4/27-4/29 - Grade 8 Math PARCC
5/2-5/6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5/2-5/4 - Grade 6 ELA PARCC
5/5-5/6 - Grade 7 ELA PARCC
5/6 - Grade 6 Science Field Trip
Term 3 Interim Reports go home
5/9 - Grade 7 ELA PARCC
Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m. in Blake LMC)
5/10 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 ELA PARCC
Grade 6 Science Field Trip Rain Date
5/11 - Grade 8 ELA PARCC
5/12 - Grade 8 ELA PARCC
5/13 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
5/16 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
Final Payment due for Nature's Classroom 2016
5/17 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/18-5/20 - Grade 6 Math PARCC
5/19 - Blake Variety Show (2:45 p.m.)
5/24-5/27 - 8th Grade Trip
5/28-5/30 - No Homework Weekend
5/30 - Memorial Day (No School)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about fostering a culture of listeners to help our community learn, this week's topic/question for the dinner table is: How can being a better listener help you learn? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: A Listening Culture (4/24/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Course Selection Forms
Reminder to all 6th and 7th grade parents that course selection forms for the 2016-2017 academic year need to be turned in asap.
PARCC/ MCAS Information
As we enter PARCC/MCAS season on Wednesday, April 27th, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education asks that we review our expectations with students prior to testing. I have posted the Student Responsibilities during Testing sheet that will be reviewed with students during the week in their classes. I would like to call your attention to the updated guidelines with regard to electronics (iPods, iPhones, iPads, phones, Apple Watches, all types of Kindles, Nooks, and e-readers). The DESE states: "Results will be invalidated for students who use cell phones or other electronic devices at any time during a session, including after a student turns in his or her test materials, during a break, or during the transition to a test completion area." Please review this aspect of digital responsibility with your child.
While we do not want to foster undue anxiety or pressure for students, a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast will ensure that they come to school prepared to do their best. Please be sure that students arrive at school on time. Arrival by 7:30 allows plenty of time to get settled. If your student is sick on the day of a scheduled test date, it is best for your child to get some rest and take it on a make-up day. Make up tests will be given throughout the testing window up until May 27th. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) or your child's guidance counselor.
8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.
20th Annual Student-Faculty Art Exhibit at The Zullo Gallery
The Medfield Public Schools’ K-12 Visual Arts Faculty is once again pleased to announce this year’s 20th Annual Student-Faculty Art Exhibit, presented at Medfield’s very own Zullo Gallery, 456 Main Street, Medfield, MA 02052. The Student-Faculty Art Exhibit is an exciting opportunity for a selected group of student artists from grades K-12 to display and view their work in a professional gallery setting, alongside the work of our Visual Arts faculty. Each year approximately eighty pieces of exemplary student artwork are shown during this exhibit. This year’s exhibit will be up until May 1 and is available for viewing on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon until 5:00 PM. We will be hosting an Artists Reception on Thursday, April 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Parking
This is a general reminder to all parents to be sure to follow the parking regulations in the parking lots and around the 'flagpole circle'. When dropping off or picking up students, vehicles should not be parked ('stationary' or 'live') in the fire zone. We need to make sure that we are providing a safe environment at all times for our students and community. Thank you for your cooperation.
Blake Variety Show
The Blake Variety Show has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 19 at 2:45 p.m. Please talk it up with students - a nice opportunity for all of our students! Students received an email with a Google form that invites them to sign up.
April is Autism Awareness Month
In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. For more information from the 'Autism Society', please click on the following link: http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chats
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS chats below. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. Hopefully you will be able to follow along, lurk, or join in one of our future chats!
