2019 Blaze Bulletin
Week of February 11th - Edition 51
Teachers & Staff,
Just saying - it's fun to be a Blaze this winter:
Wrestlers are in state!
Boys and Girls basketball in tourney!
State Champ in Diving!
National Champs in Cheerleading!
And, may I say, the music shirts on teachers today were fun to read - who knew what diverse tastes we have! 😊 All the way from Justin Timberlake to Johnny Cash, to Guns N Roses to Brad Paisley to Journey! 😎
-lj
GO BLAZE!
BLACKMAN GRAD GETS OVATION FOR FINAL STEPS TO DIPLOMA
I had gotten to know Michael Stanaland and often talked to him about Led Zeppelin songs in between classes. It was my 2ndyear working graduation in 2015, and my first year really helping Mike Weeks and learning the ropes of the ceremony. I was standing in the tunnel watching the endless line of graduates when THIS happened. I have never heard a roar from a crowd like I heard that day.--Brian Seadorf (with incredible video help from John McCreery)
Article written by Brian Wilson, Daily News Journal. May 15th, 2015:
Blackman grad gets ovation for final steps to diploma
Allie Stanaland stopped and turned back to the stage moments after she received her Blackman High School diploma Thursday night at MTSU's Murphy Center.
She knew what was coming next.
Her twin brother, Michael Stanaland, was on the other side of the stage, getting out of his wheelchair to lean on a walker and graduate on foot.
The Murphy Center crowd roared and rose to their feet as Michael Stanaland, who has cerebral palsy, walked for the first time in public as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma from Blackman Principal Leisa Justus.
"I felt it, but I didn't see it," Michael Stanaland said in a Friday interview. "I was focused on getting across the stage."
His sister, Allie, was crying as she saw him on the other side of the stage, even as she told herself she wouldn't. As he came down from the stage, she was ready to help him back into a wheelchair to go back to their seats together.
"All of these people stood up for him," Allie Stanaland said. "It was amazing to see what inspiration he gave people last night."
The shared moment added another element to a bond Allie Stanaland described as stronger than most twins have.
They both entered Blackman High School four years ago to an environment Michael called "nerve-wracking" at first.
"But as these four years went along, it became more and more comfortable," he said.
Both Michael and Allie Stanaland joined the high school band during their time at Blackman. Michael played percussion, while Allie played the mellophone, French horn and trumpet.
The siblings said they found a home with the Blackman marching band, many of whom were in the back of the arena to see Michael walk. They all cheered once they saw what was starting to happen, Allie Stanaland said.
Michael Stanaland wanted to try walking at the ceremony to try to encourage his friends, family and others who have cerebral palsy never to give up, he said.
He spent a year and a half working with his physical therapist, Terri Pomeroy, to gain the strength and endurance to get up and move on his own. Pomeroy and Student Resource Officer Michael Martin were at the ceremony to help guide him up to get his diploma.
"When he got out of the wheelchair, there wasn't a dry eye in the house," Justus, the Blackman principal, said. "It was emotional even knowing it was coming."
Michael Stanaland only told a handful of people he was planning to walk the stage, surprising even most of the senior class.
"I just wanted to keep it a secret just to surprise everyone and give them encouragement," he said.
The graduation moment was one he and his sister won't forget.
"I wouldn't want to be there without him," Allie Stanaland said.
The siblings' partnership will continue through the siblings' next academic chapters. Both will take classes at Molow College's campus at Smyrna through the Tennessee Promise and plan to continue their education at a four-year institution.
Allie Stanaland will study nursing, while Michael Stanaland will study computer science.
How about a B-I-N-G-O lunch for Blackman Faculty and staff?
Everyone brought lunch, talked, and got super excited about getting 5 in a row.
#team #camaraderie #weareblackman
Musically Fashionable Friday
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Counselor Corner
A-D Counselor: Mrs. Charlie Borel, E-K Counselor: Ms. Christine Bryan, L-R Interim Counselor: Ms. Kelly Conniff, S-Z Interim Counselor: Mrs. Elaine Allen, College and Crisis Counselor: Mrs. JoJo Breiner, Graduation Coach: Mrs. Kim Garrott, Counseling Secretary/Registrar: Mrs. Marina Sadler, Counseling Clerk: Mrs. Carole Kasbee
*Junior Registration is February 19-22.
*Freshmen registration begins in March.
Since counselors will be out of their offices due to registration for so long, please call or email counselors before you send students down to the counseling center. We want to make sure that your student gets in touch with who they need and aren’t sent to an empty office. Encourage students to email us if it’s a question or issue that can be handled over email. Kim Garrott and JoJo Breiner will be in their offices but call or email them before sending students to them as well. They may have meetings that have already been planned and may not be available. If there is a student in distress, please email all of us and we will make sure someone can talk with that student.
*New Student/Freshmen Orientation will be on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:00.
*Senior Hiring Event is April 2.
