ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023 | 15
All Are Welcome is the theme at Blanchard! This year Blanchard focused on literacy screening and intervention, social-emotional and behavioral learning support, and improving student and staff sense of belonging by strengthening our culture and climate. We hold daily morning meetings, monthly student-led community meetings, and cross-grade buddy partnerships. We host monthly Community Coffee with families , and with the support of our strong Parent, Teachers, Friends (PTF) board, we provide connec- tions, enrichment, and learning opportunities through grants and events including our wildly popular and successful PTF Fun Run , Hygge Day , and Kindergarten and New Student Socials , yoga , nature , science , archaeology and more! Highlights from this year: • Staff participated in a monthly, guided book study using Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain to support our inclusive work. • The Blanchard Concert Band earned a gold medal at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors (MICCA) Concert, performed at the Gold Medal Showcase Concert, and at Groton Hill Music Center’s Concert Hall. Additionally, the Blanchard Brass and Wind Ensemble earned a gold medal (their 15th consecutive) at the MICCA.
• Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Family Advisory Committee continues meeting monthly to educate one another and guide our efforts in equality and inclusion. This work includes how we can better support all the identities represented at Blanchard. • Through existing funds, direct appeal, PTF funding, dine-out events, ticket auctions, substantial individual and group donations, and corporate matching, our community, has appropriated and/or raised approximately $121,000 since November , towards our new inclusive and accessible playspace project; #Play24! • Our Festival of Cultures included over a dozen tables hosted by families as well as student performances. Our PTF provides free access to events including the Fall Festival, Bingo Night, and the Fun Run. • Monthly STEAM Challenges provided opportunities for hands-on learning across grade levels and encouraged all students to see them- selves as scientists, engineers, artists, and mathematicians while intro- ducing them to the engineering design process. Our first annual STEAM + Literacy Night brought together the entire community (students, staff, and families) to read, play, explore, experiment, and create together.
Dana Labb PRINCIPAL Mike Votto ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Blanchard’s STARR values • Support • Teamwork • Attitude • Responsibility • Respect
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