SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
October 4 - October 10, 2026
October 6 - Grade 12 SATs
October 8 - Homecoming Dance 6:30 - 9:30
October 9 - Progress Reports Posted
October 13 - Girls Soccer Senior Night
October 15 - PSATs Grade 11
October 16 - Grade 10 Class Elections
October 20 - Parent/Guardian Conferences 2:40 - 3:40
October 21 - Boys Soccer Senior Night
Witches Volleyball Dig Pink Fundraiser!
The Witches Volleyball program is excited to host our annual Dig Pink match on Wednesday, October 7, against Masconomet!
As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. All around the country, athletic teams from the NFL, NCAA, MLB, and local high schools color their venues in pink, raise awareness, and make donations to support the fight against breast cancer.
During the match, 100% of the proceeds from entry donations, raffle prizes, and the snack bar will go to The Side-Out Foundation - an organization committed to researching and finding specific treatment for those battling Stage IV breast cancer.
If you're interested in learning more about the Side-Out Foundation or donating to our Dig Pink Campaign, check out our fundraising page HERE!
We hope to see you at our match on October 7!
YEARBOOK
Order Your 2027 Yearbook!
Don't miss your chance to own a copy of this year's Salem High School yearbook! Yearbooks are $75 through October 23, so order early to lock in that price.
Senior parents and families can also purchase a personalized ad to celebrate their graduate, and it's a wonderful way to honor your student's time at SHS.
You can order a yearbook and find ad information at jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03536900.
MASSHIRE
Salem High School is launching two new programs this year that give students hands-on experience with the technology shaping the world they're about to enter.
CyberPatriot is the nation's premier cybersecurity program for high school students. Participants learn to defend networks, work in teams to solve real-world security problems, and build technical skills that carry directly into college and careers — all while competing against schools across the country in national cybersecurity challenges. It's rigorous, collaborative, and unlike anything else.
The Drone Exploration Program introduces students to unmanned aerial systems from the ground up. Students learn how drones work, log real flight time, practice safe operations, and explore how the technology is being used across industries from public safety to agriculture to filmmaking. For students curious about aviation or engineering, it's a first look at a fast-growing field and the careers inside it.
Both programs are open to students at all experience levels. No background in coding or flying required — just curiosity and a willingness to learn alongside a team.
To learn more or sign up, contact Jeremy Matthews at jmatthews@salemk12.org.
It's A Great Time to Be A Witch!
“BE ABOUT IT”
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Live the values of our school community; show pride, respect, and responsibility not just by saying it, but by consistently doing it.
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Follow through on commitments, whether that’s in academics, athletics, arts, or personal goals.
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Model integrity by letting your behavior reflect your intentions—be the example others can count on.
“BE ABOUT IT” means don’t just talk about who you are or what you stand for, prove it every day through effort, character, and action.
Be About It!
#GoWitch
Black Cat Bistro Opens for the 2026 -2027 School-Year
This past week, we celebrated the opening of the Black Cat Bistro's opening for the 2026-2027 SY. The event brought our community together to enjoy a welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, and the excitement of a new gathering space. Thank you to everyone who helped make the opening a success and to all who stopped by to show their support. We look forward to seeing the Black Cate Bistro become a favorite place to connect, relax, and enjoy a great meal.
Adam Sandler Day - Spirit Week
Students celebrated Adam Sandler Dress-Up Day by wearing your best oversized T-shirt, baggy shorts, sneakers, and baseball cap.
Haunted Happenings
Salem High School is always excited to participate in the Haunted Happenings Parade. Thank you to Wicked Wrenches, Salem High School Drama Club, JROTC, Witches Football, the Pride of the North Shore: Salem High School Marching Band, and all the students and teachers for showing up.
