Author: Lauren Boisvert

At Manchester Proud, we believe that excellent public schools form the cornerstone of a thriving community. However, we also recognize that for students to excel, their basic needs must be met. With this guiding principle, Manchester Proud, in collaboration with the Manchester School District, local businesses, and community organizations, is thrilled to announce a new initiative to address basic needs within our schools: a district-wide food pantry system.

This initial focus aims to ensure that no student or family in our community goes without access to nutritious meals. By addressing food insecurity, we can help students focus on their education and well-being, laying a stronger foundation for academic success. 

In 2023, the Manchester Health Department launched its ARPA-funded Healthy Food Access Plan, identifying 23 strategies to improve Manchester residents’ access to healthy and culturally-preferred foods.  One strategy was to increase the number of food pantries in the City by supporting community partners, like the Manchester School District, in establishing their own pantries.  Seven MSD schools received ARPA funding through the Health Department to buy refrigeration equipment, shelving, and other materials needed to create or expand pantries to distribute healthy foods for their students and families in need. The District had the infrastructures at several schools for a food pantry without the food to fill it. 

We are deeply grateful to our founding partners for their initial support in launching this vital project. Organizations such as The Norwin and Elizabeth Bean Foundation, Sam’s Club, Member’s First Credit Union, Orange Theory, Hannaford Supermarkets, and Fidelity Investments have shown immense generosity and commitment to the Manchester community. Their contributions have laid the groundwork for this initiative’s success.

As we move ONWARD into the new year, our focus will be on strengthening relationships and expanding this initiative. We invite local businesses, nonprofits, and community members to join us in this effort. Whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or spreading the word, your support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Manchester families.

Together, we can ensure that every student in Manchester has the resources they need to thrive. If your business or organization is interested in being part of this impactful project, we would love to hear from you. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more supportive community for all.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Aimee Kereage, Director of Community Partnerships & Engagement at aimeek@manchesterproud.org. 

Thank you for your continued support in making Manchester a place where every child can succeed. ONWARD!

On a rainy day in Manchester, New Hampshire, community members gathered at 160 Lake Avenue to celebrate the unveiling of “Center City Love,” the city’s first public mural. Despite the weather, the ribbon-cutting event was filled with joy and pride, as the vibrant artwork was revealed to symbolize the strength, diversity, and solidarity of the Center City community.

The mural, created through a collective effort, honors Manchester’s immigrant communities, the resilience of its residents, and the pivotal role public schools play in shaping future leaders. At the heart of the artwork is a striking depiction of two people exchanging “DAP” — a gesture symbolizing love, solidarity, dignity, and pride.

The project would not have been possible without the support of the City of Manchester, Mayor Ruais, the Manchester Arts Commission, the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity, and many local businesses and community members. Special thanks were given to Jason Bonilla, Zach Palmer, Colon Tire & Alignment, Sandra Almonte, the Central High School Student Leadership Council, and the Positive Street Art team for their significant contributions.

Two Manchester School District representatives, Erika Berberi and Fatuma Muhidin, are prominently featured in the mural. Central High School senior Fatuma Muhidin expressed her pride in sharing her heritage through this public art piece, saying, “All the kids in Manchester are seeing this mural, and I just want to say I’m so happy to share my culture with the city.”

Erika Berberi shared her gratitude for being part of such a meaningful project: “I’m very honored that I was able to be a part of something so creative and meaningful. It’s not every day you get to see yourself as part of a mural.”

“Center City Love” is more than just a work of art; it’s a testament to the power of community, representation, and resilience. It stands as a vibrant reminder of Manchester’s commitment to inclusivity and the strength found in unity.

Thank you to everyone who braved the rain to celebrate this milestone and to the many hands and hearts that made this vision a reality. Together, Manchester continues to shine.

Josselyn Ascenio, a senior at Manchester School of Technology, delivered a heartfelt speech at Granite United Way’s celebration of Patrick Tufts, who will be stepping down as President and CEO this December. Tufts, whose leadership has spanned over two decades, was honored by supporters, community partners, friends, and family for his extraordinary contributions to New Hampshire’s largest United Way.

