Parent News – September/October 2012
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Mindset Matters: Rethinking Messages We Send Our Children
By Anne E. Stavney, Head of School
Why do young children have enthusiasm for trying new things and excitement for persisting in their efforts? As children grow older, why does this confidence often wane and become replaced by reticence?
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Celebrating Play: Early Childhood Education at Blake
By Charles Ellenbogen, PK–12 Language Arts Chair
If you haven’t already, you will soon hear of 21st century education or 21st century skills. Although you may anticipate that these things refer to technology, the concepts instead refer to a series of skills that students will need as they move forward into the 21st century. These skills include collaboration, creativity and communication. How, you may well ask, do we teach those things? My response, quite simply, is play.
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The Blake 2012 Derby Classic – A Galloping Success
By Susan Hitchner Fluke & Lisa Rotenberg
Three cheers for all who joined the race to support our champions!
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Fall Political Season: Creating Citizens at Home and at School
By Scott Flemming, Director of Office of Equity and Community Engagement
I grew up at a dinner table that resembled the old PBS show “Crossfire”: my father was the fiscally conservative Republican, my mother was the socially conscious liberal Democrat, and my sister and I were the studio audience.
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Meet Blake’s New Trustees
The Blake School is pleased to welcome three new members to the Board of Trustees.
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Faculty Spotlight
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Joanne Esser: Teacher, Poet and World Traveler
By Renee Carrel
Walking into the pre-kindergarten room in the lower level of the Blake campus Lower School, you immediately feel the special energy that radiates from this community of students. Pre-K teacher Joanne Esser is part of the four-person team that inspires and guides Blake’s youngest learners on their self-directed journey of exploration, discovery and community building.
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Parent Association Updates
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How to Raise a Harvard Graduate, or, What Harry Potter Can Teach Us about Volunteering at Blake
By Jamie Wilson, Blake Parent Association President 2012–13
I would like to suggest to you that empathy is our most valuable tool in the volunteer work that we are poised to embark on for Blake, for our children and for ourselves. You, all as Blake parents and guardians, possess this tool in abundance, and I look forward to working with you this year.
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We've Reserved a Seat for You at the Parent Association Meetings — Please Join Us
The Parent Association would like to welcome all parents to join them for the first divisional meetings of the year.
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Read on to learn about the speakers and agendas for the following meetings:
US: Monday, Sept. 10 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. (band room)
MS: Friday, Aug. 31 from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. (PCR)
LS: (joint-campus meeting): Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 8:45 to 10 a.m. (PCR, Blake campus) -
Welcome Back to School ... and to Volunteering!
Get a great start to the school year by volunteering now at Blake! Check out these upcoming opportunities in the Volunteer Now! (http://tinyurl.com/8g33mvm) section of the web site. From one-hour projects to ongoing events, there is sure to be an opportunity to suit your time and talents. Click here (http://tinyurl.com/3n22efo) for more details and to sign up!
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Parent Association 2011-12 Fundraising Dollars Put to Good Use
By Kitsy Morrison
The Blake Parent Association organizes several different fundraisers that contribute significant dollars to Blake and enhance our sense of community.
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LiteracyFest 2012
Come join us for our annual LiteracyFest! Together we’ll build community, celebrate literacy and raise funds that will be used by the Parent Association to support projects on both Lower School campuses.
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SAVE THE DATE for Celebration of Community!
By Kera Messinger
On Sunday, May 5, 2013, from 1 to 4 p.m. we hope all paths, including yours, will lead to Celebration of Community — Blake’s biennial event celebrating our community’s many traditions, cultures, activities and interests.
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Applause
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Applause, Applause!
By Caryn Schall
From USA Fencing's All Academic First Team to the Congressional Award for Outstanding Young Americans and an honor from the Spotlight Theatre Program, let's give a round of applause to these students for their outstanding accomplishments.
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Announcements, News & More
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Legacy Day 2012: We Need YOU!
