Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Viva Salem - Strengthening Salem-Keizer Communities
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Meet Community Partners from the City of Salem
Salem is Oregon’s second-largest city and nearly half of the 38,000 students served here in Salem-Keizer Public Schools identify as Hispanic and/or Latino/a/x.
Full of vibrant events such as Viva Salem, in our community we celebrate the rich cultural contributions that Hispanic heritage brings to the incredible cities of Salem and Keizer. This diversity is valuable and necessary in shaping the vibrant community we all call home, and the schools our students, families and staff members come to each day.
“Celebrating our beautiful culture during Hispanic Heritage Month is just one way to show our appreciation and rejoice in our heritage,” said City of Salem Neighborhood Program Coordinator, Irma O. Coleman.
“Salem is a great place to live with opportunities for everyone—new businesses, affordable housing, and over 90 parks to explore. Our city’s recent growth shows that families and businesses choose Salem because it’s a place where we can all thrive.”
The first Viva Salem Festival was born from a collaboration between City of Salem staff and our Hispanic community, and it's a beautiful reminder of the rich culture that brings life to our city and to our schools.
As the second-largest school district in Oregon, Salem-Keizer Public Schools is made up of 65 unique school communities that are greatly influenced and created by our local neighbors who attend, volunteer in, work in and more.
"It’s great that we now have an event in our city with resources dedicated to us. It makes us feel important,” shared Daniela, a parent at Auburn Elementary about community events such as Viva Salem.
Here in Salem-Keizer, we believe that these celebrations strengthen the connection between our schools, families and the broader Salem community. Our schools do not exist unparallel to our communities, they exist and thrive because of them. Together, we create welcoming spaces where all students and families are known, seen and valued for who they are.