6/22 - Transition Day
8th Grade Closing Ceremony (see details below)
6/23 - Last Day of School for Students and Staff
Happy Summer!!!
8/29 - Professional Day for Teachers
8/30 - Professional Day for Teachers
8/31 - First Day of School
Delayed Start for 7th/8th Grade
9/2 - Half-Day
9/5 - Labor Day (No School)
9/30 - Half Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
10/3 - Rosh Hashanah (No School)
10/10 - Columbus Day (No School)
10/12 - Yom Kippur (No School)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about reflection and the importance of restoring oneself over the summer, this week's topic/question for the dinner table is: What will you do this summer to help you come back 'recharged' for the next school year? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Summer Recharge (6/19/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Cluster/Advisory Placement Letters
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families via a letter that students will receive at the end of the school day today (Tuesday, June 21). Transition Day is Wednesday, June 22 and on that day students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events. Clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.
8th Grade Cookout
The 8th grade cookout will take place Wednesday, June 22. Students will be outside and should be prepared with sunscreen and hats.
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.
Blake Ledger Update
The Blake Ledger has been updated. Check it out!
The Blake Ledger
Creature Feature Recap
The seventh graders visited their siblings, previous teachers and lots of elementary school classes with their creatures and the creature's story. It was a great success for all the students involved and very touching to see the older kids be role models for the younger ones.
Theme of Empathy for 2016-2017
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Empathy. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last five years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, and Collaboration. As a staff we have begun brainstorming ideas and I encourage all families to join us in the brainstorming process as well. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]) or Kelly C. ([email protected]).
Blake Site Council Book Discussion Group
This past year the Blake Site Council read HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. This summer we are reading THE END OF AVERAGE: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness by Todd Rose. Formore information, here is a book review from The New York Times...
Review: In ‘The End of Average,’ Cheers for Individual Complexity. We will discuss the book at our first Site Council meeting in September and hope you can join us!
#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 - stay tuned for a mid-summer chat!
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-reflections-on-15-16-twitter-chat-june-
(Reflections on Student Learning, 2015-2016)
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)
Blake Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. I am sharing the 2014-2015 BMS Executive Summary of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights.
Blake Summer Reading
Please refer to the Blake Summer 2016 Reading Lists for copies of the 6th-8th grade reading lists for this summer. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Haycock at [email protected].
Lost and Found Items
The "Lost and Found" at Blake is overflowing with water bottles, jackets, sweatshirts, sneakers, books, and lunch boxes. We have been sifting through, trying to return items with names on them to their owners but there are still a lot of unclaimed items. Please encourage your child to take a look during lunch as the lost and found is located in the lunchroom. Parents may feel free to stop by, check in at the main office, and claim any belongings over the next week. Any remaining items will be donated at the end of the day on Friday, June 24.
Summer Supply Lists
All students should refer to the School Supply Lists located on the Guidance webpage.
Eighth Grade Canoe and Swim Test Information
As part of the eighth grade Charles River Community Awareness Unit offered in the fall, each eighth grade student is required to pass a swimming test during the summer. Each student is required to tread water for five minutes and swim a distance of seventy-five yards. A qualified swim instructor is required to administer the test and sign the form: Swim Test Form. Completed swim tests may be dropped off at the main office of the Middle School Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. throughout the summer. All swim tests must be completed and returned to the student’s new advisory teacher by the first day of school. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. The Charles River Community Awareness Unit is an exciting way for students to begin their eighth grade experience! (FYI: In the past, students have been certified at Hinkley Pond, YMCA and
local swim clubs.)
Locks
All Blake students will be required to bring in a combination lock with which to lock their hallway lockers. They will give their combination to their advisory teacher for safekeeping in the event that they forget it. In order to give students time to practice using their lock and become comfortable with it, we recommend that families consider purchasing it in June so that students may practice using it throughout the summer. A photo of locks that fit on Blake lockers can be found on the school supply list page.
