SKEF receives $75,000 to address childhood obesity 11:02 a.m. PDT May 11, 2016 The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation recently received a $75,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to support the launch of Rootopia, a garden to kitchen table education program, which will roll out later this year. Rootopia aims to make growing and eating fresh healthy foods fun,Continue reading "SKEF receives $75,000 to address childhood obesity"

Meet the runner: Lillian Duchateau 1:28 p.m. PDT May 10, 2016 An earlier version of this story was corrected for Lillian's online schooling on Tuesday, May 10.  Lillian Duchateau, 6, did two one-armed push-ups Saturday morning to prepare for her first Awesome 3000 run. Lillian Duchateau, 6, listens to the volunteers before the start ofContinue reading "Meet the runner: Lillian Duchateau"

Meet the runner: Damniohn Demarest 3:41 p.m. PDT May 7, 2016 Damniohn Demarest, 10, is an Awesome 3000 veteran. Even though this year was his fifth year participating in the annual Salem-Keizer Education Foundation fundraiser, he's been working hard the past few weeks preparing for the day. On the morning of the run, Damniohn went with hisContinue reading "Meet the runner: Damniohn Demarest"

Experiencing Awesome 3000 for the first time 3:40 p.m. PDT May 7, 2016 (Photo: Natalie Pate) Xavi Ceja's race day began with an egg and toast. Xavi, 7, experienced Awesome 3000 for the first time on Saturday. And what an experience it was. Waking up before 8 a.m., Xavi was a little sleepy and groggy in theContinue reading "Experiencing Awesome 3000 for the first time"

Community reimagines education in Oregon 9:08 p.m. PDT April 28, 2016 After the Every Student Succeeds Act replaced No Child Left Behind in December 2015, the Oregon Department of Education asked: "How will this affect education in Oregon?" To bring parents, school workers, students and other community members into the conversation, the department has been hosting town halls across theContinue reading "Community reimagines education in Oregon"

Superintendent wants to hire 27 new teachers 7:51 p.m. PDT April 28, 2016 Salem-Keizer superintendent Christy Perry wants to hire about 27 new teachers for the upcoming school year, to address enrollment growth and ideally increase staff diversity in the district. The hiring boost is part of Perry's proposed 2016-17 budget, which she submitted to the school board TuesdayContinue reading "Superintendent wants to hire 27 new teachers"

Salem-Keizer signing day honors all upcoming graduates 9:51 a.m. PDT April 27, 2016 Tuesday was a day of celebration for hundreds of soon-to-be graduates in the Salem-Keizer School District, along with thousands across the country. April 28 was National College Signing Day, part of Michelle Obama's Better Make Room campaign — a public awareness campaign targeted at Generation Z, youngContinue reading "Salem-Keizer signing day honors all upcoming graduates"

No home for homework 8:40 a.m. PDT April 25, 2016 Melody likes to wear her turquoise flip-flops, complete with matching sunflowers on top, to school. But when the corners of the dyed, leather-like straps rub on the sides of her feet, it hurts. While some students could simply put on other shoes, or buy flip-flops that might fitContinue reading "No home for homework"

Willamette student body president resigns in protest 8:19 p.m. PDT April 21, 2016 The president of the Associated Students of Willamette University recently announced his resignation, saying he is resigning in protest of the Willamette Academy changes and other issues regarding diversity and transparency at the university. Shamir Cervantes wrote about his resignation in a column he submitted toContinue reading "Willamette student body president resigns in protest"

New teacher at CTEC inspires with art 8:43 a.m. PDT April 19, 2016 A fantastical creature — part horse and part bull, with some giraffe — sprang into existence Monday afternoon before about 200 Sprague High School seniors in the nearly pitch-black Pantheon Auditorium. Artist Graham Toms spoke to the students almost casually as he sketched the scene on paper with ease, his imagesContinue reading "New teacher at CTEC inspires with art"