Learn about recent news and upcoming events

The Board of School Committee has approved Susan Matthews as the next principal of Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School. Matthews comes to the Manchester School District from her position as assistant principal at Hooksett Memorial School and will begin her new post on July 1.  As an instructional leader, Matthews has been dedicated to helping students learn and succeed, and to supporting teachers’ professional growth.  She has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and reading specialist, having worked in those capacities in Hudson and Lowell, MA, for nearly 25 years before becoming the language arts coordinator at Mastricola Elementary School in Merrimack. There, she worked to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment in reading and writing.  “I’m looking forward to working with the faculty at Highland-Goffe’s Falls and helping to shape the way students learn in these critical early years,” said Matthews. “It’s wonderful to see that the school has ...

The school district has announced the start and end times for the school day starting in September.  2014-15 STUDENT TIMES Preschool: Start 9 a/11:30a End 12:30 p/3 p Elementary: Start 8:20 a.m. End 2:35 p.m. Middle Schools: Start  7:35 a.m. End 2:00 p.m. High Schools: Start 7:45 a.m. End 2:42 p.m.

The inaugural STEAM Ahead NH class is set to enter Manchester High School West this fall. Read about the latest developments, including very generous  grants  from our friends at the Bean Foundation. Learn more about the innovative new program for Manchester students at  www.steamaheadnh.com.

MSD is proud to be a sponsoring organization of The Incredible Years training series for parents. The 14-week program is FREE and open to caregivers of children ages 5-12. Parents will learn about parent-child relationship building, positive discipline and rewards, as well as social, emotional and academic development.  CLASSES WILL BE HELD EVERY TUESDAY AT BEECH STREET SCHOOL, STARTING JULY 8, 8:30 am-11:00 am. To register, call Erin at 666-5982 ext. 16

While only the annual rate is being projected right now, preliminary data suggest the district has cut its drop-out numbers almost in half. On June 1, 2013 there were 211 students recorded as having dropped out of the four Manchester high schools, compared to this June’s count of 104 students, or 2.22%. Given the strong correlation between the June 2013 numbers and those in the state’s most recent report, the projection appears to be fairly reliable, though fluctuations are anticipated. The New Hampshire Department of Education’s 2012-2013 drop-out statistics indicate the Manchester School District drop-out rate rose from 3.52% annually to 4.22%, compared to the statewide rate increase from 1.26% to 1.29%. The four-year rate in Manchester increased from 13.35% to 15.84%, while the four-year state average rose from 4.95% to 5.06%. “Our drop-out rate is a challenge. During the 2013-14 school year, we worked diligently to reduce the numbers,” said Dr. Debra Livingston, superintendent ...

New Hampshire Healthy Families, a managed care plan under New Hampshire’s Medicaid Care Management program, sponsored a special health-focused art contest through their Adopt-a-School partnership with Parker Varney Elementary School in Manchester, New Hampshire on Wednesday. More than 100 students in the third and fourth grades participated in the art contest by creating individual portraits of their health, while fifth grade students created a large canvas painting representative of New Hampshire, depicting state animals, trees, plants, insects and notable landmarks that will be displayed in the New Hampshire Healthy Families, Bedford, New Hampshire office. “New Hampshire Healthy Families is pleased to partner with Parker Varney Elementary School and proud of the third, fourth, and fifth graders who created these portraits for display in our Bedford office,” said Scott Westover, executive director of New Hampshire Healthy Families. “All of the students showed great creativity and t...

The Manchester School District, in order to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is convening its annual meeting with representatives of private schools located within the district and with parents of students enrolled in private schools.    The meeting will take place on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the District Offices, located on the second floor at 195 McGregor St. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the needs of students with disabilities who are enrolled in private schools. “Although federal law states that children placed by their parents in private schools have no individual right to special education and related services, the district is required to consult with representatives of all private schools located in the district and with representatives of parents of children with disabilities enrolled in these schools before making final decisions about services that may be offered,” said Karen Burkush, assistan...

