Montgomery Blair HS
March 2024
Dear Montgomery Blair High School Families,
I hope that you and your family are doing well. The Senior Class countdown to GRADUATION has begun. Our senior class officers are changing the numbers daily until they graduate on Wednesday, May 29, 2024; see the picture in the top corner of this page for their countdown display.
March is Women's History Month, and we will celebrate the courage, influence, and achievements of women. We offer a Women's Studies course. Women’s Studies has its roots in civil rights, and women’s movements of the 1960s and 70s. While common on college campuses today, few high schools offer the course. This academic year is the seventh year that women’s studies has been offered at Blair.
Blair students have examined the role of gender in popular culture and private life, in the workforce and politics, and in laws and social policies. They have explored real world topics like gender socialization, body image, equal pay, motherhood and work, diverse representation in politics, and women’s health issues. They have critically examined the intersection of gender with race, ethnicity, class, age, sexualities, abilities, as well as with other categories of difference.
From a historical perspective, Blair students have investigated important women’s social movements, including the suffrage movement and the fight for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. They have identified, explored, and celebrated trailblazing women in areas such as science, political activism, and the arts who never made it into most history books.
At Blair, we offer so many robust social studies elective courses for our students, click the link here for to our course offerings, https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/mbhs-ss/electives.
As always, please check our website at https://mbhs.edu/ and social media pages for up-to-date school news and information.
Follow on X/Twitter @blairprincipal
Like Montgomery Blair High School on Facebook
Follow on Instagram @blairprincipal
Thank you for your support,
Renay Johnson
Proud Principal
Code Purple
In the case of a multi-day inclement weather event such as a blizzard, MCPS may call for a Code Purple. Find out more about what happens on a Code Purple day at Blair here.
Sign-up to Deliver Yard Signs to the Class of 2024!
We have 750-yard signs to deliver for our graduating seniors. If you would like to help deliver 15 or so signs, please sign up on the google form. Delivery is completely contactless, you just put the stake in the ground with the sign and off you go! Pick up is Wednesday, April 17 in the main office from 3:00-6:00 pm, we ask that the signs be delivered by the last week in April.
ATTENTION ALL BLAIR FAMILIES!
After Prom is a FREE, post-prom celebration for Blair juniors and seniors; students can even come to After Prom if they do not attend prom! After Prom is a fun and alcohol- and drug-free event for our kids to enjoy after the Prom festivities. Students do NOT have to attend Prom to enjoy After Prom. Guests attending Prom with Blair students may come to After Prom. After Prom is a way for our kids get to spend more time with their friends after prom ends, and they can do so on campus, with no need to drive anywhere or attend private parties.
After Prom is held at Blair HS from 12 AM to 4 AM on May 19, 2024. Our students come over to Blair once Prom ends and the After Prom starts. Our students are not locked in at After Prom, but our last admittance is at 1:30 AM!
Before your kid says, “that sounds boring,” here’s how we make it fun for our Blazers!
- Prizes awarded to kids at the After Prom
- Fun activities (bubble machine, photo booth, shaved ice)
- Dancing (with a DJ playing music the kids like)
- Karaoke
- Games (board games, floor games, like shuffle board and ping pong)
Hosting a fun party for 600+ Blazers is not cheap – we need to rent equipment, have food and drinks, and run fun activities for our kids. There are several ways to support. Please consider the following and maybe all three if you can 😁
- Donate to support the After-Prom:https://blairptsa.org/join/
You can pay by credit card or by check
If you pay by credit card, you may also include an amount to cover the processing fees (we always appreciate that!)
Here’s how your donation helps us host an Awesome After Prom:
- $25 = 4 pizzas for hungry After Prom attendees
- $50 = 30 minutes rental for a karaoke machine
- $75 = airbrush tattoos for 10 After Prom guests
- $100 = 1 hour rental for 3 bounce houses
- $150 = 4 hours rental of a snow-cone machine at After Prom
- $250 = soft drinks for 200 After Prom attendees
- $500 = casino dealer for the night
- $1000 = Photo Booth/Selfie Station Rental for the Night
- $2000 = PTSA contribution to our Class of 2024 Graduation (what the After Prom seniors are looking forward to!)
- Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help the day of in several roles. Please click the link below to find out about the different volunteer roles.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A44AEA62FA2FE3-47958995-afterprom
3. Donate After Prom Prizes
We particularly need help with the following:
- Donate items from the After Prom Amazon Wishlist
- Join the committee to help contact area businesses (anywhere in MoCo or DC) to donate prizes or gift cards
- Donate a prize from your own abundance (new/unused birthday/holiday gifts, tickets to one game from your season tickets, etc.)
- Donate gift cards (we need a LOT of these) to everywhere from Four Corners eateries to whatever you have in your gift drawer from past holidays and birthdays!
If you have any questions about the prizes, please reach out to Sandie Angulo Chen at sandie.hans@gmail.com.
For general After Prom questions, please reach out to After Prom Chair Cecily Williams-Blijd at mbhsafterprom@gmail.com.
PTSA Meeting, Ayo Atterberry, President
Joining the Montgomery Blair High School Parent Teacher Student Association (Blair HS PTSA) is one of the best ways to get connected and support the Blair community.
Please see information about the PTSA and join here: https://blairptsa.org/join/
Please see our listservs here: https://blairptsa.org/listserves/
Mark your calendars for our PTSA meeting dates at 7:00 PM:
Below are the dates for our PTSA meetings:
- Tuesday, April 16, 2024
- Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89219565825?pwd=TGhQd2ZydzhqSjFlQWxBUWt5WFhRZz09
Meeting ID: 892 1956 5825
Passcode: BLAIRPTSA
Blazer Families: We’ll See You At The Bowling Alley!
MCPS POLICY HANDBOOKS
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) publishes these handbooks to help students, parents/guardians, and staff understand the Montgomery County Board of Education's core values and commitments; students' rights; school rules; expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules. If you have questions, please speak to the administration at your school. If you have comments about any of these publications, please send them in writing to the MCPS Department of Communications at pio@mcpsmd.org.
REMIND APP FOR BLAIR INFORMATION
Parents: Have you been receiving our school communications via Remind? Check out the quick guide for how to set up and use the app.
For questions, please contact Mr. Bernstein, assistant principal, Aaron_M_Bernstein@mcpsmd.org
Report Card Distribution Dates
Quarter 1: November 9, 2023 ✅
Quarter 2: February 5, 2024 ✅
Quarter 3: April 18, 2024
Quarter 4: June 24, 2024
Interims and mid-quarter progress reports will be available on ParentVue and StudentVue.
End of Course Exam Reminder and Update on the Grading and Reporting Regulation
Free SAT for 11th Graders- Tuesday, March 19!
On Tuesday, March 19, Montgomery Blair High School will offer the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) free of charge to all Grade 11 students. All students are required to be assessed for college and career readiness in English and mathematics by the end of Grade 11 on the SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER. Any junior not registered to take the SAT will take the Accuplacer exam. If your student has already taken the SAT or ACT on their own, please contact Leslie Blaha. Other activities available for students at school that morning will include a Senior Workshop, mock AP exams, and SSL opportunities. Registration for these activities will take place in a few weeks. Please read the linked letter for more information!
NEW ATTENDANCE REGULATION:
In order to be in line with Maryland State Department of Education guidelines and other school districts in Maryland, Montgomery County Public Schools will be reducing the number of unexcused absences from 15 to 10 for students to be withdrawn for non-attendance. Please email Roxanne Fus, Roxanne_F_Fus@mcpsmd.org, if you have questions about our attendance policy.
Counseling Department News & Information
Hello Blazer Community!
We will truly have a busy March! We are exciting for our upcoming 9th grade UMD trip, 11th grade NACAC Fair trip and our SAT School Day! If hearing about these events seem new, please reach out to your school counselor or Ms. Delos Reyes for more information. We are also in the beginning stages of building the schedule for the next school year (2024-2025), and students can now request changes to the course selections they've made. Please find our March Newsletter with information about grade promotion, introduction of our new Dual Enrollment Program coordinator and so much more! Please also find the March Newsletter updates from our College and Career Information Coordinator, Ms. Delos Reyes.
