BLPA Weekly Update
November 18, 2022
Upcoming Events
- 11/21-11/25 Thanksgiving Break
- 11/28: ASVAB 7:45-10:45
- 12/8: Choir Concert: 5:00 PM
- 12/9: PSAT 8th: 7:45-11:45
- 12/15: Band and Orchestra Concert
12/20 $1 Jeans Day, 12:45pm Release Day, End of Quarter2/1st Semester
- 12/21-1/6-Winter Break
Dear Stallion Families,
First and foremost we want to thank you for your partnership, patience, and trust over these last couple of weeks. We know there have been moments of high stress -- and we want all of our Stallion Families to know that we will always continue to uphold campus safety and security measures. Throughout these recent events, we have maintained our strong on-campus security presence and are continuing to be hyper vigilant with administrative presence in all areas of the school. We want you to know that we are always open to conversations, so please feel free to reach out.
To conclude on a note of thanks -- we appreciate you and value you as members of our Banning community!
We hope you and your families have a relaxing Thanksgiving break.
~Your Admin Leadership Team
School Safety Protocols
The Standard Response Protocol
The Standard Response Protocol was developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The protocols are used in over 30,000 schools and municipalities nationwide. They were created through research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public safety experts, families, and first responders. The Standard Response Protocol creates common and consistent language among educators, communities, and first responding agencies.
Depending on the circumstances, a protocol may be implemented without any school functions being disrupted, while others may necessitate changes in dismissal times and might involve local emergency services. We are prepared to care for your children in all of these situations. When we work together, we are all safer.
HOLD is initiated when there is a safety concern in the hallways of the building. A Hold is used when it is necessary to restrict movement within the school or building. Examples that may prompt a Hold being called include a medical emergency or a physical altercation occuring in the hallway.
SECURE is initiated when there is a threat OUTSIDE the building. A Secure is often implemented due to emergency situations that take place in the neighborhood close to the schools. Examples that may prompt a Secure being called include a bank robbery near a school, police activity, or a dangerous animal in the area.
LOCKDOWN is used when there is an active threat or dangerous incident on the campus. Students and staff must find immediate shelter inside the nearest classroom as quickly as possible. Lock the door and turn out the lights. Stay out of the line of sight, and gather in a space so someone in the hallway couldn’t see you when looking through a doorway. Huddle behind large items for extra protection, and consider barricading the doorway if it can be done quickly. Be very quiet. Be prepared to move quickly. Don’t open the door for anyone--stay until law enforcement comes to your classroom and leads you to safety.
EVACUATE is used to get students and staff out of the building by a route designed to avoid contact with a potential threat, such as a suspicious package, a threatening person in a specific confined area, a bomb threat, or a hazardous material spill. An Evacuation protects staff and students from a threat where the exact location in the building is known.
SHELTER is issued for severe weather or hazardous material incidents. A Shelter directive is used to relocate students to a safe area away from a potential weather- or HAZMAT-related danger.
Parents: We need your help!
1. Please let the front office know if you are not receiving communications from the school.
Parents will usually receive texts and email messages from Banning Lewis Academy when these protocols are implemented.
2. Monitor your email for updates and instructions.
In an effort to reduce confusion and the spread of misinformation, Banning Lewis Academy will usually email updates once we know the information is accurate.
It is likely that information and misinformation will be on social media and reported through mainstream media before you receive communication from Banning Lewis Academy.
Our first priority is to make sure students and staff are safe and that their needs are being met. Then, once we have accurate information, we will share it with parents. Sometimes this takes a little time; please be patient.
3. Please don’t call the school during an emergency -staff members are focused on student safety.
4. Please don’t call your child at school during an emergency.
Students’ attention should be focused on their teacher’s instructions and what’s being asked of them at that moment.
If your child calls you during an emergency, please help them stay calm and remind them to listen to their teacher and follow directions. Don’t share information with them unless you know for certain it is accurate. Doing so only adds to your child’s confusion.
5. Don’t drive to the school during an emergency - the streets need to be open for response personnel to safely arrive. Additionally, congregating outside may endanger you and/or others.
6. Banning Lewis Academy will always give you instructions when dismissal times and/or procedures are affected by security protocols.
Because each situation is different, sometimes these alternate dismissal plans take a bit of time to finalize; please be patient.
7. Banning Lewis Academy staff will always stay with students until parents can pick them up.
Rest easy knowing your child is safe until you get there.
Weather Delays/Cancellations
We are approaching the winter season when delays and cancellations begin to happen. Here is what to know:
- We follow D-49. If they call a 2 hour delay/cancellation, BLA will as well.
- BLA will send out an email, text blast, alert news stations, & post on Facebook, in addition to FlashAlert (instructions below)
- Create a new account
- Choose Colorado Springs/Pueblo
- Go to Private/Charter schools
- Choose Banning Lewis Academy
Finals Schedule for Middle School and High School
Middle School
High School
Students enjoyed doing flame testing in Mr. Nord’s chemistry class today! Flame testing is used to identify metal ions in a compound as different metals create different colors.
