Dear Parents:
Happy March madness! We are slowly approaching our testing accountability times for the school year. We are planning many academic and fun activities for your students. Coming soon will be a carnival, several PTA dinner opportunities, some Relay for Life Activities and some guest speakers and readers.
On Monday, March 1, we will be practicing how to prepare if a tornado strikes. This is part of our Severe Weather Month training. This will be a mock drill that students have practiced for. We will most probably have a mock lock-down as well this month. We practice a required monthly Fire Drill as well.
On Tuesday, March 2, our PTA is sponsoring an Ice Cream Social. This is in conjunction with our Dr. Seuss Week and our evening Book Fair. Please join us for both on the same evening!
On Thursday, March 4, we will have our Spring Pictures taken. This will be your last opportunity to order pictures of your child this school year. This evening the PTA is sponsoring Chick-Fil-A night. Take your family out to dinner for a change....and allow the proceeds to go to our PTA for technology, books and games donated to our school. We love and support our PTA..
On Friday, March 5, we have a very, very busy day....Mrs. Stock and Mrs. McCarty will kiss a real live pig if the Blair students read 3, 400 books in less than a week......Mrs. Stock is practicing pucker-uping just in case! We will have many guest readers throughout the day in our classrooms, including Dr. Lerch, our Superintendent. We will also have our Book Character Parade right after the pig kissing and Blair On the Air.
Hope everyone has a fun Dr. Seuss week!
Yours In Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Week of February 15, 2010
Dear Parents:
Happy Valentine's Day. Hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Monday off. Unfortunately, our teacher's did not get the day off, but are busy doing workshops. Fortunately, those workshops help them learn more for your children.
Our students collected $611.72 for the "Change for Change" Haiti Relief Fund! We were pleasantly surprised at the outpouring of donations for this great cause. We will be presenting a check to the Red Cross in the next week or two. This is just one example of student community work that we are so proud of. Thank you teachers and parents for your support as well!
Activities next week include the following:
Feb. 15 Monday: No school for students. Teachers are in workshops.
Feb. 16 Tuesday: Grade 3 in cafeteria for StarLab.
Feb. 19 Friday: PTA Bingo Nite in the Cafeteria !!!!!! We did this last year and it was awesome. Come join us for fun, laughter and family time!!
Everyone have a great week!!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Happy Valentine's Day. Hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Monday off. Unfortunately, our teacher's did not get the day off, but are busy doing workshops. Fortunately, those workshops help them learn more for your children.
Our students collected $611.72 for the "Change for Change" Haiti Relief Fund! We were pleasantly surprised at the outpouring of donations for this great cause. We will be presenting a check to the Red Cross in the next week or two. This is just one example of student community work that we are so proud of. Thank you teachers and parents for your support as well!
Activities next week include the following:
Feb. 15 Monday: No school for students. Teachers are in workshops.
Feb. 16 Tuesday: Grade 3 in cafeteria for StarLab.
Feb. 19 Friday: PTA Bingo Nite in the Cafeteria !!!!!! We did this last year and it was awesome. Come join us for fun, laughter and family time!!
Everyone have a great week!!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Week of February 7, 2010
Dear Parents:
February may sound like a nice quiet month, but ask any of our teachers and they will tell you different! February is our time to go over all student assessments with a fine tooth comb. We are busy collecting and disaggregating data on each and every student at Blair. We progress monitor their growth and check to see that every child is at least where he/she should be at this time of the year. We are closely checking on the achievement of every student.
This week at Blair we will have our Faculty Meeting where we will share strategies that are working to help our sub groups of students and their performance levels. We will also be discussing budgets for next year as well as Kindergarten assessments for incoming Kindergarten students. Kindergarten registration begins later in February, but you may want to think about setting up Doctor appointments for Health Screenings as they tend to book up quickly if you have a child coming to Blair this coming school year.
Our PTA will be hosting the PTA Student Art Show on Tuesday the 9th at 6:30 p.m. This exhibit will showcase all the wonderful things your students create through the Fine Arts Department at Blair. We hope that you will join us and find out all the wonderful things our PTA does for our students and teachers. The PTA will also be hosting the Valentine Breakfast for our faculty on the 12th. You know the old saying, "If you feed them, they will come!"
The Wilmington Police have contacted us with concerns from corporate establishments that our afternoon parent pick up lines are causing blockages to some of the businesses on Market Street. We will fully cooperate with the Police Department and look at any way we can to improve that situation. If anyone has any suggestions, we would love to hear them! Please be safe when waiting to pick up our students. You do have the option of parking your car and coming to the front office to pick children up as well.
