PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
New homelessness
effort gets SKPS
approval
By HERB SWETT
Of the Keizertimes
An agreement with Marion and Polk coun-
ties for collaboration to receive federal aid for the
homeless was approved Tuesday, Sept. 10 by the Sa-
lem-Keizer School Board.
The agreement is for creation of a development
council to receive funds from the Department
of Housing and Urban Development under the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. It calls
for a development council, which would recom-
mend bylaws, committee structure and budget and
funding strategy for providing homes.
The vote on the agreement was 6-1, with direc-
tor Kathy Goss opposed. She saw it as “giving up
local control.”
In other business, the board proclaimed Sept. 15
to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month
and Sept. 13-22 as Welcoming Week. The board ac-
cepted two grants totaling more than $1.8 million.
Personnel actions approved by the board includ-
ed the following in the Keizer attendance were:
• Temporary part-time contracts: Lawren Labo,
Weddle Elementary School, and Patricia Parvin,
Forest Ridge Elementary School.
• Temporary full-time: Emmy Arana, Clag-
gett Creek Middle School; Christina Barron and
Alea Soboloski, Gubser Elementary School; Scott
Buchanan, Forest Ridge and Keizer elementary
schools; Kimberly Pittley, Debra Radtke, and Brent
Turner, McNary; and Sheryl Wetzel, Kennedy El-
ementary School.
• First-year probation part-time: Amy Morris,
Weddle.
• First-year probation full-time: Anastasiya Wat-
son, Weddle; Maribeth Allen and Ashley Stearns,
Keizer Elementary; Thad Gould, Whiteaker Mid-
dle School; and Sheila Morales, Claggett Creek.
• Second-year probation full-time: Ruth Ochoa,
Weddle.
• Administrator fi rst-year probation full-time:
Ruth Ochoa, Weddle.
• Resignation: Angela Hause, Keizer Elementa-
ry. Retirement: Kimberly Pittsley, McNary.
KT on vacation
Leah and Tony
Stevens took their
Keizertimes on a
trip to Victoria,
British Columbia,
to celebrate their
30th anniversary.
They are pictured
here in front of
Hatley Castle.
You too can have
your photo in
the Keizertimes.
Simply take the
paper to your
destination, snap
a picture with
you and your
group holding
it, and send the
photo along with
everyone’s fi rst
and last names to
kt@keizertimes.
com.
Submitted photo
Nominate Keizer’s
best teachers for
2019 Crystal Apple
Do you know a teacher, administrator
or classifi ed staff person who goes above
and beyond to create a positive learning
environment and help kids achieve their
dreams? Honor them by nominating them
for a Crystal Apple Award. The annual
event is set for Thursday, Nov. 14, at Salem’s
Historic Elsinore Theatre.
Salem-Keizer Education Foundation,
along with Salem-Keizer Public Schools
and the Salem and Keizer Chambers of
Commerce, present the awards each year to
deserving education professionals who go
the extra mile in providing safe and positive
learning opportunities for our students.
Nominations forms can be found at any
school in the district or on the Salem-Keiz-
er Education Foundation website (www.
skeducationfoundation.org).
District nominees must have been em-
ployed by Salem-Keizer Public Schools
for at least three years prior to the current
school year.
All nominations must be received by 5
p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The 2019 celebration will again feature
a red-carpet entrance for nominees.
Police: Teach caution along school routes
In light of recent events in Salem, police
offi cials and schools are reminding students
and parents to be safe when walking to
school and back home.
The Marion County Sheriff ’s Offi ce has
given some tips about how to stay safe. Par-
ents should make sure to go over the route
back home with their student so they know
where to look for the child or teen if they
don’t come home at a normal time.
Parents should also let kids know where
safe places are and that they should avoid
shortcuts through alleys or secluded areas.
Some ways a person can avoid a suspicious
looking man or woman is to either call 911 until
you are safe or stay on a call with a parent or
friend and keep telling them exactly where you
are in case of an emergency.
If the suspect is in a car, make sure to stay at
least an adult’s arm length away from the vehicle
and if the car is following you, run in the oppo-
site direction that the car is facing.
Strangers who are trying to lure children will
most likely ask for them to get into the car for
help with directions or claim to know their par-
ents. The child or teen should loudly shout no
and run in the opposite direction.
Another safe way to make sure you aren’t be-
ing stalked, is to not take the same route home
every day. Normally, stalkers and other criminals
plan their actions and record where the victim
goes home every day. Talk with students about
two or three routes they can take instead.
Kids and teens should also listen to their gut
when it comes to being out in public. If some-
thing doesn’t feel right, get out of the situation.
We Didn’t Set The Bar
WE ARE
THE BAR!
“ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive
and caring! The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is
so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly
recommend this community to anyone! ”
— HEIDI
r ached t h e age of si i x t y -two.
t ose who ha v e re
v i n g f o r th
Qual l i t y senior lil vi
Come See the Finest in Senior Living!
CALL (503) 390 -1300
1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com