🌞 Recess is always a favorite part of the day! Our 2nd graders are enjoying some fresh air, getting active, playing with friends, and making lots of memories along the way. 🛝⚽️💛

There’s nothing better than seeing our students smile, laugh, and enjoy being kids! We love our 2nd graders! 📚✨
about 5 hours ago, Jennifer Griffith
A young student smiling on a playground swing while wearing a green sweatshirt.
A group of elementary students sitting together on a large round web swing outdoors.
Elementary students hanging upside down and playing on playground climbing equipment.
Children playing together and holding onto a large round playground swing.
Three young students sitting side-by-side with arms around each other on grass outdoors.
Three students laying together on artificial turf with a blue playground ball.
A group of young students posing together on a blue playground structure.
Three students balancing on vertical playground poles outdoors.
PLTW Building for the Future is showing off their finished apartment models! Students learned how to scale drawings, cut cardboard, and use hand tools to build their projects!
about 6 hours ago, Jennifer Griffith
A large group of middle school students pose together, proudly displaying handmade cardboard structure projects
A young student wearing a white construction hard hat and blue sports jersey gives two thumbs up.
Three middle school students collaborate and examine a multi-room cardboard building model together.
Two students work together to inspect and construct a detailed cardboard structure project.
A group of students gather in a classroom holding up cardboard house models and engineering projects.
A group of students gather in a classroom holding up cardboard house models and engineering projects.
Falcons student Kayden stopped by to deliver donuts to our wonderful School Resource Officer today.

Thank you, SRO Dominguez, for everything you do to keep Salem School safe and supported every day—and huge shoutout to Kayden for spreading some extra kindness to wrap up the week! 🦅✨
1 day ago, Jennifer Griffith
student with School Resource Office delivering a donut
Our 8th graders were hard at work investigating quadratic functions and exploring the unique characteristics of parabolas. Great job diving deep into math!
1 day ago, Jennifer Griffith
Handmade math poster displaying the quadratic equation y=-x²+4 with an x-y table and labeled parabola graph
Student poster for a quadratic equation showing a table of values and a downward-opening parabola graph on grid paper.
Hand-drawn math poster for y=x²-6x+5 with a table of values, parabola graph, vertex, and line of symmetry labeled
Grid paper math poster showing a quadratic function graph, table of values, and line of symmetry.
Handmade algebra poster titled Graph featuring the equation y=x²-4x+5, an x-y table, and a plotted parabola.
Out of this world learning in 6th grade science! 🌕🔭
Our Salem 6th graders turned into lunar detectives this week as they analyzed the leading theories behind how our Moon was formed. Students evaluated the competing models, debated which origin story makes the most sense, and backed up their claims using solid scientific evidence.
2 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Two middle school students sit together at a classroom table looking at an educational video on a laptop screen
Over-the-shoulder view of a student wearing a heart sweater writing in a color-coded notebook with a pencil
Building big ideas, one sentence at a time! 📝✨

Ms. Longrie’s 1st graders have been hard at work mastering sentence structure by combining subjects and predicates. From naming who or what to showing all the action, these young authors are becoming confident writers right before our eyes!
2 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Students sitting cross-legged on a classroom rug writing on small individual whiteboards.
Elementary students sitting on a classroom carpet holding up whiteboards displaying their handwritten sentences.
Classroom students sitting on a colorful carpet holding up lined dry-erase boards to show their writing work.
Children seated on a classroom alphabet rug practicing writing on individual whiteboards.
Reminder: Student Picture Day is tomorrow.
3 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Picture day tomorrow. with camera icon and falcon icon
“Mrs. Powers and Mrs. Panka want to remind you that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS”
3 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Ms. Panka and Ms. Powers in the hallway wearing t-shirts that say "You Can do hard things."
Rolling into reading! 🎲📚

Our first graders at Salem School District had a blast sharpening their phonics skills with a "Roll and Read" activity! Learning to decode words is so much more fun when you add a little game-day energy to the mix.
3 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Young elementary students sitting at a classroom table working on reading worksheets with highlighters and dice.
Some of our adult learners enjoying Mahjong through Salem’s Community Education program. Come join us in the spring for our next beginner’s class!
3 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Wide view of a classroom filled with people gathered around small tables playing Mahjong together.
A smiling woman in a pink long-sleeve shirt sitting at a desk with a Mahjong tile game set up in front of her.
A smiling woman with glasses and a denim jacket seated at a table during a community Mahjong game night.
A smiling woman in an olive green top sitting at a table with an active Mahjong game set up on a mat.
A woman with curly hair shrugging with open hands while seated at a table playing Mahjong
We will shortly be moving into our next sporting season starting October 6th. I attached flyers to post as well, Can we get this posted to both facebook and our Falcon Flyer:

