Learn about recent news and upcoming events

Three of the high schools in Manchester are scheduled to host open house events from incoming students and families. Below is a list of events happening at each School. Central High School Class of 2023 Open House Night Thursday, March 7, 2019 6:00 pm- - 8:30 pm West High School Freshmen Open House Tue, March 12, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Memorial High School Class of 2023 Open House Tuesday, March 5, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Parent Course Selection Information Night Monday, March 11, 2019 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

Manchester's elementary schools will be accepting registrations for kindergarten and new first grade students in April.  Students currently attending MSD's pre-school programs do not have to register for kindergarten at their neighborhood school ; those records will be transferred.  Not sure which is your neighborhood school?  Find it HERE . The dates and times for children and parents to register in person at each school are listed on the   Manchester School District Website . Please note that one evening date and time has been scheduled, and students across the city can register there, regardless of their home school. Teachers will be on hand during daytime hours to give your child a literacy screening, which is a simple tool that asks your child to complete some kindergarten and first grade level tasks.  No appointment is necessary.  The required forms are available for download .  Filling them out before your registra...

Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration Dates Announced Manchester’s elementary schools will be accepting registrations for kindergarten and new first grade students in April.  Students currently attending MSD’s pre-school programs do not have to register for kindergarten at their neighborhood school ; those records will be transferred.  Not sure which is your neighborhood school?  Find it HERE . The dates and times for children and parents to register in person at each school are listed on the   Manchester School District Website . Please note that one evening date and time has been scheduled, and students across the city can register there, regardless of their home school. Teachers will be on hand during daytime hours to give your child a literacy screening, which is a simple tool that asks your child to complete some kindergarten and first grade level tasks.  No appointment is necessary.  The required forms ar...

On January 31, 2019 Andru Volinsky and John Tobin came to Memorial High School to share their Ed Funding 101 presentation. You can view the presentation here .

Thank you to the City of Manchester Library trustees for allowing teens ages 12-17 to get library cards without parent permission.   Also, a big thank you to City of Manchester Teen Librarian Alex Graves and MST Teacher Jillian Corey who worked very hard for this change to take place. All students ages 12-17 need is a photo ID, proof of school enrollment, or school ID.

West High School student chosen for $25,000 scholarship Lily Rousseau, a Manchester High School West student, is among 106 recipients of the prestigious 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship.  Read the Union Leade r article about Lily and the scholarship she has been awarded here . 

Superintendent Bolgen Vargas has named Sarah Jacobs, to the role of Acting Communications Coordinator for the District, effective immediately. In this role, Jacobs will apply her relationship building expertise, communications and project management skills and her community focused approach to provide communications leadership for the District. “District communications, Vargas said in a statement, “is a very important function.  Ms. Jacobs expertise in this area will be tremendously valuable.”   Jacobs bring with her more than twenty years of experience in education and community engagement.  Most recently she served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at UNH Manchester, where she focused on partnership development and community initiatives. She is a graduate of Northeastern University and Fitchburg State University and is actively involved in the NH community serving on various boards of directors, advisory boards and committees. “Having partnered with ...

Manchester City Library staff and trustees and Mayor Joyce Craig announced all Manchester public libraries will eliminate overdue fines on children’s and young adult collections, starting October 1. “With this move, we can truly say any child in our community can afford to check out a book at our libraries,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “The libraries in Manchester are much more than a collection of books — they’re pivotal centers of our community. No child should be unable to engage in learning because of their family’s income level.” The decision to eliminate overdue fines is part of a growing national trend in library policies to promote reading. Manchester library staff also noticed there was an issue once they held discussions with families who said they hadn’t been to a library in years due to their inability to pay late fees. “We’ve recently begun working more closely with the Manchester School District, and we realized we needed books to be as accessible as they can be to ou...

When New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu today recognized New Hampshire Jobs for America’s Graduates (NH-JAG) for its growth and outstanding student outcomes, he was not just talking numbers.  He was talking people. While NH-JAG surpassing five of five performance outcomes, including achieving a 100% graduation rate for the Class of 2017, is extremely impressive, it is the youth behind those numbers that represent the true success, according to the Governor.   NH Governor Chris Sununu, JAG President and CEO Ken  Smith and NH-JAG in school staff member Amy Darrigo  at the "5of5" awards celebration.  Juliette Gonzalez participated in the JAG program at Manchester West High School and went on to obtain her LNA before attending Southern New Hampshire University to study healthcare administration. She is currently employed at Catholic Medical Center and plans to return to school in the future to obtain her Master of Public Health degree. “Th...

Local politicians, school district officials, and educators joined Associated Builders and Contractors of New Hampshire/Vermont (ABC) and its Young Professionals Group as they delivered a $2,000 donation, in addition to commitments from local companies, to help support the Middle School at Parkside’s new careers in construction exploration program. “We are delighted to deliver this money and industry support to the school,” said Joshua Reap, President of ABC. “And the investment is more than just this check. Our contractors will invest materials to give the students projects and dozens of hours from their skilled workforce to teach the kids what a career in construction looks like.” “For ABC, this is an investment in our community to create a better tomorrow,” added Reap. According to ABC research, over 500,000 construction jobs need to be filled across the country. This need led Manchester Board of School Committee member and local construction executive Jimmy Lehoux to push ...

Communities across the country -- including Manchester -- are organizing events that bring together immigrants, refugees and native-born residents to promote cross-cultural awareness and unity.  All events below are free and open to the public. Many of our English learners are participating in various ways, including poetry readings and art displays at Jupiter Hall next Tuesday.

Good evening to our students, families and staff at Central High School: The entire Central High community is to be commended for its extraordinary cooperation and collaboration during the unfortunate incident on Friday, September 7, 2018. It is important to acknowledge that our students’ character and resilience was tested during a prolonged difficult situation, and they more than exceeded expectations. For that, I thank them, their parents and the teachers who facilitated a safe and calm response to a challenging situation.  I appreciate the exemplary dedication of our teachers, staff and the administrative team, lead by Principal Vaccarezza, in addition to the Manchester Police Department, lead by Police Chief Capano, the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), Easter Seals Special Transit Services (STS), Manchester School District Food Services, and the administrators from across our district who contributed to the efforts needed during the secure campus at Centra...

Superintendent of Schools Bolgen Vargas has named Christopher MacDonald the next principal of Hallsville Elementary School. Manchester’s Board of School Committee approved MacDonald’s nomination at this week’s meeting. MacDonald moves into his new position from Northwest Elementary School in Manchester, where he was assistant principal since 2008.  His career in education also includes eight years teaching third and fourth grades in Hooksett. “While they differ in size, Northwest and Hallsville have many similarities as neighborhood schools committed to the success of all students,” said MacDonald. “I am excited to get to know Hallsville staff, students and families and lead them in their continued efforts toward high achievement.” “Mr. MacDonald will be a terrific asset to the Hallsville community,” Dr. Vargas said. “His leadership experience and commitment to excellence will help students reach their highest potential.” MacDonald succeeds Bonnie Skogsholm, who retired a...