OneManchester
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022
LAST MONDAY'S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING began with an oddity, as new Town Clerk Darryl Thames swore in new school board member Kwasi Ntem-Mensah, who was appointed to fill the position created by the departure of ... former board member Darryl Thames. We have more from a newsy week in the school district as well our calendar and other notes and such. But first:
For the 37th time, the town celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with an event that put the spotlight on student voices. The event was held Tuesday night (on Zoom) and to see a list of winners,
please click here (and
here for more on group award winners.)
- Monday’s BoE meeting included a presentation on culture and climate, an update on the district response to COVID and the latest on the Buckley renovation. To see a replay of the meeting click here.
- Starting January 31, the elementary school day will end at 3:30 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when dismissal will be at 2 p.m. For more details click here.
- The Board of Education is holding its first budget workshop tonight at 6 at Lincoln Center. It will feature the presentation of the Superintendent’s Recommended 2022-23 budget and there are also workshops scheduled for Jan. 20 and 27.
- The BoE has approved the 22-’23 school calendar and the first day of classes will again be after Labor Day. Click here to see the calendar.
January Family Survey: We want to hear from you! In order to make it easier and faster to provide feedback, we have developed four BRIEF surveys for the school year connected to district improvement planning. The 9-question January survey is linked
here and here are the translation instructions:
Translate on a computer /
Translate on a mobile device We publish newsletters for schools throughout the district and yesterday's 'Red Hawk Update' had lots of photos, including these from Ms. Gonsalves' UCONN Senior English class. If you want to see more
click here.
Remembering Miss Bennet
She was born in Danbury on January 22, 1881 and as Elisabeth Bennet's birthday approaches school and town leaders are preparing to one again celebrate her achievements and legacy. We'll have it all covered in next week's newsletter -- including an update on the seven foot bronze statue of her that is to be placed on the front lawn of Bennet Academy in time for Manchester’s Bicentennial in 2023.
OTHER NEWSLETTERS
Manchester Matters: Friday is the last day for the Christmas tree curbside pick up program, a free COVID vaccine clinic Saturday and town taxes are due on Feb. 1.
Manchester Historical Society: Read what was new in ‘52 in the Manchester Herald and perhaps send a gift membership to a friend or family member.
Manchester Adult and Continuing Education: Meet the newest addition to Dr. Clare-Kearney’s family and get to know a little more about MA&CE program coordinator Erika Kelly.
Better Manchester: Culture Lab feature, iconic Main St. barbershop, town updates and more.
SCOUTING
- Girl Scout Troop 10621 is collecting donations for new gloves, mittens, and hand warmers for the Manchester Area Conference of Charities (MACC). Click for more.
- Boy Scout Troup 25 has a virtual Open House set for Jan. 26.
Thursday, Jan 13
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. -- Mind Over Matter youth activity at YSB, 63 Linden St.
6 p.m. BOE budget workshop at Lincoln Center
Saturday, Jan. 15
9 a.m. - noon -- Polish food sale at St. John’s Polish National Church, 23 Golway St.
Monday, Jan 17
9 a.m. - noon -- Five Senses Friendly Mondays at the Lutz, 247 Main St.
Town offices will be closed in observance of MLK Day - no delay in curbside collection.
Tuesday, Jan. 18
3 - 4 p.m. -- Tween Code Club meeting at Mary Cheney Library.
Wednesday, Jan 19
6- 8 p.m. -- Middle School Nights at Mary Cheney Library.
6:45 p.m. -- BSA Troop 123 open house at Community Baptist Church, 585 East Center S
7 - 8:30 p.m. -- Internet Safety and Human Trafficking Awareness. Originally scheduled to be held in Bailey Auditorium at MHS, this event will now be remote.
Also:
- COVID-19 vaccine boosters are available Saturdays in January from 1-5 p.m. at Bangladesh Bhaban Community Center, 9 Delmont St.
- The opening reception for ‘Manchester Then and Now’ exhibit scheduled for Saturday at the History Center has been POSTPONED.
DOWN THE ROAD
- Manchester Adult and Continuing Education has a contest seeking artists who can creatively answer the question, 'What Does My Mother Language Mean To Me?' Click here for more.
- 'Arsenic & Old Lace' opens at Cheney Hall Friday, Feb. 4 (through Feb. 20)
Tomorrow is the last day for the town's curbside Christmas tree pickup but the goats at Aussakita Acres Farm (555 Lydall St.) are always hungry and would love to help. The JI has a nice story by Ben Crnic (who also took the photo above) about a phenomenon that's now been in place for five years.
OneManchester is compiled by Jim Farrell of the school district's communications office; he can be reached at b11jfarr@mpspride.org or 860-268-6377. OneManchester has been published since August 2017 and features the photography of Paul Ofria. Want to subscribe? Just click here.