Salem High Drama club marched in the Haunted Happenings Parade tonight with a theme of Nautical Nasties to promote our winter musical. Students had a blast dressed as pirates, shimmering jellyfish, and other sea creatures. Our passionate puppeteers worked as a team for the larger than life mermaid puppet designed and built by a team of drama students led by juniors Maya Nathanson-Flowers and Rae Pangallo. Our puppeteers were junior Alton Bogart and freshmen Ezekiel Carter, Jayden Harlow-Powell, and Marilynn Winsor.
Click on the Image Below
The Salem News | Salem News Athlete of the Week: Jenna Phelps, Salem Volleyball
As a middle blocker on the Salem High volleyball team, Jenna Phelps is always in the middle of the action. Last week, she showed just how valuable her presence on the Witches is, helping them to prevail in all three of their matches.
Red hot Salem girls volleyball beats Peabody for first time ever
Salem 3, Peabody 0: Senior setter Gueladio Bah had 20 assists, four digs and three assists while classmate Kailyn Ricciarelli (4 digs) was a defensive star for the Witches, who defeated Peabody in volleyball for the first time ever in program history, 26-24, 25-21, 25-15.
Junior Jazzelle Lopes-Edwards had a fine contest for Salem with five kills (0.231 hitting efficiency) and and a pair of blocks, while junior captain Jenna Phelps continued her dominance with 11 kills (0.333 hitting efficiency), three blocks, and seven aces. Olivia Warren, a senior, played smart offensively with five kills, and fellow senior Angelica Sciuto added seven digs while leading her squad in serve receive passing as well.
"It was a huge Northeastern Conference win for us tonight as we embodied tonight's mantra: "Let's go make history!'," said head coach Angie Giancola, whose team improved to 6-2 on the season.
College and Career Counseling Corner
Early College News
Hello Early College Students and Families,
A few students have reached out with questions or concerns about their classes. Salem High School cannot communicate directly with professors at Salem State University and NSCC about student progress because of FERPA confidentiality requirements (see “What is FERPA”). However, we can help students draft an email to your professor or prepare for a conversation.
Stop by the Tutoring Center/Early College classroom or email us if you’d like help.
That said, we do receive semester alerts from professors through the college’s systems. If we receive an alert about the student, we will follow up with the student and their family.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student (“eligible student”). The FERPA statute is found at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and the FERPA regulations are found at 34 CFR Part 99.
New SSU students–please make sure you turned in your registration form.
NSCC HST104DL have a field trip to the MFA on October 15.
Check SSU Canvas/NSCC Blackboard for most up-to-date grades and assignments.
Notes/Resources:
SSU students: Get the “Get app” (access to library & gym): https://get.cbord.com/salemstate/full/prelogin.php
NSCC students going on campus–see me if you need help getting your ID on campus (in the library with a photo ID/SHS school ID).
Remember to check your SHS and college email + SSU Canvas/NSCC Blackboard DAILY!
Masshire has career counseling office hours Monday 9/14 from 12:00-1:30 in the Tutoring Center (SHS).
All EC students: Make sure you join the Early College Google classroom (bmzsn4fc) and complete assignments due.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Also, if you or someone you know did not make it into an Early College class this fall, Spring 2026 enrollment opens in October. See me or your C3 counselor if you’re interested!
Thanks,
Dr. Kirby
Upcoming College Visits
Monday, October 5: Emmanuel CollegeBoston, Massachusetts
Did you know? Emmanuel’s campus is within walking distance of Fenway Park!
Tuesday, October 6: Keene State College
Keene, New Hampshire
Did you know? Students who complete a Chapter 74 CTE program at Salem High School are awarded 12 college credits at Keene State! Ask the representative how those credits can fit into your college plans.
Thursday, October 8: Framingham State University
Framingham, Massachusetts
Did you know? Teacher and Challenger astronaut Christa McAuliffe graduated from Framingham State in 1970.
Friday, October 9: Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts
Did you know? Endicott is known for its three-internship model, helping students build career experience before graduation.
PLUS: An Extra Visit During Lunch!
