Salem Public Schools
September is arguably the most exciting and busy month of the school year. We have several events approaching which I want to highlight.
Salem Days are here!
Through the generosity of Norman H. Read Charitable Trust, we are offering Salem residents a limited number of free tickets to visit the New England Aquarium throughout the month of September on a first-come, first-served basis. All you need to enter is proof of Salem residency. In addition, students and families are provided free round-trip transport on the Salem Ferry tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 6), with myself on board; and again Saturday, Sept. 13, with Mayor Dominick Pangallo. The Salem Ferry departs at 10:30 a.m. and departs Boston at 2:30 p.m. Capacity for the ferry is 147 passengers on Sept. 6; and 149 on Sept. 13, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open House schedule available:
September is also the time in which we open our schools to parents and families so that they can meet their children’s educators and learn more about the arc of learning for the school year.
View our schedule to see when your child’s school open house will take place:
Bates Elementary School: Wed., Sept. 10 (5:30-7:00)
Bentley Academy Innovation School: Thu., Sept. 11 (6:00-7:30)
Carlton Innovation School: Wed., Sept. 17 (6:00-7:30)
Collins Middle School: Tue., Sept. 16 (5:00-7:00)
Horace Mann Laboratory School: Thu., Sept. 11 (5:30-7:30)
New Liberty Innovation School: Wed., Sept. 24 (5:30-7:30)
Salem Prep High School: Thu., Sept. 18 (6:00-8:00)
Saltonstall School: Mon., Sept. 15 (5:30-7:30)
Salem High School: Thu., Sept. 18 (6:00-8:00)
Witchcraft Heights Elementary School: Thu., Sept. 11 (5:30-7:00)
Finally, our scholars have one week to submit their summer reading logs to their teachers. Summer reading materials and logs can be downloaded at salemk12.org/summer. There are two important incentives if children turn in their reading logs by Friday, September 12:
Scholars are automatically entered into a drawing to win a ride around Salem Harbor (with a parent) on the Salem Harbormaster patrol boat (one winner per school).
Additionally, If 500 or more students submit reading logs, Mayor Pangallo and myself will jump into the ice cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean to benefit Mental Makeover, a non-profit organization founded by Salem High School alumni committed to fighting stigma surrounding mental health.
A final note about transportation, we will not mark students tardy if they are late to school because of a bus delay in the morning. Generally, the morning routes have been running as expected and will continue to improve as we begin the first full week of school.
We know that there have been more challenges with transportation in the afternoon. These delays have been as a result of congestion leaving the schools, traffic along the bus routes and the addition of new riders during the first week of school. We know this is frustrating to families who depend on predictable drop-off times. I can assure you that we are urgently working with our bus vendor, NRT, to address these issues by making adjustments to routes, working closely with our drivers/monitors and ensuring that buses leave the first tier school on time.
We are closely monitoring the afternoon routes and hope to resolve the delays by the end of next week. We will keep you posted on any changes that might impact your child. We appreciate your support and flexibility as we ensure a smooth and safe ride home. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (978) 740-1240 or jbarros@salemk12.org if you have questions or concerns.
Enjoy the weekend and I look forward to seeing some of you on the Salem Ferry Saturday!
Steve
They adjusted their time and focus to support their students' transition to a new grade level and to welcome them back to school. The students are fortunate to be working closely with such talented educators who can ensure a smooth beginning to the academic year!
Boston 25 News | ‘A big deal’: Mass. schools developing plans to integrate AI in curriculum
A big issue for the new school year is artificial intelligence. School districts across Massachusetts are wrestling with how to incorporate this emerging technology into their classrooms. “The opportunities are endless for teachers, and I think that is part of the challenge,” said Marc Leblanc, executive director of instructional technology for the Salem Public Schools.
Bates Elementary School Unveils New Interactive, Inclusive Playground
It might have been two days late, but the pre-K through grade 5 scholars at the Bates Elementary School aren’t complaining. Joy was abound as a new, robust playground opened Tuesday afternoon at the Bates Elementary School, concurrent with its ‘Popsicles with the Principal Family Night,’ amidst restless students anxious to take advantage.
10th Annual First Year Day of Service Helps Salem Public Schools Students Start the Year Strong
This year’s program included two partnerships with Salem Public Schools, one of which combined volunteers from the program’s 19 morning service projects to create an afternoon project impacting all public elementary school students throughout Salem—an offering that was created out of popular demand for more activities from volunteers in prior years.
The Salem News | SSU community projects help prepare Salem Public Schools students for year ahead
Incoming Salem State University freshmen participated in a variety of community projects as a part of the school’s 10th annual First Year Day of Service on Friday, with two projects focused on preparing Salem Public School students with the materials they need to start the school year strong.
