Dear Parents, Staff & Community Members,
Each new school year brings its own excitement, with 2007-2008 being no different. First and foremost, I want to congratulate our faculty and staff on our test results. Preliminary data seems to indicate that all of our schools have met State criteria in “all” categories. This is an outstanding achievement. Keep in mind that the State sends out a second group of revised scores which may slightly alter the situation. No matter what occurs, it will not affect the fine work of the Manchester faculty and staff.
Another piece of exciting news is the Board’s decision to go out for a referendum which concentrates on areas not covered in the renovations such as paving, athletic facilities, fields, bleachers, grounds, parking and other necessary improvements. Preparations will take place this school year with a referendum tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2008. Once again, as in the case of our last referendum, the financial experts tell us we can accomplish this with little or no tax increase for the community.
The State Department of Education has begun its new monitoring process referred to as N.J.Q.S.A.C. There are approximately 200 items reviewed through a self-evaluation and on-site monitoring visit. Manchester’s monitoring year is 2008-2009. However, because of the extensive nature of the process, we will begin our preliminary self-evaluation this year under the guidance of the Director of Curriculum, Dr. Judith Nappi.
The district’s objectives for 2007-2008 will maintain our focus on academics (test scores); safety; monitoring; referendum; and the possibility of establishing a full-day kindergarten. These objectives present several unique challenges to the district. As always, I have every confidence that working together, administrators, faculty, staff and community, we will meet the challenges.
In closing, I would like to mention a very special event. Thanks to the Booster Club’s fund-raising, the district has lights on the football field. Come and celebrate this achievement with us at the first Manchester night football game on September 7, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
