Salem Public Schools
SPS Community,
I want to encourage all Salem Public Schools parents and caregivers to consider joining the Superintendent Parent Advisory Council that has been in existence for the last three years. Led by our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement (DEIE) Laura Assade, the Parent Advisory Council provides opportunities for open communication between SPS leadership and parents/caregivers about district policies, budgets, programs and our strategic priorities. Our current Council is looking to add new families to the group who represent the diversity of thought, background and experience across our city. To become involved with the Parent Advisory Council, please complete our interest form.
Finally, we want to remind families that we have additional virtual meetings scheduled this week to discuss the future of our elementary school portfolio (referenced in last week’s newsletter). This past week, we had two very informative virtual sessions with parents from the Saltonstall School and Carlton Innovation School.
Please see the schedule this week (schools will be sending out the zoom links).
Witchcraft Height Elementary: Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
Horace Mann Laboratory School: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 @ 6:30 p.m.
Bates Elementary: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
Bentley Academy/Early Childhood Center: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
Enjoy the weekend.
Steve
SPS Food and Nutrition Services Awarded Food Security Infrastructure Grant from Department of Agricultural Resources
The Salem Public Schools Department of Food and Nutrition Services was awarded the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, FNS Operations Manager Robby Armstrong ‘05 announced Friday. The $313,793 grant is expected to fund significant enhancements in SPS kitchens including the rebuilding of walk-in refrigeration and freezing spaces at several schools as well as new, state-of-the-art ovens.
VIEW GALLERY | Salem Public Schools Celebrates National School Lunch Week Oct. 13-17
It was a short week, but a festive one. Salem Public Schools Department of Food and Nutrition Services celebrated National School Lunch Week not only with menus emblematic of Salvadoran, Jamaican, Ukrainian and Italian cuisine, but also passports and stickers (stamps) to place inside. The week included ‘celebrity’ servers — City of Salem officials, SPS leadership and Salem Police Department officers.
The Salem News | Local producers land grants to boost connection to consumers, fight hunger
Local farms, seafood harvesters and other organizations are recipients of more than $1.5 million in grants to address hunger and strengthen the local food supply chain in Massachusetts.
We are still seeking Back-to-School forms from many of our families.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of completing these forms so that we have the most updated information on our students in case of emergency situations. Our families can update their forms by logging into their accounts on Aspen.
The City of Salem is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a vision of the Jefferson Avenue corridor -- and your insights help shape what comes next. Please take the survey to share your ideas for making the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood a greater place to live, work, and move.
To learn more about the Jefferson Avenue Corridor Plan, visit the website page.
Are you affiliated with an organization that relies on Volunteers?
Join us for the official kickoff of Salem's historic 400th anniversary celebration. This community-wide volunteer fair will connect Salem residents with local organizations while launching our year-long commemoration.
What We're Looking For:
Interactive Table Displays featuring:
- Hands-on activities that showcase your organization's mission
- Volunteer sign-up opportunities
- Information about your programs and services
- Ways community members can get involved with your organization
Start Planning Now:
Think about how your organization can create an engaging, interactive experience that:
- Shows visitors what you do
- Offers immediate ways to get involved
- Connects to Salem's history and future
- Provides meaningful volunteer opportunities
Are You a Salem Resident?
Discover how you can make a difference in your community! Salem 400+ is hosting a Kickoff and Volunteer Fair where you can meet local organizations and learn about volunteer opportunities that match your 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.
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.