Parent News – May/June 2012
-
The Trouble With Goodbyes
By Head of School John Gulla
For months I have found myself in the grips of an increasingly strong emotional tide. This has been a year marked by “lasts” — my last Convocation/Legacy Day, my last Middle School talent show, my last Classic and now this, my last column for the Blake Parent News. By my count, I’ve written well over a hundred such columns.
Read More -
Rethinking How to Pay for College — A New Financial Paradigm Awaits
By Director of College Counseling Frank Sachs
Perhaps nothing has changed more drastically over the past 30 years than the cost of a college education and how one pays for it. According to Wikipedia and the U.S. Census Bureau, over the last three decades Americans have seen the cost of a college education climb by some 680 percent, while the average income has gone up 250 percent during the same period.
Read More -
This Land Was Made for You and Me
By John Chipoco ’12 — Senior Assembly Speech
… That was the day that I last saw my dad in person, as he was deported a week later. That same day I learned something about myself. Actually, I shouldn’t say that I learned something new, because I already knew that this day would come. I knew that I had an insurmountable amount of privilege and power over my parents simply because I was born in Minneapolis in 1993.
Read More -
Put Away the Pity, and Eliminate Barriers for those with Physical Disabilities
By Patrick Dunphy ’12 — Senior Assembly Speech
On December 30, 2011, Benilde-St. Margeret’s hockey player Jack Jablonski became paralyzed in a horrible accident. A check from behind sent Jablonski flying to the ice, and the subsequent impact of his body against the boards severed his spine. Physical therapy helped to regain limited use of his left arm, but Jablonski will likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, unable to walk or skate.
Read More -
Farewell to Head of School John Gulla: June 1, 2012
Please mark your calendar today for Friday, June 1, 2012, from 4-7 p.m. on the Blake campus (Hopkins) in the Otis Courtyard. Everyone is welcome to join us for food, fun and a fabulous tribute. Watch for your invitation, arriving soon!
Faculty Spotlight
-
The Ether of Elaine
By: Ruth O’Neill
Walking up into her office and meeting her felt like visiting an old friend. She gave me her hand, a warm smile and then coffee. We had never met before, but conversation came easily. As we chatted about her 24 years at Blake, I realized The Blake School runs on the ether of Elaine Fries.
Read More -
Superhero Ken Nivala
By: Ruth O’Neill
Odds are I will cry when she walks across the stage. When she receives her Blake diploma in June, there will be so many people to thank — homeroom teachers who smiled at my daughter every morning and the many who helped her see poetry in the arts, math and sciences. Another person on my thank you list is Ken Nivala.
Read More
Parent Association Updates
-
Thanks to All for Making the Blake Derby Classic a Success!
A spectacular evening of champions, generosity and community came together on May 5, 2012, at the biennial all-school fundraiser, The Derby Classic. Thanks to all who gave so much to make the event a runaway success.
Read More -
A Special Thank You From the Parent Association President
By Paula Riggi
Help Wanted: Blake parent willing to work with a large number of talented, thoughtful, exuberant and incredibly gifted volunteers. Involves long hours and very low pay.
Read More
Two years ago I accepted the position of president of the Blake Parent Association (PA). I must admit I was pretty nervous. Looking back now, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this experience. -
“Thank You” to Outgoing Parent News Editor Ruth O’Neill and “Welcome” New Editor Renee Carrel
It’s time to say, “goodbye” to Parent News editor Ruth O’Neill and “hello” to new Parent News editor Renee Carrel.
Read More -
Why Should I Volunteer At Blake?
Great question! Volunteering at Blake is important for many reasons. Your participation as a volunteer makes possible the numerous programs and events sponsored or supported by the Parent Association. Beyond that, volunteering at Blake helps create a stronger family community and fosters greater connectivity between families and the school. At the leadership level, you will meet and get to work with many people — parents, faculty, and administrators — with the common goal of enriching our children's experiences at Blake. Please consider volunteering at the leadership level by visiting the Volunteer Leadership Form (http://tinyurl.com/895ccb9). There really is something there for everyone!
