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On Friday, January 26, 2024, Manchester Proud worked together with the Manchester School District to coordinate and distribute 200 brand-new coats to our students. This effort was part of Operation Warm, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide winter coats and shoes to children in need. Operation Warm partners with corporations and organizations who fundraise, deliver, and distribute these items to students all over the country. 

“In our cold New England winters, a good, warm coat is a necessity, whether you’re walking to school or playing outside with friends,” said Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel Gillis. “Operation Warm helps meet a critical need, bringing us new, high-quality coats for the students that need them the most. We are incredibly grateful for the program’s continued efforts, as well as for the Bean Foundation, which provided the funding. We would also like to thank Manchester Proud, which helped coordinate the donations. As I often say, we are stronger together – this is just another great example of how our students benefit when the community comes together.”

“The Bean Foundation would like to thank Operation Warm and Manchester Proud for ensuring that students in Manchester are provided with warm coats,” said Bean Foundation Director, Leslee Stewart. “The Bean Foundation is proud to support this important community effort.”

You can learn more about Operation Warm here: https://www.operationwarm.org/

Strong school to community partnerships are essential for meeting the needs of 21st-century learners. Manchester Proud plays a crucial role in aligning student opportunities with the resources and needs of local businesses. From our earliest days, Manchester Proud has been supported by our business partners who, like us, are focused on the success of our community. We know that a thriving school district is essential to a thriving community and we are poised to move to the next step.

Building our next workforce in Manchester.

We have built trust, partnerships, and systems – we are here and we are ready.

Manchester Proud in collaboration with the Manchester School District has created an integrated Career Connected Learning Initiative that engages students, families, and local businesses, providing opportunities for students at every grade band to experience and learn from our local business partners.

Career Connected Learning is an approach that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences and opportunities related to careers. The goal is to prepare students for the workforce by providing them with practical skills, knowledge, and exposure to a variety of careers. Businesses can participate in a variety of levels: building awareness in classrooms or schools by participating in career days; speaking in classes or hosting tours; helping students explore careers by hosting job shadows; helping with mock interviews; or deeper career exploration discussions. This initiative also allows for full immersion into industries by hosting students as interns and apprentices. Building awareness, exploring careers, and immersing students provides opportunities for students as young as kindergarteners to learn about what happens at a business and for older students to gain in-depth, hands-on experiences.

The goal of Manchester Proud’s Career Connected Learning Initiative is to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, making sure that students are best prepared to enter the workforce and that companies are engaged and active participants in the process. This holistic approach supports not only the needs of the child but the needs of the community – creating a rich and thriving partnership.

The Career Connected Learning Initiative is beneficial to our students, families, and businesses. Students are exposed to different career pathways. This is essential for their personal and professional development, enabling them to make informed decisions, acquire diverse skills, and navigate the complexities of the modern job market.

Companies involved in career-connected learning for students contribute to the development of a well-prepared and skilled workforce, while simultaneously benefiting from a range of advantages related to talent acquisition, innovation, and community engagement.

Manchester Proud is eager to prioritize this work over the next several years. We are uniquely positioned to help support the creation and successful implementation of this initiative. Due to strong business connections and strong relationships with the schools, we are able to help bridge the divide between the two silos – breaking them down and creating unique opportunities across the community.

Our businesses want to do the work, our schools are eager to do the work and Manchester Proud is able to provide the map. ONWARD!

CCL Opportunity: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cW-gkShZzLObISlNnhkv6zfQ7y-Kx9Nj/view 

Manchester Proud continues to grow as an increasingly effective and valued partner of our schools, community organizations, and businesses. Of course, we have taken some missteps along the way, but thankfully they have been few, manageable, and instructive – we have learned a lot!

We have also gotten some things right from the start. Our founders had the good sense to realize that our strength would not come from one or a few individuals but from broad community engagement and mutually rewarding partnerships. They established several fundamental ground rules to ensure Manchester Proud’s sustained relevance and continuity:

• Set politics aside and welcome all who commit to the success of our students and public schools
• Respect the authority of our school leaders and elected officials and build authentic partnerships to expedite their good work
• Know that our collective vision of great public schools is bigger than any one person or group, including our founders, Council, school leaders, and elected officials.

