SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

October 28 - Volleyball Senior Night

October 29 - Picture Retake Day

October 29 - Unified Basketball Senior Night

October 29 - Football, Cheer, and Marching Band Senior Night

October 30 - Early Release Day

November 2- Boys Soccer Senior Night

November 3 - No School

November 4 - End of Quarter 1

During the October 30th early release day scholars are able to wear costumes;

• No masks, full-face masks
• No props or accessories that could be a tripping hazard or depict weapons, like swords, guns, knives, chainsaws
• No Costumes that make fun of disabilities
• No Costumes that depict gangs, drugs, and alcohol

This has been a fun day for the past few school years and we look forward to another day that brings joy and creativity. Check our twitter throughout the day to check out our Halloween Dress Up - @principalgburns #GoWitch

Oct. 29 Boys Soccer Match vs. KIPP Academy Rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.

The Thursday, Oct. 29 Salem High School-KIPP Academy boys soccer match has been rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m., immediately following the SHS girls soccer team's home match vs. Amesbury. The boys soccer team's seniors will be honored prior to the match.

Order Your 2027 Yearbook!
Don't miss your chance to own a copy of this year's Salem High School yearbook! Yearbooks are $75 through October 23, so order early to lock in that price.

Senior parents and families can also purchase a personalized ad to celebrate their graduate, and it's a wonderful way to honor your student's time at SHS.

You can order a yearbook and find ad information at jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03536900.

Make your voice, and the voices of your classmates heard! The Student Advisory Board meets once a month on Thursday during H Block. Members collaborate with students and adults to identify concerns, share ideas, and develop meaningful solutions that strengthen our school community.

As an Advisory Board member, you will:

• Represent the questions, ideas, and concerns of your classmates.

• Work collaboratively with students and adults to create solutions.

• Arrive at meetings on time and ready to participate.

If you are thoughtful, dependable, and ready to help make a difference, we encourage you to join!

Complete this form: https://forms.gle/ARQvJCw56LpBb2Vu8

The Salem High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Department will host its 2026 Middle School Open House for grades 6-8 families Saturday, Nov. 14 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at its CTE facilities at the High School.

Salem families can register for one, two or three programs and take part in a one-hour project-based learning activity in each program beginning at 9 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, registration and student drop-off.

Families are encouraged to register for the Open House and declare 1-3 CTE pathways in which their child/children would like to explore. Each session is one hour long.

For more information, please visit the CTE Pathways web page or contact CTE Director Mario Sousa at msousa@salemk12.org.

“BE ABOUT IT”

• Live the values of our school community; show pride, respect, and responsibility not just by saying it, but by consistently doing it.

• Follow through on commitments, whether that’s in academics, athletics, arts, or personal goals.

• Model integrity by letting your behavior reflect your intentions—be the example others can count on.

“BE ABOUT IT” means don’t just talk about who you are or what you stand for, prove it every day through effort, character, and action.

Be About It!

#GoWitch

A team from Salem High School recently traveled to Boise, Idaho, for Springpoint’s “Visit to Learn From Great Instructional Practice.” During visits to Elevate Academy and One Stone, the team explored innovative approaches to student independence, cross-curricular project-based learning, and meaningful student engagement. The experience provided valuable opportunities to learn alongside educators from across the country, reflect on our current practices, and identify ideas that can strengthen learning experiences for Salem students. We look forward to sharing these insights with our school community and putting our learning into action.

Mr. Purington recently completed hands-on training with Amatrol’s Wind Turbine Nacelle Learning System which is located on the second floor of the Salem High School library. The training provided experience with the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and computer-controlled systems used in modern wind turbines, including turbine controls, braking, and gearbox lubrication. This professional learning will help bring authentic, industry-aligned renewable energy instruction into the classroom and prepare students to explore future opportunities in wind energy and other growing clean-energy careers.

Salem High junior Jeremiah Barahona is big. And he’s fast. But it would be a mistake to look at his gaudy receiving numbers this fall and assume all the Witches are doing is chucking it up to their best athlete.

Continue reading in The Salem News

Congratulations to the Salem High School Marching Band, which earned first place at this weekend’s NESBA competition at Reading High School! We are incredibly proud of our talented student musicians, color guard members, and dedicated staff for their hard work and outstanding performance. #GoWitch

In other news, we received midterm alerts from SSU and NSCC regarding student behavior and academic progress. You and your family may receive an alert via email including next steps.

Here is some general feedback about college expectations:

• Whether your class is at SHS or on campus, you are expected to be present and focused for the whole class (1 hour and 15 minutes). Please plan accordingly.

• Take notes on lectures and readings. Make sure you’ve done the work and reading for class on time.

• Most professors do not excuse absences for any reason or accept late work. Be familiar with the course syllabus.

Notes/Resources:

• SSU students: Get the “Get app” (access to library & gym): https://get.cbord.com/salemstate/full/prelogin.php

• NSCC students going on campus–see me if you need help getting your ID on campus (in the library with a photo ID/SHS school ID).

• Families–Click here to complete SY 26-27 Family Expectation & Handbook Acknowledgement if you have not already.

• Remember to check your SHS and college email + SSU Canvas/NSCC Blackboard DAILY!

• Early College Resources

• Masshire has career counseling office hours Monday 9/14 from 12:00-1:30 in the Tutoring Center (SHS).