Applause
-
Applause, Applause!
By Caryn Schall
From Scholastic Art Awards to the Federal Reserve Bank essay winner, and from the USASA National Snowboard and Ski Championships to Minnesota FoodShare Heroes: let's give a round of applause to these students for their outstanding accomplishments!
Read More
Announcements, News & More
-
Breakfast at Blake With Peter Hutchinson
The next Breakfast at Blake is on Thursday, May 17 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Upper School. The featured speaker is Peter C. Hutchinson, a courageous, transformative leader of business, government and nonprofit enterprises. http://tinyurl.com/7xr6wr3.
-
Nominate a Teacher Today
Nominations are being accepted now through Friday, May 11 for the Juliet Nelson Award (http://tinyurl.com/6no8z8f).
-
School May Be Out Soon But Summer Means Lots of Activities at Blake
Will they want to pursue artistic endeavors? Hone athletic skills? Brush up on study skills or advance in a particular math track? All these options and more will be available for students (from Blake as well as from other schools) through 2012 Blake Summer Programs. The complete listing of classes is available online (http://tinyurl.com/7ky9cun) and registrations are currently being accepted. Questions? Please contact Summer Programs Director David Cole at (952) 988-3463 or summerprograms@blakeschool.org.
-
Blake Joins Global Online Academy
Earlier this spring, Blake announced that it would be joining the Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of schools that connects students from all over the world, preparing them for interactions and a future world only glimpsed today. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/btytytm.
-
An International View of Our School
If we were asked to describe what it is like to live in the United States, the Twin Cities and to be a part of the Blake community, many things would come to mind. Blake's 2011-12 international students this year from Sweden, Germany, Vietnam and Belgium/Rwanda had a unique experience to see our country, city and school from an outsider's perspective.
Read More -
Faculty Adventure Blogs
Upper School teachers Jon Dicus and David Graham are each on sabbatical and having some amazing adventures. Follow along with Mr. Dicus in Argentina and Mr. Graham in India as they blog about their experiences. Both blogs can be found on Blake's Moodle site at http://tinyurl.com/84tgo3z (scroll down to find the links on the right-hand side of the site).
-
Host an Amity Aid Next School Year
Blake is looking for two host families (one per semester in 2012-13) to host an Amity Aid intern. Amity Aid interns are between the ages of 20 and 30. They are students or graduates of institutions of higher education in their home countries. Many are involved in the field of languages, English as a foreign language, education or other related fields. For more information on Amity, please go to the Amity home page (http://tinyurl.com/3e6rvx9). If you'd like more specific information on Ibrahima Diallo, please contact Director of International Programs Dion Crushshon at dcrushshon@blakechool.org or Upper School French teacher Michele Cassavante at mcassavante@blakeschool.org.
-
Upper School Events That Keep You Linked In
Stay linked in to what's going on at the Upper School by checking out the following events and activities.
Read More -
Wall Calendar August 2012 Correction
For those of you planning ahead to the 2012-13 year using the Blake wall calendar, please note there was an error on the August 2012 page: the sequence of dates is incorrect (no August 6). A corrected page is available to print out for replacement (http://tinyurl.com/7gu8tue). We apologize for the inconvenience. Questions? Please contact Director of Communications Cathy McLane at cmclane@blakeschool.org.
-
Middle School Parents – These Items are for You
It's a busy time of year at the Middle School – be sure to come participate in as many of these events as possible.
Read More -
The 2012–13 Blake Family Calendar is Available Online
The 2012–13 Blake Family Calendar is available online on the calendar home page. To access it, visit http://tinyurl.com/d2buahj.
-
Lower School (HC & BC) Events You Don't Want to Miss
Mark your calendars and join other Lower School parents at the Highcroft and Blake campus for these important events.
Read More