  Congratulations to Manchester High School West social studies teacher Tina Mulleavey, who was named a finalist for 2015 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year!  The selection process is a rigorous one. Having been nominated in February, Tina was honored in April with 33 other nominees from around the state by the  NH Department of Education . She then was selected as one of seven semi-finalists, and representatives from the Teacher of the Year committee visited Tina's classroom last month to observe and interview her, her students and colleagues.  There are several more steps to go before the 2015 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year is named in September. That person is eligible to be named 2015 National Teacher of the Year next spring.  Good luck, Tina!

Manchester School District is proud to be featured in an  Education Week  article,  "Taking Competency-Based Learning From Policy to Reality."  Watch for updates on this innovative initiative we're part of!

FOX25 Morning News is Zip Tripping to Manchester on  Friday, June 13!  Students, parents, teachers, staff, and Manchester residents are invited to join the live broadcast at  Livingston Park between 6am and 10am.   Enjoy free munchkins, coffee and free product samples. Everybody  who wants to share their Manchester pride are encouraged to be part of the audience. Special guests and features that celebrate the unique qualities of Manchester will be highlighted. Plus,  there will be a special presentation to Manchester School District by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Features Include: • Taste of the Town: Local restaurants, cafés or bakeries demonstrate savory dishes and sweet treats! • Home Town Team: A salute to a youth or senior team ranging from baseball and soccer to the local running club! • Zip Trip Trivia: VB tries to stump a special guest with town trivia. • Home Town Hero: Meet the local hero who helps out whenever...

Superintendent Debra Livingston has announced that two candidates have been selected as finalists for the principal position at Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School.  Jennifer Gillis, assistant principal at Mountain View Middle School in Goffstown, and Susan Matthews, assistant principal at Hooksett Memorial School, will be at Highland-Goffe’s Falls from 6:00 to 7:15 PM on Monday, June 16, to meet and talk with teachers, staff, parents, and members of the community.  The public is encouraged to attend the event and provide feedback on the candidates. Gillis has more than a decade of experience teaching, mentoring, coaching and advocating for students. She has a strong passion for cultivating positive and safe learning environments. In her current role at Mountain View Middle School, she has cultivated strong partnerships in the community in order to promote student growth and school safety.  Gillis also has served as a special education administrator.  In ...

The staff and students of Henry Wilson Elementary School did not have to look far for their new leader. Kimberly Organek, current principal of Southside Middle School, will succeed Linda Durand, who is retiring from her post at Wilson this month.  “I started my career in education teaching at the elementary level,” said Mrs. Organek. “I’m excited to return to working with younger students and continue the progress Wilson has made in improving student achievement.” Wilson is a Priority School, a designation based on low scores over three years on reading and math NECAP assessment tests.  Priority Schools receive federal funding and resources to support initiatives that address academic improvement.  Mrs. Organek is credited with helping Southside recently meet the criteria to exit Priority School status. She became principal at Southside last fall, having previously served as assistant principal at Cawley Middle School in Hooksett for two years, and Middle S...

Sullivan Award 2014 2014 Manchester High School West graduate Crystalline Reynolds is the first recipient of the Joe Sullivan Creative Writing Award. The award was presented to the senior student who displayed passion and exuberance for creative writing, much like the man for whom the award is named.   Joe Sullivan was an English and creative writing teacher at West for 34 years, from 1968-2002. He passed away last September. Members of the school’s English department chose Reynolds to receive the award in part for her ability to paint a picture that expresses vivid imagery, emotion and complexity.   “She can be witty or serious, ironic or deep,” said teacher Stephanie Silver in her remarks during the award presentation.  “Her choice of words lets you hear, taste and touch every bit of each story and feel for every character she creates. I know that if she and Joe Sullivan had crossed paths here at West, he would have loved having her in his writing class.” ...

