Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
We are thrilled that our doors are now open to all our students with the arrival of our youngest learners on Monday! Our school year is now in full swing with open houses, after-school activities as well as dynamic teaching and learning. We are privileged to serve your family and child during the 24-25 school year!
In the last two weeks, I have been asked why the Salem Public Schools is so focused on attendance. Families have commented that there have been extensive messages about the importance of being at school on time, every day. Our efforts to promote consistent attendance is rooted in clear and compelling research that points to the negative consequences of chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism, missing more than 10% of school days annually (18 or more days), is correlated with and predictive of the following:
- Lower MCAS success rates (nearly cut in half)
- Significantly lower graduation rates
- Lower elementary proficiency rates
- Increased dropout rates.
We understand that illnesses will prevent students from attending school at different points throughout the year. We want to continue working with families to eliminate barriers to regular attendance - transportation, bullying, anxiety, home stressors, etc. We are also working to expand the programs and experiences that are of high interest and in high demand for students. Students look forward to come to school when they are excited about the offerings we provide. Thank you for your support as we love having your children in school every day, all day!
Enjoy what is forecasted to be a beautiful weekend!
Steve
This week's rockstar award goes to Silvana Lika, a P2 classroom teacher at the Carlton Innovation School. Her dedication to her students is truly inspiring. Mrs. Lika masterly balances flexibility and structure, seamlessly adapting her approach to meet each student's individual needs while maintaining a clear, data driven path to success. She goes above and beyond to create meaningful connections with both students and caregivers.
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View the latest issue of the Salem Public Schools Nursing Newsletter
Sunday, Sept. 15th marks the launch of Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual celebration in the United States that runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This month-long observance honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the country.
43.9% of students in Salem Public Schools identify as Hispanic or Latino, and we strive to celebrate this significant portion of our community this month. Throughout our school cafeterias to celebrate this diverse culture, we’ll be serving several meals inspired by traditional Hispanic cuisine. Here are some highlights to look forward to:
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is pleased to announce the opening of the Building a Logo Design Contest, open to all grades 10-12 students attending a Massachusetts public school. Submissions will be accepted beginning Sunday, Sept. 16.
The contest is geared towards connecting students with a deeper understanding of the work accomplished at the MSBA and inviting our most important clients, the students, to assist the MSBA in reimagining a new authority logo. By participating in this competition, young artists will have the opportunity to expand their artistic horizons and gain recognition for their creativity and skill.
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.