Fake fentanyl: What parents and students need to know
Oregon has lost several students to fentanyl in the last few years. Linked below are fact sheets to help educate students, parents and the community about the dangers of fake pills made from deadly fentanyl.
Fentanyl being disguised as candy
Fentanyl is currently very common in our community; it is a powerful synthetic opioid that is like morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Fentanyl is odorless, tasteless and colorless. Young people think they are taking “blues,” OxyContin or Xanax, but they are often taking pills laced with fentanyl. Recently, law enforcement agencies have also warned about the danger of fentanyl being disguised as candy, specifically targeted to be sold to children.
Talking to your student is the best prevention
The best prevention is talking to your student about never taking any medication that doesn’t come from their doctor. This includes never taking pills, even from friends. This is a conversation that can literally save your child’s life.
One pill has the potential to be deadly.
Other prevention strategies
Open communication
One of the best ways to protect youth from substances is by having open communication and educating them on the risks of substance use. Listening to them without judging is a critical tool you can provide as their trusted adult.
Look for changes in behavior
Look out for changes in behavior, such as irregular eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, general signs of depression or anxiety, unusual irritability, slipping grades, lack of interest in activities they love, and even drastic clothing style changes. Trust your instincts. If you notice a change, ask about it.
Monitor social media
Talk to your child and monitor their social media use. The online environment provides platforms for people to sell substances. Substances can be offered by someone met online.
Resources
- Marion County Drug Treatment – 503-588-5358
- Polk County Drug Treatment – 503-585-3012
- Bridgeway Recovery – 503-399-5597
Tips on how to keep the children in your care safe
Tips for staying healthy this winter season
This winter, the whole Salem-Keizer community can work together to keep our schools, students and community safe and healthy.
Remember to follow some simple precautions to prevent illness:
- Stay home when sick.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid the sharing of cups and utensils.
- Wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and keep your hands away from your or your child’s face.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and electronic devices.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially if you or someone in your home is at high risk for severe disease.
- CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine annually.
Proper handwashing
Click on the video above to view YouTube video
When is sick too sick for school?
The list document below helps to provide guidance on when students are too sick for school and should not be considered medical advice. Please contact your healthcare provider with health concerns.
Back to school 2022-23
School offices opening dates 2022-23
- August 8: Elementary school offices open
- August 15: Middle school offices open
- Year round: High school offices open year round
First day of school dates 2022-23
Grades 1-12
- September 6: First day for Grades 6 and 9
- September 7: First day for Grades 1-5, 7-8, 10-12 (*Because this is a Wednesday, this is a late start day)
JumpStart Kindergarten
- August 8-12 – See details in this web post
Kindergarten first days
- September 7-9: Kindergarten reading assessment & parent conference
- September 12: Kindergarten transition last name begins A-L
- September 13: Kindergarten transition last name begins M-Z
- September 14: Kindergarten first day for ALL students (*Because this is a Wednesday, this is a late start day)
*All schools will start one hour late on Wednesdays to give school staff a regular time for collaborating and planning support for students.
Back-to-school quick links
Adult and student interactions
Guide to Staff/Student Interactions | Maintaining Appropriate Staff/Student Boundaries | Maintaining Appropriate Volunteer/Contractor/Student Boundaries
Salem-Keizer Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students when participating in any school or district activity.
Athletic participation and student fees
High school and middle school athletics
Information about athletics fees, physical exams, FamilyID online registration, student and parent concussion statement.
Bell times
Arabic | Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Swahili
Bell schedules for all schools will remain the same as the last school year for the 2022-23 school year.
Bus basics
- Complete registration for bus service for the 2022-23 school year
- Find your bus route and find your school
Information about riding on buses, including videos, maps, and links to resources like finding your school.
Route times for the 2022-23 school year are expected to be ready the week of August 15.
Dress code
Dress code
Salem-Keizer Public Schools expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school-sponsored event.
Enrollment and registration
Student enrollment and registration
Information, links and contact information to help parents who need to get their students registered for the 2022-23 school year.
Food Services
Food Services
Salem-Keizer Public Schools partners with Sodexo to provide healthy, nutritious meals to our students.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Resources to help you get your student registered and ready for kindergarten.
ParentSquare
ParentSquare
Salem-Keizer Public Schools is now using the ParentSquare platform for district, school and teacher communications, primarily with email, text and app notifications.
Principal and assistant principal changes
Principal and assistant principal changes at schools
Details about principal and assistant principal changes at schools for the 2022-23 school year.
Safe and welcoming schools
Safe and welcoming schools
Every student should feel safe, welcome, and fully included in their school community.
School directory
School directory
A list that includes links to school websites, school start/stop times, names of principals and office managers, and contact information.
School supply list recommendations
Standard school supplies needed by students
English | Spanish | Marshallese| Russian
The standard list represents the most common supplies required in Salem-Keizer schools. Some schools may require additional items or may prefer a variation of the items listed. However, items such as wipes and glues MUST be purchased by school district staff.
Questions?
Contact your student’s school if you have questions.
School offices opening dates 2022-23
- August 8: Elementary school offices open
- August 15: Middle school offices open
- Year round: High school offices open year round
Special education
Special education
Providing professional and efficient support services that contribute to the success of students, staff, and community.
Sprague Sophomore Wins Awesome Art Contest
This year’s Awesome 3000 T-shirts will feature original artwork drawn by Sprague High School sophomore Kate Swenson.
Kate’s artwork features SKEF mascot, Geo crossing the start line to begin the race leaving the text “Awesome 3000” in his dust. Representatives of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation recognized her at an all-school assembly on Friday, January 31, 2020.
Each year the Foundation invites young artists in the Salem-Keizer Public Schools to come up with a design for the Awesome 3000 fun run held the first Saturday in May.
Kate has been interested in art since she was a small child and really enjoys creating with colored pencils. While she has never run in the Awesome 3000, Kate is no stranger to the Awesome Art Contest having placed second in last year’s competition. She looks forward to studying art after high school and seeing whether it leads her to a career, or if she keeps it as a hobby.
In addition to seeing her artwork on 5,000 t-shirts and thousands of registration forms, posters and more, Kate received a check for $100. She also earned a $250 contribution to the Sprague High School art department.
The second-place design came from an eighth-grader at Claggett Creek Middle School and the third-place design came from Sprague High School senior Patricia Ewing.
Kelly Carlisle, the executive director at SKEF says, “All the entries captured the energy and spirit of the event and kudos to all of the students who shared their artwork with us.”
Kate Swenson will be onsite at the Awesome 3000 to sign T-shirts, posters and programs featuring her artwork.
This year’s Awesome 3000 is May 2. Registration will open online on SKEF’s website on March 15. Paper forms will be available at SKEF, 223 Commercial St NE, or in school offices beginning Monday, March 30. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities also can be found on the foundation’s website
Feel Safe. Be Safe. Report a tip.