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State testing 30-day opt out notice

Oregon Department of Education

State testing 30-day opt out notice

Oregon law (ORS 329.479) permits parents/guardians and adult students* to annually opt-out of Oregon’s statewide assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Mathematics by submitting this form to the school the student attends. The school shall provide any student who is excused from a statewide ELA or mathematics assessment with supervised study time while other students are testing.

Parent request for opting out of Oregon summative assessments (ELA and Math)

If a form is submitted after a student has begun testing, the student will stop testing, but items answered up to that point will be scored and the student will receive a performance level and/or overall score.

ELA/Math opt-out form (grades 3-8 & 11)

If you wish to opt your student out of English Language Arts and/or Math Testing in grades 3–8 or 11, please complete this form and bring it to your child’s school office.

Exemption form for Science or ELPA

Science and ELPA have a separate student exemption procedure. Per OAR 581-022-1910 and the state testing administration manual, parents may request that their student be exempted from certain state tests (OSAS Science, and OSAS English Language Proficiency Assessment) based on either disability or religion.

English PDF | Spanish PDF

Fostering equity and excellence for every learner

Oregon is committed to preparing every learner with academic knowledge and skills necessary for success beyond high school. Oregon’s statewide assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are fully aligned to Oregon’s State Standards and provide students in grades 3-8 and 11, along with their families, one measure of academic achievement and growth.

Oregon’s Statewide Assessments

  • Are created by educators in Oregon and across several other states
  • Challenge your child to think critically and apply their knowledge across a variety of contexts
  • Go beyond multiple choice and ask your child to explain their answers
  • Act as a snapshot of your child’s progress that may be considered along with other pieces of information to determine your child’s academic success
  • Help schools and districts evaluate their systems of teaching and learning, as well as identify groups of students whose academic needs may not be adequately met
  • Help communities understand how well their public schools are performing

Description of rights

Oregon law (ORS 329.479) permits parents and adult students to annually opt-out of Oregon’s statewide assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Mathematics by submitting an annual form to the school the student attends. Schools will provide parents with the appropriate form at least 30 days prior to the start of testing.

Why does my child’s participation matter?

While no single assessment can give a complete picture of your child’s progress, statewide assessments provide Oregon educators and administrators with one source of information about what educational approaches are working and where additional resources may be needed. Your child’s participation is important to ensure schools and districts identify the areas in which they are meeting students’ overall needs, as well as to identify areas of growth.

When will my child take the test?

Your child’s school will determine the specific dates your child will take the assessments within the statewide testing window.

Statewide testing window

The statewide testing windows for English Language Arts and Mathematics apply to both the general and alternate statewide summative assessments.

Grades 3-8

  • 03/07/2023 — 06/02/2023

Grades 9-12

  • 01/10/2023 — 06/02/2023

Stay informed

Visit Oregon’s Starting Smarter web page learn more about what your child should know and be able to do in English Language Arts and Math, to view sample assessment questions, and to read more about your child’s test results. Contact your child’s teacher or school principal with questions.

Save the PDF called “Annual Notice for Oregon’s Statewide Summative Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics” by clicking on the links below.

2023-01-24T14:57:20-08:00January 13, 2023|

Think before you post

When schools receive hoax threats, rumors of threats, and when there is a spread of false information, learning environments are disrupted and and there is understandably increased fear in our community.

Safety is our top priority

The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families is our top priority. Maintaining safety in our schools requires an ongoing partnership with school staff, students, families, law enforcement and the surrounding community.

Safety is critical, and our district fully investigates each threat in collaboration with the FBI and/or our state and local law enforcement partners.

Issuing a threat is a crime

As a district, we have investigated a number of hoax threats of targeted violence against local schools. These threats—often issued via text message or posted on social media—are taken very seriously. Our law enforcement partners investigate every tip to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community. Hoax threats can result in both arrest by law enforcement and/or suspension or expulsion by the school district. Hoax threats are not a joke, and they can have devastating consequences—both for the public and for those who post them.

Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, verbally, through email, or other means—is a crime. Please share with your kids and those in your community that making a threat is a poor choice that could impact them for years to come.