We encourage you to come and volunteer in your child's class, the Front Office or our very busy Media Center. We certainly would appreciate any help you can give us. Have a great week!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
February may sound like a nice quiet month, but ask any of our teachers and they will tell you different! February is our time to go over all student assessments with a fine tooth comb. We are busy collecting and disaggregating data on each and every student at Blair. We progress monitor their growth and check to see that every child is at least where he/she should be at this time of the year. We are closely checking on the achievement of every student.
This week at Blair we will have our Faculty Meeting where we will share strategies that are working to help our sub groups of students and their performance levels. We will also be discussing budgets for next year as well as Kindergarten assessments for incoming Kindergarten students. Kindergarten registration begins later in February, but you may want to think about setting up Doctor appointments for Health Screenings as they tend to book up quickly if you have a child coming to Blair this coming school year.
Our PTA will be hosting the PTA Student Art Show on Tuesday the 9th at 6:30 p.m. This exhibit will showcase all the wonderful things your students create through the Fine Arts Department at Blair. We hope that you will join us and find out all the wonderful things our PTA does for our students and teachers. The PTA will also be hosting the Valentine Breakfast for our faculty on the 12th. You know the old saying, "If you feed them, they will come!"
The Wilmington Police have contacted us with concerns from corporate establishments that our afternoon parent pick up lines are causing blockages to some of the businesses on Market Street. We will fully cooperate with the Police Department and look at any way we can to improve that situation. If anyone has any suggestions, we would love to hear them! Please be safe when waiting to pick up our students. You do have the option of parking your car and coming to the front office to pick children up as well.
We encourage you to come and volunteer in your child's class, the Front Office or our very busy Media Center. We certainly would appreciate any help you can give us. Have a great week!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Friday, January 29, 2010
Week of February 1, 2010
Dear Parents:
Please forgive me for not sending a blog last week. My middle daughter had her first baby-or better yet, Grandma had her third grandbaby! I took 3 days off to spoil my new grandson (who lives in Raleigh) to the best of my ability!!
This first week in February brings a lot of cold weather. Please ensure your child has his/her gloves and hats this week as we do go out in cold weather for atleast a short time.
On Tuesday evening, our Blair Chorus will be singing for the School Board at 6:30 p.m. at Spencer Center. Other than that, our extra curricular activities are quiet this week. We are looking for girls to be part of "Girls on the Run" for quarter 3. Please ask any teacher about the program that helps boost girls' self esteem.
We are hoping to have student led conferences some time in late February or early March. We hope you will all join us to discuss your child's educational growth.
Happy first week of February.
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Please forgive me for not sending a blog last week. My middle daughter had her first baby-or better yet, Grandma had her third grandbaby! I took 3 days off to spoil my new grandson (who lives in Raleigh) to the best of my ability!!
This first week in February brings a lot of cold weather. Please ensure your child has his/her gloves and hats this week as we do go out in cold weather for atleast a short time.
On Tuesday evening, our Blair Chorus will be singing for the School Board at 6:30 p.m. at Spencer Center. Other than that, our extra curricular activities are quiet this week. We are looking for girls to be part of "Girls on the Run" for quarter 3. Please ask any teacher about the program that helps boost girls' self esteem.
We are hoping to have student led conferences some time in late February or early March. We hope you will all join us to discuss your child's educational growth.
Happy first week of February.
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Friday, January 15, 2010
Week of January 18, 2010
Dear Parents:
This is a short week, and therefore, a short blog! Students are off on Monday the 18th and will be off for half a day on Thursday the 21st. . I am sure you are all asking why we have half days. Central Office has allowed several half days built into the calendar so that teachers can be afforded the opportunity for staff development to keep them current with new educational trends. This month at Blair we will be doing a staff development on the "Fish" Philosophy, a way to boost morale, improve results and help make our students and faculty more positive and self assuring.
On Wednesday, we will be having a panel of judges for our school Science Fair. It should be quite interesting and a lot of fun. Grades 1 and 2 will also be going to the Pied Piper performance. Our School Improvement Team will meet after school and it is open to the parents if they wish to attend. It will be in our Media Center at 2:45 pm.
Have a wonderful week, enjoy the warmer weather to come, and enjoy your children.
