Author: Lauren Boisvert

In late January, Dr. Jennifer Chmiel Gillis presented the Superintendent’s mid-year progress update to the Board of School Committee. She provided updates on goals aligning with the District’s community-built strategic plan, highlighting progress in the three goal areas: Grow Our Learners, Grow Our Educators, and Grow Our System.

It is particularly notable that the District’s sustained efforts, as highlighted below, are yielding improvements in critical areas such as attendance, literacy, and mathematics. 

Grow our Learners

• Student Engagement in Learning
  • Increased opportunities for student engagement in their learning remain on track. The Dual Language Immersion initiative is underway with professional development and community sessions. Industry Recognized Credentials have increased from one session last school year to 11 so far this school year, and a second vacation camp is set for February. Pathways, aligned with the strategic plan’s profile of a graduate, link school work with college and career readiness. Graduation requirements have been increased to 22.5 credits to challenge and inspire our students. 
• Office of Civil Rights Agreement
  • The District’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Agreement continues toward completion, with only one remaining item.  The District is awaiting OCR’s response to this final submission. 
• Middle School Model
  • Implementation of the Middle School Model continues on track. All four middle schools are in the NELMS (New England League of Middle Schools) work, including trainings. Student schedules continue to be further aligned across all four middle schools, including the course catalog for middle schools. 

Grow our Educators

• Professional Development
  • Providing ongoing, relevant, Professional Development (PD) for all staff continues on track. The District’s Professional Development plan is strategically aligned with goals for Growing our Learners. 
• Hiring
  • Opportunities and systems to diversify and strengthen Manchester School District’s workforce are underway, with a focus on both recruitment and retention. 

Grow Our System

• Alignment of Goals
  • Alignment of all goal sets (strategic plan, district, department, and school ABC – Attendance, Behavior, Curriculum goals) is complete, but continues to be monitored with the Teaching & Learning Committee for curriculum and Student Conduct for attendance and behavior. 
• Long-term Facilities Planning
  • Progress on the Long Term Facilities Project continues on track. Priority one projects are approved and being bonded. Priority two is in motion with the master plan coming for public presentation in late winter/early spring. 
• District Welcome Center
  • Establishing our District Welcome Center, as a one-stop source of information and engagement for students and families,  remains on track as two positions have been posted. The District is working to identify a location that is tied to long-term facilities planning.
• Community Partnerships
  • Expanding and celebrating community partnerships continues on track. Monthly partner meetings to optimize the application of community resources to the needs of our schools are ongoing. Manchester Proud’s Compass continues to be developed and promoted as a gateway to services and programs.

Guided by our capable and dedicated school leaders and staff, supported by our elected officials, and empowered by the will of our community, the Manchester School District is progressing toward our ultimate goal of exceptional public schools for ALL of Manchester.

Save the date and join us at the Rex Theater for the State of MSD 2024-2025 on September 19, 2024, to participate in a live update by Dr. Gillis and our school leaders.

“A Matter of Trust”

Manchester Proud exists to inform and inspire community engagement in the making of exceptional public schools – schools that are a vital source of knowledge, enrichment, and pride for all of Manchester.

Our success in achieving school-community engagement relies upon relationships founded on trust. I can hear the voice of Billy Joel as I write – sometimes it does indeed come down to a “Matter of Trust”. But, in a world broadcasting so much unfounded misinformation and intentionally misleading disinformation, how do we decide who to trust? 

Trust is earned by those who consistently act and speak truthfully and with good intent. They may not always “be right”, but they always strive to “do right”, to advance the greater good. When it comes to matters as critical to Manchester’s future as our public schools, it is essential that our actions be guided by accurate, reliable information. There can be no allowance for misrepresentation. Albert Einstein famously said, “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters”. The people of Manchester expect their leaders to take great care to express and uphold that which is fair and true. 

