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Spring break meals available at 9 schools

Spring break meals information

Breakfasts and lunches will be offered at nine schools during spring break 2023. Meals will be packed in grocery bags and available via curbside pickup. Each person may receive up to five meal packs during pickup.

Dates and times

Dates

  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023
  • Monday March 27, 2023
  • Wednesday March 29, 2023

Times

  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meals Available

  • March 27 will consist of two breakfasts and two lunches
  • March 22 and 29 will consist of three breakfasts and three lunches

Meal locations

Spring break meals flyers (PDFs)

2023-03-21T03:19:21-08:00March 21st, 2023|

North Salem and McKay high schools earn Oregon banner status from Special Olympics

North Salem and McKay high schools received recognition this today, Feb. 21 from the Special Olympics Oregon for their distinction as Unified Champion Schools.

In Salem-Keizer Public Schools, 17 percent of students receive special education services.

SKPS works diligently to meet the needs of all students and families regardless of age, color, ability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation or veteran status.

According to Special Olympics Oregon, a Unified Champion School helps to reduce bullying and exclusion, promote healthy activity and interactions, combat stereotypes and stigma, eliminate hurtful language in school and engages all students in activities that lead to personal growth.

Unified Champion schools in SKPS

Since the 2017-18 school year, Salem-Keizer Public Schools has worked to expand unified programing across the district, with South Salem High School being awarded as the district’s first Unified Champion school in the spring of 2019.

As of February 2023, Salem-Keizer Public Schools has established unified programming in all of the district’s high schools and eight middle schools, and began the expansion to elementary schools during the 2021-22 school year.

In addition, the district offers unified summer programming for both elementary and secondary students across the district.

What does it take to be a unified champion school?

Unified Champion Schools is a movement that aims to change school communities through the power of inclusion, acceptance, and determination. Unified programs pair students with disabilities with peer partners to provide access to sports, leadership and classroom content. In Salem Keizer Public Schools this means classes such as choir, theater and culinary arts.

Programming includes three key aspects:

  • Unified sports such as basketball, soccer, kickball, rock climbing and more.
  • Inclusive youth leadership.
  • Whole school engagement.

“This is a population of students that has been historically separated from their peers,” said Student Services Director Melissa Glover. “Unified programs do more than just unify students in sports and activities. They truly bring the whole school together.”

Empowering students

As Unified Champion Schools, students with and without disabilities are empowered and provided opportunities to safely engage together in athletics, physical education courses, leadership classes, community service projects, school dances and much more.

“The experience of school is about so much more than receiving an education,” said Student Services Instructional Mentor Amanda Burke.

“Whether students are in first grade or about to graduate from high school, Unified helps students build lifelong relationships and develop important skills to be successful, inclusive and welcoming adults.”

Learn more about unified programs and the positive impact they make in SKPS school communities (Video)

2023-02-21T13:45:13-08:00February 21st, 2023|

Fake fentanyl: What parents and students need to know

Oregon has lost several students to fentanyl in the last few years. Linked below are fact sheets to help educate students, parents and the community about the dangers of fake pills made from deadly fentanyl.

Fentanyl being disguised as candy

Fentanyl is currently very common in our community; it is a powerful synthetic opioid that is like morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Fentanyl is odorless, tasteless and colorless. Young people think they are taking “blues,” OxyContin or Xanax, but they are often taking pills laced with fentanyl. Recently, law enforcement agencies have also warned about the danger of fentanyl being disguised as candy, specifically targeted to be sold to children.

Talking to your student is the best prevention

The best prevention is talking to your student about never taking any medication that doesn’t come from their doctor. This includes never taking pills, even from friends. This is a conversation that can literally save your child’s life.
One pill has the potential to be deadly.

Other prevention strategies

Open communication

One of the best ways to protect youth from substances is by having open communication and educating them on the risks of substance use. Listening to them without judging is a critical tool you can provide as their trusted adult.

Look for changes in behavior

Look out for changes in behavior, such as irregular eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, general signs of depression or anxiety, unusual irritability, slipping grades, lack of interest in activities they love, and even drastic clothing style changes. Trust your instincts. If you notice a change, ask about it.

