Week of May 7, 2020
From the Head of School
“Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.” (Roy T Bennett)
In my opinion, there has never been a better reason to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week than right now.
I attended a webinar on school leadership yesterday, and the presenters reminded us of something we already know: Teachers are tired! All the uncertainty - combined with the desire to be perfectionists - is putting demands on them that they had not planned for or even prepared for. And a little secret - they also have a life outside of teaching (what?!? really?!?), and they are also trying to keep that in balance - family, children, parents, pets - everyone demanding error-free attention. And these teachers continue to give, give, give.
And so, in this short message, I am asking you to join me in thanking the faculty and staff at Salem Academy who care for your daughters, their course content, and this school. They have done a phenomenal job with this unpredicted situation we are in, and I applaud their work and commitment.
Athletics/PE: Lorie Howard
English: Betsy Boyd, Chris Clary, Jessica Shellhamer
Fine Arts: Ashley Pearson, Maria Robinson, Sonja Sepulveda
History: Betsy Overton, Michelle Lawrence, Chris Royster
Languages: Laura Bass, Molly Gray, Christine Liu
Math: Lillian King, Kris Sorrells, Anna Vance
Science: Paul Allen, Brooke Hobbs, Sharon Spencer
Staff: Lauren Rogers, Kathy Barnes, JoAnn Caligiuri, Gloria Frost, Mary Margaret Johnson, Felecia Penn, Shawn Ricks, Amy Rio, Sara Spong, Kara Weimer
House Counselors: Carmelina Almanzar, Kaitlyn Barbour, Essence Brown, Sarah Katona, Julie McGhee, Susanna Olson, Jamie Peebles, Emma Rufolo, Jo Teel
Admissions: Jessica Rogers, Emily Ruiz, Katherine Knapp Watts
Far may our song ring clear!
Carol Killebrew
Health And Wellness Reminders
Check out our COVID-19 webpage for all campus messages. This webpage is frequently updated and a repository for all messages regarding our COVID-19 plans and outreach
Salem Community
Senior Celebrations and Information about End of Year Events
May is finally here, and while the pandemic circumstances have changed our ability to gather together, we will continue to celebrate our community and recognize the accomplishments of our seniors.
The Graduation Committee has been hard at work developing meaningful programs for Closing Chapel, Recognition Program, and Graduation which will be held virtually on the following dates:
Closing Chapel: 9:00 am EST, May 22
Baccalaureate: 9:00 am EST, May 29
Recognition Program: 10:00 am EST, May 29
Graduation: 9:00 am EST, May 30
You will receive information on how to access these events online in the coming weeks. It’s important to us that these programs are widely available for family and friends and also protected from general public access.
Each member of the Salem Academy Class of 2020 will have a graduation box mailed to her on the week of May 18. In this box, there will include the following items:
- Cap and Gown
- Diploma
- Programs for Graduation and Baccalaureate
- Letters from Faculty and Staff
- Postcard-sized campus print from local artist and creator of Sister Maus, John Hutton
- Recognition Ceremony Awards and Program
- Stickers
Due to shipping delays, Baccalaureate bibles will be available to seniors as they return to campus to collect their belongings. If you would like your Baccalaureate Bible to be mailed to you in early June, please email Dean Rogers at lauren.rogers@salem.edu by May 30.
Seniors will open their boxes together at 9:00 am EST on May 29 and post a video of their unboxing experience with their families on their social media platforms with the hashtag #SalemStrong. Unboxing videos may also be sent to Mrs. Emily Ruiz at emily.ruiz@salem.edu to be shared on our institutional social media accounts.
The date of the December campus celebration will be shared in our Graduation program, and we are working to find a date that accommodates the fall semester schedules for the Class of 2020.
We are excited to celebrate our graduating students and look forward to highlighting their achievements throughout this month! Please check out our social media platforms for a daily highlight from the Class of 2020.
Our campus will begin opening up for students to pick up items and pack up dorm rooms as soon as all students have departed campus for the semester. This is a moving target, and we will keep you apprised of the anticipated opening of campus as soon as we can. Please note that the campus will not open for students until after May 31.
