Manchester Students Head back To School, Renovations Announced

MANCHESTER, CT — There was plenty to talk about educationally in Manchester on Tuesday from students returning to school buildings for the first time since the coronavirus-related closings in March and plans being filed to renovate one of the schools.

It was a day everyone had been looking forward to, according to Darryl Thames, the chairman of the Manchester Board of Education.

"On behalf of the entire MPS staff and my colleagues on the board of education, I want you to know how excited we are to welcome students back into our buildings and to support those of you who will resume your learning remotely," he said in a statement to the community. "There are lots of changes this year but what will never change is our commitment to our students and families, and our confidence that by working together we can all do great things. "

School buildings were opened under a hybrid format, which cuts the school population in half by alphabet with two sets of "cohorts" attending classes in person two days per week each. Wednesdays are virtual days. Those in the cohorts not physically in school buildings study online.

Some students have opted to study completely online. The average in the area has been about 20 percent.

Manchester High School was also celebrating what will presumably be the first full academic year with its new nickname, the Red Hawks.

The Manchester Indians became the Manchester Red Hawks in June 2019 in an unanimous vote by the board of education. Student activists aggressively adopted a potential name change as a cause when it emerged as the highest profile recommendation of an "equity" study.

The supporters of the name change easily out-numbered those who wanted to stick with decades-long tradition at public hearings and at Monday's school board meeting. A committee is overseeing the transition.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Planning Department has received an application for a special exception modification and erosion control plan for renovations to Buckley Elementary School. A virtual public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

Here is a rendering of the plans from the planning department:

(Manchester Planning Department)