Blazer Press

Friday, Sept. 18 is an early release day for all students. Monday, Sept. 21 is a non-instructional day; there will be no school for students and teachers.
See the MCPS School Year calendar online here, or download the family-friendly calendar here.

📅 Event Details:

College & Career Fair
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM - 8: 00 PM
Location: Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (Cafeteria)

Parking: Feel free to park on the University Blvd East side or Colesville Roadside of the building. Limited space. Please arrive early.

This year, we are excited to expand the scope of our event to include not only colleges and universities, but also apprenticeship programs, trade schools, and employers offering career pathways, internships, or entry-level opportunities. Each organization will be provided with a designated table.

The official list is HERE. Open to all grades, students and families from all grade levels at Blair!

Sleeping in is great. But you know what else feels pretty good? Getting ahead. Saturday School is gearing up for another year of learning, confidence-building and extra academic support for MCPS students. With certified teachers, support aligned with the MCPS curriculum and locations across the county, it’s a Saturday morning well spent.

Opening ceremonies are Saturday, Sept. 19, and registration is coming up—so don’t forget to get your student signed up!

Learn more about Saturday School and register

Secondary students need 75 SSL hours to graduate. Keep earning with these September opportunities. Students who enroll in MCPS after Grade 6 will receive a waiver that prorates the SSL requirement. A full list of in-person and virtual opportunities, reminders and updates are available on the SSL website

MCPS is hosting a virtual information session on Sept. 23 to learn more about the Center Program application process, requirements and offerings for students entering Grade 9 in the 2027–2028 school year.

It will be held:

• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.: English (with ASL and live interpretation in Amharic, Chinese and French) | 8 p.m., Spanish

For 8th grade families, in addition to the academic, extracurricular, athletic and social opportunities available at your local high school, you can also explore the specialized Center programs offered within your region. Programs are organized across five themes:

• Medical Science

• International Baccalaureate, Humanities and Languages

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

• Leadership and Public Service

• Visual and Performing Arts

Applying to a Center program is optional, and students may rank up to eight programs based on their interests. Your student’s high school journey is full of possibilities. Learn more in this one pager: English | Spanish

Now You Know: English | español | 中文 | français | Português | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

If your child had free or reduced priced meals last school year, please be sure to reapply for this by October 7, as eligibility for this program is determined annually. Eligibility for free or reduced meals can also provide other financial benefits, such as:

• Access to MCPS Pre-K program

• Free registration fees for SAT and SAT I subject tests

• Free registration for ACT tests

• Reduced AP exam registration fees

• College application fee waivers

• Reduced pricing for Montgomery College courses

• Discounted internet through Comcast Internet Essentials program

• Reduced YMCA fees (applies to before- and after-school enrichment, preschool, and summer camp)

• Free Head Start classes or Pre-K through the Community Action Partnership of Montgomery County

• Access to Child Care Subsidy program through the Maryland State Department of Education

• Discounts with sports programs like Olney Boys and Girls Club and MSI Soccer

• Access to Rec Assist, a financial aid program through the Montgomery County Recreation Center for summer and non-summer programs.

• $50 school supply reimbursement from the Ready for School Initiative.

• Health insurance coverage through Maryland Children’s Health Programs

• Maryland SUN Bucks Program

All juniors (Class of 2028) will be automatically registered to take the PSAT on October 14. MCPS is paying for the registration fee. Please read this letter for more information about the PSAT test, the modified bell schedule, and what non-testing students should expect.

SENIORS!

Seal of Biliteracy Assessment

October 14, 2026

Seniors ONLY will test on October 14!

Register here.

INFORMATION SESSION ON SEPTEMBER 24 DURING LUNCH IN ROOM 156

We are proud to congratulate the following Blair High School Class of 2027 students who have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists:

Jiya Amin

Juniper Brinegar

Ciara Feng

Zoe Gorbachev

Hanrong Hu

Kenneth Liu

William Qian

Victoria Angeli Regachuelo

Arina Shkolnik

Roman Stemp

Finn Ward

Sami Youssef

A massive congratulations to Blair’s Kian Dhawan on an extraordinary achievement in science! After earning a Gold Medal at the USA Bio Olympiad (USABO), Kian went on to represent Team USA on the global stage at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in Lithuania where he won a prestigious Gold Medal! This incredible performance places Kian among the top elite high school science students in the world.

