Manchester Public Schools
Points of Pride 8-30-22
Dear MPS Community,
Students return to school next week but this week teachers and other staff members are back in our buildings, preparing for what will be an especially important academic year. Every year is crucial for every student but this year has additional significance as we look to continue to rebuild from the interruptions and stresses that have taken such a toll on education since March 2020.
One area of particular concern is chronic absenteeism, which has increased dramatically not just here in Manchester but throughout the state and country. Last year in Manchester, the percentage of students who were chronically absent almost doubled as compared to pre-pandemic levels. (Chronic absenteeism means a student misses at least 10 percent of school days counting both excused and unexcused absences.)
On a positive note, last year about half of our students attended school at least 95 percent of the time -- although students in that group still missed as many as nine days which is about once per month. There are countless important reasons for attending school regularly. The most obvious is that consistently attending school is the key to increasing academic achievement and graduating on time. Every student contributes to our school environment and your presence, your talents and your perspectives make a difference.
We have support available to help families with students who struggle with regular school attendance and will work hard all year in this area. The video that follows features Latasha Easterling-Turnquest, the district’s Chief of Family Partnership & Student Engagement, who has some thoughts and tips about attending school regularly. Latasha will have more of these videos throughout the year and each school also is full of staff members who can offer resources and support.
Enjoy the last week of summer break and as always feel free to contact your child’s school if you have questions or concerns.
I am looking forward to welcoming students back next week.
In partnership
-- Superintendent Matt Geary
Class Schedules And Bus Routes
We are in the process of changing Student Management Systems and appreciate your patience as we get all of the student data moved to the new system.
- Schedules for students in grades 5 - 12 can be accessed through the MPS Pride app tomorrow -- Wednesday, August 31.
- Finalizing bus assignments remains a challenge but we are working hard and hope to post them on Wednesday as well. If not we will have them done by the end of the week.
Note: All families should be sure to download the district app to follow all updates and to view student information. Login information for the app will be sent on Wednesday when the schedules are posted.
Classes Resume Next Week
Some school districts are starting this week but MPS students have a bit more summer to enjoy. (Also, workers have a little more time to put finishing touches on the renovation of Buckley Elementary). Here's who comes back to school when:
Tuesday, Sept. 6: This is the first day of classes for students in K-4, for students in grades 5 and 7 at Bennet, Illing and Manchester Middle Academy, and in grade 9 at Manchester High. It’s also the first day for students in our integrated preschool program as well as for our Adult and Continuing Education program.
Wednesday, Sept. 7: This is the first day for all other K-12 students. This includes all students at Manchester Regional Academy (including its New Horizons program) and all students in the Bentley program at MHS.
Monday, Sept. 12: This is the first day for our Head Start program.
Annnnnd one more date: The Board of Ed last night approved the graduation date for the MHS Class of '23. It will be Wednesday, June 14 (with a rain date for the next night) and once again will be held on the football field.
To see the complete school calendar please click the calendar image above. As a reminder, the calendar was adjusted in June as we changed the dates for the April Break. (It was originally scheduled for April 10-14, 2023 but has been pushed back and will begin April 17.)
Lots of New Staff
The BoE met last night at Lincoln Center with the main topic of conversation the opening of the school year. Superintendent Matt Geary said that about 110 (and counting) new certified staff have been hired -- with the majority of them experienced teachers coming from other districts. "We've never had a hiring season like this," Geary said. "Movement around the state has been unprecedented." He said there has also been a great deal of hiring and turnover among non-certified staff, but said that all in all the district is in decent shape staffing-wise. The photos below are from new faculty orientation sessions held last week.
MPS Safety Plan
It's technically called the 'MPS Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan' and it is a detailed 7-page breakdown of protocols and strategies designed to ensure safety related to Covid-19. Click on the quote-box below to see the plan.
Relatd: Masks Mandatory At Preschool Center
While masks remain optional elsewhere in the district, this is not the case at the Manchester Preschool Center, specifically Head Start. Because of a federal mandate that requires masks, the whole building (which includes two Integrated classrooms) continued to wear masks last year and will this year until further notice.
Gearing Up
Students and families alike were all smiles during a bookbag supply event at Squire Village last week.