Summer is drawing to a close, and our preparations are almost
complete, pre-season is in full swing, and the teachers have arrived. We are ready for the students to return!
As we begin a new year,
I would like to thank you for your ongoing support of our students and of our schools.
I encourage you to stay involved. Schools are a part of their
communities and work best when the lines between home and school remain
open. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to
contact your child's teacher, counselor or building Principal. I
welcome and value your input so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need
assistance with an issue.
We are excited for the year ahead, and we are looking
forward to seeing you and the students tomorrow!
Meet the New Faculty
Hiring has been a focus of our summer work. Thanks to the successful override we have been
able to add four new positions (1 MS English/Social Studies Teacher, 1 MS
Math/Science Teacher, 1 HS Biology Teacher, and a Secondary Digital Learning
Specialist). This additional staff will
help us meet our goals of maintaining class size and integrating technology
into every day teaching practice. These new additions, combined with annual
retirements and individuals moving on to new adventures give us 24 new staff members! Last
week we held our annual New Staff Orientation Day, where all new faculty were invited
to spend the morning getting to know the district better. At this
session, we introduce them to the full-year staff, share with them the district
Mission and Vision, and provide them an overview of our expectations for
teaching and learning. I have been incredibly impressed with the level of
professionalism and student-centeredness that our new members have exhibited,
and I am certain they will make our team stronger.
Safe Routes to School
If you’ve driven by the Memorial
School this summer, you’ve noticed that there is an extensive amount of work
being done on the roads and driveway.
This is all part of the Safe Routes to School State Grant Project. The Town of Manchester, in cooperation with
the local Bike and Pedestrian Committee, applied for and won a state grant to
improve sidewalk and road conditions in the area around the Memorial
School. The finished product will be a
great benefit to the schools and town and is no cost to us. The work will be substantially complete by
Wednesday, and there will be no impact to traffic during pick-up and drop-of at
either the Memorial School or the Middle High School.
Elementary Facilities Project Outlook
This April MERSD submitted a Statement of Interest (“SOI”), which is the
first-step in the MSBA’s program for building construction,
addition/renovation, and repair grants.
MSBA grants could offset the project cost by up to 40%. In November we will learn if we have been accepted
into the project “pipeline”. Applications are assessed not
only against a set of standards but also on the basis of need as compared to
other applicants. For more information: Elementary Configuration Task
Force Report & Recommendation
District Calendar
The District Calendar has been
updated and is available in the Quick Links Section of the district and school
homepages. Please note that the last day of school, if all snow days are
used, will be June 23rd; without the use of snow days, we are scheduled for the
last day of school to be June 16th. Should we exceed five snow
days, additional make-up days will be added to the end of the year through June
30th.
How to Stay Informed
MERSD Weekly is a weekly round-up of MERSD school news, sports, and
student activities – the first issue of the year will be out at the end of the
week. The How to Stay Informed & Follow Us Online links are located on the district and
school homepages. This link provides a one page reference of online
resources that will help to keep you informed of school and district events and
activities. We are always working to improve home-school
communications. We hope these resources will be of help in strengthening
the lines of communication.
Upcoming Events
Open Houses
o Essex Elementary: September 10th @
6:00 pm
o Memorial School: September 10th @
6:00 pm
o Middle School: September 16th @
6:30pm
o High School: September 17th @
7:00 pm
· Parent/Student
Athlete Fall Sports Meeting: September 2nd @ 6:30 pm MERMHS
Auditorium.
· SOS
Parent Evening at MERHS: September 21st @
6:30 pm MERMHS Auditorium.