Community Service Club Update
The Community Service Club of Blake recently raised $200 for World Connect. As part of the sixth grade unit on poverty, the CSC made and sold magnets to raise money for the organization that prides itself on funding community projects around the world. Our focus was on health and women's rights. Additionally, the CSC planted tomato plants in March in hopes of selling them to raise money for charity. After two months of trial and error and several lost plants, we are proud to say that we successfully grew 50 cherry tomato plants in two classrooms. We have now begun to sell the plants for $2 each. The funds raised will also be donated to World Connect. With a stronger understanding of how to grow tomato plants in school, our club hopes to expand the program to all sixth graders next year and incorporate the plants into a stronger, hands on unit that focuses on poverty's effect on health and women's education. This unit will be taught to all sixth graders starting next school year.
Blake Theater Update
The Blake Theater group finally got to celebrate our wonderful year with a short mashup of Beauty and the Beast and Trumpet of the Swan (written, directed and starring 8th graders), a cast and crew party and a trip to Boston to see Matilda. Thanks to all involved in another incredible theater season. We are looking ahead to next year already. There will be three productions. Performance days are Dec 2/3, February 3/4 (2017), and April 7/8. More info when we return in the new year. Until then, have a great summer!
iPad Planning Inventory for 2016-2017 - Please Complete
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2016-2017 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2016-2017 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey by Thursday, May 12: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2016-2017. This inventory is different than the initial survey sent back in January. Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-June, 2016. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.
We have outlined the Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.
The 'minimum specifications' will still remain as the iPad 4, meaning the following are acceptable devices for students to use: iPad4, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, or iPad Air. The device selected by the students/families will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, then the iPad4, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, or iPad Air are the recommended devices. Our work over the last four years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.
For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...
Blake Mobile Learning Blog
Blake iPad Program Update for 16-17
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 16-17
Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 16-17
We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Middle School Athletics for Fall, 2016
Anyone interested in participating in Blake Middle School Athletics in the Fall (Grade 6-8 Boys and Girls Cross Country, 8th Grade Girls Field Hockey, 8th Grade Girls Volleyball, or 7th and 8th Grade Football) please do the following ASAP:
- Register your son/daughter on FamilyID.com (direct link off Blake Athletics Page)
- Pay online (Direct Link for UniBank on FamilyID) or send check for $225 (made out to the "Town of Medfield") to Medfield High School, C/O Eric Scott, AD, 88R South St, Medfield, MA 02052. You can also drop it at the main office.
Football:
George Chung
[email protected]
Cross Country:
Patty Graham
[email protected]
Volleyball:
Jack Hastings
[email protected]
Field Hockey:
Mike Mason
[email protected]
Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
K-8 PTO Update
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP for 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please review the open volunteer positions for the 2016-2017 school year and sign-up to help the Blake community. We can’t do it without you! BLAKE VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM
WHAT AN AMAZING YEAR! THANK YOU to all our generous supporters and volunteers that helped us during the 2015-2016 school year. Medfield K-8 PTO raised $105,000 for our schools and children. We couldn’t do it without you! Please visit our website to see a list of enrichment programs, events, items and more that we funded this school year.
The Blake PTO is proud to report that the following programs and purchases were made possible by our many volunteers and supporters. Thank you all for helping us enrich the education of our youth here at Blake Middle School.
Sponsors initiatives such as author visits and special programs:
- Shakespeare Now Theater performance for 6th grade
- Journey North Science programfor 6th grade
- Canoe Trip for 8th grade
- Jessica Cox Presentation
- Fun with Science: Pyramids/Pharaohs
- Drumming artist in residence for 6th grade
Five MacBooks for the LMC
Trapezodial desks
Theater wall art
Recess equipment
Teacher appreciation lunches
Supplies for nurse’s office
8th grade cookout
8th grade closing ceremony
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO , follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/medfieldk8pto/and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE Update
BLUE RIBBON RECOGNITION
MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program recognizes teachers, administrators, school coaches and staff for making a difference in a student's life. This program is an easy way to acknowledge school employees at the end of the school year. Each recipient will receive a personalized card announcing you made a donation in his or her honor. Click on the following link (formstack.com/forms/?1155510-ms8sVhWlW6) to make your donation online, and MCPE will take care of the rest. Your donation is tax deductible.
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.