Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
Over the last several weeks many of our students, families and staff from the BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities have expressed fear and uncertainty about the future. It is important to acknowledge these concerns and to express our school district's commitment to supporting each and every individual who is part of our school community.
In the Salem Public Schools, we remain unified and anchored around our core values of belonging, equity and opportunity. More specifically,
We believe all members of our community are valued and that our relationships are built on empathy and respect; and
We believe in promoting social justice to ensure an inclusive school community where all members are empowered and engaged.
These values will continue to guide our decision-making and our approach to supporting the students we serve. We routinely ask ourselves– “And how are the children?” We want to ensure that all of our children are healthy, engaged and excelling in our school community.
We ask that our families, faculty and students report any instances where the wellbeing of any of our community members may be at risk:
Our school counselors will provide safe spaces for any student to process fears or anxieties they may have;
We will decisively respond to hate speech or actions that denigrate any member of our community;
We will reinforce our core values through our advisory periods, morning circles and restorative discussions across schools;
We will connect families to community resources to assist them with any supports they require for their children;
We will continue to provide guidance to staff on how to facilitate constructive and productive dialogue while addressing negative or harmful commentary.
Our goal is to ensure that our students and their families are safe, protected and cared for within the Salem Public Schools community. We appreciate your partnership as we work tirelessly to realize our vision that our students are locally engaged, globally connected and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world.
Enjoy the weekend,
Steve
Her dedication to her students’ success helped them not only stay on track but thrive, even in a time of transition. By the end of her tenure, the students made remarkable progress, and many spoke of how much they had learned and enjoyed her class!
The Salem Public Schools Early Childhood Expo, which showcases kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programs, will take place Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, and Thursday, Feb. 6, in two capacities.
The Virtual Town Hall is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 6:30-8 p.m.
The Meet and Greet Session is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6 (6:30-8 p.m.) at the Collins Middle School.
Additionally, SPS families can schedule in-person tours of each school that offers kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programming – Bates Elementary School, Bentley Innovation Academy, Carlton Innovation School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Saltonstall School and the Salem Early Childhood Center – from Mar. 3-14.
Eligibility for kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programs is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who will turn FIVE years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to start kindergarten in the fall of 2025.
- Pre-Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who turn FOUR years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to enter the lottery for the SPS pre-K program in the fall of 2025.
- Preschool: Children residing in Salem who turn THREE years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to enter the lottery for the preschool program at the Salem Early Childhood Center in the fall of 2025.
For more information, contact the SPS Parent Information Center at pic@salemk12.org or telephone (978) 740-1225, or visit salemk12.org/families.
We are excited to announce that the Horace Mann Laboratory School is the second school in our district to start a composting program. Following the successful implementation at the Carlton Innovation School last year, HMLS is now fully committed to composting. This initiative has been a collaborative effort involving the Food and Nutrition Services staff, HMLS Principal Jill Tully, lunch paraprofessionals, and the Waste Reduction Coordinator of Salem.
Over the past month, preparations have been made to educate and guide HMLS students on how the process will take place in their own cafeteria through a 'how-to' video guide. Starting Monday, Dec. 9, composting will be launched during all lunch periods.
Applications are being accepted for the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund which offers renewable, four-year scholarships to students with financial need who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, and a strong work ethic.
The early-response deadline is Apr. 3, 2025 at 12 p.m. while the regular deadline is May 1, 2025 at 12 p.m.
To emphasize the importance of attending school, DESE's "Power of Presence" initiative asks you to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, writing, etc. to express why you attend school. This opportunity is open to all students, school staff, educators, and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes.
Examples include a short story about your school community, a painting of your favorite teacher, a photo of your classroom decorations, a video interview of your favorite teacher, a song you've been practicing for the school play, a testimonial about a new skill you learned - we encourage creativity.
The winning entry will be featured this spring, highlighting the winner and their school community.
- Deadline: Friday, December 20, 2024, by 11:59 p.m.
- To Submit: Complete the entry form (with included Media Agreement language) and attach your submission to the form.
- Notification: Winner notified on or before January 10, 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.