Josselyn, who plans to pursue a degree in Architecture after graduating high school, shared how Granite United Way’s initiatives have shaped her life. As a graduate of Gossler Park Elementary School’s Leader in Me program—brought to her school through Granite United Way’s efforts—she credited the program with helping her develop critical leadership and mindset skills.

“Everyone should learn the 7 Habits and use them in their own lives because it can enrich and improve their mindsets!” Josselyn said. “Granite United Way helped put this program at the elementary school I attended, and because of them, I now have it in my life.”

Tufts’ vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit have left an enduring legacy. The celebration served as a fitting tribute to his achievements and the countless individuals, like Josselyn, who have been positively impacted by Granite United Way’s work.

Orange Theory Fitness is flexing its community muscles this holiday season by hosting a food drive to support the newly established food pantry at Beech Street Elementary School. Recognizing the growing need for accessible resources within the school community, the gym has taken the lead in gathering donations and spreading awareness.

In partnership with Manchester Proud, Orange Theory has made it easier than ever for members and supporters to contribute. A collection bin has been set up in the lobby of the gym, allowing for in-person donations. Additionally, an Amazon Wishlist has been created, offering a seamless way for members to order items directly for delivery to the pantry.

Nicole Cate, a dedicated Orange Theory member and Community Impact Program Manager at Southern New Hampshire University, brought in the first delivery of donations last week. Her efforts have set the tone for a strong start to the initiative.

The food drive will continue through the end of the year, providing a steady stream of support to the Beech Street Elementary community. With the ongoing generosity of Orange Theory members and Manchester residents, the new pantry is poised to become a reliable resource for families in need.

Manchester Proud extends heartfelt thanks to Orange Theory Fitness for their dedication to helping Manchester families thrive. Their commitment demonstrates the power of teamwork, both inside the gym and throughout the community.

If you or your business is interested in getting involved in this initiative, please reach out to aimeek@manchesterproud.org

On November 21, 2024, Sam’s Club demonstrated its commitment to supporting local communities by making a significant donation to the food pantry at Beech Street Elementary School. This donation marks a milestone in the school’s efforts to provide critical resources to students and families in need.

The food pantry is part of Beech Street’s initiative under the Community School’s Federal Grant, focusing on Integrated Student Supports. This pillar aims to address barriers to student success by providing comprehensive resources for the school community.

In collaboration with Manchester Proud’s Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement, Aimee Kereage, Beech Street Elementary’s full-time Community School Facilitator, Loren Robidas, and Beech Street Elementary staff have worked to establish the food pantry as a vital resource for families.

This marks the first significant donation to the food pantry since the City of Manchester Health Department’s grant laid the groundwork for the infrastructure. Thanks to the grant, the pantry is equipped with shelving, refrigerators, and other essential supplies, creating a well-prepared space to serve the school community.

Sam’s Club’s generous contribution will ensure the pantry is stocked with nutritious food and essentials, helping families in the Manchester community. Beech Street Elementary extends its heartfelt thanks to Sam’s Club for their support, which makes a meaningful difference in the lives of its students and families.

This donation is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when local businesses, schools, and communities come together to support the well-being of children and families.

If you or your business is interested in getting involved in this initiative, please reach out to aimeek@manchesterproud.org

Generosity is in full swing this season as Hannaford Supermarkets has made a heartwarming donation to support Manchester School District families. The local grocer recently contributed 20 turkeys, ensuring many households will enjoy a festive meal this holiday season.

The turkeys were picked up by Angela Leach, Community School Facilitator at Gossler Park Elementary School, and Jillian Record, Social Worker at Parkside Middle School. Along with the turkeys, Hannaford continued its bi-weekly donation of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are distributed to district families as part of ongoing community support efforts.

Hannaford’s consistent partnership with the district highlights the power of community collaboration in meeting the needs of local families. The donated turkeys and produce will make a significant impact, providing nourishment and joy to those who may need it most.

Thank you to Hannaford for your kindness and commitment to helping Manchester families thrive!