Manchester Proud works day in and out to earn our community’s trust by grounding our work in facts and speaking truthfully. Our Council and Work Group members all sign-on to our “Champion’s Declaration”, which includes a pledge to perform all duties with:

Integrity – Demonstrating the highest standards of conduct, accountability, trustworthiness, and fairness

Excellence – Striving to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service, and achievement

Honesty – Communicating directly, respectfully, honestly, and openly

Responsibility – Taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions and being a careful steward of the mission and values of Manchester Proud

Undoubtedly, these words are easier said than lived, but we can all try a bit harder. And we must instill in our students the critical thinking needed to discern fact from fiction. Let’s work together to distinguish Manchester as a community that thrives in a culture of trust, founded on Integrity, Excellence, Honesty, and Responsibility.

Blankets of colorful leaves, a bit of a nip in the air, and the resetting of clocks are unmistakable signs that another calendar year will soon pass.  2023 has been a good one for Manchester Proud and with your support we have shared more good news, built new and bolstered ongoing partnerships, and engaged more of Manchester in our mission of making exceptional public schools.

Success breeds success and motivated by the progress of 2023, your Manchester Proud team has already drafted its plan and goals for the new year.  Our work in 2024 will leverage progress to date with our focus sharpened by the collective wisdom of our Champion’s Council and Work Group volunteers. 

Following our tradition of candor and collaboration, here is a window into how we will be investing our time in 2024. It is aligned with the Opportunity Areas explored during our Council’s recent strategic planning sessions.  The time allocations represent estimated percentages of our total staff time to be dedicated to each initiative.  One or more of our staff will be responsible for the management of each initiative: Manchester Proud Director, Community Partnerships Director, and Community Communications Director.

OPPORTUNITY AREA #1: Community Communications and Engagement

OPPORTUNITY AREA #2: School-Community Partnerships and Career Pathways

MANCHESTER PROUD OPERATIONS 

We provide this information to enable our supporters, our community, and ourselves to better understand and oversee the work of Manchester Proud.  Among our observations are:

• Our work is appropriately aligned with Manchester Proud’s Mission – to “Build community engagement and partnerships with the Manchester School District to champion student success and make exceptional public schools.”
• We remain focused on Manchester Proud’s unique role as a community facilitator and resource enabler, driving systemic change in our public schools and community. Change that is producing equity-based programs, services, learning opportunities, and career pathways for our students and families; Change that is aligning and optimizing the application of community resources to the needs of our students; Change that is advancing the organization and efficacy of our school district; Change that is building a culture of pride and engagement in our public schools and community. 

Of course, the above is only representative of our modest staff’s time organizing and leading initiatives.  The real progress of Manchester Proud is made possible by the countless hours volunteered by our Council; partners at MSD and our Board of School Committee; collaborators at Manchester service organizations and businesses; and community supporters.  

Together we continue ONWARD!

Dear Friends of Manchester Proud:

Nearly six years into our work, now is the time to take stock of Manchester Proud’s accomplishments and, as our name suggests, share some pride in the positive impacts of our partnership with the Manchester School District. The District’s community-driven, Manchester Proud facilitated, strategic plan is now embedded in the daily programs and operations of our schools, providing the sense of purpose and focused direction needed for sustainable progress.  And since the plan’s adoption, Manchester Proud and the District have strengthened our partnership, working together to create opportunities for our students, optimize community-school resources, and build community engagement. 

All the while, as we have been working with our partners, we have also been building our own internal capacity for ever greater success.  Our Council has thoughtfully refined our organizational model to bring more voices to the shaping of our strategies and initiatives. We have brought on key staff, where needed to boost our essential work in school-community partnerships and community communications.  And, we are currently on-boarding ten new Champion’s Council members to enhance our leadership’s skills, insights, and community representation.

Manchester Proud’s demonstrated commitment to the success of our students and schools, coupled with the growing strength of our team, make this the ideal time to plan for our future.  Toward that end, our Council is preparing our own strategic planning sessions for this fall. They will assess the efficacy of our current work and explore most promising opportunities for future partnerships with the community and District.

