Blanchard August Update
Hi Everyone,
I hope this finds you enjoying the summer vacation and energized for the 2019-2020 school year at Blanchard. Students who are looking to locate their classrooms and begin to get their bearings prior to the first day of school are welcome to visit on Wednesday, August 21st from 9:00 to 11:00 am for self-guided tours. As a reminder, teachers do not return until August 26th. Newly registered students will be receiving a call from our Guidance department this week to schedule a visit to Blanchard on Tuesday, August 20th.
Additional information is included below to help facilitate a smooth start to the year. Also, watch for our “Save the Dates” card coming in the mail. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Sincerely,
Tim Hislop and Patti Demins
First Day of School
Tuesday, August 27th is a full day of school for sixth grade students only. Seventh and eighth grade students return on Wednesday, August 28th. Please be sure your child knows his/her homeroom and bus number for dismissal.
Blanchard Student Handbook
The updated student handbook can be accessed here: 2019-2020 WPS Middle School Handbook
Open House
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend our annual Open House event to meet and greet with staff and receive general curriculum information.
Sixth Grade Open House is Thursday, September 19th at 6:00 pm.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Open House is Thursday, September 26th at 6:00 pm.
Fall Athletics
The Blanchard sports website has been updated to include information for the 2019 fall season. Coaches will hold a meeting with students on Thursday, August 29th during Advisory. Please be sure your child has an updated physical on file with the school nurse. Mrs. Casey, Blanchard Athletics Coordinator, can be reached at ccasey@westfordk12.us with any questions.
Bus Passes
Bus passes will be mailed to homes starting on August 12th.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Please take a moment to review Blanchard’s morning and afternoon parking lot traffic procedures. Please note the change to our afternoon pick up location.
iPARENT & Blackboard Connect
The iPARENT system is tightly integrated into the District's iPASS student information system. iPARENT provides an additional means of sharing information between parents, teachers, students, and administrators. iParent offers real-time access to student attendance, schedules, biographical information. Progress reports and report cards are also published via iPARENT each trimester at the middle school level. A copy of your student’s biographical information housed in iPARENT will been sent home on the first day of school. Please pay close attention to all information on this form and return to school with corrections as soon as possible. WPS and Blanchard Middle School use Blackboard Connect in connection with iPARENT to communicate student absences and other important messages. To that end, it is important to ensure your student’s biographical information includes an accurate email address.
Blanchard School Newsletter
This newsletter will be sent to parents who are subscribed to receive “Blanchard School–Principal Communication”. To sign up, go to the Blanchard or WPS website and select the box “Subscribe to E-Alerts” under Quick Links. You will be prompted to enter an email address and select the district alerts you would like to receive. Check the box “Blanchard Middle School–Principal Communication”. Please note, there is also a separate item “Blanchard Middle School–Daily News & Announcements” for the announcements we share with students each morning.
Blanchard Website
The website is the best place to find most school information. Announcements, our events calendar, activities, athletics, and our student handbook can be found on our school and district websites. Teacher and team pages also include calendars to assist students and families with homework and long-term assignment planning.
School Opening Forms
The following forms will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. Please return them to homeroom teachers:
Record of Transmittal & Student Publishing Form
Biographical Information Form
Health Information Card
Activities Form & Fee
Attendance
In the event of an absence, tardy, or dismissal, please call our attendance line at 978-692-5582 ext. 2 to leave a message. Include your child's full name, grade, parent/guardian name, contact number, and reason for the absence. Students must be signed out of the building at the main office by a parent/guardian when dismissed before 1:55 pm.
Extracurricular Activities
Blanchard is pleased to offer a wide variety of after school options throughout the school year. All of our activities are open to all students and advised by members of the Blanchard staff. Offerings and schedules for the 2019/2020 school year will be posted on the activities calendar on the Blanchard Activities website next month. Most begin in October. There is a one time $60 extracurricular fee, which can be paid via check or online at MySchoolBucks. If you are in need of assistance with the cost, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at thislop@westfordk12.us. A financial hardship should never prevent a student from participating in any activity.
Late Bus
Late picks up at Blanchard at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There are four buses for the town, and the drivers or main office staff can assist students in locating their designated late bus. Late bus begins in the third week of school.
Early Morning Ensemble Rehearsals
Before school rehearsals for band, orchestra, and chorus begin the second week of school. On Day 5 throughout the year, seventh and eighth grade groups rehearse. On Day 1 throughout the year, sixth grade groups rehearse. Band and orchestra students should be dropped off at the front of the building. Chorus students should be dropped off at the side entrance to the building near the cafeteria. For the safety of our students and staff entering the building, students should not be dropped off in the parking lot.
Picture Day is scheduled for September 16th.