Indeed, the success of our students and public schools is so profoundly important that its achievement must transcend dependence upon any one individual or group. During Manchester Proud’s six-year history, we have been deeply grateful for the productive relationships we have enjoyed with our Mayor, three Superintendents of School, and three Boards of School Committee. In each case, through inevitable transitions, our work has continued forward, driven by our higher purpose of making exceptional public schools for ALL of Manchester.

Soon we will again transition to governance by a new Mayor and Boards of Aldermen and School Committee. We congratulate all who have been elected and thank those who have served. Undoubtedly, new voices will now be heard in our community’s dialog, bringing added ideas and perspectives. Manchester Proud welcomes all in the spirit of friendship and collaboration, as we attain common ground in the pursuit of what really matters – the wellbeing and futures of our children and community.

Tonight, November 21, 2023, at the Board of Mayor & Alderman Meeting, Manchester School District Superintendent of Schools, Jennifer Chimiel Gillis, Ed.D. is requesting the approval of the Long Term Facilities Plan – Priority One. Manchester Proud supports this work and believes that this will provide the facilities that our students deserve for their education.

This planning project has been underway with vendor, SMMA since March of 2023. The purpose of this is to provide a long-term facility plan for the district. The team has been working with the board-approved concept of 3 High Schools, 4 Middle Schools, and 12 Elementary Schools.

This project is large and is broken up into two priority lists. This first list includes the following recommendations:

– To close Wilson Elementary School for the fall of 2024.

– To build a new elementary school at the McDonough Elementary School site.

– To locate modular classroom space at: Beech, McDonough, Parkside, Southside, McLaughlin, and Hillside in June 2024.

– To approve additions and renovations at all four of our middle schools.

– To approve up to $306 Million – Priority One budget.

Blankets of colorful leaves, a bit of a nip in the air, and the resetting of clocks are unmistakable signs that another calendar year will soon pass.  2023 has been a good one for Manchester Proud and with your support we have shared more good news, built new and bolstered ongoing partnerships, and engaged more of Manchester in our mission of making exceptional public schools.

Success breeds success and motivated by the progress of 2023, your Manchester Proud team has already drafted its plan and goals for the new year.  Our work in 2024 will leverage progress to date with our focus sharpened by the collective wisdom of our Champion’s Council and Work Group volunteers. 

Following our tradition of candor and collaboration, here is a window into how we will be investing our time in 2024. It is aligned with the Opportunity Areas explored during our Council’s recent strategic planning sessions.  The time allocations represent estimated percentages of our total staff time to be dedicated to each initiative.  One or more of our staff will be responsible for the management of each initiative: Manchester Proud Director, Community Partnerships Director, and Community Communications Director.

OPPORTUNITY AREA #1: Community Communications and Engagement

INITIATIVE	TIME ALLOCATION	LEAD
Ongoing communications to share MSD progress (Newsletters, social media, websites)	7%	Community Communications Director
Develop strategic communications plan to align Manchester Proud, MSD, and community communications	5%	Community Communications Director & Manchester Proud Director
Develop, maintain, and promote Compass community resource portal	13%	Community Communications Director
Produce CelebratED festival and State of MSD public forum	8%	Manchester Proud Director
Explore potential of District-wide parental engagement network	4%	Manchester Proud Director & Community Communications Director.
Participation in community events and public presentations	7%	All Team
SUBTOTAL	44%

OPPORTUNITY AREA #2: School-Community Partnerships and Career Pathways

INITIATIVE	TIME ALLOCATION	LEAD
Continued Development of School-Community Partnership Network and Career Connected Learning	25%	Community Partnerships Director
Coordination of Community Schools Grant	5%	Community Partnerships Director
SUBTOTAL	30%

MANCHESTER PROUD OPERATIONS 

INITIATIVE	TIME ALLOCATION	LEAD
Assistance with facilitation and management of Work Groups: Membership & Equity, Fundraising, Organizational Planning	14%	Manchester Proud Director
Exploration of opportunities and potential partnerships	6%	All Team
General operations and coordination	6%	All Team
SUBTOTAL	26%