At a more personal level, I have made the Council aware that, while this work will forever remain important to me, a succession plan is needed to ensure Manchester Proud’s continued day-to-day leadership and management.  Following thoughtful deliberation, the Council has voted to conduct a search for a part-time Coordinator.  Once onboard, our new Coordinator will assume many of my responsibilities, while others will be assigned to our fabulous staff or Council leadership.  All of this will take place over months to ensure a smooth transition, following which I will remain on the Council and engaged in our Work Groups. 

It is notable that Manchester Proud remains committed to preserving our traditions of volunteerism and resource optimization.  Following the hiring of our part-time Coordinator, the Manchester Proud team will consist of merely two full-time equivalent employees, supporting the good work of several hundred dedicated volunteers!

Thank you for making all of this possible. Together we continue ONWARD toward our goal of exceptional public schools for all of the people of Manchester!

Very Truly Yours,

Barry Brensinger, Manchester Proud Coordinator

What began in 2017 as a wondering about how to better engage community in our public schools has led to a community-driven strategic plan and a host of enabling community partnerships. Manchester Proud’s core purpose of facilitating systemic change has yielded considerable progress, notwithstanding that much remains to be done.

All the while, as we have pursued our mission and supported our partners in the Manchester School District, we have also been building our own capacity for ongoing and future success. To ensure that our efforts are always relevant and impactful: Our Council and Work Group model, uniquely structured to promote volunteerism, has been strengthened to more effectively employ the talents, experiences, and resource of our generous supporters; We have brought on key staff (1.5 paid positions), where needed to boost our essential work in school-community partnerships and community communications; And, we are currently on-ramping ten new Champion’s Council members to enhance our leadership’s skills, insights, and community representation.

Today, Manchester Proud’s combination of performance-based credibility and expanded capacity sets the stage for the exploration of next level opportunities. As supporters, you should know that we are currently examining our organizational model to ensure continued leadership development and focus on initiatives that drive high-level change. We will also be spending our summer fully on-boarding our new Council members and preparing for late summer strategic planning sessions of our own! Thank you for making all of this possible. Know that we’re here today, striving to earn your confidence and valued support – and we’ll be here tomorrow, continuing to partner with our friends at the Manchester School District to make our public schools truly exceptional.

Manchester Proud is adding new members to our Champion’s Council to expand capacity and increase community representation.  Our Champion’s Council governs the mission and work of Manchester Proud and members also serve on various Work Groups. Several current Council members are nearing the end of their terms, making this the right time to solicit new members through an open community application process. Our Membership and Equity Work Group prepared an assessment of Council skills and needs to guide the review and selection of applicants.

Upon receipt of applications, candidates’ names were removed before distribution to the selection committee, making the process as fair and objective as possible. About the application and selection process, Kathleen Cook, Facilitator of the Membership Work Group describes, “It was inspiring to see how dedicated people are to the community, schools, and students”.

A vote of the Council took place in early April to elect the new members. New members have been notified of their acceptance. Now, new Council members will participate in an onboarding process to ensure they are fully aware of the mission, values, and operations of Manchester Proud.

Going forward, Manchester Proud intends to issue an annual request for potential new Council members’ applications. Kathleen Cook says, “Community involvement is needed and wanted, it’s about a balance of personal experiences and professional skill sets”.

We welcome Natalie Barney (Access Coordinator, New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance), Antonio Feliciano (Director of Operations, Manchester Boys & Girls Club), Peter Gustafson (Deputy Director, SEE Science Center), Chau Ngo (ED.M Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education), Michael Quigley (Director Office of Youth Services, City of Manchester), David Rogers (Chief Development Officer, DEKA), Maria Severn (Child Intake Coordinator, Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester), Scott Spradling (Media & Communications Consultant), Steve Thiel (Assistant Vice President Community Impact, Southern NH University), and Jamanae White (New York Life Insurance) to the council!

