MST Weekly Update

Good afternoon to all of our MST family members.

As we head into the last week of March, reality is setting in that we nearly 3/4 of the way through the school year. Time is beginning to run out for students who have fallen behind in their classes, especially those who plan to graduate in June. The teachers are always available to assist, but the students have to do the work!

Dates have been set for many end of the year activities (Prom, CTE Recognition Night, Class Night and Graduation). All dates are listed below. This week you will see an important message from Nurse Bozoian regarding required health records. We are a little over 2 weeks away for a nearly total solar eclipse and you can read about an event planned for that afternoon.

Have a good weekend and let's hope we don't see much snow on Saturday!

Letters were sent home this week to students in grades 9 -11 that still have not turned in a physical exam to the nurse. The Manchester School District requires that all students entering 9th grade provide documentation of a current physical examination by a licensed health care provider which has been completed within the last year. If you did not turn in the required physical examination for high school in the 9th grade, please turn it in as soon as possible. Your child will not be able to receive Tylenol at school until a current physical exam is on file. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school nurse directly.

Our National Technical Honor Society is sponsoring an Eclipse Motor Meet on Monday April 8th from 2:30-4:00. The group is reserving 20 parking spaces for MST students and staff to show off their car or motorcycle. During the event, there will be a nearly total (95%) eclipse of the sun at 3:40 PM.

The cost of entry is $5.00. Anyone in attendance will be required to have Solar Eclipse viewing glasses in order to safely view the eclipse. You may bring your own, or they can be purchased in the Griifin's Den school store for $2.00 beginning on 4/4.

Fingers crossed for a sunny day!

The purpose of this day-long event on May 17th is to build community and ignite coalition among youth advocacy groups across the state.

Rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, youth advocates will immerse themselves in impactful sessions empowering them to engage in healing, social justice, and effective advocacy strategies. Through interactive workshops, panels and healing experiences offered by youth advocacy groups, local advocacy organizations, and five NH DEIJ Administrators, this conference empowers youth advocacy groups in their efforts to center the lived experiences of historically marginalized identities. Together, we'll create a supportive network that amplifies individual voices, while emphasizing the strength that comes from collaborative group advocacy.

Organized by the NH Pre-K-12 DEIJ Administrators, this gathering is open to high-school youth advocates in the Manchester, Exeter, Oyster River, and Concord School Districts as well as Philips Exeter Academy.

Additional information is in the attachment below.

The Flourish x Thrive Retreat on May 22 is a transformative gathering dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for healing, storytelling, and collective learning. This conference is a safe haven where LGBTQIA+ high school youth and allies can come together to share their experiences, find support, and empower one another. Participants will explore resilience, self-acceptance, and community- building themes through workshops, discussions, and interactive activities. Whether looking to connect with peers, gain new insights, or simply be heard, "Flourish x Thrive" is a space where every voice is valued and every story is honored. Join us as we come together to embrace our identities and chart a path towards a more inclusive and affirming future for our LGBTQIA+ youth.

Organized by the Manchester Community College, Queerelective, 603 Equality, and the Manchester School District LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council.

Additional information is in the attachment below.

This topic has been addressed before, but it seems like it is time to remind everyone of proper protocol in the morning when dropping off students. This morning, I observed a car passing by others that were dropping off students, nearly hitting a student who was about to cross the street. That car then pulled into the loop right in front of school to drop off a student. This type of driving could have resulted in serious injury to one or more students.

If you are dropping off a student in the front of the building in the morning, all we ask is the following:

• Use of the main road is for rapid drop-offs not requiring any change of driver, etc.
• Have your student exit the car carefully and look both ways before crossing the road.
• If you are not the first car in line, please wait in line until the cars in front of you leave before you leave. DO NOT pull out and pass other cars dropping off students.
• If you need a longer period of time for a drop-off, please pull into the parking lot down below and drop off your child there.
• If you need to drop off a student in the loop at the front door (medical reason for example), please go around the back of the building and drive around to the loop rather than passing cars in the roadway.

If problems continue, we will go back to the method we used last year where we blocked the roadway and diverted all drop-offs to the lower parking lot.

Thank you for keeping our students safe.

MST is pleased to announce that the Peter Millimet Writing Contest is now open and is accepting submissions through the NH Charitable website. All high school students are eligible and encouraged to apply.

The Peter Millimet Creative Writing Fund will award cash prizes – $500 first prize; $300 second prize; $200 third prize; $100 runner(s) up – to Manchester high school students who have demonstrated strong interest in creative writing, with a particular focus on poetry.

Students can electronically submit up to 3 entries (poetry is preferred) for consideration. Winners will be selected based on the overall body of the work submitted, not necessarily a single piece. Submissions will be judged by Alice Fogel, former New Hampshire Poet Laureate.

We encourage the widest variety of students to participate. To enter the Peter Millimet Creative Writing Contest, visit www.nhcf.org/millimet

The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 19, 2024. A list of winners from your school will be sent to you by the end of May so that you might announce them at your school’s award ceremony, or in any other way you wish. Checks will be mailed directly to the students.

Students do not need to be pursuing post-secondary education to participate in this writing contest, nor do they need to be seniors; this contest is open to students in grades 9-12. The awards are cash prizes, not scholarships, for recipients to use however they choose.

Granite Edvance is sponsoring an exciting event for high school juniors to kickstart their college planning journey. Students will be able to explore financial aid options, learn about the latest information regarding the 2025 admissions cycle and talk to prospective colleges. Please consider attending Destination College on April 6th from 12:00pm-5:00pm at St Anselm College.

Online Yearbook Sales have begun! All yearbook purchases will occur through Jostens directly. Additionally, there are customizable advertisements for our seniors, please be sure to take a look at this memorable option. https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=2304923

Weekly School Menu

Thursday, April 4th-End of the 3rd quarter

Friday, April 5th-SkillsUSA Spring Leadership Competition, Manchester Community College, 8am to 4pm. Open to the public

Saturday, April 6th-Destination College at St. Anselm College, 12:00-5:00 PM

Wednesday, April 10th -SkillsUSA Award Ceremony, 6pm to 8pm, Salem High School, Open to the public

And looking way ahead....

Friday, May 10th-Prom from 6:30 PM-10:00 PM at the The Farmhouse at Candia Woods

Tuesday May 28th-CTE Recognition Night, 6:00 PM at Memorial High School's auditorium.

Wednesday, June 12th-Senior Class Night, 6:00 PM at Memorial High School's auditorium.

Friday, June 14th-Anticipated last day of school for students (Full Day)

Saturday, June 15th-Graduation from 8:00AM to 9:00 AM at the SNHU Arena. No tickets required.

That's all for this week! Have a great weekend.

Timothy Otis-Principal

Email: mst@mansd.org
Website: mst.mansd.org
Location: 100 Gerald Connors Circle, Manchester, NH, USA
Phone: 603-624-6490
Facebook: facebook.com/manchesterschooloftechnology

The mission of the Manchester School of Technology is to foster a safe and respectful learning environment while cultivating academic and technical competency, career success, and social awareness.