Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
It is hard to believe that our summer school programs have concluded and the start of school is a mere three weeks away. Our educators, administrators and all other staff are in the midst of final preparations for another year of extraordinary learning and growth for our students.
We begin the school year on a very positive note. Next week, we’ll be releasing state data regarding remarkable advances in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework among our grades 9-12 students. In short, we have more scholars enrolled in AP courses whose scores are higher than our pre-pandemic results. In several categories, we are even exceeding state and global averages!
This is the result of our exceptional staff of educators and the hard work and diligence of our scholars. We’re excited to release that data in full next week.
While the start of school is upon us, we offer a few reminders:
2024-25 Family Survey: There is still time to take our second annual family/caregiver survey regarding your experience over the 2024-25 school year, which should take no more than 15 minutes. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Haitian Creole.
School Day/Time Changes: Please visit salemk12.org/schools to view the first days of school as well as the start, end and early release times for each building.
Summer Learning: If your child/children have not completed their summer learning, there is still time and incentives. Any student who completes a reading log will be entered into a drawing to win a ride (with a parent) on the Salem Harbormaster patrol boat (one winner chosen per school). If 500 or more students participate in the Summer Reading Challenge, Mayor Dominick Pangallo and I will jump into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean to support Mental Makeover. Visit salemk12.org/summer for the details.
Back to School Fair: Finally, we invite you to our 2025 Back to School Fair Wednesday, Aug. 20 (4-8 p.m.) at the Saltonstall School Playground. We’ll be providing complimentary backpacks to our scholars who register and transportation can be provided by contacting the Family Welcome Center at welcomecenter@salemk12.org. We hope to see you there.
Steve
WATCH | Chronicle: Sail Salem opens up the waterfront to a new generation of young sailors
Led by Salem High School sailing coach Schuyler Ward, this Salem nonprofit teaches sailing, confidence and community to hundreds of kids each summer — no experience required.
WATCH | 7News Boston: MA Senate passes bill to ban cellphone use in schools
At the Statehouse, the senate debated a big change in the classroom. Public schools will ban students from using cell phones during the school day. The law would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year and the state will mandate a “bell to bell” ban, including lunch and recess.
SPS Food and Nutrition Services Receives ‘Turnip the Beet! Award’ for Outstanding 2024 Summer Meal Program
Salem Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services was named among 199 nationwide recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s Turnip the Beet Award, the USDA FNS announced Wednesday, July 16.
Salem Career Technical Initiative Receives Grant to Fund Sustainable Building, Automotive and Electrical Technology Training
The Salem Career Technical Initiative, the adult education and workforce development arm of Salem Public Schools, received the CTI Round 10 Grant of $1,489,998.04, announced Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones Tuesday at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.
VIEW GALLERY: Ota, Japan Students, Salem Host Families Say Goodbye…Until Next Year
It was a bittersweet, emotional morning on Monday, July 28, at Salem High School as Salem host families bid farewell to Ota, Japan students following an 11-day cultural exchange. This summer’s exchange marked its 33rd year between the sister cities, which began in 1993.
Salem Among 272 Elementary Schools to Receive No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring from Healey-Driscoll Administration
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Monday that 272 schools in Massachusetts were selected to receive free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority.
VIEW GALLERY: ELSA Scholars Complete Four-Week Academy
The English Learners Summer Academy (ELSA), a thematic program for multilingual learners to develop their English proficiency through a project and inquiry-based model, wrapped up its four-week program Friday at the Saltonstall School. Students performed for their families and displayed summer projects which enhanced English learning.
VIEW: 2025-26 Start and End Times
First Days of School:
Wednesday, Aug. 27:
- Carlton Innovation School grades 1-5
- Salem High School Grade 9
- Salem Prep Grade 9
Thursday, Aug. 28:
- Grades 1-8
- New Liberty 9-12
- Salem High School 10-12
- Salem Prep 10-12
Wednesday, Sept. 3:
- Carlton Innovation School Kindergarten
Thursday, Sept. 4:
- Pre-K and Kindergarten
The start of a new school year is merely days away. Here are some key dates and events to keep in mind as we approach the start of the 2025-26 academic year:
- Bus Schedules & Passes: 2025-26 bus schedules will be shared with families via email on the week of Aug. 18. Passes will also be sent to schools that week to be given to students.
- 2025 SHS Athletic Hall of Fame Deadline Monday, Aug. 11: The deadline for Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame nominations is Aug. 11 | Nominate Now
- SHS Athletics Orientation Wednesday, Aug. 13: Salem High School student-athletes planning to play a sport this year are required to attend Athletics Orientation Night Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse. Student-athletes planning on playing a sport this fall should register as soon as possible.
- Friday, Aug. 15: Football opens practice sessions
- Monday, Aug. 18: Fall sports open practice sessions (except Unified Basketball)
- Register for Fall Sports Now
- Back to School Fair Wednesday, Aug. 20: We invite all of our families to our Back to School Fair Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Saltonstall School Playground (4-8 p.m.) Transportation can be provided by contacting the Family Welcome Center at (978) 740-1225 or welcomecenter@salemk12.org.
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo is seeking interested applicants to fill vacancies on a number of City boards and commissions. Those interested in consideration for a seat should complete the application and return it with an up-to-date resume to mayor@salem.com, or by mail to: Office of the Mayor, Salem City Hall, 93 Washington Street, Salem MA 01970.
Additional details about these and all City boards are available online.
Salem High School student-athletes planning to play a sport this year are required to attend Athletics Orientation Night Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse.
Student-athletes planning on playing a sport this fall should register as soon as possible.
Additionally, start dates for fall teams are as follows:
- Football will begin practices Friday, Aug. 15
- Remainder of fall sports will begin practicing Monday, Aug. 16 (except Unified Basketball)
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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.