(Reminder: if you're not used to Bb, be sure to make your course Available after doing all this!)

Step by step:

Open your class in Blackboard.

Select Customization.

- Check Style and make sure the course entry point is Announcements.

- Go to Tool Availability. Uncheck everything except the Announcements (leave all three checks there)

On the menu itself, for each item other than Announcements, use the arrow to delete them.

You should now be on the Announcements page. Make sure Edit Mode is on.

Create an Announcement.

If you are using Moodle or another LMS where each course has its own URL, point them directly to that course. (In other words use "http://miracosta.mrooms.net/course/view.php?id=339", not "http://miracosta.mrooms.net".)

Or you can point them to an information page about your class.

Then be sure to make this information available to students:

Customize - Properties

Set availabillity to Yes.