Salem Public Schools
SPS Community,
As we build the next iteration of our strategic plan, we are excited to invite you to Design Day on Saturday, February 7 from 11-3 p.m. at the Collins Middle School cafeteria. Design Day is an event in which our families, staff, students and community members (of all ages!) can offer their priorities for learning. It is an opportunity to share your suggestions, opinions and input to help us rethink what school can be for children over the next 10 years.
The plan is to set up several stations where families can share their priorities in different ways, including flip charts with key questions; an activity to rank future priorities; and quick, interactive options for providing input on specific topics using 2x2 grids, spectrum bars, and stickers.
In addition, we will host table discussions where families and students can share their perspectives on topics such as Artificial Intelligence in the classroom, plans for a new high school, community engagement, pre-Kindergarten and early education, and other areas of interest.
Childcare will be available and we’ll be rolling out more information as we approach the date. Please join us!
We also hope to see some of you this weekend at the Salem 400+ Kickoff Saturday at Salem High School from 2-5 p.m. In attendance will be more than 65 non-profit organizations who are seeking volunteers and offer opportunities that match your interests in order to celebrate Salem’s milestone birthday. There will be a host of fun activities for children, light refreshments from our Culinary Arts students, live music by members of the SHS Band, Chorus and Orchestra, and fire pits.
Finally, the School Committee is soliciting ideas for the new name of the merged Saltonstall and Carlton Schools. The Committee invites community suggestions that align with the district’s core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity. Please submit naming ideas to reconfiguration@salemk12.org no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026 (note the extension). The Committee will take up the school name question at its upcoming meeting on Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m.
Have an outstanding weekend,
Steve
DESE Approves Collins Middle School for Dual Language Bilingual Education
Collins Middle School has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to become a dual language bilingual education school, announced Salem Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike Monday. Collins Middle School joins the Bentley Academy Innovation School as the District’s second dual language school. It is expected to begin offering classes in Spanish to multilingual students – in addition to its current curriculum for English language learners – beginning the 2026-27 school year.
Salem School Committee Adds New Members Yamily Byas, Megan Stott
Yamily Byas, a former student support specialist at Salem Prep High School, and Megan Stott, a former Salem city councilor, began their four-year tenure on the Salem School Committee at the first meeting of 2026 on Monday, Jan. 5. Both Ms. Byas and Ms. Stott were elected to their posts in November, alongside incumbent member Beth Anne Cornell, who was named the Committee Vice Chair. Ms. Byas and Ms. Stott replace former members Amanda Campbell and Vice Chair/State Representative (7th Essex District) Manny Cruz, each of whom served eight years.
Salem High School Tri-M Music Honor Society Inducts 16 Members at Dec. 11 Ceremony
Sixteen student musicians were inducted into the Salem High School Tri-M Music Honor Society – in its 26th year – Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the M. Ruth Norton Auditorium. Presiding over the ceremony were seniors Em Clark, president; Raymond Nghia Nguyen, vice president; August Hunter, secretary; Camryn Franklin, treasurer; Nancy Reed, historian, Waskelly Veloz Peña, social media & publicity; as well as Micaiah Jones, Tri-M Music Honor Society advisor.
The Salem News | Salem State women's 1986 NCAA champions to be honored with 40th anniversary this month
Evelyn Oquendo (Salem High School Class of 1983) and Holly (Brennan) Englehardt '82 were standout players on Salem State's 1985-86 NCAA Division III Championship team which will be honored during the University's Winter Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Jan. 24, marking its 40th anniversary.
Salem Firefighters Union Local 172 Raises More Than $8,000 to Benefit SHS Athletics, Class of 2026
The Salem Firefighters Union Local 172 raised more than $8,000 through the sales of apparel during Halloween season to benefit Salem High School athletics and the class of 2026. During the month of October, members of the Salem Firefighters Union Local 172 worked closely with the SHS athletic department, student-athletes and the class of 2026 officers for 10 days selling t-shirts and other apparel outside its Lafayette Street headquarters.
