Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools Families,
Today is Dominican Independence Day! It marks the 182nd anniversary of the Dominican Republic’s independence. Since gaining nationhood in 1844, the country has proudly embraced the declaration: ¡Dios, Patria, Libertad: República Dominicana! (God, Country, Freedom: Dominican Republic!).
Salem Public Schools stands alongside our Dominican students, staff, and families in celebrating this meaningful occasion. As a district that serves a large Dominican community, it is especially important that we acknowledge the historical significance of this day and the impact it has on many members of our school community.
Beyond recognizing February 27th, we should also continue creating opportunities throughout the year for students to engage with and learn about Dominican history and culture in deeper and more sustained ways.
As we close Black History Month, I want to make you aware of an event tomorrow at Hamilton Hall. Sarah Parker Remond (and John and Nancy Remond) are depicted in a theatrical performance by History Alive at Hamilton Hall Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. See here: Fashioning for Freedom; Layer of Liberty.
As a reminder, we have an in-person community budget forum scheduled for Monday, March 2nd, 6:30 p.m. at Salem High School. Childcare and Spanish interpretation will be provided. I hope that you can join us there for this session.
Finally, our previously postponed Design Day has been rescheduled for Saturday March 14th from 11 am to 2 pm at Collins Middle School. Design Day is a community-centered, collaborative opportunity to help imagine and shape the future of learning in Salem. Everyone is welcome to drop in at any time. We will have snacks, childcare, hands-on activities, and multiple ways for people to contribute. Please add this to your calendars!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Steve
The Salem News | Salem pupils share favorite things about their city for ‘Snow Day Challenge’
After a successful “Snow Day Challenge” in January, Salem Public Schools held another contest during Monday’s blizzard, asking students experiencing yet another snow day to write about their favorite things about Salem, with submissions listing everything from ice cream at the Willows to Halloween festivities.
CTE Professional Panel Showcases Opportunities, Internships to More Than 100 Salem High School Students
Diploma plus real work experience.
It’s a phrase with which the students of Salem High School are already familiar, and future SHS students and will come to know well. At graduation, the students of SHS will have both, and preferably plenty of the latter.
The Salem News | Just Ducky: New team mascot has symbolized Salem boys basketball’s commitment to defense
It’s enormous. It’s bright yellow. It’s unwieldly.
And the Salem High boys basketball team loves it — so much so that they lugged it all the way back from Florida with them, where it now holds a special place of distinction in the success of this year’s Witches.
The Salem News | Local students win Scholastic Art Awards
Senior Gemma Murphy won a Silver Key Award in experimental photography and honorable mention honors in drawing while seniors Kira Bester (comic art) and Alexia Coleman (photography) were also cited in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The annual awards celebrate artists, photographers and writers in grades 7-12 across the nation. This year alone, more than 12,000 entries were submitted to the Massachusetts contest.
WATCH | New Year’s Resolutions with the Salem Early Childhood Center
Disneyworld. Make pea soup. Fly in MY hot air balloon. Be like my dad.
In January, we got to hear some New Year’s resolutions from our scholars at the Salem Early Childhood Center. The responses are priceless.
Salem Public Schools is committed to ensuring our families have a clear, up-to-date picture of your child's academic progress, which is why we introduced the JumpRope grading platform this year. As we work to make this a truly useful tool for our community, we would love to hear your thoughts.
Please share your perspective in this very brief, three-question survey. Your feedback will help us learn, grow, and improve how we share information with you.
Salem Park, Recreation and Community Services is offering three new programs -- Elite Hoopers Academy for Girls & Boys, as well as Collage Making for Kids.
Interested families can register at the Salem Park, Recreation and Community Services website.
Elite Hoopers Academy for Girls
Elite Hoopers Academy for Boys
Collage Making for Kids
National Grid and Earth Cubs have launched the National Grid Energy Literacy Fellowship, an all-expenses-paid professional development program for elementary school educators in the communities they serve across New York and Massachusetts.
Selected fellows will travel to the United Kingdom – with air travel and lodging fully covered – for an immersive experience focused on energy education content and classroom teaching strategies. Through this fellowship, educators will gain access to curriculum-aligned resources that they can bring directly back to their students.
Salem Public Art Commission invites all Salem community members to join its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 3 (6:30 p.m.) via Zoom to discuss how the Salem commemorates our 400+ with Public Art.
- Meeting ID: 894 7194 6935
- Password: SalemArts
The meeting will feature design concept presentations by the 5 semi-finalist artists selected for the Salem 400+ Sculpture Project, followed by a community Q & A. This will be a unique opportunity for the community to hear form the artists directly and ask questions about their proposed ideas.
Unable to join the meeting but still want to give your thoughts? All artist proposal materials are now available online for public comment here. Public input will close at 8am on Monday, Mar. 9.
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.