Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
On Monday, Apr. 14, we are hosting our annual hearing for the proposed FY26 budget at 7 p.m. in the Collins Middle School School Committee Chambers.
View the FY26 Recommended Budget
The hearing is an opportunity for community members to share their perspective and comments about the proposed budget before the School Committee votes on it (scheduled for Monday, Apr. 28th). Community members are invited to attend in-person or via zoom at this link (passcode 190921). Please note that we will be providing childcare and offering interpretation services for those who require these supports.
The School Committee has added an additional special meeting for Tuesday, Apr. 15 to discuss the input received at the hearing. This meeting will take place in the Collins Middle School School Committee Chambers at 5:30 p.m. A zoom link for this session can be found here (passcode 654751).
We appreciate the community’s engagement during this challenging budget season. We have received many questions and suggestions via email –- spsbudget@salemk12.org. Do not hesitate to provide us with your thoughts at any time.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that our April break begins next Friday, Apr. 18. School offices and central offices will be closed on Friday, Apr. 18. School resumes on Monday, Apr. 28. We wish everyone a happy and healthy break. We hope to see some sunshine during the no-school week.
Enjoy the weekend,
Steve
Additionally, Ms. Mateo approaches her work with humor and warmth, creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive. Thank you to Ms. Mateo for representing the very best of our assistant administrators.
SHS Junior Rylan Workman Earns Silver Medal at Scholastic National Art & Writing Awards
Rylan Workman, a junior at Salem High School, earned a silver medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards national stage for his sketch titled “A Big Birdie Told Me,” the Alliance for Young Writers and Artists announced Apr. 7.
City of Salem Unveils its Newest Garbage Truck, Thanks to Saltonstall Kindergarteners
Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem this morning unveiled the latest addition to the City’s Department of Public Services fleet. Outside the Saltonstall School, the kindergarteners who submitted the name for consideration were on-hand to christen Chicken Nugget, the City’s newest garbage truck.
VIEW GALLERY: SHS Student Advisory Committee Offers Input on High School Building Project
One of the common questions the Salem Building Committee members receive is why Salem High School students are being consulted on the building of a new high school from which they will be long graduated by the time it opens.
VIEW GALLERY: CMS Multilingual Students Showcase English Skills Through Storytelling
Collins Middle School grade 7 multilingual learning students in Ms. Maria Buttafuoco’s class became authors last week. Ms. Buttafuoco’s scholars have spent the last month improving their English skills through writing their own picture books discussing all things family, feelings and favorites (clothes, foods, and hobbies). Scholars then read their stories aloud to classroom guests.
Salem High School Career and Technical Education (CTE), in partnership with New Liberty Innovation School and Salem Prep High School, is excited to host the Fourth Annual Career Fair: Connect Today, Lead Tomorrow, Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025 (8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) at the SHS Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse (77 Willson Street, Salem, MA 01970).
SHS CTE is calling on local businesses, industry leaders, and community partners to join us in shaping the future workforce by engaging with our students through this dynamic and meaningful opportunity. Whether you’re looking to showcase your industry, recruit future interns or employees, or simply support career readiness, your participation will make a lasting impact.
Click the Business Partner Registration below to reserve your spot as a participating business partner. SHS CTE and its business partners to work together to help students EXPLORE possibilities, CONNECT with professionals, and PURSUE their passions.
For more information, visit the Career Fair website; or contact Mario Sousa at 978-745-7300, Ext. 65545 or at msousa@salemk12.org
Join a timely community conversation on how schools across Massachusetts are tackling the challenges of cell phone and social media use. Explore the impact of screen time on student well-being, what’s working (and what’s not) with school phone bans, and new policies emerging across the state. You’ll hear directly from educators, students, parents, mental health experts, and policymakers.
The Second Annual Salem High School Community Volleyball Tournament is slated for Saturday, May 31 (8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) at the SHS Veterans Memorial Field House.
This year's tournament will be comprised of two divisions -- a Women's Bracket and a Co-Ed Bracket:
- Teams may consist of 6-8 athletes.
- All co-ed teams must have at least two female athletes on the court at all times.
- All athletes ages 14+ are invited to participate.
- Registration fee is $200 (~$25/person)
The event also includes food, raffles and Witches Volleyball gear for sale. All proceeds will support the SHS Volleyball program's preseason Trip in August.
For more information, visit the Tournament website or contact the SHSVB coaching staff at salemwitchesvolleyball@gmail.com.
Salem Food Services wants to highlight the amazing composting efforts happening across our district—efforts that are bringing us closer than ever to a district-wide composting program.
Salem Public Schools is making real progress in environmental sustainability: Since the start of the 2024-25 school year, all eight kitchens have been composting.
Salem Public Schools students are invited to join the Spring 2025 Listening Sessions organized by Governor Maura Healey's Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
The Council is organizing Listening Sessions to discuss concerns, challenges, and opportunities youth face across the Commonwealth. Their voice and feedback will help advise the Healey-Driscoll Administration on recommendations to advance the interests of the youth community in Massachusetts. These meetings will be hosted through Zoom:
- Session 1: Tuesday, Apr. 15 (5:30 p.m.)
- Session 2: Tuesday, May 20 (5:30 p.m.)
Student can register for each session at the button below.
Each year, The Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Recognition Award recognizes one Marblehead teacher and one Salem teacher as representative of all the excellent, dedicated teachers in the community who make a difference to children every day.
- Who is eligible? Teachers from the district schools in Marblehead and Salem, Massachusetts, are eligible.
- What is the award? As of 2025, each honoree receives an unrestricted cash award of $1000.
- Who may nominate? Anyone—educators, parents, students, citizens—may make a nomination..
- How do I nominate someone? Send a letter of nomination with your reasons for nominating the teacher, being as detailed and specific as possible. Include the teacher’s name, school, and position, and include your email and your relationship to the teacher. Please keep nominations confidential and do not inform individuals that they have been nominated.
- Nominations must be submitted by April 17, 2025.
With the Massachusetts Child and Family Tax Credit, families may be eligible for $440 for each child under age 13, dependents who aged 65+ or have a disability, or a spouse who needs care. Families do not need to have earned income in 2024 or have a Social Security number to qualify. There is no income cap or limit to the number of dependents. This does not impact public benefits. FindYourFunds has outreach materials available in 11 languages to encourage families to file taxes this year.
Learn more and find free tax help at: findyourfunds.org/dese
Support the Salem High School freshman class at the Class of 2028 Paint Night Fundraiser Wednesday, Apr. 16 at the SHS Art Wing.
Spaces are limited. Please complete the below form after making your payment to secure your spot by Friday, Apr. 11. Payments are accepted at the SHS front desk or Room 251.
For those unable to attend, donations are gratefully accepted. Please indicate 'donation only' on the form.
For more information, contact Taina Javier, SHS Family Engagement Facilitator: Tjavier@salemk12.org | 781-771-6660
ParentSquare is the communication platform for Salem Public Schools. Families receive communication from the district, school, and their student's classroom all in one space. Families can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers, register for parent-teacher conferences, and more.
If you are not receiving messages from ParentSquare or if you are having trouble, contact your school's front office. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.