Salem Stories

As students and staff settle into a new school year, we set out to capture activities that make up a typical Fall day across the Salem School District. It's 5:30 a.m. and we find Custodian Alan Olivo cleaning on one of the newly-renovated entrances at Salem High School. The night shift has been hard at work for several hours washing away the remnants from the previous school day. Over in the high school cafeteria, Barbara Schultz brings the ovens online in preparation for morning breakfast. The smell of baking muffins soon fills the cafe. Over at Fisk Elementary School, Fifth-Grade Teacher John Gatsas gets a head start to his day. Usually the first to arrive, Mr. Gatsas relishes the quiet planning time -- while it lasts. As the school day begins, Jay Hudson's woodworking students are busy building shaker-style furniture.The newly-created shop features more room, higher ceilings, and advanced ventilation systems providing a better learning and working environment....

The Barron Elementary School is excited to present Hadley, their Therapy Dog to the School Board for their Focus on Achievement. Hadley has had a positive impact on students, staff, and families since she joined our staff last year. We spent months preparing to bring Hadley to Barron - informing parents and confirming any health concerns, training students and staff, slowly acclimating Hadley to the school and her spaces prior to ever engaging her with students. Hadley has her own student leadership club called appropriately, The Hadley Club. Students go through six weeks of training ending in a student led project with Hadley and younger students.

Mike Ariel understands all the excitement around STEM programs these days. But that's old news to the Salem High School art teacher; he's been using these principles in his classes for years. Read the full story here...