Dear Salem Elementary Families,
As we welcome the month of May, we want to share some exciting updates and events happening at Salem Elementary School!
Classroom Highlights
Our students have been engaged in creative and exciting projects this month! Be sure to ask your child about their recent activities in the classroom. From art projects to reading, math, and science experiments, the learning is thriving! Recently, our second grade students attended the Intergenerational Concert at the Courthouse. They were a wonderful audience!
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 5th - May 9
Let’s show our gratitude for our amazing teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! Their dedication and hard work make a significant impact on our children’s learning experience
Family Engagement
We encourage families to stay involved and connected. Your participation in school events is invaluable to fostering a strong community. Be sure to check our website and social media for updates on upcoming events and concerts.
Thank you for your continuous support and involvement. Here’s to a wonderful month ahead filled with learning, growth, and community spirit!
Sincerely,
Damian Switzer
dswitzer@salemcsd.org, @Mr_SwitzerSalem
Congratulations to Lila Foster from Mr. Talmadge’s Grade 3 class for winning the Fidelis Care Coloring Contest for grades 2 and 3 across all of Washington County, focused on the dental health theme! Lila received a trophy and a box of markers in recognition of her achievement.
We are so proud of Lila's artistic talent and her understanding of the importance of keeping those pearly whites sparkling! Mr. Talmadge's class is buzzing with excitement over Lila's win, and it's inspired everyone to brush a little longer and floss a little more. Fidelis Care representatives visited the school to present Lila with her well-deserved awards. The whole class cheered as Lila accepted her trophy and eagerly eyed that box of markers!
The SWA Bike and Helmet Giveaway, along with the bike safety lesson, was a resounding success, thanks to Student and Family Coordinator, Kim Carr! A heartfelt thank you to Bikeatoga for donating the bikes and to Elizabeth St. John from Washington County Public Health for providing the helmets and leading the safety lesson. We also appreciate Officer Billy for supplying safety materials and Bernie Jones for assisting with bike transport. It was wonderful to see so many happy kids heading into spring break!
The New York State Assessments in ELA were successfully completed last week. This month students will participate in the remaining assessments, including Math (3-6) and Science (Gr. 5)
The remaining schedule for Salem Elementary School is as follows:
Math Assessments
May 6-7 (Tues - Wed): Grades 3 and 5
May 8-9 (Thurs - Fri): Grades 4 and 6
Science Assessment
May 13 (Tues): Grade 5
These assessments are more than just tests; they are essential tools that help us gain insights into your child's learning journey. The information we gather will guide our teaching methods to better meet the unique needs of each student. By identifying their strengths and areas for growth, we can develop personalized learning plans that encourage their academic potential.
Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership!
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Kindergarten Information Night!
Parent Information Night for Kindergarten
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 5:45 PM
Screening Dates: Wednesday, May 21, and Thursday, May 22
Join us for Kindergarten Round Up, where we will share important information about the transition to Kindergarten and provide a chance for you and your child to explore what lies ahead.
We look forward to seeing you at these important events. Your involvement is key to your child's success, and we are here to support you every step of the way!
What is Self-Control?
Self-control is the ability to manage your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It means being able to pause and think before you act. When you have self-control, you can:
Think Before You Act: Instead of immediately reacting, you take a moment to consider what will happen if you do something.
Manage Your Emotions: You learn to handle feelings like anger or sadness without letting them take over.
Make Good Choices: You choose to do the right thing, even when it’s hard or tempting to do something else.
Stay Focused: You can pay attention and stick with tasks, even if they’re not very fun.
Having self-control helps you get along with others and makes you feel proud of your choices!
Absences
It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to notify their respective office by telephone (854-9505 PreK-6th grade) or email atifft@salemcsd.org on the morning of the absence or tardiness as to the reason for such absence or tardiness. Parent Square is an additional means to report an absence or tardy.
As a follow-up to any oral notification, parents/guardians must provide a written excuse within two (2) school days of the student’s return to school containing the date of the absence or tardiness and reason for such. An email will qualify for a written excuse. Failure to comply will result in an unexcused absence or unexcused tardy being recorded in the register.
Thursday, May 1
Pre K Screening (by appointment)
Grades 5 & 6 Spelling Bee @1:30 pm Auditorium
Makerspace Club for Mrs. Lourie's class 2:30pm
Friday, May 2
Pre K Screening (by appointment)
Monday, May 5
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
PK-6 Faculty Meeting @2:30pm HS library
Tuesday, May 6
Grades 3 & 5 NYS Math assessment
Grade 1 to Wild Hill Maple Farm 8:20am to 10:00am
Grades 4 - 6 Chorus @ 2:30 pm Band Room
Makerspace Club for Mrs. Luke-Byk's class 2:30pm
Budget Hearing @6:00pm followed by the Capital Project Hearing Auditorium
Wednesday, May 7
Grades 3 & 5 NYS Math assessment
Grades 3 & 4 Lego Club @ 2:30pm Primary Gym
Thursday, May 8
Grades 4 & 6 NYS Math assessment
Grade 3 to Folk Music Concert@1:30pm Salem Courthouse
Makerspace Club for Mrs. Lourie's class 2:30pm
Incoming Kindergarten Parent Information Night @5:45pm Primary Gym
Friday, May 9
Grades 4 & 6 NYS Math assessment
PTA Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for staff 10:20am - 1:00pm Primary Gym
Tuesday, May 13
Grade 5 NYS Science assessment
Grades 4 - 6 Chorus @ 2:30 pm Band Room
Makerspace Club for Mrs. Luke-Byk's class 2:30pm
Wednesday, May 14
Grades 5 & 6 Lego Club @ 2:30 pm Primary Gym
Cool 2B Kind Mtg @2:30pm Rm 206
PTA meeting @5:30pm Cafeteria
Thursday, May 15
Grade 6 to Camp Chingachgook 8:15am to 5:30pm
Makerspace Club for Mrs. Lourie's class 2:30pm
Friday, May 16
Grade 1 Sweethearts Tea 1:30 pm
NYSMMA Queensbury HS
Saturday, May 17
NYSMMA Queensbury HS
Tuesday, May 20
BUDGET VOTE 8:00am to 8:00pm HS CIRCLE ENTRANCE ROOM 418
Grades 4 - 6 Chorus @ 2:30 pm Band Room
Best of Salem display 5:00pm - 7:00pm HS Gym
Wednesday, May 21
Kindergarten Screening ( by appointment)
Grades K - 2 Lego Club @2:30pm Primary gym
BOE Meeting @6:00 pm HS library
Thursday, May 22
Kindergarten Screening ( by appointment)
Friday, May 23
Kindergarten to Nolan Farm 8:20am to 10:00am
Monday, May 26
SCHOOL CLOSED-Memorial Day Holiday
Tuesday, May 27
Grades 4 - 6 Chorus @ 2:30 pm Band Room
Wednesday, May 28
Grade 4 to Folk Music Concert @1:15pm Salem Courthouse
Cool 2B Kind Mtg @2:30 pm