Education

West Washington School Corporation's fall break is scheduled to take place October 5–9, winter break December 21–31, and spring break March 22–26.

East Washington School Corporation's fall break is scheduled to take place October 5–9, winter break December 21–31, and spring break March 22–26.

Salem Community Schools has released their 2026–27 school year calendar. Fall break is scheduled to take place October 5–9, winter break December 21–31, and spring break March 22–26.

Salem Schools is once again helping to relieve some of the summertime pressure through their Summer Food Service Program. The first pickup will be June 25 at Bradie Shrum Elementary.

For the last 17 years, Rita Roberts has called the halls of Bradie Shrum Elementary home. At the end of this school year, she will close the chapter and begin her well-earned retirement. Roberts said she has been teaching art in the public school system for 24 years, with an additional year as a long term art substitute. “I began teaching grades K-8 at Crothersville and continued my teaching responsibilities at Medora, Franklin and currently at Salem for the past 17 years,”

For the past 30 years, Julie Snider has been the go-to person for all things athletics at Salem High School. But this year will be her last as she welcomes retirement with open arms. “I have enjoyed my time in this position,” she said, adding that it is fairly low stress and she has always enjoyed the people she works with. She originally applied for the position to get on the same schedule with her two sons: Joe and Thomas. When she applied the first time, she didn’t get hi

For 16 years, Shelli Smith has called Salem Community Schools home. At the end of this school year, she’s closing that chapter and heading into retirement. After Smith left her job in retail, she spent her first year at Salem substitute teaching and handling concessions, a job she still does to this day. “It’s my favorite!” Smith said about being in charge of the concession stand. She said her husband, the late Derek Smith who was a teacher and administrator at Salem High Sc

Written by Abby Spaulding It has been 39 years since John Calhoun first got a job at Salem Schools. As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, so does Calhoun's career as a teacher. When asked about how he got into education Calhoun explained, “Well, I didn’t have much of a choice. My parents took me to kindergarten 56 years ago and I haven’t stopped learning since.” Calhoun stated that his father was a teacher, and his sister is a teacher, so the idea of teaching came na

To say Mark Carter is anxiously awaiting retirement is an understatement. The veteran teacher, who has spent his 34-year teaching career at Salem High School, will lock his classroom door for the last time on May 21. Carter graduated from SHS in 1981 and had a vague idea of becoming a lawyer. He went to Indiana University in Bloomington and majored in political science. After that first year, he decided that was not the major for him and switched to English the following year

For the past 42 years, Renee Lamb has been a familiar face at Bradie Shrum Elementary School. A job she has thoroughly loved. “I always wanted to teach,” said Lamb, adding that she was influenced by her fifth grade teacher at Orleans Elementary School. “She was a very caring person – dedicated to teaching.” She said what she remembers most about that teacher was her love for reading. “She always read to us after recess and I can specifically remember her reading Charlie and t

Salem emergency responders were called to the Bradie Shrum Elementary School parking lot next the soccer field this afternoon to demonstrate a mock drunk driving scenario organized by Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.).

Written by Claire Schmaltz For many students, the band director is more than a teacher, she is a mentor, motivator, and the reason they love music. For Salem Middle and High schools Brittany Hildenbrand fits all of these standards. Hildenbrand started her career by doing everything band related in high school. “I was a part of the Marching Band, Concert/Pep Band, Honor Jazz Band (included the whole school corporation), Honor Band (included the whole school corporation), EPY

By Adalee Hobson Photo by Adalee Hobson On a warm spring afternoon, the sound of softballs cracking against bats carries across the fence of the outfield, blending with laughter, shouted drills and the occasional sharp whistle from the dugout. At first glance the Lady Lions look like any average high school softball team. If you look closer you’ll see a little resemblance on the field as the game begins. The same last names. The same features. The same instinctive glance betw

For some students choir is just another class, but for others it's a place where they can be heard. This is exactly how Caitlin Kemker wants it to be. Kemker's love for theater started at a very young age.

Jennifer Maudlin was thrilled to be one of the recipients of this year’s Giving Tree Grants through the Washington County Community Foundation. As a special education teacher at Salem Middle School, Maudlin is always looking for hands-on learning opportunities for her students. The grant allowed her to purchase caterpillars for her students to feed and observe through their life. “From tiny caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, students learned about life cycles, responsibil

Local educators are building a tradition of giving through Bohemian Supper Club. The show is this Saturday, April 11 at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds go to the Salem Education Foundation.

Written by Claire Schmaltz Photo by Delana Nolan When an athlete is down all eyes look for one person, and within seconds the athletic trainer is by their side assessing the situation and making critical decisions that protect both the athlete’s health and their future in the sport. Salem Schools Athletic Trainer Mallory Nice has helped lots of athletes recover and get back out on the court or field. Nice always knew she wanted to work in healthcare and battling through her

By: Natalee Boutelle Kenadie Garloch interning at St. Vincent-Salem Hospital. High school is a place where students learn who they are and what they want to do after graduation. One of the ways Salem High School helps seniors test the ideas of what they want to do is through an internship class. This class is designed to help students discover what they would like to do after school by providing real-life experiences in a career field. Junior/senior counselor Kevin Alberton s

Submitted by Jennifer Porter A Truly Life-Changing Experience: Become a Host Family in Washington County High School in the USA (HSUSA) is seeking welcoming host families in Washington County and surrounding counties for the upcoming school year. Hosting an international high school student is a meaningful opportunity to bring the world into your home while helping a young person grow academically, culturally, and personally. HSUSA students are 15–17 years old and attend a lo

Lisa Redmiles was awarded a grant through the Mahuron Education Fund of the Washington County Community Foundation to support an innovative mathematics initiative designed to strengthen students’ foundational algebra skills.