
Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools - Weekly Update
January 26, 2024
Superintendent's Message
Dear SPS families,
We are proud of our efforts to support bilingualism across the Salem Public Schools. We believe that speaking multiple languages is a superpower that ensures that our youth are truly prepared for an increasingly diverse, global and multilingual word. For this reason, we continue to invest in the expansion of our dual language program at Bentley (note- we are adding a new pre-K classroom and growing the program to 4th grade next year). We also offer Spanish language classes to students in grades 6-12 and French to students in grades 9-12. Additionally, we offer the opportunity to earn the state Seal of Biliteracy in advance of graduation.
In early February, members of our Multilingual Learner Education Department will visit our English Language Arts classes at the high school level to showcase the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, an annual exam open to students which will take place Mar. 11-13. It is an award provided by state-approved school districts that recognizes seniors who attain high-functioning and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language – through reading, writing, listening and speaking – by graduation.
For students who either plan to pursue a career or to attend college, earning the Seal of Biliteracy is not only a significant achievement, it is a huge personal and professional advantage – on a resume, job application or college application – as they venture to their next stop in life . Please find more information about the opportunity here.
I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a Cuban household where Spanish was regularly spoken. Throughout my life, the ability to speak two languages has served to broaden my experiences and open up many personal and professional opportunities.
We look forward to celebrating the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Steve
And the rockstar award winner is.....
At Salem Public Schools, we are recognizing one staff member a week who exemplifies our core values of celebrating differences, facilitating collaboration, fostering innovation, creating equity and access, growing all students, and upholding high standards for all. We are surprising a deserving SPS team member with a rock star trophy.
This week's rockstar award goes to experienced Bentley multilingual educator, Ms. Andrea Gagnon. Ms. Gagnon and her colleagues have been instrumental in building the English-learner foundation for the Bentley Dual Language school, while ensuring that all Bentley ML English-learners consistently perform well on the state ACCESS testing. Ms. Gagnon is committed to holding students to high expectations, and is ready to shift their instructional models to meet the needs of each of our students. She also works tirelessly to ensure that each of our newcomer students and families is wrapped with love, care and support as they navigate their new country and school.
SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES
At Monday’s meeting, the School Committee voted to approve a revision to the Salem High School/Salem Prep 2023-24 calendar. The professional development half day originally scheduled for May 22nd has been moved to May 15th due to a conflict with the state’s MCAS testing schedule (which was released after the calendar was originally created/approved). This applies ONLY to Salem High and Salem Prep. The website has been updated.
Secondly, on Monday, we shared our proposed 2024-25 academic calendars based on input received from the community. You can find them here. The School Committee will be discussing these proposals at the February 5th meeting. NOTE: Carlton Innovation School’s calendar will be drafted once the district’s calendar is approved.
Please send any comments or concerns to Krista Perry, Executive Administrative Assistant to the School Committee and Superintendent at kperry@salemk12.org.
Salem Public Schools eighth-grade student Rayan Taku and fifth graders Amaya Hicks and Julian Orrego were each named the co-winners of Salem State University’s Center for Justice and Liberation Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest, the Center announced last Wednesday while fifth-grader Maddisyn Washington earned honorable mention honors.
The Daily Table, a non-profit grocery store in Salem, received a welcome boost Wednesday, Jan. 17 from nine students and faculty from Salem Prep High School. It is the latest community service effort by Salem Prep students and faculty, who also volunteered a the morning of Oct. 26, 2023 at The Salem Pantry.
“By doing this, they are helping their community,” said Yamily Byas, Student Support Specialist at Salem Prep.
JOIN THE FOOD PROJECT SEED CREW
Join the Seed Crew program at The Food Project. We are hiring teens, ages 14-17, for the summer! The teens will work by growing food at our urban and suburban farms, and participating in workshops about food access, social justice, and personal finance. Here is the link to the application, which we are reviewing on a rolling basis. The application closes March 11th at midnight. Please share the flier and application link with any interested teens, and direct any questions to seedcrew@thefoodproject.org.
MA State Seal of Biliteracy
We are pleased to inform you of Salem Public School’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2023-24 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is offered to any SHS senior who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home, school or the community.
The test is also administered to grade 8 students for proper high school placement. ELL staff will be visiting SHS English Language Arts classes to register students in early February. Testing will commence from Mar. 11-13.
Early Childhood Education Expo Meet & Greet: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
Upcoming Youth Sports Registrations
The following Salem youth sports leagues are accepting registrations and announced tryout dates:
- Witch City Elite Flag Football (Tryouts Jan. 27)
- Salem Little League Baseball and Softball (Closes Feb. 28)
- Witch City Soccer Spring 2024 Season (Closes Mar. 31)
Attention Grade 6-7-8 Families: CTE Open House Scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 2
KID WIND ENERGY ART CONTEST
Kid Wind Calls upon students in kindergarten through 8th grade from around the US to create artwork about the theme Beautiful Wind Energy. We want to see the amazing art you can create!
Two winners from each grade (K-8) will receive $200 and the chance to show their work at the annual CLEANPOWER 2024 conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota from Ma 5-8, 2024 alongside the World KidWind Challenge.
Early submissions are encouraged! The first 20 people to submit their art will receive the Electrify Everything Coloring Book or a KidWind Mini Turbine Kit!
KEY DATES
-Submissions are open from January 3 to March 22, 2024
-Artwork must be submitted before 12pm CST 3/22/24
-Click here for more details
Registration for Salem's Adult Career Technical Initiative Program is open. Our hands-on, 12-week program is offered at no cost. Building Property Maintenance and Automotive Technology trainings begin Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Classes are scheduled Monday-Thursday from 5-9 p.m. To enroll, individuals must meet the specified requirements through MassHire. For more information, contact: jstonge@salemk12.org
Join Cartwheel and Erica Greenberg, MD, on Tuesday, Feb. 6 (7-8 p.m.) to learn how OCD and tic disorders present in youth, how symptoms can be impairing (or not), how to seek professional help, and best practices for treatment.
COVID Test Kits Available
Salem Public Schools is pleased to announce the availability of COVID test kits at all our schools' main offices and health offices. If you require a test kit, kindly contact your school nurse or main office to coordinate pickup. It is important to note that we do not have an in-school testing program. In the event of illness, students will be sent home, and families have the option to conduct COVID testing at home. Please refer to our sick-day guidelines on the district website or consult your school nurse before deciding whether to send your child to school. Your cooperation in maintaining a safe environment for all is greatly appreciated.
Virtual Backpack
Welcome to the Virtual Backpack. This is a space where we will place items that in the past may have been a flyer in your student's backpack from friends and partners to SPS.
- SHS Students: Cultural exchange trip to Ota, Japan | Find out more
- Pre-K spaces still available for remainder of 2023-24
Dowload the ParentSquare App
A reminder that ParentSquare is the district platform for communication. You will receive communication from the district, your school, and your student's classroom all in one space. You can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers, sign up for parent-teacher conferences, and more.
This is the primary communication platform for all Salem Public Schools. All messages and alerts come through ParentSquare and the app makes 1-to-1 communication with your student's teachers and signing up for guardian/student conferences a breeze. 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.