Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Through the power of connection, Mona Smith, a Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP) Family Advocate with our Native Education Program, is making a difference. Mona’s work focuses on removing barriers for Native students, encouraging regular attendance and fostering a sense of belonging.??? “Just checking in regularly, it doesn't have to be every day, but fairly regularly to see how the kids are doing, seems to have positive effects that their attendance is going up. If all of our schools, all of our students have that one person they could check-in with I think that would just be incredibly valuable, because that's what they need. Students are relational, and they want to know that there's someone that understands their way of thinking and being,” said Mona. Learn more about Mona's work https://lnkd.in/g7UrhW_a

Here's a great opportunity to join the SKPS team! This role will help lead and manage Salem-Keizer Public Schools finances, keeping budgets on track and supporting our schools and departments to help our students thrive. We’d love to hear from qualified candidates! Position Details: This position plans, directs and supervises budget and financial services and related functions for the district, including budget development and management, accounting and financial reporting, payroll and PERS coordination, procurement and contracting, investments and debt service management, and coordination with the Oregon Departments of Education and Revenue. ? Type:?Administrative Non-Licensed? FTE:?1.0 Status:?Permanent? Salary Range: $118,364?- $138,469 Apply online at:

Closing out #NationalPrincipalsMonth with a big thank you to all of our school principals who lead each of our 65 school communities. These leaders across our district have an important job of bringing together their communities in support of all students. So far in her first year at Houck Middle School, Principal Magda Romero has already made an incredible impact, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. During Houck’s recent Multicultural Night, she empowered her team to create a vibrant celebration of the school’s rich cultural diversity, bringing together students, families, and staff. An excellent example of how our principals lead with heart and create welcoming spaces where every family and culture is celebrated. Here’s to more moments like these! ??

A principal’s view of our schools reveals the heart and soul of what makes them thrive. "Our school is a place in constant motion, from the first day of school to the last. We have around 900 humans interacting in our building every day, and I continue to be so impressed by the way our students, staff and community are able to rally around a common vision of supporting our students," said Jordan Radke, who is a first-year principal at Judson Middle School. ?? ?? #WeAreSalemKeizer #SomosSalemKeizer #NationalPrincipalsMonth

“My students who come from different countries and only know how to speak Spanish are trying their best and learning so much that it can be stressful. They are doing double. They are learning English but also trying to keep up with their peers. This is why I am so thankful for dual language classrooms where they can have both and build their vocabulary.” Meet Crystal, a Dual Language teacher at Grant Community School, who helps students learn in both English and Spanish. Our Dual Language program offers a unique opportunity for our students who are English speakers or Spanish speakers to learn together and become proficient in both languages. This program also helps students understand different cultures and connect with the global community.

Each and every day, members of our custodial teams work from dawn to dusk to ensure our facilities, including each of our 65 schools are safe, clean, healthy and prepared to serve more than 38,000 students and 5,000 staff. ?? ?? Thank you to all of our SKPS custodians! ?? #NationalCustodianDay #WeAreSalemKeizer #SomosSalemKeizer

?? Congratulations to David Jorgenson in our transportation department for receiving the prestigious Ron Bryan President’s Award from the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association! ?? David has made a lasting impact on student transportation in our district and across Oregon. His leadership has improved safety and accessibility for students statewide. We are incredibly proud to have David represent Salem-Keizer Public Schools! ?? #WeAreSalemKeizer #SomosSalemKeizer

? Spotlight on Success ? We recognized our Migrant Program at this month's school board meeting for having another successful summer school for our students in PreK through 7th grade. We had over 80 staff members support the summer program, with a total of 656 students attending this year! The Migrant Education Program is a federally-supported program, which provides year-round, comprehensive high-quality educational services to children of essential working families who migrate to work in the agricultural, forestry and fishing industries.

Throughout the district, students and families are greeted by many staff members when they enter our schools. At McNary High School, School Office Specialist Meredith Dameron feels a sense of family, community and support for each and every Celtic she interacts with each day.? “The way we engage with and welcome our students is so special,” said Dameron. “Our staff here at McNary is one big family, and we really enjoy welcoming everyone. Together we can build a community where we can really respect each other and have empathy and grace for everyone.”?

?? Meet Kenny Ramirez from Safety and Risk Management Services, a 2024 Crystal Apple Honoree!???? The best part of Kenny’s job are the connections he gets to make with students and families that last long into the students' adulthood. He said that he has been able to learn so much over the past three years, and this added knowledge has made him better at supporting students in our community. A student in support of this nominee wrote, “he reminds me of a second chance - he motivates me to believe I can have a second chance.” We have enjoyed introducing our community to our 2024 Crystal Apple honorees and have loved reading all of your kind words about them. ??