Parent News – October 2010
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Inside This Issue
Welcome to the October edition of the Parent News. In this issue you will find:
• Head of School John Gulla talks about the September Mpls. St. Paul Magazine article highlighting Blake.
• Faculty Profile: Eric Hansen
• Features: Off-campus Study Opportunities, 21st Century Learning at Blake, the School’s Chinese Language Program, Blake’s International Student, Upper School Students Intern With Professionals
• Parent Association: The Power of You and Volunteer Opportunities
• Events: Service Saturdays, Breakfast at Blake, LiteracyFest, Lunch and Literature for Parents, and more …
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Deconstructing “Blake’s True Colors”
John C. Gulla
Many members of the extended Blake community have seen the article that appeared in the September issue of Mpls. St. Paul Magazine titled “Blake’s True Colors.” Journalist Marya Hornbacher writes about how the Blake of 2010 differs from the Blake she had known growing up in Edina 30 years ago.
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A Broader Perspective: Learning Empathy through Overseas Study
By: Ruth O’Neill
We talk a lot at Blake about our commitment to being a pluralistic community. But how do we do this? How does anyone learn to stand in the shoes of another? How do we develop the ability to acknowledge, see, hear, imagine and value multiple perspectives?
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What Does it Mean to be a 21st Century Learner?
By Marilyn Kelley, Director of Information Support Services
Being smart used to mean that you were someone who could hold a lot of knowledge in your head. It is simply no longer possible to memorize all the answers. The amount of things that can be known, depending on who you quote, doubles every five years. Access to this information is critical to every learner.
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Celebrating Our Fifth Year of Chinese Language
By Roberto Lazo, PK-12 Modern & Classical Language Department Chair
Mandarin Chinese instruction at Blake has blossomed to include language immersion programs, classes for college credit and students like Khyle Eastin ’12, who is currently spending a year abroad in Beijing.
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To Try is to Soar!
By Chenxi “Stacy” Ni, Blake’s 2010-11 Chinese exchange student
Blake’s 2010-11 international student believes “trying is soaring.” With endless dreams, imagination and passion, she is ready to go as far as she can at Blake and in her life.
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Blake Connections: Upper School Students Intern with Local Professionals
By Stacey Graiziger
Choosing a career can be overwhelming to anyone, especially a high school student. The mission of Blake Connections is to connect students with professionals, giving the students a hands-on opportunity to gain insight into their career interests.
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Faculty Spotlight
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Teacher Extraordinaire: Eric Hansen
By Caryn Schall
What Blake teacher comes to mind when you hear the words handyman, poet, reporter? Read on!
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Parent Association Updates
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The Power of You!
By Etta Barry, Parent Association President
I welcome all of you to become involved in whatever way makes sense to you, big or small. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter the most! If you are able to give of yourself you will make a difference in someone else’s life.
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Volunteer Now!
By Jane and Bob Polansky, All-School Volunteer Coordinators
October brings crisp autumn air, falling leaves, jackets and fun Parent Association-sponsored events and volunteer opportunities! Many upcoming events happen only with your help.
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Applause
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Celebrating Students!
Caryn Schall
Do you know of a Blake student who deserves a little extra applause for an accomplishment he or she has achieved?
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Announcements, News & More
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Breakfast at Blake with Speaker David Lebedof
Former Blake parent, attorney and author David Lebedoff will speak at the next Breakfast at Blake on Thursday, Oct. 14. His presentation, "Here We Go Again," will address the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill and what we can expect to happen based on the past experience of the Exxon Valdez spill. Click here for details.
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Counselor’s Corner — Parent Education Classes Offered by the Department of Student Services
Kevin O’Connor
The Student Services Department will host three upcoming events for Lower and Middle School families in October: For Parents of New Students at Highcroft; Middle School Girls and Moms/Significant Women; and Lower School Kids – Alcohol and Other Drugs.
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LiteracyFest 2010 is Here!
So little time, so many books - and more! Please join in the fun (and fundraising) with LiteracyFest 2010. Here are important dates with opportunities to exchange and buy books (both on campus and off) as well as purchase a variety of unique boutique items.
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Examining the Teen Hook-up Culture: Should I be Concerned?
All parents and students are invited to this special presentation with Katie Koestner, a national expert on student safety and wellness issues. She will be speaking at the Upper School on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
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Join Us for Service Saturdays
The Upper School Community Service Board invites all Blake families to help package food for children around the world at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen on Saturday, Oct. 16. Learn more about the new Service Saturdays program on Blake's website.
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Lunch and Literature: A Book Program for All Blake Parents
Want to read what the students are reading? Select one or more of the titles below, give it a read, then on the days noted below grab lunch in the cafeteria and join other parents to discuss the literature.
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One Book, One Blake – Everyone Reads!
Introducing the inaugural session of One Book, One Blake on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Upper School. Please read Blake alumnus Charles Baxter’s collection of short stories, “A Relative Stranger (or at least a few of them),” and come to discuss the book from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Upper School in the English wing. From 6 to 7 p.m. Mr. Baxter will read aloud and answer questions. He will also sign books, which will be on sale at this event.
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Want to Subscribe to Spectrum?
Editor, Bailey Dunning ’12
Spectrum, the Upper School student newspaper, provides a link between the lives and opinions of Blake’s Upper School students and the surrounding community. From school events to student opinions, Spectrum is a forum for all students. Subscribing to Spectrum is a perfect way to remain involved in Blake student life and support the newspaper! To subscribe, please send an e-mail: spectrum@blakeschool.org.
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Green Tips
This month's green tips will help you save fuel, water and the environment.
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Use of the Directory and E-mail Addresses
Directory Updates will be posted on BlakeNet periodically throughout the year. The update sheet includes important additions and corrections to the School’s printed directory. We encourage you to print these out and keep with your printed directory.
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2010-11 Blake Parent Annual Fund – Making a Difference
Thank you to all those who participated in last year’s Blake Parent Annual Fund! We are proud to report that parents reached a record-high participation rate of 85 percent and helped raise $1.85 million dollars in support of students and teachers.
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Celebration of Community 2011 — Save the Date Sunday, May 1, 2011
Take part in the celebration of the year - Blake's Celebration of Community! Your attendance is requested and your help is appreciated!
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New This Year in Parent Education: Parent-Connect Webinars
Blake will be providing access to free Parent-Connect webinars hosted by Campus Outreach Services throughout the school year. Join other parents from all over the world as these interactive seminars explore critical youth health and wellness issues.
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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 on BlakeNet (forms section) or contact Ken Nivala, director of buildings and grounds, at knivala@blakeschool.org.
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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 the editor at parentnews@blakeschool.org or the Parent Association divisional chairs (for contact information, please refer to the Blake directory or BlakeNet).