Posted April 11, 2020

We now have a dedicated webpage for Coronavirus Updates. Please click on the button for all future updates.

Posted April 8, 2020

Statement from Superintendent Perry Regarding School Closure and High School Guidance

With the preservation of public health as the guiding light, today Governor Brown and the Oregon Department of Education announced that our school doors will not open again for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Like you, we are hurting, but we know this latest guidance comes as another measure to keep us as safe and healthy as we can be.

For the Class of 2020 – we see you. There is no world in which this is fair. We will not give up on finding creative ways to honor you and restore every amount of normalcy that we can. At this time, no decisions have been made about graduation ceremonies or the opportunity for students to reschedule events like proms as we are awaiting further direction regarding social distancing requirements. As soon as we know, we will share that as we know you are anxious for information on the year-end traditions and celebrations.

With this announcement comes important guidance for high school students, particularly our nearly 3,000 high school seniors. There is no change to the number of credits required to graduate. We now consider March 13th as the final day of coursework just for students in the class of 2020, and we will issue a .5 credit as “Pass,” or “Incomplete” for the work completed t o this date. This guidance applies to students set to graduate in June of 2020. For those seniors who don’t have enough credits as of March 13, we will create individualized distance learning schedules to help you earn credits through the end of the school year to stay on track with the Class of 2020. In addition, Essential Skills and Personalized Learning Requirements are suspended.

This guidance issued by ODE aligns with the SKPS Distance Learning Plan in that the district will be moving to a pass, incomplete system in grades 9-12 for the remainder of the closure period.
As we evaluate this guidance, we will communicate additional details directly from your school, and high school seniors will receive individual guidance on next steps.

We will continue to honor distance learning for all of our students in grades K-8, and we will follow a plan to report on progress toward focused standards for Distance Learning. Distance learning begins on Monday, April 13, but please know we do not expect it to look like the school days we had only a handful of weeks ago.

To view the full guidance from the state, please click here.

If you weren’t able to get a Chromebook for your student, you can rent one for free for the remainder of the emergency closure. Just come to any one of our high schools between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. this Friday, April 10.

We will continue to provide free meals between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at all of our 35 sites throughout the duration of the emergency closure, and on Monday, we’ll open Eyre Elementary as an additional location, as well.

We know this is unlike anything we as educators, parents or student s have ever seen before. Since this emergency closure began, our priority has been and will continue to be our high school students. Our educators and administrators are committed to being problem -solvers and partners for our high schoolers so their paths to graduation are not interrupted by this pandemic. We’re grateful to our partners in neighboring districts, at the state and in higher education for taking extraordinary measures to help us provide individualized and unique learning opportunities.

We urge you – please err on the side of caution. Stay home. Stay healthy. Our buildings, fields and playgrounds may be closed, but we are still here to support you. We can’t wait to see all of you again.

Posted March 31, 2020

Update from Superintendent Perry

Dear Salem-Keizer Family,

Since March 12, when our public education world shifted into something we’ve never seen or experienced before, virtually everything we’ve known to be true has changed. The one thing that has remained constant, however, is change. As a perfect example of that, late last night we received new guidance from the Oregon Department of Education. In that direction, we were told that there is a very real potential that our students will not return to school this year. We also got the direction to move from supplemental education to distance learning for all.

Here’s what know to be true:

• Technology is critical for the success of distance learning for all.
• Yesterday, 450 classified educators picked up Chromebooks to support supplemental learning.
• On Thursday and Friday, students can collect Chromebooks from any of our six traditional high schools. See our information about hours here.
• We have a team of educators working to develop our plan for distance learning for all. This not only includes virtual learning opportunities, but also supplemental materials available at our school meal sites. This must be in place by April 13, but our team is working to have a plan in place before then.
• We won’t have our plan ready to move forward today, which is hard for us to share, because we know there are so many questions that need answers.
• One of the biggest questions is around high school graduation. We do not have that guidance from the state yet, but as soon as we get it, we’ll communicate that to you.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. These last three weeks have not been easy, but we remain committed to doing the best thing for our children.

We will share a message similar to this to our community later today.

Christy

Posted March 27, 2020

All Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) students in need of devices for supplemental learning will be able to rent Chromebooks at no cost from the district for the duration of the emergency school closure.

Devices will be made available at each of the district’s six traditional high schools – McKay, McNary, North Salem, South Salem, Sprague and West Salem – on Thursday, April 2 from noon until 6:30 p.m. and Friday, April 3 from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Devices are available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students do not need to be present, but you must provide their student ID or provide their ID number. See more details.

Posted March 24, 2020

Due to school closures, deadlines to apply for Dual Language elementary schools, and for In-district Transfers, have been extended to April 3, 2020.

Posted March 21, 2020

Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) has released the initial phase of supplemental learning materials available online. Resources for supplemental learning are not intended to replace classroom instruction or district-adopted curriculum. No content will be graded and all of these activities are optional.

