Salem Washington Academy is excited to welcome students back for another school year of growth, learning, and success for every student. Classes will begin on September 4th. Visit our calendar webpage to see all of the upcoming back-to-school events.

For readers with accessibility needs, below is the text from the Back-To-School Newsletter.

Message from the Superintendent

Dear SWA School Community,

As your Superintendent, I am excited to welcome you back to Salem Washington Academy for a new and inspiring school year! We are looking forward to another year filled with growth, learning, and success for every student. Now more than ever, it is essential that we remain focused, aligned, and intentional in our work.

Our dedication to our students and community remains at the heart of everything we do. This year, our work will continue to be guided by our established district priorities outlined in our 2023-2028 Blueprint for Excellence strategic plan. The plan outlines our priorities of building a supportive environment, academic success for all students and community connection.

These priorities underpin our key district goals for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Improve literacy rates and achievement in English Language Arts

• Foster a positive, inclusive school climate and culture

• Enhance academic achievement and support for economically disadvantaged students

• Improve the graduation rate

Consistent student attendance is essential to academic success and receiving a high school diploma. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for learning and growth. To support students, we use early warning systems and dashboards to monitor attendance and performance, helping us tailor instruction and interventions. Everybody plays a role in ensuring students attend school regularly, and your partnership in encouraging students to be present and engaged is vital to their success.

We are truly in this together. Your collaboration and teamwork make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, our district, and our community. We look forward to a year marked by excellence and growth, as we work together to make Every Student Future Ready.

Sincerely,
Julie A. Collier, Superintendent of Schools

Want to know more about our Blueprint for Excellence? You can find it at here.

Our Mission

Salem Washington Academy prepares all students for their future by providing each student with unique opportunities to pursue their goals and dreams. Every Student Future Ready.

Our Core Values

Support: We ensure that all students and each member of the school community are supported in every way.
Value: Our environment emphasizes the value and worth of each individual.
Respect: We demonstrate respect and commitment towards all members of the school community.
Integrity: We always act with integrity and work transparently.
Empathy: We foster an environment of empathy and inclusivity.
Excellence: We focus on academic excellence and success for all on their chosen pathway.
Collaboration: We intentionally create opportunities for collaboration.

Attend Today, Succeed Tomorrow

Daily school attendance is about more than being in class; it’s about building relationships and preparing for success. When attendance rates improve, so do academic prospects and chances for graduating. Research shows that missing 10% of school days, or about 18 days annually in most districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month.

Start the school year off right. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the year. Studies show that half of the students who miss two to four days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. Please encourage students to come to school each day to reach their full potential.

Did You Know?

• Research shows missing just 2 days a

  month negatively affects a student’s

  academic performance.

• By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a

  leading indicator that a student will drop

  out of high school.

• Half the students who miss 2-4 days in

  September go on to miss nearly a month

  of school.

Customizable Communications: ParentSquare and SWA

ParentSquare will continue to be the primary source of district, school, grade level and classroom communications here at Salem Central School District.

ParentSquare is designed to be a “one-stop shop” to help keep you informed and strengthen your connection with the district. With ParentSquare, parents and guardians can receive district, school, classroom and athletics information via email, text and/or mobile app, directly message teachers and staff, share pictures and files, sign permission slips and more!

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Main Office at (518) 854-6000 for assistance.

Visit the “About ParentSquare” page on our website to learn more about the platform.

Coming Soon! Community Group on ParentSquare

Pass it on… Community members can now keep up with activities and announcements like sporting events, school fundraisers, afterschool programs, alumni events!

To start receiving district information, please visit the “About ParentSquare” page on our website to join a Community Group. As Community Group administrators post to their groups, registered members will receive notifications. More information is coming soon!

The Elementary Office and Entrance Has Moved

The elementary office has moved to its new home at the west entrance near the Jr/Sr High School gym, which was formerly the Committee on Special Education (CSE) entrance. All elementary school visitors and those with school business should use this entrance, which is handicapped accessible. The Registrar and CSE secretary will also be available at this entrance.

Mobile Device Use Update: What You Need to Know

At the start of the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with state law, Salem CSD will introduce a policy restricting the use of mobile devices that is designed to support the safety and mental health of students and minimize school day disruptions. Districts that have limited mobile device use have experienced improvements in student learning and academic performance, a sharp decline in bullying and cyberbullying, better school attendance, and improved student mental health.

As required in the state law, our students will not be permitted to use mobile devices during the school day, with some specific exceptions for medical or IEP reasons.

What to Expect

Grades K-6: No change. All electronic devices should be powered off and stored in backpacks in student cubbies or lockers.

Grades 7-12: Students will receive a Yondr pouch on the first day of school to securely store their powered-off devices (phones, earbuds, smartwatches) during the school day. Devices must be locked in the pouch when students enter the building or sign in late at the office and will remain secured until dismissal. Exceptions for medical or IEP reasons must be arranged with the main office before the first day.

Students may carry the pouch or store it in their locker; they will not be permitted to carry bags or backpacks during the school day. Random checks will ensure compliance.

In emergencies, staff will have portable unlocking devices. To contact students during the day, parents or guardians should call the main office. A student phone is also available there. The full policy is available on our website.

New School Calendar: Stay Updated on Events

We’re excited to introduce our newly designed school calendar! In addition to the one-page calendar available on our website and ParentSquare, families will now receive a full-color 12-month calendar featuring photos of our amazing students. Calendars will be distributed on the first day of school.

Need a copy? A limited amount of additional printed calendars will be available in the main office of each school.

Upcoming Events

• Sept. 3: Elementary School Get Acquainted Hour/

  Meet The Teacher, 1-2 p.m.

• Sept. 3: 7th Grade Orientation, 12-1 p.m.

• Sept. 4: First Day of School

• Sept. 10: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Sept. 11: Elementary Parent Night, 6 p.m.

• Sept. 29 to Oct. 3: Fall Spirit Week

• Oct. 2: High School Open House, 6-7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 4: Homecoming Football Game/Cow Plop Bingo/

  Petting Zoo, 1 p.m.

• Oct. 8: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Oct. 13: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, No School

• Oct. 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences, Dismissal at

  11:20 a.m. (PreK-6 Only)

• Oct. 23: Fall Jr/Sr High School Band and Chorus Concert

Upcoming events dates are subject to change. Click here to view our regularly updated online calendar.

Dignity for All Students Act

In accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, no persons will be subject to discrimination or harassment, based on but not limited to a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, by school employees or students on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function. The Dignity Act Coordinators for the 2025-26 school year at Salem Central School District are:

• Katie Jones, Elementary Principal/

  Director of PPS, kcjones@salemcsd.org, (518) 854-9505

• William Moore, Jr/Sr High School

  Principal, wmoore@salemcsd.org,

  (518) 854-7600

Visiting Salem Washington Academy

As we welcome visitors to our campus, the safety of our students, faculty and staff remain our highest priority. All visitors are required to check in at the Elementary Main Office or the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office. Please be prepared to provide photo identification upon arrival.

If a parent or guardian would like to speak with their student’s teacher, we ask that an appointment is scheduled. This will ensure the teacher is available and that the appropriate amount of time and attention is given.