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PHOTOS: Middle and high school students start a new year

Alicia Kruska, Judson Middle School principal, guides students in a temporary lunch line. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

It’s a year of transition for many Salem-Keizer: Four schools are navigating around construction and campus expansions, and many have new principals.

At Judson Middle School, cafeteria expansions have students temporarily eating lunch in the school gym. Staff set up and put away tables daily, leaving the gym open for about half the school day.

Some changes are already visible on campus. A new secure entryway installed during the summer means staff can control who enters the building.

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A new lockdown alarm installed during summer in the Judson Middle School office. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Alicia Kruska, Judson Middle School principal, demonstrates a new secure entryway built over the summer by the school office. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Students file into a make-shift cafeteria in the Judson Middle School gym for lunch. The school’s regular cafeteria is under construction. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Judson Middle School students line up for lunch. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

New Sprague High School Principal Chad Barkes makes the rounds during lunch. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

At Sprague, former assistant principal Chad Barkes took the helm this year. The first day was crowded at lunch — he said it usually takes freshman a few days to realize they can take their food outside and don’t have to cram together at lunchroom tables.

READ: Sprague names Chad Barkes new principal

Barkes roamed the halls, asking students about their summers and counseling several about scheduling.

Sprague High School students eat in the school cafeteria. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

A cafeteria worker serves nachos for lunch at Sprague High School. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Freshman Devin Wardell plays Magic: The Gathering during lunch at Sprague High School. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Sprague High School Principal Chad Barkes talks with senior Joseph Stalfire during lunch (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Freshman Kai Andersen plays Magic: The Gathering during lunch at Sprague High School. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Seniors Eliana Rivera, left, and Hannah Patterson socialize in the hallway during lunch at Sprague High School (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Reporter Rachel Alexander: 503-575-1241, [email protected]

Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.