With bright lights, cheering crowds and just a touch of glitter, local educators were honored Thursday night at the 21st annual Crystal Apple Awards. Known as the Oscars of education, the Crystal Apple Awards brings the community together to show their gratitude for educators who go beyond their regular duties, demonstrating best practices, filling students with confidence and helping themContinue reading "Outstanding Salem-Keizer educators honored with 2017 Crystal Apple Awards"

For Lexi Limer, it seemed normal for boyfriends to force themselves on her. She wrote, #MeToo. One of Jessica Hayes attackers reached for her genitals so hard he tore her clothes. She wrote, #MeToo. These Salem women joined millions online in the international #MeToo conversation about sexual assault and harassment. Salem participants want survivors to feel a senseContinue reading "#MeToo: Salem calls for healing, empowerment and policy changes"

When discussing race disparities in the Salem-Keizer School District, some things are easier to quantify. Students of color are graduating at lower rates, dropping out at higher rates and receiving more suspensions and expulsions than their white peers. But understanding why this is happening, how the disparities affect students and finding solutions has challenged educators forContinue reading "300 gather, seek solutions to race disparity in Salem-Keizer schools"

Graduation rates are stagnant, more students are dropping out, fewer are continuing onto college and less than half are meeting or exceeding certain state standards. These are some of the key takeaways from the Salem-Keizer School District's annual report card. But it isn't all bad. For example, growth was seen on state language arts and mathContinue reading "Are schools doing what they need to educate Oregon students?"

The Salem-Keizer School District is suing a student and his parents for more than $19,000 in property damages. While attending a volleyball tournament at Crossler Middle School on June 6, 2016, the student and a friend reportedly roamed the hallways looking for unlocked classrooms. They entered room 106, accessed the supply closet and poured hydrochloric and sulfuricContinue reading "Salem-Keizer district sues student, his parents for $19,000"

Joseph Shewey had never been able to walk on his own. Born with a form of cerebral palsy, the nonverbal 4-year-old had to cling to a walker just to stand. That started to change when a 46-year-old Salem woman, crushed in a horrific car crash, showed up in the waiting room of Joey's physical therapy clinic. With coinciding appointment times,Continue reading "Disabled Salem preschooler walks in race with peers thanks to unlikely friendship"

Class size on the rise in Salem-Keizer schools Published 1:00 a.m. PT Sept. 16, 2017 | Updated 8:37 a.m. PT Sept. 18, 2017 (Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal) Class sizes in Salem-Keizer schools are on the rise again. This year, middle schools will see the largest increase, adding about one student per class for an averageContinue reading "Class size on the rise in Salem-Keizer schools"

Oregon schools get more time to meet P.E. requirements, still face hurdles Published 4:06 p.m. PT Aug. 25, 2017 | Updated 9:28 a.m. PT Aug. 28, 2017 The majority of Oregon schools failed to meet increased physical education standards this year. Schools were given ten years, beginning in 2007, to reach at least 150 minutes of physical educationContinue reading "Oregon schools get more time to meet P.E. requirements, still face hurdles"

Hundreds of solar eclipse scientists gathering at Willamette University Published 4:46 p.m. PT Aug. 8, 2017 | Updated 4:50 p.m. PT Aug. 8, 2017 Hundreds of professional and top amateur scientists will crowd Willamette University to view and study the solar eclipse Aug. 21. The Salem university is estimating one of the world’s largest gatherings of solar scientists on campusContinue reading "Hundreds of solar eclipse scientists gathering at Willamette University"

Salem-Keizer schools closing access to properties during solar eclipse Published 5:18 p.m. PT Aug. 11, 2017 All Salem-Keizer School District facilities will be closed to the public for the weekend of the solar eclipse through Aug. 21. Closures include all 65 of the district's schools. Campuses will be closed to the public from 5 p.m. Friday through 8Continue reading "Salem-Keizer schools closing access to properties during solar eclipse"