We provide this information to enable our supporters, our community, and ourselves to better understand and oversee the work of Manchester Proud.  Among our observations are:

• Our work is appropriately aligned with Manchester Proud’s Mission – to “Build community engagement and partnerships with the Manchester School District to champion student success and make exceptional public schools.”
• We remain focused on Manchester Proud’s unique role as a community facilitator and resource enabler, driving systemic change in our public schools and community. Change that is producing equity-based programs, services, learning opportunities, and career pathways for our students and families; Change that is aligning and optimizing the application of community resources to the needs of our students; Change that is advancing the organization and efficacy of our school district; Change that is building a culture of pride and engagement in our public schools and community. 

Of course, the above is only representative of our modest staff’s time organizing and leading initiatives.  The real progress of Manchester Proud is made possible by the countless hours volunteered by our Council; partners at MSD and our Board of School Committee; collaborators at Manchester service organizations and businesses; and community supporters.  

Together we continue ONWARD!

Last month 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 Community Forum and CelebratED 2023 Festival! Both of these events highlight the amazing things that are happening in Manchester’s public schools!

The second annual State of the Manchester School District 2023-2024 was on held September 21, 2023 at the REX Theatre. Produced in partnership by 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 Gillis and her team impressed us all with their professionalism and passion for the success of Manchester’s students.

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

• The District’s communications with students, parents, staff and community will be enhanced by its new website and logo. Participating in school is the first step toward learning. A new “Show Up Manchester” program has been launched to boost attendance.
• Our Bakersville Elementary School will become the first dual language immersion school in New Hampshire!
• Student outcomes have improved, in part due to more standardization in curricula between schools. 

After hearing from the District’s Leadership Team, Dr. Gillis took questions from the audience as well as individuals online. There were over 30 questions submitted, which shows  passion and care for the success of our students and schools! Mayor Joyce Craig closed the program with remarks on how critical the success of our public schools is the future of all of Manchester. 

Riding the success and joy felt from the second annual State of the Manchester School District , CelebratED took place that very weekend. On September 23, 2023, Veteran’s Park was transformed into a festival to celebrate our public schools! This year our celebration of Manchester’s schools and community drew the biggest crowd to-date and filled Veteran’s Park with joyful students and families. (Since the event was open to the public, which came and went throughout the day, it is difficult to determine total attendance. However, a rough count indicated 5,000 attendees in the park at mid-day!)

The day began with welcoming remarks by our Mayor, Superintendent of Schools, and Manchester Proud’s Council Chair. Next came the induction of this year’s new City Year Corps Members, followed by non-stop entertainment and school celebrations from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Our Planning Team’s decision to include more student performances and fewer professional entertainers was another big step forward and attracted many enthusiastic students and parents.

Everyone in the park enjoyed options for multi-cultural 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, all 21 Manchester public schools participated in the event, many with thoughtfully planned and rehearsed performances.
• This year we added the “Music Café”, an off main stage venue for our high school and middle school students to provide solo performances.
• Also new this year was the “Art Gallery in The Park”, an enclosed area with portal entrance to provide a more statured setting for displaying student art.  There were 200 linear feet of fence space covered on both sides with wonderful artwork!
• Last year we were thrilled to report that 31 community organizations joined our event with booths and activities.  Remarkably, this year we had nearly 50!  This strong showing, in spite of questionable weather, is a clear indication that CelebratED is becoming a must-attend annual event.
• Our “Game Changer” awards were added to the presentations, honoring 110 students, teachers, and staff from all 21 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 and Manchester School of Technology’s student-built an airplane.
• Manchester Police, Fire, and Health Departments all joined-in with horses, ponies, fire trucks and a dental care van.
• 895 elementary school students participated in our “We Show Up” contest, won by the Smyth Road School. Smyth Road School will enjoy a party sponsored by SEE Science Center and the Puritan Backroom! 
• 847 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, Caribbean, Thai, and Mediterranean food, plus Kona Ice for all kids.