Course Selection Change Requests: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQ9ydAUZ1xVRit6UWbxqdq7_17ok74sEqeV-QRBxRbq6GU8w/viewform
March Counseling Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HmwkCaCVrXJnFv6DsgMh6DBuJSF0r8AL/view?usp=sharing
March CCIC Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8pPqrb7O4L0kOu4Hb5K7tVT3yeiPSfK/view?usp=sharing
Mrs. Makeyda Soriano, NCC (she/her)
Resource School Counselor
Montgomery Blair High School
Phone: 240-740-7220
School Counseling Website: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/mbhs-schoolcounseling-team/home
Blair Academies
Join the Discussion
We have four amazing speakers for our foreign diplomacy and international affairs careers panel on Friday, March 15, 11-12 noon. These speakers reflect a great diversity of roles and responsibilities, and we're sure will provide the students with interesting insights.
- Marion Ekpuk - Senior Foreign Service Officer in the State Dept. with multiple posts worldwide
- Tracy Washington - Consultant, former official with the International Finance Corporation; career in foreign affairs and investment with posts in Africa
- Marci Hodge - retired Army officer and Public Affairs officer for the State Department, career focused on policy issues related to women and girls in the Middle East
- Jared Yancey - US Diplomat with posts in several countries
Students who attend the event will receive lunch, sponsored by The Silver Spring Links, Inc.
Blair's Preschool Program
Do you have a child who is turning 4 for the 2024-25 school year? Do you know someone that does? Sign your child up for the preschool Child Development program today! You can find information about our program on our website; It includes all the documents needed to enroll for next school year! Contact Denae_N_Guzan@mcpsmd.org for more information.
English Language Development News
Blair ELD celebrated stellar February Students of the Month and kicked March off with a visit by our friends at Pine Crest Elementary School to read to 4th and 5th graders!
Fine Arts
Blair Music is delighted to announce that March is "Music in Our Schools" Month (MIOSM). This year's theme is "Don't Sleep on Music!!" We will celebrate with performances at Blair and throughout the community. For the most up-to-date performance calendar, please check us out at http://www.mbhsmusic.com or follow us on socials, @mbhsmusic
If you are interested in getting involved with Music at Blair, contact one of our faculty members!
Mr. Oldham - Raife_E_Oldham@mcpsmd.org - for Bands, including Jazz Ensemble & Music Technology
Ms. Smolen - Katherine_Smolen@mcpsmd.org - for Orchestras & Guitar
Mr. Watson - Jalon_A_Watson@mcpsmd.org - for Choirs
and Mrs. Hernandez-Cata - isabel_hernandez-cata@mcpsmd.org for Piano and AP Music Theory
Math Department News
World Languages Department: American Sign Language
ASL students made posters celebrating noteworthy Deaf and Hard of Hearing African Americans in celebration of Black History Month. Thank you, Mr. Mather and Mr. Sealts for this beautiful gallery!
Blair's Spring Musical
Blair's spring musical is Lionel Bart's Oliver!, the heartwarming tale of an orphan who dares to ask for more. Acting auditions are Jan. 16 and 17; contact Ms. Smolen about orchestra auditions; and stage crew is already underway, planning and building the Victorian London sets—new members welcome! Rehearsals start Feb. 20, and performances run April 19-27. Join us for the song-and-dance filled adventures of Oliver!
SCHOOL MEALS
NEW this year:
- Breakfast: FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS, 7:00 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.
- Lunch: Regular Price: $2.80 (Middle and High); Reduced Price (All Levels): No Cost for those who qualify.
- Supper: FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
Apply online NOW! Families who meet certain federal income standards are eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits. All children use their MCPS ID number at the register so confidentiality is maintained and no child is overtly identified as receiving free or reduced-price meals. Only one application is needed for all students in a household.
A new application must be completed for any family requesting assistance this school year. The online application is now open for families to submit applications.
For more information, visit the Food Services website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/
George B. Thomas Learning Academy Saturday School at Blair!
Through this county-wide program, we strive to ensure every student believes they can achieve and has the tools to maximize their potential. SAT/ACT prep classes are also available at our site, in addition to general tutoring in the core subjects, for high school students. Please register online at www.saturdayschool.org.
