Mobile libraries help children learn to read 6:51 p.m. PDT October 29, 2015 "It's not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings." These words, written by a columnist under the pen name of Ann Landers, rang true on Thursday as children agesContinue reading "Mobile libraries help children learn to read"

Salem teacher runner-up for teacher of the year 8:42 a.m. PDT October 30, 2015 When Deputy Superintendent Salam Noor announced the Oregon Teacher of the Year for 2015 on Monday, he didn't call Maureen Foelkl's name. But that didn't bother Foelkl. She was just honored to be in the running. "So many great teachers were nominated andContinue reading "Salem teacher runner-up for teacher of the year"

Youth farm grows future leaders, helps the hungry 6:33 p.m. PDT October 28, 2015 Ever since Lillian Poole was a child, she has loved playing in the dirt. But she didn't just love the feel of earth between her fingers. She loved what that earth could do. She loved that she could make food withContinue reading "Youth farm grows future leaders, helps the hungry"

Students demand gun violence reform 3:43 p.m. PDT October 27, 2015 When students at Willamette University heard about the Umpqua Community College shooting, something inside them boiled over. "I think... there was a moment when it hit too close to home," said senior Madison Hall. "Roseburg was a realization that these shootings are relevant to every personContinue reading "Students demand gun violence reform"

Students empowered at conference 7:40 p.m. PDT October 23, 2015 The Contributing Voices conference held at Western Oregon University on Friday had one message for the students in attendance: Your voice counts. More than 600 ninth graders from the Salem-Keizer School District attended the second annual Contributing Voices conference in Monmouth,where they listened to guest speakers, participated inContinue reading "Students empowered at conference"

New app to make schools safer for students 11:53 a.m. PDT October 22, 2015 School shootings, natural disasters and other crises have left educators wondering what they can do to make students safer at school. Gervais School District has taken a step toward safety — with a new crisis-response app for smart phones called Crisis Go. TheContinue reading "New app to make schools safer for students"

Oregon graduation rate improves, still lags 5:42 p.m. PDT October 19, 2015 Oregon high schools improved their graduation rates last school year, but the state still has the fourth-lowest rate in country, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Education on Monday. Only Nevada, Alaska and the District of Columbia had lower rates than Oregon'sContinue reading "Oregon graduation rate improves, still lags"

Graduate exposed to Syrian refugee crisis 7:54 p.m. PDT October 18, 2015 It was always a dream of Eriqa Hermen's to backpack across eastern Europe. When her friend wanted to go, too, they planned for the month-long adventure. Hermen was ready and raring to go. But instead of simply crossing an item off her bucket list, the recentContinue reading "Graduate exposed to Syrian refugee crisis"

What is being done about class sizes? 2:09 p.m. PDT October 17, 2015 Tim McFarland witnesses the negative effects of large class sizes every day. As a special education teacher at Englewood Elementary School in Salem, he works with students with disabilities, from kindergarten through fifth grade. And when it comes to large class sizes, he said, "I'm soContinue reading "What is being done about class sizes?"

Salem students meet with Jane Goodall 6:35 p.m. PDT October 15, 2015 Maya Kaup wants to live among the sloths. A student of biology and Spanish at Willamette University, Kaup has always felt a strong connections with animals, even more than with humans. "I am always really busy, always on the go," she said. "Sloths areContinue reading "Salem students meet with Jane Goodall"