Salem Public Schools
SPS Community,
We’re just days away from the start of school and I couldn’t be more excited. I am looking forward to greeting our students and families Wednesday at the Sarah Parker Remond School and Thursday at the remainder of our schools. While I won’t be able to get to each of our schools on the first day, our leadership team will be present at each school to welcome our students and families.
This was another terrific week, highlighted by the inaugural Pathways to Teaching Community Summit on Wednesday, at which we welcomed more than 50 future educators and District, community and state leaders, including my predecessor, Dr. Stephen Zrike, now the Massachusetts Secretary of Education. The purpose of the Summit was to showcase our unique pathways to empower our students, staff, and community interested in becoming an educator at Salem.
I want to give a special shoutout to our Human Resources team who made it happen, notably Stephanie Santarpio, our Pathways to Teaching Coordinator, and Jill Conrad, our Executive Director of Human Resources, and everyone who took part. For anyone in greater Salem considering a career in education, whether it be as a paraprofessional, teacher, instructional coach, or other role, we can get you started and guide you through the process. For more information on our Pathways to Teaching program, contact Stephanie at ssantarpio@salemk12.org.
While the start of school is upon us, I want to encourage our parents and caregivers to consider getting involved at their child’s school through the Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs). Whether it be through fundraising, organizing school events, providing necessary classroom supplies, technology upgrades, and helping arrange extracurricular activities and enrichment, PTOs are vital to a school’s learning environment and student success. Please visit our District PTO page to see the appropriate contacts at each school.
Next week, we’ll be releasing the schedule for our Back-to-School nights. I will also make myself available at each school’s event to provide an opportunity for engagement, ask for feedback, and offer updates about Salem Public Schools. If I am unavailable for your Back-to-School night, I will find an alternative date by the end of September.
I cannot wait to see our schools come alive again with laughter in the hallways, teachers and students learning together in classrooms, busy playgrounds, and the smiling faces of families at arrival and dismissal. There is something special about the energy and possibility that comes with a new school year, and I am excited to welcome every student, family, and staff member back to Salem Public Schools. Here’s to a joyful, successful year ahead, filled with belonging, learning, and opportunity for every student!
Enjoy the weekend.
Dr. Tommy Welch
Superintendent
The Salem News | New Salem superintendent Tommy Welch prepares for start of school year
Thomas “Tommy” Welch, the city’s new superintendent of schools, recently began his first month in the new role, with plans to ensure a smooth start to the school year and coordinate the many transformations the district will soon undergo.
VIEW GALLERY | Inaugural Pathways to Teaching Community Summit Inspires Next Generation of Salem Educators
Salem Public Schools welcomed more than 50 future educators, community members and District and community leadership to its inaugural Pathways to Teaching Community Summit Wednesday, Aug. 26 to cultivate the next generation of teachers.
The Salem News | Collins Middle School alum, local business owner runs back-to-school drive
Collins Middle School alum and local business owner Joey Uribe will host a back-to-school drive this Thursday, with community members encouraged to donate items to help students feel confident on their first day of school.
VIEW GALLERY | 2026 New Teacher Institute at Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools welcomed 45 educators to the New Teacher Institute held at the Mary A. Manning Learning Commons at the Collins Middle School. Our colleagues explored the District’s values of belonging, equity, and opportunity, deepened their learning of culturally responsive teaching, and considered how our choices as educators impact the opportunities our students have to show their genius and achieve their goals.
Salem’s Bates Elementary School Receives $20,000 Gift From the Cummings Foundation
The Bates Elementary School was named the recipient of a $20,000 gift from the Cummings Foundation, announced Principal Sue Faria-Smith Monday at the Salem School Committee meeting.
Our annual Back to School forms are available in the Aspen family portal. We ask that our families please complete the forms as soon as possible, which should take no more than 10-15 minutes. We want to be sure that families are well versed on our practices/procedures – such as photo opt-outs and other choices – and that we have the most updated information about your child.
Bus schedule details were sent out on Monday, Aug. 24. Please review your student’s schedule and contact us at spstransportation@salemk12.org or 978-740-1240 if anything looks incorrect.
Big Bus Students
Please arrive at your bus stop 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
A bus is only considered late if it arrives more than 10 minutes past its scheduled time.
Small Bus Students
Please be ready 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
If your bus is more than 10 minutes late, please call our office at 978-740-1240.
Stopfinder App (Big Bus Only)
Stopfinder tracking is available exclusively for big bus riders.
If you haven't signed up yet, check your inbox for a welcome email. Please note that this invitation is sent only to the primary contact listed on your student's account.
Contact spstransportation@salemk12.org with questions.
Sarah Parker Remond School and Horace Mann Laboratory School Families:
Please review the changes in arrival-dismissal protocol for the 2026-27 school year:
Sarah Parker Remond School:
- Lafayette Street is for Bus drop-off only.
- The front parking lot and access road at the Lafayette Street is off limits.
- Parent drop-off, students walking/biking takes place on Salem Street.
- Absolutely no parking or U-turns on Salem Street. There is parking available at Lafayette Place for parents/caregivers to park and walk children to the rear entrance.
- View Arrival-Dismissal Protocol Video
Horace Mann Laboratory School Families:
- When arriving for arrival and dismissal, pull as far forward as you're able.
- NEW: When exiting following drop-off in the morning only, left turns on to Willson Street are longer permitted. All vehicles must turn right on to Willson Street.
- View graphics at the HMLS website.
Salem Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services has announced that school menus for the month of September are available as of Friday, Aug. 28.
Printable/PDF menus will be available Monday, Aug. 31.
Additionally, Food and Nutrition Services has also migrated to LINQ as its online menu platform. Now, families can view:
Menus in ELEVEN languages
Ingredients and nutrient data
Allergens
Menus in daily, weekly and monthly format
SOON: Online ordering for field trips, classroom meals and staff
LINQ allows families to view menus without creating an account. Once in the portal, select your student’s school and view that month’s menus. By selecting the triangular lines on the top right, families can select which language.
Contact SPS Food & Nutrition Services at 978-740-1230 or mshort@salemk12.org for any questions or issues.
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.