Salem Public Schools
SPS Community,
I hope the first two weeks of summer vacation have been restful and enjoyable for our students and families.
On Thursday and Friday, June 25-26, we held our annual Summer Leadership Institute in preparation for the 2026-27 academic year. We schedule this important event just days after the end of school for good reason: the previous school year is top of mind, and sessions are tailored to team building, spirited collaboration challenges and activities, reflection on the previous year, and preparation for 2026-27 school and department improvement plans.
While much of this work happens behind the scenes, its impact will be felt by students from the very first day of school. The Summer Leadership Institute is a reminder that improving outcomes for students is never the work of one person, one school or one department—it is the collective work of an entire district. We are excited to build on this momentum and partner with our families to make the upcoming school year an outstanding one for each and every Salem student.
After enjoying the 4th of July holiday, we welcomed hundreds of students across grade levels back for targeted summer programs. It is great to see students again and to hear their voices ringing through the halls and on our fields and playgrounds.
This past week the three Superintendent finalists were in town for their final interviews which can be watched here. With the final interviews complete, the School Committee will meet Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 to vote on a candidate to be the new Superintendent. This meeting will be held at Collins Middle School in the School Committee Chambers, is open to the public and will be live-streamed online.
It’s been wonderful to see our eight Summer Eats sites up and running! The Summer Eats Kickoff event at Palmer Cove Park on June 29 was attended by so many of our families and friends. Congratulations to our Food and Nutrition Services staff, which served more than 1,700 meals in the first week (a short week with the 4th of July). We invite any and all students and families to take advantage of the Summer Eats program.
Finally, we want to remind our families about the Salem 400+ Family Field Day this Sunday at Forest River Park, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather-wise it looks like a perfect day!
Enjoy the weekend.
Kate Carbone,
Interim Superintendent
WBZ NewsRadio | Summer Eats Free Meals Program Returns For Kids And Teens Across Mass.
Project Bread’s Summer Eats free meals program is back once again to help feed kids and teens in Massachusetts during the months out of school.
The Boston Herald | ESPN’s Jay Bilas praises Salem basketball culture after winning state title
“We’re in the age now where we have places like Oak Hill Academy (in Virginia) and all these different prep schools,” ESPN College Basketball Analyst Jay Bilas said. “We’ll hear about how one school produced multiple NBA draft picks and how it’s an amazing high school program. You don’t want to be disrespectful, but that’s not a high school. A high school is like Salem. They’re all from the same community. There is a history and a tradition with the parents, players, your neighbors, and coaches.”
The Salem News | Salem High students get real-world experience at Salem Hospital
SALEM — Salem High School students recently spent time gaining hands-on experience in the medical field working at Mass General Brigham’s Salem Hospital through the school’s new medical assisting program.
SHS History Educator Lori Marenda-Lang Named Among Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2026
Lori Marenda-Lang, a history educator at Salem High School, was named to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2026, the Commission announced recently.
The Salem News | 24 local young actors featured in latest North Shore Music Theatre show
Recent Collins Middle School graduate and outstanding thespian Eli Wettengel (standing, far right) is among 24 young actors performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat July 9-18 at the North Shore Music Theater.
VIEW GALLERY | Salem Early Childhood Center Launches the Class of 2039
The Salem Early Childhood Center presented certificates of gradation to approximately 60 scholars — future members of the Salem High School Class of 2039 — on Monday, June 15, in a ceremony at a packed ECC Courtyard.
Collins Middle School PTO Honors Leadership and Staff
The Collins Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization honored Principal Gavin Softic and the CMS leadership with a commemorative plaque Monday, June 22 at the annual CMS Family Picnic at Winter Island Park.
Thomas Welch
Jorge Allen
Andrew Bott
Help make history on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Salem 400+ is looking for volunteers to support the Heritage Days Parade and Festival for the following roles:
- Parade set-up
- Carrying sponsor banners in the parade
- A variety of other day-of tasks
A Volunteer Orientation session is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 at 5 p.m. at the National Parks Service Visitor Center at 2 New Liberty Street.
All volunteers are asked to attend orientation to learn the details, get assigned to a role and receive their free volunteer t-shirt. Whether you have an hour or the whole day to give, your help will make this celebration a success!
DESE plans to make the Family Portal available beginning on Friday, Aug. 14 with preliminary MCAS results from all subjects (English language arts, mathematics, science and technology/engineering, and civics) available at one time.
The new date recognizes the time needed to communicate with families and the importance of having school and district personnel available to answer questions. Even with this revised timeline, families will still receive MCAS results sooner than they have in past years.
DESE will post updated materials and translations (including revised versions of the letter with instructions to access the portal, the letter from Commissioner Martinez, and the FAQs) to the Family Portal webpage as they become available over the coming weeks.
We appreciate the feedback that district and school leaders provided and look forward to partnering with you to support families with the MCAS Family Portal.
For more information, view the DESE MCAS website.
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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.