Rahman A. Culver, M.P.A. (he/him) What’s this?
George B. Thomas Learning Academy Center Director
Montgomery Blair High School
51 University Blvd. East, Suite 340
Silver Spring, MD 20901
(240) 621-2760
rahman.a.culver@mcpsmd.net
www.mbhs.edu
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/blazing-toward-equity-mbhs
Twitter: @mrculverteaches
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrculverteaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrculverteaches
Explore Montgomery Blair High School's equity journey!
Register now for the 2022-23 year of the George B. Thomas Learning Academy Saturday School Program!
Blair Network Information (BNC) Daily Show
Meet the MCPS Student Member of the Board of Education Candidates
The SMOB Nominating Convention was held on Wednesday February 14, 2024. The two finalists elected for the 47th Student Member of the Board of Education were Ms. Samantha Ross (Sam), Montgomery Blair High School Junior and Mr. Praneel Suvarna, Clarksburg High School Junior.
Ms. Ross currently serves as a member of the MCPS Well-Being School Safety and Districtwide Wellness Committee, the Social Studies Curriculum Advisory Committee, and is Chief of Staff for the current SMOB Advisory Council. She has served on the Maryland Center for School Safety Student Focus Group and is a member of the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association.
Mr. Suvarna serves as the vice president of the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association and is the junior class president for his school. His experiences include working with the Student Advisory Mental Health Board and MoCo for Change. He is also a certified presenter with the Maryland Association of Student Councils.
Congratulations Savannah Brown, Bethesda Magazine Extraordinary Teen!
2024
Congratulations for the Girls and Boys Swimming and Diving teams! Both won their Regional Championships this season.
2024
School within a School – Sofia Woldeab, Montgomery Blair High School
Congratulations to the It's Academic/Quizbowl Team for winning the 2024 Montgomery Academic Beltway League Championship!
2024
Congratulations Mckinley Jovanovic, Maryland State Wrestling Champion!
Congratulations Jaden Chueng, 3rd Place State Champion!
Congratulations Daniel Wu, 5th Place State Champion!
Congratulations Leonel Kanwa, 5th Place State Champion!
Blair Girls Wrestlers are the Montgomery County Champions!
Congratulations to Blazer football players, Quinn Stofa and Aiden Fuller, for their opportunity and commitment to play at Salisbury next year!
2024
Congratulations Blazers! Boys 4x2 earn a 4th place finish and season PR at Nationals!
Congratulations to Blazers, 2024 Futsal County Cup Champions!
Congratulation Blair Robotics Team
Team 449 competed in its first competition of the season last weekend, won the event, and the Quality Award!!
Blair Staff Spotlight!
Celebrating Blair's Social Worker, Ms. Emily Callaghan, for National Social Worker Month!
2024
Congratulations Ms. Donna Franklin, our financial specialist, for being recognized as one of Montgomery County Public Schools Top Supporting Services Employees.
2024
Congratulations Ms. Patel!
Congratulations Ms. Patel, finalist for the 2024 -2025 MCPS Teacher of the Year! The MCPS Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Champions for Children Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2024.
The Montgomery County Council celebrates Black History Month 2024 with the them of "African Americans and the Arts". They featured "Hip Hop History and Culture" Blair High School teacher Kenneth Smith, Folklore educator and professional dancer Angela Ingram, and award-winning painter & muralist Levi Robinson.
Congratulations Mr. Stein, Blair High School Teacher Elected President of the Montgomery County Teachers Union!
2024
Silver Chips News
Be sure to check out Silver Chips' most recent issue! The magazine takes a deep dive into local and national politics. Have your student pick up a copy from their English class or Subscribe to get all 7 cycles mailed to you!
Blair's Kindness Corner
If you or someone you know needs resources and seasonal items, please refer them to Kindness Corner at Blair High School. Together, we provide resources and supplies to our students and families, through Kindness Corner and county and federal resources.
Please visit the resources page at https://blairpcc.weebly.com/
Kindness Corner at Blair is grateful to many for their generous contributions and we continue to collect gift cards and other items through the Kindness Corner registry.
Please contact Faye Nabavian with any questions.
