Salem Public Schools
SPS Families --
It is hard to believe that five years ago this week schools across the Commonwealth closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a hectic time as schools and classrooms transitioned to online learning, mobile food distribution and a hub for health information. Everyone banded together to support our students so as to minimize the negative impact of schools not operating as planned. Salem rose to the occasion to make the best of an unprecedented moment.
While the years that followed proved challenging for all stakeholders, I am proud of how our schools have emerged post-pandemic. We have expanded preschool offerings, enhanced our career and technical programs, adopted high quality, evidence based curriculum, introduced tele-mental health opportunities, allocated more resources for tutoring, provided our staff with more competitive salaries and benefits, and launched a new model for middle school education.
Because of the tireless efforts of everyone in our community, we are more than just rebounding from COVID, we are achieving some important milestones for our students. Our attendance, high school MCAS performance, student academic growth and participation in extracurricular activities is better than pre-pandemic levels. There is still a long way to go for us to ensure that every child receives the experience that they require to thrive. We appreciate your continued partnership, advocacy and support as we move our schools forward beyond mere recovery to educational excellence.
Finally, please join me next week as the Collins Middle School Drama Club presents 'Frozen, Jr.,' Thursday, Mar. 20 (7 p.m.), Friday, Mar. 21 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, Mar. 22 (2 p.m.) at the CMS Theater. I hope to see you there.
Enjoy the weekend,
Steve
Ms. Torres unfailingly sets high expectations for her students while maintaining a supportive and caring classroom environment. Bentley students are so fortunate to have her in their corner!
Salem Public Schools Partners with Sandy Hook Promise ‘Say Something’ Initiative
Committed to the safety of its students and staff, the Salem Public School District has partnered with the Sandy Hook Promise ‘Say Something’ Anonymous Reporting System, Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike announced Wednesday.
WATCH: GBH Amplifies: The Chilling Impact of ICE Raids
Salem Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike served as a panelist on the WGBH news program GBH Amplifies, for the episode ‘The Chilling Impact of ICE Raids,’ recorded Thursday, Feb. 27 at the WBGH Studio at the Boston Public Library. Hosted by Alberto Vasallo, CEO of El Mundo Boston, Dr. Zrike joined the panel to discuss how the looming possibility of ICE raids is impacting the Latino community in Massachusetts.
WBUR: Five years after COVID, what school workers recall best — and what problems linger
Ellen Wingard, Salem Public Schools Executive Director of Student Support Services, offers her expertise as WBUR dives deep into the five-year anniversary of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Nine SHS Student-Artists Tabbed for ‘Through the Student Lens,’ Congressional Art Competition Exhibits
Mariam Aleksanyan and Alexia Coleman, juniors at Salem High School, were each selected for the ‘Through the Student Lens’ art exhibit at the Marblehead Arts Association and the Congressional Art Competition at the Montserrat College of Art, SHS art educator Kristen McCarthy announced recently.
March is bursting with vital information and community events in our latest Nursing News monthly newsletter. From crucial health reminders about sick day policies and screening referrals to insightful tips on brain-boosting nutrition and delicious healthy recipes, we've got you covered.
Plus, discover fun local activities like St. Patrick's Day adventures and volunteer opportunities. Don't miss out on staying informed and healthy – dive into the full newsletter today.
Each year, The Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Recognition Award recognizes one Marblehead teacher and one Salem teacher as representative of all the excellent, dedicated teachers in the community who make a difference to children every day.
- Who is eligible? Teachers from the district schools in Marblehead and Salem, Massachusetts, are eligible.
- What is the award? As of 2025, each honoree receives an unrestricted cash award of $1000.
- Who may nominate? Anyone—educators, parents, students, citizens—may make a nomination..
- How do I nominate someone? Send a letter of nomination with your reasons for nominating the teacher, being as detailed and specific as possible. Include the teacher’s name, school, and position, and include your email and your relationship to the teacher. Please keep nominations confidential and do not inform individuals that they have been nominated.
- Nominations must be submitted by April 17, 2025.
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.