Monday, October 5: Columbia College Chicago
12:10–12:40 p.m. | College & Career Center
Did you know? Columbia has a campus shop where students can sell their creative work, including art, jewelry, clothing, and music!
Sign up through Naviance or stop by C3 to register.
You don’t need to have applied or decided where you want to attend. Bring your questions, meet the representatives, and discover what might be a good fit for you!
Explore Your Options: Fall College Open Houses
Fall open houses are a great way to explore campuses, learn about academic programs, and ask questions about admissions and financial aid.
Boston University
Friday, October 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The program includes a student panel, an admissions case study, academic visits, and opportunities to explore campus and hear about financial assistance.
View BU’s Open House Details and Register
Choose the October 23 Fall Open House registration option.
UMass Boston
Saturday, October 24, or Saturday, November 7
Explore campus, meet faculty and students, and learn about admissions, financial aid, and campus life.
Register for a UMass Boston Open House
UMass Lowell
Saturday, October 24, or Saturday, November 14
Explore campus and learn more about UMass Lowell’s academic programs and student opportunities.
Register for a UMass Lowell Open House
Plan ahead: UMass Boston and UMass Lowell both have an October 24 event. Consider their alternate dates if you want to visit both!
Students and families should register directly with each college and arrange their own transportation. For visits during the school day, follow Salem High School’s attendance procedures.
Interested in exploring a future in the trades? The Peterson School is hosting an Explore the Trades Day this fall.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
2–4 p.m.
See the attached flyer for event details and use the link below to sign up:
Register for Explore the Trades Day
This is an opportunity to learn more about trade training as you consider your next steps after high school.
Families should review the event location and plan transportation before registering. If attending requires leaving school early, follow Salem High School’s dismissal procedures.
Senior Transcripts Available September 22
Senior transcripts will be available to download through Naviance by September 22, in time for Senior Night.
During our in-person Senior Night event, we will review the transcript download process and demonstrate how students and families can access transcripts through Naviance.
If you are unable to attend Senior Night, or if you have questions about logging into Naviance as a student or parent, or about how to access a transcript, please contact:
Rachael Kozlowski
rkozlowski@salemk12.org
Meghan Grosskopf Sousa
mesousa@salemk12.org
If you have specific questions or concerns about your child’s transcript, please have your student schedule their Senior Meeting with their school counselor. Parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend their student’s Senior Meeting.
We want to make sure every senior and family feels confident accessing and reviewing this important information as we begin the college and postsecondary planning process.
Pick Your College
College and Career Highlight
Boise State University
Location: Boise, Idaho
Mascot: Buster Bronco
Enrollment: 28,519 students
Average High School GPA: 3.44
Average SAT: 1040
Average ACT: 24
Admissions: Boise State Undergraduate Admissions
Boise State University is a public research university located near downtown Boise and the Boise River Greenbelt. Founded in 1932, Boise State combines the resources of Idaho’s largest university with hands-on learning, a growing technology economy and easy access to outdoor recreation. Its famous blue football field—“The Blue”—reflects the university’s innovative and spirited identity.
Academics
Boise State offers approximately 200 areas of study through its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education and Public Service, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Innovation and Design.
Popular and notable programs include:
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
Business and Entrepreneurship
Construction Management
Cybersecurity
Education
Engineering
Environmental Science
Health Sciences and Kinesiology
Materials Science
Nursing
Psychology and Social Work
Supply Chain Management
Students can participate in faculty-mentored research, internships, engineering projects, clinical placements, student teaching, study abroad and community-engaged learning. Partnerships with organizations such as Micron Technology and Idaho National Laboratory create additional opportunities in technology, engineering and scientific research.
Student Life
More than 200 student clubs and organizations represent academic, cultural, service, recreational and professional interests. Campus traditions include Bronco Welcome, B on the Blue, the Blue and Orange Splatter Party and Homecoming.
Students also benefit from Boise’s active lifestyle, including the Boise River Greenbelt, nearby hiking trails and skiing and snowboarding at Bogus Basin.
