2 weeks Ago
Now in her third year running the state’s largest school district, Superintendent Jenn Chmiel took the stage at French Hall on Thursday to provide an update on the “State of the Manchester School District.” The community forum, which featured a question-and-answer session with attendees, was co-produced by Manchester Proud, the Manchester School District and the Greater Manchester Chamber. Standing in the district’s new “Welcome Center,” Chmiel spoke about the district’s achievements and “Building on Progress,” highlighting additions and renovations at four middle schools and upcoming construction of a new Beech Street Elementary school.
The work is part of what Chmiel called “one of the most comprehensive school capital improvement projects in our city’s history,” designed to bring “our aging buildings into 21st century learning environments.” “This is quite a logistical undertaking -- it means new settings for many of our students, it means change and some uncertainty,” Chmiel said. “But this sign of change is also a broadly optimistic one, which I believe will instill new pride from our students, staff and families who can see the investment our city is making into public education.
” Chmiel said the work “fits perfectly within our mission” -- part of the three pillars of quality public education in Manchester. “Quality educational programming, the best possible available staff ..
. facilities worthy of our students and reflective of the amazing work we all do together to lift up our students and help them realize their dreams,” Chmiel said. Chmiel said Manchester is bucking state -- and national -- trends of lower student enrollment.
“We are seeing Manchester’ school enrollment increasing over last year,” Chmiel said. “We have about 200 new teachers and staff who have sought out Manchester to become a part of what we are building. It is exciting to see us becoming a magnet for our great city.
” Chmiel went on to highlight new initiatives like the district’s Welcome Center at French Hall, offering “one-stop shopping” for students and families looking to learn about the city and its schools. Our mission may be to teach ..
. but this past year shows our district can also learn new things. “Although I have plenty to say about what’s new and different, what hasn’t changed is our mission and the strategic plan, built on deep community involvement that we continue to follow,” Chmiel said.
“You may remember last year I talked about my deliberate optimism about upcoming plans. Well, here we are one year later and we have achieved many of the goals we set forth and we are holding ourselves accountable to our new district and department goals for this year.” Other accomplishments over the past year cited by Chmiel include: • The launch of the dual-language immersion program at Bakersville Elementary School, the first in the state.
• Two teachers were finalists for the NH Department of Education Teacher of the Year, Chelsea Viera of Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School and Nicole Gammella of the Middle School at Parkside. • Students who graduated in 2024 are attending colleges and universities like UNH, Merrimack, Penn State, Harvard, Suffolk, Temple, Dartmouth and Harvard, entering into military service, trade schools and the workforce. Chmiel said while the district has come far, there remains “much to do.
” “For me, all I have to do is spend some time with our students to ‘fill my bucket,’ as I like to say,” Chmiel said. “When my heavy moments hit I find my way to spend time with our students. “We have the awesome opportunity every day to make the difference in the life and path of our students.
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