These new members join Katie LaBranche (Title 1 Reading Supervisor, Manchester School District), Sandra Almonte (Owner, Don Quijote Restaurant), Donna Crook (Director of Accountability and Research, Southern NH University;  Data Analyst Manchester School District), Mike Delaney (Principal, McLane Middleton Law Firm), Robert Baines (Former Manchester Mayor and High School Principal), Kathy Cook (Former Director, Bean Foundation), Dr. Jennifer Gillis (Superintendent, Manchester School District), Heather McGrail (Chief Executive Officer, Greater Manchester Chamber), Mark Mulcahy (Principal, Keller Williams Realty), Pawn Nitichan (Executive Director, City Year New Hampshire), Donna Papanikolau (English Learner Teacher, Manchester School District), Tina Philibotte (Chief Equity Officer, Manchester School District), Tina Proulx (Middle School Curriculum Director, Manchester School District), and Andrew Toland (Chief of Staff, Manchester School District). 

Manchester Proud has recently begun the process of adding to our Champion’s Council to expand capacity and increase community representation.  Our Champion’s Council governs the mission and work of Manchester Proud and members also serve on various Work Groups. Several current Council members are nearing the end of their terms, making this the right time to solicit new members through an open community application process. Our Membership and Equity Work Group prepared an assessment of Council skills and needs to guide the review and selection of applicants..

Upon receipt of applications, candidates’ names were removed before distribution to the selection committee, making the process as fair and objective as possible. About the application and selection process, Kathleen Cook, Facilitator of the Membership Work Group describes, “It was inspiring to see how dedicated people are to the community, schools, and students”.

A vote of the Council will take place in April to elect the new members, who will be announced by May 1, 2023. From there, new Council members will go through an onboarding process to ensure they are fully aware of the mission, values, and operations of Manchester Proud.

Going forward, Manchester Proud intends to issue an annual request for potential new Council members’ applications. Kathleen Cook says, “Community involvement is needed and wanted, it’s about a balance of personal and professional skill sets”.

Many of us have vivid memories of February 20, 2020, the evening our Board of School Committee adopted “Our Community’s Plan For Manchester’s Future of Learning” as the Manchester School District’s strategic plan.  That night, the seats were filled in Memorial High’s auditorium and the air was teeming with optimism and purpose. Testimony was overwhelmingly positive, affirming the work of the Community Planning Group – with one exception.  Some wanted to know why the plan did not address facilities.

Long before that big night, many understood that Manchester School District’s facilities were in need of substantial modernization.  Several of our schools are among the oldest in the state, some approaching functional obsolescence.

In response to questioning, the first and only to-date addendum to the strategic plan was issued just two days later. It began by calling out the physical state of our schools:

“Recent studies conducted by MSD confirm the inefficient use of space in many of our current schools.  Additionally, some facilities are antiquated, with dated infrastructures and limited technologies.”

Then, it went on to highlight potential:

 “Modernized schools could complement and enhance learning, serve as multi-purpose centers of community, and be powerful symbols of our commitment to education and sources of community spirit and pride.” 

And concluded by framing the conditions needed to launch a compelling facilities plan:

“A comprehensive system-wide facilities assessment is a worthy undertaking in the near future.  However, it was intentionally excluded from this plan because:

• A legitimate facilities plan could be similar in scope and time to the work of this strategic plan.  Such plans are typically beyond the scope of strategic plans.
• Facilities plans customarily follow the adoption of effective strategic plans.  This is logical because facilities must be programmed and designed to support the District’s strategic objectives.
• Perhaps most importantly, while new facilities are a valid aspirational goal, we believe that now is not quite the appropriate time for their development.  As evidenced throughout this plan, there is much foundational work to be done to improve our schools and optimize our system, laying the groundwork for appropriate facilities investments.”

Three years into the strategic plan, these essential conditions have been met and NOW is the time to address the places, buildings and sites, we call “school”.  Thanks to the efforts of our District’s leaders, teachers, staff, and community partners significant progress has been made.  Many initiatives of the strategic plan are well underway and the District is positioned for the next critical step – the creation of a facilities plan that mirrors the strategic plan and is equally aspirational and achievable.

