News and events
April 23, 2024
Upcoming events
April 24 - MCA Testing
May 1st - Late Start 8:30 am
May 8th - Late Start 8:30 am
May 15th - Late Start 8:30 am
May 22nd - Late Start 8:30 am with Advisory
May 29th - No School
June 2nd - Seniors' Last Day
June 4th - Graduation
June 5th - Regular Day
MCA Testing
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Test (MCA) will be administered to Grades 10 and 11 students on Monday, April 24. Please review the expectations for students on this day.
Grade 11 students will be taking the MCA math test, Grade 10 students will be taking the MCA reading test
Report to Blaine High School by 7:40
Bring your fully charged, school-issued Chromebook and charger.
Personal electronic devices will not be permitted during the exam. All phones/watches will need to be turned off and stowed away during the entirety of the exam.
Students may leave school once completed.
Students who are eligible for transportation home will remain at school in a supervised area until 2:20 pm if they do not have a ride once the test is completed.
Lunch will be provided to students who remain at school following the test.
Students in Grades 9 and 12
Testing day schedule includes a blended learning model.
Students may complete work at home or come to school to complete assignments in a supervised study hall.
Transportation
Morning and afternoon buses will run at their normal times.
AP Testing
AP Exams Beginning Soon! May 1- May 12th
Advanced Placement exam time means the end of the school year is just around the corner. We will be giving 860 exams in total and most exams will be on campus in the Southwest Gym or room Southwest 170. Three exams will be given off-site at the Bunker Hills Activity Center, Tuesday, May 9th - Thursday, May 11th and bussing will be provided. Fourth period classes will be the most affected by students coming and going. Please make sure to communicate with your teachers and check your attendance for accuracy during this time. Good luck, everyone!
Link to the AP testing calendar and details
Graduation
We are nearing the finish line for our graduates of 2023!
Before we get there, we have a couple reminders for the graduation ceremony, a senior class meeting, as well as opportunities for those interested. Please read each one carefully as there is a deadline for each submission.
Reminder: 2023 Graduation will be on Sunday, June 4th at the Maturi Pavilion on the U of M-Twin Cities campus at 1pm.
On Monday, May 22nd, there will be a senior class meeting during Advisory in the Auditorium. We cover end of year details as well as information for the graduation ceremony.
If you are a current senior who will participate in our upcoming graduation ceremony and would like to try out to be a singing soloist, please submit this FORM on or before Friday, April 28th.
Tryouts are scheduled for May 3rd in the choir room from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. If selected, you will be contacted and assigned a tryout time. This is your time to shine!
If you are a current senior who will participate in our upcoming graduation ceremony and would like to try out to be the student speaker, please submit this FORM by Friday, April 28th .
Tryouts are scheduled for Friday, May 5th during 1st or 2nd hour (you will be assigned a 10 minute time slot-TBD). You will present your proposed speech to several staff members for review and selection. All speeches must be under 3 minutes.
Please think of a Blaine High School teacher that has been influential during your high school journey. Someone you would like to hear speak and share departing words at your Graduation Ceremony. Complete and submit this FORM by Friday, May 12th! Only submissions submitted by this date will be considered. Thanks for your vote!
These last few weeks will go by fast. Remember to appreciate those who have supported you to get here and to embrace the time you have remaining at Blaine High School. Make these days count!
Career Center
Trades Day Success!
Blaine students were invited to participate in a Trades Day experience to speak with 54 various technical colleges, military branches, and employers all highlighting the need and opportunity in the trades. Thanks for taking the time to learn about all the various trades.
National Decision Day
May 1 is considered National Decision Day. We would like to celebrate our seniors and all of the various paths they are pursuing after graduation.
Students are encouraged to wear something showcasing their future plans and to stop by the Career Center anytime during the first week in May for a picture. These pictures will be compiled into a video shared at several upcoming senior events.
Save the Date – May 15, Career Exploration at the National Sports Center
Students and families are invited to a Big Mobile Learning Lab and opportunity to talk with local employers about career options, summer jobs, internships, industry information, and more. See flyer for more details.
