Blake Updates
December 1, 2019
Blake's POST Expo- December 4
MCPS Launches United We Learn Contest
Montgomery County Public Schools is launching the fourth year of its student contest, United We Learn. This year’s contest, United We Learn: Innovative Communication Challenge, encourages students to think about how communication affects their daily lives, and how technology can be used to enhance communication.
Middle and high school students are challenged to conceptualize an Amazon Alexa Skill (or series of skills) that shares information of importance about the school district, addresses communication barriers, strengthens the home-school connection, and positively impacts the MCPS community. Alexa Skills uses voice to access and share information. The contest will take place in two phases and MCPS will publish the winning skill(s) and make it available for use.
Elementary school students are challenged to design a web page that shares information of importance about their school, addresses communication barriers, strengthens the home-school connections and positively impacts the MCPS community. The contest will take place in two phases and the winning proposals will be developed into web pages by MCPS Web Services on the students’ elementary schools’ websites. Winners will have the opportunity to participate in the development process.
To learn more about the contest, visit www.mcpsunitedwelearn.org.
Districtwide Boundary Analysis Meetings
The MCPS Districtwide Boundary Analysis is an initiative designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of Montgomery County Public School boundaries by analyzing factors such as:
- School facility utilization and capacity
- Student demographics
- School assignment
- Travel patterns
This initiative will result in an analytical assessment and a summary of the community engagement process. It will not make recommendations on potential boundary revisions.
As part of this assessment, a series of regional public meetings will be held in six locations around the county in December and January. All residents of Montgomery County are invited to attend to learn more about the Boundary Analysis process and give feedback on opportunities and challenges with our public schools. Each meeting will have the same format and content. The dates and locations of the meetings are as follows:
- December 4 at Gaithersburg High School
- December 11 at Julius West Middle School
- December 14 at White Oak Middle Oak
- January 7 at Walter Johnson High School
- January 11 at Montgomery Blair High School
- January 14 at Northwest High School
Join the MCPS Family Engagement Advisory Team
Parents, guardians, and members of the community are invited to apply to be a part of the newly formed MCPS Family Engagement Advisory Team. The purpose of the Family Engagement Advisory Team is to provide opportunities for MCPS families to learn about and provide input and feedback on the district’s programs and initiatives.
MCPS is committed to improving students’ school experience and academic success and ensuring equitable learning opportunities by engaging families in decision-making and program review. The Family Engagement Advisory Team will meet at least seven times during the school year and members will be required to serve a two-year term.
Applications are due by Friday, December 13. Applications are available at each school, by calling the Division of Student, Family and School Services at 240-740-4620, or online at news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Family-Engagement-Advisory-Team-Application.pdf.
Winter Weather: Stay Informed
Winter weather is coming soon. MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather.
- AlertMCPS: Subscribe to AlertMCPS
- Receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to receive alerts specific to their child’s school.
- MCPS homepage: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
- MCPS cable channels: Comcast 34, Verizon 36 or RCN 89
- Recorded information: 301-279-3673
- Ask MCPS: 240-740-3000
- Staff takes calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish.
- Twitter: twitter.com/mcps
- Local radio and TV stations
- Please make sure emergency contact information on file at your child’s school is up to date.
Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/sources.aspx for more information on how to receive MCPS emergency information.
Know an Outstanding Teacher, Supporting Staff Member, or Principal?
Awards season has arrived! Nominations are open for several competitions to honor exceptional teachers, support staff, and principals. Visit news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/know-an-outstanding-teacher-supporting-staff-member-or-principal/ to see the full list of awards and deadlines.
Save the Date: Annual Used Car, Computer Sale Coming December 7
Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will be selling used cars and computers that they have refurbished on Saturday, December 7 at Gaithersburg High School, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Gaithersburg High School is located at 101 Education Boulevard in Gaithersburg.
The cars and computers are refurbished and reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies. The sales provide students with the opportunity to practice their sales skills, earn Student Service Learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for community involvement. A list of available cars for purchase will be posted online at www.cars2purchase.org/ in mid-November.
Key Dates
- December 4- POST Expo
December 6- Registration Kick Off & Senior Panoramic Picture
December 11- Winter Instrumental Concert
December 17- Athletic Booster Meeting
December 18- Choral Winter Concert
December 20- Alumni Day for Seniors
December 23- January 1st- Winter Break
James Hubert Blake High School
James Hubert Blake High School is a Signature School for the Fine Arts and Humanities
#BESTBlake — #WeAreBlake — #BengalPride
Email: Robert_Sinclair@mcpsmd.org
Website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/
Location: 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD, United States
Phone: (240)740-1400
Facebook: facebook.com/BlakeHSPrincipal/
Twitter: @Blake_Principal