Blanson CTE High School

January 2021

This Newsletter Can be Translated

This newsletter can be translated to multiple languages. Click here to see tutorial. Este boletín puede ser traducido a muchos idiomas. Haga click aquí para ver el tutorial para computadora. Para teléfono celular, por favor haga click aqui.

Reminders and Tips for Helping your Virtual Learning Student Succeed

Create a schedule for students to follow at home.
Assignments listed on the main Schoology page are not necessarily the assignments that need to be completed that day and it IS NOT a complete list of assignments that need to be completed.
Please note that although student assignments may have been submitted, it does not mean it they have been completed correctly. If your student says they have submitted something, have them show you the actual assignment to make sure everything was completed.
To check for missing assignments, use the information in Home Access Center (HAC), not the gradebook in Schoology. If you do not have a Home Access Center account yet, click on this link to register: Home Access Center
For all high school students, students are assigned 5 lessons per week, which are to include 2 graded assignments for each class. It is imperative that students completed not just the graded assignments but the lessons too! Students must complete the lesson minimum and have a cumulative grade of at least a 70% in order to receive credit for each course at the end of the semester.

We interviewed several students who are finding great success with virtual learning. Check out these student curated tips on what is working for them!

Wake up at the same time (as if going to school) M-F
Create a break schedule when learning/studying
Create a regular study/work schedule (for instance work on each subject for 1 hour everyday)
Set alarm reminders
Take notes as you watch teacher created videos, then attend office hours and ask your teacher to review your notes with you to ensure that you wrote down on the important information and understand the concepts
Attend tutorials as needed--not just for make-up work but to reinforce what you are supposed to be learning
Give your teacher helpful feedback about the structure of the online course--Is the information easy to get to? Is it easy to understand? Are there too many folders? Are the directions understandable? Be specific and make suggestions!

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Parents and Schoology

Parents are able to join their child's Schoology courses. This will enable parents to see what is being taught as well as what assignments their child should be working on. Click on the link for more information: Schoology for Parents

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Blanson CTE High School Virtual Library

Does your child like to read, but they are learning virtually at home? They can still access the Blanson CTE Library Just click on the link and they will have access to Blanson CTE's electronic book collection as well as the online databases provided by Aldine. Students will need to login to their school Google in order to check out electronic books that they can read on their phone, tablet or laptop.

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Home Access Center

Do you want to know more about how your child is doing at school? Home Access Center is the place to find out. Go to Home Access Center to register your account. You will need to have an email on file with the school in order to make a HAC account.

Aldine ISD No Grade (NG) Policy

Does your student have NGs from last semester? To verify that your student has credit for all of their classes from last semester, please check their grades on HAC. Designations called "NGs" are course credit denials based on a failure to complete a minimum number of lessons for any given class. Should your student have NGs, please talk with your student and the teacher of record for each course where credit was denied. Detailed information with further directions will be sent to your student's Aldine email account later on this week on how to proceed. To understand Aldine ISD's NG Policy even better, check out the video below! Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our administrator over Student Engagement and Attendance, Ms. Sheffield at kasheffield@aldineisd.org

Picture Day for Blanson Students Happening This Week!

Underclassmen 9th-11th grade students and Blanson staff will have their picture day on January 19th and 20th (Tuesday and Wednesday). On-campus students will take their pictures during the school day and students learning virtually will need to sign up for a time slot from 3-5 pm to have their pictures taken. Students must follow the school dress code for their pictures. Students will need to check their email for more information.

Seniors (12th graders) will be have their Senior Portraits taken on January 21st and 22nd. On-campus seniors will have their picture day during school hours and virtual learning seniors will have their pictures taken after school from 3-5 pm. Senior pictures will be taken in the Blanson CTE library. Seniors must fill out the form emailed to them by Ms. Edwards in order to schedule a time. We strongly encourage all 12th grade students to sit for their senior portraits even if they have no plans to purchase them, as the photo will be used to create a senior class panoramic photo.

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Blanson CTE welcomes Mr. Neumann, our new HVAC teacher

Blanson has a new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) teacher. Mr. Neumann has over 40 years of experience in the HVAC industry. He has two professional licenses and two certifications in the HVAC field. Prior to coming to Blanson CTE, Mr. Neumann taught HVAC for two years at Lonestar College.

Welcome to Blanson CTE Mr. Neumann!

Nurses Corner

Here are some reminders from the nurse in regards to protecting yourself and others from Covid-19. Even with a vaccine on the horizon, it is important to still follow these suggestions.

Clean your hands often-Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after you have been in a public space or after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing.
Avoid close contact-Limit contact with others as much as possible and put distance between yourself and others (at least 6 feet)
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others-You should wear a mask especially in public settings. The mask is meant to protect other people. Even while wearing a mask, you should maintain social distancing.
Cover cough and sneezes-Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then you should immediately wash your hands with soap and water.
Clean and Disinfect-Clean and disinfect frequently touched surface.

For more information visit: http://cdc.gov/coronavirus

PSAT Testing for 9th graders

All ninth graders will be taking the PSAT on campus on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. On-campus students are already registered. Students who learn virtually will need to register with Mr. Heady, our Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, through a Google form he will email. All students should report to campus by 7:00 am on the assigned testing day. The test will be finished by 1:00 pm. Taking the PSAT is a good step in the process of planning for college after graduation from high school.

Attention Seniors! Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All Seniors Must complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Parents will need to use their 2019 Tax Return for the 2021-2022 School Year application. Students/Parents should contact their counselor for assistance or contact our College Advisor, Ms. Stephanie Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez can be reached a spo-sgonzalez@contract.aldineisd.org

Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the best predictors of whether a high school senior will go on to college, as seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education.

Daily Student Reminders

Each teacher/class has a course on Schoology. Students need to log into Schoology by 1 pm every school day. This is how the district tracks attendance for students who are learning virtually.
Students need to check every course on Schoology and in the Materials section find the folder that holds the lessons and assignments for that week and complete any lessons and assignments.
Students need to make sure that they have completed all of their assignments in order. Sometimes, you will not be able to continue with the next lesson and assignment until you have finished the previous one.
Students need to check their school email daily. This is the easiest way teaches and counselors can communicate information.

Senior Sunrise Kickoff

On Saturday, January 9th, Blanson 12th grade students gathered in the parking lot to kickoff the second semester of a unique senior year. Students socialized, played outdoor games, painted senior overalls, and danced as a testament of strength and resilience in what has surely proved to be an unprecedented time to be a senior in high school!

As always, our students remained masked and observed frequent hand washing protocols for the duration of the event!

Aldine ISD Parent/Family Events and Resources

Mental Health Training for Parents

Wednesday, January 27

English Session: 9:00-10:00 a.m. http://bit.ly/MentalhealthTraining

Spanish Session: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. http://bit.ly/entrenamientoSaludMental

Storytelling for Kids

Thursday, January 28

https://zoom.us/j/91286173652

English Session from 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Spanish Session from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

The Family and Community Engagement Team has compiled a list of resources to help you during the pandemic. From community resources to job opportunities, we hope this list can help you find what you are looking for.

Adult Education

http://bit.ly/Adulteducation

Community Resources

http://bit.ly/communityResources

Instructional Resources

http://bit.ly/InstructionResource

Job Opportunities

http://bit.ly/Jobopportunites

United Way of Greater Houston

http://bit.ly/Unitedway

Workshop Resources

http://bit.ly/workshopresource