The boys' tennis team snatched a clean win from divisional opponent Walter Johnson yesterday, with a final score of 5-2.
The backfire from recent changes to education policy demonstrates that plans designed to help students may not always yield positive results. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has consistently met criticism from teachers, many of whom have expressed concern that class curricula are becoming tailored to standardized test preparation in order for students to meet the legislation's Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) markers. And the High School Assessments (HSAs), the exams by which Maryland schools are evaluated, fail to objectively measure student mastery of classroom concepts.
A plan designed to save Blair money could come at the expense of struggling students' ability to graduate on time. High School Plus is part of a countywide initiative to phase out night school and cut the costs of keeping school buildings open in the evening. Blair joined the effort in September by allowing students graduating in classes of 2010 and 2011 to retake courses during the day or as an eighth period. But teachers are assigned to High School Plus classes on a voluntary basis, and if an insufficient number of teachers step forward, the program could actually hinder the very students it is intended to help.
It seems every recent policy change has its roots in the decrease in Blair's student population. The portables were removed because of the population drop. Teachers were placed on an involuntary transfer list because of the population drop. Despite appearances to the contrary, the number of Blazers filling the crowded halls has decreased. But as the administration seems to have overlooked, class sizes have not.
"Why don't my hands shake?" says Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) after shooting two men who assault her on a subway in "The Brave One." Though Erica may remain stoic through killing scenes, the audience is constantly trembling through the psychological thriller.
Truant students will be denied driving privileges if a new bill passes in the Maryland General Assembly - licensing the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to punish students unfairly and inappropriately.
The PTSA began selling Blair merchandise online in mid-January to boost school pride and raise money. Clothing and household items with the Blazer mascot are available at CafePress.com, an online marketplace that allows users to design and sell their own products.
Failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) by just one-fifth of a student reassured some teachers and students that raising standardized test scores under the federal No Child Left Behind Act and avoiding the possibility of state-directed curriculum changes, staff replacements or an extended school day or year is within reach.
An entertaining historical film, "Amazing Grace" achieves a balance between biography and story, relating powerful themes while narrating the life of 18th century British abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd). The movie portrays Wilberforce as a compassionate leader who fights for a just cause.
The PTSA plans to bring Blair's coat of arms, currently located on the old building at the intersection of Dale Drive and Wayne Avenue, to the current building. The shield and helmet symbol, made of ceramic tiles cast in concrete, has been the Blair coat of arms since the school opened in 1925.
The idea behind "Code Name: the Cleaner" — a silly comedy about a man who loses his memory — is one we've seen before (think "50 First Dates"). But this movie also features cool action scenes, which are supposed to separate it from the lame romantic comedy. Unfortunately, not even the most exciting fights in "Cleaner" compensate for its meaningless storyline and cheesy jokes.
Though tucked away in the rather drab Potomac Village, Bezu, a new restaurant whose name is French for "kiss," is a lively spot. Its contemporary décor, complete with tiled white designs on the Mediterranean-orange walls and a backlit onyx bar, contributes to the vivacious atmosphere. The exceptionally friendly staff also amicably welcomes visitors as soon as they arrive.
Senior Abhishek Sinha represented Blair's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students on a panel before a subdivision of the U.S. Department of Education on Nov. 1 at the Hilton in Washington, D.C.
Beginning next year, seniors will receive letters to attach to their transcript packages explaining that they have chosen one of the five academy programs as a directed course of study in high school, according to Head Academies Coordinator Jennifer Kempf.
The administration is continually finalizing changes to the academies program. When teachers were assigned to academies as part of the redesigned program established this year, some teachers were placed in academies different from the subjects they teach, according to Assistant Principal Patricia Hurley.
Five years after Congress passed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, American schools are more preoccupied with test scores than ever. Toddlers in a Prince George's County preschool are now taking spelling tests on words like "me" and "the." Head Start programs are testing 4-year-olds to identify them as either "gifted" or "not gifted." Schools that do not meet annual progress standards are in danger of "failing" - as Blair knows all too well.
Their music blasts through thousands of ears. They have fans in places as far away as Kenya. But the Fighting Janes haven't gone platinum. They don't even have a record deal. Thanks to the Internet, these five Montgomery County teens are spreading their music across the globe.
Some thrillers are so intrinsically crafted and innately eerie, they rob their audiences out of a week's worth of sleep. Other less noteworthy ones at least creep viewers out a bit, perhaps with their intricate plotlines. But "The Wicker Man," with a stale execution of what could have been a decent storyline, accomplishes neither, making audiences feel cheated instead.