Blake Updates
September 8, 2019
Welcome Back
Back to School Night
We invite our parents to attend our annual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 12, 2019. This is an opportunity for our parents to meet their student's teachers and hear about the work they will be doing this school year. Students will be receiving invitations through their 7th period classes. (You can access that information here.) Here is an outline of the evening:
- 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.- PTSA Table Fair in the Cafeteria- come learn about clubs and activities for our students and families
- 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.- College information night for senior parents, learn about the college application process
- 7:00- Back to School Night Starts- We will start in first period classes
The invitation letter also includes a blank schedule for you to fill in with support from your student(s) and maps of the building.
We are looking forward to meeting with you and sharing the work we are doing this year.
Back to School Spirit Week
Attendance
Here are some key items I wanted to share with you regarding attendance and absences this week:
When a student is marked as unexcused absent from a class automated call and email is sent by the school.
At 3 unexcused absences MCPS sends an automated warning letter. (Please note that 3 unexcused tardies to class counts as an absence)
At 5 unexcused absences MCPS sends an automated letter notifying the student that they are at risk of earning an E3 in the course. (A grade of an E3 means that a student fails the course regardless of the actual grade they earned.)
I also wanted to share how we are supporting and monitoring student attendance.
Our administrators and counselors monitor student attendance on a daily basis.
Once students have reached 5 unexcused absences the grade level administrator and the student's counselor will meet to look at ways of supporting the student and their attendance.
This work will include looking at ways of supporting the student and working with the student on this support.
Continued absences will result in the development of an intervention plan ( MCPS Form 560-26B) designed to support the student in improving attendance while making up for missed classes and work. Parents will be notified and involved in this work. This plan will outline the steps and work students need to do in order to earn credit in the class(es) that attendance are a concern for.
All intervention plans will be reviewed with the student throughout the semester and a final review and decision will be made at the end of the semester.
Arriving On Time
Cell Phone Policy (Personal Mobile Devices- PMD)
As we continue to work on developing a positive learning environment focused on teaching and learning we have reviewed our cell phone policy and wanted to make sure we communicated our expectations with our families.
As you may know, MCPS states that students may have cell phones at the high school level but they are only allowed to turn them on and use them during the instructional day when permitted by the teacher. Over the past few years cell phones being used for purposes other than instruction has become a problem that we are working to address and we are looking for your support. We will be reviewing these expectations with our students on an ongoing basis.
Personal Mobile Device (PMD) Use Excpetctaions
- Students may ONLY use PMDs when authorized by the specific teacher.
- Upon entering a classroom PMDs are to be turned off and out of sight (unless permitted by a teacher).
- Upon entering a classroom headphones, earbuds, airpods, and all other headset devices are to be removed from ears (unless permitted by a teacher).
- Each classroom will have a “Traffic Light” that they may use to visually communicate PMD use expectations each day. (Can not be used, can be used when permitted, may not be used)
- Students will be reminded of the expectations and will be asked to put devices away and remove accessories from ears.
- Students who persistently fail to meet these expectations may:
be reminded to put device away and remove accessories from ears. have parents contacted. have phone confiscated and returned at the end of the period or day. have phone confiscated and returned to parents. be assigned detention for failure to follow directions/insubordination.
Sept. 11- NAACP Parent Council Student Session
The James Hubert Blake High School NAACP Parent Council is hosting our first student seminar on September 11, 2019 during lunch in the Amphitheater. All students are invited to learn more about the mission of our NAACP Parent Council, learn about the activities that will be run throughout the year, and students will hear about the ACT-SO competition. Students are invited to stop in, grab some lunch and learn about the work of our parent council.
Saturday School
It’s that time of year again! We are excited to share that the Paint Branch Saturday School (PBSS) is getting ready to kick off. Registration is open and we are excited to welcome students back for their 6th day of learning with us. Opening Day is on Saturday, September 21st and our first session will be Saturday, September 28th.
The Paint Branch Saturday School is looking forward to working and serving the Northeast Consortium to support the students and parents of the Paint Branch, Blake, and Sherwood Clusters. You can access information below.
Key Dates
- September 9- Back to School Spirit Week
- September 11- NAACP Parent Council Lunch Session for Students
- September 12- College Information Night- College Application Process- 5:30 in the Auditorium
- September 12- Back to School Night- 7:00 pm
- September 17- First PTSA Meeting- 7:00 pm in the Media Center
- September 30- No School
James Hubert Blake High School
James Hubert Blake High School is a Signature School for the Fine Arts and Humanities
#BESTBlake
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