If you or your business is interested in getting involved in this initiative, please reach out to aimeek@manchesterproud.org

At Gossler Park Elementary School, the 2024-2025 school year has kicked off with enthusiasm, thanks to the tireless efforts of Community Schools Facilitator Angela Leach. Leach has been pivotal in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students, teachers, and families alike. From coordinating with local organizations to enhancing family engagement, she has focused on fostering a community-driven atmosphere.

One of the exciting highlights this year has been the ongoing partnership with the SEE Science Center, which has brought hands-on STEM demonstrations to students. This collaboration, integrated into the school’s STEM special, will continue throughout the year. Students are not only experiencing science in the classroom but have also taken field trips to the Science Center, expanding their exposure to interactive learning experiences.

As the school remains bustling with activity, Angela has stepped in to support wherever she’s needed. From assisting with dismissals, helping with lunch and teacher duties, and ensuring a smooth day-to-day flow, she is committed to making sure the school operates efficiently.

A cornerstone of her work has been positive family engagement, a key focus at Gossler Park. Angela has initiated coffee and doughnut sessions that provide a casual setting for parents to meet and discuss their children’s education. These gatherings have already proven successful, resulting in new volunteers joining the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Additionally, Angela created a survey to understand the best times for future family engagement events, which yielded a 74% interest in Positive Parenting sessions. In response, a series of sessions will be held in the coming months to meet the needs of the community.

Health and wellness are also top priorities for Angela, who is collaborating with Amoskeag Health to assist with student eye care. Referrals from nurse screenings have connected students with much-needed vision services. Another community partnership with the International Institute of New England is helping non-English-speaking parents by offering bilingual English classes, further strengthening ties with families of diverse backgrounds.

In addition to these initiatives, Angela has played a critical role in the operation of Gossler Park’s food pantry. The pantry serves an average of 32 families every two weeks, providing essential items such as meat, bread, milk, eggs, and produce. Angela is currently overseeing the acquisition of a new refrigerator to improve the pantry’s services, ensuring more families have access to nutritious food. She is also addressing a common challenge many teachers face: students coming to school without snacks. By coordinating donations and purchases, Angela is helping to alleviate the burden often placed on teachers to provide snacks for their classrooms. “You don’t realize how much a pack of snacks impacts our school,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Angela is already preparing for the holiday season by organizing the school’s annual Giving Tree initiative. With many families experiencing financial strain this year, this effort will help provide gifts and support to those in need during the holidays.

Angela’s focus on attendance has also been paying off, with the school maintaining an impressive 95% or higher attendance rate so far this year. She recently introduced Attendance Awards, and 10 students have been recognized for their significant improvement compared to last year. These awards not only acknowledge individual efforts but also reinforce the importance of regular attendance in academic success.

As Angela Leach reflects on the school year’s promising start, she expresses her excitement about engaging more parents in the school community. “I am excited about parent engagement and getting parents involved in the school,” she said. Her dedication and holistic approach continue to make a positive impact, ensuring that Gossler Park Elementary is not only a place of learning but also a hub for community connection and support.

At Beech Street Elementary School, there is a concentrated effort to foster a positive environment for students, families, and staff through behavioral support, family engagement, and community building. Abby from the Granite YMCA has been instrumental in behavior management, dedicating two to three days a week to working with students on developing a growth mindset and creating a toolbox of skills they can rely on throughout the school year. Her presence is set to expand to full-time next year, signaling a commitment to long-term behavioral improvement and student growth.

In conjunction with Abby’s work, Loren, the Community SchoolsFacilitator, has been actively shadowing school lunches to align the language used by classrooms and teachers. This integration is vital for reinforcing the consistency of positive behavior strategies and fostering a growth mindset school-wide.

Loren is also involved in several essential projects that directly impact both students and their families. One such initiative is the creation of a food pantry for Beech Street School. By working on the logistics, ordering, and setup, Loren ensures that families in need have access to vital resources. She has also tackled other key areas of concern, such as safety. After identifying a need for better parking lot signage, she contacted the Highway Department to enhance safety for students and parents during pick-up and drop-off times.

Building strong connections with the school community is another priority for Loren. Greeting parents in the mornings and afternoons, she helps foster a welcoming atmosphere while working with teachers to build relationships with families. These efforts are reflected in her goal of making sure she’s out every day, connecting with parents and building the support system that is essential for students’ success. As she shared, “Connecting with the students is easy; making sure I’m going out every day to connect with parents is my goal.”

