
Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools - Weekly Update
March 8, 2024
Superintendent's Message
SPS community,
Over the last month, we hosted three forums (two for the community, one for staff) to discuss the school year 2024-25 budget. During these sessions, we reviewed our district goals, provided a snapshot of the city and districtās fiscal landscape, and discussed factors that might influence our budget planning. We explained that while state aid has increased, we are faced with growing expenses (contractual obligations, special education, transportation, and utilities) and the sun-setting of ESSER (Covid relief funds).
In order to balance our budget, we will need to stretch our operating dollars while also right-sizing resources across the district to ensure we are appropriately funding growth in certain programs and student populations. At the conclusion of the meeting, we offered an opportunity for attendees to share input on what aspects of our strategic plan they would prioritize for resource allocation in the upcoming school year. Please find a copy of the forum presentation here (English, Spanish, Portuguese) and a video of the session here (English, Spanish and Portuguese).
We are looking for additional feedback and wanted to share the survey that we asked participants to complete. We would appreciate you completing this survey to assist us with the development and construction of our FY25 budget proposal.
Thank you in advance for your time. We plan to close the survey Friday, Mar. 15. Your responses will be shared when we present our first budget proposal to the School Committee.
Have a great 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 district coaches Erica Panacopoulos, Emily Flaherty and Beth Beaulieu. In the wee hours of Wednesday, Mar. 6, they received word from the trainer of a family emergency and that she was not available. All K-5 science teachers were attending this three-hour training and principals had not planned for them to be at their schools, so the coaches felt a responsibility to carry on with the training. They pulled together at the last minute and quickly prepared to facilitate the training. Their professionalism and commitment to the work is exactly what we want to see from our educators and they did not fail to deliver. Our teachers will be better able to pilot these new science materials this spring because of this workshop. They truly are rockstars!
Consistent with its commitment to its 2023-26 Strategic Plan, Salem Public Schools held its Professional Development Day Wednesday, Mar. 6, preceded by its staff pep rally at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse at Salem High School.
Rapper/educator/motivator Dee-1, our artist-in-residence, served as the master of ceremonies.
A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSES
We are aware that the CDC will soon drop the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. At this time, the guidance for Massachusetts schools has not changed. The guidance adopted in August 2022 is still in effect until further notice and requires a five-day isolation period following a positive COVID-19 test, followed by five additional days of masking when returning to work or school. Please consult the district website for further information. We will certainly let you know if and when any changes are made.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MARGARET VOSS HOWARD TEACHER RECOGNITION AWARD
Nominations are currently being accepted for the Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Recognition Award, which honors the contributions of one teacher from the Salem Public Schools and one from Marblehead Public Schools, each with a $500 unrestricted award. Teachers, other school employees, parents, students and citizens may nominate a teacher by submitting a detailed letter explaining why the teacher should be honored.
Submit a Nomination: English Form | Spanish Form
So moved by the āDiary of Charlotte Forten: A Free Black Girl Before the Civil Warā were Witchcraft Heights Elementary School fourth grade multilingual learning students and their teacher Marta Garcia, that her students created their own journal entries about their experiences as immigrants.
The stories are amazingly moving.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER: Connections & Relationship Building
An important theme this month is relationship building. From the counselorās corner, weād like to highlight the immense value of quality relationship building. We are very aware that a little bit of connection can go a very long way in supporting young people. Itās undeniable that relationships and connection are at the very heart of fostering a sense of belonging.
Salem Public Schools wholly centers belonging as a core value, because when we believe we are an important piece of āthe puzzleā, we are more open to learning. This also opens us to take academic and creative risks, which promotes growth and development at the highest level.
A recent Edutopia article discusses the science around connection and belonging. Check it out to learn more.
In the meantime, we encourage you to have dialogue with your young people at home. Ask them who they feel connected to at school. Which staff help them feel they belong? What is the difference between fitting in and belonging? Talk about ways they may want to create stronger connections with peers and/or staff with whom they express an interest in wanting to build a relationship. Remind them that educators choose this career because they truly care about young people and want to build these meaningful relationships.
As always, we are here for you. Let us know how we can support relationship building and connection for you and your young person.
KNOW A STUDENT PASSIONATE ABOUT LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP?
These initiatives offer a platform for students to engage, network, and make meaningful contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
1. Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Council: Statewide Council Member
The Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students is thrilled to announce the application process is open for the Statewide GSA Student Leadership Council. This opportunity is open to rising 9-12 grade students from all regions of Massachusetts. Selected students will serve on the council until June 2025, contributing to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and representation.
Click here for more information and application information
2. Annual GAYLA Celebration
Nominate a student (or two) to attend the MA Commission on LGBTQ Youthās Annual GAYLA. To ensure all youth attendees feel comfortable and confident, a wardrobe stipend will be provided to assist with suitable attire, and dinner will be provided.
Click here to learn more about to nominate a student
3. Call for Nominations: Outstanding LGBTQ+ Student Advocates
We are excited to announce our call for nominations, recognizing outstanding high school students who have made significant contributions to advancing LGBTQ equality within their schools or communities. This recognition aims to spotlight the remarkable efforts of young individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, leadership, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Selected nominees will have the opportunity to attend the MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth Gayla on March 30, 2023, at the Royal Sonesta, Boston, with a wardrobe stipend provided to support their attendance.
School Tours for new Pre-K and Kindergarten Families Run Mar. 4-15
Your child's immersive, transformative education starts now.
School tours for pre-K and Kindergarten families new to Salem Public Schools begin next week -- from Monday, Mar. 5 through Friday, Mar. 15.
Contact the school's family engagement facilitator to schedule your tour
The New Liberty Innovation School will host its second annual Basketball Tournament Fundraiser Saturday, Mar. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Salem High School.
The tournament will consist of 10 teams and will be played in a single elimination format. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit NLIS student activities including helping fund senior dues, the senior family dinner, learning opportunities and internships as well as community building initiatives.
ACCESS STUDENT CLASSLINK AT HOME
Did you know that students can access ClassLink and all their apps from home without their Chromebook? Using this guide, families have access to many of the resources that students have in the classroom. These guides are available in four languages.
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.
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.