Blazer Press

I would also like to express my most sincere gratitude to Ms. Patsy Lloyd, and the entire PTSA who sponsored the incredible staff lunch we enjoyed during the teacher professional learning sessions today. It truly made our day.

If you have not done so already, please, please become a member of the PTSA. We only have a small fraction of our parent community who are already members and it is the easiest way to support the students and staff of Montgomery Blair. Please click here to join today!

Within this newsletter you will find a plethora of important information, updates and events about the Blazer community.

Have a wonderful three-day weekend, and we will be in touch again soon!

-Damon

Financial Aid Night to learn how to plan financially for postsecondary education. Registration is REQUIRED.

• Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m.
• Location: Blair Auditorium
• Presenter: Dorothy Nuckols, University of Maryland Financial Wellness Extension

Join us for our next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Media Center. Mr. Adams, Blair’s Dual Enrollment Program Assistant, will give a presentation on Blair’s Dual Enrollment Program, and we'll have members of the student group Sankofa share about their club.

While you can attend in person or virtually, we strongly encourage in-person attendance. The Zoom link will be shared through the PTSA listserv next week. If your student participated in the dual enrollment program, consider attending to share your experience.

Established more than 10 years ago by Common Sense Media, Digital Citizenship Week is widely recognized as a time to promote discussions and activities that educate school communities about the importance of using technology in a responsible, safe, and ethical manner. Equipping more individuals with knowledge of digital citizenship positively impacts our entire community.

Asynchronously, MCPS students may earn up to 5 SSL hours for watching Digital Citizenship videos and participating in follow-up advocacy action during the 2026 MCPS Digital Citizenship Week.

Students must complete the 2026 Digital Citizenship Week SSL Form (https://bit.ly/DIGCITWEEK2026) using their MCPS gmail account no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Please note that the 2026 Digital Citizenship Week SSL Form will be accessible to MCPS students starting October 19. Students must use their MCPS gmail account to access the Google Form.

For students who submit quality responses, SSL hours will be added by the central office team no later than January 20, 2027.

Help support ALL Blair sports! The Blair Boosters need volunteers to work the concession stand during the football game. Come lend a hand and cheer on our Blazers! Sign up here.

This year, MCPS will be paying for registration fees for students ENROLLED IN the corresponding AP course at their school. If they are not enrolled in the corresponding AP course, or the school does not offer the AP course, the student will be responsible for paying to take the exam. Students whose exam fees are not covered by MCPS will be charged $99.00. Students who need to cover their own exam fees will receive an e-mail from the AP Coordinator.

Online Exam registration has begun and will end on Monday, November 10, 2025. Students who register for an exam after this deadline will incur a $40 late registration fee. Being enrolled in the class at Blair is not the same as being registered to take the exam.

In order to register to take the exam, students should follow the procedure listed below:

1. Log in to your College Board account at myap.collegeboard.org

2. Join the College Board course for any AP exam you wish to take. If you don’t know your course’s join code, please contact your AP teacher or the AP Coordinator

3. Any student who joins a course is automatically registered for that exam. If you do not wish to take the exam, you must contact the AP Coordinator requesting a cancellation BEFORE November 10

Full registration letter

Your student’s Spring 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Individual Student Report (ISR) is now available electronically in Synergy for students who participated in ELA, Mathematics, Science (Grades 5 & 8), LS MISA, Government, or Social Studies (Grade 8).

The ISR provides information about your student’s performance and progress toward Maryland’s academic standards. Please log in to Synergy to view the report.

Log in to ParentVUE in Synergy to view your child’s report. Need help understanding the results? Visit the MCPS MCAP webpage for family-friendly guides, or contact your child’s school for assistance. Printed copies are also available upon request.

For parents of high school seniors: the 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now open. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in grants, loans and work-study funds to help them access and complete postsecondary education. To be eligible, students and their families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Most students can complete their section in 12 minutes or less, and they can see their results, including Federal Pell Grant eligibility and their Student Aid Index, immediately after submitting the form. For help, contact the College and Career Navigator (CCN) at your school.

Due to fiscal constraints, the Board of Education’s approved FY27 Operating Budget included a reduction to funds for dual enrollment. The reductions include limitations on what dual enrollment opportunities are eligible for MCPS funding compared to prior years, specifically as it relates to student eligibility and course selection. Please note: Eligibility for dual enrollment participation and eligibility for MCPS funding are now two separate determinations.

