SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

October 20 - Parent/Guardian Conferences 2:40 - 3:40

October 21 - Fall Concert - 7pm - SHS Auditorium

October 28 - Volleyball Senior Night

October 29 - Picture Retake Day

October 29 - Unified Basketball Senior Night

October 29 - Football and Cheer Senior Night

October 30 - Early Release Day

November 2- Boys Soccer Senior Night

November 3 - No School

November 4 - End of Quarter 1

During the October 30th early release day scholars are able to wear costumes;

• No masks, full-face masks
• No props or accessories that could be a tripping hazard or depict weapons, like swords, guns, knives, chainsaws
• No Costumes that make fun of disabilities
• No Costumes that depict gangs, drugs, and alcohol

This has been a fun day for the past few school years and we look forward to another day that brings joy and creativity. Check our twitter throughout the day to check out our Halloween Dress Up - @principalgburns #GoWitch

Come explore the delicious offerings at the Black Cat Bistro! Our students develop a new menu every two weeks, showcasing their creativity and culinary skills. Join us Wednesday through Friday, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Oct. 29 Boys Soccer Match vs. KIPP Academy Rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.

The Thursday, Oct. 29 Salem High School-KIPP Academy boys soccer match has been rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m., immediately following the SHS girls soccer team's home match vs. Amesbury. The boys soccer team's seniors will be honored prior to the match.

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.

The Salem High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Department will host its 2026 Middle School Open House for grades 6-8 families Saturday, Nov. 14 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at its CTE facilities at the High School.

Salem families can register for one, two or three programs and take part in a one-hour project-based learning activity in each program beginning at 9 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, registration and student drop-off.

Families are encouraged to register for the Open House and declare 1-3 CTE pathways in which their child/children would like to explore. Each session is one hour long.

For more information, please visit the CTE Pathways web page or contact CTE Director Mario Sousa at msousa@salemk12.org.

“BE ABOUT IT”

• Live the values of our school community; show pride, respect, and responsibility not just by saying it, but by consistently doing it.

• Follow through on commitments, whether that’s in academics, athletics, arts, or personal goals.

• 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

Rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of Girls Soccer Senior Night! We celebrated our seniors and their commitment to Salem High School athletics, welcomed Salem Youth Soccer to cheer on the team, and finished the night with a Witches win. It was especially exciting to see our future Witches celebrating alongside our student-athletes and looking forward to their own opportunity to represent SHS. Thank you to our families, coaches, teammates, and youth soccer community for making it a great night. Congratulations Seniors, and Go Witches!

Julia Gauthier

Alexa Martin

Makenzie Eichel

Alexa Bedard

Ayahna Pacheco

Eleanor Joy

Special shout out to David Gauthier for providing play by play on SATV.

In other news, we received midterm alerts from SSU and NSCC regarding student behavior and academic progress. You and your family may receive an alert via email including next steps.

Here is some general feedback about college expectations:

• Whether your class is at SHS or on campus, you are expected to be present and focused for the whole class (1 hour and 15 minutes). Please plan accordingly.

• Take notes on lectures and readings. Make sure you’ve done the work and reading for class on time.

• Most professors do not excuse absences for any reason or accept late work. Be familiar with the course syllabus.

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).

• Families–Click here to complete SY 26-27 Family Expectation & Handbook Acknowledgement if you have not already.

• Remember to check your SHS and college email + SSU Canvas/NSCC Blackboard DAILY!

• Early College Resources

• 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, see me or your C3 counselor if you’re interested in Spring 2026 enrollment!

Thanks,

Dr. Kirby

akirby@salemk12.org

Monday, October 19: Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
Did you know? Regis nursing students practice patient care in realistic simulation settings before entering the profession!

Tuesday, October 20: Saint Anselm College
Manchester, New Hampshire
Did you know? Saint Anselm is home to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and has hosted presidential primary debates!

Thursday, October 22: Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Did you know? Brandeis is named after Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice of the United States Supreme Court!

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!

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.

Wednesday, October 28 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. Online and presented entirely in Spanish

Despite the many obstacles they face in pursuing a university education, undocumented students can access higher education. This webinar will explain the latest immigration regulations, as well as the immigration statuses that are eligible—and those that are ineligible—for Federal Student Aid. It will also examine the application process for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and its associated benefits.

The session will cover admission policies for public and private universities and explain how DACA recipients and undocumented students can maximize credits and time by taking advantage of dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities across various states, high schools, and community colleges. Scholarship resources and direct links to state and national organizations at the forefront of this widely debated issue will also be shared.

Sign Up Here:

The College Planning Process for Students with Complex Immigration Statuses in Spanish

Location: Pittsburg, Kansas
Mascot: Gus the Gorilla
Enrollment: 5,766 undergraduate and graduate students (fall 2026).
Average High School GPA: 3.48
Average SAT: Not reported in the university’s 2024–2025 Common Data Set.
ACT: Median composite score of 20

Admissions: Pittsburg State University Undergraduate Admissions

Pittsburg State University is a public university in southeastern Kansas, founded in 1903. Known as “Pitt State,” the university emphasizes practical learning, career preparation, and community involvement. Its motto, “By doing, learn,” reflects its approach to education. Crimson-and-gold school spirit and its distinctive Gorilla mascot help create a strong campus identity.

Academics

Pittsburg State offers more than 200 academic programs across four colleges: Arts and Sciences, Education, the Kelce College of Business, and the Crossland College of Technology.

Programs and fields to explore include:

• Automotive Technology

• Business and Accounting

• Computer Science

• Construction Engineering Technology

• Criminal Justice

• Education

• Electronics, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Engineering Technology

• Nursing

• Plastics Engineering Technology

• Psychology

• Social Work

• Wood Product Manufacturing.

Students can explore applied learning through technical programs, laboratories, and industry connections. The College of Technology’s Company Days connects students with employers recruiting in fields such as construction, automotive technology, engineering technology, and manufacturing. These programs may be especially interesting to students who enjoy building, designing, troubleshooting, and solving practical problems.

Student Life

More than 150 clubs and organizations provide opportunities to explore academic, cultural, service, and recreational interests. Students can participate in student government, fraternity and sorority life, service events, and activities organized by the Gorilla Activities Board.

The campus is minutes from downtown Pittsburg, offering access to local dining, shopping, and community activities. Homecoming and performances at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts provide additional opportunities to connect with campus life.

Athletics

Pittsburg State competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Gorillas have strong football and track-and-field traditions. Football games at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Virtual Tour: Explore Pittsburg State University

Website: Pittsburg State University

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

Register for MATHQuest

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

Apply to HPREP

HPREP_FlyerEnglish_2026.pdf

HPREP_FlyerFrench_2026.pdf

HPREP_FlyerSpanish_2026.pdf

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