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-april-2016-twitter-chat
(Social Emotional Learning)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps
(Learning Skills)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-february-2016-twitter-chat
(Spirit of #DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-twitter-chat-resolutions-and-reflection
(Resolutions and Reflection)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-december-2015-twitter-chat-relevance
(Relevance)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-november-2015-twitter-chat
(DLD Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-october-2015-twitter-chat
(Homework Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-august-2015-twitter-chat
(Back to School)
School Attire Guidelines
As we transition into spring at last, it is a good time to review guidelines for school dress. These guidelines can be found in the Blake student handbook. Students have an electronic copy and one is available on the Blake website for your reference. Open dialogue, balance, and discretion are important when dealing with issues related to dress. The responsibility for student dress and attire rests with both the student and the parent/guardian. We are confident that good judgment on the part of students and parents will result in the wearing of clothing that creates an environment that is conducive to learning for all. Each student will abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness and safety at all times. In accordance with our expectations for school dress, students are required to wear clothing that does not show the 4 B's: boxers, breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students not to wear hats, short shorts, midriff shirts, off the shoulder shirts, or clothing that displays obscene language, violence, lewd or vulgar pictures, alcohol or drug references, sexual innuendoes, racial/ethnic/religiously offensive materials, or any graphic that may interfere with the educational process. If clothing is deemed inappropriate for school, the parents/guardians will be contacted. We encourage students to consult their parents if they are concerned about an item of clothing that they may be considering wearing to school.
7th Grade Food Drive
Thanks to the 7th grade students and team for the wonderful team effort to benefit the Medfield Food Cupboard - over 750 items were collected!
Nature's Classroom 2016
The planning for the trip to Nature's Classroom next year is under way. The final payment is due on Monday, May 16,2016. The informational packet and forms that need to be filled out for the trip are attached. Cluster Leaders, the main office and the guidance office have paper copies if you need them. If there are any questions regarding the trip, please contact Tracy Allen, Tricia Williams, Kelly Campbell or Judy Silva. If you have financial concerns, please contact Nat Vaughn.
Nature's Classroom Spring2016InformationPacket
NaturesClassroomFormstoFillOut2016 (1).pdf
Blake Site Council 16-17 Survey
The Blake Site Council has been working on the development of our annual survey to students and parents. A similar survey has been administered the last three years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming. Focus areas include the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. The results will help us to gather information and examine our current practices to better meet the needs of our students and assess progress towards our mission. Please complete the survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the Blake community. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]). Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey March, 2016
Spring Cleaning - Request for MakerSpace Donations
In our ongoing efforts to foster experiences for students to be 'hands-on' and creative with materials, we are looking to provide outlets for students to create in our 'maker space'. As you begin your spring cleaning efforts (optimistic, I know!), we are looking for any donations from Medfield families of: old electronic toys, PVC pipe, felt/fabric, crafty supplies (yarn, string, makers, wipe off markers, wipe off contact paper, marbles, duct tape, wasabi tape, different types of glue), cookie cutters (variety of shapes), old tools, play dough, recyclables (anything used for storage containers/bins), cell batteries, AA batteries, conductive materials (copper wire, aluminum foil, telephone wire, washers, brackets). Any donations can be dropped off at the Blake main office and would be greatly appreciated.
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Pilot and Focus Group
Thank you to all sixth grade parents/guardians who were able to come to one of our Standards Based Reporting information sessions. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards Based Reporting Presentation Fall 2015
We are also looking for parents/guardians to be part of our parent focus group. This group will be comprised of the 6th grade science teachers, administration, and parents and will meet throughout the year (Fridays at 12:30 p.m.) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The remaining date that has been set for is: 6/3. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up
STEM/Engineering for Middle School Girls
There are many STEM/Engineering opportunities for Middle School Girls especially during the summer - check them out!
http://www.bostongirlsstem.org/programs.html
MHS Swim/Dive Team Information
MHS' Swim/Dive team invites you to join them at the Italian Groceria from 5-8PM on Tuesday, May 3rd. Thirty percent of all sales that evening will go toward the team's goal of buying towels for the 2016-2017 season. 8th Graders: Come meet our captains and learn more about our team. We'd love for you to make a splash with us next year!
