Blake Updates
September 29, 2019
Remember- No School Tomorrow
Early Release Day- Friday, October 4
PTSA Funding Thank You
We appreciate the ongoing support of our PTSA!
FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP at Blake - New Date!
The annual College Financial Aid Workshop will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Parents/guardians of seniors should plan to attend this event in the amphitheater. Our speaker will be Rob Maddox, Director of Financial Aid, St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He will discuss the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as federal and state aid. Blake recommends that all families submit the FAFSA regardless of income. Handouts will be made available. The completed 2020 – 2021 FAFSA can be submitted online beginning on October 1, 2019 using 2018 tax information.
Can’t make Blake’s Financial Aid Night? Montgomery College is hosting a Financial Aid Night at their Takoma Park campus on Monday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m. The information provided will be for students who will attend either a two or 4 year college or university.
In addition, each MCPS high school will host a Financial Aid Night. Check out this link to see the list of dates and times: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/careercenter/financialaid/workshops.aspx
Kids Ride Free
As you may know, all MCPS students ages 18 and younger can ride free all the time on Ride On Buses and most Metro buses within Montgomery County. However, beginning October 1st, students must have a Youth Cruiser Smartrip Card to access the Kids Ride Free Program.
SCHOOL ID CARDS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE USED STARTING OCTOBER 1
Students can obtain their Youth Cruiser Smartrip through the counseling office. Visit the link below for information on what is needed to obtain a card.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/fares/youth-cruiser.html
AP Financial Waivers
Forum for Equity and Excellence Set for October 15
The Black and Brown Forum for Educational Equity and Excellence will be held on Tuesday, October 15. The event, which is being hosted by the NAACP Parents’ Council and Identity, is set for 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Boulevard in Gaithersburg.
The forum will bring together Montgomery County education stakeholders, advocacy partners supporting the Black and Brown Educational Equity Coalition, and other community leaders for a discussion of evidence-based solutions to create better educational outcomes for students of color in MCPS.
Parent Academy
The MCPS Parent Academy is kicking off its fall season today, Thursday, September 26. Parents/guardians and members of the community are invited to participate in these free workshops that provide information, resources, tools, and tips to support your child’s success in school. Don’t miss this season of workshops, which will be offered on a range of topics, including college and career planning, mental health, cybersafety and social media, active parenting, and positive communication.
Parent Academy workshops are free. Childcare and interpretation services are provided upon request. A full list of courses will be posted at
Financial Aid Workshops
If you’ve started wondering about college and how to pay for it, learn more during free financial aid workshops that will be held throughout the fall at MCPS high schools. During these sessions, parents/guardians and students will learn what financial aid is, what kinds of financial aid are available, and how students can apply for need-based financial aid. Contact your child’s school for more information. The schedule of workshops is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/careercenter/financialaid/workshops.aspx.
High School Application Programs Available on Parent Portal in October
MCPS is offering a convenient way for parents/guardians to consider a student’s high school options for the following school year. In addition to the themed, enriched, and accelerated courses and special programs available at high schools, students in Grades 8–11 may be eligible for high school application programs. In early October, parents/guardians and students will be able to access and review the high school eligibility report for application programs on the myMCPS parent and student portal within the document library.
Students, parents/guardians will be able to sign on to the portal, go to the document library (on the left sidebar) and review the report that reads, “My Student’s High School Application Program Options for 2020–2021.” Each program will have a brief description along with eligibility requirements. Your child’s address, grade level, and current school may impact your student’s eligibility. Make sure your school has your current address. The common application link is personalized to the student’s eligibility. The application deadline is Friday, November 1.
Key Dates
- October 3- Financial Aid Information Night, 7:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater New Date
- October 4- Early Release Day
- October 9- No School
- October 10- Students report to homeroom at the start of the day to complete the Equal Opportunity Schools student survey
- October 14- MCPS Open House for all schools
- October 16- College Readiness and PSAT Testing Day (information included in this week's update)
- October 22- Choral Cluster Concert, 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
- October 28- Homework Spirit Week
- October 28- Hallway Decorating New Date
- October 30- Powder Puff Game New Date
- October 30- Blue Block Day
- October 31- Silver Block Day
- October 31- Hallway Decorating
- November 1- Homecoming Game
- November 2- Homecoming Dance
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