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Salem-Keizer Board of Directors Elects New Board Leadership
The Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) Board of Directors elected new board leadership during their regularly scheduled meeting on July 16, 2019. Marty Heyen was elected as the new board chairperson and Jesse Lippold was elected as the new board vice chairperson effective today. Both of these positions can be held for up to two years. Marty Heyen has served as a director on the school board since July of 2015 and represents Zone 2. Jesse Lippold has served as a director on the school board since July of 2017 and he represents Zone 5. “I am grateful for this opportunity to serve our school board directors,” said Heyen. “I look forward to working together to provide the best possible outcomes for our students and our [...]
Jumpstart Kinder August 5-9, 2019
Jump Start Kinder is an opportunity for incoming kindergarteners at Title I schools to make friends and become familiar with school and classroom environments. Jump Start Kinder this summer is August 5-9, 2019. Breakfast and lunch are served for kids attending Jump Start Kinder. Please ensure your student is enrolled at your neighborhood school if you want them to participate in Jumpstart Kinder. During the summer, schools are closed, so if your student is not yet enrolled in your neighborhood school, please complete the online enrollment process. Once the online registration process is completed, please call the Title I Department at 503-399-3353 to register your student for Jump Start Kinder. Although the Jump Start Kinder registration window has closed, there are spots available for Jump Start [...]
Spotlight on Success: Salem-Keizer Music Programs 2018-19
This year marked the 33rd year of the OSAA State Music Championships. During that time, Salem Keizer students have been awarded more championships than all other 6A school districts combined. This is an accomplishment that demonstrates the outstanding teaching that is taking place throughout our district not only at the high school level, but at the middle school level as well, and begins in our elementary schools where all of our students are taught by trained music specialists beginning in kindergarten. At the June 2019 school board meeting, we honored and congratulated our fabulous music students and teachers and gave some highlights from their very busy school year. Representing the South Salem String Octet was Julie Chen. The octet placed 1st at the OSAA State [...]
SKPS Welcomes New Leadership Around the District
New district, principal and assistant principal hires, transitions for three additional schools in SKPS The 2019-20 school year brings exciting transitions in leadership for Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS). Fifteen schools, including Optimum Learning Environments Charter School will see new principals or assistant principals. Battle Creek Elementary School | Principal Beth Freeborn, previously assistant principal at Keizer Elementary Beth Freeborn has worked for SKPS her entire career, starting out as substitute for a few months before taking over a classroom at Auburn Elementary. During her 10 years as a teacher, Freeborn was a member of Auburn’s leadership team, served as a teacher leader, and hosted several student teachers over the years. After teaching, she worked at Auburn for five years as an Instructional Coach. While coaching, [...]
Salem-Keizer Public Schools Seeking to Fill Positions in Transportation, Custodial and Maintenance Departments
More than 50 positions available with opportunities for same-day interviews Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) will be hosting a job fair on Monday, July 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. for open full-time and part-time positions in the district’s transportation, custodial and maintenance departments. Interested applicants are invited to meet with hiring managers and learn more about working for SKPS, the second-largest school district in the state of Oregon, which serves more than 42,000 students. The July 1 job fair will be held at Lancaster Professional Center, 2450 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem, Oregon. Education Support Professionals like bus drivers, custodians or maintenance workers impact students each day in their work by maintaining safe learning environments, building relationships and more. “I can’t thank you enough for [...]
Free Summer Meals Available Throughout the Community for Children and Teens Ages 1-18
Parents and guardians who utilized the Summer EBT for Children program last year should have recently received a letter from the Oregon Department of Human Services, outlining upcoming changes. Oregon did not receive funds to offer this program again in summer 2019, which means households will not receive these additional benefits this summer. Salem-Keizer Public Schools is proud to partner with our local agencies to provide free meals for children and teens aged 1-18 throughout our community all summer long. Available for breakfast and lunch, children receive free meals at 11 of our school sites as well as the KROC center and FACES Family Daycare and Literacy and Resource Center. Locations for Summer Meals in Salem and Keizer Starting June, 17 Auburn Elementary Eyre Elementary [...]
Salem-Keizer Public Schools Recognized for Exemplary Work from the National School Public Relations Association
SKPS received honors for bond and attendance campaigns, employee news video Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) received national recognition for its work in communications, public relations and community engagement, awarded by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). Each year, NSPRA honors the best work in school communication through its annual awards. The SKPS Community Relations and Communications Department for SKPS was awarded two Golden Achievement Awards for its 2018 bond measure awareness campaign, and “Every Day 24J” the district’s awareness campaign to reduce chronic absenteeism. The $620 million bond measure that went before voters was the third largest in Oregon history. In a campaign led by Capital Construction Public Engagement Specialist Karma Krause, the Office of Community Relations and Communications reviewed public opinion research to [...]