A report released by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) suggests that Manchester High School Central has much to be proud of, but there are opportunities to improve. The largest high school in the city received 48 commendations from the accrediting organization, along with 39 recommendations.   Last October, Central hosted a NEASC committee, made up of teachers, principals and central office personnel from other school districts across New England. During the four-day visit, committee members gathered data and observations that support Central’s work in achieving the seven teaching and learning standards as written by NEASC’s Commission on Public Secondary Schools (CPSS).  “Accreditation is a rigorous process,” said Manchester School District superintendent Debra Livingston. “It’s also an extremely helpful way of providing a comprehensive look at enhancing teaching and learning strategies.”  Among the dozens of accolades from the visiting c...

A recent donation from Dunkin’ Donuts is giving teachers a new way to enhance learning at Weston Elementary School. With $15,000, the school purchased 25 classroom media centers, which include a television monitor, Chromebook and Chromecast streaming device.   This is the third school year that Dunkin’ Donuts has stepped forward with a large financial contribution to Weston. For 2012-13, $10,000 paid for personal books for students and 16 new computers for the school. In 2011, $25,000 covered the cost of books and 35 iPads with apps. “Dunkin’ Donuts has been a wonderful community partner for our school,” said Liz MacDonald, principal of Weston Elementary School. “We are grateful for the company’s generosity and the opportunities for learning the donations have given our students.”  The new media center technology allows an entire class to view whatever is displayed on the Chromebook screen. During a science lesson, for instance, the students or teacher can quickly loo...

A generous donation from Dunkin’ Donuts has given teachers a new way to enhance learning at Weston Elementary School in Manchester. With $15,000, the school purchased 25 classroom media centers, which include a television monitor, Chromebook and Chromecast streaming device.  The technology allows an entire class to view whatever is displayed on the Chromebook screen. During a science lesson, for instance, the students or teacher can look up a photo online for all to see on the large monitor.  To thank Dunkin’ Donuts for its contribution to education, staff from Weston will set up a media center at the Hanover Street Dunkin’ Donuts location. You’re invited to see how it works and hear how teachers are using the technology to make a difference in learning every day at the school directly across the street from the store. WHAT: Chromecast media center demonstration WHERE: Dunkin’ Donuts             1037 Hanover Street, Manchester WH...

On Friday, June 6, Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, AutoFair New  Hampshire President Andy Crews, Manchester Schools Superintendent Dr. Debra Livingston, NTB Bank  VP/Retail Market Manager Dallas Lagerquist and New Hampshire Fisher Cats President Rick Brenner  will take the field at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium and award one Manchester High School student with  the 2014 “Make the Grade” grand prize, a 2013 Ford Focus.    “Make The Grade” is a public-private partnership between the City of Manchester, AutoFair, the Fisher  Cats, NTB Bank, and Comcast Spotlight, formed to recognize academic achievements of  Manchester students and enhance community commitment from corporate partners.    The “Make The Grade” Program will award a brand new 2013 Ford Focus to a junior or senior high school  student who has achieved academic excellence by making the Honor Roll, High Honors, or Principals List  in the first, second, or third ...

Tune in to NH Chronicle tonight, June 4th, at 7:00 PM to hear how Hillside Middle School language arts teacher Sue Hannan is using technology in her classroom. Read more:  http://www.wmur.com/new-hampshire-chronicle/wednesday-june-4th-innovative-teacher-sue-hannan/26229112#ixzz33gAICkVc Mrs. Hannan was named a State Winner in the 2014 Samsung  Solve for Tomorrow  contest. Her entry was chosen for its innovative approach to advancing interest in STEM among her students as well as making an impact in the Manchester community. In response to Samsung’s award notification, Mrs. Hannan, stated, “This is a unique opportunity for a Manchester school. We will be collaborating with students, colleagues, parents, community members and the media to create a project that spotlights the salmon release project, and will spotlight the health of the Merrimack River as well. While this will be a very involved project, it will assist students in concentrating their wri...