All of this was made possible by 23 business partners and our CEAG (City of Manchester Community Event & Activation Grant) funding (please see those partners in our Sponsor Highlight section of the newsletter) which enabled us to make the event free to all kids and families. Eliminating cost, communicating in multiple languages, providing an ASL interpreter for all on-stage performances, and offering free transportation are all part of our commitment to making CelebratED accessible to everyone in Manchester.

 Onward to planning State of Manchester School District 2024-2025 and CelebratED 2024!

Manchester Proud speaks passionately about the “making of great schools”. It is the core of our mission. It is who we are. However, in the 21 st century, making “great” schools, schools that support and enable all of our students to succeed, is really hard work.

During our years of partnership with the Manchester School District, we have seen firsthand the challenges of bridging barriers of language, culture, poverty, and sometimes traumatized behavior to make learning accessible to our students. We’ve witnessed staffing shortages, scarcity of resources, and facilities in need of modernization.

So, when progress is made in spite of these challenges, we owe it to our school leaders, staff, students, families, and ourselves to express and share the joy of success! Success breeds success, and by
acknowledging achievement we nourish the optimism that sustains us through challenges and inspires continued progress.

The start of a promising new school year is a time of joy. A time for gratitude and celebration. A time to launch the pursuit of bigger dreams and new goals. All of which is the purpose of CelebratED, our community’s annual celebration of Manchester’s public schools.

Please mark your calendars and join us for this year’s celebrations:
September 21 st – State of the Manchester School District at the REX Theater. Doors open at 3:45 pm, program from 4:15-5:30 pm. Come hear Dr. Gillis’ goals for the 23-24 school year and ask questions.

September 23 rd – Our third annual CelebratED festival in Veteran’s Park. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. A day of
free food, books, activities, and student performances. Experience Manchester’s growing pride in the accomplishments of our students and schools.

Bring your family and friends. Share in the joy and be prepared to cheer!

On July 12, 2023, Manchester Proud held its fifth annual meeting. Each year we find ourselves with more to celebrate, and this year was no exception. Dr. Gillis provided an inspiring summary of her recent report to the Board of School Committee, demonstrating progress across all three goals of the strategic plan: Grow our Learners, Educators, and System. Also, among the meeting’s highlights was the welcoming of ten new members to our Champion’s Council. All are extraordinary new talents that boost our capacity to seize the opportunities ahead.

The second half of the meeting brought the Council together to explore possibilities for the continuation and growth of Manchester Proud’s work. Prior to the meeting, we consulted with Superintendent Gillis to identify opportunities for ongoing and new partnerships between Manchester Proud and the District. The four most promising became topics of group and breakout discussions at the annual meeting:

Topic 1: Community Awareness and Family Engagement to Support Student Success

How might we better enable students and families to share their needs/concerns/suggestions and problem-solve with the District?

Topic 2: Integrated School-Based Supports for the Health and Wellbeing of Students and Families:

How might we facilitate partnerships to promote improved communications, access, and more equitable distribution of community services and resources?

Topic 3: Partnerships for Pathways to Postsecondary Education and Careers:

What are the next steps in our development of business partnerships to create career pathways for our students and promote a thriving workforce for our community?

Topic 4: Resource Development and Fundraising to Support Initiatives:

What resources will be needed to implement our initiatives and realize our goals for our students and schools?

The Council will reconvene for a dedicated strategic planning session on August 9th, when these and other potential initiatives will be probed more deeply. While our core mission remains sharply focused on the making of exceptional public schools, the ways and means of our work continue to evolve – as they should! For Manchester Proud to be most impactful in its partnerships with the Manchester School District, we must acknowledge the long-term nature of our work, continue to learn as we go and adapt to emerging needs and opportunities.

ONWARD!

Dear Friends of Manchester Proud:

Nearly six years into our work, now is the time to take stock of Manchester Proud’s accomplishments and, as our name suggests, share some pride in the positive impacts of our partnership with the Manchester School District. The District’s community-driven, Manchester Proud facilitated, strategic plan is now embedded in the daily programs and operations of our schools, providing the sense of purpose and focused direction needed for sustainable progress.  And since the plan’s adoption, Manchester Proud and the District have strengthened our partnership, working together to create opportunities for our students, optimize community-school resources, and build community engagement. 

