Salem Public Schools
SPS community,
We are continuing to make significant progress on our plans to build a new high school.
At the February 3rd School Committee meeting, the School Committee unanimously voted to build a new high school that will encompass grades 9-12. With the community’s input, the School Committee carefully examined the advantages and disadvantages of a school that houses grades 9-12 as opposed to 7-12. Cost projections, implications for educational programming and impact on school accountability were critical considerations informing the Committee’s vote.
In the end, the School Committee, with the assistance of our project manager, looked at the initial projected costs for incorporating space for 7th and 8th grade into the new building, and the estimated cost represents a significant increase to the project. In addition, the needs of the high school are greater, currently, than the needs of the middle school, which – in the Collins Middle School building – has a suitable physical space. With our configuration plan set, we can now focus on the design plan and what our new school at the Salem High School site will look like.
Additionally, on Monday evening, the School Committee approved the 2025-26 school calendars. The English versions (translations are forthcoming) of our calendars can be found on our website. We plan to share start and end times for the upcoming school year by the end of next week.
Stay warm, stay clear of the expected snow and enjoy Super Bowl Sunday!
Have a great weekend,
Steve
The RockStar award this week goes to Salem High School team chair, Ms. Myra Caldeira. Ms. Caldeira's vision and programming work has been essential to the success of the school's substantially separate programs. She has also been a force in creating a unified model for learning for all students.
Additionally, Ms. Caldeira has served as the point person for SHS in our efforts to design a new building at the site. She has organized meetings, connected the architect to the appropriate staff members to answer questions and provided timely information when requested. Ms. Caldeira is an overall team player who is dedicated to supporting our schools in any way she can!
Empower Blog: Salem Mayor and Superintendent of Schools discuss the evolution of Collins Middle School: From Pilot Program to Standard Practice
Given the title of our new blog series, Empower, we’d be hard pressed to find a better topic for our first post. Today, we’re spotlighting the remarkable transformation at Collins Middle School in Salem, MA: a journey that began by empowering both students and educators, and one that WPS was proud to help shape as a design partner.
Salem Public Schools to Apply to Expand Dual Language Program to Collins Middle School
With a little help and within a few years, the number of multilingual students to graduate from Salem High School will increase substantially. With the success of the dual language program (English and Spanish) at the Bentley Academy Innovation School, Salem Public Schools is preparing to apply to create a second dual language pathway at the Collins Middle School beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
VIEW GALLERY: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, Feb. 5 was National Girls and Women in Sports Day which honors the achievements of women athletes, coaches and leaders and continues to Lead Her Forward by acknowledging the power of sports to unlock her limitless potential. Student-athletes from each of Salem High School’s women’s teams visited four elementary schools — Saltonstall School, Bates Elementary School, Horace Mann Laboratory School and Witchcraft Heights Elementary School — to engage young students on the many benefits of playing a sport, and to read excerpts from the book “She Persisted,” which details the struggles and hurdles 13 of the world’s best female athletes.
The Salem Public Schools Early Childhood Expo Meet & Greet, which showcases kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programs, was postponed to Thursday, Feb. 13 (5:30-7 p.m.) at the Collins Middle School due to the inclement weather Thursday, Feb. 6.
Additionally, SPS families can schedule in-person tours of each school that offers kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programming – Bates Elementary School, Bentley Innovation Academy, Carlton Innovation School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Saltonstall School, Witchcraft Heights Elementary School and the Salem Early Childhood Center – on the following dates:
- The week of Feb. 10-14
- The week of Mar. 10-14
Eligibility for kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and preschool programs is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who will turn FIVE years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to start kindergarten in the fall of 2025.
- Pre-Kindergarten: Children residing in Salem who turn FOUR years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to enter the lottery for the SPS pre-K program in the fall of 2025.
- Preschool: Children residing in Salem who turn THREE years old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to enter the lottery for the preschool program at the Salem Early Childhood Center in the fall of 2025.
For more information, contact the SPS Parent Information Center at pic@salemk12.org or telephone (978) 740-1225, or visit salemk12.org/families.
With Valentine’s Day next week, we kindly ask that families refrain from sending in food or candy to be shared with your child’s class. So many of our students have food restrictions or allergies that it is not safe for them to eat food provided by other families. Valentine’s Day presents an amazing opportunity for our students to share cards and notes with their classmates and teachers. Although you can purchase Valentine’s cards just about anywhere, we recommend that you and your child work together to create something special and unique with supplies you have at home. Homemade messages of kindness and friendship really are the best kind.
Sick Day Guidelines: There is almost no escaping it…the season of illness and viruses is here. Our nurses have prepared guidance to help families decide when to keep children home from school due to illness which can be found on the SPS website. If your child has been sick with any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours, please keep them home:
Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Sore throat
Muscle aches or body aches
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Please contact your child’s school nurse with any questions or concerns.
Salem Public Schools is looking for parental input on the District's playgrounds. The Playground Parent Advisory Group will meet 1-2 times this spring to compile ideas for consideration by the Salem Public Schools. The Group will focus on relatively low-investment ideas as opposed to full playground overhauls.
We encourage folks to bring their thoughts to the table. Contact spsplaygrounds@gmail.com to volunteer.
On Thursday Feb. 13, we’re celebrating National Italian Food Day with a student-favorite meal, a delicious Italian sampler. This selection will be served throughout the district and will include:
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Meatballs
- Whole Grain Breadstick
- Side Garden Salad
Italian cuisine has long been a staple in American school meals, beloved by students of all ages. Dishes like pasta, pizza, and meatballs provide a great balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients while also being familiar and comforting. By incorporating Italian dishes into school menus, we offer students meals that are not only delicious but also nourishing. Many classic Italian meals also emphasize whole grains, dairy, and vegetables, supporting a well-rounded diet. Celebrating National Italian Food Day allows us to honor the cultural richness of Italian cuisine while reinforcing the importance of diverse and nutritious meal options in schools.
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.