Concert Season is Coming
Our musician students are gearing up for their concert season!! Class time has been filled with fun rehearsals, so students can be ready to share beautiful music with the community. Be sure to save the dates!
Schoology Group for HS
HS Production of Clue Coming Soon!
A select group of high school students are hard at work for a production of CLUE! Stay tuned for details on the performance dates!
Senior Picture Information!
Attention all seniors and parents,
Seniors are now able to submit senior portrait photos for the yearbook. Along with that, yearbook is giving all seniors the opportunity to submit a baby ad with photos of themselves and a short sweet message. Below are the following steps for each submission.
Senior Portraits:
In order to submit your photo for your senior portrait, visit https://yearbookforever.com/, type in our school name, Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy, and click on “Yearbook Snap”. The access code will be SENIORS2023. Seniors will be required to submit ONE portrait of their choosing.
Photos must be 2x3 vertically framed with a 300 dpi or greater resolution.
Photos should be submitted as JPEG images.
All images must be appropriate with clothing that fits the dress code and no costumes or disguises.
Once you have chosen your photo, check the box “this photo is a portrait” and fill out the name and grade of the following student. The image file needs to be titled with the student's last name, first name. Fill out the following information that will be requested.
Senior Portraits are due by December 1st, 2022
Baby Ads:
To purchase a baby ad, visit https://yearbookforever.com/, enter our school name, Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy, and click on Create a Baby Ad.
Select the size wanted for your ad and continue through with checkout. Images and messages should be significant to the chosen senior.
Once purchased, you will receive an email with a receipt confirming your purchase. If any issues occur, contact gkurtz@blracademy.org.
Baby Ad purchases are due by December 1st, 2022
Sincerely, BLPA Yearbook Team.
Athletics
GIRLS HS SOCCER INTEREST MEETING
Open Gyms start 11/30, running through 12/21 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Ranch.
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION IS OPEN - Please register for MS Girls Basketball before first date of tryouts/practices on 12/5
Winter Practice Start Dates:
HS Basketball Girls/Boys - November 14th
MS Girls Basketball - December 5th
Are you looking for a place that lists every winter sporting event this year?
Look no further! BLPA Winter 2022-23 Sports Schedule (you can also access individual sports schedules on rSchools)
Come out and support your Stallion Athletes!
Upcoming Games:
Saturday, Nov 19, 2022
Cross Country (HS) Nike Championships TBD Arizona
Saturday, Nov 26, 2022
Basketball (GHS) 1:00PM Scrimmage vs. VRHS
Monday, Nov 28, 2022
Basketball (BMS) 4:00PM vs. Vanguard
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022
Basketball (G/B C/JV/V)* 3:30PM vs. Thomas MacLaren
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022
Basketball (BMS) TBA Playoffs vs. TBA
Thursday, Dec 1-3, 2022
Basketball (HS G) TBA @ Harrison Tournament
Friday, Dec 2-3, 2022
Basketball (HS B) TBA @ Kent Denver Tournament
Basketball (BMS) TBA Championship vs. TBA
ADMISSION (GAME) ‐ TICKET PRICES
Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy may charge admission for the following events at the rates listed:
Middle School
Adults: $2.00
Students/Children(6+): $1.00
Senior Citizens (60+): FREE
High School
Adults/Students: $5.00
Children(6+): $4.00
Senior Citizens (60+): $3.00
Please note that all CCAL schools (middle school) may charge for any event at the middle school rates listed above.
Additionally, please note that area high schools charge admission for events. Admission prices may vary between sports and schools.
Season and annual passes are available for advance purchase by BLPA students and families. These passes may be used for BLPA home games only and do not include playoff games. Family season and annual passes grant admission for five immediate family members to all home season games.
Student Annual Pass
$50/school year
Family Annual Pass
Immediate Family Only
Maximum of 5 Persons Per Home Game
$150/school year
Family Season Pass (fall, winter, spring)
Immediate Family Only
Maximum of 5 Persons Per Home Game
$100/season
Booster Club
The Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy Booster Club exists to support the athletics and extracurricular activities of BLPA and offer financial support for activities as set forth in the by-laws. The Booster Club will help propel school pride within the student, parent, and teacher community. Each year we are responsible for fundraising for items/equipment that does not fit within the school budget for that year.
https://sites.google.com/view/blpaboosterclub/home?authuser=3
Shoe Donations Needed!
Start in your family’s closets and gather pairs of shoes that you’ve out grown, are out of style, or out of season. If you have 25 pairs, great, if not please ask your neighbors and/or co-workers to do the same. These shoes will help support our program as well as individuals in developing nations like Ghana, Haiti and Cambodia. Can we count on you? Drop off locations will be available at the Ranch and Prep with more drop off locations to follow.
Become a Sponsor!
Booster Club has sponsorship spots available, please click here to get more information on coming a sponsor for our BLPA athletic teams!
PTO
Safe2Tell
Opt in to Text Alerts from BLA
Get Involved at BLA!
Contact BLPA
Email: info@blracademy.org
Website: blracademy.org
Location: 9433 Vista Del Pico BLVD
Phone: 719-638-3040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLPAcademy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banninglewisacademy_prep/