SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

March 10 - SAT Day

March 13 - Progress Reports Posted

March 16 - Student Led Conferences (Teachers have sent out appointment links)

March 19 - Senior Show: Planet SHS 7pm

March 20 - Senior Show: Planet SHS 7pm

March 24 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

March 25 - Grade 10 ELA MCAS

The After Prom Committee, led by SHS Parents, is running a scratch ticket raffle to raise money for a fun and safe Post-Senior Prom Party at In The Game. Only 300 tickets will be sold.

Must by 18 to purchase a ticket.

Payment Methods:

Venmo: Josh Gillis @Josh-Gillis-75 (Include your Name and Phone Number in Venmo)

or

Email salemhighafterprom@gmail.com for other payment options

“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

S.H.E.L.L. (Salem High Educator Learning Lab) is a flexible, student-centered approach to education that is designed to support academic growth, exploration, and innovation. The Learning Lab provides educators with time, guidance, and resources to strengthen skills, receive targeted support, collaborate with peers, and extend learning beyond the traditional classroom.

Through SHELL, Salem High School is deepening its commitment to personalized learning—creating an environment where students can ask questions, try new strategies, get feedback, and build confidence as learners. Whether students need extra help, enrichment opportunities, or a place to work and reflect, SHELL is designed to bring educators together and design a meaning learning environment that will meet students where they are and help them move forward.

In order to provide our whole school community an understanding of some of the great things happening at Salem High School we have created a podcast that we will be using to tell our story and more importantly let our students and educators shine!

Episode 3.3 - Student Leadership:

Join Liv and Ellie for another Student Leadership episode as they share how they’ve developed the skills to lead and support younger members of the Salem High School community. They reflect on their experiences as mentors, the clubs and sports that have shaped their leadership journeys, and how student feedback and reflection help strengthen school culture. Tune in for an honest conversation about growth, responsibility, and what it means to lead by example.

Salem High junior Grant Dwyer and Swampscott senior Claire Slomski have been chosen as the Male and Female Swimmers of the Year in the Northeastern Conference, as the league announced its annual All-Conference teams and other awards.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/sports/salems-dwyer-swampscotts-smolski-earn-nec-swimmer-of-the-year-accolades/article_9958508f-e090-40ea-aa3c-68bcaa05c89c.html

Salem High School’s Drama Club delivered an outstanding performance this weekend at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) Preliminary Round held at St. John’s Prep, earning a coveted advancement to the Semi-Final Round. Their one-act production of Pandora and the Sickle Moon by Jessica Chipman was one of only four performances selected at the site to move forward in competition.

In addition to advancing, Salem High students earned five prestigious All-Star Company awards:

Seniors, Lizzy Mahady and Raymond Nguyen received Technical Excellence in Directing for their collaborative leadership.

Senior, Clover Borne Lyon was recognized with Technical Excellence in Costume Design for her hand-sewn costumes and intricately painted masks.

Juniors Frances Jones and Chance Beals, and Savannah Muasya, freshman Sam Vietske, and senior Ella Jackson (who also designed the set) brought home an Ensemble Acting Award for their precision and cohesive movement in the role of the Evils.

Seniors August Hunter, in the role of Vol, and Charlie Feldmann Conners, as the titular Pandora both won Excellence in Acting Awards for their emotional and nuanced performances.

The cast and crew demonstrated extraordinary dedication, creativity, and collaboration throughout the process, with every member contributing to the unified storytelling that secured their advancement. The METG Semi-Finals will take place on Saturday, March 14 (location to be announced).

Pandora and the Sickle Moon is produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company.

Salem High School congratulates its talented student artists and director Leah Hamilton French for this remarkable achievement and we wish them continued success in the next round of competition.

For legal reason, all publicly share announcements must include: Pandora and the Sickle Moon is produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company.

Purchase your Tickets Here: https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14715

By Phil Stacey

SALEM — Surreal. Amazing. Crazy.

Those were just some of the words that the players on the Salem High boys basketball team used to describe how it felt to be advancing to the state semifinals after blowing out visiting Cathedral, 56-40, in the Elite Eight Friday night.

"We reached the second round the last two years, but this offseason we really emphasized putting in that extra work, putting in that extra rep, putting in that extra hour to really accomplish our goals this season," said senior captain Nate Lane. "It's the best feeling right now."