All Night Grad Party Request
This week all households in Medfield received the blue ANGP flyer in their mailboxes. ANGP, better known as the All Night Graduation Party, now in its 24th year, is the safe and substance free celebration for graduating Medfield High School students. Please help make the night a success with a donation to the ANGP. Use the blue All Night Graduation Party flyer received in the mail, or send a donation to Medfield High School ANGP, P.O. Box 38, Medfield, MA 02052. Every gift helps. Before you know it your student will be celebrating this milestone. Thank you.
K-8 PTO Update
BLAKE APPEAL - THANK YOU!
If you have not had a chance to donate, it is not too late. Please help us reach our $30,000 goal. To make your gift on line by credit card go to
http://medfieldpto.weebly.com/blake.html or you can write a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO. You can give your check to the Blake office directly or by mail to 24 Pound Street. Thank you for your ongoing support!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please visit the Medfield K-8 PTO website or click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fC6eFODC22eWf1TKc4YTIbSkhTtdcJfkt7oJIxhrvtg/viewform and sign-up to volunteer for the 7th grade Ice Cream Party, 8th grade Cookout and the 8th grade Closing Ceremony Reception (7th grade parents are needed for this event). We appreciate all your help and support. We couldn’t do it without you!
ISLIDE FUNDRAISER
ISlide and Dale Street PTO are offering ALL Medfield students and residents customized ISlides with the Medfield Warrior logo, student’s first or last name and team number for $40.99 a pair. Please complete the order form http://www.medfield.net/images/docctr/dale_pto_islide_order_form.pdf and return to Dale Street School byApril 30th. Please contact Colleen Deignan [email protected] with questions.
MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR
Attention Spring Sports Teams, Club Organizers and Administrators! Blake PTO & MyLocker are ready to get you geared up for the season and your big event. Customize EVERYTHING from text to colors and designs from sports to drama to music. Choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more. Spend $85 or more and get a free customized t-shirt. 12% of proceeds from each order will go to your school’s PTO. NOTE: Due to different branding sizes, make sure to check all size charts when ordering to ensure you get a great fit for each product. Please contact Laura Zaher [email protected] with any questions. This is all you have to do: Go to shop.mylocker.net, enter your school locker number - BLAKE BD979 and use promo code b2g6dTK1
RECYCLE INKJET AND TONER CARTRIDGES
Get rid of your trash and help Blake earn cash & supplies by recycling your inkjet and toner cartridges. We accept HP, Brother, Canon and Lexmark cartridges. Collection boxes are located outside of the Library. Thanks for your help! Please contact Donna Knott at [email protected] with any questions.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE Update
DON'T MISS OUT! LCR is Only a Few Days Away!
Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE) presents the first annual LCR (Left, Center, Right) Dice Tournament to be held on Friday, April 29th from 7-9 pm or 9-11 pm at the American Legion at 110 Peter Kristoff Way. Buy a table for 10 ($325) or buy individual tickets ($35) and then email Minta at [email protected] after you register, and we will put you at a table with your friends.
$100 winners, Cash bar, snacks, raffle, and DJ. The doors open at 7 pm. First round starts promptly at 7:30 and second round starts at9:30. Register ASAP at www.MedfieldCoalition.org. Finally, the Winners from the first two rounds will go to a final third round to determine the overall winners of the $100 prize. For full rules on how to play, go to www.toycrossing.com/lcr.
We hope to see you there! The legion is always a fun, easy night out and a great way to support our outstanding (and highly ranked!) Medfield schools.
Fall Ball Art Contest
Design a poster for the MCPE Fall Ball, and the winners will have their artwork on display at the event for all to see. Instructions and art paper were handed out to grades PreK-5. Grades 6-8 received packets in advisory, and grades 9-12 can pick up instructions and art paper at the office. Please submit entries to your school’s front office by Thursday, May 5th. Prizes will be awarded to the two winners from each grade (PreK-12).
Click here for more information: http://www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/fall-ball/
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.