2019 Blaze Bulletin
Week of January 28th - Edition 49
Teachers,
Don't plan on an early morning on February 5 (Faculty meeting day). The administration is flipping the faculty meeting! We will be providing a link for you to follow to watch/hear the faculty meeting at your convenience! You will have all of the week of February 4-8 to view the meeting. We are trying this for two reasons. One is to test out a new format that might be easier for you. The other is for us to learn and execute some of the blended learning strategies you are being trained on and/or are already using. It's been fun! And it's been a challenge! And if you think you can't teach an old dog new tricks, I'm living proof that you can!
One thing we will miss, however, is seeing your smiling, eager faces. So, to compensate, we will be having a coffee and donut gathering the first Friday in February (Feb 8) in the Bistro before school. We will start serving about 7:40am. Plan to stay and chat a few minutes - just for fun.
Alliteration lesson: February Flipped Faculty meeting with a Fun First Friday in February Coffee/Donut Fest. That's a lot of "F"s.
-lj
GO BLAZE!
A SPECIAL NIGHT AT BLACKMAN
It was like any other night of Blackman High basketball in December. But, it became something bigger in the history of our school---and the community.
Jeff Jordan wrote about this night in an article for the Murfreesboro Post in 2014. --Brian Seadorf
A few days ago I went to Blackman for the Oakland games. The matchups were excellent with tons of talent on all four teams and four fabulous coaches.
This column is not about those games. Blackman won the girls by 14 and Oakland won the boys by two.
This column is about something else.
On this night, the mic at Blackman was scratchy, but Blackman did manage to welcome everyone and get the ROTC, with flags and rifles, to center court. A taped National Anthem was introduced to the huge crowd. Everyone stood, the cheerleaders, players and officials were all lined up. And then - nothing! Twenty or so seconds went by and people from the scorers desk scrambled for the audio room on the other side of the gym.
Another 30 seconds go by without the opening strands of the Star Spangled Banner and you hear a little humming from the crowd which sounds like the opening lines of the Anthem but it dies out quickly. It comes back but dies out again. Suddenly without warning, a few people begin singing and more join in, and before you know it everyone is singing loudly and proudly. It got louder as we went and to our everlasting credit, we finished with a strong "land of the free and home of the brave" that was, at least, close to the correct key.
Blackman replaced the scratchy mic, thanked the crowd and the evening proceeded with no problems.
People and events surprise you don't they? On this night it was a good moment and I was glad to be a small part. God bless America!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
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
*Welcome back, Mrs. Barber! We’re so glad to have you back!
*Students need to have their FAFSA completed by Friday, February 1 to qualify for the TN Promise.
*Registration/EPSO Information Night is Monday, February 4 at 6pm.
*Counselors will come talk with Sophomore English classes on Friday, February 8 about registration for next year.
*Rising Junior Registration will begin on Monday, February 11-February 14.
*New Student/Freshmen Orientation will be on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:00.
*Senior Hiring Event is April 2.
*We were all pretty excited about the surprise snow day on Wednesday! Here’s an article reminding us to enjoy those days and actually relax!
We are so thankful to be part of this team! Go Blaze!
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.
GRADING REMINDER
2019-2020 STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
SPED TIPS
Next Steps Summer at Vanderbilt Institute
Next Steps Summer at Vanderbilt Institute is a college transition program for rising high school juniors, seniors, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities up to the age of 25. This is a week-long residential program that will provide exposure to higher education. Students will be given the opportunity to experience a college campus and develop a broader understanding of the Next Steps at Vanderbilt Inclusive Higher Education Program.
Who: Students with intellectual disability, ages 17-25
When: June 16-21, 2019
Where: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Application deadline: Jan. 13 for priority admission and *scholarship consideration. Additional applications will be accepted until all spots are filled.
FLU SEASON TIPS
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
- February 5th
- 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!
SPORTSCENTER SPOTLIGHT
Alexandra Andueza won the regional diving competition last night which makes her the top diver in Middle Tennessee! So proud of her hard work and determination! She is the first diver that they can remember who missed 1 of 11 her dives (No points were awarded) and still won! Here’s a snapshot of her diving! Go Blaze!
BHS ALUMNI SIGHTING!!
BE A PART OF BLACKMAN'S HISTORY AND FUTURE...
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 TO GUESS THIS LITTLE ONE...NO RIGHT ANSWERS YET...TRY AGAIN!!
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!!!
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
JAN 3 - MOSIER
JAN 5 - FARRINGTON
JAN 9 - GREGORY
JAN 11 - KNOX
JAN 11 - McCREERY
JAN 12 - C.CARTERJAN 15 - CONNIFF
JAN 16 - REED
JAN 17 - HARTSFIELD
JAN 20 - WEEKS
JAN 22 - WILSON
JAN 25 - ANDES
JAN 30 - NORDIN