OneManchester
Thursday, April 14, 2022
THE SIGNS AND SOUNDS of spring cleaning are everywhere including at Center Springs Park, which this month is getting special attention as part of Rebuilding Together's 30th anniversary campaign. We have more on that below and a variety of other news and notes. If you enjoy reading OneManchester each week, this is the link that is used to subscribe.
- The first year targeted 15 houses with 350 volunteers taking part but "nothing went right" remembers Phil Bambara, who is among the founding fathers of the program. Undaunted, volunteers did renovation work at 30 homes the following year and things grew from there.
- The SBM Charitable Foundation has supported Rebuilding Together Manchester for more than 20 years. As of today, the organization has donated almost $1 million.
- There's lots more in a press release that you can read here.
- To find out how you can volunteer, click here.
News and Notes
- A meeting of the Repurposed Schools Task Force is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the cafeteria at Nathan Hale, 160 Spruce Street. This meeting is open to the public and will include a public comment session.
- Renovations continue at Buckley Elementary School and when the building reopens in the fall it will include a time capsule to be opened ... someday! Former (and current) Buckley families, students and staff are invited to contribute notes, stories and any such memorabilia. The deadline is May 20 and there's more information here..
MANCHESTER PRESCHOOL CENTER/HEAD STSRT
Applications are being accepted from families interested in enrolling children in the district Early Childhood Education Program for 3- and 4-year-olds. Click here for more information.
Early Head Start is a home visiting program that serves children from birth to age three, pregnant women and their families residing in Manchester or Vernon. A Parents as Teachers (PAT) certified Parent Educator provides parent education, child development information, developmental screenings, dental screenings, disability and behavioral health services, field trips, playgroups as well as Lactation services and parent support groups. To apply click here.
ALSO
Interested in a job in education? The district has lots of opportunities and open positions and this flier has the info you need to take advantage.
It's time for the April family survey and you can find it here.
Before the Break
MHS Fundraisers
- For a donation of $25, you can honor a soon-to-graduate MHS student by having vibrant pink flamingos displayed in the graduate’s yard for a few days. Click for details.
- And MHS Project Graduation’s Sock-A-Thon runs through April.
- Also, purchase a lawn sign for a 2022 MHS graduating senior by April 30.
- A Cinco de Mayo taco-eating contest with proceeds going to Project Graduation will reveal who can eat the most tacos in 5 minutes and 5 seconds. It's on Thursday, 5-5 and All the details are here.
Did You Know?
- The Manchester Women's Club has a spot in the Community Garden and is also striving to grow its membership. Women 18 and older are welcomd and the info is on the MWC website.
- The Passport to Connecticut Libraries program runs through April 30 and if you visit at least five participating sites you could win a $150 gift card. The MPL Facebook page has the details.
In Case You Missed It
ALSO
- Manchester youth who are entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2022 are encouraged to apply to serve on the Manchester Youth Commission. The deadline to apply is May 2 and all the info is here.
More News and Notes
Manchester Adult and Continuing Ed: Summer ideas from Dr. Clare-Kearney; meet this year’s CNA class and MA&CE counselor Carnetta Parnell (right), who is a 2022 '100 Women of Color' official nominee.
Manchester Matters: Resurfacing roads schedule is available online, fire flow tests started on Tuesday and the town has plenty of employment opportunities.
Manchester Historical Society: Volunteers (current and future) gathering at Woodbridge Farm next Wednesday; Manchester Sports Hall of Fame banquet is April 30; and an Easter reminder (from 1952).
Better Manchester Magazine: Gender pay gap remains; 'Things That Make You Happy' art exhibit opens at the Culture Lab on April 22 and Kasia Purciello is the town’s new assistant GM.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, April 14
8 a.m. -- Manchester Economic Development Commission meeting at Lincoln Center.
3 - 4 p.m. -- Animal Enrichment Workshop at Lutz Children's Museum.
3:30 p.m. -- Critter Caravan at Whiton Library.
Friday, April 15
Town offices will be closed in observance of Good Friday - no delay in curbside collection.
Saturday, April 16
2:30 p.m. -- Spring Bunny Craft at Mary Cheney Library.
4-6 p.m. -- SOAR program at NW Park (Autism friends and families)
Monday, April 18
6:30 p.m.-- Repurposed schools task force meeting at Nathan Hale School.
Tuesday, April 19
3 p.m. -- Code Club at Mary Cheney Library.
7 p.m. -- BOD meeting at Lincoln Center.
Wednesday, April 20
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. -- R.E.A.D. to a Dog (pre-school - grade 4) at Mary Cheney Library.
6 p.m. -- Middle School Nights at Mary Cheney Library.
6:30 p.m. -- Bicycle repair at Whiton Library.
ALSO:
The Tiny Gallery’s Tiny Egg Hunt will start at 11 a.m. at Northwest Park on April 16 and ends on April 17 at 5 p.m. Click here for details.
Last chance to see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Cheney Hall this Friday and Saturday evenings.
Down The Road, Etc.
Scouts BSA Troop 123 is holding a pasta dinner fundraiser on Friday, April 29 at the Community Baptist Church. Click here for more details.
Rebuilding Together Manchester will take place in the morning on April 30 and in the evening, the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame Dinner will be held at ‘The Hollow’ (Manchester Country Club).
The MARC, inc Summer Concert Series returns in July. Click the link to see who is playing and when.
OneManchester is compiled by Jim Farrell of the school district's communications office; he can be reached at b11jfarr@mpspride.org or 860-268-6377. OneManchester has been published since August 2017 and features the photography of Paul Ofria. Want to subscribe? Just click here.