The materials include supplemental materials based on grade level and include daily activities coupled with “brain breaks” and stress relievers. Materials are also available in Spanish. To access the materials, click here.

SKPS will be following up next with hard-copy materials for students.

Beginning the week of March 30, SKPS will begin targeted outreach to support seniors on their path toward graduation.

Posted March 20, 2020

In accordance with Governor Brown’s directives around social distancing, Salem-Keizer Public Schools buildings will be closed to the public March 23-27. For general inquiries call (503) 399-3000 or email info@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Meals will continue to be offered at 35 sites districtwide between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those locations are available here.

This is a bilingual message from Superintendent Christy Perry and Elementary Level Director Olga Cobb for our community.

Message from Salem-Keizer Public Schools – March 20, 2020

Posted March 18, 2020

In keeping with the latest direction from Governor Brown, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) will extend the emergency closure through April 28. That closure could be shortened or extended at the direction of Governor Brown. Students are currently scheduled to return April 29.

“We are in uncharted territory,” said Superintendent Christy Perry. “At no time have our schools, our districts or our public education system been faced with so many uncertainties. We’re grateful for the continued guidance from the state so that we can help be sense makers for our community. We do not have answers to all of the questions at this time, but we will work as quickly as possible to chart an equitable and healthy path forward for our students, staff and their families.”

All regular staff will continue to be paid throughout the emergency closure that began on March 16. This includes, but is not limited to, teachers, instructional assistants, bus drivers, custodians and maintenance staff.

Meals will continue to be offered at 36 locations throughout Salem and Keizer from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Those locations are available here. In addition, the district is partnering with the United Way, Marion-Polk Food Share, Mano a Mano and local houses of worship to expand wraparound supports at sites as well as ways that the meal service can adapt to better meet the community’s needs.

District leaders are prioritizing creating a pathway to graduation for high school students. With additional guidance from ODE forthcoming, information for impacted students and their families will be provided the week of March 30. In the meantime, supplemental resources for learning will be distributed to families beginning the week of March 23. Resources for home learning are not intended to replace classroom instruction or district-adopted curriculum. No content will be graded.

SKPS leadership has begun reaching out to first responders and healthcare workers to assess their needs and develop an emergency plan for their childcare.

Posted March 13, 2020

In keeping with the latest direction from Governor Kate Brown, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education, Salem-Keizer Public Schools will close March 16 through March 31.

In order to help alleviate food insecurity, we will be offering breakfast and lunch grab and go bags, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 35 locations. Meals are available to any child 18 and under.

The locations are:

Auburn Elementary School
Bush Elementary School
Chavez Elementary School
Claggett Creek Middle School
Cummings Elementary School
Englewood Elementary School
Four Corners Elementary School
Grant Community School
Hallman Elementary School
Hammond Elementary School
Harritt Elementary School
Hayesville Elementary School
Highland Elementary School
Hoover Elementary School
Houck Middle School
Judson Middle School
Keizer Elementary School
Kennedy Elementary School
Lamb Elementary School
Lee Elementary School
Leslie Middle School
McKay High School
McNary High School
Miller Elementary School
Morningside Elementary School
North Salem High School
Richmond Elementary School
Salem Heights Elementary School
South Salem High School
Sumpter Elementary School
Walker Middle School
Washington Elementary School
Weddle Elementary School
Whiteaker Middle School
Wright Elementary School

We are extremely grateful for our community partners that are providing additional resources at many of these sites.

Marion Polk Food Share has multiple food pantry sites around the community, as well. Click the link here to view locations.

In addition, Community Action: HOME Youth Services’ Drop-In Center provides three meals a day via the USDA food program to any youth between the ages of 11-18. Food boxes also can be obtained at that location, 625 Union St. NE, Salem.

Colonia Libertad Apartment Complex, 2911 Saddle Creek Club Ct. SE, Salem.

SKPS will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with state agencies and will provide updates during the extended break.

Las Escuelas Públicas de Salem-Keizer Ofrecerán Comidas Empacadas para Llevar en 36 Escuelas

En continuidad con los recientes mandatos de la gobernadora Kate Brown, El Departamento de Salud de Oregón, y el Departamento de Educación Estatal, el Distrito Escolar de Salem-Keizer cerrará las escuelas del 16 de marzo hasta el 31 de marzo.

Con el propósito de apoyar a nuestros estudiantes, estaremos ofreciendo desayunos y almuerzos empacados para llevar de lunes a viernes de 11 a.m. a 12 p.m. en 35 escuelas. Las comidas serán para cualquier niño/a de 18 años y menores.

