Salem Public Schools
Dear SPS Community,
What an exciting week this has been… A first-ever playoff victory. Championship honors for our student-musicians. Educators coming together to strengthen their practice at staff professional learning meetings on Tuesday. This week gave us plenty of reasons to be proud of Salem Public Schools! Behind each accomplishment are students willing to challenge themselves, adults committed to helping them grow, and families cheering them on. That collective effort is worth celebrating!
The excitement continues this weekend, with three Salem High School teams competing in the MIAA Division 3 Tournament:
Volleyball made school history! Our No. 34-seeded team (16-5) defeated No. 31 Taconic High School, 3-0, on the road Thursday, earning the program’s first-ever postseason victory and setting a school record for wins in a season. Next up: a visit to No. 2 Old Rochester Regional on Saturday, November 7 at noon, in the Round of 32.
Boys soccer takes the field tonight. Our No. 38-seeded team (10-5-3) faces No. 27 Belchertown at 6:30 p.m. at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham.
Girls soccer plays at home Saturday. Our No. 26-seeded team (10-5-3) hosts No. 39 Marlborough at Bertram Field at 4 p.m. Admission is free—come help fill the stands and cheer on our students!
Our student musicians are giving us just as much to celebrate. Congratulations to SHS Marching Band Director Ben Chertok and our marching band and colorguard, who placed third at last weekend’s New England Scholastic Bands Association (NESBA) Championship. Our colorguard also earned the High Caption Award for Best Colorguard for the third consecutive year!
A special congratulations goes to senior Kaitlin Modaff, who received the NESBA Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship, becoming only the second SHS student musician in 10 years to earn this honor. These accomplishments reflect countless hours of practice, persistence, and teamwork. We are proud of you!
That same commitment to growth was evident across our schools during Tuesday’s professional development sessions. Thank you to our educators for investing their time and expertise in learning together and strengthening the experiences we provide for our students.
There are also several opportunities ahead for students and families to learn, connect, and lead. Explore what’s possible at Salem High School’s Career and Technical Education program. On Saturday, Nov. 14, the SHS Career Technical Education Department will host its 2026 Middle School Open House. Students and families can register for one to three programs, with a one-hour, project-based learning activity in each. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and activities begin at 9 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for middle school students to discover an interest and imagine what comes next. Register here.
Help shape Salem’s future. The City of Salem is inviting high school students to join the Salem Youth Commission and bring their voices to civic issues. I encourage students from Salem High School, New Liberty Innovation School, and Salem Prep High School to consider this opportunity. Our city benefits when young people help guide its future. Interested students can attend the Thursday, Nov. 19 meeting at the City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, or contact Sarah Roy, Director of Youth & Family Engagement, at sroy@salem.com.
Connect with resources that support your family. Our Family Welcome Center will host the second of four Learning and Resource Virtual Sessions on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. The session will cover attendance, understanding report cards, navigating our JumpRope grading platform, and accessing community assistance programs. Join the virtual session here.
Finally, schools will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. A special thank you to the veterans in our SPS community and beyond for their service and sacrifice.
Thank you for the many ways you support our students and schools. Enjoy the weekend, and go Salem!
Dr. Tommy Welch
Superintendent
SHS Senior Kaitlin Modaff Named Recipient of NESBA Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship
Senior flautist/vocalist Kaitlin Modaff was named the recipient of the Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship Award Sunday to highlight the Salem High School Marching Band and Colorguard at the New England Scholastic Bands Association (NESBA) Championship Sunday at Harvard Stadium.
The Salem News | State volleyball playoffs: Beverly, Danvers, Salem aim for postseason success
A combined .733 winning percentage was turned in by the Beverly, Salem and Danvers High volleyball teams this fall, who won 44 of the 60 matches they played. Now that the state playoffs have arrived, it’s time to see if their regular season success is parlayed into November triumphs.
On Tuesday, Salem Public Schools educators spent most of the day in professional development sessions.
At the Collins Middle School, the Office of Student Supports hosted its Student Support Community Partner Huddle, at which more than 30 city and community partners learned more about our strategic plan and networked with the SPS student support staff.
At the Salem Early Childhood Center, early educators gathered to discuss how best to create visuals and supports for students with disabilities and those who need scaffolds. In the afternoon session, educators focused on early education literacy.
At Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, educators focused on social emotional learning and lesson internalizing with a concentration on questions, opportunities and quality.
Finally, at the Horace Mann Laboratory School, educators kicked off ‘No Hands November,’ the purpose of which is to refrain from having students raise their hands when posed with a question. Instead, 1. make students expect to be called upon, referred to as ‘cold calling,’ which triggers attentiveness and more engagement; 2. Educators can reach students via ‘warm calling,’ acknowledging the student’s engagement and asking them to elaborate (‘I like what you said. Could you elaborate more?’); or 3. Choral response, when everyone responds at the same time to reinforce what the answer is.
