OneManchester
Thursday, March 21, 2024
"Mamma Mia" is not only the name of the show but is also one of ABBA's beloved songs, and this production is a celebration of the immensely popular Swedish group's many hits -- which also include "Take a Chance on Me', 'Dancing Queen' and more. Performances are tonight, Friday and Saturday with show time 7 p.m. each night. General admission tickets are $12 and available at the door.
Manchester High and Illing are just about a quarter of a mile apart and the proximity has helped as MHS students are visiting regularly to provide support in both math and music.
Wants to know more about this inter-school support? Recent additions to our 'Humans of Manchester' gallery include Princess Peprah (below left) and Muhammad Zulfiqar, who are helping in music and math respectively.
MHS Broadcast Journalists Earn National Recognition
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The high school sent a contingent including 27 students to the Student Television News convention in Long Beach, Calif. and MHS was among only two schools in the Northeastern United States to receive the highest commendation for Broadcast Excellence for its yearlong work on 'The Pulse.' Also Samantha Ward, Brianna Roy-Espinosa, Dasa Gramblickova, and Zoe Evans were honored with the Arts and Culture feature story, which they produced while at at the convention.
Click here for more information and here to see the student work.
- MHS freshmen Cheyanne Hicks and Ross Benegyani earned recognition in the Will McDonough writing contest, which is named in honor of the legendary Boston Globe sportswriter. Cheyanne won 2nd place for her essay, "Women's Dynamic Sports - Media Coverage is Changing" and Ross earned Honorable Mention for his essay, "Usain Bolt - the Fastest Man Alive." Both are in Gina Aube's sports management class. The contest received over 1,000 entries across multiple grade levels and the full results are here.
- MHS Got Talent, presented by the freshman and sophomore classes, will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at Bailey Auditorium.
BoE Meets Monday Night
The next BoE meeting is scheduled for Monday at Lincoln Center with the Winter data update and music recognition on the agenda. You can see a replay of past meetings and budget workshops here.
School Spirit
Last Friday, Verplanck Elementary School held a pep rally that included a visit from Vinny the Tiger and a performance by the MELC dancers (above). And over at Illing Middle School, the Unified basketball and music event was fun for everyone.
News and Notes
Mental Health Survey
Parents and caregivers of high school students: UConn is researching "Perceptions of Adolescent Social Media and Technology Use and Mental Health in Connecticut Public Schools." The study consists of a 90-minute virtual focus group discussion that will be held Monday (March 25) from 6:30-8 p.m. and there's more information here.
Also
- The Student Equity Advisory Team at MHS is selling another round of merchandise featuring the slogan "Ignite Change, Love Worldwide", a phrase that embodies the work they do in the community and what they want the community to embrace. There’s more information here and to order (and see samples) click here.
- Project Graduation is looking for volunteers to lead a few committees during the 2024-25 school year. Click for information.
- Summer Day Camp registration for Manchester residents starts April 8. Click here for info.
Rock your socks today for World Down Syndrome Day. Click here for more info.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, March 21
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. -- Shake, Rattle & Roll for children ages 2-5 at Mary Cheney Library.
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. -- FY25 Budget Workshop at Lincoln Center.
6 - 8:30 p.m. -- Veterans Evening Coffee House at Army & Navy Club, 1090 Main St.
6 - 8 p.m. -- YSB and MADD collaborate to present The Power of You(th) at 63 Linden St.
6:30 - 7:15 p.m. -- Pajama Storytime for children ages 2-5 at Mary Cheney Library.
7 p.m. -- Encaustic Painting with Beth Johnson at Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Tpke.
7 -9 p.m. -- The Listening Room open mic at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.
Friday, March 22
10 a.m. -- Preschool Playgroup at Mary Cheney Library.
3 - 4:30 p.m. -- Learn About the Solar Eclipse at Mary Cheney Library.
Saturday March 23
9 or 10 a.m. -- Easter Presentation and Egg Hunt at New River Church, 314 Woodbridge St.
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. -- Saturday Storytime at Mary Cheney Library for 2 - 5 year olds.
Sunday, March 24
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Legally Blonde: The Fundraiser at the Clifford D. Cheney Mansion.
Noon - 3 p.m. -- MARC, Inc’s Bowl-A-Thon at Hall of Fame Silver Lanes, 748 Silver Lane, East Hartford.
Monday, March 25
6 - 8 p.m. -- Songwriters Group at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.
7 - 8 p.m. -- Can and bottle donations at WWLM Warehouse Loading Dock, 16 Brainard Place.
6:30 - 8 p.m. -- Happy Holi Watercolor Greeting Card at Mary Cheney Library.
7 p.m. -- BOE meeting at Lincoln Center.
Tuesday, March 26
10 - 10:20 a.m. -- Baby Rhyme Time at Mary Cheney Library.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. -- Take Apart Tuesday at Mary Cheney Library.
Wednesday, March 27
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. -- R.E.A.D. to a Dog (pre-k - grade 4) at Mary Cheney Library.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Boys II Men group for young men ages 13-18 at YSB, 63 Linden St.
6 - 7 p.m. -- Anime / Magna Club at Mary Cheney Library.
Also:
Also today: YSB and MADD collaborate to present The Power of You(th) today at 63 Linden St.
MARC, Inc’s Bowl-A-Thon will happen at Hall of Fame Silver Lanes East Hartford on Sunday.
Monday (March 25) is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day and you can wear green to show support. Click here for more information
Boy Scout Troop 27 wants to egg your house. Read all about it here.
The Blank Canvas: Unboxed art exhibit at WORK_SPACE runs through April 5. Click here for the schedule and info on W_S programming.
Ramadan
Ramadan began at sundown on Sunday, March 10, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 9. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The final evening of Ramadan consists of a celebration called Eid al-Fitr, when the traditional month-long fast is ended with a feast. Eid al-Fitr is a school holiday but it falls this year during the April vacation, which is the week of April 8-12.
Down The Road
April is Autism Awareness Month and you can show support by wearing bright colors. Click here for more information.
UR Community Cares is hosting an open house for its new Tech Center at 153 Spruce St. on April 1 from 1 -5:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.
MHS Project Graduation is holding a comedy fundraiser at the Elks Club on April 4. Click here for details.
The Free Movie Nights at Nathan Hale Recreation Center wraps up on April 5.with: ‘Shaun the Sheep.’
Presidential and early voting will take place at Mahoney Rec on March 26, 27, 28 and 30.
BSA Troop 123 is holding a car wash fundraiser on April 20 at Concordia Lutheran Church from 9 a.m. – 1p.m.
The Illing Middle School Drama Club will present ‘Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr’ at Bailey Auditorium April 25 - 27. Click here for details.
Rebuilding Day in Manchester will be on April 27. Click here for details.
Summer Stuff
The school district, Manchester Early Learning Center and town Parks and Recreation Department will be offering various summer opportunities to students. Click her for all the details.
ALSO:
- The Hartford Shockers are offering a Holiday Basketball clinic on March 29. Click here for details.
- It's not too late to sign up for Manchester Little League & Softball and you can find more info here.
- The Manchester Pop Warner Red Hawks Football & Cheer program is offering a speed and agility training on Saturdays through April 13. Click here for info.
- Manchester Country Club has a summer golf program for Black and Brown community members and you can find out more by clicking here.
- Coerver CT East is offering summer soccer camps at various locations. Click here for more info.
- Park's Taekwondo has training classes and an after school program and there are more details here.
MHS math teacher Bryan McCain good-naturedly took a pie to the face (with little more up top) on pi day (last Thursday was 3-14) as part of a fundraiser for the freshman class.
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