Dear Blackstock Families:

Welcome to the start of the 2022-23 school year at Blackstock Jr. High School! If you are enrolling a first-time Panther, we are excited and proud to welcome you to the Blackstock family. To all our returning Panthers, we are so happy to have you back! We are ecstatic to officially start the new academic year on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

To help start our year together, I have updated our school website to ensure you are up to date with all important information in a timely manner. By visiting our website at https://blackstock.hueneme.org/ you will have access to our Bell Schedule and our dress code policy. Once again, uniforms will be required. Please review the uniform policy before purchasing uniforms for your child. Students may wear any Blackstock shirt instead of the polo shirt. Custom Blackstock shirts are available for purchase in the office. We would love for our Panthers to participate in “College Fridays” by wearing a College/University t-shirt of their liking. For most of our communication, we will be sending out calls and emails via Parent Square. This is a new communication system than we’ve had in the past. We will send out more information regarding Parent Square so be on the lookout.

There is much to look forward to this year – more amazing academic, leadership, and enrichment opportunities for students. This year students will be able to participate in the Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) before or after school. Students will experience many Do it yourself activities as well as visual and performing arts. In addition to the Mariachi program we added a theater arts program. Students who participate in theater arts often experience improved reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in school than their non-arts counterparts. During our regular school day we added additional STEM sections to help our students be future ready. STEM education plays a major role in ensuring that students acquire 21st century skills such as critical and analytical thinking, creativity, establishing communication and problem solving skills.

This year we will begin with the HVAC project at Blackstock. This means we will soon have air conditioning in all classrooms. While we are excited about the A/C there will be construction taking place throughout the year. We will be moving four classrooms at a time into other rooms. This project is projected to begin at the end of October.

We remain focused on our end goal: preparing students for the future by inspiring the joy of learning in every child, every day. So please enjoy the last few days of summer. This summer, one of the books I enjoyed reading was called 10% Happier by Dan Harris. It made me think about how we can all find a little more happiness and for me, personally, it’s all about the joy of learning and the joy of being an educator. I’m honored to serve as your principal and look forward to seeing you next week!

Warmly,

Felicitas Perez

Principal

Tdap Vaccination Requirement for 7th Graders

This is a MANDATORY vaccine. Students and families have been getting reminders about this 7th grade requirement since grade 6. Students who do not show proof of this vaccination or an appointment to get the vaccine will not be permitted to attend school after September 1. There is a free clinic at Frank Academy in Oxnard on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 3-7pm.

Uniform reminders:

• pants/skirts/shorts must be navy blue or khaki

• Shirts must be navy blue, white, or light blue and need to have a collar.

• All uniform clothing should fit properly (not too baggy or tight), be clean, and be free of distractions.

• Sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets should be gray, white, navy/light blue.

• Tank tops, ornate belt buckles, and clothing with large logos are not permitted.

• Black clothing is not allowed.

Safety Reminders during student drop off and pick up

• Always drop off student on the side nearest the school so they don’t cross the parking lot

• Please do not park in the blue handicap section of the parking lot

• Don’t park in the bus parking zone

• Don’t drop off students at the entrance of the parking lot, please drive in

• Don’t double park

• Watch your speed

• Stay off your cell phones/ be alert

COVID Information

Here is the link to the district COVID resources page: https://www.hueneme.org/page/covid-19-information

• District/School PCR testing sites have been discontinued and home tests are the preferred testing method.
• Students will no longer be sent home for symptoms caused by allergies or other recurring conditions. Only new symptoms will be cautioned.
• Home test kits were given out at orientation days and are available in the school office.
• If your child tests positive or has exposure, please follow the current protocols for isolation and returning to school. A negative test will be required. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/K-12-Guidance-2022-23-School-Year.aspx
• Masks are optional and no one will be prevented from wearing one if they choose. Masks will be available on campus.

Ventura County students will soon have a new way to get around that won’t cost them a dime.

Starting September 1, the Ventura County Transportation Commission will launch a program that lets students ride the bus at no charge. In addition to taking the bus to and from school, students will be able to get free bus rides anywhere else they need to go for any reason.

Bus drivers will allow anyone who looks 18 or younger to board for free, but older students should be prepared to show a school ID. All public bus systems throughout the county will be participating and you can learn more at this link.

October 10 - NO SCHOOL, teacher work/meeting day

November 11 - NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day

November 21-25 - THANKSGIVING BREAK

November 28 - December 9 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

December 21 - Minimum Day

December 22 - January 4 - WINTER BREAK

Email: fperez@hueneme.org
Website: https://blackstock.hueneme.org/
Location: 701 East Bard Road, Oxnard, CA, USA
Phone: 805-488-3644