All the while, as we have been working with our partners, we have also been building our own internal capacity for ever greater success.  Our Council has thoughtfully refined our organizational model to bring more voices to the shaping of our strategies and initiatives. We have brought on key staff, where needed to boost our essential work in school-community partnerships and community communications.  And, we are currently on-boarding ten new Champion’s Council members to enhance our leadership’s skills, insights, and community representation.

Manchester Proud’s demonstrated commitment to the success of our students and schools, coupled with the growing strength of our team, make this the ideal time to plan for our future.  Toward that end, our Council is preparing our own strategic planning sessions for this fall. They will assess the efficacy of our current work and explore most promising opportunities for future partnerships with the community and District.

At a more personal level, I have made the Council aware that, while this work will forever remain important to me, a succession plan is needed to ensure Manchester Proud’s continued day-to-day leadership and management.  Following thoughtful deliberation, the Council has voted to conduct a search for a part-time Coordinator.  Once onboard, our new Coordinator will assume many of my responsibilities, while others will be assigned to our fabulous staff or Council leadership.  All of this will take place over months to ensure a smooth transition, following which I will remain on the Council and engaged in our Work Groups. 

It is notable that Manchester Proud remains committed to preserving our traditions of volunteerism and resource optimization.  Following the hiring of our part-time Coordinator, the Manchester Proud team will consist of merely two full-time equivalent employees, supporting the good work of several hundred dedicated volunteers!

Thank you for making all of this possible. Together we continue ONWARD toward our goal of exceptional public schools for all of the people of Manchester!

Very Truly Yours,

Barry Brensinger, Manchester Proud Coordinator

What began in 2017 as a wondering about how to better engage community in our public schools has led to a community-driven strategic plan and a host of enabling community partnerships. Manchester Proud’s core purpose of facilitating systemic change has yielded considerable progress, notwithstanding that much remains to be done.

All the while, as we have pursued our mission and supported our partners in the Manchester School District, we have also been building our own capacity for ongoing and future success. To ensure that our efforts are always relevant and impactful: Our Council and Work Group model, uniquely structured to promote volunteerism, has been strengthened to more effectively employ the talents, experiences, and resource of our generous supporters; We have brought on key staff (1.5 paid positions), where needed to boost our essential work in school-community partnerships and community communications; And, we are currently on-ramping ten new Champion’s Council members to enhance our leadership’s skills, insights, and community representation.

Today, Manchester Proud’s combination of performance-based credibility and expanded capacity sets the stage for the exploration of next level opportunities. As supporters, you should know that we are currently examining our organizational model to ensure continued leadership development and focus on initiatives that drive high-level change. We will also be spending our summer fully on-boarding our new Council members and preparing for late summer strategic planning sessions of our own! Thank you for making all of this possible. Know that we’re here today, striving to earn your confidence and valued support – and we’ll be here tomorrow, continuing to partner with our friends at the Manchester School District to make our public schools truly exceptional.

Manchester Proud is adding new members to our Champion’s Council to expand capacity and increase community representation.  Our Champion’s Council governs the mission and work of Manchester Proud and members also serve on various Work Groups. Several current Council members are nearing the end of their terms, making this the right time to solicit new members through an open community application process. Our Membership and Equity Work Group prepared an assessment of Council skills and needs to guide the review and selection of applicants.

Upon receipt of applications, candidates’ names were removed before distribution to the selection committee, making the process as fair and objective as possible. About the application and selection process, Kathleen Cook, Facilitator of the Membership Work Group describes, “It was inspiring to see how dedicated people are to the community, schools, and students”.

A vote of the Council took place in early April to elect the new members. New members have been notified of their acceptance. Now, new Council members will participate in an onboarding process to ensure they are fully aware of the mission, values, and operations of Manchester Proud.

Going forward, Manchester Proud intends to issue an annual request for potential new Council members’ applications. Kathleen Cook says, “Community involvement is needed and wanted, it’s about a balance of personal experiences and professional skill sets”.

