A NEW SCHOOL YEAR usually signals the end of summer but not so this year as the temperature topped 90 yesterday, which was the first full day of classes throughout the district, and today is supposed to be even hotter. Thankfully many of our schools have AC

and kudos to town staff for extending the Olcott Street splash pad season -- it's open in the afternoon (3-7 p.m.) through tomorrow.

Our Paul Ofria was able to get to about half of our schools during the first two days and a selection of photos are below. If you don't see your school here, don't worry. Like last year, we will post dozens of pictures (and lots of videos, like this one from Tuesday) from every school on the district Facebook page and other social media sites during the course of the school year.

The photos above are from Bowers Elementary, which reopened Tuesday after a year-long renovation. Goodbyes on the first day are sometimes emotional but second-grader Shane Boakye was among those who was all revved up once inside. Continuing counterclockwise, the photos below are from Bennet (that's teacher Kristin Jodoin) and Illing.

The photo above is from Buckley Elementary, where first-graders got right to work. Those are Highland Park students below.

Finally, a couple of photos from Keeney Elementary, which is housed in the Robertson school building this year.

• The first day for Head Start and our integrated preschool classes is Monday, Sept. 11.
  
• To see the 2023-24 school calendar, please click here.
  
• Also, note that students in grades PK - 12 will again follow an early dismissal schedule on Wednesdays beginning Oct. 4 and ending June 5, 2024.

More reminders:

• Schedules & teacher assignments are available through the MPS app.
• Bus routes & real-time tracking are available too; check your email for MPS Pride App/Website login details.
• Ensure you're using parent/guardian login (one login should allow you to view all your students). Again, check your emails.
• Contact schools for questions about schedules & 860-647-3476 for bus routes.

Board of Education

• The next BoE meeting is a week from tonight -- Thursday, Sept. 14 -- and will feature an update through the first week-plus of school.

Thursday, Sept. 7
11:30 a.m. -- 2 p.m. -- Let’s have a ball! Senior Center Bicentennial Picnic at Northwest Park Pavilion, 448 Tolland Tpke.
6 p.m. -- Cub Scout Pack 47 Open House at South United methodist Church, 1226 Main St.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Easy Gardening with Ted Johnson at Whiton Library.

Friday, Sept. 8
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. -- GriefShare at 595 Tolland Tpke.
7 p.m. -- Simon & Garfunkel Tribute Show at Cheney Hall.

Saturday, Sept. 9
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Gizmo the Therapy Dog retirement celebration/Pups in Our Parks at Northwest Park.
8 a.m. - noon -- MACC Manchester Farmers Market at the Forest St. parking lot. Rain or shine through Oct. 28.
9 a.m. - noon -- Knights of Columbus can and bottle drive at St. James Church parking lot.
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Friends of Manchester Public Library book sale at Mary Cheney Library.
9 - 11:30 a.m. -- Youth cricket clinic and tournament at Robertson Park.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- WORK_SPACE’s 2nd Saturday open house, 903 Main St.
7 p.m. -- The Music of James Taylor at Cheney Hall.

Also:

• Another Outdoor Market at 1115 Main St. will take place this Saturday and Sunday.

• The Manchester Road Race has a bunch of ‘Save the Dates’ leading up to the 87th running and the Ray Crothers Blood Drive the day after.

• Before and after school programs are available through the Manchester Early Learning Center. Click here for more info.

• Labworks for Teens is a free program for students in grades 9-12 that begins on Sept 25.

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

LabWorks is a free after-school program offered to Manchester Public School students in grades 9-12 that aims to contribute to the student's academic success, health and wellness, character, leadership, and college and career readiness.

• Cheney Hall’s upcoming events include ‘The Music of’ Carole King (Sept. 15) and Harry Chapin (Sept 16).

• Celebrate Manchester’s 200th anniversary with three days of food, crafts, music and more at the Hilliard Fest on Sept 15-17.

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Day with live music, vendors and more at Mahoney Rec on Sept 16.

• Witness history at a Civil War Reenactment on Sept. 16 and 17 at Wickham Park.

• The Elks Club will honor the combined services of the Eighth Utilities District and Manchester Fire Rescue EMS as its 2023 Citizen of the Year on Sept. 29. Click here for details.

• The 17th of ‘23 History Walks’ will be in Center Springs Park on Sept 17.

• Also on Sept. 20, Boy Scout Troop 25 is hosting a 'Joining Night' at Center Congregational Church.
  

• The 4th annual Rotary in Motion will be held at Charter Oak Park on Sept. 30.

• ‘Rebuilding Together of Manchester will host a family friendly comedy event at the Elks Club on Oct. 19. Click here for details

NOTE: Our 'OneManchester Planner' has more listings through the end of the year. Click here to check that out.

OTHER NEWSLETTERS and CALENDARS:

Manchester Historical Society: Check out a ‘dance card’ from 1891, take a challenging quiz based on a 1924 picture and mark your calendar with all the fun events the MHS has coming up.

Manchester Matters: Drone Show, Childcare, Northwest Farmers Market and more. Click here to subscribe.

• WORK_SPACE: Co-working spaces, Gallery/Exhibit photos and information and more

• Downtown Manchester Special Services District

• Town of Manchester Downtown Calendar

• Cheney Hall's LTM Calendar and Tickets

Manchester Greater Together Community Fund has issued an open call to apply for grant funds. Click for info.

ALSO: For the complete Red Hawk schedule, click here.

We shared this photo with MHS community already but thought others might want to see it. This was the scene as members of the Class of '27 were feted by junior and senior LINK leaders as they arrived on Tuesday for Freshman First Day. For more check out Tuesday night's Red Hawk Update.

• 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 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.