Huge congratulations to Blair's own Dylan Siah for representing our school this summer in the University of Maryland’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) Jumpstart Your Engineering Career program! Watch the summer program highlight video and learn more about the Jumpstart summer program here.

Shoutout to the Blair Robot Project (FRC Team 449) for completing their sixth consecutive year of teaching free summer STEM classes to local MCPS students. This summer, nine dedicated Blair team members served as instructors, mentoring 45 students in grades K–12 across four weekly courses:

1. CAD Basics: Computer-aided design fundamentals

1. Algebra 1 Bootcamp: Preparation for upper-level math

1. Python PROgramming: Introduction to Python code

1. Scratch Simplified: Beginner block-based programming

We are so proud of Team 449 for using their technical expertise and passion to give back to our community and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders!

Lastly, on Thursday, August 20th, the Magnet department welcomed over 60 families to the annual Magnet Picnic! This event allows 9th grade students to meet teachers in the department and students in their class. Despite the weather, we had a great turn-out and are looking forward to a great year! Below is a picture of the Magnet class of 2030!

Here’s one school form that’s worth a few minutes of your time. If your family may qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS), apply! There’s no stigma, no special lunch line and no reason to hesitate. A student’s eligibility is confidential, and students receiving free meals use the cafeteria just like everyone else.
Best of all, you only need one application for all MCPS students in your household, even if they attend different schools.

It’s quick. It’s confidential. And it could make a real difference for your family. Don’t count yourself out, take a few minutes and see if you qualify.

Apply for FARMS and learn more

Did you know that to earn your Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, your volunteer work MUST be completed with an official, approved nonprofit organization?

💡 What is a nonprofit? A nonprofit organization is a group or charity dedicated to helping the community or a specific cause, rather than making money for themselves.

How to Verify an Organization Before You Volunteer:

· Search Online: Google the “Montgomery County Volunteer Center” to look up approved organizations and track active community opportunities instantly.

· Visit School: Stop by the Counseling Office to check our official printed list of approved nonprofit operations.

https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/

Don't let your hard work go uncounted—always make sure the organization is approved before you start volunteering!

Small conversations can make a big difference. This week’s Quick Guide Pull-Out gives parents and caregivers simple Do’s and Don’ts for supporting their child’s mental health and well-being, from checking in and noticing changes to building healthy routines and knowing when to ask for help.
The guide also includes school-based supports and important crisis resources so families know where to turn when they have a concern.
Take a look, save it and keep it handy. Supporting student well-being is something we do together.

MCPS, Career Council, Inc. and College Fairs USA are hosting an in-person College Fair from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg for high school juniors and seniors. Students, who will attend the fair during the school day, will receive a link that will allow them to complete an online profile. For more information, students should contact their school counselor. Fair Flyer: English | Spanish

As the college admissions and scholarship season kicks off, remember that MCPS College and Career Navigators (CCNs) are available to assist and answer questions about the college application process and financial aid. High schools are hosting a variety of in-person and virtual workshops to provide guidance to families on finding the college right path, writing essays and understanding the Common App. See what’s being offered and join us!

Montgomery College is also offering upcoming financial aid events. Learn more.

The Blazer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club has begun its third year, and it's off to a fantastic start! Blazer BJJ is open to all Blair students and staff who wish to learn a martial art and challenge themselves physically and mentally in a safe and inclusive environment. Blazer BJJ meets every Wednesday and Friday from 3:30-4:30pm in the Blair Wrestling Room. For more information, visit Mr. Oldham in room 014, or send him an email at Raife_E_Oldham@mcpsmd.org.

RecZone, an after-school student program sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Department, begins Tuesday, September 22, here at Montgomery Blair and runs from 2:30 to 5:00, Monday through Thursday.

RecZone gives students a place to explore their interests, learn through hands-on experiences, connect with mentors and peers and build skills for school, work and life.

A registration form is required to be part of this after school program. You can find registration forms, in English and Spanish, in the Main Office.

We had a great first PTSA meeting on Tuesday night! Thank you to those who attended, virtual and in-person! Minutes and slides will be posted on our website soon, but we heard updates from Principal Monteleone, student SGA representatives, and kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month learning about Club Maya from student members!

