Salem Public Schools
SPS Community,
It’s hard to believe that fall begins in just a few days, and that Salem is already preparing for all the festivities October will bring!
Over the next two weeks, I look forward to continuing to connect with our educators and students as I work toward my goal of visiting every classroom this school year. I covered a lot of ground this week through classroom visits, staff meetings, and family listening sessions held before the open houses at Bates Elementary School and the Sarah Parker Remond School.
Families have spoken openly and honestly, highlighting bright spots across our district and identifying opportunities for improvement. I’m grateful for their candor, and it is clear that community engagement is one of Salem’s great strengths. I look forward to listening, learning, and asking more questions at next week’s sessions:
Horace Mann Laboratory School: Wednesday, Sept. 23 (5:30-7:30) | Listening Session at 4:30 p.m. with Mayor and School Committee Chair Dominick Pangallo.
New Liberty Innovation School: Wednesday, Sept. 23 (5:30-7:30) | Listening Session at 7:30 with School Committee member AJ Hoffman.
Witchcraft Heights Elementary School: Thursday, Sept. 24 (5:00-6:30) | Listening Session at 6:45 with School Committee member Beth Anne Cornell.
I hope you will join me on Saturday as I’ll be taking advantage of September Salem Days and riding the bus with our students and families to the Stone Zoo. Through the generosity of the Norman H. Read Charitable Trust, free transportation (first come, first served) is available at the Salem High School front parking lot to the Stone Zoo Saturday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m., with return buses back to SHS at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Admission is free for all Salem residents.
Next week, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m., the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants will host a free webinar, “Immigration Updates: Know Your Rights.” I know this is a vitally important topic for many members of our school community. Please use this link to join the webinar.
Finally, congratulations to Jocelis Uribe, front office administrator at the Sarah Parker Remond School, who will receive a Salem Latino Excellence Award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the State House.
Jocelis is being recognized for her extraordinary impact on our community as the founder of the Opiate Awareness Walk, a certified medical interpreter, and a dedicated partner to Sarah Parker Remond School families. She was nominated for this honor by State Representative Manny Cruz ‘12. Congratulations, Jocelis!
Enjoy the weekend!
Dr. Tommy Welch
Superintendent
Salem High School Named National Banner School by Special Olympics North America
Salem High School was named a National Banner School by the Special Olympics North America Monday for its efforts to provide inclusive sports, activities and opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
VIEW IMAGES | Bentley Fifth Graders Kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month at Riley Memorial Plaza
Bentley Academy Innovation School grade 5 scholars joined the Latino Leadership Coalition, Salem Academy’s Caribbean Club, Mayor Dominick Pangallo. State Representative Manny Cruz and many members of Salem’s Latino and Hispanic community to raise the flags of Hispanic countries in celebration of the start of Hispanic Heritage Month Tuesday at Riley Memorial Plaza.
Collins Middle School, Horace Mann Laboratory School Receive Three-Year Investigating History Magnify Grants
The Collins Middle School and Horace Mann Laboratory School each received grants from Investigating History Magnify (IH Magnify) to strengthen and elevate social studies instruction across grades 4-7, the schools announced recently.
Salem High School will offer the SAT to interested seniors during the school day on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at no cost to students. Seniors who would like to participate must register using the Google Form below:
Register Now
Registration closes at 2:45 PM on Monday, September 28.
Late registrations cannot be guaranteed because Salem High School must submit its final testing roster to College Board. Additional information regarding testing time, location, and what students should bring will be shared with registered students before test day.
If you have questions, please contact Meghan Grosskopf Sousa, C3 Director at mesousa@salemk12.org.
Students and families are invited to attend the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Fall Virtual College Fair this Sunday, Sept. 20, from 1:00–6:00 p.m. This free virtual event gives students the opportunity to connect directly with college admission representatives from colleges and universities across the country, all from home.
Students in any stage of the college search are welcome to participate. Whether you're just beginning to explore options or building your college list, this is an easy way to learn more about schools and connect with admission representatives.
REGISTER NOW | VIEW PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
We encourage students considering college after Salem High School to take advantage of this opportunity!
Welcome back! Start the 2026–27 school year healthy and ready to learn with the September issue of Nursing News from our Salem Public Schools nursing team. This month, you’ll find important reminders about required health forms and medications, updates on new standing orders, tips for managing fall allergies, a healthy seasonal recipe, and ideas for getting your family out and about this fall!
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.