Hallman Summer Library Program Gets Visit from Timbers U23 Soccer Players
From late June to early August, students at Hallman Elementary get the chance on Tuesday mornings to participate in the school's Summer Library Program. The youngsters don't just checkout books and go home. Instead, they get to do crafts and activities, along with enjoying snacks. Catholic Community Services of Salem is providing grant money to support this program. Hallman's Summer Reading Program was started last summer by fifth-grade teacher Krystal Bowman. This year, her colleague Jessica Hoffmeister, also a fifth-grade teacher at Hallman, is helping out too. Today, the students got a special treat when two members of the Portland Timbers U23 soccer team—goal keeper Mario Sequeira and midfielder Simon Fitch—along with Media Director Joanna Fields, dropped by to encourage the kids. The players [...]
More Than 400 Additional Students Attended School Regularly in 2018-19
Seventy-five percent of SKPS schools increased their attendance rates from the previous year In Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS), 49 of the district’s 65 schools grew their attendance rates since the 2017-18 school year, and more than 400 additional students are considered to be regular attenders. At the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, SKPS launched “Every Day 24J” to raise awareness with students and families, schools, community organizations and local officials regarding chronic absenteeism. Since the start of the campaign, schools and community organizations have been collaborating to identify barriers to attendance for students across the district. The work has centered around connecting students and families to community resources, providing incentives for positive attendance trends and most importantly, building relationships with each and every student. [...]
Business Partner of the Month: Cobb Hudjohn and “Make Me Tees”
Our Business Partner of the Month is Cobb Hudjohn, nominated by Principal Rachael Harms from Chapman Hill Elementary School. Mr. Hudjohn, whose real name is Jacob, is known as “Cobb” wherever he goes. He is an entrepreneur and is owner/co-owner of several small businesses, including “Make Me Tees,” a Salem-based company that specializes in branding, custom design and printing of T-shirts. Principal Harms says that when he was a child, Cobb was THAT student every teacher dreads having in her class. Cobb says his sixth-grade teacher left the profession because of him. He was an unusual student who learned differently than other kids, which made school a struggle. Fast forward to today, and Cobb is now experiencing school anew through his son, a second-grader at [...]
Walker Middle School Prepares for the Summer with Campus Beautification Project
With summer break officially started, Walker Middle School knew just the way to prepare. Through collaboration with staff, students and community partners, Walker Middle School worked to beautify its campus with landscaping, painting, a new CTE display and even a newly constructed patio and benches out front. “It was a super fun day to serve and work alongside some great people in our community,” said Walker Middle School Principal Paul Myers. “I can’t thank Craig Oviatt and the Salem Dream Center, and our AVID and NJHS students enough for volunteering for this project!”
Three School Offices Relocate for Summer – Campuses Closed
Bond construction is in full swing at North Salem High School, McNary High School and Judson Middle School! The three schools' campuses, plus the Gubser Elementary School and Waldo Middle School campuses, will be construction zones during summer and will be closed to public use. Please see our Bond Construction Campus Closures Fact Sheet for more information. The school offices of McNary, North Salem and Judson are closed Friday, June 14 and Monday, June 17 and will re-open at temporary locations for the summer on Tuesday, June 18. The temporary summer locations and hours are listed below. Judson Middle School Summer office location: Crossler Middle School, 1155 Davis Rd. S, Salem 97306 Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open through Tuesday, [...]
Salem-Keizer Public Schools Breaks Ground at Judson Middle School
In 2018, voters approved a $619.7 million bond to fund improvements for Salem-Keizer schools. Today, supporters of Judson Middle School, including local officials, school board members, community supporters and school staff, gathered to celebrate the ground breaking of one of the first five schools planned to begin construction under the 2018 bond program. Judson is the fourth school planned for construction under the 2018 bond program—after North Salem High School, Gubser Elementary School and McNary High School respectively. Judson will receive a cafeteria expansion, three new classrooms, four new science labs and a multipurpose fitness room. The school will also receive seismic improvements, library improvements, increased visibility of the main entry from the front office and much more. “As construction continues at the first five [...]
