• Welcome: Superintendent's Message – Plenty of Reasons for Optimism
• Top Story: Students Shine at CelebratED MHT 2023
  
• Learning Focus: Introducing Our First Dual-Language Immersion Program
  
• News Roundup: Teacher of the Year Finalist; $7.6m Grant for Student Supports; Awards, Recognitions for Students
• Show Up Manchester: New Campaign Shines Spotlight on Student Attendance
• Join Our Team: Job Opportunities in Manchester School District
  
• Calendar: No School on October 6 and 9
  

Students from Northwest Elementary School were among the many students performing at or participating in CelebratED MHT on Saturday in Veterans' Park.

Dear Students, Families, and Staff,

As we began our school year, we surely did not foresee the depth of the issues with our new transportation provider, STA. We share the frustration of students, families and schools with the delays and cancellations related to STA. Our district transportation team has been working nearly non-stop since the first week of school to alleviate these issues. This has been a huge lift, and it would not be possible without our partners who quickly stepped up and stepped in to cover canceled routes.

These transportation issues were even more frustrating because we’ve otherwise had a very strong start to the school year. While transportation will continue to be a focus of our team, it’s also important that we highlight many of the positive things happening in our District. Just in the first few weeks, we’ve seen some amazing things:

• As part of our Show Up Manchester attendance campaign, our schools have been putting a strong emphasis on good attendance. Initial data reviews are showing an improvement in daily attendance this September versus last September.
• Every school participated in – and a lot of students, families and staff attended – CelebratED MHT last weekend at Veterans’ Park. With performances, awards, artwork and demonstrations, our students and staff showed what makes our schools so amazing.
• Our district leadership team met with business leaders for the State of the District, to provide an update on our progress and our goals for the upcoming school year.
• We’ve seen our students continue to succeed and excel, and we kicked off the year with an amazing event, gathering all of our staff at the SNHU Arena.
• Just this week, we announced our first dual-language immersion program, a Spanish-English offering, that when up and running would be the only such program in the state of New Hampshire.

Again, all of this is just within the first few weeks of school! This year, I have framed our work around two words: “deliberate optimism” – the idea that we can be intentionally positive in everything we do. While busing has been a major challenge for all of us, I still see a lot of reasons for optimism all across our schools. We have a great year ahead of us, and we’re just getting started.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Chmiel Gillis, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools

On Saturday, Veterans Park buzzed with excitement as we hosted the 2023 edition of CelebratED MHT. The rain that seemed inevitable held off, allowing our students to shine all day long.

Each of Manchester School District’s 21 schools participated in the event, whether through live performances, presentations, activities, or even giving visitors a look inside a student-built plane.

The event – billed as a celebration of our schools and community – brings together the District’s many community partner organizations in one place. Those partner organizations, as well as our own student organizations, set up around the park, offering fun activities, prizes and giveaways to all. You can read our story here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1264341.

• Photo gallery: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SJhRbwsRdwvPUkp87

• Manchester Ink Link: Story and photos

• WMUR: Video

• Manchester Public TV: Video

Manchester School District is thrilled to announce that we will launch an English-Spanish dual-language immersion program in fall 2024. We will host a pair of informational sessions about the program – one in Spanish and one in English – on October 4 at Memorial High School.

In dual-language immersion programs, students receive instruction in both languages. The student population for this program will be a balance of native Spanish speakers and non-native Spanish speakers. The new offering will be open to students from across the district and will begin with two classes.

Manchester’s work on dual-language immersion is funded in part by a $250,000 Innovation School grant from the state Department of Education. When up and running, this program would be the only dual-language immersion program in the state of New Hampshire.

You can read more about the program here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1259332.

In October, the New Hampshire Department of Education will announce its 2023 Teacher of the Year, and one of our own is among the finalists. Gregory Parker, of Memorial High School, is among the final four in consideration for the yearly, statewide honor.

The Teacher of the Year process starts every year in the late winter, with the Department of Education soliciting nominations. Manchester was well-represented among the nominees, with 28 of 92 hailing from our school district. From that original group of 92, the selection committee chose 20 semi-finalists; four Manchester educators were among that group. When that group was narrowed down further, Parker was among the four finalists.

Late this summer, we talked with Mr. Parker about what the process has been like. You can read our story here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1234994.

This summer, Mackenzie Verdiner, a rising senior at Manchester High School West, was named the national GEAR UP Student of the Year. Verdiner was selected for the award from among 500,000 students nationwide who participate in the federally funded GEAR UP program. She received the award Wednesday at the national conference of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships in San Francisco.

