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Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools

Friday, Aug. 9, 2024

Salem Public Schools Update

Superintendent's Message

SPS community,


The summer continues to fly by us and it is just a matter of weeks until we are back into full learning. A few key updates as we approach the return to school.


  • Earlier this week we held a day-long, well-attended Safety Summit facilitated by a local partner. We had the opportunity to collaborate with the Salem Police Department in responding to a realistic threat to our schools. It gave us the opportunity to examine our protocols for emergency situations to ensure that we are well-prepared and coordinated in our efforts to keep students and staff safe throughout the school year.

  • We are pleased to share that we are introducing two new safety features on our school busses: Wayfinder and Stopfinder. Wayfinder is a bus tracking system students scan when they get on and off a bus. With Wayfinder, daily attendance and student ridership can be tracked using a card reader. Wayfinder automatically marks the student attendance without drivers needing to interact with the device. This system will provide us with the following information- if the student got on the bus that morning/afternoon, what stop a student got on or off the bus and the time they boarded or exited the bus (at the bus stop and at the school). We are excited to introduce this new technology to allow us to better monitor student ridership and above all, enhance student safety. Stopfinder is a GPS bus tracking app that will allow families to follow their child’s bus and receive notifications about when the bus is approaching the bus stop. With Stopfinder, families can see their student’s bus schedule, receive bus ETAs, set up Geo Alerts, communicate with the transportation department, and view their student’s bus attendance. The app was piloted during summer programming and we plan to fully roll it out for the upcoming school year. Families will receive more details about these new tools and resources when they receive their bus information (the week of August 19th) for the upcoming school year.


Enjoy the weekend,


Steve

Back to School Fair Slated for Wednesday, Aug. 28

The third annual Salem Public Schools Back to School Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28 (4-8 p.m.) in a block party format at the Saltonstall School Playground.


Each SPS student who attends will receive a new backpack generously donated by Cradles to Crayons. Transportation will be provided again to families from all around Salem and a flyer with those details will follow in the coming weeks.


SPS educators, partners and community members seeking to volunteer, sponsor or host a table can scan the QR code on the below graphic. Please submit registrations and donations to our Family Engagement team no later than Friday, Aug. 23 by 12 p.m.


Volunteer/Sponsor Registration Form


For more information, contact Laura Assade, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Engagement, at lassade@salemk12.org.

Save the Dates: Neighborhood Walk & Talk Schedule

Our first Panorama Family/Caregiver Survey is still available and we encourage your input. We value your opinion as you are an important part in the life of your scholar and many others and a valued member of the SPS community. We would be honored if you would take a moment of your time to share your feedback with us.


The survey will be open from June 14-Aug. 31, 2024 and should take no more than 15 minutes. We encourage you to take one survey per student you care for, if you would like to. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Haitian Creole.


Should you have any questions or need support please reach out to us at 978-740-1225 or email lassade@salemk12.org

SHS Marching Band Car Wash Slated for Aug. 24

Salem Energy Fair Scheduled for September 12th

My home is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, drafty and uncomfortable.


  • Will new windows really solve those problems?
  • How can I save energy and money while making my home more comfortable?
  • When was the last time I had a home energy assessment?
  • I want to look into solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles - where do I start?


If you have asked yourself any of these questions, we have the answers at the Salem Energy Fair, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12 at El Espacio, 105 Congress Street. Renters, homeowners, and landlords are welcome and encouraged to come and learn about these topics and more. Whatever your income level, we have something for you. Including free food, kids’ activities, games, and prizes. Bring the whole family.

Salem Public Schools is excited to announce the successful launch of its free summer meals program, which began Monday, July 8. Running through Friday, August 16, this initiative ensures that kids and teens 18 and under can enjoy nutritious meals for free all summer. No sign-up is required, and no questions are asked. The only requirement is that kids and teens must be present to receive their meal and enjoy it on-site.


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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.

Download 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.

Salem Public Schools
Where Belonging Leads to Opportunity