MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL'S BAILEY AUDITORIUM was the site of this morning's Convocation, the ceremonial kickoff to the academic year for school staff. District Teacher of the Year Josh Curzan was among those who shared inspiring words, after which everyone returned to the business of preparing for the return of students next week. We have it all covered below and also our calendar of events -- the most complete such listing as you will find anywhere in Manchester.

Yes, Bowers will be ready for students on Tuesday -- but workers will be busy all weekend as they close out the renovation that started more than a year ago. The official ribbon cutting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.

• The first day of classes for students in grades K-5, 7 and 9, and Adult Ed, is Tuesday, Sept. 5.
  
• Students in grades 6, 8 and 10-12 (also all grades at MRA, Bentley and MMA) begin on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
  
• 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.

Schedules, Login and Transportation Information, Annual Registration Verification

• 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.

Administrators returned in force on Aug. 21, new teachers began orientation on Aug. 23, and the full staff has been back since Monday for professional development that led to this morning's Convocation. That's District Teacher of the Year Josh Curzan above while below is Superintendent Matt Geary congratulating Dr. Dave Brysgel, who last year finished his 50th year of service in the district

Superintendent Geary gave an 'opening of school' update at Monday's BoE meeting, which you can watch here. The next BoE meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14 and will feature an update through the first week-plus of school.

Thursday, Aug. 31
9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. -- Red Cross Blood Drive at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Connecticut author Connie Bombaci will speak at Whiton Library.
6:30 - 8 p.m. -- Overdose Awareness Vigil at Northwest Park.

Saturday, Sept. 2
8 a.m. - noon -- MACC Manchester Farmers Market at the Forest St. parking lot. Rain or shine through Oct. 28.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Farm Day at Fish Family Farm, 20 Dimock Lane, Bolton
10 a.m. - 2 p.m -- Old Manchester Museum is open, 126 Cedar St.

Monday, Sept 4
7 - 8 p.m. -- Can and bottle drive at World-Wide Lighthouse Missions, 16 Brainard Place.

Tuesday, Sept 5
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. -- Teen Crafternoon at Mary Cheney Library.
6 - 7:30 p.m. -- Manchester Youth Commission meeting at 41 Center St.
7 p.m. -- BOD meeting at Lincoln Center.

Wednesday, Sept. 6
5:30 - 8 p.m. -- Cellphone photography with Peter Glass at Whiton Library.
4:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Northwest Park Farmer’s Market 2023 Opening Day Scavenger Hunt at 448 Tolland Tpke.

Also:

• Town offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

• The Let’s have a ball! Senior Center Bicentennial Picnic at Northwest Park Pavilion is next Thursday.
  

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

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

• 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.

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

Down the Road:

• Cub Scout Pack 47 has an open house on Sept. 7 at South United Methodist Church.

• A youth cricket clinic and tournament will take place at Robertson Park on Sept. 9 Click here for specifics.

• Cheney Hall’s upcoming events include ‘The Music of’ James Taylor (Sept 9), Carole King (Sept. 15) and Harry Chapin (Sept 16).

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

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

• The Manchester Sports Hall of Fame will host an exhibit opening on Sept. 20 at Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar St. Click the link for details. (An induction ceremony and dinner for the 2023 class is Nov. 4 at Georgina’s.)

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

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

OTHER NEWSLETTERS and CALENDARS:

• Better Manchester Magazine: August is Black Business Month, town updates and feature stories.

• MACC Minutes: Elvis visits MACC (thank you very much...); meet the kitchen's 'Delivery Duo;' Crop Hunger Walk in October.

• Manchester Historical Society: Civil War presentation, a Cheney Homestead special open house and the annual meeting/luncheon (and more) coming up in September.
  Manchester Land Conservation Trust: Newly aquired property, images and trail maps.

• Manchester Matters: New jobs, Holiday schedule, Farm Day 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

MHS student-athletes teams have been working out all summer with official practices now underway and we have more preseason pictures on the OneManchester CT FB page. In addition to what you see here (football, volleyball, boys and girls soccer), fall sports also include cross-country, girls swimming and cheerleading. For the complete Red Hawk schedule, click here.

ALSO

• The Manchester Knights have flag, tackle and cheer spots still available. Click the link for details.
• The Hartford Shockers Academy focuses on basketball fundamentals for boys and girls ages 5 -18 and you can learn more by clicking this link.

In martial arts, check out programs offered by:

• Impact Marial Arts
• Hidden Dragon Karate
• White Tiger Taekwon-Do

The Silk City Fest on Purnell Place last Saturday drew an estimated 2,000 people and featured art, food and craft beer vendors along with lots of music,. Among nine performing groups were a rap act of (from left) dregottheblues (real name Andre Blue), Bonzoraps (Ric Medina) and Joey Batts (full last name Battaglia, he's a teacher at Manchester High).

• 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.