Recent Michael Brindley Columns

Application process for charter schools in New Hampshire raises the bar

Michael Brindley | Friday, April 27, 2012

Looking at the application process for the Academy for Science and Design, Merrimack’s public charter school, one could easily mistake it for the steps one …

Morning games get city students going

Michael Brindley | Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The squeaking of sneakers on the floor echoed through the Fairgrounds Middle School gymnasium, as a group of about 15 students darted back and forth. …

Longtime school optometrist stepping down

Michael Brindley | Thursday, January 5, 2012

For half a century, Dr. Carl Quimby has been looking into the eyes of the city’s students. Quimby has come to appreciate the quality of …

Of course, personal finance valuable

Michael Brindley | Thursday, December 29, 2011

As the nation seeks to solve its economic woes, it seems obvious having a populace with a basic understanding of personal finance and money management …

Nashua teacher to take leave, complete officer training in National Guard

Michael Brindley | Thursday, December 22, 2011

Andrew Rodriguez is preparing to spend four months next year dedicated to something bigger than himself. It will take him away from his family and …

High-profile child sex abuse cases resonate locally

Michael Brindley | Thursday, December 15, 2011

Inside the Child Advocacy Center in Nashua, there is a room where small pairs of handprints in varying colors cover the walls. Kristie Palestino, executive …

Nashua 7th grader scores perfect 800 on math SATs

Michael Brindley | Thursday, December 8, 2011

For Nisha Devasia, there’s something satisfying about reaching the end of a math problem. “There’s always an answer in math,” she said. “That’s what I …

South principal takes to Twitter

Michael Brindley | Thursday, December 1, 2011

Getting her thoughts across in 140 characters or less hasn’t been easy for Jennifer Seusing. “I always go into the negative,” Seusing said, laughing. “Then …

Pennichuck school opens food, clothing pantry

Michael Brindley | Thursday, November 24, 2011

When Pennichuck Middle School opened in the mid-1980s, teacher Maida Latvis said it drew primarily from neighborhoods that didn’t have as much poverty as other …

BG students make up lost days at home

Michael Brindley | Thursday, November 17, 2011

It may have been a three-day weekend, but for Tiffany Stanton, Saturday night was a school day. Stanton, a senior at Bishop Guertin High School, …

NH college grads get out with top debt

Michael Brindley | Thursday, November 10, 2011

New Hampshire colleges and universities have reclaimed an unfortunate distinction. In 2010, graduates of the state’s higher education institutions left with an average debt of …

Young eyes see much violence

Michael Brindley | Thursday, November 3, 2011

A quarter of children being exposed to family violence at home wasn’t shocking to Marc Laquerre. “As alarming as it is, it wasn’t all that …

Visit introduces city students to welding

Michael Brindley | Thursday, October 27, 2011

Bright orange sparks were flying inside the black trailer stationed behind Nashua High School North on Wednesday. The smell of burning metal filled the New …

Electronic readers put to test in city school

Michael Brindley | Thursday, October 20, 2011

It was time for a discussion of Lois Lowry’s classic book “The Giver,” but as students in JoAnne Del Greco’s class prepared for the lesson, …

USDOE a target among Republican contenders

Michael Brindley | Thursday, October 13, 2011

When asked for their ideas on ways to improve education in America, nearly all of the Republican presidential candidates come back with the same response: …

Conference to focus on getting children outside

Michael Brindley | Thursday, September 29, 2011

As she took a break for a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Marilyn Wyzga was appreciating being outside. “I’m sitting outdoors right now, and I feel …

Rivier students judge college chef competition

Michael Brindley | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Lunch is usually pretty good in the dining hall at Rivier College, said senior Tajh Stokes. A slice of pizza, some fries, maybe a sandwich. …

Lack of candidates for local office an unfortunate trend

Michael Brindley | Thursday, September 15, 2011

There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to how best to educate the city’s children. Some believe the school year should be longer. …

New St. Christopher principal likes fit

Michael Brindley | Thursday, September 8, 2011

When Cindy Clarke was in fifth grade, she received a unique assignment. Based upon a recommendation from her teacher, Clarke was asked to spend time …

State eyeing NCLB waiver

Michael Brindley | Thursday, September 1, 2011

Two years from now, No Child Left Behind will reach its mandate that every student in the nation be proficient in math and reading. The …

Study finds NH parents planning ahead as college costs rise

Michael Brindley | Thursday, August 25, 2011

Despite better saving habits, New Hampshire parents are only prepared to cover 13 percent of the total cost of their child’s four-year college education in …

Rivier’s new president brings years of experience

Michael Brindley | Thursday, August 18, 2011

Wherever Sister Paula Marie Buley’s career in higher education has taken her, she’s always made sure to appreciate the wilderness and nature surrounding her. In …

Girls learn skills, confidence at camp

Michael Brindley | Thursday, August 11, 2011

Standing on a milk crate for a boost, 10-year-old Maggie Pare put both hands on the standing compound miter saw. With the assistance of Elaine …

Local families hosting exchange students from Germany

Michael Brindley | Thursday, August 4, 2011

After traveling overseas to Germany earlier this year, a group of Nashua and Hudson high school students got their chance to play host in their …

North grad expanding horizons – hers and others’

Michael Brindley | Thursday, July 28, 2011

When Puja Shah’s alarm goes off at 4:45 in the morning, she doesn’t mind. Shah, a 2007 Nashua High School North graduate, is preparing for …

Summer program allows students to get accustomed to high school

Michael Brindley | Thursday, July 21, 2011

The sound of sawing wood, along with a fair amount of sawdust, filled the workshop classroom at Nashua High School South on Wednesday morning. Students …

Class size limits in city contract

Michael Brindley | Thursday, July 14, 2011

A new Nashua teachers contract is signed, sealed and delivered, and one thing in the deal staying the same makes the district different from most …

Some districts employing more teachers with master’s degrees

Michael Brindley | Thursday, July 7, 2011

The chance of your child being taught by a teacher with a master’s degree depends on where you live. In Hudson, only 39 percent of …

Easing job of finding work

Michael Brindley | Thursday, June 30, 2011

Unemployed educators looking for a new job this summer have a one-stop shopping Web site to help them get back on their feet. “Teachers in …

Parents schooled on letter of laws

Michael Brindley | Thursday, June 23, 2011

For a school to make AYP and avoid being a SINI, students must do well on the NECAP. Otherwise, it must develop an SIP and …

Truancy program seeing successes

Michael Brindley | Friday, June 17, 2011

Forty-seven unexcused absences in five months. That was the tally racked up by a Nashua high school student as of February this school year. It …

North symposium revisits Sept. 11, 2001

Michael Brindley | Thursday, June 9, 2011

The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, is a hazy memory to Ella Kruczynska, who was only 6 years old at the time. There was no …

3-day anti-bullying symposium organized by Nashua South senior

Michael Brindley | Thursday, June 2, 2011

Watching as students across the country were taking their own lives after having been bullied, Jon Thyne feared he’d one day see the same headline …

South senior earns NE accordion title - with video

Michael Brindley | Thursday, May 26, 2011

Like most talented musicians, Kyle Fredricks can be critical of his performance. So when the Nashua High School South senior went before the judges at …