Monitor social media

Talk to your child and monitor their social media use. The online environment provides platforms for people to sell substances. Substances can be offered by someone met online.

Resources

Tips on how to keep the children in your care safe

Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Arabic)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Chuukese)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (English)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Marshallese)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Russian)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Fentanyl Fact Sheet (Swahilli)

2023-02-22T13:56:31-08:00February 21st, 2023|

High school athletic officials needed – Register today!

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has an urgent need for sports officials throughout the state, including Salem-Keizer.

Those 18 and older who enjoy being part of the game, supporting their community, and setting their own schedule as an independent contractor are ideal candidates for these flexible positions.

Applicants can expect to receive an Officials Packet and complete required certification and training from their local association.

Visit the OSAA registration page to sign up and learn more about the timeline for registering and testing.

2023-02-03T13:05:08-08:00January 20th, 2023|

North teacher honored with Classroom of the Month

Ms. Henneman receives classroom of the month

Fox 12 Oregon News paid North Salem High School a visit to honor math teacher Britton Henneman with Classroom of the Month for November 2022.

“One of the best things about working at North is that you have the whole world in your school,” said Britton. “We have students from all over the world and it’s just so cool to get to interact with them, meet them, learn about their experiences and their lives as people.”

Britton’s students received a generous donation of school supplies delivered by Oregon Freemasons, sponsors of the Classroom of the Month program.

“Growing up, education in my family wasn’t important. I struggled in my life,” said Oregon Freemason Anthony Chase. “I found Salem Lodge #4 and we are dedicated to providing educational support. That was very important to me.”

2022-11-15T14:31:24-08:00November 15th, 2022|

Think before you post

When schools receive hoax threats, rumors of threats, and when there is a spread of false information, learning environments are disrupted and and there is understandably increased fear in our community.

Safety is our top priority

The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families is our top priority. Maintaining safety in our schools requires an ongoing partnership with school staff, students, families, law enforcement and the surrounding community.

Safety is critical, and our district fully investigates each threat in collaboration with the FBI and/or our state and local law enforcement partners.

Issuing a threat is a crime

As a district, we have investigated a number of hoax threats of targeted violence against local schools. These threats—often issued via text message or posted on social media—are taken very seriously. Our law enforcement partners investigate every tip to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community. Hoax threats can result in both arrest by law enforcement and/or suspension or expulsion by the school district. Hoax threats are not a joke, and they can have devastating consequences—both for the public and for those who post them.

Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, verbally, through email, or other means—is a crime. Please share with your kids and those in your community that making a threat is a poor choice that could impact them for years to come.

Threats impact our entire community

In addition to the individual consequences a person may face, these threats have a serious impact on our community. They divert district resources from providing support for students and disrupt the learning environment for hundreds of students. Law enforcement resources are diverted from investigating other crimes, and they cost taxpayers a lot of money. The threats can also cause severe emotional distress to students, school staff and families.

Things to remember

Don’t share or forward a threat until law enforcement has a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.

  • Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats online
  • If you are the target of an online threat, call your local law enforcement immediately
  • Salem Police Department Non-Emergency 503-588-6123
  • Keizer Police Department Non-Emergency 503-390-2000
  • Marion County Sheriff’s Office 503-588-5032

If you see a threat of violence posted online, contact local law enforcement or call 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also submit information online to the FBI on the FBI’s website.

Use SafeOregon by calling or sending a text to 844-472-3367 anytime. Tips also can be emailed or made through the SafeOregon app.

Remember – a hoax threat is no joke. Think before you post.

2022-11-15T14:23:32-08:00November 14th, 2022|

School Safety Systems in Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Video: School Safety and Emergency Procedures

Learn about safety protocols and emergency procedures implemented in all Salem-Keizer schools. Safety and security staff and district leadership were joined by local and state law enforcement agency partners to share information with the community. This was one of three safety sessions held this year about student safety in our schools. The other two sessions held were Student Voices, We All Belong and Social Media and Online Safety.

