It is almost impossible to believe that we are at Thanksgiving break, but in two and a half short days we will be there. This is a great opportunity to take some time with your children and reflect on those things that we are thankful for and to reflect on all of the positives in our lives. In today's world, where craziness is around us we need to work to make sure we focus on the positives.

Professionally I am thankful for being part of such a powerful and caring community. I am thankful that I get to get up every morning and go to a job that I love doing! I wish you and your families a great Thanksgiving!!!

Do you want a chance to show off your songwriting skills and perform your own songs for cash prizes? A few alumni are holding a songwriting contest for all current Blake Students. You will be competing against each other for the chance at cash prizes. Want to learn more? Visit:

http://blakesongwritersco.wixsite.com/blakesongwriterscomp

Contest opens November 22nd and closes December 22.

Wednesday is report card distribution day, and it is also early release day. Students will be able able to pick up their report cards during lunch on Wednesday! We will have a brief homeroom on Monday, November 27, 2017 for students who do not pick up their report cards on Wednesday. Click the image next to this information for the schedules for these two days.

The Board of Education adopted the school year calendar for the 2018–2019 school year during its November 14, 2017, meeting. The school year will begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, and the last day of school is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, 2019. The calendar includes 182 days of instruction; a shortened spring break; two closure days for planning and professional development; and two operational closures that coincide with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. You can view the calendar here.

The FY 2018 Strategic Plan represents our continued commitment to the five core values that define what it means to be an exceptional school system: Learning, Relationships, Respect, Excellence, and Equity. The plan’s website features our focus areas, strategic objectives, and four new, dynamic data dashboards that represent how we are measuring this work. You can visit the website here and provide feedback on the strategic plan here.

Winter weather is coming soon. MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather. Sign up for AlertMCPS and receive text messages or e-mails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to receive alerts

specific to their child’s school by visiting www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/alertmcps.aspx.

You can also follow MCPS on Twitter and on Facebook:

twitter.com/mcps

www.facebook.com/mcpsmd/

www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol/

More emergency information is available here.

The James Hubert Blake High School's NAACP Parent Council is looking for your help in providing support our Blake families in need during the holiday season with their Close to Home Holiday Collection Project. They will be collecting gift cards from November 20 through December 18th . Gift cards can be dropped off in the main office. For questions please contact Sheila Marshall (sheilamarshall926@gmail.com) or Sheila Chandler (slc1908@gmail.com)

The Prekindergarten/Head Start Program is seeking donations to provide three- and four-year-old students with new winter coats. They are collecting coats sizes 5, 6, 6x, 7, and 8 and other winter wear, such as hats, gloves, and scarves. Send donations to MCPS Prekindergarten/Head Start Program, Rocking Horse Road Center, Room 141, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Lisa Conlon. Monetary contributions are also welcome. For more information, contact Lisa Conlon at 301-230-0676.

• November 20- NAACP Parent Council Holiday Collection Starts
  
• November 22- Early Release Day (Bell Schedule Here)
• November 22- Report Card Distribution During Lunch
• November 23- Holiday- School's Closed (Enjoy Turkey Day!!)
• November 24- Holiday- School's Closed
• November 27- Homeroom Schedule (see above) to distribute report cards not picked up on Wednesday the 22nd
• November 28- Winter Sports Parent Information Night (6:30 pm)
• November 30- Cluster Choral Concert- Bake Auditorium (7:30 pm)

Our Mission- James Hubert Blake High School actively engages our diverse and inclusive school community with challenging learning opportunities in and beyond the classroom that foster a passion for learning, an appreciation of the arts, and a commitment to productive citizenship.

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