Blake Updates
September 16, 2018
The Week in Review and Looking Forward!
We started the week working through an online threat that, while not directed at Blake, impacted our community. I once again want to say that I truly appreciate the willingness of our staff, students, and community to help us provide a school environment that is not only safe, but one that makes students feel safe and welcome! As we continue through the year I would like to encourage our students (and parents) to continue to say something if you see or hear something that concerns you. Our first focus is, and always will be, the safety and security of our 1720+ students and 188 staff members.
This was followed by an outstanding Back to School Night. Thank you to all of our parents who attended Back to School Night. I would also thank the staff for all of their hard work, our student ambassadors, our student performers, and our security team for ensuring a positive experience. I hope you were able to learn a great deal and were able to start to build connections with our staff. I am looking forward to a great year!
This week coming up is another short week. We have school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students do not have school on Wednesday.
Have a great weekend! See you Monday.
PTSA Meeting
And our sincere apologies that the meeting falls on the first night of Yom Kippur. The schedule is set in advance (always the 3rd Tues of every other month) but we will be sure to post a summary for anyone unable to be there.
Make sure you join the PTSA, too!
You can pay by check, cash or use our Paypal address: treasurer@blakeptsa.org
For more information, read the PTSA Form
NAACP Parent Council Seminars
This week our NAACP Parent Council kicked off their new student focused work during lunch in an effort to directly impact our students, and to support of drive to #ExpectExellence. This year our NAAP PC will be running student sessions each month during lunch. The student-centered and student-led sessions are focused on preparing our students for success in high school and for the rest of their lives.
This month the focus was on "Tools for Success". Discussions centered on the skills needed to be successful in high school, college, and the work force. Conversation revolved around topics such as effective communication, effort, first impressions, and resilience. The session ended with students sharing successes including several students sharing that they had been accepted to Hampton University this week, one student sharing that she is a finalist for a POSSE scholarship (full four year scholarship), and several students sharing stories of overcoming challenges!!
Next month's focus will be on Donuts for Dads on October 8th during the open house! We look forward to seeing all of our parents come visit and would love to see many dads in that group!
For more information on the work our NAACP Parent Council is doing, and to view the presentation used with our students please visit https://www.blakeptsa.org/blake-naacp-parent-council-updates/
MCPS News and Updates
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Give Input on the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget
MCPS wants your input as it works on developing the superintendent of school’s recommended operating budget for Fiscal Year 2020. Take this survey and tell us which strategies, programs, and efforts are working and not working to improve outcomes for all students.
Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Conduct
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, MCPS publishes two documents that help students, parents/guardians, and staff understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules. A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students. The MCPS Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline. All families received a copy of these documents and are encouraged to review them with your child(ren). The documents are available online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/.
Saturday School
The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. kicks off its 2018–2019 season of Saturday School on Saturday, September 15. Saturday School is a low-cost tutoring and mentoring program that provides a sixth day of learning and helps MCPS students enhance their mastery of core academic subjects. Students who are in need of additional academic support can attend sessions at 1 of 12 locations across Montgomery County. Classes begin on Saturday, September 15 and will end in May. Registration is $40 for students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) services and $85 for non-FARMS students. For more information visit George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy.
Stay Informed with MCPS QuickNotes
MCPS QuickNotes is a bimonthly newsletter that provides MCPS families with important news and information about MCPS programs and activities, plus emergency information. MCPS QuickNotes is offered in seven languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic. Visit news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ to read the latest edition.
Changes to the MCPS Curriculum
MCPS is making changes to the K–8 curriculum for English and mathematics. The district is in the process of evaluating and selecting new curriculum and instructional materials and during the next several months, MCPS will work with staff, members of the community, and other partners to gather feedback and outline the selection process. Parents/guardians and members of the community can ask questions and share their thoughts on the process by completing a brief survey. Please visit the website for regular updates on the curriculum selection process. You can read the message from the chief academic officer here.
New Season of Homework Hotline Live!
For 33 years, Homework Hotline Live (HHL) has helped tens of thousands of students in kindergarten through Grade 12 by offering free after-school homework help from MCPS teachers. HHL uses the web, a mobile app, and cable TV to offer students live one-on-one homework help. When HHL is on TV, students can telephone in questions and see and hear the teachers while working through problems together.
HHL kicked off its 2018–2019 season on September 5 online. Homework Hotline Live on TV will start Tuesday, September 25 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on MCPS-TV. Students can call HHL for help from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; or submit online questions from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Mondays. During the TV broadcast, all questions will be answered on-air. Questions submitted at other times will receive an online response.
The free Homework Hotline Live mobile app, is still available for Apple iOS and Android devices! Students can use the Homework Hotline Live app to watch the TV broadcast live, call-in for homework help with one-button dialing, or submit a question online using the app’s “Ask Us” feature. Students can attach a picture of their homework problem to their “Ask Us” question, as well. The HHL app also features numerous homework help tools and links.
Students have several ways to reach HHL:
- Call: 301-279-3234
- Web: AskHHL.org
- Homework Hotline Live app
- Text: 724-427-5445 (7244-ASK-HHL)
- E-mail: question@AskHHL.org
Watch Homework Hotline Live on MCPS-TV, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., starting September 25:
- Comcast 33
- Verizon Fios 35
- RCN 88
- AskHHL.org
- YouTube (search: AskHHL)
- Homework Hotline Live app
Key Dates
- September 18- PTSA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center
- September 19- No School for Students
- September 26- Blue Day
- September 27- Silver Day
- October 3- Talent Show
- October 5- Early Release Day
- October 8- MCPS Open House Day
- October 8-12- Spirit Week
- October 10- PSAT Day
- October 10- Powder Puff Game
- October 11- Hallway Decorating
- October 11- Student Interim Progress Reports Posted
- October 12- Homecoming Football Game vs. Churchill
- October 13- Homecoming Dance
- October 17- NEC Open House
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