The North Salem Elementary School is one of six elementary schools located in the town of Salem, NH. We are located in the northwestern portion of the town in a beautiful rural setting at 140 Zion Hill Road. Our school is comprised of nineteen classrooms housing approximately 375 students from kindergarten through grade five. Each grade level consists of three or four classrooms. Our students are supported by a resource room, a full time nurse, guidance counselor, and library assistant. We share our physical education, music, and art educators with another elementary school. We also share the services of a speech and language pathologist, reading specialist, occupational therapist and assistant, inclusion specialist, and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. We offer a reading assistance program for students in the primary grades. Our grade five students have the opportunity to be a part of our chorus program, and to take instrumental music lessons.
Our very active P.T.A. is committed to enhancing the partnership between the school community and home for the benefit of our students. This organization conducts our annual fundraiser, coordinates and runs after-school activities, contributes towards field trips, provides in-school performances and assemblies for our students that enrich our curriculum, coordinates volunteer efforts, and so much more! Our P.T.A. sponsored Back-to-School Cookout, Harvest Fest, and Family Fun Nights provide opportunities for North Salem families to gather together. A Playground Committee has been established and is working to enhance and expand our playground offerings for the children of Salem.
Volunteers also play an active role in the day-to-day happenings at North Salem. Whether guest reading, helping in classrooms, or tutoring students, they are in integral part of our learning community. We are proud to have earned the Blue Ribbon Achievement Award from the New Hampshire Partners in Education for many consecutive years in recognition of their outstanding service to our school.
Students are encouraged to contribute to their school through our “Very Interested in Providing Service!” (VIPS) program. Through participation on committees ranging from flag raising to recycling, students in grades four and five have opportunities to take direct responsibility for their school. Our school honors students for their positive actions through our “Character Counts” student recognition program. The character traits of Fairness, Trustworthiness, Caring, Citizenship, Responsibility, and Respect are our focus as we strive to help students grow socially and emotionally as well as academically.
A sense of belonging and community is fostered through school wide service projects and student mentoring. Students in grades 3-5 serve as role models for students in grades K-2 through our “Panther Pals” program. School wide showcase assemblies give students the opportunity to share their learning and accomplishments with their North Salem schoolmates. Spirit Days provide fun ways for students to show their Panther Pride!