The Back-to-School Newsletter is here! Check out the digital copy of the newsletter below or the accessible text-copy below the images!
Welcome Back! 2026-2027 Back to School Newsletter
Message from the Superintendent
Dear SWA School Community,
As your Superintendent, I am thrilled to welcome students back to Salem Washington Academy for another year of growth and discovery! We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing every student with the tools and experiences necessary to ensure they are truly future ready.
A new school year brings exciting changes. Following the retirements of several dedicated educators, we are pleased to welcome staff members into new roles across the district. Karen Fronhofer will lead our second Pre-K classroom, Emily West will be teaching second grade, Julie Myler will be a Special Education teacher, and several other faculty and staff members have assumed new roles throughout the district. Please visit the Staff Placements article on our website for a complete list of staff assignments.
In addition to staff changes, we are excited to introduce several new program updates. We are welcoming back a Community Ambassador from Sweethearts and Heroes to support our school climate and our social emotional learning work (SEL). Academically, we are adding a Financial Literacy curriculum to 5th and 12th-grade coursework to prepare students for real-world success, and we are integrating Mystery Science into our grades K-5 curriculum to spark curiosity and hands-on learning.
Looking ahead, Salem CSD is also preparing for the future of education in New York state. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has launched NY Inspires, a long-term initiative to transform public education by 2029. The plan includes updated graduation requirements that emphasize real-world skills, hands-on learning, and multiple ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge.
To prepare for these changes, Salem CSD has joined Redefining Ready NY, a statewide network of school and district leaders collaborating to design and implement graduation pathways aligned with the new requirements. Our local transition team is developing an implementation plan that not only meets NYSED's expectations but also builds on Salem's unique strengths, including our Agricultural Science program, Work-Based Learning opportunities, and other career-connected learning experiences.
As NYSED continues to provide additional guidance, we will keep families and our community informed throughout this transition. If you have not already, I encourage parents and guardians to join us on ParentSquare, our school-to-home communication platform that allows for two-way messaging. Community members can sign up for our Community Group on ParentSquare to stay informed about district news, events, and announcements. Instructions for joining can be found on page 4 of this newsletter.
Together, we remain committed to providing meaningful learning experiences that prepare every student for success and fulfill our mission of making Every Student Future Ready.
Sincerely,
Julie A. Collier, Superintendent of Schools
District Receives “Culture of Caring” Recognition
A student-led initiative has earned the Salem Central School District state recognition as having a “culture of caring.” The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) recently honored the district with the association’s “Culture of Caring” recognition for a student-led “Coin Wars” challenge, where the Salem High School Food Science class teamed up with elementary classrooms to raise money for the Salem Food Pantry.
“The recognition of Salem by NYSSBA affirms that we are making progress toward our long-term goals of creating a supportive environment for students and building a stronger connection between our school and community. We are immensely proud of the students and staff who led the ‘Coin Wars’ challenge,” said Superintendent Julie A. Collier.
Last school year, the Food Science class began the Coin Wars, which challenged students in grades 3 through 6 to collect the most coins in a two-week time period. In total, the students raised $1,863 for the Salem Food Pantry.
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.
Work-Based Learning Class Provides Real-World Experience
Salem Central School District’s WorkBased Learning class is giving students the opportunity to explore future career paths before graduation through hands-on experiences in the community.
The class partners local businesses and community organizations with students to provide meaningful job experiences that benefit both the students and the host organizations. Last year, five students were placed with community partners including Preble Realty, Salem Rescue Squad, and Borador Animal Hospital.
“I have babysat for most of my life and wanted to see if working with children would be a good career path for me,” said 12th grader Parker Mattison, who worked in Salem’s Pre-K classroom. “This experience helped solidify that I want to do this work and help prepare children for their futures.”
Through the course, Parker worked under the guidance of Pre-K teacher Jennifer Russo, assisting students in their learning and daily activities. Amy Maxwell, the coordinator for the Work-Based Learning class, said junior and senior high school students may already have an idea of what they would like to pursue after graduation.
