Middle School Happenings

Manchester-Essex Regional Middle School (April 2025)

Health, Wellness & Safety

Mr. Ricci-Munn collaborated with the Manchester Fire Department to organize a safety presentation for all middle school students during one of our April half days. Captain Robert Cavender was joined by fire fighter/paramedics, Josiah Peters and Mike Going. The team presented basic concepts and did demonstrations of CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Students were encouraged to pursue formal training. Please consider talking with your student about what they learned that day.

Microphones, Music & Drama

Our third annual Music Honor Society open mic event was a fun night! There were both rehearsed and impromptu acts, including an appearance by Band Director, Mr. Wagg! Students in the Drama Club also recently attended a performance of As You Like it, which was inspiring for our Middle School Dramafest team, who is working on a Shakespeare-themed show. Thank you Mr. Icenogle, Mr. Wagg, and Ms. Garofolo for creating these wonderful opportunities for our students!

Spring is in the air!

Students in our multi-grade classroom are making use of our beautiful garden beds. Here, students are showing off mustard greens they harvested and fresh bread they made -- an excellent afternoon ME Block snack!

Final Math Meet Update

The Manchester Essex Middle School Math Team had its final meet of the season at Masconomet Middle School. Mr. Stefanek and Mr. Schlegel are VERY proud of our graduating 8th graders who played SO well the past three years!

Ending her brilliant Math Meet career in style, with 16 points, was 8th grader Maya Khan. Way to go Maya! Also, with memorable finishes in their final meet, are 8th graders, Sophie Li and Mario Zanetti, with 14 points. Arion Stremple and Freddy Jakes scored 12 points, and Nate Chamberlain and Owen Gaudet scored 10 points.

The future looks bright for 7th grader, Aviva Hocherman, who completed a tremendous season with 16 points! Other standout performances for Grade 7 included Dante Bruno, who scored 14 points, along with Rhys Goodchild and Ava Porter who each scored 12 points.

Special thanks to 6th grader, Harry Larabell, and 7th grader, Evelyn Rodi, for stepping up last-minute to play as regulars. Thanks to all for a successful season!

Eighth grade students, best of luck in high school. Don't forget to check out the High School Math Team! Sixth and seventh grade students, we need YOU for Meets next year. More information will be available in September. Go Hornets!!

Civic Simulations

In Civics, students participated in a historical simulation of a lodge meeting of Prince Hall’s lodge in 1787. Prince Hall was an important Massachusetts historical figure who fought for the end of slavery in Massachusetts. Students took on the role of a lodge member to argue for supporting one of two petitions that Hall brought to the lodge.

Engineering & Structural Soundness

Seventh grade students finished their unit on natural hazards by designing buildings to withstand an earthquake! Using only coffee straws and mini marshmallows, students designed buildings with height requirements of 6 inches. After designs were complete, students tested the structural soundness of their buildings by using a shake table. Next, they gathered data and adapted designs, as necessary, so their buildings could withstand the shake!

Cosplay Connections

Students in sixth grade recently finished their fourth DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In addition to teaching about the hero's journey, Mrs. Whittredge leverages characters and themes in this novel as part of her unit on world building. Students celebrate the story by dressing up in Harry Potter style costumes.