MANCHESTER, N.H.- While the ground may still be thawing from our long winter, for families of soon-to-be kindergartners, it’s already time to start thinking ahead to fall. For the third year in a row, incoming Manchester School District kindergarteners can take part in “Blast Off to Kindergarten,” a program designed to help kids prepare for school.
“For many Manchester students, this is their very first classroom experience. Blast Off to Kindergarten gives them a warm, confidence-building launch into school,” said Leslie Whitney, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning.
Students in the ten-day program will learn the basics by taking part in daily routines like circle time, read-aloud time, recess, navigating the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch and practicing social skills in an academic environment.
Blast Off to Kindergarten admits on a first come, first served basis to any student registered for kindergarten in the Manchester School District for the 2026-2027 school year. There are four locations including Bakersville Elementary (for Bakersville, Jewett and Highland-Goffes Falls students), Beech Street School (for Beech, Smyth Road and Webster students), McDonough Elementary (for McDonough, Green Acres and Weston students), and Northwest Elementary (for Northwest, Gossler Park and Parker-Varney students). Sessions take place July 6-17 and July 20-31 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.
Applications are due by June 3 and can be found at your child’s school or the Manchester School District Welcome Center at 148 Concord Street.
If you still need to register your student, click here.
