Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
We were thrilled to welcome our staff, Carlton students and 9th graders back to school this past week! Our buildings are full of energy and enthusiasm for the upcoming school year. We are looking forward to seeing all of our grade 1-12 students and Carlton Pre-K and Kindergarten students on Wednesday, September 4th.
On August 28th, we had our third annual back to school festival where we had the chance to welcome countless students, caregivers and staff to the start of the school year. A big shoutout goes to our family engagement team (pictured) who organized a spectacular evening of haircuts, backpack giveaways, school supply distribution, food, music, smiles and many hugs!
I am also pleased to share that last night we arrived at a tentative agreement with the Salem Teachers Union on a 3-year contract. We appreciate the collaboration and the hard work that went into securing regionally competitive raises for teachers and paraprofessionals, and important benefits for staff such as paid parental leave and increased educator planning time at the elementary and middle school levels. Additionally, beginning next school year we will have a standard elementary, middle and high school day with extended learning time for the majority of elementary-aged students. Further, we will have a consistent start to the school year, new guidelines for providing timely feedback to students and a commitment to designing student-led conferences. Ultimately, our children will benefit from many of the changes in the educator and student learning experience.
It is important to note that these significant and critical investments will necessitate that Salem Public Schools make some challenging fiscal choices regarding programs, services and positions in the coming years. The School Committee is committed to transparent and consistent community engagement around these decisions so that our children can continue to thrive with the best educators in the Commonwealth.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
Steve
VIEW GALLERY: Salem Public Schools 2024 Back to School Fair | Aug. 29, 2024
VIEW GALLERY: Salem Public Schools 2024-25 Convocation | Aug. 28, 2024
VIEW GALLERY: Operations Institute at Salem Public Schools | Aug. 27, 2024
Welcome to transportation for the 2024-2025 school year!
- If your student is scheduled for the bus for the 2024-2025 school year, you should have received an email from the Transportation Department with the bus schedule.
- For non-urgent matters (i.e. bus applications, changes to transportation, and other non-urgent questions or concerns), the best timeframe to contact the transportation department and reach a member of the team would be between the hours of 9 – 1:30 pm
- If you've contacted the Transportation Department to make any changes, please allow additional time for requests to be fulfilled due to the high volume of requests that we are receiving.
- You should have also received a separate email with instructions on how to download the parent bus app Stopfinder on Google Play or App Store
- Due to traffic fluctuations in Salem, buses can typically arrive anywhere from 10 minutes early to 10 minutes late on any given day. Students should arrive at least 10 minutes early to their bus stop. If the bus is more than 10 minutes late, please refer to this link for information about who to call.
- Please also expect additional delays during the first few days/weeks of school until routes settle and students become familiar with their route. There might also be changes to bus routes during the first few weeks of school until all necessary adjustments are made.
- Kindergarten and 1st Graders cannot get off the bus without a parent/guardian present! Please plan accordingly so that you are at the bus stop to receive your child(ren).
- Students will receive their bus passes at school. It is very important that students do not lose their bus pass since they will need to scan their pass upon entering and exiting the school bus.
- Please read the Transportation Handbook for all information regarding your student(s)' bussing.
- Bus Information for the 202-2025 school year is now available in the Aspen Family Portal. To access your student(s)’ bus information, please click the instructions below:
If there are any questions/concerns, please contact the Transportation Department at 978-740-1240.
At Salem Public Schools, we recognize that transitions such as “back to school” can deliver both angst (brains do not like uncertainty) and a sense of hopefulness for new growth and possibility.
The book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, can offer us valuable insight as to how to proceed skillfully through our day to day, especially during times of transition.
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
Consider discussing these ideas with your young person and see how being mindful of these things may help them. Perhaps there is a way to make it intentional, memorable and fun:
- Make up a rhyme for each one, and recite them each day.
- Pick one to focus on at a time, and have regular check-ins on how this is going for everyone in the family.
- Share examples of times where there was success and times where things were more challenging.
- See if you can share stories of times when all four of them were relevant.
Back to school can be a great time to reconnect with what matters most in our lives while deepening our commitment to personal and collective growth. Have fun with it! And as always, use the student support resources in your buildings. We are all in this together.
All Salem Public Schools families are invited to attend a free wellness clinic at Anchor Bay Church at 10 Dane Street, Beverly, Mass., Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This clinic will offer a range of vital services, including:
- Flu shots
- Covid-19 vaccines
- Assistance with health insurance
- Basic vision screening
- Blood pressure and glucose screening
- Free community meal
- Consultation with social workers
- Post-partum support
- Free haircuts
Open Door Immigration Services will also be on site for free immigration assistance. No appointment or proof of citizenship is required. Must be 3 years of age or older to receive vaccines.
For more information, visit the clinic web page.
My home is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, drafty and uncomfortable.
Will new windows really solve those problems? How can I save energy and money while making my home more comfortable?
When was the last time I had a home energy assessment?
I want to look into solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles - where do I start?
Renters, homeowners, and landlords are welcome and encouraged to come and learn about these topics and more at the Salem Energy Fair, Thursday, Sept. 12 (3-7 p.m.) at El Espacio, 105 Congress Street in Salem. Whatever your income level, we have something for you. Including free food, kids’ activities, games, and prizes.
For more information, contact Stacy Kilb, Energy Coach:
skilb@salem.com | Office: (978) 745-9595 x41013 | Mobile: (978) 333-0971
Our first Panorama Family/Caregiver Survey is still available until Saturday and we encourage your input. We value your opinion as you are an important part in the life of your scholar and many others and a valued member of the SPS community. We would be honored if you would take a moment of your time to share your feedback with us.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes. We encourage you to take one survey per student you care for, if you would like to. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Haitian Creole.
Should you have any questions or need support please reach out to us at 978-740-1225 or email lassade@salemk12.org
Seeking a career change?
Registration is open for the Salem Career Technical Initiative fall 2024 certification in Automotive Technology and Building and Property Maintenance.
Courses begin Tuesday, Sept. 3 and continue through Friday, Dec. 13, from 5-9 p.m. at Salem High School. The courses are open to recent graduates, unemployed/under employed, and those seeking a career change towards toward automotive technology and building and property maintenance.
Spaces are limited. To register:
- Visit tinyurl.com/SalemTech
- Telephone (978) 854-3885
- E-Mail Salem CTI Outreach Specialist John St. Onge: jstonge@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.