SCHOOL’S OUT! For many students there are no sweeter words, although with that relief comes some trepidation for members of the MHS Class of ‘23, who will soon be starting something new. But first comes summer vaca and OneManchester will be taking one, too, as this is the last newsletter we will publish until Aug. 31. We have an extended summer calendar below as well as lots of photos from both last Thursday's MHS commencement and last night's Adult Ed graduation celebration.

They had to wait an extra day, but Thursday night was warm and dry ... beautiful weather for MHS Seniors to celebrate and say goodbye while surrounded by family, friends and school and district staff.

For adult education students, earning a diploma is all the more satisfying because whatever obstacles were in the way did not prevent them from achieving their dream.

Graduation photos by Karen Waggoner and Paul Ofria.

Josie Steffenson, who just finished fourth grade at Buckley Elementary, qualified for the Invention Convention Nationals, which will be in Dearborn, Michigan in 2024. To learn about Josie invention, the "On The Go Outlet", click here.

Josie was also among three district students to be recognized at the recent Connecticut Invention Convention State finals. The others -- Paris Bazemore (grade 12) and Jhose Ashitha (grade 7). For all the details, click here.

JUST FOR KICKS: Fourteen Bennet Academy fifth grade classes participated in a single elimination kickball championship that went to Mrs. Jodoin’s class on Thursday when it beat Mrs. Emmerlich's class 3-2 in the championship game. Those are your champs below.

The Board of Education meets Monday at 7, with an agenda that includes an end-of-the -year update. The board also meets this summer on July 10 and Aug. 28.

As a reminder, schools resume classes on Tuesday, Sept. 5 for students in K-5, 7 and 9 with everyone else joining in the following day. Here's the 23-24 MPC calendar.

Summer Meals

Free meals will be available for children and teens 18 and younger during the summer (June 26-Aug. 18 but closed July 4) at Verplanck Elementary School. Breakfast will be offered from 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and there's more information here.

Bus Transportation Survey

Families with children who used bus transportation this school year, we are asking that you please share feedback through this four-question survey.

Also Of Note:

• Manchester Adult & Continuing Education's STEAM Camp offers a variety of fun experiences that support both academic learning and enrichment. There will be three one-week sessions starting on July 31. Schedules vary by grade, so please review the brochure for specific dates.
  
• Head Start: The program serves Manchester's low income families, children with special needs, homeless and foster children and we have more information (in both English and Spanish) here.
• The district Welcome Center will be closed the week of July 3-7.
  

• Manchester Public Library offers a robust summer reading program and this flier has the details.
• A team of researchers from UConn who study reading development and reading difficulties is conducting a study to understand the brain basis of typically developing readers and dyslexia. They are inviting current 2nd and 3rd graders and their parents to come to Storrs for the reading activities and the information is here.

The town held its 3rd annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration last Saturday at the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, with musical performances, a Black-owned vendor & food market, family activities, performances from the Black Joy Poetry Contest and much more.

Friday, June 23
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- Preschool Summer Reading Kickoff with Michele Urban at Mary Cheney Library.

Saturday, June 24
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.-- Boy Scout Troop 123 can and bottle fundraiser at Pentecost International Worship Center, 585 East Center St.
9:30 a.m. -- Joe Proud Memorial Disc Golf Tournament at Wickham Park.
Noon - 6 p.m. -- Polish Food Family Festival at St. John’s Polish National Church. Rain date: June 25).
2 p.m. -- Children’s Summer Reading Kickoff with Wayfinder at Mary Cheney Library.

Sunday, June 25
Noon - 2 p.m. -- Woodbridge Farmstead Museum open house, 495 East Middle Tpke.
4 -5 p.m.-- The Funeral Home in the Community at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St.

Monday, June 26
7 p.m. -- BOE meeting at Lincoln Center.

Tuesday, June 27
3:30 and 6:30 p.m. -- Tremendous Tuesday with Jim Jester at Whiton Library.

Wednesday, June 28
4:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Spruce Street Farmers Market, 150 Spruce St.

Also:

• The Teen Center at YSB (63 Linden St.) is open Monday - Thursday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Click here for details.

• Preschool playgroup meets at Mary Cheney Library on Fridays through August. Click here for dates and times.

• Little Theatre of Manchester will host Manchester’s first-ever ‘Playwright Festival’ on June Friday and Saturday. Click here for details.

• The Jukebox Music Series opens at Cheney Hall on June 30 with ‘Hats and Shades’ the ultimate Blues Brothers tribute band. Click here for the complete schedule.

• First Aid and CPR courses are being offered in town this summer. Click the link for dates and registration info.

Fireworks will cap off a full day of fun on Saturday, July 8 and this flier has all the info.

• The Off-Main Experience will be at Purnell Place on the third Thursday of July, August and September.
• The Lutz has a seven-week summer camp program starting on July 3 that will take campers on a journey through time. Click here for registration information.
  
• The Dutch Fogarty Independence Day celebration is scheduled for July 8 (rain date July 9)
• Click the links for info on the MARC Concert Series and the Beller’s Summer Concert Series that will be happening in July and August.
• The Manchester Road Race has a bunch of ‘Save the Dates’ starting with the first day of registration through the Ray Crothers Blood Drive on the day after the 87th running.

Further Down the Road:

• Plan on Cruisin’ on Main Street on Aug. 6.

• The Silk City Fest returns to Purnell Place on Aug. 26.

NOTE: Our 'OneManchester Planner' has more listings through the end of August, when we will resume publication of our weekly newsletter. Click here to check that out.

OTHER NEWSLETTERS:

• Better Manchester Magazine: Bicentennial celebrations are in full bloom and will continue through the year; summer programming, Rec on the Run schedule and Pride Month information.
• Manchester Historical Society: Woodbridge Farmstead will be open Sunday and the Cheney Homestead on July 9…History Walks continue on July 1 (Downtown churches) and July 9 (The Green); See who won Historic Preservation awards.
• Manchester Matters: Dutch Fogarty Independence Day details; renew your dog license in June; the Town of Manchester still has job openings; water main cleaning schedule and more. Click here to subscribe.

The Hartford Shockers won their second consecutive East Coast Basketball League Mid-Atlantic Conference championship on Saturday at East Catholic when they beat the Red Rose Thunder 134-120. Manchester's own Tylon Smith Jr. (above) had 37 points, 11 assists and four rebounds and was named tournament MVP. Check the Hartford Shockers website for more information.

ALSO:

We leave you with this fun photo:

Congratulations to you, Nina Montague, and all of our graduates.

OneManchester will be back on Aug. 31.

• NOTE: OneManchester is compiled by the school district's communications office but is dependent on contributions from people and institutions throughout the town and school district. So if you have something, anything, that you think people would want to know about, please let us know. Photos, fliers, links, tips, whatever -- please share with Paul Ofria at pofria@mpspride.org.