Threats impact our entire community

In addition to the individual consequences a person may face, these threats have a serious impact on our community. They divert district resources from providing support for students and disrupt the learning environment for hundreds of students. Law enforcement resources are diverted from investigating other crimes, and they cost taxpayers a lot of money. The threats can also cause severe emotional distress to students, school staff and families.

Things to remember

Don’t share or forward a threat until law enforcement has a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.

  • Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats online
  • If you are the target of an online threat, call your local law enforcement immediately
  • Salem Police Department Non-Emergency 503-588-6123
  • Keizer Police Department Non-Emergency 503-390-2000
  • Marion County Sheriff’s Office 503-588-5032

If you see a threat of violence posted online, contact local law enforcement or call 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also submit information online to the FBI on the FBI’s website.

Use SafeOregon by calling or sending a text to 844-472-3367 anytime. Tips also can be emailed or made through the SafeOregon app.

Remember – a hoax threat is no joke. Think before you post.

2022-11-15T14:24:07-08:00November 14, 2022|

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)

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 InteractionsMaintaining Appropriate Staff/Student BoundariesMaintaining 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.

Back to school factsheet

Arabic | Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Swahili

Convenient factsheet for back to school in PDF format that you can print out for quick reference.

Bell times

Arabic | Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Swahili

Bell schedules for most schools will be the same as last year for the 2022-23 school year.

Bus basics

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.

Calendars

Calendars
See official district calendars for the 2022-23 school year.

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
For the 2022-23 school year, breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge for all Salem-Keizer students. SKPS 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.

ParentVUE

ParentVUE
Login page to create a new account or to access your existing ParentVue account.

Preschool

Preschool
Resources to help you get your student registered and ready for preschool.

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.

Student safety resources

Student safety resources
Learn about safety protocols and emergency procedures implemented in all Salem-Keizer schools.

2022-08-19T15:59:55-08:00August 17, 2022|

Spotlight on Success: Stephens Middle School AVID

Stephens Middle School is proud to announce its revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School and Site of Distinction.

An AVID school since 2017

Stephen’s educators and scholars have been working diligently toward this goal since 2017, when Stephens Middle School became the first Salem-Keizer school to validate as a National Demonstration School.

While the circumstances of the last two years have brought instability for students, we are proud that we were able to provide consistent systems and structures for all of our Stephens Scholars, which allowed students to continue learning at a high level and to jump back into collaboration upon our return to in person learning.

We believe that Stephens Scholars Grow Stronger Together. We are inspired by our staff and students for their hard work and the ways that they rise to meet challenges every single day, and we are grateful to the AVID organization for the opportunity to share our learning with others.

Stephens is a diverse community of learners

Stephens Middle School is a linguistically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse community of learners. The AVID program provides opportunities for all of our students to engage with rigorous content, to occupy positions of leadership, and to graduate from high school prepared for college readiness and success in a global society.

By using AVID strategies schoolwide, all Stephens Middle School Scholars are equipped and empowered to overcome barriers that stand in the way of advanced educational opportunities.

Stephens and Claggett Creek are both AVID Demonstration Schools

There are only four AVID National Demonstration schools in the state of Oregon, which includes both Stephens and Claggett Creek Middle schools. We are also part of a select group of 200 National Demonstration schools worldwide in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Thank you for supporting AVID

Stephens appreciates Salem Keizer Public Schools for its investment in supporting the AVID program at all levels. Stephens is especially grateful to Barb Bamford, Karina Searle and Terra Boyko for their continued support and encouragement, and above all, are grateful to the Stephens Bulldog staff, without whom this accomplishment would not have been possible.

2022-03-30T14:44:57-08:00March 30, 2022|

FREE Spring break meals – March 21-25, 2022

Our Spring Break Meal Program is open for grab-n-go meals for all students enrolled in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from March 21-25 at the locations listed below.

Meal locations

Spring Meals 2022

Spring break meals flyer

2022-03-28T07:21:33-08:00March 18, 2022|

Video: Different Choices, Always United

As we transition into optional face coverings, it’s important to remember to be respectful of each other’s choices. At Salem-Keizer Public Schools we may make different choices, be we are always united.

2022-03-10T11:05:22-08:00March 9, 2022|