Community Engagement

Community Engagement at Salem-Keizer Public Schools is a dynamic, ongoing two-way process of building relationships, working collaboratively, and sharing resources creating transformative benefits for ALL students, families and schools.

Community News

CTEC awards second annual Chuck Lee Memorial Scholarship for Hope recipients

May 24, 2023|

Families may qualify for help with internet and mobile costs

May 19, 2023|

SIA Advisory Committee Presentation – May 15, 2023

May 18, 2023|

Community-based summer opportunities 2023

May 15, 2023|

Care Solace available for SKPS students, staff and families

May 12, 2023|

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Maps Credit Union presents check for $1,000 to teacher

Stakeholder Relations and Community Partnerships

Crucial to Salem-Keizer Public School’s success is its community which includes residents, businesses, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, higher educational institutions, and governments. The district has a dedicated staff focused on developing new partnerships while enhancing its current relationships. Stakeholders and partners engage in listening sessions, and support the district with donations and in-kind supports.

ESSER III – After-School Resources

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is happy to announce its expanded partnerships with Community Based Organizations. The CBOs will receive an ESSER III funded grant to support unfinished learning. Services to SKPS families and students will include direct academic and social emotional and behavioral health supports.

Current ESSER III Funded CBO Services

The Boys and Girls Club – Provides students access to club programs, resources, and meals daily after school and full days when school is not in session. Programming targets both the social-emotional and academic needs of students.
The Kroc Center – Provides The Drop-In – a place for high school students to study, tutoring services and technology for students to use. This includes a Kroc membership and full access to the facility for students.
The Kroc Center/Early Learning Hub – Provides parent and family education courses in both English and Spanish:
Community Learning Institute – Provides after school program designed to address the educational and emotional needs of African American Black students in Salem-Keizer. Currently serves 25 students at the elementary level 2nd-5th grade.
YMCA – Provides after school programs at elementary level that include academic support, recreational outlets, and exploratory hands-on activities for students at the elementary level.
The United Way – Provides before and after school Enrichment Academy at Title I elementary and middle schools. The Enrichment Academy provides academic support, STEM activities, technology classes, and recreational activities for students.

What is SIA?

The Student Investment Account (SIA) is a fund of approximately $35 million annually provided to Salem-Keizer Public Schools by the Oregon Department of Education. The funds are used to support all students and families by adding almost 100 staff members—both teachers and support staff—focused on equity and inclusion, mental health supports, after-school programs and academic achievement. See the 2020 Plan Highlights for more details.

Learn about the SIA Committee

The Student Investment Account Committee specializes in providing equity work through evaluation and implementing social justice as we progress in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. The committee is made up of students, district staff and community members.

Its purpose is to provide better communication through partnerships. Another priority of the SIA committee is to serve students in the district with better access to academic resources, restorative behavioral practices, and the importance of mental health.

African American/Black Student Graduation

Focus Groups

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is committed to including a variety of voices in its decision-making and improvement strategies. One sure way to do this are focus groups that require a two-way communication process, allowing targeted audiences to share their concerns and provide feedback in a safe space. These groups, although diverse, are smaller in size with a maximum number of 8-10 people.

More about Focus Groups

The district also hosts other forms of engagement such as listening and/or engagement sessions either in person (ensuring safety protocols) and/or virtually. When hosting in person discussions, the district will limit the size of these groups to ensure safety and ability for the facilitator to manage discussions. As for virtual webinars, the district has hosted upwards of 1,000 people along with ASL and multilingual channels staffed with district interpreters.

Types of Focus Groups, Listening and Engagement Sessions

All groups and sessions ensure voices of its diverse audiences like students, families, staff, and community from multilingual and multi-race backgrounds. They are conducted live with a Q & A section and with trained staff or an independent facilitator. Discussions have centered on communications, Special Education, Equity, Return to School preparations that included COVID-19 protocols, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds, and safe and welcoming schools focused on safety, security, and discipline redesign work as it. These engagement vehicles are performed at the district and school level.

Student in cap and gown about to graduate high school

What is OSEAA?

Office of Student Equity, Access, and Advancement (OSEAA) promotes, supports, and advocates for the vision and values around diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of Salem Keizer Public Schools. The team analyzes student performance data in order to recommend school and/or community interventions. The work includes examining issues of institutional equity, and advising district staff on responses to incidents of bias and harassment.

More about OSEAA

The OSEAA is led by program director and cabinet member Cynthia Richardson.

What is a CSOC?

Community School Outreach Coordinators (CSOC) are district staff that work with parents, families, school staff, businesses and the community. They have a key role in connecting through outreach and education. CSOCs work to eliminate barriers, enabling relationships to develop among schools, families and the community. School-based CSOCs connect students with resources, coordinate after-school events, and support initiatives that directly impact school culture.