Elevating learning. Empowering educators.
Horace Mann Laboratory School
Salem Early Childhood Center
Witchcraft Heights Elementary School
MIAA Division 3 Girls Volleyball
- First Round-Thursday, Nov. 5 | No. 34 Salem 3, No. 31 Taconic 0
- Round of 32-Saturday, Nov. 7 | No. 34 Salem (16-5) at No. 2 Old Rochester Regional (17-2), 12 p.m.
MIAA Division 3 Boys Soccer
- First Round-Friday, Nov. 7 | No. 38 Salem (10-5-3) vs. No. 27 Belchertown (5-11-2) at Minnechaug Regional High School Field (Wilbraham, Mass.), 6:30 p.m.
- Round of 32-Date/Time TBA | Salem-Belchertown winner at No. 6 Greater New Bedford Regional Technical Vocational H.S. (14-2-1)
MIAA Division 3 Girls Soccer
- First Round-Saturday, Nov. 7 | No. 39 Marlborough (7-6-5) at No. 26 Salem (10-5-3), 4 p.m.
- Round of 32-Monday, Nov. 9 | Salem-Marlborough winner at No. 7 Hanover (11-5-2) Monday, Nov. 9 (6 p.m.)
The Salem Public Schools Family Welcome Center will host it next Learning and Resource Virtual Session Tuesday, Nov. 10 and will focus on attendance, report cards, JumpRope, and community assistance programs. The sessions are geared to help families navigate Salem Public Schools systems, access important information, and explore valuable community resources and services available to support families.
All sessions will be recorded and available:
October 27, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. (ParentSquare, Aspen, school forms, language access, and community resources) | (Watch Link TBA)
November 10, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. (Attendance, report cards, JumpRope, and community assistance programs) | JOIN THE SESSION
January 26, 2027 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. (ParentSquare, Aspen, school forms, language access, and community resources) | JOIN THE SESSION
March 9, 2027 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. (Attendance, parent-teacher conferences, JumpRope, summer programs, and local resources) | JOIN THE SESSION
For more information, contact the Family Welcome Center at welcomecenter@salemk12.org.
The 2027 Salem Public Schools Early Childhood Expo, which showcases kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programming, will take place Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2027, and Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027, in its usual two capacities.
- Meet and Greet Session | Wednesday, Jan. 13 (5:30-7:00 p.m.) at the Collins Middle School Cafeteria (snow date: Wednesday, Jan. 20). Families can engage with leadership, faculty and other staff.
- Virtual Town Hall | Wednesday, Jan. 27 from (6:00-7:30 p.m. | Link to join TBA): Leadership, faculty and staff will attend virtually to address all questions and comments.
The dates for in-person tours of each school that offers kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programming – Bates Elementary School, Bentley Academy Innovation School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Sarah Parker Remond School, Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, and the Salem Early Childhood Center – have yet to be announced.
Eligibility for kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programs is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who will turn FIVE years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to start kindergarten in the fall of 2027.
- Pre-Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who turn FOUR years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to enter the lottery for the SPS pre-K program in the fall of 2027.
- Preschool: Children residing in Salem who turn THREE years old on or before Aug. 31 and pass a screening are eligible to enter the lottery for the preschool program at the Salem Early Childhood Center in the fall of 2027.
Further details and timelines associated with the registration process for preschool, preK and kindergarten will be shared at the Virtual Town Hall.
For more information, contact the SPS Family Welcome Center at welcomecenter@salemk12.org, by telephone at (978) 740-1225, or visit salemk12.org/families.
Important Notice About Immunization Records
Earlier this month, letters were sent to several families alerting them that their children's immunization records are not current. If you received one of these letters, you must provide your school nurse with updated records indicating that your child has received all vaccines required for school attendance by Monday, November 30. If your child's record is not up-to-date by the deadline, they may not return to school on December 1st until we have proof that their immunization record is current and up-to-date. Please contact your child's school nurse with any questions or to share your plans for addressing this issue.
The Salem 400+ Committee is seeking original artwork to be on display during the Salem 400+ Closing Ceremony Saturday, Dec. 5, at Salem High School.
As Salem looks ahead to its next 400 years, we invite students of all grades and SPS staff to imagine the future of our city. Artists are encouraged to create an original artwork that features one or a series of windows, frames, portals, or viewpoints, with each one revealing a different vision of Salem's future.
- What might Salem look like generations from now?
- What innovations, traditions, people, and places will shape our community?
