May 11, 7:30PM
Regular BOE Mtg. at RS
(Teacher of the Year Presentation)

May 12, 6PM
BOE/Twp Joint Public Mtg to review School Budget  at RS

May 16

MTEF/Eyesfirst Golf Outing & Dinner ... [more]

May 18. 6:30PM
HS Spring Concert Moves Outdoors ... [more]

May 18, 6:30PM
Free Parent/Caregiver Juvenile Justice Workshop at RDS ... [more]

May 19, 6PM
MS Fine Arts Night

May 25, 7PM

RS Spring Arts Festival

May 25, 6PM
MS Parent/Student Orientation for Incoming Sixth Graders

May 26, 7PM
WS Spring Arts Festival

May 30
SCHOOLS CLOSED for Memorial Day

School Budget Meeting May 12 

Dear Friend of Manchester Schools. 

BOE Has New President 

The Manchester Township Board of Education has a new president, Donald Webster, Jr., a new member, Jennifer Hudak, and a new Lakehurst representative, April Chillemi.  Hudak and Chillemi were sworn in at the beginning of the board's re-organization meeting on May 4, 2011, along with re-elected incumbents Mary Walter and Steve Placido.  Last month, Walter announced that she would be stepping down as board president, and the board appointed Webster as their new president for the coming year.  Ken Pate was re-appointed as vice president.

Webster thanked his fellow board members for their support.  "I have big shoes to fill and we are facing many big issues going forward," he said, citing the defeated budget, No Child Left Behind requirements, and physical plant issues.  "I am looking forward to addressing them all with you."

Commenting on Walter's time as president, Webster said, "Over the past ten years, the board and the district have gone through many changes, but one constant has been the leadership of Mary Walter. Thank you for your service and your leadership." [read more]

MTES Students Raise $14K at Jump Rope for Heart Event

On April 29, 2011, more than 500 students at Manchester Township Elementary School joined together for two hours of jumping rope, hula-hooping, bouncing, and other activities - but it wasn't all fun and games.  They were raising money for the American Heart Association's annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This year, MTES raised a record $14,447, bringing their 14-year total to over $139,573.

Principal, Gym Teachers Dye Hair as 15,000 Book Reward

An added bonus for students this year was having their principal and gym teachers John Porteuse and Sue Dyer dye their hair in the school colors of blue and gold as a reward for achieving a school-wide goal of reading 15,000 books.  At the end of the event, the students gathered on the playground area to watch and cheer while Jake F., the student who came up with the hair-dying idea, along with the students who were the top fundraisers, used spray-on dye to color their teachers' and principal's hair. [read more]

Volunteers Pack 250 Care Packages for Troops at WS

Whiting Elementary School hosted a Community Packing Project for the Operation Shoebox NJ organization, which sends care packages to U.S. Troops overseas. Volunteers gathered in the school gym to sort and pack about 250 individual care packages, containing items like toiletries, socks, snacks, stationery, books, video games and more.  They also created greeting cards and signed a banner for the soldiers. 

Rod Hirsch, founder of Operation Shoebox NJ, was on hand to supervise the packing.  He thanked the volunteers and Whiting School for their support and told them how much the soldiers appreciate the care packages.  "Over the past six years, we have shipped 44,000 boxes to our troops overseas and I am proud to say that everything was donated and everything was packed by volunteers," said Hirsch.  "We are successful because of people like you."  [read more]