The planning process for reimagining our schools has begun and the District has thoughtfully included opportunities for community engagement. It is so important that everyone participate and help shape the schools that will substantially define our community for decades to come.

Together we can explore and discover best answers to formative questions, such as:

• How do we optimize our schools and system for economies of right-sizing and resource optimization?
• How can teaching and learning be enhanced by spaces, equipment, and technologies that enable and inspire our students, teachers, and staff?
• How can our schools better serve families and the broader community as centers of gathering, sharing, and access to information and services?
• How will our schools reflect our collective vision and values and instill ever greater pride in the people and place of Manchester?

As demonstrated by our community’s strategic planning process, best plans are formed by the minds of many.  And, what could be more rewarding (and fun!) than working together to reimagine and shape the schools of our future?

Now is the time to show up!

Manchester Proud (MP) announces the hiring of a new Community Communications Coordinator, Lauren Boisvert. The creation of the position of Community Communications Coordinator reflects Manchester Proud’s determination to promote understanding and build community engagement in the making of great public schools. Manchester Proud will now be able to boost its communications partnership with the Manchester School District, sharing timely news and stories of the progress being made in our City’s schools. 

“Having Lauren on our team will now enable us to develop a more inclusive and responsive approach to communications.  Our ultimate goal is to create a community-wide network of communications that supports connectivity with all of Manchester’s students and families”, said Barry Brensinger, Manchester Proud’s Coordinator.

Lauren is a local resident of Manchester, NH, and a graduate of the Manchester School District. She brings experience in both Graphic Design and Education to Manchester Proud (MP). Lauren began her work with the Manchester School District in 2014 through the Granite YMCA’s School’s Out Program (SOP) and continued on through several other capacities. Lauren is thrilled that her experience has led her back to the district. 

“I am honored to be part of the mission of Manchester Proud to help support the amazing things happening in the Manchester School District.” said Lauren, “Being a graduate of the Manchester School District, I strongly believe in the work that the district is doing and am excited to help amplify and support that work!”

Responsibilities of the Community Communication Coordinator will include maintaining the Manchester Proud website and social media, sending out email newsletters, producing recognition for donors and community partners, serving as media relations support, and creating event graphics and promotional materials.

Great progress, the kind that reshapes our lives, often begins with bold imagination.  Edison imagined safely lighting the darkness of night (1879).  The Wright brothers studied the flight of birds, with curiosity and imagination (1903).  Engineers at Bell Labs imagined portable, hand-held telephones, and now we have 15 billion mobile devices around the world (1946).  In Manchester’s Millyard, scientists are imagining a day when damaged and diseased human organs can be readily replaced by healthy “printed” tissue – a brave new world indeed!

Four years ago, in 2018, under the banner of Manchester Proud, groups of parents, educators, students, and community leaders canvassed Manchester wearing T-shirts imprinted with the words “Talk to me about school!”.  Their objective was to promote public awareness and exploration of the essential role of our public schools in the wellness and prosperity of our city. These proud supporters of our schools encouraged everyone in Manchester to imagine a future where:  All of our children are encouraged, supported, and provided with the skills and opportunities needed to flourish; our educators and school staff are valued, respected, and enabled to do their best work; and, education is treasured as the currency of our future success.

Today, these imaginings are on their way to reality.  Although sometimes obscured by the impacts of the pandemic and other challenges of contemporary life, the progress being made in the Manchester School District is profound.  As expressed by our Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Gillis, in her recent State of the Manchester School District presentation, fundamental change in our schools is being enabled by greater engagement, collaboration, and trust across the district.  This change is inspired and guided by the clear goals embodied in the district’s community-driven strategic plan: “Our Community’s Plan for Manchester’s Future of Learning: Excellence and Equity for ALL Learners.”