“The personalized, hands-on learning experience allows them to determine whether they truly have the passion to pursue that interest as a full-time profession,” she said.
More Than a Game: Unified Sports Foster Friendship and Inclusion
Inclusion is more than a goal at Salem; it is something students experience every season. With the addition of club Unified Basketball, Salem now offers a Unified sports option year-round, creating opportunities for students with and without disabilities to compete, build confidence, and form lasting friendships.
The impact of Salem’s Unified sports programs has been evident throughout the district. Because students of different ability levels often spend much of the school day in separate classes and programs, opportunities for meaningful interaction can be limited. Unified sports help bridge that gap by bringing students together as teammates, creating an environment where friendships can grow and barriers can be broken down.
“They come into the season being strangers in a way and leave as friends. They do look out for one another, connect in the hallways, and build relationships that extend beyond sports," said Julie Myler, the Unified Basketball Club advisor.
Music Program
The Salem Washington Academy School Jazz Band took the stage at the High School Musician Showcase at Hicks Orchard, the perfect backdrop for a stellar performance! Don't miss a performance from Salem CSD's Music Program during the 2026–27 school year. Join the ParentSquare Community Group (see page 4) to stay informed about upcoming concerts, performances, and other music program events throughout the year.
Scholar-Athletes Earn School of Excellence Designation
Salem Central School District has been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) as a School of Excellence, an honor that celebrates outstanding achievement in both academics and athletics.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of Salem's student-athletes, coaches, teachers, and families. It is a testament to a culture within our schools that values excellence in the classroom just as highly as success in competition,” said Salem Director of Athletics Dani Folino.
Participation in athletics helps students develop discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and time-management skills that extend far beyond the playing field. Salem CSD is proud to provide opportunities that challenge students to grow both academically and athletically while representing their school with pride.
To earn this designation, at least 75% of a school's varsity teams must qualify as Scholar-Athlete Teams. A team earns Scholar-Athlete status when at least 75% of its roster achieves a combined grade point average of 90 or above.
Service Day
Salem Jr./Sr. High School students rolled up their sleeves and gave back across the district during Salem Service Day 2026! From serving as reading buddies in elementary classrooms, to refurbishing the town's Adirondack chairs in Salem school colors, to helping clean and organize the library, students took an active role in strengthening the Salem CSD community.
Supportive Environment: 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. Violations of this should be reported to the Dignity Act Coordinators. The coordinators for the 2026-27 school year 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
Upcoming Events
Sept. 3: 7th Grade Orientation, 12 - 1 p.m. Elementary Get Acquainted Hour, 1 - 2 p.m.
Sept. 8: First Day of School
Sept. 15: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m.
Sept. 17: Elementary Parent Night, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Oct. 1: Jr/Sr High School Open House, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m.
Oct. 12: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, No School
Oct. 13: Picture Day, PreK-12
Oct. 19: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m.
Oct. 22: Jr./Sr. Fall Concert, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: Superintendent Conference Day, No School
Upcoming events dates are subject to change.
Community Group on ParentSquare
No student? No problem! Community members can also stay informed about district activities and announcements by joining the Salem CSD Community Group on ParentSquare. Those who register will receive messages directly from the district, including Board of Education meeting notices, school concerts, district financial updates, and articles highlighting student achievement. Join the Community Group here.
Customizable Communications: ParentSquare and SWA
ParentSquare will continue to be the primary source of district, school, grade level and classroom communications 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 (https://www.salemcsd.org/page/ about-parentsquare) to learn more about the platform.
Universal Pre-K
Thanks to increased state aid, Salem CSD is proud to offer a Pre-K placement to every eligible child in the district. This year, Salem will have two Pre-K classrooms, allowing for smaller class sizes and more individualized attention as our youngest learners begin their educational journey. We are excited to welcome our new students and families to the Salem community!