OneManchester
Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024
WORTH PONDERING: If you get paid by the month, does that mean you are essentially working today for free? Likewise, if you pay rent monthly, are you living free for today? Such are the questions that come up on Leap Day, which occurs every four years because the earth takes 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds to circle the sun. Tacking on an extra day every fourth year keeps the calendar calibrated. Looking ahead, March is Women’s History Month and throughout the district there will be increased emphasis on highlighting the many contributions made by women throughout history.
All year long we’ve been sharing stories in our ‘Humans of Manchester’ gallery of students who exemplify the best of MPS -- but we've focused mostly on high schoolers. That's changing and for the rest of the year we will be introducing some younger students, as well ...
'The Pulse'
MHS broadcast journalists have released a few more editions of their award-winning news magazine and you can find them here.
News and Notes
Monday's Board of Ed meeting included a presentation on Career and Technical Education initiatives in the district. You can see a replay here. The next meeting is scheduled for March 11 at Waddell School with a Waddell update on the agenda.
Also
- The Student Equity Advisory Team at MHS is selling merchandise featuring the slogan "Ignite Change, Love Worldwide", a phrase that embodies the work they do in the community and what they want the community to embrace. Check out this flier and to learn how to order click here.
- Project Graduation has a fundraiser at Ben & Jerry's in Evergreen Walk. It's March 7 from 4-9 p.m. and 10% of proceeds will benefit project graduation class of 2024. Here's the flier.
- The MHS Music Department's fundraiser at Elicit Brewery will be held on March 8 from 3:30- 6:30 p.m..
- Project Graduation is looking for volunteers to lead a few committees during the 2024-25 school year. Click for information.
Mental Health Survey
Parents and caregivers of high school students: UConn is researching "Perceptions of Adolescent Social Media and Technology Use and Mental Health in Connecticut Public Schools." The study consists of a 90-minute virtual focus group discussion that will be held Monday, March 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. and there's more information here.
Making A Difference
Manchester High alumni who are making their mark in the world of sports include Ashleigh Clare-Kearney (class of 2004) and Emmanuel “Manny” Caicedo (2013) and we have their stories here.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, Feb. 29
10:30 - 11:15 a.m -- Shake, Rattle & Roll at Mary Cheney Library.
12:30 - 5:30 p.m. -- Red Cross blood drive at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Pajama Storytime for 2-5 year-olds at Mary Cheney Library.
7 p.m. -- Psychic Medium Patricia Griffin at CAST Children's Theatre, 113 Summit St.
Friday, March 1
10 a.m. -- Preschool Playgroup at Mary Cheney Library.
6 p.m. -- Free movie night at Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce St.
7 p.m. -- Evenings@7: Meet and Greet at Cheney Hall.
Saturday, March 2
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- BSA Troop 123 can & bottle fundraiser at Concordia Lutheran Church, 40 Pitkin St.
10 a.m. - noon -- Polish food sale at St.John's Polish Church, 23 Golway St.
Noon - 4:30 p.m. -- Silk City Board Group at Mary Cheney Library.
Monday, March 4
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. -- Cruise into a Good Book for ages 2-5
10:30 - 11 a.m. -- Painting Pals for ages 2-5 at Whiton Library.
6:30 p.m. -- Connecticut Cryptids at Mary Cheney Library.
Tuesday, March 5
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. -- FY25 Budget Presentation to the Board of Directors at Lincoln Center.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. -- Teen Crafternoon at Mary Cheney Library
8 - 9 a.m. -- Business Link: Collaboration & Coffee at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.
6 - 7 p.m. -- Manchester Youth Commision meeting at Lincoln Center.
7 p.m. -- BoD meeting at Lincoln Center.
Wednesday, March 6
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Expressionism & Conceptualism in Abstract workshop at Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Turnpike.
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. -- FY25 Budget Workshop at Lincoln Center.
6 - 7:30 p.m. -- Teen Game Night at Mary Cheney Library.
6:30 - 8 p.m. -- Vermiculture - Composting with Worms at Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce St.
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- East Side Neighborhood Block Watch meeting at 153 Spruce St.
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- BSA Troop 25 new scout meeting at Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St.
Also:
The town will be holding open houses for public feedback regarding the Downtown Manchester Improvement Project at WORK_SPACE on March 7 and 12. Click here for more info.
The Blank Canvas: Unboxed art exhibit at WORK_SPACE runs through April 5. Click here for the schedule and info on W_S programming.
Down the Road
A free in-person 8-week parent program focusing on dads starts on March 4 and you can learn more by clicking here.
The Manchester Antique and Collectibles Show returns to Second Congregational Church at 385 North Main St. on March 15 and 16. Click here for details.
YSB and MADD collaborate to present The Power of You(th) on March 21 at 63 Linden St.
Manchester High’s Sock N Buskin will present Mama Mia! at Bailey Auditorium March 21-23.
MARC, Inc’s Bowl-A-Thon will happen at Hall of Fame Silver Lanes East Hartford on March 24.
MHS Project Graduation is holding a comedy fundraiser at the Elks Club on April 4. Click here for details.
The 32nd Rebuilding Together Manchester will be on April 27. Click here for details.
Youth Service Bureau
'The Power of You(th)' is March 21
- This program will provide research-based information for youth on the dangers of underage drinking and other drug use. Here's the flier.
The MHS girls basketball season, and the high school careers of (from left) Tiara Tyson, Mia Gilbert and Elise Ryan, ended Monday night at Norwich Free Academy in the first round of the CIAC LL tournament. The MHS boys went 1-1 in the CCC tournament and are the #1 seed in the Division II tournament that starts on Monday. The Red Hawks (19-3) earned a first round bye and will host the winner of the Hamden vs. RHAM game on Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m.
ALSO:
- The Manchester Pop Warner Red Hawks Football & Cheer program is offering a speed and agility training on Saturdays. Click here for info.
- Manchester Soccer Club's spring travel teams are forming now with a March 2 deadline. Click here for more info.
- Park's Taekwondo has training classes and an after school program and there are more details here.
Author Cassandra Hamer (ABCs of Design) was the guest speaker at Buckley Elementary School's second annual Black History Month assembly Wednesday afternoon, then turned the program over to students who talked about famous Black and Brown inventors, activists, athletes and musicians.
- NOTE: OneManchester is compiled by the school district's communications office but is dependent on contributions from people and institutions throughout the town and school district. So if you have something that you think people would want to know about, please let us know. Photos, fliers, links, tips, whatever -- please share with Paul Ofria at pofria@mpspride.org.
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