Salem-Keizer Board of Directors Adopts $1.2 Billion 2019-20 Budget
The budget includes more than $2 million in additions for staffing in behavior, counseling and social work The Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) Board of Directors voted 5-1 Tuesday to adopt a budget totaling $1,205,712,966. Director Paul Kyllo voted against it. Director Jim Green was absent. The budget includes more than $2 million in additions for staffing in behavior, counseling and social work. The budget also moves native language specialists and translators to 12-month employees to support programmatic work over the summer. The budget represents an additional $5 million from what was approved by the budget committee due to full funding of the High School Success Funds (formerly Measure 98). The budget was developed with four guiding priorities: Maintain current service level, including our previous investments [...]
Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board of Directors Approves First-Ever Proclamation Celebrating Pride Month
At its meeting Tuesday night, the Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) Board of Directors voted 6-0 to approve a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. Director Jim Green was absent. It was the first time a proclamation of its kind was passed in SKPS. Members of the McNary High Gay-Straight Alliance and the Salem Chapter of PFLAG were on hand to accept the proclamation. Seven members of the community spoke during public comment in support of the proclamation. LGBTQ youth are five times more likely to attempt suicide as compared to straight youth, but having a school with a gay-straight alliance reduces a child’s risk of attempting suicide by 50 percent. Students at schools with gay-straight alliances experience less bullying around gender non-conformity. Federal law [...]
Nearly 2,750 Students Graduate from Salem-Keizer Public Schools
The Class of 2019 was awarded more than $33 million in scholarships Last week, nearly 2,750 students completed high school in Salem and Keizer. The district’s traditional high schools and alternative programs awarded 2,610 diplomas – almost 300 more than the previous year – and 118 GEDs. In addition, the Class of 2019 was awarded $33,567,905 million in scholarships. Individual schools also saw great successes. At McKay High, 490 graduates earned $8.7 million in scholarships. Three students were named Ford Scholars, which covers 90 percent of unmet college costs. The Ford Scholars Program was created to assist students who otherwise would find it impossible, or at least very difficult, to obtain a college degree. Each year, 125 Ford Scholars are selected. In addition, 123 students [...]
Final Week of Regular Classes for 2018-19 School Year
Principal Cochrane and the Lamb Elementary School Patriots wish everyone a "Happy Last Monday" of the 2018-19 school year. Final day for elementary students is Wed., June 12 and for grades 6-11 its Thur., June 13. Here comes summer vacation kids, teens and teachers! ¡La Directora Cochrane y los Patriotas de la Escuela Primaria Lamb les desean a todos un "Feliz Último Lunes" del año escolar 2018-19! El último día para los estudiantes de primaria es el miércoles 12 de junio y para los grados 6-11 es el jueves 13 de junio. ¡Aquí vienen las vacaciones de verano para niños, adolescentes y maestros! Click Here for SKPS Calendars
Parade of Honor: North Salem and South Salem Seniors at Grant Community School 2019
Grant Community School hosted seniors in the Class of 2019 for a Parade of Honor today. Eighteen high school students returned to their former school, including 15 North Salem students and three from South Salem. After photos outside, seniors paraded through hallways filled with cheering students and teachers, led by Principal Marc Morris. Then they gathered in the library and answered questions from fifth-graders and enjoyed refreshments. Congratulations Class of 2019!
West Salem Seniors Return to Chapman Hill Elementary for Parade of Honor
West Salem seniors who attended Chapman Hill Elementary when they were young returned today for their Parade of Honor. First they visited several of their former elementary school teachers' classrooms and talked with students. Then they paraded through the hallways while the kids cheered them on. West Salem's graduation ceremony is Thursday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion.
McKay Seniors Return to Scott Elementary for Parade of Honor 2019
McKay High School seniors who attended Scott Elementary as children returned to their former school today for their Parade of Honor. They walked through the hallways lined with current Scott students and staff who cheered them on. Congratulations Royal Scots!
Salem-Keizer African American/Black Student Graduation Celebration 2019
Graduating seniors and their families, local and statewide education and community organization dignitaries and clergy celebrated on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at a gathering held at Salem Mission Faith Ministries. The event was sponsored and organized by the Salem-Keizer Public Schools Office of Student Equity, Access, and Advancement. This celebration recognized African American/Black students in the Class of 2019. Master of Ceremonies Dr. Reginald Richardson, Sr. welcomed seniors and their families and other community members to the African American/Black Student Graduation on June 2, 2019. Dr. Richardson is the Vice President of the Salem-Keizer NAACP. Pastor E.D. Mondainé, President of the Portland NAACP, led those gathered in a joyful rendition of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the beginning [...]