Loren is also working with the NH Statewide Family Engagement Center to establish the Family Village program, a much-needed support group for parents. With Beech Street lacking a formal PTA or PTG, this program will fill an essential gap in family support and engagement. She’s working on launching family nights to address topics such as mental health and behavioral help, ensuring that families are well-equipped to support their children’s development both emotionally and academically. In addition to these educational sessions, Loren is organizing other positive family engagement activities like paint nights and literacy nights, further strengthening the bond between the school and its families.

Beech Street School is also benefiting from the efforts of the SEE Science Center, which recently held a hands-on demonstration with race cars and Legos. Students engaged in hypothesis-based learning, where they experimented with and adapted their lego designs. Additionally, Amoskeag Health is working on vision screening for students, helping to identify those who need glasses and connecting them with resources to get free glasses through their program.

As Loren puts it, “I’m glad I’m here, I love it. I’m excited to keep helping the progress of Community Schools.” Through her leadership, Beech Street School continues to grow as a community hub, offering support, resources, and connection points that benefit both students and their families. Her work, combined with the efforts of other dedicated staff is shaping a school environment that emphasizes growth, safety, and positive engagement for all.

From the beginning of Manchester Proud, our goal has been to create exceptional public schools. This started in 2017 with our work in the Manchester School District’s Strategic Plan.  The district uses this as a guide for goal setting in current and future work. Manchester Proud has continued to work on a variety of projects and are excited to report the following have been successfully completed. 

• Career Connected Learning, an initiative to create opportunities for students within the Manchester School District to connect with potential future careers. This began as a partnership between Manchester Proud, business and community partners, and the Manchester School District. This initiative now has been transferred into a full-time position within the Manchester School District. Manchester Proud continues to partner with the district in making connections to business and community partners. 

• The Compass has recently gone through a total remodel and merge with Manchester Proud’s general website. The intention with this is to eliminate confusion with the separate domains to continue connecting community members with resources from our community partners. We took this opportunity as a way to make the Compass more accessible adding in additional filtering options and the ability to translate the site. Visit the Compass here.

• Opportunity Portfolio is an initiative that began in the Spring of 2024, the opportunity portfolio is a publication that will be published twice a year by Manchester Proud. The portfolio is a physical version of the Compass, the first publication of the school year sharing school-year opportunities for community members and the second publication of the school year sharing summer opportunities for community members. This portfolio will be shared with all educators within the district and community partners. See the latest version here. 

• Proud Moments is a campaign that came from our Communications Strategic Plan to engage our community positively with the Manchester School District. This campaign aims to share moments from the Manchester School District that are encouraging, we go to interview the nominee and share about their story on social media and in our newsletter. This campaign contributed to our 1,700% social media growth in one year. Submit a nomination for a Proud Moment here.

• Federal Community Schools Grant is a 5-year federal grant that the Manchester School District was awarded, Manchester Proud is the lead community organization on this grant. This grant connects Gossler Park Elementary School and Beech Street Elementary School with community partners to offer resources to the students inside of the school. This grant is in the first year, but is off to a great start with two full-time Community School Facilitators inside the schools. This is the first time any community in New Hampshire has been awarded this grant.

As our Champion’s Council looks to refocus on what is next for Manchester Proud, we are proud of all that we have accomplished and look forward to the next steps in making exceptional public schools. ONWARD!

On the evening of October 29, 2024, Gossler Park Elementary School hosted a Positive Parenting class as part of the Community Schools Federal Grant awarded to the district. The session was facilitated by Gossler Park’s social worker, Stephanie Emmons, and guidance counselor, Jessica Deshaies, and focused on equipping parents with positive parenting strategies in an engaging, collaborative setting.

Typically structured as a seven-week course, the session was condensed into a one-hour overview, covering essential topics in positive parenting: building relationships, understanding behaviors, setting routines and making choices, developing coping strategies, using logical consequences, and creating actionable parenting plans. Emmons emphasized the foundational importance of relationships in parenting, likening them to the base of a house: “Relationships are like the foundation of a house; you have to build that first,” she noted, underscoring the necessity of establishing strong, trust-based connections with children before other tools can be effectively applied.