We welcome Natalie Barney (Access Coordinator, New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance), Antonio Feliciano (Director of Operations, Manchester Boys & Girls Club), Peter Gustafson (Deputy Director, SEE Science Center), Chau Ngo (ED.M Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education), Michael Quigley (Director Office of Youth Services, City of Manchester), David Rogers (Chief Development Officer, DEKA), Maria Severn (Child Intake Coordinator, Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester), Scott Spradling (Media & Communications Consultant), Steve Thiel (Assistant Vice President Community Impact, Southern NH University), and Jamanae White (New York Life Insurance) to the council!

These new members join Katie LaBranche (Title 1 Reading Supervisor, Manchester School District), Sandra Almonte (Owner, Don Quijote Restaurant), Donna Crook (Director of Accountability and Research, Southern NH University;  Data Analyst Manchester School District), Mike Delaney (Principal, McLane Middleton Law Firm), Robert Baines (Former Manchester Mayor and High School Principal), Kathy Cook (Former Director, Bean Foundation), Dr. Jennifer Gillis (Superintendent, Manchester School District), Heather McGrail (Chief Executive Officer, Greater Manchester Chamber), Mark Mulcahy (Principal, Keller Williams Realty), Pawn Nitichan (Executive Director, City Year New Hampshire), Donna Papanikolau (English Learner Teacher, Manchester School District), Tina Philibotte (Chief Equity Officer, Manchester School District), Tina Proulx (Middle School Curriculum Director, Manchester School District), and Andrew Toland (Chief of Staff, Manchester School District). 

Manchester Proud has recently begun the process of adding to our Champion’s Council to expand capacity and increase community representation.  Our Champion’s Council governs the mission and work of Manchester Proud and members also serve on various Work Groups. Several current Council members are nearing the end of their terms, making this the right time to solicit new members through an open community application process. Our Membership and Equity Work Group prepared an assessment of Council skills and needs to guide the review and selection of applicants..

Upon receipt of applications, candidates’ names were removed before distribution to the selection committee, making the process as fair and objective as possible. About the application and selection process, Kathleen Cook, Facilitator of the Membership Work Group describes, “It was inspiring to see how dedicated people are to the community, schools, and students”.

A vote of the Council will take place in April to elect the new members, who will be announced by May 1, 2023. From there, new Council members will go through an onboarding process to ensure they are fully aware of the mission, values, and operations of Manchester Proud.

Going forward, Manchester Proud intends to issue an annual request for potential new Council members’ applications. Kathleen Cook says, “Community involvement is needed and wanted, it’s about a balance of personal and professional skill sets”.

Many of us have vivid memories of February 20, 2020, the evening our Board of School Committee adopted “Our Community’s Plan For Manchester’s Future of Learning” as the Manchester School District’s strategic plan.  That night, the seats were filled in Memorial High’s auditorium and the air was teeming with optimism and purpose. Testimony was overwhelmingly positive, affirming the work of the Community Planning Group – with one exception.  Some wanted to know why the plan did not address facilities.

Long before that big night, many understood that Manchester School District’s facilities were in need of substantial modernization.  Several of our schools are among the oldest in the state, some approaching functional obsolescence.

In response to questioning, the first and only to-date addendum to the strategic plan was issued just two days later. It began by calling out the physical state of our schools:

“Recent studies conducted by MSD confirm the inefficient use of space in many of our current schools.  Additionally, some facilities are antiquated, with dated infrastructures and limited technologies.”

Then, it went on to highlight potential:

 “Modernized schools could complement and enhance learning, serve as multi-purpose centers of community, and be powerful symbols of our commitment to education and sources of community spirit and pride.” 

And concluded by framing the conditions needed to launch a compelling facilities plan:

“A comprehensive system-wide facilities assessment is a worthy undertaking in the near future.  However, it was intentionally excluded from this plan because:

• A legitimate facilities plan could be similar in scope and time to the work of this strategic plan.  Such plans are typically beyond the scope of strategic plans.
• Facilities plans customarily follow the adoption of effective strategic plans.  This is logical because facilities must be programmed and designed to support the District’s strategic objectives.
• Perhaps most importantly, while new facilities are a valid aspirational goal, we believe that now is not quite the appropriate time for their development.  As evidenced throughout this plan, there is much foundational work to be done to improve our schools and optimize our system, laying the groundwork for appropriate facilities investments.”

