As MCPS prepares for a virtual first semester, several stakeholders express frustration regarding the county’s planning process
Montgomery County Public Schools announced on July 21 that the first semester of the upcoming school year will be virtual, meaning that students and staff will engage in an entirely online learning environment from Aug. 31 until at least Jan. 29, 2021. Since then, many teachers, students, and parents have expressed concern about the continued ambiguity surrounding this plan as the first day of school draws closer. Adjusting to a new normal The first draft of the fully-virtual recovery plan was released to the public on Aug. 4 and dis…
Meal distribution in MCPS
Meal distribution sites and meal information As of May 18, MCPS distributed over 2 million meals to students and families in need of resources, according to the Bethesda Magazine. On April 20, MCPS adjusted their meal service program from five to four days a week to reduce the chances of spreading covid-19 at meal sites. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, meal sites provide food from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On Wednesdays, families receive two days worth of meals. There are 42 sites in total across the county: 25 elementary school…
The next step for the class of 2020
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented this year's seniors from a traditional graduation. To help celebrate, Silver Chips has created a searchable table and map to show what the future holds for Blair's class of 2020. Searchable table: This table displays what Blair seniors are up to next. Use the search bar to sort by school, name, or type of program. Data are collected from the counseling department's google form . Out of the 438 seniors who completed the survey, 318 will attend a 4-year college …
Updates on upcoming events and other information for seniors
Graduation and prom On May 23, Principal Renay Johnson confirmed that a virtual graduation will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 12 pm, followed by various in-person celebration ceremonies that will take place once restrictions for large gatherings are lifted. This decision took into account feedback from over 8,000 students and families through a survey. For Blazers, caps, gowns, and tassels have arrived and will be distributed from May 26 through May 29. All information can be found here . If you have any material(s) from MBHS like tex…
Students can choose a letter grade one higher than their third quarter mark or a “pass” for their transcript, MCPS announces
MCPS will allow high schoolers to choose how their second semester grades appear on their transcript, the Board of Education declared in a 7-1 vote today. Students can opt for their transcript to reflect a “pass” or one letter grade higher than what they received in the third quarter. A covid-19 marker will also be added to all transcripts for the second semester. The decision follows the county’s April 19 move to a pass/incomplete grading scale for the fourth quarter. The county has not yet announced the grade calculation procedure for studen…
US experiencing a blood shortage
The United States is experiencing a blood shortage due to mass cancellations of blood drives amidst concerns over large gatherings of people during the covid-19 pandemic. According to the FDA, every two seconds a patient needs a blood transfusion, and the Red Cross is expressing a need for lifesaving blood supplies. “At the beginning of the pandemic, thousands of blood drives were cancelled around the country which led to the call to action for blood donors and blood drive hosts,” Regina Boothe Bratton, Red Cross External Communications …
Local covid-19 testing
Updated May 20, 2020 to include new information about appointment-free testing sites. In Maryland and Montgomery County, there are several testing sites for covid-19 disease. Compiled below are a list of testing sites within a few miles of Blair and the requirements for being tested. Lucy Martin Getting tested Patients are tested for covid-19 at the White Oak Vehicle Emissions Inspections program as part of state-wide testing at Motor Vehicle Association locations. All across Maryland, the Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) has se…