Athletics
Boise State competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. Football games on the world-famous blue turf are central to campus culture, with students cheering from “The Corral.”
Virtual Tour: Explore Boise State
Website: Boise State University
Internship & Career Opportunities
We are excited to continue connecting Salem High School students with meaningful internships, career exploration, job shadowing, and work-based learning opportunities throughout the school year. These experiences give students the chance to take what they are learning in the classroom and CTE programs and apply it in real-world settings while building professional skills and exploring future career pathways.
Please check out the opportunities below and encourage your student to apply to those that match their interests. New opportunities will be shared throughout the year, so keep an eye on ParentSquare!
1. Interested in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering?
Students interested in exploring careers in architecture, construction, and engineering are encouraged to check out the ACE Mentor Program! This is a great opportunity to learn from industry professionals, explore career pathways, and gain real-world experience.
Click here to view the ACE Mentor Program flyer
2.
Wentworth STEM Challenge: MATHQuest
Sophomores and juniors interested in math and STEM are invited to participate in Wentworth Institute of Technology’s MATHQuest, a free, hands-on math competition featuring real-world challenges, prizes, and opportunities to explore STEM pathways.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:00 AM–12:00 PM (We can support with transportation depending on enrollment)
Wentworth Institute of Technology – Boston
3.
Interested in an Internship at the Peabody Essex Museum?
Students interested in learning more about internship opportunities at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) are invited to attend an information session.
Thursday, October 1
10:39–11:07 AM — Anchor/Crew Period
Location: To Be Determined
4.
Interested in Science, Health, Medicine, or Research?
Harvard Medical School’s Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) is accepting applications for its FREE 10-week Saturday program. Students will participate in hands-on activities, medical simulations, professional development, and one-on-one mentoring with Harvard students as they explore careers in science and healthcare.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
5.
Build a CubeSat Challenge
Interested in space, satellites, or coding? High School Students will work in teams of five to build and program a prototype CubeSat and complete a science mission.
The challenge includes an online course, bi-weekly mentor office hours, and hardware kits for qualifying teams. To be considered for selection, all team members must register for the online course and complete Modules 1–3, and a coach must submit the team application.
Who: High school students
When: September 2026 – April 2027
Team application deadline: October 19, 2026
Teams notified of selection: October 23, 2026
Learn more: BWSI CubeSat Challenge website
Register for the online course: CubeSat online course registration
Interested in being a mentor? Apply here by October 21,2026
6.
BWSI Fall 2026 Programs
Our fall outreach programs are designed for girls in Grades 10-11, with no prior experience required for many of the courses. Programs are offered virtually on Saturdays and include opportunities to explore engineering, AI, biotechnology, aircraft design, digital logic, Python, computational problem solving, and autonomous robotics.
Fall session dates: October 10 – December 5, 2026
Additional Autonomous Robots final event: December 12
Registration deadline: September 30, 2026
Format: Virtual through Zoom
Courses include:
Girls Who Can Learn Applied Engineering, AI & Future Technologies
Girls Who Can Learn Biotech
Girls Who Can Design, Build & Fly Model Aircraft
Girls Who Can Learn Digital Logic & Computer Design
Girls Who Can Do Computational Problem Solving
Girls Who Can Learn Python
Girls Who Can Learn Autonomous Robots
Register/learn more: BWSI Fall 2026 Registration
7.
Gloucester Biotechnology Academy – Shadow Day Opportunity
Students interested in biotechnology, science, healthcare, or laboratory careers are invited to learn more about the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy. The tuition-free certificate program provides hands-on laboratory training, access to paid internships, career development support, and opportunities to earn college credit.
A Shadow Day will be held Thursday, September 24 at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Students can shadow an Academy student, tour the teaching labs, and speak with students and instructors. RSVP is required.
More Information: Gloucester Biotechnology Academy Program Flyer
Shadow Day: September 24 Shadow Day Flyer