Some reminders:

• If you haven't done so already, please join the PTSA! Membership is annual, so for those who were members last year - please join for the 2026-2027 school year. Don't worry - it's easy and free!: https://blairptsa.org/join/

• Our shoe drive fundraiser is ongoing through Sep 30th and could use more donations! Please consider donating shoes that you no longer need - and letting your neighbors and friends know that their donation will help plan amazing activities at Blair!

• Our Annual Parent College Kickoff is on Wednesday, October 7th, 7-9pm in the MBHS cafeteria/SAC. Not sure when to start thinking about college or where to start? Join us for a parent-focused introduction to the process. We'll learn what to do before senior year arrives, learn from a panel discussion, and enjoy a meet and greet with local college prep organizations.

• Please save the date for our next PTSA General Membership Meeting, October 20th, 8-9pm, following the MBHS Financial Aid night.

• Please participate in an input survey on block schedule changes

• Did you know that the county is considering having Blair change from a block schedule to a 7-class schedule next school year? A parent has initiated a survey to gather information on this change - please consider completing this survey to help understand perspectives and how our community can advocate for our school.

• Please provide your input about screen use in MCPS schools. The MCCPTA Tech Committee and Schools Beyond Screens MCPS are gathering feedback from families and educators about screen use in MCPS schools.
• PARENTS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Help inform an upcoming listening session with Maryland legislators, Board members, candidates, and MCPS leaders. The brief survey asks about Chromebook access at your school and your support for proposed recommendations addressing excessive and harmful screen use. Complete the Parent & Community Survey Deadline: September 30
• MCPS EDUCATORS: A separate educator survey includes questions about cell phone storage, an issue important to many teachers. Please share with MCPS educators you know! Complete the MCPS Educator Survey Deadline: October 1 | Goal: 500+ responses
• Are you interested in being involved in the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) as a Blair Cluster Coordinator (CC)?
• The Area Vice President (AVP) for the Down County Consortium is putting out a call for 1-2 CC. This role is the interface between the local school PTAs and the MCCPTA as well as with MCPS, the Board of Education and the County Council. They are involved in helping identify Capital Improvement needs for the cluster, and advocating for schools within the cluster. If this sounds of interest to you, please contact president@blairptsa.org for more information.

Join LAYC on Saturday, September 26, from 12:00 PM–3:00 PM for a free community event dedicated to supporting youth and families. Attendees will have access to a variety of free resources, including hygiene products, school supplies, haircuts, our Community Closet, employment services, and much more! Whether you're looking for employment opportunities, community

resources, or everyday essentials, this event is here to support your goals and connect you with services that can help you thrive.

Have an instrument collecting dust at home?

Want to give it a new life helping a student make music?

The MBHS Music Department is growing and is looking to expand their inventory of instruments to help our students! If you have a musical instrument at home that is no longer being used, we would be grateful for your donation!

Guitars, string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), band instruments (clarinet, flute, all saxophones, trumpet, trombone, percussion instruments)—you name it! Instruments do not need to be new or in perfect condition!! Older instruments, smaller student-sized instruments, and instruments that may need a little repair could still be incredibly useful to our program!!

Please reach out to Ms. Smolen at katherine_smolen@mcpsmd.org ! Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will directly support our growing music program!

We get it, mornings can be hectic. Alarm clocks don’t cooperate, shoes disappear and sometimes getting everyone out the door deserves its own trophy. But being in school really does matter.

Every day in class is another chance to learn something new, see friends, connect with teachers and keep moving forward. And those “just a day here and there” absences? They can add up fast. Missing 10% of the school year, 18 days, is considered chronic absenteeism. That’s not good.
MCPS is a great place to be; it’s a place to belong. We want your student here, connected and part of our school community every day.
Need help?

• 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.

English | Spanish | French | Korean | Chinese | Vietnamese | Portuguese | Amharic

Stay Connected to MCPS

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
  x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

• School calendar

• Parent resource page

• News and Information page / Noticias en Español

• Latest photo galleries

• MCPS TV videos

• MCPS TV español

51 University Blvd East

Silver Spring, MD 20901-2451

(240) 740-7200

https://mbhs.edu/

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