Three years into the strategic plan, these essential conditions have been met and NOW is the time to address the places, buildings and sites, we call “school”.  Thanks to the efforts of our District’s leaders, teachers, staff, and community partners significant progress has been made.  Many initiatives of the strategic plan are well underway and the District is positioned for the next critical step – the creation of a facilities plan that mirrors the strategic plan and is equally aspirational and achievable.

The planning process for reimagining our schools has begun and the District has thoughtfully included opportunities for community engagement. It is so important that everyone participate and help shape the schools that will substantially define our community for decades to come.

Together we can explore and discover best answers to formative questions, such as:

• How do we optimize our schools and system for economies of right-sizing and resource optimization?
• How can teaching and learning be enhanced by spaces, equipment, and technologies that enable and inspire our students, teachers, and staff?
• How can our schools better serve families and the broader community as centers of gathering, sharing, and access to information and services?
• How will our schools reflect our collective vision and values and instill ever greater pride in the people and place of Manchester?

As demonstrated by our community’s strategic planning process, best plans are formed by the minds of many.  And, what could be more rewarding (and fun!) than working together to reimagine and shape the schools of our future?

Now is the time to show up!

Manchester Proud (MP) announces the hiring of a new Community Communications Coordinator, Lauren Boisvert. The creation of the position of Community Communications Coordinator reflects Manchester Proud’s determination to promote understanding and build community engagement in the making of great public schools. Manchester Proud will now be able to boost its communications partnership with the Manchester School District, sharing timely news and stories of the progress being made in our City’s schools. 

“Having Lauren on our team will now enable us to develop a more inclusive and responsive approach to communications.  Our ultimate goal is to create a community-wide network of communications that supports connectivity with all of Manchester’s students and families”, said Barry Brensinger, Manchester Proud’s Coordinator.

Lauren is a local resident of Manchester, NH, and a graduate of the Manchester School District. She brings experience in both Graphic Design and Education to Manchester Proud (MP). Lauren began her work with the Manchester School District in 2014 through the Granite YMCA’s School’s Out Program (SOP) and continued on through several other capacities. Lauren is thrilled that her experience has led her back to the district. 

“I am honored to be part of the mission of Manchester Proud to help support the amazing things happening in the Manchester School District.” said Lauren, “Being a graduate of the Manchester School District, I strongly believe in the work that the district is doing and am excited to help amplify and support that work!”

Responsibilities of the Community Communication Coordinator will include maintaining the Manchester Proud website and social media, sending out email newsletters, producing recognition for donors and community partners, serving as media relations support, and creating event graphics and promotional materials.

Great progress, the kind that reshapes our lives, often begins with bold imagination.  Edison imagined safely lighting the darkness of night (1879).  The Wright brothers studied the flight of birds, with curiosity and imagination (1903).  Engineers at Bell Labs imagined portable, hand-held telephones, and now we have 15 billion mobile devices around the world (1946).  In Manchester’s Millyard, scientists are imagining a day when damaged and diseased human organs can be readily replaced by healthy “printed” tissue – a brave new world indeed!

Four years ago, in 2018, under the banner of Manchester Proud, groups of parents, educators, students, and community leaders canvassed Manchester wearing T-shirts imprinted with the words “Talk to me about school!”.  Their objective was to promote public awareness and exploration of the essential role of our public schools in the wellness and prosperity of our city. These proud supporters of our schools encouraged everyone in Manchester to imagine a future where:  All of our children are encouraged, supported, and provided with the skills and opportunities needed to flourish; our educators and school staff are valued, respected, and enabled to do their best work; and, education is treasured as the currency of our future success.

Today, these imaginings are on their way to reality.  Although sometimes obscured by the impacts of the pandemic and other challenges of contemporary life, the progress being made in the Manchester School District is profound.  As expressed by our Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Gillis, in her recent State of the Manchester School District presentation, fundamental change in our schools is being enabled by greater engagement, collaboration, and trust across the district.  This change is inspired and guided by the clear goals embodied in the district’s community-driven strategic plan: “Our Community’s Plan for Manchester’s Future of Learning: Excellence and Equity for ALL Learners.”

