Parent Newsletter: February 2006

DEAR BLAIR PARENTS AND FAMILIES,
This bi-monthly electronic newsletter contains information concerning upcoming events and other items of interest to Blair parents and families. To further keep you informed, you will be receiving three issues of the Parents’ Post and the Blair Bulletin in the mail this year. I also suggest that you visit “Important Dates” (located at the bottom right section of the Parents’ page on the Blair Web site www.blair.edu). This section provides weekend highlights and other dates of interest. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions for future newsletter items or if you have any questions.

Sue Habermann
Director of Parent Relations
habers@blair.edu
908-362-6121 ext. 5653 or 888-542-5247 (option 4)

RECENT ON-CAMPUS BLAIR EVENTS
Sadie Hawkins Dance
Last weekend students traveled to Philadelphia for the Ivy League Model UN, took the SAT’s, and danced the night away at the Sadie Hawkins Dance. To see photos of your son or daughter at the dance, click on http://www1.blair.edu/News_Events/2005_2006/news_ev_sadiehawkins06.shtm

Kurt Socha’s #50 Retires
Kurt Socha’s football jersey #50 was retired during a brief ceremony in Walker Gymnasium on Wednesday, February 1, before the start of the varsity boys’ basketball home game against St. Benedict’s. The jersey has been matted and framed and is now hanging permanently below the Blair banner in the gym. A memorial service for Kurt is also planned for the spring, though a date has not yet been determined.

Winnie Hits 1000
Winnie Adrien ’06 achieved her 1,000th career point in the first quarter of a winning home game (45-40) against Hill on January 25. A four-year starter, Winnie garnered a total of 1,007 career points by game’s end. http://www1.blair.edu/News_Events/2005_2006/news_ev_adrien.shtm

Junior Parent Day
Parents of the class of 2007 attended the Junior Parent Day on January 21. This program was sponsored by the college counseling office to discuss the college application process. Bob Clagett, dean of admission at Middlebury College, Craig Powell ’96, owner and president of ConnectEDU, and members of the senior class gave insight and shared stories concerning the college process. http://www.blair.edu/Parents/par_jr_parents_day06.shtm

UPCOMING ON-CAMPUS BLAIR EVENTS

STUDENT EVENTS

Winter Long Weekend Trips
Chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. Kramer and Quint Clarke, 21 international students will be traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii, during the long weekend.

Turks and Caicos Islands will be the destination for eight marine science students and teacher Rod Gerdsen. “This is an opportunity to volunteer our services to a small island looking to improve their marine conservation efforts by documenting fish diversity and abundance. While some ‘tourist’ events are planned, we will be spending considerable time in the water examining local reefs,” says Mr. Gerdsen.

The Blair Academy Players
present “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” Thursday, February 16-Saturday, February 18, 7:30 pm, Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts, $8 at the door. Power, sex, ambition, greed... it’s just another day at the office. From the authors of “Guys And Dolls” comes one of the most delightfully irreverent musicals of all time. http://www1.blair.edu/News_Events/2005_2006/news_ev_succeed.shtm

Headmaster Warns Students About Internet Concerns
Headmaster Chan Hardwick took some time during School Meetings in January to advise Blair students on a number of issues involving the Internet. First, he told seniors that both in college admissions and in employment after college, college admissions offices and potential employers are in some cases looking at Internet profiles created by students to make decisions on their applications for either financial aid or for employment. For example, Mr. Hardwick told students that he knew one firm that wrote several college seniors that the business would no longer consider their applications for employment because of inappropriate profiles on the Internet.

Further, the Headmaster told Blair students that profiles on such web sites as “myspace.com” were not confidential and any inappropriate materials/comments/photos could be subject for discussion with them, their parents, and the School, and responses could include discipline in extreme cases. Because the Internet is public and open to all, students’ faculty advisors were encouraged by the Headmaster to speak specifically with their advisees to help them avoid errors with Internet use. Of course, the majority of Internet usage is benign and interesting, but the Headmaster felt a fair warning was necessary.

Blood Drive
The Blair Health Center is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Wednesday, February 22, Walker Gymnasium, 9:00 am-12:00 pm. The Miller Blood Center of Lehigh Valley will be on campus to facilitate the Drive. Faculty, students (17 years or older) and the community are invited to participate. Contact Diane Sauve at sauved@blair.edu with questions.

Return Car Raffle Tickets
To all the parents who still have car raffle tickets, please return them to Sue Habermann by March 6 (beginning of Spring Break). We are in need of tickets to sell to alumni and the community.

Senior Parents
Make your travel plans early for graduation, held Thursday, May 25.

Fine Art Exhibit (Romano Gallery)
Sallie Bo Andrews February 5-March 11 (Reception: February 12, 7-8 pm). http://www.blair.edu/events/ev_exhibits.shtm

Society of Skeptics - Cowan Auditorium
February 14, Sandy Apgar, ’58, former Assistant Secretary of the Army (1998-01), Captain, US Army (1962-65) and Sarah Apgar ’98, Captain, US Army (2002-Present)
“From Berlin to Baghdad: Blair Father and Daughter Reflect on the Cold War, Iraq... and Beyond.”

February 28, Cathy Bao Bean P ’91
Author of “The Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Memoir and Manual….a story for all families” includes a discussion on attaining a “greater awareness of the diversity within and around us.” http://www.blair.edu/events/ev_skeptics.shtm

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Please let us know if you have any e-mail address changes by contacting lists@blair.edu.

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