Manchester Public Schools
Points of Pride: Friday, Dec. 23, 2022
Dear Parents and Families,
As we look ahead to the holiday break and beyond that to the new year, we want to share some thoughts on where we are as a district and tell you about some exciting plans for showcasing our students. Manchester is celebrating its bicentennial in 2023 and we have so much to be proud of including a school system that has been and continues to be the springboard to success for so many.
At last week’s Board of Education meeting the fall data update was shared with the community. As with every data update, there were strengths and areas of concern.
- 30% of students are chronically absent at this time, up from 22% during the fall. A review of the data indicates that, as in much of the rest of the country, Manchester students are being impacted by the flu, Covid-19, and other respiratory illnesses at a higher rate than in previous years.
- Elementary students are making progress toward reading on grade level faster than they did last year but are still not at pre-pandemic levels.
- High school students have access to 10 UConn classes, 17 Advanced Placement classes, and 11 classes that receive credit through other secondary institutions or the National Equity Lab.
- The overall graduation rate at Manchester High School is 88.2% and the gap between demographic bands is closed.
We surely are not perfect and strive everyday to improve. At the same time, we believe strongly that telling our story and the stories of the passionate, dedicated learners of MPS is critical now more than ever. Communities cannot and should not be judged only on attendance data, test scores or social media chatter.
It is our goal to highlight the diverse, thoughtful, bright, dedicated students of MPS whose compelling and powerful stories demonstrate their high levels of success and unlimited potential. Our high school students each follow a “Red Hawk Flight Plan”, a four-year journey during which they reflect on their learning experience at MHS that culminates in their senior story presentation and artifact demonstration. The goal is for students to reflect on how they have grown as a learner and articulate for future employers and colleges their strengths, skills, and meaningful academic experiences.
We think you’ll find their stories compelling and inspiring and over the next two months, we will be sharing these stories with the community every day. We’ll begin after the break with our two youngest colleagues on the Board of Education -- Student Representatives Ky’Lynn Monts and Evan Austin -- who inspire us at every Board of Education meeting.
Ky’Lynn and Evan are terrific scholars and people and while as a district we seek to do better every single day, we also stand together in awe of our students and in support of their unlimited potential to lead the future of a diverse democracy. There’s a bicentennial banner hanging outside Lincoln Center that reads “Reflect The Past, Celebrate The Present, Dream The Future.” For our students, we believe the future is bright. We are proud of their talents and triumphs which are no doubt the result of their own hard work, the support of their friends and families, and their experiences in Manchester Public Schools.
Warm wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy new year.