Salem Youth Lacrosse | REGISTER HERE
- Signup is open for the 2026 Salem Youth Lacrosse season for players in grades 1-8. Teams will have two practices per week with eight games and all games will be played on Sundays. First-time players are welcome and encouraged.
Witch City Flag Football | REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS
- Girls flag football tryouts for players aged 7-14 are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, 4:15-5:30 p.m., at Danvers Indoor Sports, located at 150 Andover Street in Danvers.
- Co-ed flag football tryouts for players aged 5-14 are also scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, 5:15-6:30 p.m. at Danvers Indoor Sports.
Salem Youth Soccer | REGISTER NOW
- Registration is open for players aged 3 to postgraduate level. Early bird fees are still available.
Salem Little League Softball and Baseball | REGISTER NOW
- Visit the SLL website to find your early bird rates, key dates, contacts, age groups and volunteer opportunities.
It's the start of the new year and mental healthiness should be top of mind.
We want to remind our families that Salem Public Schools is committed to supporting the overall well-being of our students and believes mental health is an important part of overall health. We continue to partner with Cartwheel to support the mental health needs of our students via virtual therapy with licensed clinicians.
- PREVIOUSLY: A student had to be identified and referred for these services by our school team.
- NOW: You can now request these services directly for your child.
Oftentimes, families are the first to recognize that their child might need mental health support so we want to make it as easy as possible for your family to access these services.
Common signs to determine if your child might benefit from this support:
Changes in mood or behavior
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Declining academic performance
Withdrawal from friends or activities
Increased anxiety or stress
Expressing feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Experiencing transition (related to life, family, peers, school)
Exposure to a traumatic event
Check out these FAQs about the types of challenges Cartwheel can support, how it works, and more. For more information, contact your child's school guidance counselor or visit Cartwheel.org.
Recent national news regarding CDC childhood vaccine recommendations has raised questions within our community. It is important to note that Massachusetts sets its own requirements for school entry, and those mandates remain unchanged. The Department of Public Health remains committed to evidence-based science and ensuring easy access to the vaccines that have protected children for decades. You can read more about this in Governor Maura Healey’s recent press release.
It is not too early to vaccinate your child against seasonal influenza and COVID-19. We are currently seeing an increase in local cases of both illnesses. Tragically, four young children in the Commonwealth have died in recent weeks due to influenza-related illnesses. We strongly urge all families to consult their healthcare provider or local pharmacy about flu and COVID-19 vaccination options for your family members. For more information on flu risks, please refer to this DPH press release. As always, please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.
Discover how you can make a difference in your community!
The Salem 400+ Kickoff and Volunteer Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, at Salem High School (2-5 p.m.), where attendees can meet local organizations and learn about volunteer opportunities that match their interests.
Explore booths from the area's non-profits in a fun, craft fair-style setting. Each organization will have interactive activities, information, and creative ways to share what they do. Whether you're looking to volunteer regularly, help with a specific project, or just learn more about what's happening in Salem, this is your chance to connect with causes you care about.
Enjoy live music, performances, children's activities, and food while you explore. This is a perfect family-friendly afternoon to meet your neighbors, discover new ways to get involved, and find out how you can help make Salem an even better place to live.
The Salem 400+ Kickoff and Volunteer Fair is free and open to all community members. For more information, contact Virginia Cherol, Salem 400+ Coordinator, at vcherol@salem.com.
Spaces are still available for the Salem Technical Institute's FREE, 15-week coursework and entry level certification in Automotive Technology and Building and Property Maintenance.
Classes will begin Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 and will meet Monday-Thursday (5-9 p.m.) for 15 weeks at Salem High School. Students receive certification in OSHA standards, First Aid/CPR and AED; Hotworks and other industry-related certifications; as well as career development guidance including instruction with resumes, cover letters and interview preparation.
Upon completion of the coursework, students are eligible to receive job placement opportunities through STI’s partnership with the MassHire North Shore Career Center. Coursework is open to recent graduates, unemployed/under-employed, and those seeking a career change toward any of the career tracks. Students will learn from professionals in each track.
For more information, e-mail gyeager@salemk12.org.
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.