Parents had the opportunity to connect their personal experiences to the tools and topics discussed, sharing anecdotes about their children and relating to each strategy in a practical, meaningful way. The use of consistent language both at home and in school was highlighted, promoting a cohesive approach between school and family.

For those unable to attend the October 29 session, Gossler Park Elementary will offer another Positive Parenting class on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 2:00 pm, providing another opportunity for parents to engage in these essential discussions and learn new ways to foster healthy, positive relationships with their children.Thank you, Angela Leach, Gossler Park Elementary School’s Community Schools Facilitator for her coordination of this event. If any Gossler Gator parents are interested in the Friday class, please reach out to aleach@mansd.org

The new school year at Beech Elementary School has kicked off with excitement and a strong focus on community, student well-being, and engagement, marking a promising start to the 2024-2025 academic year. From innovative student support programs to increased parental engagement and a dedicated staff, Beech Elementary is creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for its students, staff, and families. An example of this can be found in the lobby, a display creating a friendly competition among grade levels to encourage attendance. 

A Sanctuary for Students: Kerry Crow’s Counseling Room

Kerry Crow, Beech’s dedicated school counselor, has transformed her counseling room into a serene and supportive space for students who need a break during the day. With her room resembling a peaceful oasis, complete with a swing, sensory toys, beautiful art, and a sensory station offering three different paths for self-regulation, Kerry’s space has quickly become a haven. “My biggest goal is to make space for students who were dysregulated,” she shared. This commitment to helping students manage their emotions and find calm reflects her deep dedication to student well-being.

In her sixth year at Beech, where she spent three years as a Kindergarten teacher before stepping into her role as counselor, Kerry continues to provide invaluable support. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here in education,” she says, demonstrating her passion for fostering a caring environment where every student can thrive.

Welcoming New Staff and Students from Wilson Elementary

Following the closure of Wilson Elementary School, Beech Street Elementary has welcomed a number of Wilson’s staff and students. The transition has been thoughtfully planned to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for everyone. Efforts to build a cohesive staff community began last year, with Beech inviting Wilson staff to their holiday events, fostering a spirit of unity. For students, the adjustment to new routines and procedures has been an essential focus, with Beech’s supportive environment helping them to adapt and settle in.

Principal Kelly Newman, a former Beech teacher herself, has been instrumental in guiding this process. Her deep connection with Beech’s families and her commitment to students, families, and staff alike make her an inspiring leader during this time of change.

Successful Parent Engagement Night on Growth Mindset

Engaging families in student success is a priority at Beech, and the recent Parent Engagement Night, focused on Growth Mindset, was a resounding success. Over 120 people attended, including 65 students accompanied by parents. The event featured center activities, “growth mindset ninjas,” and interactive workshops to help parents understand and reinforce the growth mindset language used at Beech to foster positive behavior. The high turnout highlights the school community’s enthusiasm for collaborative student growth.

Looking ahead, the next family engagement event will be a paint night in December, where families can participate in a guided painting session led by Beech’s talented art teacher. These events build bonds within the community, creating memorable experiences for students and families alike.

Empowering Fourth Graders through the Student Council

This year marks the second year of Beech’s Student Council, now exclusively for fourth-grade students. A total of 19 students were elected after a rigorous application process involving campaign speeches and written statements about their contributions. The council meets during lunch to plan activities, help with family engagement events, and support new students, fostering a sense of leadership and school pride. Last year, the Student Council’s major project was a “Caring Closet” initiative, and this year, they are set to determine a new large-scale project that aligns with Beech’s values.

Kerry Crow emphasized the importance of giving students a sense of ownership in their school community: “Kids having buy-in at school is important.” In addition to project planning, the council also helps teach practical skills, such as inventory management and cash handling, through activities like selling ice cream at the end of the year.

