Blake Updates
June 16 2019
Have a great summer!
On behalf of the Blake High School staff I want to thank you all for a fantastic year and wish you a great summer!
Fall Sports Registration
The online registration window for Fall 2019 sports at Blake will open on July 15th! Fall sports are scheduled to begin for most sports on Wednesday, August 14th. Below is information on registration and Fall sports tryouts that parents and students need to know.
Here is a memo from MCPS on the online registration process: MCPS Fall Registration Memo.
For more information visit the Blake High School Athletics website at: https://blakeathletics.org/2019/05/24/fall-2019-sports-registration-information/
Hear the Voices of MCPS Grads
More than 11,000 MCPS students received diplomas in commencement ceremonies that began on Friday, May 24 and will end on Thursday, June 13.
MCPS has created a webpage that features video stories and pictures of members of the Class of 2019. Visit the page to hear from some graduates as they reflect on their time with MCPS and share their plans for the future.
Board of Education Approves $2.68 Billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2020
The Montgomery County Board of Education adopted a final $2.68 billion Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget on Tuesday, June 11. The budget will allow Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to manage growth, maintain high levels of achievement, and eliminate opportunity gaps. A majority of the $80.14 million spending increase will be used to maintain services for a growing student population; manage increasing operational costs; fund ongoing salaries and benefits; and invest in key areas of work to close opportunity gaps and improve academic excellence for all students.
The budget also includes funding for key bodies of work that will strengthen the district’s efforts to improve programs; increase access to strong academic and career opportunities; extend learning; provide language opportunities; focus on physical, social, and psychological well-being; hire and retain an effective and diverse workforce; and strengthen operational excellence. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/ to learn more.
Summer Meals
Students in many summer school or recreation programs will be provided meals as part of the Montgomery County summer food program. The program ensures that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school breakfasts and lunches are not available.
The free meals will be distributed at approximately 120 sites throughout the county every weekday starting June 17 (start dates vary by site). Children 18 and younger are eligible to receive the meals, as are persons with physical and mental disabilities up to 21 years old.
Lunch also will be provided daily on a walk-in basis at several locations throughout the county. For specific information on locations and meal times, visit
For more information, contact the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 301-284-4900.
Don’t Miss the 2019 Back-to-School Fair
Join us in a fun kickoff to the 2019–2020 school year! All MCPS students and their families are invited to Westfield Wheaton for an MCPS Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Back-to-School Fair is a great way to kick off the school year and learn about the school system’s programs and services, along with resources from government agencies and community partners. School system staff will be on hand to answer questions about MCPS curriculum and programs.
There will be free, fun entertainment for the whole family, including children’s activities, health screenings for adults and children, giveaways and more! Shuttle buses will be provided; locations are to be determined.
Mark your calendars and keep checking the Back-to-School Fair webpage over the summer at www.mcpsbacktoschoolfair.org/. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates as well. For more information about the fair, visit the Back-to-School Fair website or call the Department of Communications at 240-740-2837 or the Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement at 240-740-5630.
Prekindergarten/Head Start to Host Free Summer Event for Families
Montgomery County families are invited to attend the Head Start Party in the Park on Saturday, July 13 at Wheaton Regional Park from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event, at the park’s train station, is co-sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Community Action Agency, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery Parks, DHHS Early Childhood Services, and Montgomery County Public Libraries. Wheaton Regional Park is located at 2000 Shorefield Road in Wheaton.
Parents of four-year-olds are encouraged to attend this event, which will include information about the County’s Pre-K/Head Start program, along with on-site registration. Several community agencies and organizations will participate in the event, providing helpful resources to attendees. This free event includes a DJ, food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, and other activities for children. To learn more about this event, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/Resources/Files/Head%20Start%20Party%20in%20the%20Park.pdf for information in English and Spanish.
Please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/OCA/CommunityAction/HeadStart.html to learn more about Head Start/Pre-K registration for the 2019–2020 school year or call 240-740-4530.
Summer is A Great Time to Read!
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) invites all students to participate in this year’s Summer Reading Program, which will begin Saturday, June 15 and run until Saturday, August 31. This year’s theme is “A Universe of Stories,” encouraging children of all ages to dream big, believe in themselves, and create their own stories. Space is featured in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Children from newborns to 12 years old and teens, 13-17 years of age, are invited to sign up online or at any branch.
Participants who read and/or take part in fun learning activities can earn prizes (while supplies last); vouchers to a Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC) bookstore; or raffle entries.
Summer Read and Learn also includes many different programs and events generously sponsored by FOLMC and local Friends of the Library chapters. Schedules of programs are on the Library’s calendar of events.
For more information about the program, visit
montgomerycountymd.gov/library/programs/summer-read-and-learn.html.
GIVE BACKpacks Campaign Under Way
Join us as we kick off our 7th annual Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) GIVE BACKpacks campaign to raise funds and coordinate the distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students in MCPS schools. For just $10, you can provide a student in need with a backpack filled with school supplies for the 2019–2020 school year.
To donate now, visit www.mcpsfoundation.org/pages/ways-to-give/give-backpacks-donation-form-2018-copy.
For more information, call the Partnerships Unit office at 240-740-5599 or visit the GIVE BACKpacks website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/community-engagement/backpacks.aspx.
Key Dates
2019 - 2020
- July- Watch for our online summer information coming in mid-July
- August 29- New Student Orientation
- September 3- First Day of School
- September 9- Back to School Spirit Week
- September 12- Back to School Night
James Hubert Blake High School
James Hubert Blake High School is a Signature School for the Fine Arts and Humanities
#ExpectExcellence
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
Twitter: @Blake_Principal