By Carole C. Goodman
December 2008 /January 2009
This has been an exciting fall with an incredible interest by our students in the presidential election. The Board of Education voted to close schools on January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day; so we have modified our exam schedule. (It is posted on-line.) We will work to be as flexible as possible but please be aware with the condensed time-line to give the same number of exams and grade them by the end of the marking period, make-up exams will need to be by appointment, with the exception of the one scheduled make-up exam period. Students will be receiving a letter detailing exam information following the winter break.
This fall there was yet another wake up call for student drivers when a Damascus High School student died in a car accident. In this case, the teenagers were leaving a church function and there was no alcohol involved; however several of the teens were not wearing seatbelts. The driver, however, had his license for two weeks and was not supposed to carry other passengers who were not his relatives. This is tragic case of inexperience and misjudgment. For parents, it is a tragic reminder of having established family rules about who their child is allowed to drive with. All too often, a teenager will get in a convenient car for a lift home where there can be tragic consequences.
Our new electronic sign is finally up and running. In these tight economic times, it’s important to understand that this has been a long term goal and we have been planning and saving for three years for this purchase. This represents a huge commitment from all of our student clubs, organizations and activities who made contributions, in addition to cell tower money and PTSA contributions. The goal is to have a current, attractive sign to keep the community informed of school events. We no longer have to send students down to the road in inclement weather to change the sign.
Our NEC Open House, for parents of prospective in-coming ninth graders and their parents, was a very well-attended, productive and positive evening. I had the opportunity to speak to many parents and students about Blake High School and was pleased by their positive impressions and excellent questions. It’s a very energizing evening for staff, current Blake students and parents who participated in the event as it’s a wonderful opportunity to share what makes us so proud. I spoke to many parents of private school and magnet school students, in addition to the many, many from our five feeder middle schools. The most asked question of the evening was; “If Blake is not our base area, how can my child get in?”
It’s hard to believe but before long the first semester will be coming to a close. Information on final exam schedules, in addition to information about Inauguration Day, is included in this month’s Blue Note. This information is particularly important for parents of 9th graders, as final exam schedules, procedures and expectations are very specific and may be very different from what they were used to in middle school. We will be sending home a packet for all students, but for 9th graders it needs to be reinforced that they need to take this time seriously and do their very best. Final exams are two hours in duration and given in math, science, foreign language, social studies, English and some technology classes. Students are only expected to report to school when they have an exam. Final exams count for 25% of the semester grade and it is the semester grade that appears on student transcripts, and is seen by colleges.
We have a great number of resources that both students and parents can tap into to assist in monitoring student progress and success. Edline is an excellent source of information and should be monitored by both students and parents on a regular basis. ACE, or Academic Commitment to Excellence, is a lunchtime program designed to support students. National Honor Society tutors work with students in areas of need under the supervision of Mrs. Shepherd. Students who take advantage of this find it is a huge help. Older, successful students are a great source of support to younger students. We also have upper level students who serve as “Educorps” members in classes. These students receive credit and are trained as teaching assistants to work with students in the classroom. Feedback has been outstanding on this program. We are also in the process of reviving mentoring programs that are tailored to student success.
Teachers are available four days a week at lunch to work with students, reserving the fifth day as teacher “Professional Learning Community” time to do team planning in like subjects and look at common assessments and student progress and success. On Tuesday and Thursdays, coinciding with activity bus days, the media center is open after school and there is an organized homework help. There are many other less formal ways teachers work with students but the key thing is students taking advantage of the study groups, review sessions and one-on-one help teachers go above and beyond to provide. Students who are struggling, but do not take advantage of these opportunities truly have no excuse. Academic assistance at lunchtime is one of the main reasons we went to one lunch period and are committed to having it continue.
Regardless of what grade your child is in, or what their plans are after high school, please take time to look at our Career Center website at:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/blakehs/staff/moorek/index.htm
Mrs. Kathy Moore, our College and Career Information Coordinator, does a fantastic job with this up-to-the-minute resource, chock full of information all students and parents need. For parents of special needs students, this is particularly important as the information about accommodations for SAT is there for parents as well as multiple other sources of information. We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Moore and her incredible expertise to assist our families on planning for life after high school.
On another important note, we have outstanding health room support in our school nurse Ms. Janeane Marks and our health technician Ms. Darlene Battle. Please consider them resources when dealing with student health issues. They are extremely knowledgeable and supportive of our students. They need to be in the loop on health issues, as well as school counselors. Our school counseling team can offer a wide range of resource supports, particularly when students have issues that warrant socio-emotional support. When communicating with teachers about concerns, keep the grade level administrator, health room personnel and school counselor in the loop, as valued members of the team who work so hard to support our students.
The last important calendar item is that our Graduation date for the Class of 2009 has been set; mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at DAR Constitution Hall.
I wish you and your family a healthy, safe and happy holiday season and look forward to 2009 at Blake High School