Before a jam packed Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse where more than 2,000 fans came out to watch, the second seeded Witches improved to 22-2. The hosts shot out to a fast 12-1 lead and never looked back. Salem dominated defensively, turned that into points at the other end, and got numerous contributions in leading from box to wire.

In doing so they're back in the Final Four for the first time since 2010.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/sports/salem-heads-to-the-state-semis-witches-blast-cathedral-advancing-to-the-final-four/article_37170aae-1cde-4ddf-aa9a-aaedc5d91a43.html

The Salem High School percussion placed first at the NESBA indoor show this Saturday in Melrose. The Salem High School Colorguard put on an outstanding show and placed 6th in their new division which is considerably more competitive.

Salem High School will administer two standardized tests this semester (in-school, during normal school hours):

• March 10: SAT Class of 2027 Graduates who are Juniors

• April 7: PSAT 10 Class of 2028 Graduates who are Sophomores

No sign ups are needed for either exam.

The SAT is a standardized college admissions test that measures reading, writing, and math skills aligned with what students learn in high school. Many colleges use SAT scores as a factor in admissions and scholarship decisions.

The PSAT is a preliminary version of the SAT that helps students prepare. It measures the same reading, writing, and math skills as the SAT. The PSAT (October edition, taken junior year) is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The SAT will be offered again at Salem High in the fall for seniors by registration only. Further information about specific dates for this exam will be released late spring/early summer.

If you are interested in additional opportunities to take the SAT on Saturday at an approved College Board site, please make an appointment with your students' college and career counselor to assist with signing up for the exam. The confirmed dates through College Board are:

• May 2, 2026

• Jun 6, 2026

• August 22, 2026

• September 12, 2026

• October 3, 2026

• November 7, 2026

• December 5, 2026

PSAT/SAT Score Report

If you've taken one of these tests prior, your score report is one of the most useful tools available to you. To access your score report, sign in to your College Board account, navigate to "PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 Scores" (or "My SAT" if you’ve taken the SAT). The report breaks down your performance by skill area and question type.

Preparing for the SAT

Here are some free resources to help you study:

Conveniently, excellent resources such as the Khan Academy - Digital SAT Prep and College Board - Educator Question Bank are organized by the same question types as the score report. Look in your report for areas where you missed the most questions and start there—these are likely the easiest areas to gain points through study and practice.

Schoolhouse (also from Sal Khan of Khan Academy) is a peer-led community for free SAT tutoring. Sign up to learn from other students who have excelled on these tests.

Google offers free, full-length SAT practice tests via Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. You'll receive a score along with explanations for every question you missed, so you can focus your practice where it matters most.

Families, please note any relevant test dates above in your calendars—it’s important to get a good sleep the night before a test. Good luck to all of our test-takers this spring!

Congratulations — you got in! Now, let's talk numbers. Before you commit, you must understand your Financial Aid Award Letter. Sent by colleges after acceptance, this key document outlines the total cost of your education and the specific financial support the school is offering. Here is a simplified breakdown of the key components you'll find:

1. Cost of Attendance (COA): Your Baseline Number

This is the college's estimate of the total yearly cost, and it's the number all other figures are measured against. COA includes two types of costs:

• Direct Costs: Billed directly by the college (tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals).

• Indirect Costs: Estimated out-of-pocket expenses (books, supplies, transportation, and personal spending).

Crucial Tip: College estimates for indirect costs can vary widely. Make sure to scrutinize this figure!

2. Gift Aid: Free Money!

This is the most valuable form of aid—it does not need to be repaid.

• Grants are typically based on financial need.

• Scholarships may be based on merit, need, or both.
  
  Always check renewal requirements (like maintaining a minimum GPA) so there are no financial surprises in future years.

3. Net Price: Your True Cost

The most important number is your Net Price, calculated as COA minus Gift Aid. This is the amount your family will actually need to cover through savings, income, or borrowing. When comparing offers from multiple schools, always compare Net Prices. A school with a higher initial "sticker price" can often be more affordable once grants and scholarships are factored in!

Big Future Net Price Calculator

MEFA Cost Calculator Comparison

4. Loans: A Repayable Debt

Loans are frequently included, but remember: they must be repaid with interest. Do not treat them as "aid"—they are a form of debt. Federal loans (such as Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans) generally offer better terms than private loans. Be sure to identify the total loan portion and factor that debt into your decision.