Wallin 2-year Scholarship
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Graduating senior (class of 2023)
- Minimum 2.0 GPA (unweighted)
- Demonstrated financial need
- Aspire Scholars plan to start college full-time in Fall 2023 at Dunwoody College of Technology
- Opportunity Scholars plan to start college full-time in Fall 2023 at a partner community college
- The HealthPartners Pathway is designed to serve students pursuing a two-year degree with the intent to pursue a full-time position with HealthPartners upon graduation.
- Mortenson Pathway is designed to serve students planning to start college full-time in Fall 2023 at Dunwoody College of Technology with a degree in:
To apply, click here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a final deadline of May 15!
Minnesota Dream Act Workshop
Current and prospective undocumented students are invited to attend an on-campus information session at Normandale Community College about the Minnesota Dream Act, details and registration below. Trained financial aid officers will be available to assist in English and Spanish. Register here.
Data Science and Business opportunities for high school students of color offered through the University of Minnesota:
Analytics U: Analytics U at the Carlson School of Management is a free week-long pathway program for underrepresented high school students, introducing them to how data science can play a critical role in solving real world problems that impact our everyday lives. The program will also include:
· College access and professional development opportunities*
· Connections and networking with industry professionals in the metropolitan area
· An immersive educational experience at the Mall of America
Emerging Leaders of Color: Emerging Leaders of Color (ELOC) is a free 8-month pathway program for underrepresented high school students, introducing them to:
· Business classes, faculty, and career options
· Professional development
· Networking with professionals from the Twin Cities corporate community
· Mentorship from a current Carlson School student
· College preparation activities*
Summer Academic Enrichment Program Funds Available for Minnesota Students – Learn more here
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is offering stipends of up to $1,000 for summer learning opportunities to eligible students
Providing access to high-quality summer learning experiences, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is offering stipends to eligible students to attend Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP) participating camps. SAEP provides stipends for low-income students completing grades 3 to 11 to attend approved summer programs offered by postsecondary educational institutions and nonprofits across the state.
To be eligible for a program stipend:
Students must meet family income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals and, if in grades 7-11, need a minimum of a “C” average in the most recently recorded academic term in the subject area applicable for the summer program of interest. Stipends are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, to cover all or a portion of the direct cost of a participating program paid directly to the program sponsors.
- Download the student flyer
- Download the family flyer
Mentorship Program for Latinx High School Students
Youth in Action (YA)! is a mentorship program for Latinx high school students, offering a network of peers, mentors, and parents to support their academic and professional goals. Open to outgoing 8th graders and 9th-11th graders, the program runs from September to June and includes monthly Leadership Institutes, college tours, civic engagement opportunities, and parent meetings.
Students are matched with volunteer mentors through a “speed-matching” process. Graduating participants can earn scholarships of up to $1,000 toward college fees based on their participation in the program.
The program aims to empower Latinx youth to become leaders in their communities by providing guidance and opportunities for growth. Deadline to apply is June 25, 2023
Summer Opportunities
Many great summer opportunities have open applications. Please see here to explore some wonderful local, state, and national options.
Job Opportunities
Take a look at the Job Board to see some job opportunities.
Library News
Students, don’t forget to check your Destiny account for all items that need to be returned before the end of the year.
Reading Considerations
Northwind
By Gary Paulsen
Description: When sickness decimates his fishing village, an orphan named Leif flees north in a cedar canoe, journeying along a brutal but beautiful coastline.
An Emotion of Great Delight By Tahereh Mafi:
Description: In the wake of 9/11, Shadi, a child of Muslim immigrants, tries to navigate her crumbling world of death, heartbreak, and bigotry in silence, until finally everything changes.
Volunteer news
It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we would like to thank all of our amazing volunteers! This year so far, you have put in 13,775 hours! If you calculate that out to what a volunteer hour is worth, it comes to $412,561.25! That is the contribution our volunteers make! Thank you! You make a difference in the lives of our students and staff.
Yearbook
Order Your 2023 Yearbook Today!
FRESH MEMORIES
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Yearbook students and staff at Blaine High School have dedicated countless hours of hard work. The result? One INCREDIBLE book. It captures all the best memories. Few copies remain, so order yours now!
ORDER YEARBOOK
CHOOSE HOW YOU PAY
J-PAY™ is the easy, affordable way to pay for your yearbook. Spread the cost over three monthly payments with no interest charge.*
ORDER NOW
*Credit card installment plan available on orders of $30 or more.
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