Salem City School District News

Dear Salem City School District Families,

As we enter November and the season of thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and dedication to our schools, staff, and students.

Over the past two months, our classrooms and school halls have been full of learning, growth, and vibrant energy. From fall activities to daily classroom accomplishments, our students are thriving because of the strong foundation and encouragement you provide at home.

Working together as a community ensures that every student feels known, valued, and empowered to succeed. We are truly grateful for the trust you place in us every day.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and happy Thanksgiving season!

Sincerely,

Dr. Carol L. Kelley

On Saturday, October 31st, our high school football team earned an impressive 40–0 victory in the Central Jersey, Group 1 Quarterfinals! While we all celebrated the big win from the stands, the true story of this team's success happens behind the scenes long before game day.

With my temporary office being in the high school this school year, I've had the opportunity of witnessing these behind-the-scenes efforts firsthand:

• Dedication After the Bell: Right after classes end, our student-athletes head straight to the library (or another classroom) to complete their homework before spending hours studying game film and practicing on the field.

• Community Leadership: Their effort goes beyond sports and academics. Our players proudly represent our school by giving back, including volunteering their time to help the City of Salem build a new playground at Hubble Park.

• Focus on the Next Goal: With their relentless work ethic, the team is now moving on to the semifinal matchup against Woodstown this weekend!

These young men teach a lesson to all of us. While it can be easy to look at a scoreboard and think success comes naturally, winning is the result of quiet effort when no one is watching. Whether on the athletic field, in the classroom, or out in our community, every child has the potential to achieve great things. However, they cannot do it alone. By encouraging their effort, supporting their education, and celebrating their hard work, we all play a vital role in helping our students reach their goals.

Let's keep supporting all of our students as they strive for greatness!

Please note that Wednesday, November 4th will be an early dismissal day for our students. This will be the first of our (almost) monthly staff training sessions on the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) this school year.

During these afternoon sessions, our teachers and staff will be learning simple, everyday ways to use the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) in our classrooms, common areas, and schoolwide settings. This program helps us build a positive, supportive environment where we focus on your child’s strengths, build strong relationships, and help every student recognize their own greatness.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we take this time to grow and bring even better support to our students every day.

New Jersey has launched a statewide effort to strengthen its school funding system and ensure every student has access to the high-quality opportunities, resources, and support they need to succeed. As part of this initiative, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is hosting regional public forums across the state to help communities better understand how public schools are funded and to gather valuable feedback directly from local residents.

We are excited to share that an additional community engagement opportunity has been added specifically for our area!

Join Us for the Salem County Community Roundtable:

• Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Salem County Community College (460 Hollywood Ave, Carneys Point, NJ 08069)

During this session, NJDOE representatives will present information on the current state school funding formula and listen directly to input, ideas, and perspectives from our community.

Your voice matters in shaping the future of education funding for our students. We strongly encourage all of our Salem families, neighbors, and community members to attend and make sure our local community is heard.

To participate or present remarks, please register in advance using the state registration portal. Please feel free to share this information with your Salem neighbors!

The Salem Interact Club is offering free, hot, homemade Thanksgiving meals (up to 4 per family) on Sunday, November 22nd from 1–2 PM in front of Salem High School; reserve yours in advance by emailing lambert@salemnj.org while supplies last!

The LIFT Grant team will be hosting another event on Tuesday, November 24th from 4:30pm- 6:00pm at the Hetty Reckless Center here in Salem. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The Department of Education is sharing this helpful guide to state mental health resources. It lists free, confidential support services available 24/7 to help students and families whenever they need extra help.