Sarah Parker Remond School’s Jocelis Uribe Named Recipient of Salem Latino Excellence Award
SPR School front office administrator honored for community advocacy
SALEM (Sept. 23, 2026) – Jocelis Uribe, the front office administrator at the Sarah Parker Remond School, will receive the Salem Latino Excellence Award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the State House.
Nominated by State Representative Manny Cruz ‘12 (7th Essex District), Ms. Uribe is receiving the honor for several community service and advocacy efforts over the last decade.
Ms. Uribe is in her second year as the front office administrator at the Sarah Parker Remond School (formerly the Saltonstall School) where she serves in a myriad of roles including family support, helping reduce chronic absenteeism and improving attendance. Previously, she spent 23 years at Mass General Hospital and, in 2019, founded the Walk for Overdose Awareness.
“I am surprised, honored and very touched by (the honor),” Ms. Uribe said. “I help for the sole purpose of making people feel welcomed. I very much care about what I do. I’ve always believed it’s important to connect with and give back to this community.”
Community service is a Uribe family trait. In late August, Ms. Uribe’s brother, Joey (SHS Class of ‘07), organized a back-to-school supplies drive – hygiene products, warm weather clothing, and other items – for Collins Middle School students.
In 2018, Ms. Uribe became a certified medical interpreter, helping Spanish-speaking families navigate the U.S. health care system and complete Mass Health applications for health insurance, both at Mass General and the North Shore Community Health Center.
In founding (and resurrecting) the Walk for Overdose Awareness, she’s worked with the Salem Police Department to bring families of overdose victims together and offer support and resources. This year’s Opiate Awareness Walk, which began at Salem Common and commenced at Riley Memorial Plaza, took place on Aug. 31, National Overdose Day.
Ms. Uribe’s role at the Sarah Parker Remond School has enabled her to build invaluable relationships with families and make a significant impact on attendance. Chronic absenteeism at the former Saltonstall School decreased 7.1 percent from 2024-26 (from 16.7 percent to 9.6 percent) while attendance grew from 93.9 percent to 95.0 percent.
“Jocelis Uribe is a longtime Salem resident, community advocate and dedicated public servant whose career has been defined by service to students, families and the broader community,” read Rep. Cruz’s nomination. “Whether in health care, education or community service, she has spent decades helping people feel seen, welcomed and supported, embodying the service, leadership and community commitment celebrated by the Latino Excellence Awards.”
Ms. Uribe attended Collins Middle School until moving on to North Shore Technical High School, from which she graduated in 2002. Her son Christian Reyes (SHS Class of 2021) is currently a paraprofessional at the Sarah Parker Remond School, while her daughter Jaliyah Reyes (Essex Tech ‘26) is in her first year at Salem State.
Ms. Uribe lives in Salem.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
