Dear Falcon Families,

As we enter into the Labor Day weekend, it is a great pleasure to report that students at Blach seem to be settling into a routine- and doing so with a certain sense of joy.   I am a believer that every student needs to find that spark that ignites their desire to be at school.  Whether that is for the sake of learning, the social aspect, the extra-curriculars or just being part of a community, we want every single student to have something that draws and connects them to Blach every single day.  Our role as adults, both at home and school, is to help students foster that joy that is so crucial to their experience as a junior high student.  

Joy can be measured in so many ways.  The enthusiasm that the students had yesterday at lunch as they watched our first Advisory competition put on by our Leadership class was an indication that students were joyful (congratulations to Mr. Maye’s advisory for their victory!).  I hear joy in the laughter and banter I hear coming from our students on a daily basis.  I observed joy last week when I saw a group of 7th graders form an impromptu conga line during lunch time; and a reassuring comfortability as they even invited me to join!   Yes, we work hard at school but we also have fun- which is a critical component of a good school.  

We are in need of volunteers for the 8th grade Yosemite trip in November.  The Yosemite trip is a highlight of a Blach student’s experience.   The trip runs from November 9th through the 13th.  

Chaperone duties include being assigned to a hiking group of about 14 students and spending the day with those students out on the trail (the Nature Bridge guides do all the teaching).  There are also some light evening duties that chaperones perform as well.   And, if your 8th grader has told you “NO”, please know that we don’t assign parents to their child’s hiking group.   We really are in need of volunteers and this is a meaningful and fun way of giving our 8th graders the best experience possible.  If interested, please contact Meghan Greenbaum at mgreenbaum@lasdschools.org

In our continuing work to build a more inclusive and caring community, all Blach 8th graders will have the opportunity to participate in Challenge Day.  Thanks to LAEF, we are able to provide this impactful experience for every 8th grader who wants to participate.  Since Challenge Day is limited to 100 students, we will run two Challenge Days: Monday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 6th.  

The Challenge Day program is approximately 6 hours long and takes place during a school day. Challenge Day is most effective when it is implemented on the school campus on a school day during normal school hours. Our teachers understand the value of the program so they are open to allowing students to take part in the day.  To be clear, 8th graders who participate in Challenge Day will not miss out on any instruction on their assigned Challenge Day.  

Challenge Day Leaders begin the morning by helping teens step out of their comfort zones through music and games. When the teenagers begin to feel safe in the group, they are then willing to be vulnerable with one another and connect as human beings and no longer from stereotypes and labels that have been placed upon them such as “nerds”, “jocks”, “popular”, etc. Leaders also spend a portion of the morning talking about the healthy expression of emotions, and the negative effects of keeping feelings inside. During the afternoon, participants dive into the issue of social oppression and examine the impact oppression has on their lives and the lives of people around them. By the end of the afternoon, participants have an opportunity to take a stand against oppression, make amends for hurts they have caused each other, and state their commitment to creating change on their campus and in their community. The day is both inspiring and awakening for students and adults.  

Challenge Day is also a wonderful springboard for our 8th graders just prior to their weeklong trip to Yosemite.  The bonds formed up in Yosemite are made even easier, and tighter, because of their Challenge Day experience.   

Students are encouraged to share as little or as much as they want during Challenge Day.  The level of participation is completely up to the student.  Just being in the room is a powerful experience.  Students can also choose not to participate in Challenge Day as well.  

A critical component to Challenge day is a 4 students to 1 adult ratio.   If you’re a parent who has been looking to get involved at Blach and have a strong interest in helping our community grow in unity and caring, this is your chance!  We are also open to community members who may not have a child at Blach helping out as well.  We need many adults to make this happen so we are asking for your help.  We invite parents, other family members, or even members of the greater community to assist us on that day.  If you, are someone you know, could help us out on either October 5th or 6th, please fill out a short form by clicking on this link.  

I hope you can help us in providing these experiences for our students.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Best regards,

Wade Spenader- Principal 

What an amazing Blach Pancake Breakfast we had last Saturday! We sold twice the number of tickets we did last year, and for the first time welcomed sixth-grade families from Loyola, Oak, Springer, and Covington to show them what Falcon community is all about. A tall stack of thanks goes out to all of the parent griddlemasters, servers, and all other volunteers, but especially to event organizer Mikee Chen, who kept everything running smoothly even with record turnout. Mikee was able to elude our cameras that morning, but you can check out photos from the event here, thanks to our photographers, Randy and Vidya (and Mikee).

✅ Please go through the Back-to-School workflow at https://www.lasdeducationpartners.org/, where you can (1) donate to Los Altos Education Foundation, where your donations directly benefit Blach students, then (2) join the Blach PTA and donate to support the Blach PTA.

✅ Save the date for the first Blach PTA General Meeting (with the on-campus location to be announced) on Friday, September 18 from 8:45-10am. We will vote on the 2026-27 budget, vote on a new Financial Secretary, Minda Levin, host current LASD Board of Trustee member, Brandon Stroy, and so much more!

✅ Please read about and sign up for Blach volunteer opportunities throughout this school year at https://fs20.formsite.com/blachschool/2br2xgfsbr/index.

✅  If you plan on volunteering in certain roles this year, LASD has implemented new screening requirements you can read about at https://www.lasdschools.org/volunteer. 

✅ Show your school spirit and purchase Blach spirit wear here. 

You can e-mail the Blach PTA at blachfalconpta@gmail.com.

You can follow the Blach PTA on Instagram here.

Go Falcons!

Set in 1950s New York City, Guys and Dolls Jr. is a lively musical comedy about navigating luck, big bets, friendship and love. Performances will be December 5 and 6 in Blach’s Multipurpose Room. No previous performing experience is required.

Mon., Oct. 5: Auditions.  Watch the Blach Banner for the sign up link to audition. Students should prepare a 60-second song and will learn a short dance routine at the audition. More details regarding the audition materials will be provided at sign up.

Tues., Oct. 6: 5:30-8:30pm: Callbacks

Wed. Oct 7:  Cast List Posted

Thurs. Oct. 8 3:15-5:45pm: Rehearsals begin

Rehearsals generally will run Tuesdays – Thursdays from 3:15-6:15pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm (between Oct 8 - Nov. 21 (excluding October 31) and then everyday from November 29 to performances). 

There is a participation fee of $375 that will be due payable to the Blach PTA.  If this participation fee is a hardship, please reach out to Carrie Williamson carrie.l.williamson@gmail.com.  We are also looking for parents to help with various tasks such as finding costumes, set construction, set painting, lighting and backstage supervision.  Please contact Carrie if you are interested.  

If your student is interested in being part of the musical to work on the tech team, please email Director Jack Whitlow, jackowhitlow@gmail.com. 

There are THREE ways to report attendance/appointments:

If you child is going to be late, please drop them off at the front office as they need to sign in and get a pass before they return to class.