We are now accepting sign-ups for the following sports for 5th - 8th Grade Girls Basketball & 6th - 8th Grade Cheerleading. Tryouts start Tuesday, October 6th

Girls Basketball Sign Up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczvPHKzj4cScvQKFgvWWt3OTi7xh5OY06FqNXbpMXtr0tywA/viewform?usp=header

Cheerleading Sign Up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfClYNm3av4Ks5ZSr_I0KJumSt_mVnzYN4_5uGUF8bYXFClxg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Salem Athletics Transportation Update for Parents/Guardians

Please be advised that Salem Athletics will no longer provide transportation home from away games or athletic events (Unless announced through Rooms, exceptions currently are away games to Williams Bay). While the school will continue to transport student-athletes to away contests, parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation home at the conclusion of each event and signing out with athletic coaches per team signout sheet. (If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up an athlete please give email or note to coach or Mr. Willkomm)

Parents should plan accordingly to ensure prompt pickup of their student-athlete after games. This policy applies to all Salem athletic teams unless otherwise noted by the school or coaching staff.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Salem Athletics.

*PLEASE NOTE: If your athlete makes the team, there is a mandatory $45 dollar athlete fee. This fee must be paid in order for them to continue participation in games and practices for the rest of the season. (Payment can be made by cash, check, or electronically on your student's account)

Please also ensure participants have a current standing physical, emergency contact card (RED CARD), and a concussion form turned in to Mr. Willkomm or the main office. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to having these forms turned in. If you have participated in a previous sport (THIS YEAR) and have turned these in, you will not need any more paperwork.

Red cards, physical forms, and concussion forms can be picked up in the school office or downloaded and printed from the Salem School District athletics webpage under "Forms".
4 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
basketball try out information
cheerleading tryout information
Ms.Smid's classroom has started workplace rotations in math! The students are working on domino addition, roll and add, build it with tens and ones, writing to 120, and two stations that are fun to give their brain a break! Her students have done an amazing job with staying focused, being engaged, and rotating quietly. First graders' math brains are growing!
4 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Elementary students lying on an alphabet rug working together with colorful pattern block math manipulatives.
Students gathered around a classroom table building structures with colorful interlocking plastic cross blocks.
Four young students sitting around a round wooden table filling out math worksheets in reusable dry-erase sleeves
A young student sitting at a blue classroom table writing answers on a domino addition math activity sheet.
An overhead view of a student filling in addition equations on a "Roll and Add" worksheet using a die.
A young boy sitting at a desk completing a dry-erase math addition worksheet with a dry-erase marker.
Three elementary students sitting at a classroom table using base-ten place value blocks on "Build It!" math mats.
An overhead view of a student working on a domino addition worksheet at a blue table with a bag of green dice.
🚌 A Different Kind of Morning Commute!

Started my morning a little differently yesterday by hopping aboard one of our buses and riding the entire morning route!

It was a great opportunity to see another part of our students’ day, spend some time getting to know kids outside of the classroom, and experience the morning routine from their perspective. Lots of conversations, plenty of laughs, and a great reminder that some of the best connections happen outside the walls of the school.

A huge thank you to our bus drivers who start and end each school day with our students and safely get them where they need to go. I definitely have an even greater appreciation for what they do each day!

I may have to make bus rides a regular part of the principal schedule! 🚌

Soar to Success. Together We Rise.
4 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Mr. Norwick sitting on an empty school bus
🛠️ Hands-On Innovation at Salem School District! 🛠️

Our Falcons are building the future, one design at a time! 🦅✨

In our Engineering, Design, and Marketing course, students are hard at work using Tinkercad to bring their 3D CAD ideas to life. Meanwhile, students in Building for the Future are getting creative as they design and construct hands-on apartment models. 🏢📐

We love seeing our middle schoolers solve real-world problems and flex their creativity. Great work, Falcons! 💡🎉
4 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
A student wearing a sports jersey works on a 3D modeling design on a laptop in front of a digital display monitor in a classroom.
Two students collaborate at a classroom table while working on 3D design software on their laptops.
Students work together at a table building cardboard prototypes during a hands-on classroom project.
Last week, students in 8th grade were led by President Washington in a live session of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
4 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Mr. Sivia dressed as George Washington.
☀️ Catching some rays and making scientific discoveries!