**Have a great L-O-N-G weekend! Here’s an article about why we should have MORE long weekends!
We are so thankful to be part of this team! Go Blaze! 🔥
BLACKMAN AND ROCKVALE COLLABORATION OF COUNSELORS
BHS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - February/March 2019
In our profession, there is always something new on the horizon. New challenges require new thoughts, new strategies, and new learning. We hope you'll find these professional development sessions to be helpful as you prepare for what's on your horizon with your students.
Check out the attached flyer for the PD offerings on our campus in February and March. Please register by clicking on the session you are interested in. Kaitlin Brown's sessions will redirect you to SchoolStation in order to sign up. All other sessions will use a Microsoft Form for registration.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a session you would like to off in the future.
- Justin Smith
A GIFT FOR YOU...
New Vision youth group will be coming to BHS on Saturday, February 16, for their UNITE service project. They will be in classrooms cleaning student desks, leaving a goodie bag for the teacher, and putting encouraging notes on student desks. They will be accompanied by a BHS staff member at all times.
SPRING BLOOD DRIVE
The spring blood drive will be on Tuesday, March 5th from 8:00 am- 1:00 pm in aux gym. This is a block schedule day. If you would like to participate and give blood during your planning period or at 8:00 am, the sign-up sheet is my room. I am giving the faculty first opportunity to get the times that work best for you before students sign-up.
Please stop by room E-11 if interested in donating at this year's blood drive.
We bleed orange and blue...Go Blaze!
2019-2020 STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
SPED TIPS
SPED TIP
Identifying Signs of Anxiety
When observing students, it is important to look of signs of anxiety.
Any change of behavior may be a sign of anxiety.
A student who is usually active or talkative becomes quiet and withdrawn.
An individual who is usually calm and quiet becomes active or talkative.
Biting fingernails
Pacing the floor
Voice volume rising
Bouncing a leg up and down
Wiggling
ESL TIDBITS
Article Submitted by: Evelyn Heckman and Anoulom Phimphivong
CALENDAR REMINDERS...
All teachers are expected to work one of the following events: Homecoming Dance, Prom, or Graduation. The dates for each event are below so that you can mark your calendar.
Prom - April 12, 2019 at 7:30pm
Graduation - May 19, 2019 at 2:30pm
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
FACULTY MEETING
TIME: 7:30 am LOCATION: Auditorium
- March 5th
- April 2nd
- May 7th
Early Dismissal Days
- March 7
- May 29
Please keep in mind that if you are absent on an early dismissal day, you will only require a sub until 12:00 pm., but your absence will be for a whole day!
BHS SCHOLARSHIP SIGNING DAY
Matt Hall signed with Carson Newman University
GO BLAZE!!!
Jesi Sampson signed with Bethel University
Kameron Phililom signed with University of the Cumberlands
Micaleous Elder signed with Charlotte
Adonis Otey signed with Southern Cal
SPORTSCENTER SPOTLIGHT
BE A PART OF BLACKMAN'S HISTORY AND FUTURE...
Kate's Tech Corner.....
IMPORTANT - ANNUAL TEACHER SURVEY FOR NEXT BUDGET YEAR - DUE 2/20/19
The following is a link to a annual survey used to inform district wide planning for the next budget year. The deadline to complete is next Wednesday, Feb. 20th.
REMINDER ABOUT WORK ORDERS...
Send maintenance work orders to BHSMAINT@rcschools.net
Picture Dates 2018-2019
Spring Pictures - February 28 - 1 - 3 Periods - Auxiliary Gym
Cap and Gown Pictures - February 28 - All Day through English Classes - Main Gym Lobby
Junior Orientation (Upcoming Senior Portrait Info) - April 4 - Primetime - Auditorium
BHS SPIRIT SHOPPING
Blackman High School Spirit Wear website has a direct link available on the BHS home page.
Shop to support our school and enjoy a 15% discount off orders $75 or more!
GO BLAZE!!
BE THE FIRST ONE TO GUESS WHO THIS YOUNG LADY IS...
POEM WITH A TWIST!!
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I love a jeans day
How about you?
First twenty to read this poem and send Kelli Brewer an email win a free jeans day!!
Let's play who is that? HIGH SCHOOL YEARS REVISITED....
Send Mrs. Brewer a high school or younger days picture (teacher & staff) to be featured in the bulletin. Be the first to email your answer and win a prize!!!! brewerk@rcschools.net
In the know....
Follow Dr. Justus on Twitter @bhsjustus
Sign up for Remind by texting @ljustus to 81010
SEND US YOUR NEWS!!!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
FEB 01 - ANDREW FEYKA
FEB 01 - LAWRENCE JOYCE
FEB 01 - LOUISE NICODEMUS
FEB 02 - DANIEL PARKHURST
FEB 03 - SARAH SLADE
FEB 04 - RONNIE BRAY
FEB 12 - DIANE WEBB
FEB 12 - PAM SHELNUTT
FEB 16 - DEVON INMAN
FEB 17 - ANTONIO SHEFFIELD
FEB 19 - CHRIS YONGE
FEB 20 - KEN HARDISON
FEB 22 - DONNA BOYD
FEB 24 - SHELBY CAMPBELL