Superintendent's Update

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!

We have been busy getting ready for the new year and are very excited to greet our wonderful students and start what I know will be another successful year.

This past spring, I worked with our administrators and teacher leaders to set clear priorities that would guide our work as a school district community and reflect our shared commitment to helping every child learn and grow while feeling nurtured and cared for in our classrooms. As a result of this planning, each school in our district has set student achievement goals that we will work together to reach. We also selected a few key practices, strategies, and actions that we believe will work best to help every child in Salem City School District learn and succeed.

I know that none of this works without everyone working together. My team and I want to give you chances to share your thoughts with us. We want to keep listening and learning from you. We are stronger when we include all families and respond to what you need.

As we move forward together, I believe this planning will help us create great opportunities for all our students to grow and succeed. We want to challenge each student and help them find what they love. We want them to develop a lifelong love of learning. We also want to focus on how students feel, their creativity, their confidence, and other parts of their healthy growth.

Thank you for your continued support. By working together we can reach all our goals for our students.

I look forward to our continued work together and to a very successful year!

As we begin the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize a key aspect of our students' success: regular school attendance.

We believe that consistent attendance is crucial for your child’s academic and personal growth, and I would like to share with you why this is so important.

Academic Achievement:

Regular attendance is directly linked to academic success. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to excel academically because they are present for vital instruction, participate in classroom activities, and benefit from continuous learning.

Routines and Responsibilities:

Consistent school attendance helps students develop important life skills such as punctuality, responsibility, and time management. These skills are valuable not only in their academic life but also in future careers and personal endeavors.

Sense of Belonging:

Routine and structure provided by regular school attendance can positively impact students' emotional well-being. Being part of a classroom community and having a consistent daily schedule can help students feel secure and supported, which in turn enhances overall mental health and readiness to learn.

Support for Family and School Partnership:

When students are present in school, it strengthens the partnership between families and educators. We can better support and monitor their progress, address any challenges students may face, and work together to ensure the educational experience is both positive and productive.

We understand that occasional absences due to illness or emergencies are inevitable, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping us informed of such instances. However, we encourage you to prioritize regular school attendance and work with us to address any concerns that might impact your child's ability to attend consistently.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.