1. Funding is Limited to 17 Curated Courses: MCPS will now only cover tuition, fees, and textbook costs for a specific list of 17 approved general education courses (such as ENGL101, MATH117, BIOL105, and HIST117) for students with CCR endorsement. Courses outside this list will not be funded by MCPS, regardless of a student's CCR standing (see list of approved classes below).

2. CCR Endorsement: To receive MCPS funding for these 17 courses, students must be officially designated as College & Career Ready (CCR) by Maryland State Standards (effective July 1, 2026). Most students will not meet these standards until the end of their 10th grade year.

3. Self-Payment Option: Non-CCR students or students taking courses outside the 17-course list may still enroll in classes for dual credit, but families will be responsible for all tuition, fees, textbooks and other related costs.

4. Funding Limits & Exclusions: MCPS covers up to two (2) approved courses per semester (Fall/Spring only) for students with CCR endorsement only. MCPS does not cover developmental courses, repeat attempts, or courses in summer/winter terms. (Note: Principals may request funding exceptions for non-listed courses strictly required for high school graduation or specific Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathway).

1. MC DE Grant is available for students whose household income is less than $100,000 for classes above MCPS coverage; students must follow through on all steps of the grant application. (Note: Applying for this grant does not guarantee receiving any funds)

Key Spring 2027 Dates:

• Nov 2, 2026: MC Spring Registration Opens

• Dec 18, 2026: Deadline to complete JumpStart registration and parent permission forms for winter and spring classes

• Jan 25, 2027: Spring semester classes begin

Next Steps:

Review the list of the 17 funded courses below and reach out to your student’s high school counselor or Blair’s Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA), Mr. Randall Adams, to confirm CCR status and/or register for select courses before the December 18th deadline.

We’re excited to announce a series of lunchtime open houses for Academy students!

The first of these was a STEM open house on Oct. 8 in room 345 (remote guest speaker Nicola Turrini - structural engineer). Next up will be an HSP open house scheduled for lunch on Oct. 27 in room 365 (Mark Woodward, attorney). Meanwhile, the AAS Academy is holding a book study every Thursday during lunch in room 252. The aim of these events is to expand student exposure in their subject areas of interest, but also to create a community for students AND teachers in the Academy Program. For example, the CA academy has invited Blair’s own Jeremy Steltzner to share his experiences in creative writing/publishing at a CA open house (date to be announced).

If you have a special topic of interest to share with students or any career advice to give, reach out to us (find our contacts here). We’d love to schedule you for a lunch open house!

On Thursday during Lunch, the Blair community was treated to a show to close out Hispanic Heritage Month. Thanks to Equity Ambassadors for organizing a great line up and shoutout to Anjuly Zeron and Club Maya for entertaining the crowd!

The science classrooms continue to allow students to explore the world around them and make their learning visible. Our 360’s hallway is decorated with science for the fall!

The MCPS Department of Food & Nutrition Services serves more than 18 million high-quality meals each year. The menus are planned by licensed, registered dietitians and include local ingredients and international flavors that reflect our diverse community. Purchased foods, recipe ingredients and preparation techniques are reviewed to ensure our menus comply with nutritional guidelines. What’s for breakfast or lunch? Find your school’s menus, with pictures and nutritional information.
Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese

FARMS Applications Matter: Help Your Family and Our School
Completing a Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) application can benefit your family and help our school maintain important programs.

Changes in school eligibility mean every application matters. Schools must have at least 40% of students eligible for FARMS to participate in Maryland's free in-classroom breakfast program. When fewer eligible families apply, schools may lose access to this benefit.

Applying is quick, confidential and available in multiple languages. Only one application is needed per household, but families must reapply every school year, even if they previously qualified.

See if your family qualifies and help support our school.
Learn more about FARMs and apply here

The Division of Specialized Support Services and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association are co-hosting 2026 Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from Nov. 9-14. The Mental Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Open to staff, students and families, this free event will include workshops, community partners sharing information about mental health and wellness, and a student forum. Students can earn four Service Learning hours for their participation in the fair. Learn more.

Thank you for supporting the Senior Celebrations. Visit the MPSSAA website to find out about playoffs seeding, dates, times, and opponents.