Balancing Changes with Community Spirit

Beech Elementary has made it a priority to balance the increase in students and staff from Wilson Elementary with the school’s own needs. While Beech has gained new students, they’ve also seen changes in grade levels, now with five to six teachers per grade to support this balance. The school’s administration team, led by Principal Newman, is committed to making this a welcoming transition for all involved, reinforcing Beech’s values of support, compassion, and resilience.

As the 2024-2025 school year continues, Beech Elementary remains a beacon of community-centered education, with a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure a positive experience for all students and families. With innovative support systems, a welcoming approach to change, and a focus on student and family engagement, Beech Elementary is off to a fantastic start, ready to build a memorable and impactful year ahead.

The Compass School Year Resource Guide 2024-2025 is live!

This resource guide was made in collaboration with the Manchester School District and community partners to create a physical compass for the 2024-2025 school year. This guide acts as a one stop shop to Manchester School District resources as well as resources that cover: basic needs, career connected learning, early childhood services, expanded learning time, health and wellness, and more!

All schools will receive physical copies and any community partners interested in a copy, please reach out to lauren@manchesterproud.org

We are excited to announce that we will have an intern this Fall and Winter! Kaydence is a Senior atand is a recent recipient of the CelebratED Game Changers award.

Kaydence will be working alongside our Community Communications Director on our social media and marketing efforts.

From Kaydence, “Hi I’m Kaydence, a senior at Manchester School of Technology, who is looking to pursue a career in Business and Marketing in the future. Although, I am also planning on taking a GAP year before going into college in order to travel and chase my interests. I am inspired to learn new cultures and views from all around the world and am someone who enjoys writing and learning new skills, so I am looking forward to this internship. Thank you to Manchester Proud for this opportunity.”

Join us in welcoming Kaydence to the team!

Last week, the Manchester School District’s Family Welcome Center at French Hall was bustling with the energy of collaboration and possibility. In its cozy and welcoming Compass Room, 21st Century, a district program designed to extend learning time for elementary and middle school students, hosted a meeting with various community partners to explore potential partnerships.

The 21st Century program is a vital part of the Manchester School District, offering students three key time blocks: academics, enrichment activities that broaden student experiences, and family engagement opportunities. These structured blocks provide a well-rounded experience for students, ensuring not only academic growth but also personal and social development, along with strong family connections.

The meeting in the Compass Room was more than just a conversation—it was a brainstorming session filled with innovative ideas on how community partners can support the program. There was also discussion on how 21st Century can connect its participants to the resources and opportunities offered by these community partners. By facilitating these exchanges, 21st Century hopes to expand the reach of its program and create more enriching experiences for its students.

This gathering was a clear demonstration of how the Compass Room serves as both a resource hub for families and a comfortable environment for community collaboration. The space encourages meaningful discussions and partnership-building, which is key to enhancing the overall student and family experience in Manchester. 

As 21st Century continues to grow, this meeting serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and the potential that exists when we come together to support our community. The Compass Room, a physical and symbolic space for guidance, is helping chart the path forward for stronger partnerships and a brighter future for Manchester’s students.

Thank you to the community partners in attendance who participated in this conversation, Manchester School District Community School’s facilitators, Scouting America Daniel Webster Council, Center for New Americans, Friends of Aine, UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center INC., Girls Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Access Academy, Statewide Family Engagement Center, and Amoskeag Health.

September was an exciting time for Manchester Proud! We spent most of the month (and considerable time before) preparing for the State of the Manchester School District 2024-2025 Community Forum and CelebratED 2024 Festival. Both of these events highlight the amazing things that are happening within the Manchester School District!

The third annual State of the Manchester School District was held on September 19, 2024, at the new Manchester School District’s Family Welcome Center at French Hall. Hosted in partnership with Manchester Proud, the District, and Greater Manchester Chamber, the event was an evening where local business and community leaders gathered with Manchester School District officials for an update on the District’s progress to date and goals for the new school year. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jennifer Chmiel and her team impressed us all with their department updates and passion for the success of Manchester’s students.

Here’s a sampling of some of the updates provided during the State of the Manchester School District: 

• The opening of the Manchester School District’s new Family Welcome Center at French Hall
• The Dual-Language immersion program beginning at Bakersville Elementary School
• The beginning of Phase 1 of the district’s facilities plan includes the opening of new modular classrooms and all middle schools unifying to grades 5-8. 
• Two Manchester School District educators are finalists of the New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. One of them being in the final four. 
• The school district has moved transportation into the district. 