Cell: 240-506-8576
Email: Farzaneh_Nabavian@mcpsmd.org
Kindness Corner
Distributes Free Coats, Clothes & Personal Items
To Our Students
WHERE IS MY TEEN?
We receive many calls and visits from parents looking for their teens after school. Here are a few safety tips for parents:
1. Speak with your teen about their after-school plans. School dismisses at 2:30 p.m. for students who have 8 class periods, and 3:20 p.m. for students with 9 class periods. After school, students must be under the direct supervision of a staff member or participating in a school-sponsored activity to remain in the building.
2. Make sure your teen has their cell phone charged and turned on after school and is checking phone messages.
3. Cell phones have a locator function, have your teen turn it on so that you can know their location.
4. Students without cell phones, can come to the main office to call their family or ask a staff member for assistance. Our main office is open until 3:50 p.m. daily.
A SAFE PLACE FOR TEENS AFTER SCHOOL? BLAIR AFTER SCHOOL RECREATION PROGRAM: REC ZONE IS BACK!
Montgomery Blair High School in partnership with Montgomery County Recreation Department offers a FREE after-school recreation program, Monday - Friday • 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., in Blair's cafeteria. The program has begun, but students can still register for the program and attend on the same day. This program is open to all students. In addition, free dinner is available for students.
Student Government Association DCC Spirit Week!
School Information
ParentVUE: If you need support with log-in information for your teen, please contact Ms. Maria Tanos, Latino Achievement Coordinator, Maria_E_Tanos@mcpsmd.org, or Ms. Andrea Lamphier, Media Specialist, Andrea_Lamphier@mcpsmd.org.
Scheduling, Transcript, Social Emotional Wellness Questions, Contact Your Teen's Counselor
School Counseling Department:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/mbhs-schoolcounseling-team/home/mbhs-school-counseling-team
All Things College and Career: Contact Jazmine Delos Reyes, College and Career Coordinator. jazminechareez_g_delosreyes@mcpsmd.org
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/mbhscollegecareercenter/home?authuser=0
MyMCPS/Synergy Parent Portal Staff Liaison: Maria Tanos, Maria_E_Tanos@mcpsmd.org
Social Worker: Emily Callaghan, Emily_P_Callaghan@mcpsmd.org
Health Room: Full-Time School Nurse: Anisa Harris, Anisa_Harris@mcpsmd.org
Health Room Tech: Angela Romero, Angela_Romero@mcpsmd.org
Principal's Administrative Secretary, Ms. Eileen Heiss, Eileen_F_Heiss@mcpsmd.org
Attendance Office: Roxanne Fus, Roxanne_F_Fus@mcpsmd.org
Blair Security Office: Adrian Kelly, Security Team Leader, Adrian_D_Kelly@mcpsmd.org
Financial Specialist: Donna Franklin, Donna_M_Franklin@mcpsmd.org
Parent Community Coordinator: Faye Nabavian, Farzaneh_Nabavian@mcpsmd.org
Pupil Personnel Worker: Tee Clark, Tee_Clark@mcpsmd.org
MBHS ADMINISTRATION:
Renay Johnson: Principal, Renay_C_Johnson@mcpsmd.org
Adriana Burgos-Ojeda: Grade 12, Administrator, Adriana_Burgos-Ojeda@mcpsmd.org
Rahman Culver: Grade 11, Administrator, Rahman_A_Culver@mcpsmd.org
Aaron Bernstein: Grade 10, Administrator, A-L, Aaron_M_Bernstein@mcpsmd.org
Ramona Washington, Grade 10, Administrator, M-Z, Ramona_L_Washington@mcpsmd.org
Tracy Pettis-Jones: Grade 9, Administrator, A-L, Tracy_Pettis-Jones@mcpsmd.org
Brenda Barrera Mercado, Grade 9, Administrator, M-Z, Brenda_A_BarreraMercado@mcpsmd.org
Peter Ostrander: Magnet Program, Peter_M_Ostrander@mcpsmd.org
Andrew Fields: School Business Administrator, Andrew_S_Fields@mcpsmd.org
Montgomery Blair High School
Website: http://mbhs.edu/
Location: 51 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Montgomery-Blair-High-School/1631578030396596
Principal, Montgomery Blair High School