Winter Sports will start on November 14 with the exception of Cheer (November 16), Swim & Dive (November 17), and Bocce (tbd, week of November 16). See Winter Sports 2026-2027 Registration Information. Sports by Season will answer your questions about what sports we have at Blair High School.

We are hosting the 2026 Cheer County Championships Competition on 10/31/26. Find details in the Cheer Fan Focus 2026.

Go Blazers!

• *NEW* C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.

• Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.

• Share Your Vision for America: Students in Grades 5–12 can write and perform a presidential speech and win prizes up to $1,000. Make Your Speech calls on students to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30

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. The Blair HS PTSA is unique in that there are no membership dues required because we do not want to create financial barriers. Unlike other PTAs that may ask for a specific dollar amount to become a member, supporters are asked to make a donation of any amount to help cover membership dues to the county, state, and National PTAs, and to support the work that we do all year long. (Note: a $6.00 minimum is greatly appreciated, and there is no maximum amount for your generosity.)

Please note that membership expires June 30th of every year. But don't worry - membership takes only 2 minutes to do! Click this link to join!

Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! As MCPS continues its elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study, families, staff and community members are invited to upcoming engagement meetings to learn more, ask questions and share their perspectives.

Let's be clear: No schools have been identified or recommended for closure or consolidation, and no decisions have been made. These meetings are an important part of a thoughtful, transparent process that includes community input before any recommendations are developed or decisions are considered by the Board of Education.

Have questions? Start with the FAQs! Visit https://mcpsstudy.org/#/faq to explore the study website, review frequently asked questions, learn about the process and find information about upcoming meetings. The website is a great place to get answers and stay informed as the study moves forward.

A note about meeting locations: Meeting sites were selected to provide opportunities for participation across Montgomery County and reach as many families as possible. Hosting a meeting at a particular school or in a particular community does not mean that school or community is being considered for closure or consolidation.

We want everyone to be able to participate!

• Childcare: Families who need childcare during an engagement meeting are encouraged to complete the childcare request form or scan the QR code below.

• Language access: Interpretation will be available in Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnamese, as well as American Sign Language (ASL).

As we've shared in previous updates, MCPS is facing sharply declining enrollment; this study is about planning responsibly for the future while considering other factors such as building conditions, educational opportunities and the needs of our communities. Community engagement is essential to that work.

We look forward to seeing you, hearing your questions and listening to your ideas. Your participation helps inform the process, and there is still much work to do before any decisions are made.
Explore the Study, FAQs and Meeting Information

Round 2: School Year Calendar 2027-2028 Feedback

This feedback represents the second phase in the Montgomery County Public Schools calendar development process for the 2027-2028 school year.

In alignment with MCPS Board Policy IDA, School Year Calendar, we will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, contingencies for inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, alignment with assessment schedules, etc.

MCPS provides a school year calendar that allows for effective use of time for teaching and learning, for professional growth opportunities, and planning instructional strategies focused on improving student achievement, while maintaining our lens of equity for all students and commitment to community engagement.

Please limit to one response per person. This survey will close on November 6, 2026.

The Board of Education received a presentation on Oct. 8 outlining proposed school calendars for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 and moved the proposals forward for public comment and feedback. A key feature of the discussion was a two-year calendar approach, designed to give families and staff greater ability to plan ahead by establishing major calendar dates earlier.
Under the approach, the Board would adopt the next school year’s calendar while tentatively setting major dates, such as the first and last days of school and winter and spring breaks, for the following year. The community will now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed calendars, with final adoption scheduled for Nov. 19.

See the video of the presentation here

See the slide deck here

On Thursday, Oct. 8, MCPS updated the Board of Education on the elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study, including why the work is necessary, how the process will unfold and how the community can participate.
Important: No schools have been selected for closure, no recommendations have been made and there is no predetermined outcome. Community engagement begins Oct. 19—months before the superintendent is expected to present recommendations to the Board.
Read the full story for engagement dates, what to expect, the decision-making timeline and the facts families should know.
See the project website here https://mcpsstudy.org
See the presentation video here
See the presentation slides here

MCPS is hosting Curriculum Preview Day, an opportunity for families to explore instructional materials, learn more about what students are learning and discover resources available to support learning at home. This event is open to K–12 families for all MCPS courses. Join us for our drop-in sessions, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 19. Families can connect with MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, explore curriculum materials and receive support accessing digital learning resources.