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
This is a short week, and therefore, a short blog! Students are off on Monday the 18th and will be off for half a day on Thursday the 21st. . I am sure you are all asking why we have half days. Central Office has allowed several half days built into the calendar so that teachers can be afforded the opportunity for staff development to keep them current with new educational trends. This month at Blair we will be doing a staff development on the "Fish" Philosophy, a way to boost morale, improve results and help make our students and faculty more positive and self assuring.
On Wednesday, we will be having a panel of judges for our school Science Fair. It should be quite interesting and a lot of fun. Grades 1 and 2 will also be going to the Pied Piper performance. Our School Improvement Team will meet after school and it is open to the parents if they wish to attend. It will be in our Media Center at 2:45 pm.
Have a wonderful week, enjoy the warmer weather to come, and enjoy your children.
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Week of January 11, 2010
Dear Parents:
Happy New Year!!! Hope everyone had a terrific holiday season. Our teachers all look very well rested and are revitalized and ready to continue teaching all our Blair students. Hope your students are happy to be back as well.
Friday was a 2-hour delay morning, but all went well and our students were excited at the thought of snow. That is something we don't see here very often. From an old northerner originally from the Lake Erie area of Cleveland, Ohio, believe me when I tell you the snow is over-rated!
This coming week includes the following events, suggestions and notes:
1. As long as the weather is not freezing, raining or heavy winds, we generally do go outside for recess, even if it is for 10 minutes. Studies show fresh air is good for all of us, moves our blood and oxygen levels around and helps us focus better the rest of the day. We decide on a day-by-day basis whether students will go outside. Even if we have inside recess, students still have to bundle up to move to electives and lunch in the cafeteria. All this being said, please be sure your students have hats and gloves and an appropriate coat for the weather. If you are in need of any heavy winter clothing items, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Bass, our counselor. Of course, it will be kept confidential. We have given out over 40 pair of gloves just this last week!
2. On Tuesday, we will have a Family Math Nite at the Food Lion at Market and Gordon Roads. The idea is to have the family help students work on real-life math problems in the grocery store. Food Lion will provide worksheets where students find items in the food aisles and solve mathematical problems from the grocery shelf items. No purchases needed! Please join us from 5-7 pm. We are hoping that this will be a yearly activity we can provide our students.
3. The uniform survey results showed that 60% of parents surveyed were NOT in favor of uniforms for students at this time. Therefore, we will not pursue the issue for the 2010-11 school year.
4. On Wednesday our faculty will be honing in on assessment testings of your students. Our K-2 teachers will be sharing Dibel data and Grades 3-5 teachers will be sharing ClassScape Assessment data with each other. This exercise will help teachers with strategies to improve student learning, share positive results and help teachers assess where we are and where we all need to be to ensure successful students for the 21st Century.
5. On Wednesday morning, I will also be having a "Coffee with the Principal" and invite all of you to join us for questions and issues you might like to discuss in an open forum. An invitation will be sent out on Monday. We ask that you return it if you plan to join us, as we need to purchase coffee and a light breakfast we would like to share with you. We will begin at 8:00 a.m. We would love to have you there. In April, we will do a "Coffee with the Principal" in the evening for working parents who cannot attend in the morning.
6. On Thursday, our PTA is offering a fun activity for your children. We are offering Skate Nite at JellyBeans on Oleander Road for our Blair students. The admission is $6.00 per student and if parents do not want to skate, admission is free to just watch. Skate Nite is from 6-8 pm. Hope to see you there!
Stay warm and have a wonderful week!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Happy New Year!!! Hope everyone had a terrific holiday season. Our teachers all look very well rested and are revitalized and ready to continue teaching all our Blair students. Hope your students are happy to be back as well.
Friday was a 2-hour delay morning, but all went well and our students were excited at the thought of snow. That is something we don't see here very often. From an old northerner originally from the Lake Erie area of Cleveland, Ohio, believe me when I tell you the snow is over-rated!
This coming week includes the following events, suggestions and notes:
1. As long as the weather is not freezing, raining or heavy winds, we generally do go outside for recess, even if it is for 10 minutes. Studies show fresh air is good for all of us, moves our blood and oxygen levels around and helps us focus better the rest of the day. We decide on a day-by-day basis whether students will go outside. Even if we have inside recess, students still have to bundle up to move to electives and lunch in the cafeteria. All this being said, please be sure your students have hats and gloves and an appropriate coat for the weather. If you are in need of any heavy winter clothing items, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Bass, our counselor. Of course, it will be kept confidential. We have given out over 40 pair of gloves just this last week!
