School board seeks to “rebuild the wheel“ with staff teamwork

School staff were welcomed back with a beginning-of-the-year picnic with a theme of “Rebuilding the Wheel,“ focusing on the fact that each person is an important team member and an essential “spoke“ in the life of the district. Photo courtesy Michael Tindall.

by Marsha Chartrand

A fantastic welcome-back picnic for staff and their families on Saturday was sponsored by the MCS Board of Education. A great turnout enjoyed good food and camaraderie, along with an opportunity to build on the theme of “Rebuilding the Wheel“ at Manchester Community Schools for the 2022–23 school year.

“I could not have been more happy with the way things turned out,“ said School Board President Michael Tindall. “We had 30–35 people, gathering like one big family at Alumni Field. I saw nothing but smiles. We were fed like kings and queens, with Brad Bezeau grilling burgers for everyone. I think everyone had a great time.“

The event was planned as a team-building activity for the district, envisioned and supported by the school board. Board members reached into their own pockets to finance the festivities and received a donation from Worth Repeating to provide a laser-engraved “Rebuild the Wheel“ token, created by Joe Walsh’s kids in the BAAM business at Caife Aspire.

Tindall said that he felt like the event was a success “many times over.“

“I really felt that good about it,“ he added. “You know how you envision something happening and when it comes out like you planned, that’s how it felt. I just can’t imagine a better feeling.“

He said there is talk of making this an annual event in hopes it will grow each year with even more participation from staff in the future. And there will be a reach-out to the community to help get it involved in the effort to “rebuild the wheel,“ so be watching for announcements of this program.

“I believe the Manchester community really wants to become part of the solution, rather than part of the problem,“ Tindall stated. “We really need to pull everyone together. Every spoke is an essential part of the wheel.

“And, of course, every good team needs a great leader. I think we have that in Brad Bezeau, and I give him a lot of credit for what he has been able to accomplish despite the hurdles of the past two years.

“There is much more good to come.“

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.