Best wishes,
Lauren Rogers, Dean of Students
Sara Spong, Director of College Counseling
Chris Clary, English Faculty and Senior Class Sponsor
CC: Senior Celebrations Committee
Aaliyah Brown, Fellowship Council President, Class of 2020
Brier Evans, Athletic Council President, Class of 2020
Caroline Harman, Student Council President, Class of 2020
Jeanine Ikekhua, House Council President, Class of 2020
Amira Rady, Honor Cabinet President, Class of 2020
Sidney Stearns, Senior Class President, Class of 2020
Scheduling Your Return to Campus to Pick Up Possessions
Salem Academy needs your voice in planning our re-opening of campus for students and families to pick up student belongings! To help us coordinate these efforts for all students, please complete these forms below to indicate your preferences in how and when you would like to receive your belongings by May 29. Thank you for your participation and self-scheduling campus returns for item pick up. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dean Rogers at lauren.rogers@salem.edu.
- How would you like to collect your school items?
- Boarding Student Sign-Ups for Campus Pack Up
- Day Student Sign-Ups for Locker Clean Out
Abstract Analysis
On Friday, May 8th, join Admissions and Ms. Shelhammer via Zoom at 11:00 am EST for a fun course on Haikus and Graphic Novels!
Academics
2020-2021 Registration Information
Course request conversations for the 2020-2021 school year will begin the week of May 11. We are excited to talk with students about the courses they wish to take and to plan for next year with student requests in mind, but we also know that the move to Original Campus and corresponding schedule modifications may require the re-evaluation of some of these requests in August.
Meetings will be held through Zoom; students should look for an email to schedule their appointment. Rising sophomores will meet with Mrs. Weimer, rising juniors will meet with Mrs. Boyd, and rising seniors will meet with Dr. Spong. Please note that re-enrollment must be complete before a course request conversation will be scheduled.
College Counseling
Seniors
Dr. Spong will be sending final transcripts to your college of choice. Please be sure your Naviance account is updated with all of your college decisions and contact Dr. Spong to let her know which school you have chosen.
Juniors
Dr. Spong will be emailing you to set up a time to meet. During this meeting, we will register for classes and talk about your college counseling process. Please be on the lookout for an email!
Now is a good time to update your questionnaire in Scoir and add your activities if you have not already done so.
Athletics Update
Spring Athletic Awards 2020
On Monday, May 6, the Athletic Department honored the spring athletes. View the recorded ceremony.
Soccer
1st Year Athletes
- Symone Asante
- Molly Beasley
- Margot Burke
- Alex Byers
- Virginia Dickson
- Teresa Sunthang
2nd Year Athletes
- Claire Black
- Emma Grimstead
- Lucy Price
- Helen Watson
3rd Year Athletes
- Sophia Iltis
- Angelina Pierre
- Mandy Peake
4th Year Athletes
- Maggie Campbell
Coach: Jamie Grimstead
Track
1st Year Athletes
- Eva Henneke
- Zende Magloire
- Michaela Warrington
- Cindy Zhao
2nd Year Athletes
- Amira Rady
- Krystle Chukwuanu
- Kaymah Joseph
- Sydney Whitt
3rd Year Athletes
- Brier Evans
- Jeanine Ikekhua
4th Year Athletes
- Aaliyah Brown
- Makenna Hartwich
Manager: Aprille Rolle
Triple Saber Athletes 2020
In the spring of 2004, the Salem Academy Athletic Department established The Triple Saber Athlete Award. This award is given to an athlete who has attended Salem Academy for four years and has also played a sport each season. Many of us do not realize the time, energy, and commitment that go along with each sport. Each athlete spends approximately 10-15 hours per week when involved in their respective sports.
This year, there are two recipients for the Triple Saber Athlete Award. They join an elite company of young women whose names are engraved on a perpetual plaque in the Hall of Fame hallway in the Athletic facilities. Both our recipients should be considered not just a triple Saber, but quadruple Saber athletes
Makenna Hartwich
Tennis - Freshman and Sophomore Year
Field Hockey - Junior and Senior Year
Swimming - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Year
Track and Field - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Year
Lucy Price
Field Hockey - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Year
Swimming - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Year
Track and Field - Freshman and Sophomore Year
Soccer - Junior and Senior Year
Student Life
2020-2021 Room Selection
Room Selection for 2020-2021 will take place on May 20. Students will select their room choices for next year after viewing options via a Google Form. Dean Rogers will be available for one on one meetings from 2:30-3:00 p.m. and 6 p.m.-7 p.m. over Google Meet. Look for more information in your inboxes coming soon!
