August 24 - 30, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com
Back to School Blaine School District 2017-2018 Find the school district online at www.blainesd.org
Welcome Students, Staff, and Families to the 2017-18 School Year! As the first day of school approaches, we look forward to a very productive and exciting school year in 2017-18. Over many years, we have consistently championed providing quality learning opportunities for students at all levels of the program. Blaine School District employs one of the most skilled and dedicated groups of professionals in the state of Washington. Teachers and support staff strongly desire to work in Blaine, and many choose to spend their entire career in our district. We see this as a clear tribute to the overall quality of the program, and the commitment that we make to supporting staff in their work with students. Improving student learning at every level of the system remains at the heart of our vision and mission. Our students consistently demonstrate strong academic performance, comparing favorably to other districts across the state. While a substantial number of high school students routinely participate in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, during the upcoming
school year we will also be offering a number of additional courses through the “College in the High School” program. This will provide students with an opportunity to earn college level credit for courses completed on campus at Blaine High School. The fact that coursework of this nature is available to our students can be attributed to the strong foundation established in our K-8 program. We are privileged to have excellent K-12 administrators, teachers and support personnel who demonstrate a consistent commitment to making a difference for young people. Over the past four years, teachers and administrators across the state of Washington have taken on an unprecedented level of transition with respect to new learning standards and new performance evaluation systems for both staff and students. These initiatives have placed a significant level of demand upon the
overall educational system. At this time, there is evidence of significant student achievement resulting from the hard work of our staff. Preliminary state assessment results, specifically in Math and Language Arts, indicate gains, year over year, at multiple grade levels. Blaine School District students and staff recognize and appreciate the extensive level of community ownership and involvement that is in place at all levels of the program. The communities of Blaine, Point Roberts and Birch Bay take great pride in the learning that takes place in their schools and, most importantly, in the ongoing growth and success of students. The staff, students, and families of Blaine School District remain deeply appreciative of the community’s support in passing a $45 million Capital Facility Bond in 2015. Many exciting projects have now been completed and there is still work to be done. If you have been on or near campus over the summer months,
you will have noticed that Phase I of the High School Project is nearly complete. We look forward to having students in this new building when school starts on August 30. Work on Phase II, a two-story classroom building, started in June and will be completed by next summer. Parents and patrons are encouraged to stay informed of Blaine School District’s key events and issues. To that end, we hope you will frequently visit our website at www.blainesd.org where you can learn more about opportunities to stay connected to activities involving our students. Thank you for choosing to enroll your students in the Blaine School District! Our Board of Directors and staff appreciate the opportunity to educate your children. There is no more important responsibility that we could be charged with assuming. It promises to be a great year! Ronald C. Spanjer, Ed.D. Superintendent
2017-2018 Calendar AUGUST 24 HS fall sports parent meeting, 5:30 p.m., PAC 28 MS prep night, 4:30 p.m., MS cafeteria All certificated staff day Freshman orientation, 5 p.m., football field School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 29 All staff day 30 First day of school (except kindergarten) SEPTEMBER 4 Labor Day – no school 5 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 6 HS picture day 13 HS open house, 6 p.m., PAC 14 6th grade band parent meeting, 7 p.m., MS cafeteria MS picture day 18 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 20 ES curriculum night, 6 p.m., PAC 21 MS open house, 6 p.m., PAC 25 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 28 PS open house, 6 p.m. 29 MS academic assembly, 10:45 a.m., PAC OCTOBER 3 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 9 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 12–13 PS picture days 17 HS picture retakes 18 HS Honor Society inductions 19 MS picture retakes 23 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 28 PS PTO harvest festival, 1 p.m., MS cafeteria 30 Late start at 10:20 a.m. NOVEMBER 1 HS fall concert, 7 p.m., PAC 2 7th and 8th grade concert, 7 p.m., PAC
7 9 10 13 15 16 17–22 22 23–24 27 30
PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library MS Veterans Day assembly, 9 a.m., PAC ES Veterans Day assembly, 2 p.m., PAC Veterans Day observed – no school HS winter sports begin In-service day – no school HS winter sports parent meeting, 5:30 p.m., PAC PS picture retakes K–8 Parent–teacher conferences – early dismissal at 12:50 p.m. K–12 early dismissal at 12:50 p.m. Thanksgiving break - no school School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 1st and 2nd grade concert, 1 p.m., PAC
DECEMBER 4 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 6 4th grade concert 7 HS/community concert, 7 p.m., PAC 12 School board meeting, 12 p.m., district office 7th and 8th grade/community concert, 7 p.m., PAC 13 MS academic assembly HS Roman banquet 14 5th grade and Nightingale concert, 1:30 p.m., PAC 16–Jan 1 Winter break JANUARY 2 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 4–6 HS/MS drama performance, 6 p.m., PAC 8 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 11–12 HS/MS drama performance, 6 p.m., PAC 13 HS/MS drama performance, 2 p.m., PAC 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school 18 3rd grade concert, 1:30 p.m., PAC 22 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 25 6th grade concert, 7 p.m., PAC 29 Learning improvement day – no school
FEBRUARY 3 Arts and Jazz festival, 7 p.m., MS cafeteria 5 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 6 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 7–8 Kindergarten concert, 7 p.m., PAC 16–19 Mid-winter break – no school 24 Whatcom County Math Championships 26 Late start at 10:20 a.m. School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 27 7th and 8th grade concert, 7 p.m., PAC MARCH 5–9 K–8 Parent–teacher conferences – early dismissal at 12:50 p.m. 6 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 14 Nightingale choir concert, 7 p.m., PAC 15 Kindergarten registration, 10 a.m., PS 19 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 22 MS academic assembly, 1 p.m., PAC 23 MS drama performance, 7 p.m., PAC 24 Washington State Math Championships 26 School board meeting, 7 p.m., Point Roberts PS 31–April 8 Spring break – no school APRIL 10 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 16 Late start at 10:20 a.m. 17–18 HS student-led conferences – early dismissal at 11:50 p.m. 20 MS spelling bee 23 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 24 HS concert, 7 p.m., PAC 25–27 MS Bay Area trip 30 In-service day – no school MAY 1 PS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., PS library 3–5 HS spring drama performance, 7 p.m., HS theater
10 1st and 2nd grade concert, 1 p.m., PAC 10–11 HS spring drama performance, 7 p.m., HS theater 12 HS spring drama performance, 2 p.m., HS theater 16 HS recognition night 22–23 HS senior boards HS early dismissal at 11:50 p.m. 24 6th grade spring concert, 7 p.m., PAC 25 4th grade concert, 1:30 p.m., PAC 28 Memorial Day – no school 29 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office 31 Evening of the Arts
JUNE 4 7th and 8th grade concert. 7 p.m., PAC 5 HS all choral concert, 7 p.m., PAC 8 5th grade concert, 1:30 p.m., PAC 13 8th grade tea, 6 p.m., PAC 14 Last day of school – early dismissal at 12:50 p.m. 15–19 Snow make up days 25 School board meeting, 7 p.m., district office
School starts Wednesday, August 30
NOTE: Date changes may occur. Please check the online calendar at www.blainesd.org
Best of Luck This School Year! After School Programs & Fun Activities For Kids • Fitness Classes for Mom Birch Bay Activity Center • 7511 Gemini Street, Birch Bay • www.BBBParkandRec.com
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