Category SCHOOLS
Salem elementary student brings unloaded handgun to school
The handgun seized from a Salem elementary school student on Oct. 3, 2018. (Courtesy/Marion County Sheriff’s Office) A 10-year-old student at Four Corners Elementary School brought an unloaded handgun to school Wednesday afternoon. Two other students saw the gun in the student’s backpack and reported…
In a move affecting thousands, Salem-Keizer schools crafting new boundaries
Mike Wolfe, chief operations officer for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, explains how boundary review will address overcrowding at McKay High School during a meeting on Sept. 20, 2018. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) It’s no secret that Salem-Keizer schools are educating far more students than they were originally…
Salem schools lag behind state on student test scores, with gains in high school
A student works on an assignment at Highland Elementary on Sept. 7, 2018. (Moriah Ratner/Special to the Salem Reporter) Salem-Keizer students lag behind their peers across Oregon on state tests, results released Thursday morning show. About half of Salem students meet Oregon standards in English…
Swegle kindergarten students kick off year with dual language classes
Rashelle Méndez, left, and Albeiro Reyes, right, listen during a lesson on the first day of kindergarten at Swegle Elementary. (Salem Reporter/Rachel Alexander) Karina Rodríguez sounded out her name, writing each letter on the board as her students shouted out their best guesses. Then, she…
Salem Keizer school board won’t take position on immigration ballot measure
Students enter Highland Elementary on Friday, Sept. 7. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) The Salem-Keizer School Board Tuesday night renewed a resolution supporting “safe and welcoming schools” but declined to take a public position on a more controversial Oregon ballot measure that would repeal the…
Salem students start school year amid push to improve attendance
Classmates talk over breakfast at Highland Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 7. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) As Salem students head back to school, the district is launching a campaign to improve student attendance. Early efforts are focusing on North Salem High School, where half…
Career center adds law enforcement, business options for Salem-Keizer students
Students applaud at the opening of two new programs at the Career and Technical Education Center in northeast Salem on Friday, Sept. 7. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) McKay High School senior Cory Kudna grew up hunting deer and elk with his dad. When he…
Salem-Keizer school officials say too many kids missing too much school
Sara LeRoy, North Salem High School principal, is focused on driving down student absenteeism. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) When Sara LeRoy became principal at North Salem High School, she knew she was in for a lot of work. The school has the highest percentage…
Salem schools tackle high student absenteeism
Emily Hicks, a communications coordinator for Salem-Keizer schools, hands a refrigerator magnet to track student attendance to an Auburn Elementary family at a school kick-off event Tuesday, Sept. 5 (Salem Reporter/Rachel Alexander). As the school year kicks off, Salem-Keizer is sending a simple message to…