Some artwork pieces may be scanned for promotional materials and mementoes for the public and to put into the Salem 400+ 2026 Time Capsule. All artists will get their art back.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026. Artwork can be dropped off at the SHS main lobby or Collins Middle School Room 223.
Your artwork might include:
- Green Salem: Parks, gardens, urban forests, and sustainable living
- Creative Salem: Public art, music, theater, and creative expression everywhere
- Innovative Salem: Technology, science and robotics improving daily life
- Learning Salem: Future schools, libraries, and opportunities for lifelong learning
- Community Salem: Welcoming, affordable neighborhoods where everyone belongs
- Maritime Salem: A harbor that continues to connect and define our city
There is no right answer. Your windows can show realistic possibilities, bold dreams, or imaginative ideas. Artists can include people, buildings, nature, inventions, or anything else that helps tell the story of Salem's future; and are encouraged to ask themselves, 'If someone looked through these windows 100 years from now, what would you hope they would see?'
Mediums welcome: Drawing, painting, collage, digital art, mixed media, or other visual art formats.
For more information, visit Salem400.org or contact salem400@salem.com.
The Salem Youth Commission is seeking new Salem High School, New Liberty Innovation School and Salem Prep High School students to join and become more engaged in City issues.
SHS students interested in joining the SYC are encouraged to attend its Thursday, Nov. 19 meeting (5:30-7:00 p.m.) at the City Hall Annex, located at 98 Washington Street, which will serve as the kickoff for this year's Commission.
The Commission meets monthly through June, and participation often opens the door to additional community-based leadership roles and opportunities for young people, including guest speaking roles on community panels, state-level leadership training, and more. With the graduation of several youth leaders, the SYC is extending its welcome to a new group of students interested in using their voices to help shape Salem, engage in civic issues, and advocate for the things that matter most to them. No prior experience or involvement is necessary, and all are welcome.
This year, the SYC will partner with Mental Makeover and to focus primarily on mental health advocacy efforts.
For more information, contact Sarah Roy, Director of Youth & Family Engagement, at sroy@salem.com.
The Salem State University Center for Justice and Liberation is accepting submissions for the 2027 Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest, open to Salem Public Schools elementary, middle and high school students with a prize of $100 to the winning essay in each category.
The essay subject and theme for this year’s contest is ‘Be love. Heal humanity. Honor truth. Prioritize justice. Practice Nonviolence 365.’
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Essays can be e-mailed to CJL@salemstate.edu.
Essay winners will be honored at the Center for Justice and Liberation 37th Annual MLK Luncheon Monday, Jan. 25, at Veterans Memorial Hall in the Ellison Campus Center.
Last year’s essay winners included Collins Middle School seventh grade student Vincent Zheng, who won the middle school category, and Horace Mann Laboratory School fifth grader Emily Impeartrice, who won the elementary school category. Also honored was runner-up recipient Mychaelah Brooks, a fifth grader at Horace Mann, as well as honorable mention recipients Teairra Riley and Lux Scully, also fifth grade students at Horace Mann.
For more information, contact Salem State’s Center for Justice and Liberation at CJL@salemstate.edu.
Big emotions are a normal part of growing up. For some students, emotional and behavioral challenges can affect learning, friendships, and daily life.
If you notice that your child is having big reactions that are hard to move through, or becoming overwhelmed and shutting down, you don’t have to wait for things to get harder to ask for help.
Cartwheel, our virtual mental health partner, offers specialized therapy and support for children and families navigating big emotions and behaviors through its Big Behaviors, Big Feelings Care Program. You may be noticing:
- Big reactions that take a long time to settle
- Trouble handling frustration
- More conflict with friends, family, or school staff
- Becoming overwhelmed, withdrawing, or shutting down
With Cartwheel, your child can participate in individual therapy to build skills for managing strong emotions, handling frustration, and navigating conflict. Cartwheel also offers family therapy and parent guidance to help parents and caregivers respond to big feelings, build calmer routines, and reduce challenges.
Here’s what one parent shared:
“Since this program started with my daughter, I was very skeptical about it, but in the short time it has helped 100%. I enjoy knowing my daughter is getting help and it’s working.” – Parent/Caregiver
Scheduling is flexible, care is available in multiple languages, and you can choose a therapist and appointment time that works for your family. Most families start care within 7 to 10 days. Care is free for students with Medicaid, most private insurance is accepted, and financial assistance may be available if cost is a worry.
To learn more, visit this page. To get started, fill out this short interest form. Your school team will review it, and then Cartwheel will reach out to you about next steps.
Not ready yet? Our free parent guide shares simple ways to support your child at home.
With care,
Ellen Wingard
Executive Director of Student Support Services
Salem Public Schools
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.