5. Work-Study: Funding an On-Campus Job

Some letters include a federal work-study allocation, which provides funding for a part-time campus job to help cover costs. Remember that work-study is not guaranteed and is earned through paychecks over the course of the year—it is not money received upfront.

An Example & Next Steps

Below is an annotated sample award letter from the State University of New York (SUNY), which calls out these elements of an award letter. Note that Net Cost in the SUNY letter's Cost section is the Net Price for the student.

If anything in your award letter is unclear, don't hesitate to call the school's financial aid office — they expect these questions and are there to help.

Additionally, Salem High partners with College Affordable to offer personalized support to understand the financial aid process. Follow the link to ask questions via email or schedule a consultation with a financial aid expert.

Additional Resources

Articles

• Federal Student Aid (FSA): How To Evaluate Your Aid Offers

• Mass.gov: Understanding your student financial aid award letter

• Citizens Bank: Understanding your financial aid offers in 2026

Videos

• Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer: A quick overview of the structure of a financial aid award letter.

Tools

• Niche True Cost: Powered by data from College Aid Pro (a financial aid planning service headquartered here in Salem), Niche True Cost gives an in-depth analysis of how much you'll pay and where those dollars will go for every college on your list.

MARCH 8

APPLY NOW for SY26-27 (if you are new to Early College)

Contact Dr. Kirby if you need help with your application or have any questions about Early College: akirby@salemk12.org or 2nd floor IMC (Tutoring Center).

The last day to withdraw from an Early College course Spring 2026 is March 6. A “W” does not affect your GPA at SHS or college, but having multiple Ws can impact your Student Academic Progress. All Early College students must maintain a 2.0 college GPA and successfully complete (70% or above) 67% of attempted college courses to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Seniors on campus, there are no classes the week of Spring break (March 16-20, 2026). All spring materials have been delivered--see me if you need anything!

We will be reviewing Canvas/Blackboard accounts this week and next in anticipation of Progress reports. Please note, Jumprope only allows us to enter a "P-pass or F-fail" for current grade. See Canvas/Blackboard for most up to date information--and reach out to your professors to check your progress. It is your job to see if there's anything missing or work you could improve.

From the SHS Tutoring Center (2nd floor IMC):

• Referrals/scheduling: Staff & family members can refer students to the tutoring center for help HERE. Students can schedule appointments by clicking “Tutoring” on SHS Launchpad/Classlink too. Staff, undergraduate, and peer tutors are available for help in all subjects, and some specialize in writing or math.

• Teen Health Help: On Tuesdays, Araby’ha is available to meet to talk about anything on your mind. Araby’ha is a social work intern for the Teen Health Center and a senior at SSU. She will have drop in sessions during crew Tuesdays through the rest of this school year.

• Employment Help: Valerie from Masshire continues to be in the tutoring center Mondays 12:00-1:30 for job advising.

Click for:

• Early College Handbook, Handbook in Spanish Handbook in Portuguese.

SHS/SSU/NSCC Support & Contacts.

Alexandra Kirby

Early College Coordinator

We are thrilled to begin another exciting year and to support every student in their journey to growth and success. Through our C3 College, Career, and Counseling Department, we encourage all students to Dare To Grow because your future knows no boundaries.

We are excited to share that our students have already started more than 200 college applications to schools across the country! You can view the interactive map here to see where students are applying: C3 College Application Map.

This information comes from Naviance, which students can access through ClassLink. Parents can also access their student’s information using their Naviance username and password.

If students or families need support accessing Naviance, please reach out to your student’s counselor for assistance.

Deciding what colleges to add to your list? One great resource to examines what factors goes into your college choice is Big Future at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search.

Location: Milton, Massachusetts

Mascot: Colonel

Enrollment: 2,500

Average GPA: 3.2

Average SAT Score: 1060

Average ACT Score: 22

Admissions: https://www.curry.edu/admission-and-aid

Curry College is a private college located in Milton, Massachusetts, just seven miles from downtown Boston. Founded in 1879, Curry is known for its strong commitment to personalized education, experiential learning, and career preparation. The college offers a supportive learning environment with small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and extensive academic support services.

Curry is nationally recognized for its Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country supporting students with learning differences. The college emphasizes practical, hands-on learning that prepares students for successful careers in business, healthcare, communications, criminal justice, and the liberal arts.