• All EC students: Make sure you join the Early College Google classroom (bmzsn4fc) and complete assignments due.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Also, if you or someone you know did not make it into an Early College class this fall, see me or your C3 counselor if you’re interested in Spring 2026 enrollment!

Thanks,

Dr. Kirby

akirby@salemk12.org

Monday, October 26: Johnson & Wales University, Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Did you know? Johnson & Wales began as a business school in 1914 and is now nationally recognized for its culinary arts, hospitality, business, and health programs!

Tuesday, October 27: Wheaton College
Norton, Massachusetts
Did you know? Wheaton guarantees every student access to funding for an internship, research experience, or other experiential learning opportunity!

Thursday, October 29: Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts
Did you know? Gordon’s beautiful 485-acre wooded campus is only three miles from the ocean and 25 miles north of Boston!

Friday, October 30: Marist University
Poughkeepsie, New York
Did you know? Marist’s main campus sits directly along the Hudson River, and students can also study at its campus in Florence, Italy!

Monday, November 2: Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Did you know? SNHU began in 1932 as a two-room business school with fewer than 50 students!

You don’t need to have applied or decided where you want to attend. Bring your questions, meet the representatives, and discover what might be a good fit for you!

Fall open houses are a great way to explore campuses, learn about academic programs, and ask questions about admissions and financial aid.

Boston University
Friday, October 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The program includes a student panel, an admissions case study, academic visits, and opportunities to explore campus and hear about financial assistance.
View BU’s Open House Details and Register
Choose the October 23 Fall Open House registration option.

UMass Boston
Saturday, October 24, or Saturday, November 7
Explore campus, meet faculty and students, and learn about admissions, financial aid, and campus life.
Register for a UMass Boston Open House

UMass Lowell
Saturday, October 24, or Saturday, November 14
Explore campus and learn more about UMass Lowell’s academic programs and student opportunities.
Register for a UMass Lowell Open House

Plan ahead: UMass Boston and UMass Lowell both have an October 24 event. Consider their alternate dates if you want to visit both!
Students and families should register directly with each college and arrange their own transportation. For visits during the school day, follow Salem High School’s attendance procedures.

Interested in exploring a future in the trades? The Peterson School is hosting an Explore the Trades Day this fall.

Thursday, November 12, 2026
2–4 p.m.

See the attached flyer for event details and use the link below to sign up:

Register for Explore the Trades Day

This is an opportunity to learn more about trade training as you consider your next steps after high school.
Families should review the event location and plan transportation before registering. If attending requires leaving school early, follow Salem High School’s dismissal procedures.

Wednesday, October 28 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. Online and presented entirely in Spanish

Despite the many obstacles they face in pursuing a university education, undocumented students can access higher education. This webinar will explain the latest immigration regulations, as well as the immigration statuses that are eligible—and those that are ineligible—for Federal Student Aid. It will also examine the application process for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and its associated benefits.

The session will cover admission policies for public and private universities and explain how DACA recipients and undocumented students can maximize credits and time by taking advantage of dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities across various states, high schools, and community colleges. Scholarship resources and direct links to state and national organizations at the forefront of this widely debated issue will also be shared.

Sign Up Here:

The College Planning Process for Students with Complex Immigration Statuses in Spanish

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Mascot: Louie the Lumberjack
Enrollment: 27,184 undergraduate and graduate students
Average High School GPA: 3.50
Median SAT: 1,100
Median ACT: 24

Admissions: Northern Arizona University Undergraduate Admissions

Northern Arizona University is a public research university in Flagstaff, Arizona. Founded in 1899 as the Northern Arizona Normal School, NAU began with just 23 students and a mission to prepare educators. Today, it offers more than 450 degrees and programs at its Flagstaff campus, online, and at locations across Arizona. Its blue-and-gold school spirit, mountain setting, and Lumberjack identity contribute to a distinctive campus community.

Academics

NAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through colleges focused on the arts and humanities, business, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, environmental sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.

Programs and fields to explore include:

Biology and Biomedical Science

Business and Finance

Computer Science and Cybersecurity

Construction Management

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Education

Engineering

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Forestry

Hotel and Restaurant Management

Nursing and Health Sciences

Psychology

Social Work.

Students can participate in undergraduate research, internships, study-abroad programs, and hands-on learning experiences. NAU’s location near forests, mountains, tribal lands, and diverse ecosystems creates distinctive opportunities for fieldwork in forestry, environmental science, geology, biology, and sustainability. Its engineering, construction management, nursing, education, and hospitality programs also emphasize practical preparation for professional careers.

Student Life

More than 350 clubs and organizations provide opportunities to explore academic, cultural, service, recreational, and leadership interests. Students can participate in student government, fraternity and sorority life, cultural organizations, club and intramural sports, performing arts, and community service.

The Flagstaff campus is surrounded by the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest and sits near hiking trails, ski areas, and destinations such as the Grand Canyon. NAU’s Outdoor Adventures program offers trips and equipment rentals for activities including hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, and snowshoeing. Homecoming traditions, concerts, theater productions, and Lumberjack athletic events provide additional ways to connect with campus life.

Athletics

Northern Arizona competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big Sky Conference and sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs. The Lumberjacks have an especially strong cross-country tradition, with the men’s team winning six NCAA national championships between 2016 and 2022. Football and basketball games are held in the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, one of the largest wooden dome structures in the United States.

Virtual Tour: Explore Northern Arizona University

Website: Northern Arizona University