools are short hundreds of teachers and classroom assistants daily, with educators forgoing training, preparation time and administrative tasks just…
EDGE cancels live classes Wednesday following agreement to address teacher burnout
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…