Blanchard School News 3/17/19
Hi Everyone,
We’re proud to share that niche.com recently recognized us as the #2 middle school in the state of Massachusetts for 2019! Congratulations and thank you to our students, parents, and staff for making Blanchard such an exceptional school! Read the announcement here: 2019NicheRelease.
Math Information Night
WPS 6-12 Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator, Ms. McHugh, will host an informational math night for parents of children currently in grades six and seven on Monday, April 1, 2019 from 6:00 to 7:00pm at Stony Brook School. In prior years, parents have found these evenings to be helpful in learning about the math curriculum and placement criteria. Information is included in the following letter: MathNight2019
Paws for a Cause
Blanchard Peer Leaders have kicked of the third annual “Paws for a Cause”. It will run through March 29. A donation box has been provided to each homeroom. Our students are seeking new or gently used pet products including food, treats, toys and accessories as well as cash donations. All proceeds go to a local animal shelter. Thank you for on behalf of the animals, and the Blanchard Peer Leaders.
Spring Sports
All students planning to participate in a spring sport must register online. Tryouts for seventh and eighth grade baseball, softball, and girls volleyball will be held Monday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 3rd. The track and field team is open to all students in all grades and does not require tryouts. Information can be found on the Bulldogs Sports Page.
Congratulations, DI!
Last week, Blanchard students performed at the MADI Destination Imagination Engineering and Structural Challenge in Chelmsford. They finished in first place! Thank you to the parents who have supported this group of hard working and innovatiive students, and best of luck at the state competition on March 30th!
Blanchard Students Vote in MCBA 2019
Twenty Blanchard six graders participated as judges in this year’s Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards program. To qualify, each student had to read at least 5 of the 25 candidate books and log them in an online survey. On Wednesday, student judges came to a “voting party” in the Blanchard Learning Commons to cast their ballots, enjoy some treats and play an MCBA trivia contest. The statewide results will be posted on April 1st, but here are the Blanchard results:
Blanchard Winners - MCBA 2019
1st place: A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen
2nd place (tie): Ghost by Jason Reynolds
2nd place (tie): All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor
Blanchard Honorable Mentions
A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
Terrible Two by Mac Barnett
Framed: a T.O.A.S.T. mystery by James Ponti
The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon
The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale
Science Comics: Volcanoes by Jon Char
MCAS Testing Schedule
Each spring, we are required to administer the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to all students in grades 6, 7 and 8. During the month of April, students will be tested in English Language Arts and math. In May, eighth grade students will also take the Science Technology and Engineering test. The Blanchard MCAS schedule is available here: Blanchard MCAS Schedule
Dates to Remember
March 20 MSPTO Event Inca Son Music & Dance
March 25 Transition to Third Trimester Integrated Arts Courses
March 27 Second Trimester Report Card
March 29 MSPTO Blanchard vs. Stony Volleyball Game 6pm
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sincerely,
Tim
MSPTO Update
The Volleyball Showdown is ON!
Friday, March 29th 6-8:30 pm (Game starts at 6:30pm SHARP).
Eighth grade students and middle school staff can sign up at the schools to play. Announcements are being made at both schools. We need your help to make this event a success! Please click on the following link to sign up to help at the concession stand, check-in table, be a referee, or donate baked goods, snacks and beverages. Thanks for your support! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a48aba92caafa7-middle
"New Inca Son: Music and Dance of the Andes”
We are still looking for 1 adult from Blanchard to meet the presenter and take a few pictures on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 8:45am - 9:30am (Performance is at 9:20 am). Sign up at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a48aba92caafa7-wmspto2
Donate to WMSPTO
WMSPTO is still fundraising! The Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) is funded by YOUR generous donations. If you haven’t donated yet, you can still do so easily via PayPal https://www.paypal.me/westfordmspto/ or by sending a check into the school (envelope marked WMSPTO, please). Suggested donation is $50 per student, or any amount you can give. If you have already donated, thank you. Please reach out to westfordmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com if you are in need of a tax receipt.
Sunday, May 5, Marks The 20th Annual Westford Road Race
The Westford Charitable Foundation reaches a significant milestone in 2019: the Westford Road Race is being held for the 20th year! For two decades, runners have come from all over to participate in the Family Fun Run and the USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified 5K and 10K races. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and given back to the community to support a wide variety of local causes. Want to participate in what is sure to be a big celebration? Pre-registration (if completed before April 21) is $15 per person for the Fun Run, $25 per person for the 5K race, and $30 per person for the 10K race. After April 21, the cost increases to $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K. (The price for the Family Fun Run remains $15 per person.) The first 600 pre-registered runners are guaranteed t-shirts. All entries are nonrefundable. Runners can register at http://roadrace.westford.org/regform.html or can register the day of the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Abbot School. The Westford Road Race is held in memory of Cindie Davis Holub. For more information – about the courses, start times, numbers, and so on – go to http://roadrace.westford.org/ or contact Westford Charitable Foundation founder Lori Cogliano at lcogliano@lycos.com.