Colleges & Academic Programs

Curry College offers undergraduate and graduate programs through several academic divisions, including:

School of Business and Technology
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
School of Education and Liberal Arts
School of Communication, Media & Arts

Students can pursue degrees in areas such as:

Business Administration
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Criminal Justice
Nursing (BSN)
Health Sciences
Communication & Media
Graphic Design
Psychology
Sociology
Education
Sport & Recreation Management
Cybersecurity
Computer Science

Curry emphasizes career-focused education that combines classroom learning with internships and real-world experiences.

Areas of Academic Strength

Nursing and health sciences
Criminal justice and public safety
Business administration and management
Communication and media studies
Cybersecurity and information technology
Psychology and human services
Experiential learning and internships

Curry’s close proximity to Boston provides students with access to internships and professional opportunities in healthcare systems, financial institutions, media companies, and nonprofit organizations.

Experiential Learning & Professional Advantage

Curry integrates hands-on learning into the academic experience through:

Required internships and career exploration programs
Service-learning opportunities
Clinical placements for nursing students
Partnerships with Boston-area organizations
Study abroad opportunities
Career development and professional mentoring

Many students complete multiple internships before graduating, giving them valuable real-world experience and strong career preparation.

Clubs & Student Organizations

Curry offers more than 40 student organizations, including:

Student government
Cultural and identity-based organizations
Academic honor societies
Media and communications clubs
Business and entrepreneurship clubs
Performing arts groups
Community service organizations
Leadership development programs

Student life at Curry emphasizes community engagement, leadership, and personal growth.

Athletics

Curry College competes in NCAA Division III athletics as a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).

Varsity Sports Include:

Football
Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Soccer
Baseball
Softball
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Track & Field
Tennis
Volleyball

Curry athletics emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and academic success alongside athletic competition.

Recent & Notable Developments

Expansion of healthcare and nursing programs
Growth in cybersecurity and technology programs
Investment in student academic support services
Enhanced internship and career development initiatives
Campus facility improvements and residence hall upgrades
Continued strong job placement rates for graduates

Virtual Tour: https://www.curry.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate-admission/visit/explore-curry-college/virtual-campus-tours

Website: https://www.curry.edu/

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is the minimum requirement to become a police officer. Many departments prefer or require some college coursework or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Common majors include:

• Criminal Justice

• Criminology

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Public Administration

• Homeland Security

• Law Enforcement Studies

Many police departments also require candidates to complete a state-approved police academy training program after being hired or before employment.

Licensure / Certification Pathway (Role-Dependent)

Police officers must complete certification through a state police training academy.

Typical pathway:

1. Pass a civil service exam or police entrance exam (in many states).

2. Complete a background investigation, medical exam, and psychological evaluation.

3. Graduate from a state-certified police academy (usually 16–24 weeks of training).

4. Receive state law enforcement certification to serve as a police officer.

Additional specialized certifications may include:

• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)

• Defensive tactics and firearms certification

• K-9 handling certification

• SWAT or tactical operations training

• Community policing certification

• Emergency medical or first responder training

Advanced Training (Optional but Common)

Experienced officers may pursue additional education or specialized training to advance into roles such as:

• Detective or investigator

• Police sergeant or lieutenant (supervisory roles)

• SWAT or tactical response teams

• School resource officer (SRO)

• Cybercrime or digital forensics investigator

• Homeland security or federal law enforcement roles

Some officers earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees in criminal justice, public safety administration, or leadership to pursue higher ranks.

Typical Tasks Associated with This Career

• Patrol neighborhoods and communities to maintain public safety

• Respond to emergency calls and incidents

• Investigate crimes and collect evidence

• Conduct traffic stops and enforce laws

• Interview witnesses and victims

• Write detailed incident and arrest reports

• Testify in court during criminal proceedings

• Provide assistance during accidents and emergencies

• Work with community members to prevent crime

• Collaborate with detectives, firefighters, EMS, and other agencies

Police officers use tools such as radios, body cameras, patrol vehicles, computer reporting systems, and investigative equipment.

Expected Income

Average salary: $70,000–$90,000 depending on location, experience, and department size.
Many officers also earn overtime, shift differentials, and specialized duty pay.

Projected Growth

3% growth over the next 10 years

Related High School Coursework

• Criminal Justice / Law classes

• Government / Civics

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Physical Education / Fitness

• Health and First Aid

• Communication / Public Speaking

• English Language Arts

Students interested in law enforcement are also encouraged to participate in community service, leadership programs, and public safety internships.