• Annual Citrus & Cookie Dough Sale Is Here! This popular PTSA fundraiser is back with even more treats and goodies! Stock up on citrus, cookie dough, and other favorites while supporting Blair.
• Order by: November 13
• Local pickup: December 5, from 9:00–11:30 a.m. at Montgomery Blair
• Shipping: Available directly to your home
• Place your orders at www.blaircitrus.com
• Book a Photo Session: Planning family photos, senior portraits, holiday pictures, or professional headshots? When you book a photo session with Shoott Photography through our referral link, $20 from every photoshoot comes directly back to the Blair PTSA. Shoott operates in many major cities across the United States, so feel free to share this opportunity with friends and family.
• Learn to Drive: Ready to learn to drive? PTSA is now partnering with Greg's Driving School, which will donate a portion of funds to the PTSA for every Driver’s Education Course registration. Sign up today!
• Shoe Drive Update: Thanks to everyone for your shoe donations and for spreading the word about our fundraiser! And thank you to our location partners — Movement Gym and Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op — who generously donated their space. We now have to bag all of our donations so they can be picked up and shipped out. If you are available to help on Saturday, October 17, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m., please reach out to fundraising@blairptsa.org. SSL credit available.

• Survey: Block Schedule or 7 Classes a Day? Did you know that the county is considering having Blair change from a block schedule to a 7-class schedule next school year? Caregivers, students, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to provide feedback on block scheduling as part of ongoing discussions about instructional programming through this parent-created survey.
• The Board of Education is considering revisions to a policy that would impact field trips to amusement parks and similar activities. Click here to read the draft revisions of the policy. And provide your input on this potential policy change in a survey by 11/06/2026.
• 💐Enhancing and coordinating behavioral health services in schools and in the community: The Montgomery County Local Behavioral Health Authority, in collaboration with the Community Health Resources Commission, Montgomery County Public Schools, and community service providers, is inviting parents of MCPS students to share their comments about enhancing and coordinating behavioral health services in schools and in the community in this survey. The data collected ensures that the voices of students and families are reflected in their efforts to enhance and coordinate behavioral health services in schools and in the community, and it plays a critical role in their data collection and planning process.

• Blair Cluster Coordinator: We’re looking for 1-2 volunteers to fill this role, which interfaces with local PTSAs, the MCCPTA, MCPS, the Board of Education, and the County Council. Cluster Coordinators help identify capital Improvement needs for the cluster and advocate for schools within the cluster. Contact president@blairptsa.org.
• MCCPTA Special Education Chair: MCCPTA’s Special Education Committee (SEC) advocates for families of students with special needs and accommodations (e.g., students with IEPs or 504 Plans). SEC liaisons with MCPS and families to advocate for consistent implementation of and adherence to countywide provisions for special education services and accommodations per the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Contact president@blairptsa.org.
• MCPS Curriculum Advisory Committees: MCCPTA is seeking volunteers to serve on MCPS Curriculum Advisory Committees for Fine Arts and Health/PE. Representatives should be able to attend 4 scheduled meetings and be willing to share their perspectives, ask questions, and provide feedback as part of the committee’s work. They will also be expected to submit notes that will be included in reports to the MCCPTA delegates. No prior experience is necessary. Contact esolvicechair@mccpta.org.

Are you getting the most out of ParentVUE? It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
Be sure to download the new ParentVUE app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.
Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Now You Know — Stay Connected
Want to make sure you don’t miss important information from MCPS?
Sign up for ParentSquare, the district’s mass communication and direct messaging platform for parents, high school students and staff. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and log in with the phone number or personal email on file with MCPS. You can also follow MCPS on Facebook, Instagram and X, or visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese

• Welcome Back to School!
• September 4, 2026
• September 18, 2026
• October 2, 2026
• October 16, 2026
• October 30, 2026
• November 13, 2026
• November 27, 2026
• December 11, 2026
• December 25, 2026
• January 8, 2027
• January 22, 2027
• February 5, 2027
• February 19, 2027
• March 5, 2027
• March 19, 2027
• April 2, 2027
• April 16, 2027
• April 30, 2027
• May 14, 2027
• May 28, 2027
• June 11, 2027

Want to make sure you’re always getting the most urgent school announcements and staying up to speed with what’s happening at Montgomery Blair? Check out the quick guide for how to set up and use the ParentSquare app.

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Silver Spring, MD 20901-2451

(240) 740-7200

https://mbhs.edu/

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