A sampling of current change, upon which future greatness is being built, includes:

• District-wide focus on student-centered, student-driven learning – Adding relevancy to learning and enabling students to discover and define their pathways to success.
• Using the strategic plan’s Portrait of a Graduate, the attributes our educators and community believe to be essential to student success, to shape curriculum and define competencies.
• Hiring a Chief Equity Officer and establishing equity as a foundational principle – Creating a district where every student is valued and provided with the supports and opportunities needed to succeed.
• Developing a coordinated, district-wide network of Extended Learning Opportunities – Allowing our students to explore career pathways through real world experiences.
• Empowering our educators with more robust and strategically aligned professional development opportunities and the establishment of Shared Learning Communities.
• Building school “community” through enhanced communications with students and families, led by the district’s Director of Communications and boosted by collaborations with Manchester Proud and the Greater Manchester Chamber.
• Creation of a School-Community Partnership Network, managed by our Community Partnerships Coordinator (Manchester Proud’s first paid staff), which is fostering and coordinating the work of dozens of community organizations to optimize resources for our students and schools.
• Launching of The Compass, manchesterproudcompass.org, a community portal with user-friendly access to programs for: Out-of-school activities, health and mental health, career pathways, educator professional development, basic needs, early childhood, and more.
• Adding student voice to our Board of School Committee and streamlining board structures for efficiency and sharper focus on policies that support student learning.
• Directed attention to more competitive educator and staff recruitment and retention, yielding 250 new employees this school year and moving us toward greater diversity among our educators.
• Substantial investment in new instructional technologies, including interactive touch-screen panels in all classrooms and computers with internet access for our students and families.

All of this progress and much more is happening in large measure because of the Manchester School District’s passion for realizing the potential in each and every one of our students.  Passion made actionable by determined implementation of a compelling strategic plan.

Although it will take time, the transformation that began with Manchester’s imaginings of exceptional public schools will continue to progress and shape better futures for all of us.  The indicators of positive change are palpable. Tune into the happenings of the Manchester School District and you will experience ever greater commonality of purpose among our district’s leadership and staff, growing sense of accomplishment, and rising confidence.  And, today’s progress will beget more progress and deeper community-wide pride in our students and schools as we move forward – together.  All of which will inspire the people of Manchester to raise their expectations, imagine, and enjoy ever bolder achievements with our students and schools in the years ahead.

Come one and all to Manchester’s second annual festival of our public schools and community: CelebratED MHT!, presented by USI Insurance Services. The festivities will roll out on September 17th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Manchester, NH.

It’s time to welcome back our students, families, teachers, and staff – and to launch a new school year filled with joy and promise.

It’s time to recognize the accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff – and the diversity of talents and opportunities that is the Manchester School District.
It’s time to have fun! – to bring our community together for a day of unity and celebration.

The Manchester School District, Manchester Proud, and more than 30 city departments and organizations have joined forces to present a city-wide festival, celebrating Manchester’s public schools and community.

The festival will be FREE to ALL and include:

• LIVE performances by the Akwaabe Ensemble, Barranquillo Flavor, Manchester High School Marching Bands, Manchester School Choirs, The
  Freese Brothers Big Band with Alli Beaudry, Aaron Tolson Speaking in Taps, and more
• FREE food for all kids and families
• FREE books for all Manchester School District students, with book readings by City Year throughout the day
• Visits by our kids’ favorite comic book characters and Fungo, the Fisher Cats’ mascot, who will be giving away free tickets to the evening’s home baseball gam
• Kids, activities throughout the day, including Manchester Police and Fire demonstrations, robotics competition, student art show, sidewalk chalk drawing, games, dance lessons and more

FREE school bus transportation will be available to and from the event, with hourly pick-up and drop-off between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm on the following routes:

• Starting at Parkside Middle School, to West High School at the corner of McGregor & Hecker Street, to Veterans’ Memorial Park
• Starting at Elmwood Gardens, to Beech Street Elementary School, to Veterans’ Memorial Park

CelebratED MHT! A festival to celebrate public schools and community at Veteran’s Memorial Park on September 17th!

Visit: ManchesterProud.org/Celebrated for additional information.