Las escuelas son las siguientes:

Escuela Auburn
Escuela Bush
Escuela Chávez
Escuela Intermedia Claggett Creek
Escuela Cummings
Escuela Englewood
Escuela Four Corners
Escuela Grant
Escuela Hallman
Escuela Hammond
Escuela Harrit
Escuela Hayesville
Escuela Highland
Escuela Hoover
Escuela Houck
Escuela Intermedia Judson
Escuela Keizer
Escuela Kennedy
Escuela Lamb
Escuela Lee
Escuela Leslie
Escuela Superior McKay
Escuela Superior McNary
Escuela Miller
Escuela Morningside
Escuela Superior North Salem
Escuela Richmond
Escuela Salem Heights
Escuela Superior South Salem
Escuela Sumpter
Escuela Intermedia Walker
Escuela Washington
Escuela Weddle
Escuela Intermedia Whiteaker
Escuela Wright

Estamos muy agradecidos por nuestros colaboradores de la comunidad que están proporcionando recursos adicionales en muchas de las escuelas.

Marion Polk Food Share también tiene varios sitios de despensa de alimentos en toda la comunidad. Haga clic en el enlace aquí para ver las ubicaciones.

Además, “Community Action: HOME Youth Services Drop-In Center” ofrece tres comidas al día a través del programa de alimentos del USDA a cualquier joven entre las edades de 11-18 años. Las cajas de alimentos también se pueden obtener en 625 Union St. NE, Salem.

Colonia Libertad Apartment Complex, 2911 Saddle Creek Club Ct. SE, Salem.

SKPS continuará monitoreando la situación en conjunto con las agencias estatales y proporcionará actualizaciones durante las vacaciones prolongadas de primavera.

Posted March 12, 2020 (10:00 p.m.)

In keeping with the latest direction from Governor Brown, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education, Salem-Keizer Public Schools will close March 16 with school to resume on April 1. All schools will be open Friday, March 13. During the closure, all school-based sports and extracurricular activities will also be cancelled. Additional guidance will be distributed to SKPS staff on Friday, March 13.

At this time, staff will be expected to return on Monday, March 30. The state will assess and either confirm or adjust return dates by Wednesday, March 25.

SKPS staff are working on identifying ways to provide meals to students during the break and will have more information about that on Friday.

“Given the seriousness of the current situation, we firmly believe that this decision is the best one we can make given all available information and keeping the best interests of our students, staff, and community at the center,” said Superintendent Christy Perry.

SKPS will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with state agencies and will provide updates during the extended break.

Posted March 12, 2020 (4:30 p.m.)

English | Spanish | Russian | Arabic | Marshallese

Dear SKPS Students and Families,

We are doing everything we possibly can to slow the spread of viruses and keep our schools open. Please know that at this time, there is no presumptive case in our school or district. What’s happening today is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in public education, and we are working quickly to make determinations. In accordance with new guidance from Governor Brown and recommendations from our local health authorities, all activities this evening are canceled. At this time, it is unknown if these events will be rescheduled; however, as we continue to work with our local and state partners, we will continue to keep you notified as decisions are made.

What else does it mean for us? Right now, the following is in effect until April 8, but could extend further if guidance changes:

• All non-essential group gatherings such as parent club meetings, school assemblies and fundraising events are canceled.
• All in-person parent-teacher conferences are canceled.
• We cannot allow audiences at any concert. We are looking at rescheduling or exploring options like Facebook Live.
• Before and after school care will continue uninterrupted.
• After school clubs and activities can continue but without spectators.
• All school assemblies are canceled.
• IEP meetings will continue, but should be done via videoconferencing or phone to the extent possible.
• All field trips are canceled.
• Outdoor school is canceled.
• Book fairs can continue during the day. We will not have any evening book fairs.
• Admission-based events such as athletics may continue; however, no spectators will be permitted into these events. We remain committed to keeping our schools open and safe. The safety, health and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to work in close partnership with public health authorities to minimize both the spread of coronavirus and disruption to schools and students.
• Out-of-state school events (like spring break trips to DisneyWorld) are canceled.
• Intramurals can continue but without spectators.
• Unified sports can continue but without spectators.
• School dances and proms are cancelled.
• SATs will continue.
• Saturday School will continue.
• Book fairs can continue during the day. We will not have any evening book fairs.
• We’re changing how we do school reward parties.

We know many students have questions around prom. At this time we do not have plans to cancel dances if they are scheduled after April 8, 2020; however, this can change as we continue to receive guidance from our state and local partners.

We know more questions will come up, and we’ll answer those as quickly as possible. Be sure to check out the district’s newsletters and social media channels for up-to-date information about operations.

Estimados estudiantes y familias de la escuela:

Hacemos todo lo posible para disminuir la propagación de los virus y mantener las escuelas abiertas. Tenga presente que por ahora no existe ningún presunto caso en nuestra escuela o distrito. Los acontecimientos de hoy son muy diferentes a todo lo que hemos experimentado en la educaci