12/1 - Term 1 Ends
12/4 - Term 2 Begins
Samaritans Workshop for Families (see info below)
12/5 - Blake Site Council (3:00 p.m.)
Spaghetti & Snowballs (MMA)
Blake PTO Meeting
12/7 - Samaritans Student Workshops
MCAP Meeting
Tilden Village Visit
12/11 - Term 1 Report Cards go Home
12/12 - ½ Day for Students
8th Grade Turkey Bowl (see info below)
Professional Afternoon
Blake Winter Band Concert
12/13 - Blake Winter Chorus Concert
12/14 - School Committee Mtg
12/19 - Blake Winter Orchestra Concert
12/22 - ½ Day for Students/Staff
12/25-1/1 - Winter Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/2 - School Resumes
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about wondering and learning, our question(s) for the week are: What are you wondering about these days? What do you want to learn more about? Space for Wondering (Week of 11/26/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Samaritans Workshops - Info for 7th Grade
At Blake Middle School, the School Counselors believe it is important to focus on the whole student, paying close attention to the emotions that are often associated with the teen years. No one wants to think about their child dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 years old. Unfortunately, not many youth know what to do or who to turn to when they are in need of help either for themselves or a friend.
On Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm, we will virtually host a Suicide Prevention Workshop presented by Samaritans, Inc. In this presentation, you will learn how to recognize risk factors and warning signs in your child as well as learn how to talk to your child who may be feeling depressed or suicidal and basic steps in getting help.
Samaritans, Inc. will also be presenting this information to all 7th grade students on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Please refer to the email sent to all 7th grade parents/guardians from Stephanie Worthley.
Rosalba Solis Visit - Thanks to PTO!
We were happy to welcome Rosalba Solís to eighth grade classes this week! Thanks to the PTO, Rosalba came and led interactive sessions with all our Spanish students. Through music, dance, and Spanish conversation, she helped kids understand the importance of the four elements of life, especially in indigenous cultures. She also had everyone dancing some bachata by the end of the period! Many students were asking for more time with Rosalba, so we trust that they enjoyed this special, immersive experience.
Tilden Village Service Dinner
We are excited for our 2023 dinner service with Tilden Village, a housing complex adjoining the school property. Eighth graders are given a variety of ways to donate and participate.
We are also asking for an optional monetary donation to pay for a portion of the dinner. A suggested $5.00 donation (preferably a check made out to the Town of Medfield) will allow us to buy the main course of the evening--turkey pies from Outpost Farm--and make a contribution to the Medfield Home Committee; this organization has existed in Medfield since 1959 and brings a little "extra cheer" to Medfield residents at the holiday season through things like dinners, gifts, and clothing.
Thank you for your consideration and contribution to our annual dinner, service, and experience with Tilden Village. Here is a link to the Medfield Patch article from last year…
Eighth Graders Host Tilden Village Residents Holiday Dinner Again! | Medfield, MA Patch
Blake Turkey Bowl
Due to the storm set to arrive in Medfield this Wednesday morning in the form of intense rain and wind, the 'Turkey Bowl' is going to be postponed. We are saddened to have to change the date but it is the best option to have a fun and safe experience. We appreciate the whole staff for their flexibility and support in allowing us to 'make-up' the date instead of cancel. The event is meant to be inclusive, active and a showcase of the skills and rules they have been asked to demonstrate in class the past several weeks.
Our tentative makeup date will be set for the half day on December 12. Any students who have not yet signed up for the tournament will still have an opportunity to do so and our canned food drive will extend to this new date. Donations can be brought to the PE office anytime before then
BMS Turkey Bowl
Who: Grade 8 Students
What: A 4v4 one-hand touch football tournament.
When: Tuesday (12/12) - 7:45-9:10 AM. Rain or shine.
Where: Meeting in Blake gym, then proceeding to the HS turf field.
8th Grade Winter Sports
Registration for Blake Middle School winter athletics is now open on FamilyID.com. There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School site. To complete registration, we will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”).
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the winter season are:
● Girls Basketball (8th grade Girls)
● Boys Basketball (8th grade Boys)
Sincerely,
Mike Mason, Asst AD and Blake MS Athletics Liaison
Eric A. Scott, Director of Athletics
Medfield Public Schools
Multicultural Awareness Club - 12/7/23
Thank you to all the students who attended the first couple of meetings of the Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC). ALL ARE WELCOME!
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families - Gift Giving
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Recess Reminder for All Parents/Guardians
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
Private School Applications
For those families looking to apply to private school for next year, please make sure all materials (all teacher recommendation forms, transcript request, an 8x11 envelope and 4 stamps per envelope) are to the guidance office at least 3 weeks prior to the application due date. We want to make sure the teachers have sufficient time to provide thoughtful letters for all students applying. If the forms will be sent electronically to the teachers, please e-mail Mrs. Avery and your student's school counselor to inform them. Mrs. Avery tracks all applications and makes sure they get out in time. Any questions, please contact or Ms. Allen (8th), Mr. Marenghi (7th), or Mrs. Dondero (6th).
Pride Alliance
At Pride Alliance, we strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and also those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
MCAP/Medfield Outreach Update
Your response matters! Click on the link below or scan the QR code to participate in a brief parent/guardian survey about youth substance use in Medfield. Accurate information helps decision makers effectively address community needs.
*Fill out the survey for your chance to win $30!
flowcode.com/p/qAwRpcDJk?fc=0
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
Message from Blake PTOReminder that the PTO serves to support Blake teachers through financial grants, hands-on support, and ongoing teacher appreciation efforts on behalf of all parents. If you have not already, please consider donating $50 for the year (or whatever amount feels appropriate) through Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO or a check made out to Blake PTO. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month during the school day to help teachers with photocopying or bulletin boards, please email [email protected]
Workshops/Webinars of Interest
Tips for Talking with Your Teen about Drugs & Alcohol in Today’s World - Presented by Dr. Safdar Medina
Tuesday, 12/5 at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMassChan Medical School. He currently serves as the school physician for the Northborough/Southborough School District. He was awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008 to work with community partners on teen substance use prevention. He treats youth who struggle with mental health conditions and addiction, including providing medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Questions or comments? Contact Natick 180 at [email protected]
FREE WEBINAR: "Inquiry Hub: The Dream, Create, Learn School" with Principal Dave Truss | BQI Community
Wednesday, 1/17 at 7 p.m.
Join us for this important overview of a compelling school model that highlights the power of project-based learning.
Inquiry Hub is a small Coquitlam School District (BC) high school that is unique in its approach and delivery. Known as the Dream – Create – Learn school, Inquiry Hub was born out of the idea that students don’t need to spend every minute of their day siloed into individual courses, without any unstructured time. It has evolved into a community of students who work both together and individually to complete the required curriculum while also designing some of their courses and their day around inquiries and passion projects that they want to pursue.
Grade 9’s and 10’s do cross-curricular projects using SCRUM project management, collaborating to get work done efficiently and effectively, and they also take an Inquiry Course designed around developing strong presentation skills and documenting their learning journeys, doing passion projects that they design. Grade 11’s and 12’s construct year-long IDS – Independent Directed Studies courses where they delve deep into their interests.
A key component of the program is DCL time, coined after the Dream – Create – Learn motto, where students are not in a structured class, but rather have unstructured time to work on their class projects, homework and assignments, and/or on their passion projects. Central to this is creating a community of learners who are eager to help each other and who have learned that failure is part of learning. Projects can be too big, too challenging, too overwhelming, but still result in a final product or presentation that exceeds expectations.
RSVP now to join us for this important session with principal Dave Truss and teacher Dr. John Sarte.