COMMUNITY INSIDER

April 7, 2022

Salem-Keizer Public Schools news for our community

SKPS & The Community

Safety Series: Student Voices, We All Belong

During this March 2022 safety session, attendees heard from students as they discussed sense of belonging within SKPS schools. The goal of this session was to hear from students about how we all can continue to build a caring school community. SKPS is the second-largest school district in Oregon with rich diversity where students of color make up 54 percent of the student population and 29 percent of students speak a language other than English at home.

This session was part of the virtual safety series focused on sharing information and bridging understanding of safety within SKPS schools. Each event featured discussion from community and district leaders.

Watch the recording

Career and Technical Education Center opens café to serve local community

The Salem-Keizer Public Schools Career and Technical Education Center has officially opened the doors to the center’s newest public-serving program, the CTEC Café.

Originally planned to open in the spring of 2020, the CTEC Café features made-to-order coffee and Italian sodas, pastries, sandwiches and more prepared, managed and served by CTEC Culinary Arts & Management program students.

*Please note that the CTEC Café is currently only open for patrons of other CTEC services. Over the coming months, the CTEC Café hopes to expand its reach to serve the greater Salem-Keizer community.

Learn more about the CTEC Café

Partnership spotlight

Partnership spotlight - Kroc Center Salem & Early Learning Hub

This school year, SKPS is proud to partner with the Kroc Center Salem for additional academic tutoring for high school students and the Kroc and Early Learning Hub and parent/family education classes. These programs are supported through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
Each community-based organization program is funded through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSR). You can learn more about ESSR III funding on the State of Oregon website.

Learn more about the partnership

Community Resources

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is sharing information about community events and resources relevant to the diverse needs of students and families throughout the community. Information below is not necessarily co-sponsored by SKPS.

Connect with SKPS community engagement

SKPS encourages community partners to access the new Community Engagement webpage on the district website to access resources, connect with the office of community relations and more.

Access the Community Engagement webpage

Dangers of fentanyl and fake pills

Fentanyl is currently very common around the state; 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. The best prevention is talking to youth about never taking medication that doesn’t come from their doctor. This includes never taking pills, even from friends. This is a conversation that can literally save a child’s life. One pill has the potential to be deadly.

Learn more

Job Opportunity – Transportation hiring incentives $1,500 to $3,000

Interested in serving your community and local students? Now is a great time to get started as a school bus driver in SKPS!

Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals has transportation recruitment incentives for new drivers of up to $3,000.

Learn more about the position

SafeOregon – Report confidential safety concerns

As a community, all of us -- students, staff, families and community members -- play critical roles in maintaining safety within our school buildings. Report suspicious activity related to our schools to administration or anonymously through SafeOregon.

SafeOregon is a statewide tip line maintained by the Oregon State Police. The tip line gives students, parents, staff and community members a secure way to report safety threats or potential acts of violence.

Learn more

Child Abuse Prevention

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Everyone has a role to play in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our communities.

Learn more

Help a child in foster care

Teens in foster care need strong, stable and caring adults to help them grow into a positive future. Consider becoming a foster parent and reach out to a teen in our community.

Learn more

Clinics and locations for COVID-19 testing and vaccination

The community is providing mobile clinics and other locations where you can get your free vaccination or COVID-19 testing in Salem and the surrounding area.

Learn more

Special education listening sessions

These events are a series of monthly meetings for parents and caregivers of students experiencing disabilities to connect with the district.

Read more

News from Our Schools

Kindergarten registration is now open!

It’s time to register your childhood for kindergarten in Salem-Keizer! Kindergarten prepares your child for a successful academic career and is now considered as the first year of formal education.

Learn more about kindergarten in SKPS

Spotlight on Success: North Salem student Shaylyn Huff

North Salem High School student Shaylyn Huff was honored by Instructional Mentor MaLeah Haugen at the March 8, 2022, school board meeting for showing leadership in helping create an effective, sustainable system to welcome new neighbors (recent arrivers). Additionally, she has quickly been a voice and advocate for our newcomers from Afghanistan.

Learn more about the efforts from Shaylyn

Key Dates

April 2022

Child Abuse Prevention Month
Community Learning Session: Date and time TBD
Apr. 4: Special School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 6-7: Spring conferences
Apr. 7-8: No school
Apr. 12: School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 13: Special School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 20: Special School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 21: Parent Listening Session - Special Education
Apr. 26: School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 27: Special School Board Meeting - Learn more
Apr. 29: No school - grading day

May 2022

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 3: Budget Committee Meeting - Learn more
May 10: School Board Meeting - Learn more
May 17: Budget Committee Meeting - Learn more
May 19: Parent Listening Session - Special Education
May 20: No school
May 23: Budget Committee Meeting - Learn more
May 24: Budget Committee Meeting (Tentative) - Learn more
May 25: Budget Committee Meeting (Tentative) - Learn more
May 30: No school, district offices closed

View the full 2021-22 calendar

@SalemKeizerSchools

@SalemKeizer

SalemKeizer.org

The SKPS Community Insider is a resource for the community to stay informed about districtwide news and community events.

Comments? We welcome feedback! The SKPS Community Insider newsletter is maintained by the SKPS Office of Community Relations and Communications info@salkeiz.k12.or.us

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