Our Salem 5th graders stepped into the sunshine to investigate how the Sun's position impacts shadow length and direction.These young scientists are seeing solar energy and Earth's rotation in a whole new light.
5 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Girl posing with arms stretched out on a school blacktop while another student traces her long shadow in sidewalk chalk on a sunny day.
Elementary student standing with arms outstretched on a sunny blacktop as a classmate uses chalk to trace his shadow.
Young girl standing on the school blacktop while a classmate kneels down to trace her shadow with sidewalk chalk on a sunny day.
Students outside on a school blacktop tracing shadow outlines on the pavement with sidewalk chalk under a bright blue sky
Elementary students working in pairs on a sunny school blacktop, tracing their shadows and drawing with sidewalk chalk.
Elementary students gathered on the school blacktop, drawing and tracing shadow figures on the asphalt using colorful sidewalk chalk.
wo young girls standing in a parking lot, inspecting their long shadows on the pavement labeled with chalk names.
Boy wearing a sports jersey standing on the blacktop while another student crouches to outline his shadow using sidewalk chalk.
Students participating in an outdoor science activity on the blacktop, using chalk to trace shadow outlines cast by classmates.
Boy wearing a sports jersey standing on the blacktop while another student crouches to outline his shadow using sidewalk chalk.
🏃‍♂️💨 Falcons on the Run! 🦅✨

Our Salem Cross Country team took on the course at Yorkville this week. From start to finish, our student-athletes showed incredible grit, determination, and Falcon pride.

A huge shoutout to all of our runners for pushing their limits and to our amazing parents and fans for cheering them on every step of the way! 📸 Swipe through to catch some highlights from the meet! 👇

Way to soar, Falcons! 💙❤️
6 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Young girl wearing race bib 2528 and a Salem cross country uniform running along a fence during a meet.
Group of student runners in uniform competing during an outdoor cross country race along a chain-link fence.
Middle school girl wearing race bib 2527 and a Salem athletic jersey running on a grass course.
Young runner wearing race bib 2529 leading a group of athletes along a grassy cross country course.
Group of middle school boys running alongside a fence during an outdoor cross country meet.
three middle school student athletes running side by side during a cross country race.
Boy wearing race bib 2531 running alongside another athlete on a grass cross country path.
Boy wearing a Salem athletic tank and race bib 2536 running next to a chain-link fence.
Young boy wearing bib 2549 actively running on a cross country course near a fence.
Two middle school runners wearing race bibs competing along a fenced grass path.
🎨 Adding a splash of color to our week!

Our Kindergarten Falcons are continuing their colorful learning journey! They're practicing reading, spelling, and spotting their color words all around the classroom. Watching these little learners build their reading confidence one bright word at a time is the best part of our week.
6 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Elementary students wearing orange shirts sitting and standing together in a classroom color-day photo.
Classroom of elementary students dressed in red clothes posing together in front of a screen reading "red."
Group of elementary school students wearing yellow shirts gathered in a classroom for color day.
Young students dressed in green outfits gathered for a photo in front of a screen displaying "green."
Elementary class posing together in blue clothing in front of a screen displaying the word "blue."
Elementary class wearing purple outfits posing in front of a classroom screen displaying the word "purple."
Young students dressed in pink clothing posing together in front of a smart board displaying "pink."
Young students dressed in brown or gray clothing posing together in front of a smart board displaying "brown" and "gray".
🎲 Rainy days can’t dampen our Falcon spirit!

When outdoor recess gets rained out, our 3rd graders turn classroom time into prime playtime! From board game battles and building block towers to cozy reading nooks and drawing sessions, these Falcons sure know how to make the best of indoor recess.

Way to bring the sunshine inside, Salem! 🦅🌧️✨
6 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Two young students sitting at desks in a classroom, smiling with activity cards and school supplies spread out.
: Two elementary students sitting on the classroom floor playing with colorful building toys together.
Group of elementary students sitting in a circle on a world map rug, playing board games in the classroom.
Two elementary students sitting on flexible wobble stools and playing a tabletop game together.
High-angle view of two students sitting at a classroom table building structures with wooden Jenga blocks.
Two young boys smiling while playing the Sequence board game on a world map rug in a classroom library.
Two young students sitting together at a large blue activity table, silently reading books.
🗣️ Ready, set, ¿Cómo te llamas?

Our 6th grade Spanish students brought high energy and quick thinking to Name Game Speedball! To prep for their very first assessment, Falcons tossed, caught, and called out names—practicing asking and answering "What is your name?" in record time.

Combining movement with language skills is just one of the ways Salem students build confidence and have fun while learning. Fantastic effort, 6th grade! 🦅⚽✨
6 days ago, Jennifer Griffith
Middle school students standing in a large circle inside a classroom while participating in an interactive group activity.
Students playing a ball-tossing icebreaker game inside a Spanish classroom decorated with international flag banners.
Group of students standing in a line at the front of a classroom during a learning activity or presentation.
Students smiling and gesturing while participating in a classroom activity near a digital display screen.
Classroom filled with students standing in a circle while participating in a "Name Speedball" learning game.
A student tossing a soft blue ball across the classroom to a classmate during an interactive group game.
Middle school students standing around the perimeter of a classroom during an interactive group exercise.
Line of students standing at the front of a classroom facing classmates during an interactive game
Four middle school students standing side by side in a classroom decorated with Spanish language posters.