A sampling of current change, upon which future greatness is being built, includes:

• District-wide focus on student-centered, student-driven learning – Adding relevancy to learning and enabling students to discover and define their pathways to success.
• Using the strategic plan’s Portrait of a Graduate, the attributes our educators and community believe to be essential to student success, to shape curriculum and define competencies.
• Hiring a Chief Equity Officer and establishing equity as a foundational principle – Creating a district where every student is valued and provided with the supports and opportunities needed to succeed.
• Developing a coordinated, district-wide network of Extended Learning Opportunities – Allowing our students to explore career pathways through real world experiences.
• Empowering our educators with more robust and strategically aligned professional development opportunities and the establishment of Shared Learning Communities.
• Building school “community” through enhanced communications with students and families, led by the district’s Director of Communications and boosted by collaborations with Manchester Proud and the Greater Manchester Chamber.
• Creation of a School-Community Partnership Network, managed by our Community Partnerships Coordinator (Manchester Proud’s first paid staff), which is fostering and coordinating the work of dozens of community organizations to optimize resources for our students and schools.
• Launching of The Compass, manchesterproudcompass.org, a community portal with user-friendly access to programs for: Out-of-school activities, health and mental health, career pathways, educator professional development, basic needs, early childhood, and more.
• Adding student voice to our Board of School Committee and streamlining board structures for efficiency and sharper focus on policies that support student learning.
• Directed attention to more competitive educator and staff recruitment and retention, yielding 250 new employees this school year and moving us toward greater diversity among our educators.
• Substantial investment in new instructional technologies, including interactive touch-screen panels in all classrooms and computers with internet access for our students and families.

All of this progress and much more is happening in large measure because of the Manchester School District’s passion for realizing the potential in each and every one of our students.  Passion made actionable by determined implementation of a compelling strategic plan.

Although it will take time, the transformation that began with Manchester’s imaginings of exceptional public schools will continue to progress and shape better futures for all of us.  The indicators of positive change are palpable. Tune into the happenings of the Manchester School District and you will experience ever greater commonality of purpose among our district’s leadership and staff, growing sense of accomplishment, and rising confidence.  And, today’s progress will beget more progress and deeper community-wide pride in our students and schools as we move forward – together.  All of which will inspire the people of Manchester to raise their expectations, imagine, and enjoy ever bolder achievements with our students and schools in the years ahead.

Come one and all to Manchester’s second annual festival of our public schools and community: CelebratED MHT!, presented by USI Insurance Services. The festivities will roll out on September 17th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Manchester, NH.

It’s time to welcome back our students, families, teachers, and staff – and to launch a new school year filled with joy and promise.

It’s time to recognize the accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff – and the diversity of talents and opportunities that is the Manchester School District.
It’s time to have fun! – to bring our community together for a day of unity and celebration.

The Manchester School District, Manchester Proud, and more than 30 city departments and organizations have joined forces to present a city-wide festival, celebrating Manchester’s public schools and community.

The festival will be FREE to ALL and include:

• LIVE performances by the Akwaabe Ensemble, Barranquillo Flavor, Manchester High School Marching Bands, Manchester School Choirs, The
  Freese Brothers Big Band with Alli Beaudry, Aaron Tolson Speaking in Taps, and more
• FREE food for all kids and families
• FREE books for all Manchester School District students, with book readings by City Year throughout the day
• Visits by our kids’ favorite comic book characters and Fungo, the Fisher Cats’ mascot, who will be giving away free tickets to the evening’s home baseball gam
• Kids, activities throughout the day, including Manchester Police and Fire demonstrations, robotics competition, student art show, sidewalk chalk drawing, games, dance lessons and more

FREE school bus transportation will be available to and from the event, with hourly pick-up and drop-off between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm on the following routes:

• Starting at Parkside Middle School, to West High School at the corner of McGregor & Hecker Street, to Veterans’ Memorial Park
• Starting at Elmwood Gardens, to Beech Street Elementary School, to Veterans’ Memorial Park

CelebratED MHT! A festival to celebrate public schools and community at Veteran’s Memorial Park on September 17th!

Visit: ManchesterProud.org/Celebrated for additional information.