The Blake Fund 2019-20 Impact of Giving

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2019-20 Impact of Giving

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B L A K E’S G R E AT E S T N E E D Giving the school flexibility where funds are needed most, including Blake’s academic programs, which prepare students to excel in the classroom and beyond. ► Students are given access to cultural curriculum guided by local community leaders. Upper School U.S. Native American literature class held its annual story sharing session with partners from the Little Earth of United Tribes. ► 15 seniors became semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program to compete for over 8,000 scholarships. ► During the COVID-19 pandemic, online lessons incorporated collaboration despite physical distance. Sixth graders conversed virtually while studying pieces of art to build their own ekphrastic community poem with the use of interactive, online tools. Seventh grade students took part in the Getty Museum Challenge recreating famous works of art through modeling and found object sculpture. Eighth graders studying ecology took home plant growing kits to learn through hands-on experience, cutting down screen time and incorporating new ways of engagement.

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FAC U LT Y P ROF E S S ION A L DE V E L OP M E N T

Providing students opportunities for self-expression, creativity and learning through performing and visual art experiences.

Ensuring ongoing excellence in teaching and learning and relevant curriculum based on best practices.

► Lower School music teacher Woody Woodward led students through online rehearsals of the song “Give Us Hope” by Jim Papoulis. Then students were recorded and their parts edited together for a video performance that was shared during the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery’s annual fundraiser.

► Blake faculty attended various professional development workshops and conferences, including the NAIS People of Color Conference, promoting equity and inclusion to enhance interracial, interethnic and intercultural environments in schools, and the Convention and World Languages Expo where educators from around the world meet to discuss how best to help students succeed in their language learning process.

► 34 students from Upper and Middle School received a Minnesota Scholastic Art and Writing Award, a regional program offering scholarships for seniors and recognizing creative students.

S T U DE N T F I N A N C I A L A S S I S TA N C E

AT H L E T I C S Helping student-athletes build confidence, collaboration and leadership skills with teammates they will cherish forever. ► Upgrades were made to facilities used by Blake’s athletic department and sports teams. New bleachers were installed in the gym and historical championship records were displayed on William J. Glenn Field and in the softball dugouts.

Creating classrooms of highly capable students with various lived experiences and perspectives, a learning environment necessary for academic excellence. ► During the fall, need-based financial assistance supported 308 Blake students, ensuring that they have access to the wide range of educational opportunities offered at Blake.

When the pandemic crisis emerged in the spring, Blake increased its financial assistance budget to meet new needs among families.

L E A R N I N G WO R K S Preparing Minneapolis Public School students to thrive in high school and college and providing real-world teaching experiences for high school and college students. ► LearningWorks students and alumni gained exposure to college life through field trips to college campuses and received help navigating college admission testing, applications and financial assistance forms.

► With summer programming moving to a virtual format due to COVID-19 safety measures, Chromebooks and headphones were delivered, ensuring that each student has a computer to participate in online activities. As a seventh grade student recently shared, “LearningWorks is one of the most amazing things that has happened to me.”

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