Parent News – November 2010
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Inside This Issue
In this issue you will find (click on the colored text to go directly to that article):
• Head of School: ISACS Accreditation Chair, Beth Hower, Talks About Blake's Accountability: Self-Assessment and External Examination
• Faculty Profile: Erin Adams
• Features: Stand Up for All Victims of Bullying (J.J. Kahle), Playing by the Rules (Anne Graybeal)• Applause: Students in the News Who Deserve Applause
• Parent Association: Classes for Parents, Leadership Nominations Due, A Guide to Publications at Blake, Your Fundraising Dollars at Work, Volunteer Opportunities
• Events: Middle School Play, “Gumshoe High", Upper School Play, “Korczak’s Children", Student Service Parent Classes, Parents Connect Globally Through Webinars, Admissions Open House Events, Celebration of Community and More …
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Accountability: Self-Assessment and External Examination
By Beth Hower, Blake's ISACS Accreditation Chair
Whereas public schools answer to state governments in terms of assessing their success, independent schools deliberately choose an alternate, more individualized path to demonstrate their educational excellence and sound governance.
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Playing By the Rules
By Upper School Director Anne Graybeal
Although I’ve already had many opportunities to observe the good character of the senior class, something about this particular episode brought that quality home to me in a way that no number of Forum meetings or lunchtime interviews ever could.
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Stand up for All Victims of Bullying!
By J.J. Kahle
After attending a benefit dinner organized for the family of 15-year-old, gay student Justin Aaberg, Upper School teacher J.J. Kahle wrote and delivered the following speech to an Upper School assembly. Justin took his own life in July 2010. It was revealed last month that Justin’s suicide was the seventh to take place in the Anoka-Hennepin district during the last school year, and the fourth to involve a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) student.
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Faculty Spotlight
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Spotlight on Upper School Counselor Erin Adams
By Virginia Dale
Upper School Counselor Erin Adams says she has faith in students’ resilience and their desire to have good relationships and be productive members of a community. She enjoys working and living in the community she serves because she can observe and interact with various parts of students’ lives, including peers, teachers and parents.
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Parent Association Updates
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A Guide to Publications at Blake
It never hurts to be reminded of what you can find in Blake's various e-publications, as heaven knows there is a lot. Here's a quick primer on which publications carry what kind of news.
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Your Fundraising Dollars at Work
The Parent Association appreciates your continued and generous support of these important school fundraisers. Please contact Fundraising Coordinator Norma Leslie if you have other fundraising ideas.
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2011–12 Parent Association Leadership Nominations Due
The Parent Association Nominating Committee will meet in December to consider next year’s parent leadership nominations. If you are interested in serving in any of these leadership roles or you know a Blake parent you think should be considered, let us know!
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Can You Lend a Hand?
Jane and Bob Polansky, Volunteer Coordinators
Why volunteer at Blake? There are so many benefits — give a few hours of your time and you will get so much in return!
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Parents Never Stop Learning!
Etta Barry
Parent education is one of my top 10 topics I talk about when I give tours to prospective parents. I want to point out to all of you how really amazing our school is in taking care of us and helping us to communicate with each other and with our children.
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Applause
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Applause!
Caryn Schall
Give it up for these accomplished students and faculty members!
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Announcements, News & More
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Parent Connect Webinars
Join parents from around the globe to participate in monthly interactive seminars to explore critical youth health and wellness issues. Respected authors, experts and psychologists provide the latest research and practical advice to help you connect with your child.
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Middle School Fall Play: “Gumshoe High”
Come join in the who-dunnit fun of this year's Middle School fall play, "Gumshoe High" on Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the MacMillan Performing Arts Center.
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Upper School Play: ‘Korczak’s Children’
Kathy Sandy
This fall's Upper School production "Korczak's Children" is based on a true story about Dr. Janusz Korczak, writer, educator, physician and passionate advocate for children who tries to keep the Jewish boys and girls of his Warsaw orphanage alive and hopeful in the face of unbelievable deprivation.
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What is Celebration of Community?
It’s all here – mango shakes, sign language, Irish dancing and more …
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Upcoming Student Services Parent Classes
Student Services classes are valuable resources for helping support our children. Find out about this month's events.
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Share Blake With Your Friends — Invite Them to an Admissions Open House
Whenever we ask new families how they heard about Blake, the most common answer is “from Blake parents.” No one else can speak as knowledgeably and enthusiastically about the School.
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AlertNow Test
You’ll be hearing from us on Wednesday, Nov. 3. If you do NOT receive a call on that day, be sure to contact us at communications@blakeschool.org.
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Trustee Nominations Welcomed
We are looking for past and present members of the Blake community who can bring enthusiasm and time, as well as diverse perspectives and independent opinions, to the School’s present and future critical policy issues.
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Parent News Contact Information
Parent News is published by the Parent Association in partnership with Blake's Communications Office. Deadline for information is the first of the month prior to issue date. Contact Editor Ruth O’Neill at parentnews@blakeschool.org or the Parent Association divisional chairs (for contact information, please refer to the Blake directory or BlakeNet).