After hearing from the District’s Leadership Team, Dr. Chmiel took questions from the audience as well as individuals online. Over 30 questions were submitted, which shows passion and care for the success of our students and schools! 

Riding the success and joy felt from the third annual State of the Manchester School District, CelebratED took place that very weekend. On September 21, 2024, Veteran’s Park was transformed into a festival to celebrate our public schools! This year our celebration of Manchester’s schools and community drew students, families, staff, and community members out into the rain. We filled Veteran’s Park with shining stars despite the rainy weather. During the celebration, we often forgot it was raining! 

The day began with welcoming remarks by our Mayor, Superintendent of Schools, Manchester Proud’s Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement, and our Presenting Sponsor, USI Insurance Services before turning to the 17 student performances and almost 200 Game Changer awards that were given out throughout the day. 

Everyone in the park enjoyed options for multicultural food, free age-appropriate books for all students, and countless activities for kids of all ages.

Here’s a sampling of the festival’s success stories:

• For the first time, we had a Manchester School District pavilion where students, families, and community members could sign up and explore district resources. A big hit of this pavilion was the mock-up of the new Beech Street school! 
• “Music Café”, is an off main stage venue for our high school and middle school students to provide solo performances.
• The “Art Gallery in The Park”, is an enclosed area with a portal entrance to provide a more statured setting for displaying student art. There were 200 linear feet of fence space that unfortunately we were unable to hang up artwork due to the rain but we are exploring the opportunity to display the artwork in another exhibition. We were able to display our “We Love Our School” banners where each elementary school collaborated as a school to decorate their banner. 
• Last year we were thrilled to report that 50 community partners participated in CelebratED to share about their programs and services, this year we are thrilled to have welcomed 62 community partners to Veteran’s Park! 
• Our “Game Changer” awards were added to the presentations, honoring almost 200 students, teachers, and staff from all 20 schools, who were chosen by their principals for going above and beyond to make their schools great. This is the ultimate spirit of CelebratED!
• We celebrated science education with a robotics competition including the Championship robot built by FIRST robotics team, CHAOS 131 
• Manchester Police, Fire, and Health Departments all joined in with horses, ponies, fire trucks, and a dental care van.
• 731 elementary and middle school students participated in our “We Show Up” contest, won by the Smyth Road School and Hillside Middle School. Smyth Road School will enjoy a party sponsored by SEE Science Center and the Puritan Backroom! Hillside Middle School will enjoy a school-wide presentation done by the FIRST Robotics, CHAOS 131 team. 
• Students left with books, book markers, and a boost to their interest in reading.
• Once again, we fed thousands – all free!  We expanded our multi-cultured menu this year to include: Greek pizza, Mexican, Nepalese, Chinese, African, Caribbean, and Mediterranean food, plus Kona Ice for all kids.

All of this was made possible by 26 business partners and our CEAG funding, for helping make CelebratED and State of the Manchester School District 2024-2025 possible. This support enabled us to make CelebratED free to all kids and families. Eliminating cost, communicating in multiple languages, and providing an ASL interpreter for all on-stage performances are all part of our commitment to making CelebratED accessible to everyone in Manchester.

ONWARD to planning State of Manchester School District 2025-2026 and CelebratED 2025!

Manchester Proud recently elected a new Executive Council for their Champion’s Council this summer. We are excited to introduce and welcome the new council members:

• Steve Thiel, Southern New Hampshire University, Chair of the Champion’s Council
• Antonio Feliciano, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, President of the Champion’s Council
• Paulson Edum, Financial Professional and Advocate for Financial Literacy, Treasurer of the Champion’s Council
• Donna Papanikolau, Manchester School District, will continue her role as Secretary of the Champion’s Council, which she was elected to last year.

We are thrilled to welcome Steve, Antonio, Paulson, and Donna to the Executive Council as they assist Manchester Proud ONWARD! 

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Katie LaBranche, Sandra Almonte, and Donna Crook for their dedicated service on the Executive Council.