Good morning!
The passion of the panelists for students was evident.
The three educators spoke with candor about what leaves so many school kids reading below their grade level.
And they made clear the urgency the education system feels.
They were part of Salem Reporter’s Town Hall on the reading crisis, held at the Elsinore Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 5. The speakers were Superintendent Andrea Castañeda, third grade teacher Jessica DeFrancisco from Sumpter Elementary School and Dana Nerenberg, Oregon director of the Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success.
What might surprise some people is they didn’t blame the lack of money.
They cited the lack of time.
They noted Oregon schools are in session for one of the shortest school years in the country.
They noted time is lacking for teachers to prepare to teach.
They noted the time needed for the Salem-Keizer School District to shift the way literacy is taught.
In their own ways, they showed they recognize the challenge ahead. And they invited those in the audience to act on their own to help. Salem Reporter will be reporting more on that in the coming days.
To those who attended or watched on Capital Community Media, thank you.
If you weren’t able to catch the program, I strongly recommend finding time in the next week to watch the recording. You will learn facts about our local education system, about our teachers and about our students that likely will surprise you.
WATCH IT: Salem Reporter Town Hall
On another topic, keep an eye out for my Editor’s Note that will be published on Monday. I’ll map out how we are going to host a live local election event that so many of you pressed us to conduct.
In immigration news:
•The city of Salem has released its video mapping out the rights of citizens and immigrants. A Spanish version will also be available. As Joe Siess reports, “It’s one of several steps city officials have taken after the Salem City Council on Dec. 1 declared a state of emergency over the impacts of increased federal immigration enforcement on the community.”
•Salem’s top executives reacted to reports that a Salem woman was injured by federal immigration officials, condemning the illegal use of force.
•City councilors on Monday will consider launching a new social services fund with half the money suggested by the budget committee. The $200,000 will be used for vulnerable community members, including those impacted by ICE. Our report includes information on how you can weigh in.
•Our colleagues at Oregon Capital Chronicle report on a letter from more than two dozen mayors urging a pause in immigration enforcement actions. “Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, who voted in December against declaring a state of emergency over increased immigration enforcement in Oregon’s second-largest city, did not” join the letter, the story reports.
In local government news:
•A shortage of money and staffing is limiting how often the Oregon Department of Transportation can clean out roadside camps. Salem city officials are pressing for more action.
•Help wanted: Vacancies persist on city boards and commissions. Those seats are open to citizens who want to volunteer – and why their help is needed.
•A legal glitch has delayed the Oregon Government Ethics Commission in finishing its ethics case against Mayor Julie Hoy.
In other community news:
•In another budget-cutting mode, the Salem-Keizer School District maps out how millions will be saved by eliminating jobs and chopping other expenses.
•Salem’s labor market has been stronger than other major areas of the state. Columnist Pamela Ferrara explains the numbers and what they mean for the community.
•Legislators from Salem are limited in what they can introduce for the current session. Read what your senators and representatives consider their most important issues.
Finally:
Be sure you’re keeping an eye on Salem Reporter’s Instagram account – another way we deliver information the community needs. Check it out: Salem Reporter Instagram.
Have thoughts about our reporting? A story we should do? A person we should profile? Or do you have questions about how we do our work? You’re welcome to send me an email – I read every one of them.
Email: [email protected]
–Les Zaitz, Editor and owner
SUBSCRIBE: AN INVESTMENT IN LOCAL NEWS
We rely almost entirely on the support of subscribers to provide Salem news no one else covers.
A subscription to Salem Reporter is easy to set up in a secure setting. It’s affordable. The cost is $12 a month. Click HERE and in moments you’ll be a Salem Reporter subscriber. (You can take us for a test spin for just $12 – get three months for the price of one.)
Copyright © 2025 Salem Reporter. All rights reserved. |
Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301 |
You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion. |