Back to School 2025-26

These links will help you with back-to-school questions. Have a great school year!

School Office Opening Dates

• Monday, August 11: Elementary school offices open
• Monday, August 11: Middle school offices open
• Open all year: High school offices are open during the summer

First Day of School Dates

Grades 1-12

• Tuesday, September 2: First day for grades 6 and 9 
• Wednesday, September 3: First day for grades 1-5, 7-8, 10-12 (Because this is a Wednesday, this is a late start day)

Kindergarten First Days

• Monday, September 8: Kindergarten transition day for students whose last names begin with A-L
• Tuesday, September 9: Kindergarten transition day for students whose last names begin with M-Z
• Wednesday, September 10: First day for ALL Kindergarten students (Because this is a Wednesday, this is a late start day)

All schools 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

Athletic Participation

The Athletics page has information about middle and high school athletics offerings, fees, physical exams, and registration through FamilyID.

Bus Riders

Visit the Bus Riders page to learn about bus rider basics, finding your bus route, and registering to ride the bus.

• Find your bus route and find your school

Calendars

The Calendar page includes the 2025-26 school year calendar available to view and download in multiple languages.

Cell Phone Policies & Restrictions

Salem-Keizer Public Schools policy for all middle and high schools for the last few years has included restrictions on cell phone use during the school day, which includes many schools using school-based policies such as “no cell, bell-to-bell.”

Our policy has now been updated and states that students are not permitted to use electronic mobile devices such as cell phones during the entirety of the school day while students are on campus, in alignment with the recent Executive Order from Governor Tina Kotek.

Cherriots Zero Bus Pass for Students

The Cherriots Youth Zero Pass lets children and teens ages 0-18 ride Cherriots Local, Regional and Lift buses at no-cost.

Dress Code

The Student Dress Code outlines how student dress choices should respect a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities while being appropriate for the school day and school-sponsored events.

Enrollment and Registration

The Student Enrollment and Registration page has the processes and links to register new and returning students for school.

Enrollment Verification

This web post about enrollment verification explains that ensure that all student information is accurate and up-to-date, all parents and guardians need to complete enrollment verification by signing in to ParentVUE and reviewing all information related to their child.

Food Services

The Food Services page has school breakfast and lunch menus and answers to frequently asked questions about school meals. This information is also available on school websites.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten page provides information to help get your student registered and ready for kindergarten.

ParentSquare and StudentSquare

Download ParentSquare or StudentSquare to receive important email, text, or app notifications for district, school and teacher communications.

ParentVUE and StudentVUE

ParentVUE and StudentVUE are powerful tools to help families stay informed about student educational progress by viewing near real-time information on attendance, grades, assignments, and more.

Preschool

The Preschool page provides information on Salem-Keizer Public School's preschool offerings and how to register.

Safe and Welcoming Schools

Visit our Safe and Welcoming Schools resources to find information to support your student's mental health, set healthy student boundaries, and learn about our district's safety systems.

Safety Systems

Visit our Safety Systems web page. Student, staff, and visitor safety is Salem-Keizer Public School's highest priority. Our nationally-recognized safety systems involve school, district, and community-based strategies to prevent, mitigate and respond to a variety of potential safety concerns on our school campuses.

School Directory

Visit our School Directory to contact your school if you have questions or need help.

School Supply List Recommendations

Standard school supplies needed by students:

• School supply list in English 
• School supply list in Spanish 

The standard list represents the most common supplies required in Salem-Keizer schools. Schools may require additional items or may prefer a variation of the items listed in the links above.

Schools May Have Their Own Unique Supply Lists

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. 

Some elementary and middle schools have already shared school supply lists on their school websites, and/or shared with families via ParentSquare.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is committed to providing an environment where all students feel connected, safe, supported, valued and heard.

The updated Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook covers policies and procedures designed to protect the safety, rights and responsibilities of students, parents, guardians and employees. It also summarizes actions and their possible consequences for students of Salem-Keizer Public Schools.

Questions?

Contact your student’s school if you have questions. Elementary and Middle School offices open on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Special Education

Special Education provides professional and efficient support services that contribute to the success of students, staff, and community.