Salem Public Schools Weekly Update

November 18, 2022

SPS families,

Over the last few months, there has been a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and rhetoric across our country, state and region. Synagogues and other Jewish institutions have received threats of violence, swastikas have been found in public places and Jewish people have been the subject of online harassment and bullying.

In some cases, this behavior has been perpetuated by athletes, musicians, and entertainers that our youth respect and look up to. It is concerning that these individuals may be able to influence the beliefs and values of impressionable young people. We must actively teach our children at both home and school that discriminatory words and actions have power (please see a list of resources below). They destroy the fabric of communities while undermining the humanity and dignity of others.

As part of our strong commitment to our core values of equity, belonging and opportunity, the Salem Public Schools condemns all incidents and examples of bias that directly attack an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. Actions rooted in hate will never be tolerated and we will address these incidents with the swiftness, attention and opportunity for education that they deserve.

As a school district, we are working with the City of Salem’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office on establishing a formal process for reporting incidents of discrimination and bias in our community. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school administration or contact our Office of Family, Community and Employee Engagement at (781) 771-7683.

In partnership,

Steve

Helpful links:

A reminder of the SPS Equity Statement

Information about how to make this a teachable moment from the ADL

How to Talk to Kids About Antisemitism and Why It's Important

How to Talk to Your Jewish Kids About Antisemitism

Allyship: Tyler Perry Shares Stories of Jewish Allyship to Black Community Amid Kanye West’s Antisemitism

Best,

Steve

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 is Ms. Ava Marotta, paraprofessional at the Early Childhood Center, working with three and four year old students with intensive disabilities. Each day Ms. Marotta comes to school with a bright smile and warm welcome for all. When necessary, Ms. Marotta is quick to take the lead in the classroom and offers highly effective ideas and strategies. Ms. Marotta impresses us each day with her can-do attitude and high expectations for all her students while at the same time demonstrating a sincere sense of empathy. Congratulations!

This past Wednesday, Superintendent Zrike and Chief Miller from the Salem Police Department hosted a community safety conversation at Salem High School. Chief Miller and Dr. Zrike discussed the strong partnership between the police department and our schools, our district safety team. recent safety enhancement initiatives and ALICE drills. Both Dr. Zrike and Chief Miller emphasized the need for strong relationships in our schools and with our school resource officers. We all agreed that mental health supports are crucial to the safety of our staff and students and discussed ways to enhance those supports and ensure that social emotional learning is integrated into the instructional experience in all SPS classrooms. SATV recorded the discussion and as soon as a link is available, we will send it out.

Next week, Salem Public Schools will be providing one kit of two COVID tests to every student and staff member. These are the 'I-health' home test kits that give results in 15 minutes. We are asking every member of our community to participate to help keep everyone as safe as possible.

• Test 1- All staff and students should use the first test at the end of Thanksgiving break on Sunday, November 27th before returning to school/work on Monday, November 28th.

• Test 2 – All staff and students should use the second test at the end of their winter break, Sunday, January 8th (Carlton on Sunday, January 2nd), before returning to school on Monday, January 9th (Carlton on January 3rd).

Instructions for use: Each test comes with more detailed instructions or you can find video instructions online here: https://youtu.be/36s_J-u5yaI

If the results are positive, individuals should isolate themselves from others and call their healthcare provider.

If one does test positive, please note the date of the positive test and contact the school nurse following the break. School nurses will be able to provide timelines for return to school/work. If the test is negative, you are all set and we look forward to seeing you return. Happy holidays!

As winter approaches, we want to remind staff and families to be sure we have current contact information to reach you in the event that we have a cancellation or delay. Notifications will go out through ParentSquare via automated phone call, text, and email. It will also be posted on our website as well as social media and local TV channels. We do not have the option of remote instruction in the event of a closure.

In a partnership with uAspire, the first uAspire FAFSA walkthrough for students and families will be held on Monday, November 21st. This walkthrough will explore the entire college financial aid process from start to finish, including each section and the more difficult questions, what you will need to complete the FAFSA, and explore some additional information and questions about the financial aid process. If you have any questions about the FAFSA, you can get the answers with this FAFSA walkthrough as they will take questions in the chat. The link and QR code in the flyer below will take you to the calendar where you can register.

This month, as many look forward to Thanksgiving, try practicing an 'Attitude of Gratitude.' An attitude of gratitude allows us to be grateful for the people, events, experiences, mentors, and situations that shape our lives. Try making it a conscious effort to express gratitude to those who help you. Send an email or text message, make a phone call, or write a note thanking them for their kindness or assistance. You may notice you have more empathy, less judgment, and greater appreciation once you adopt an attitude of gratitude and begin to appreciate how much others do for you. To help adopt an 'Attitude of Gratitude' this month, The Greater Good Science Center (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/, 2022) created this calendar. An attitude of gratitude means making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation for every part of your life. Give it a try! And if you celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

The MCJROTC cadets are hosting a Toys 4 Tots drive to provide gifts for Salem families in need this Christmas. There are donation boxes located by the SHS main entrance, as one at the SHS JROTC Command Post, and the main entrances at Collins Middle School and Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. Any new, unwrapped toys (for newborns up to age 12) would be greatly appreciated. Help get these kids in need something to open Christmas morning. Please get the word out so we can make this toy drive a success!

This toy drive will end December 19th. If any family would like this support, please contact your student's school with a total number of children, ages and gender.

Parent/guardian voice is important to Salem Public Schools. We value your input and feedback and want to provide an ongoing platform to engage in those productive and solutions-based conversations.

In partnership with the Salem School Committee, we invite parents and guardians to apply to serve on the Salem Public Schools Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee. The committee’s primary function will be to provide the Superintendent and the School Committee with feedback and perspectives on important district initiatives; however, the group will also be charged with developing its own mission and initiatives aimed at promoting open and productive communication among SPS community members.

Interested parents and guardians should please fill out the questionnaire below. The district will work with school principals to assemble a group of 15-20 members made up of parents/guardians from each school (including one alternate representative from each) and representing a range of grade levels. In keeping with the district’s mission to promote equity and inclusion, our goal is to assemble a committee reflective of our district’s diverse population.

Please email questions to me at szrike@salemk12.org

Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee Interest Form (English)

Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee Interest Form (Spanish)

Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee Interest Form (Portuguese)

The City’s Scholarship & Education Committee has extended the grant application period for educators and other qualifying applicants to seek a micro-grant from the Salem Education Fund. Applications are being accepted through December 5th. Per state law these grants can be used “to provide supplemental education funding for local educational needs and to provide funding for existing adult literacy programs” that serve Salem students/residents.

Application form: https://www.salemma.gov/scholarship-and-education-committee/links/education-fund-application.

Previous grant awards: https://www.salemma.gov/scholarship-and-education-committee/news/salem-scholarship-education-committee-awards-education-fund and https://www.salemma.gov/scholarship-and-education-committee/news/salem-scholarship-education-committee-awards-five-education.

For more information about the committee, please visit https://www.salemma.gov/scholarship.

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.

Bilingual Story Hour at the Laundry/Cuentos bilingüe en el Laundry

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 how our school and teachers communicate with families districtwide. Please be sure you are receiving messages from ParentSquare. If need support downloading the app or receiving messages, please contact your school's front office. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.