Blake’s seventh annual all-school Legacy Day will be here before you know it, and we really need your help! This is one of the best ways and days to get a sense of all that is Blake. We strongly encourage all parents to join us for all or part of the day. Read on to learn more about Legacy Day. You may sign up to help in a way that best fits your interests and time by visitingtinyurl.com/3n22efo
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or by emailing us at communications@blakeschool.org for more information. Thanks, and see you on Sept. 28! -
Office of Institutional Advancement Welcomes New Director
Chris Clark stepped into his role as director of the Office of Institutional Advancement this April, coming to Blake from Carleton College (and bringing his family with him!)
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Blake Collects: Challenging Assumptions
Blake Collects, an annual exhibition featuring art belonging to the greater Blake community, returns to the Martha Bennett Gallery on the Northrop campus this fall. The exhibition, which opens Thursday, Oct. 11 and runs through Friday, Nov. 16, will feature a wide range of artwork and objects that challenge our assumptions about our lives and the systems in which we operate. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11. The deadline for artwork submissions is Friday, Sept. 14. Visit http://tinyurl.com/8rsy3as for more information on this exhibition and artwork submission.
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Celebrating Play: Early Childhood Education at Blake
By Charles Ellenbogen, PK–12 Language Arts Chair
If you haven’t already, you will soon hear of 21st century education or 21st century skills. Although you may anticipate that these things refer to technology, the concepts instead refer to a series of skills that students will need as they move forward into the 21st century. These skills include collaboration, creativity and communication. How, you may well ask, do we teach those things? My response, quite simply, is play.
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Check Out These Parent Workshops/ Support Groups
Our Student Services team on each campus is eager to greet, know and engage with you and your student. Our goal is to provide enhanced awareness and assist students in reaching their full potential. With this as our framework, we have several resources you may choose to access throughout the year including school counselors and learning specialists at each division, parent and student workshops and support groups and our up-to-date web page at http://tinyurl.com/3f5l38s.
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Save the Date for Reunion & Homecoming — September 27-29
Catch some school spirit during the Reunion & Homecoming festivities taking place Sept. 27-29. A schedule of events for parents and students is listed here by reading more; a complete schedule on www.blakeschool.org/reunion. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Becky Ankeny at (952) 988-3433 or bankeny@blakeschool.org.
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Be a Blake Ambassador
Admission recruitment season is just around the corner, and Blake parents play a vital role as the school's ambassadors to prospective families. Some simple ways to actively serve as an ambassador include: sharing your Blake experience with family members and friends; inviting colleagues and associates to Blake events; volunteering at admission open houses; and encouraging those who ask you about Blake to contact the Admissions Office.
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Blake Upper School Off-Campus Programs Information Session
Is your student interested in traveling to Morocco? Brazil? India? Is she looking for an opportunity to immerse herself in a Spanish-speaking culture? Is he looking to make a difference with an international service project? If so, you won’t want to miss this presentation.
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Blake Welcomes International Students and Amity Aid
We are honored to have two international students and an Amity Aid at the Upper School this year.
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Grade Party Socials for Parents Only
By Monique Maddox
Get acquainted with the parents of your child’s classmates at these casual get-togethers, just for Blake parents. Parent parties have no agenda — just come and have a great time! If you have more than one party the same night, please feel free to move between locations. All parties take place on Saturdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Invitations will be sent electronically only, so mark your calendars now! All parties will be catered by Taher Inc. and are sponsored and funded by the Parent Association Hospitality Committee. Click below to find the date of your parent party. Need more information? Please contact Hospitality Chair Monique Maddox at parent_association@blakeschool.org.
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Major Dates for 2013–14 (NEXT School Year!)
The major dates listed on the inside back cover of this year’s wall calendar are incorrectly titled “2012–13.” The dates are for the NEXT school year, 2013-14. We have published an accurate, revised page on our web site and apologize for the confusion. You may also access the calendar by going to http://tinyurl.com/boecaw2.
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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.
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Middle School Parents – These Items are for You
Be sure to come participate in as many of these Middle School events as possible.
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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.
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School Pesticide Information
All Minnesota schools are required to inform parents and guardians if certain pesticides are applied on school property. Blake minimizes the use of pesticides that could potentially harm people, animals or the environment, but some of the products we use are included in the state law. If you would like to be notified or learn more about Blake’s application of pesticides, please fill out the form found here or contact Director of Buildings & Grounds Ken Nivala at knivala@blakeschool.org.