School Safety and Emergency Procedures – Presentation

School Safety and Emergency Procedures – Questions & Answers

Talking to children and teens about violence

At Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the safety of our students is our absolute top priority. Below are resources and information on the safety and security systems in place across the district.

Talking to students about violence

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators (English)

Talking to students about violence (English)

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (English)

Talking to students about violence (Spanish)

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (Spanish)

More resources

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Our children in today’s world have unique emotional and behavioral needs unlike anything we have seen before. This is not unique to Salem-Keizer. Schools across the country are seeing similar needs for support of students. At Salem-Keizer, we work to address the needs of our students through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. These systems allow us to provide the right support for each student to address their emotional, behavioral, mental, and academic needs.

Behavioral Threat Assessment

Our team of specialists partners with agencies across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties to identify students who may be exhibiting indicators of extreme aggression toward others, and we provide wraparound services like safety planning and mental health support to address those students’ needs.

Salem-Keizer’s behavioral threat assessment system is used by other school districts around the country. Below are some recent discussions in the media that provide a description of how our system works.

Partnering with Law Enforcement

We work side by side with the Keizer Police Department, Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office both in and out of our schools. When any concern for our school’s safety or a threat is reported, they move swiftly to investigate. It is very important to talk with children about the consequences of making any type of threat, which can range from a minimum of disciplinary action at school to criminal charges.

You can learn more about our school safety systems and procedures, including collaboration with our local law enforcement partners by viewing our recent safety series webinar.

SafeOregon

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is an active member of SafeOregon, which gives kids, parents, schools, and community members a confidential way to report safety threats or potential acts of violence. Managed by the Oregon State Police, this program has proven to prevent acts of violence. I encourage you to download the mobile app on your phone, and on your child’s phone as well. You can also call or text 844-472-3367 anytime.

Improving safety and security through capital improvements

The 2018 bond program is improving safety and security across the district. Thirty-six of our schools are receiving renovations to the front entry to improve the office staff’s ability to monitor and control who enters the front entrance. Most of those improvements will be in the form of a secured check-in space at the front entry. Schools are also receiving upgrades to electronic badge access systems and to intercom systems, which will be able to send messages directly into classrooms.

2022-05-31T15:19:17-08:00May 25th, 2022|

Capital College Night – Tuesday, April 26, 5:30-8 p.m.

Capitol College Night - Tuesday, April 26 - 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Capital College Night on Tuesday, April 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. at McKay High School is a program devoted to educating ALL Salem-Keizer families about the college search and application process. The event’s schedule is comprised of a college fair as well as two rounds of breakout sessions. No RSVP is required.

College Fair

The college fair portion of the event runs from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions will be offered during the fair from 7:00-7:25 p.m. and 7:30-8:00 p.m.

Students should go to www.strivefair.com to register for a barcode. Show your barcode to colleges at the fair and they will scan it to send you more information about their schools. It’s fast and free!

2022-04-26T07:16:03-08:00April 19th, 2022|

Video: Different Choices, Always United

As we transition into optional face coverings, it’s important to remember to be respectful of each other’s choices. At Salem-Keizer Public Schools we may make different choices, be we are always united.

2022-03-10T11:05:22-08:00March 9th, 2022|

Face coverings optional effective March 12

​​As you likely know, there have been significant changes in recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon Department of Education regarding face coverings in schools.

We have carefully reviewed the guidance and met with our community health partners to provide expertise and feedback on these changes. All groups were supportive of our ability to keep students in schools safely without the universal use of face coverings when community transmission is low.

Effective March 12, 2022, face coverings will be optional in all district facilities, schools and school buses for students and staff. This includes the school day, before-school and after-school programs and extracurricular activities and athletics.

While face coverings will be optional, it is highly recommended that at-risk adults and students continue to wear KN95 masks. We know some students and adults will choose to wear face coverings and others will not. It is critical we support these decisions as we work together to build a community that supports each other in the decisions that protect their health or the health of those close to them.

Thank you for helping to ensure the health and safety of our schools and community.

2022-03-04T18:55:22-08:00March 4th, 2022|
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