You can read our story here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1175053.

In August, Manchester School District received a new $7.6 million federal grant that will help build a model that provides support for students around mental health, substance misuse, and school safety. The model, which will be implemented at all 21 city schools, will ensure students have coordinated support that goes beyond the classroom.

That model – Multi-Tiered System of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness (MTSS-B) – is a school-based framework that provides social, emotional, and behavioral supports to promote student wellness and improve engagement in learning.

You can read our story here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1201980.

Manchester High School Central senior Akshay Manchanda has been recognized as a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Central Principal Deb Roukey presented Akshay with an official Letter of Commendation on September 20 at the school. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

You can read our story here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1260258

At Friday night's Stay Work Play Rising Stars Awards, Central High's Anna Kual will receive the High School Student of the Year award. Kual, a junior at Central, is deeply involved in her school community, helping to create the Student Advocacy Committee last year. The Rising Stars Awards are a partnership between Stay Work Play and New Hampshire Public Radio, created to recognize the contributions of Granite Staters under the age of 40.

You can read more about the awards here: https://www.stayworkplay.org/risingstarsawards.

This year, Manchester School District is placing a strong emphasis on good student attendance. Through our Show Up Manchester campaign, we are sharing the importance of good attendance and highlighting schools and classes with exceptional student attendance rates. Each month, we'll include a highlight in our newsletter on this topic.

Did you know: Starting as early as preschool, too many absences cause children to fall behind in school. Missing 10 percent, or about two days each month, means your student is chronically absent and can fall behind their peers academically and socially. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Starting to build good attendance habits in preschool and/or kindergarten is very important. Eventually, good attendance will be a skill that helps your child succeed in high school.

You can find a flyer with important attendance facts, translated into multiple languages, linked below:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Swahili
• Portuguese
• Arabic
• Vietnamese

Come work with us! We're hiring for a variety of positions across the District. You can find all available positions by clicking here. Here are selected positions:

Bilingual Family Liaisons: We are seeking multiple bilingual family liaisons to support and connect schools and families. In this role, you’ll have a direct impact on student achievement and family engagement. Read more at https://bit.ly/3EZKq16.

School Bus Drivers: Our school bus operators are hiring drivers, and they’re even willing to train you for the necessary certification (CDL-B). School bus drivers work 25-30 hours per week, in the mornings and afternoons, and serve a critical role for our schools and community. You can apply to be a school bus driver online today by clicking the links below:

• Manchester Transit Authority jobs: https://mtabus.org/manchester-transit-careers/

• Student Transportation of America jobs: https://stacareers.com/

Director of Communications: We are seeking a Director of Communications and Community Relations to help us tell our district’s story and connect our families and community to everything that makes our schools exceptional. Read more at https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2998519231

Paraprofessionals: We are seeking paraprofessionals at all schools and levels. As a paraprofessional, you’ll make a direct impact on student learning every day. Read more at https://bit.ly/MSDparas.

School Nurses: We are seeking school nurses at numerous schools. School nurses impact the health and well-being of all of our students. Nurses follow the school year schedule. Read more at https://bit.ly/3TacTrt.

Crossing Guards: Crossing guards are needed to help get students safely to school at locations all across the city. You can make a big impact in just a few hours a week. Read more at https://bit.ly/3YFs4L0.

There will be no school on Friday, October 6, for a staff professional learning day. Schools are closed the following Monday, as well, for the Columbus Day holiday. Below you can find upcoming meetings, events and days off in the District.

October 4: Dual-language immersion information night (read more above) – 4:30 p.m. at Memorial High School

October 6: No school – staff professional learning day
October 9: No school – Columbus Day holiday

October 10: Board of School Committee meeting – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall

October 18: Special Committee on Education Legislation – 5 p.m. at City Hall

October 18: Policy Committee – 6 p.m. at City Hall

October 23: Board of School Committee meeting – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall

October 24: Teaching and Learning Committee meeting – 6 p.m. at City Hall

November 7: No school – Municipal Election Day

November 10: No school – Veterans' Day holiday

You can find more upcoming events on our website at www.mansd.org/events. Full calendars for the 2023-2024 school year, including translated versions, are available online at www.mansd.org/page/calendars-printable.

Email: communications@mansd.org
Website: www.mansd.org
Location: 20 Hecker Street, Manchester, NH, USA
Phone: 603-624-6300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ManchesterSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @mansd_nh