2. On Tuesday, we will have a Family Math Nite at the Food Lion at Market and Gordon Roads. The idea is to have the family help students work on real-life math problems in the grocery store. Food Lion will provide worksheets where students find items in the food aisles and solve mathematical problems from the grocery shelf items. No purchases needed! Please join us from 5-7 pm. We are hoping that this will be a yearly activity we can provide our students.
3. The uniform survey results showed that 60% of parents surveyed were NOT in favor of uniforms for students at this time. Therefore, we will not pursue the issue for the 2010-11 school year.
4. On Wednesday our faculty will be honing in on assessment testings of your students. Our K-2 teachers will be sharing Dibel data and Grades 3-5 teachers will be sharing ClassScape Assessment data with each other. This exercise will help teachers with strategies to improve student learning, share positive results and help teachers assess where we are and where we all need to be to ensure successful students for the 21st Century.
5. On Wednesday morning, I will also be having a "Coffee with the Principal" and invite all of you to join us for questions and issues you might like to discuss in an open forum. An invitation will be sent out on Monday. We ask that you return it if you plan to join us, as we need to purchase coffee and a light breakfast we would like to share with you. We will begin at 8:00 a.m. We would love to have you there. In April, we will do a "Coffee with the Principal" in the evening for working parents who cannot attend in the morning.
6. On Thursday, our PTA is offering a fun activity for your children. We are offering Skate Nite at JellyBeans on Oleander Road for our Blair students. The admission is $6.00 per student and if parents do not want to skate, admission is free to just watch. Skate Nite is from 6-8 pm. Hope to see you there!
Stay warm and have a wonderful week!
Yours in Education,
Barbara Stock, Principal
Friday, December 11, 2009
Week of December 14, 2009
Dear Families: We sure are getting closer to the holiday season. Just a reminder (my teachers insisted I write this!!!) that the students' last day is December 18. Return date is January 4, 2010. We hope you all have a fun filled and happy holiday...
We have a request from PTA: They are collecting 600 milk/sweet tea jugs for an earth day project. If you would send them to school, we will pass them on to the PTA.
Please make plans to join us for our Fifth grade Chorus this Tuesday night. The singing will begin at 6:30 and a little birdie told me we may all be asked to sing a song together for the holidays!! PTA will be serving yummy desserts afterwards. This would be a great time to have fellowship with our students, their friends and families. Please try to join us for this special event.
The cafeteria asked us to explain to you that we do not bill overdue lunches until they reach $10.00. Those accounts that eventually turn into free and reduced lunches still owe the prior balance. Our cafeteria is down $1200.00 from overdue lunches not paid just so far this year.
And a final reminder that if you are able, please see Miss Elaine in the front office to help with the Angel Tree. The family child you pick will only be known to our Guidance team. If you and your family can provide a gift or clothing for a child who is not so fortunate, please think about a doing the Angel Tree at Blair. All gifts and proceeds benefit Blair students 100%. We thank you for your generosity and kindness in advance.
We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. We are secretly hoping for just a sprinkle of snow one morning....Be warm, be safe, be happy!
Yours in education,
Barbara Stock
Principal
We have a request from PTA: They are collecting 600 milk/sweet tea jugs for an earth day project. If you would send them to school, we will pass them on to the PTA.
Please make plans to join us for our Fifth grade Chorus this Tuesday night. The singing will begin at 6:30 and a little birdie told me we may all be asked to sing a song together for the holidays!! PTA will be serving yummy desserts afterwards. This would be a great time to have fellowship with our students, their friends and families. Please try to join us for this special event.
The cafeteria asked us to explain to you that we do not bill overdue lunches until they reach $10.00. Those accounts that eventually turn into free and reduced lunches still owe the prior balance. Our cafeteria is down $1200.00 from overdue lunches not paid just so far this year.
And a final reminder that if you are able, please see Miss Elaine in the front office to help with the Angel Tree. The family child you pick will only be known to our Guidance team. If you and your family can provide a gift or clothing for a child who is not so fortunate, please think about a doing the Angel Tree at Blair. All gifts and proceeds benefit Blair students 100%. We thank you for your generosity and kindness in advance.
We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. We are secretly hoping for just a sprinkle of snow one morning....Be warm, be safe, be happy!
Yours in education,
Barbara Stock
Principal
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