Blakely Newsletter - March 10, 2025

Dear Blakely Community,

I would like to give a shout out to our amazing classified staff at Blakely. They truly make a difference in the lives of our students. Office staff, classroom paras, lunchroom support, bus drivers, and custodial all contribute in powerful ways at Blakely. It is a privilege working side by side with each and everyone one of our classified staff. Thank you for showing up and making a difference in the lives of so many.

Don’t forget the Maker Faire is right around the corner. It is our biggest event and such a community builder. Staff and students have been working tirelessly to prepare for the event. I am looking forward to seeing all of you!

Regards,

Reese Ande

This is a wonderful celebration of our student's creativity, ingenuity, design process, problem solving and exploration. We invite you and your family to join us from 6-7:15pm to participate, learn, build and create with the students of Blakely. 

Parents, Please be sure to stay with your children throughout Maker Faire. No students should be left unattended. Thank you!  

We could use some volunteers to help that night 

Sign up here:  

FULL- Wow, you're fast! 

Check out the 2025 Maker Faire Slide show:  

E-WALLETS: Don’t forget to set up your child’s e-wallet! It’s the easy way to pay.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to make our book fair a success. Please consider signing up for a shift!

Lunchtime Shifts (you can volunteer when your kid’s class is shopping!):

After School Family Shopping:

QUESTIONS? Contact PTO Book Fair Chair Melinda Ackles @ melinda_ackles@yahoo.com or Librarian Cathy Grant @ cgrant@bisd303.org

BISD’s attendance campaign!

BISD believes that student attendance and engagement are essential components of understanding and nurturing the social and emotional well-being of our students. 

SHOW UP as your best self and SHOW OUT by being a part of BISD’s community of learners with unique skills, talents, and passions! 

Simply showing up to class is not always easy, but something to be proud of as a foundational part of being a student. You can show out by positively influencing your class and school with your voice and talents.

We deeply value your students and are excited to see them in class each day. Our goal is to instill a sense of pride in cultivating healthy habits and embracing the identity of being a student. This marks the beginning of our ongoing partnership to improve school attendance district-wide.

If you are facing challenges in motivating your student to attend school or encounter barriers in supporting their attendance, we encourage you to reach out to a counselor or administrator at your student’s school for assistance.

Look for stats on how attendance impacts learning and helpful resources to strengthen students’ resolve in future newsletters. And, look at BISD attendance data from a recent presentation to the school board. Attendance Presentation

Two years ago, BISD underwent a communications audit, which included a survey. This was a valuable tool and helped set communication goals to improve our practices. It is time again to evaluate what is working and how we can improve.

Please take the communication survey (links below) to share your opinions. You are not asked to provide your name/email address, and your responses will remain anonymous (unless you choose to identify yourself in the comment section). 

The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and will close on Friday, March 14, 2025. Your honest feedback helps shape the focus for next year (and beyond). Curious about how we use the survey data? Check out this report.

Register: Email kidstennisbcta@gmail.com for more information and to register

10-13: Scholastic Book Fair

10-14: Education Support Professionals Week

20: Maker Faire 6:00-7:15pm

4/7-4/11: Spring Break - No School