VIEW GALLERY: First Day of School for Pre-K, Kindergarten Scholars
On Thursday, Salem Public Schools welcomed Pre-K and Kindergarten scholars — members of the classes of 2038 and 2039. We’re looking forward to the great things these young scholars accomplish.
The Pathways Family Resource Center of Salem is proud to offer many workshops and parenting classes which can be found on its website -- www.pw4c.org/frcsalem -- along with its referral form.
The FRC office hours are as follows: Monday, 9-5, Tuesday 9-7, Wednesday 9-7, Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-1 and we are open two Saturdays a month for the convenience of working families.
For more information contact: lwalsh@pw4c.org or 978-296-8080
We ask each of our families to please complete their back-to-school forms as soon as possible (found on Aspen here), with a deadline of Sept. 22. We want to be sure that you are well-versed on our practices/procedures and that we have the most updated information about your child.
Additionally, permission-to-treat/emergency forms were sent to families last week. Contact your school nurse if you did not receive them.
Salem’s Food & Nutrition Services staff wishes to welcome all of our students and staff back to school. We are looking forward to a year of sharing nutritious and delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners!
Menus for breakfast, lunch, the fresh fruit and vegetable program and dinner are available for the month of September here. Our new user-friendly menu platform allows families to easily find meals for their student’s school along with nutritional information for each of the meals served.
Applications for the City of Salem’s Youth Poet Laureate Program for Salem High School students are open from Monday, Sept. 8 through Oct. 22.
The Youth Poet Laureate will serve alongside Salem’s existing Poet Laureate, in partnership with the Salem Public Library. The Youth Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term beginning in 2026 and will receive an $800 stipend.
Interested students should contact Sarah Roy, Director of the Salem Children's Alliance, at sroy@salem.com.
The Salem Food Policy Council's 2nd annual Longest Table event is scheduled for this Saturday and has been moved to the Saltonstall School cafeteria (211 Lafayette Street) at 4:30 p.m. The Longest Table is free and open to all Salem community members.
Garden tours are still available from 4:30-5:15pm at the Salem YMCA's Green Space Garden at Palmer Cove Park, but organizations tabling and dinner will be inside with speakers starting at 5:30 p.m.
Root North Shore is catering and the menu will include lemongrass chicken, steamed rice, and a cucumber salad. Gillian's Gluten-free foods will be providing dessert. Families can register at the website or by contacting Kerry Murphy at kmurphy@salem.com or 978-619-5652.
Salem Park, Recreation and Community Services presents 'Tennis Under the Lights' at Salem Willows, open to students in grades 6-12, and will run from Sept. 10-Oct. 29.
The middle school session (grades 6-8) runs from 6-6:45 p.m. while the high school session (grades 9-12) runs from 6:45-8:00 p.m. Cost is $25 for the eight-week session.
Tennis Under the Lights is designed to introduce middle school players to the fundamentals of the game, while providing high school athletes with advanced training and competitive match play opportunities. Both sessions offer an excellent way to improve skills, build confidence, and enjoy the game in a supportive environment.
The Salem Police Department is seeking applicants for crossing guard positions. To apply, contact the Human Resources Department at Salem City Hall at (978) 619-5630.
For more information, contact Lt. David Tucker:
- T: (978) 744-0171, ext. 50271
- E: dmtucker@salempd.net
Salem Haunted Happenings is seeking roughly 50 volunteers to assist on parade night, scheduled for Thursday, Oct 2 (5:30-8:30). Volunteers will help coordinate the lineup at Shetland Park, ensure the audience remains beyond the safety barriers, and tend to the pedestrian crossing areas.
Attend the Volunteer Coordination Meeting at the Salem Police Station Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
Volunteers will be provided an orange t-shirt to wear while volunteering (and to keep afterwards)
Contact Jeff@salem-chamber.org with any questions or to learn more before registering.
Last spring, the City of Salem Department of Public Services needed a name for its newest garbage truck, and the Saltonstall School kindergarten students delivered.
Now the City's Salem 400+ committee needs our students help.
Salem 400+ is unveiling a black cat character to help solidify its brand, and seeks our grades 3-8 students' input in naming this special mascot. The Committee knows that our youngest residents have some of the best ideas, so it is hopeful to get your feedback on what to name this character.
Salem Public Schools grades 3-8 classes are encouraged to complete this google form and submit 1-2 names per class for Mayor Dominick Pangallo and his team to review. The top nominations will be posted for members of the community to vote on. The winning name will become the official name of our Salem 400+ cat character, and a special naming ceremony with the class that submits the winning name will be held.
Please submit names by Friday, Sept. 26. The winner will be announced after October.
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.