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Blake 11th Grade Class - 1st Quarter Parent-Guardian Meeting
Minutes
September 23, 6:30PM
Amphitheatre
Welcome:
Beth Thomas ( [email protected] )
11th Grade Administrator
PTSA:
Parent Representatives, Abby Sandler ( [email protected] )and
Sue Present ( [email protected] ) were introduced. Abby
Sandler, who is also the PTSA Executive VP, presented information
about the PTSA and Eubiemail.
Many Blake activities, meetings, and programs are
supported through the PTSA and your membership dues.
For more information about the PTSA please visit
http://www.blakeptsa.org/.
Eubiemail is a way to receive regular and timely e-mail
messages about events and activities at Blake. Anyone can
subscribe. Simply follow the instructions on the PTSA
Eubiemail page. http://www.blakeptsa.org/eubiemailblakeptsa-yahoo-group/ .
PTSA memberships can be completed on line
(http://www.blakeptsa.org/join-online/ ) or through this
Membership Form ( http://www.blakeptsa.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/07/Blake_PTSA_Membership_Form.p
df ). All members receive a PTSA Blake Directory.
Admin. Team News: Kevin Yates was promoted to Assistant Principal at Paint
Branch H.S. Anita O’Neill is the new 10th Grade Administrator.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/department
/administration.aspx
BYOD
Blake has gone wireless. Now, students who have completed a
BYOD contracts may use their personal devices during classes, but
exclusively for their classroom work. Please note that a personal
technology device will never be needed for students to do their
work in any classroom. Furthermore, teachers’ rules and the BYOD
contract provisions will always govern the use of the devices.
(http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/blak
ehs/students/BYOD%20policy%202014.pdf) Later in the year,
Chromebooks will be provided to social studies classes.
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BYOD is part of a comprehensive pilot project. Beth Thomas is on a
committee that is monitoring the effects of the new policy, and
parents are urged to contact her with questions, comments, or
concerns: [email protected] . Parent-Guardian meeting
attendees raised concerns about student/family privacy, including
privacy through Google; fairness and disparate impacts upon
students whose families cannot afford devices, noting Blake has a
high FARMS rate; and whether BYOD, by placing forbidden
technology in easy access to students, might advance discipline
problems.
Tests, Testing, and Test Prep
1. PARCC Testing / HSA Testing – 11th Grade students will continue to take
the HSA Tests and be required to achieve passing scores or the
equivalent. The HSAs will next be administered October 6 – 10.
Most students taking the exams at that time will be taking them as
makeup exams. In May, most 11th Graders will take the Biology
HSA, which will be the final HSA Test for students who already
passed their Algebra and English HSAs.
11th Graders will not take the PARCC Tests. PARCC (Partnership
for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) Tests were
introduced this year as a replacement to the HSA, through a
curriculum change. However, this change only affects lower grades.
2. PSAT
The PSAT will be administered at Blake on October 15th. All 11th
Graders should register for and take the PSAT. Registration is now
open and available through October 10, 2014, using the attached
registration form or through on-line registration
(http://osp.osmsinc.com/MontgomeryMD/BVModules/ProductTempl
ates/BVC%202004%20Layout/Product.aspx?productid=BY286121).
3. Test Prep a) Kaplan is hosting free last-minute online PSAT prep sessions
(“Cram Sessions”). Advanced registration is required and limited
space is available. See the attached form.
b) There will be a Mock SAT “Give Back” on October 1, at 7pm, for
the families of those students who took the Mock SAT on
September 20th. On November 15th, from 9am – 1:30pm, Kaplan is
offering a combination Mock SAT/ACT. The fee is $5.
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c) Presentation by Mr. Joe Caufield, College Test-Prep
Teacher/Guru, ( [email protected] )
o All 11th Graders should register for the PSAT
o The PSAT is a good predictor of SAT results
(add a “0” for the estimated SAT score)
o Contrary to The College Board assertions, students do
better if they studying for the test.
ƒ They need to learn how to take the test.
ƒ They can prep to improve their scores.
o Students who are willing to study and prep should take
the SAT more than once, because they will generally
benefit from better scores and schools’ use of
“superscores.”
o Blake’s spring-semester College Test Prep class has
openings available for students who may wish to add it to
their school schedules. There are also a variety of private
classes and tutors available to help students prepare for
the SAT.
Career Center
a) College Visits Upcoming visits from representatives of
Colleges/Universities are posted on the Blake Website
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/depa
rtment/careercenter/college_visit.aspx and listed in the
Career Center. Interested students must sign up in advance
of the day of the visit to meet for 20-30 minutes with a
visiting college representative. Sometimes these meetings
take place during class and require the student to get a pass
from the Career Center (subject to teacher approval). At
other times the meetings can take place during lunchtime.
Juniors may also receive advanced permission to be
excused from up to 5 days of school to visit colleges and
universities.
b) Scholarship information is posted on the Blake website and available in
the Career Center.
c) NAVIANCE
In December, during English class, students will see Mrs.
Kathy Moore ([email protected] ) at the Career
Center, to establish their accounts and create their entrance
inventories for NAVIANCE, which is a college an career
technology package. Students’ PSAT scores will be entered
into their NAVIANCE accounts, helping them to pinpoint the
schools that are best fits.
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d) Planning Ahead The Career Center offers a place to browse through
many college catalogs and brochures, information on
selecting a school and a course of study, paying for college,
college testing, career/vocational choices, etc.
e) The Career Center promotes volunteer, employment, and internship
experiences as ways to help students prepare for the future.
Upcoming Dates, 1st Quarter and Beyond:
Sept 24
Half Day due to interims
Sept 25
No School - Rosh Hashanah
Sept 26
Evening with Patti LuPone, Blake Auditorium
Oct 1
Mock SAT Give Back at 7 pm in the Amphitheatre
Oct 4-5
Kaplan PSAT free online “Cram-Sessions”
Kaplan SAT Bootcamp 9am – 1pm at Blake (fee required)
Oct 6
NAACP Parent Council Kickoff @ 6 - 8:30 @ Kennedy HS
Oct 6-10
HSA exams (during school time)
Oct 9
Bengal Golf Classic
Oct 15
PSAT/Accuplacer administered (during school time)
Oct 13 Open House at Blake http://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/school-openhouses-slated-for-october-13/
Oct 14 – Nov 19 (Tuesdays) “Effective Parenting” workshops, 7 – 8:30 pm
@ Blake, presented by YMCA. Min. class size required. See
Beth Thomas for info. [email protected]
Oct 16
Instrumental Concert @ 7pm
Oct 17
No school for students and staff
Oct 22
NEC Open House @ 7pm
Oct 24 - Nov 1 HOMECOMING WEEK (no school on Oct. 31st)
Oct 29
Hispanic College Fair, Gaithersburg
st
Oct 31
No school for students (report planning day)
Nov 15
Kaplan Combo Mock SAT/ACT - $5, 9am – 1pm @ Blake
Dec 16
PSAT Scores Give Back at 7 pm in the Amphitheatre
Dec 23
Blake Alumni Panel (during school day – for students)