What’s New, Bengals?!

Welcome back Bengals to the 2024-25 school year!  The time has come to take a look at what’s new and what’s happening this year.  

The first big change happening at Blake is the new phone policy, which requires students to keep their phones and earbuds “away all day,” and only allows them to use them at lunch or between periods. Blake is still allowing students to use their phones during non-instructional times. This is a big change for students since last year the phone policy was relaxed and dependent on the teacher. Last year, students could use their phones pretty much whenever they wanted during the day, but now there are stricter rules in place, making students keep devices away in their backpacks, pockets, or the desks.

With the new school year here, MCPS is also ramping up its security. After several instances of threats to school security last year across the county, students will now have to visibly wear their ID cards at all times, in order for the secretary and staff to identify them. If a student happens to leave their ID at home, a parent or guardian will have to bring it to the school for them to continue their day.

In her second year of being Blake’s principal, Ms. Snead expects to tighten up on disciplinary actions, enforcing rules on ordering food during lunch, as well as making sure students are on time to class. 

Students are allowed to order food, but they must show their student IDs as proof and go through the security office to pick it up. Students are expected to comply with these rules when ordering food, and they will likely be enforced more after Picture Day on September 13.

Ms. Snead and administration also set up a new system to ensure students are on time to their classes by playing music in transition between classes. The idea is that when the music stops, this is a warning for students that they have exactly one minute until the bell rings. This also prevents teachers and security from yelling out in the hallways how much time is left for students to be on time. Ms. Snead also hopes that playing music will liven up the hallways and create a happy, easygoing learning environment. 

This atmosphere is expected to make a positive impact on the teachers, staff, and student body. With the biggest freshman class in school history, there are bigger classes for teachers to manage and more people in the school. Plus, sophomores and juniors are gearing up for the PSAT in October and the SAT in the Spring. Meanwhile, the college and career center is busy helping seniors with college and scholarship applications, future planning, as well as hosting several university information sessions and visits.

In more exciting news, all 25 MCPS high schools have started girls’ flag football teams. This is possible because of a partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour. For all 25 teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour will provide funding, uniforms, and awards for the girls. This is a great addition to MCPS athletics and will help the overall well-being of the flag football student-athletes.

With girls’ flag football heading into an exciting first season let’s jump into boys’ football season last year. The boys went on a great run, going 11-1 and making it into the State semifinals.

With these new efforts to keep students safe, focused, and involved in school, the staff and students are expecting yet another good, productive, and fun school year! WELCOME BACK BENGALS!!