10/10-10/13 - Nature's Classroom Trip
10/13 - MCAP Meeting
10/17 - Medfield Talks - Challenge Success (7-8:30 p.m.)
10/19 - Blake Picture Retake Day
10/20 - Term 1 Interim Reports go home
7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
10/24 - #GlobalMakerDay
10/25 - Blake Guidance Coffee (see details below)
10/27 - 8th Grade to Tri-County
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
11/6 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
11/8 - Student-Staff Basketball Game (see details below)
11/10 - No School (Veterans Day)
11/10-11/12 - Blake No Homework Weekend
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about focusing on the positive and developing an optimistic lens, our topic/question for the week is: Share at least one positive thing that happened at school, or related to school, this past week. Finding the Good (Week of 10/8/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
#blakeatnc
We are very excited for this week's trip to Nature's Classroom in Silver Bay, NY with the 7th graders. Please follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #blakeatnc. You can also follow Kelly Campbell at @kmcsoup. She will be sharing photos and updates on Twitter in addition to a daily e-mail to all parents with a general update.
Professional Day Wrap-Up
We had a productive professional afternoon at Blake this past Friday, taking time as a staff to examine our practices in an effort to make progress towards our overarching goals for the year. The structure of the day allowed for reflection, planning of goals, and time to work as departments. I have encouraged our staff to pilot various methods and alternatives for homework and progress reporting as we look towards a standards-based system of feedback and assessment. We are looking forward to this work.
Veterans Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Veterans Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 11/14 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on November 14 or 15. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.
Tri-County/Norfolk Aggie Trip and Information
All 8th graders will be taking a field trip to Tri-County Regional Vocational High School on Friday, October 27 as well as attend a presentation by Norfolk Aggie in order to explore options for high school that are publicly funded. Tri-County’s mission is to provide an excellent comprehensive technical and academic education to regional high school students. State-of-the-art technical skills and knowledge are enriched and complemented by a solid foundation of academic skills. Norfolk Aggie provides for a hands-on education, with caring and involved teachers in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. Students are united in their interests and attend vocational and academic classes every day. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tracy Allen ([email protected] or 508-359-2396 ext 2018).
Winter Athletics Meeting - 11/7 at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, November 7, at 6:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and a parent(s) interested in playing high school athletics this coming winter season at Medfield HS and Blake MS. This meeting is very important and will cover many questions and concerns you may have, as well as introductions to all high school coaches and staff. Immediately following this meeting, coaches will meet with their respective sports to speak about the season and answer any questions you may have.
*Sports offered for the winter season at Blake are...
Basketball (Boys and Girls 8th Grade)
Parent Coffee
Please mark your calendars…..The Guidance Counselors would like to invite parents/guardians to a coffee on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. More information will be sent in the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in attending the parent coffee, please click here: Parent Coffee RSVP
Blake Open Studios
Beginning October 12, the Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3pm. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ms. Jones will be on hand to provide materials and informal instruction. There will be no formal registration, it is on a first come, first served basis and limited to 15 students. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Art studio, room 208 !
Student-Staff Basketball Game for Christmas in the City - 11/8
Blakers- It is time for the annual Student-Staff Basketball Game to help raise money for Christmas in the City! Christmas in the City is an annual event held in the city of Boston for homeless children and families, where all children in attendance receive a gift from their wish list. Here at Blake, we help out in several ways, including taking the 8th grade into the city to help set up this great event, and purchasing gifts for children. The money raised during the Student-Staff basketball game will help to purchase as many gifts as possible. The game will take place during Wednesday, November 8th from 2:30-3:30 in the middle school gym, and the price per ticket is $3. Additional donations are welcome.
Bird Seed Donations
Mr. Gow's Exploration class is looking for bird seed donation. The class is in need of SHELLED SUNFLOWER seeds and PACKAGED SUET. If anyone is interested in donating one or all of these items, please contact Mr. Gow at [email protected]
Blake Podcast Update
Heimtime and Technmonstah have just released episode 2: Game Changing News for the Everyday Blakers podcast! In the episode we discuss technology's influence in our daily lives, including how it is related to the recent hurricanes in the news. We'll hear from Senora Manning and Mrs. Buley and their stories of how they were connected to hurricane Maria and Irma. Techmonstah also takes a ride on the Charles River with the 8th graders- tune in for an interview with Seamus! We'll also hear a special announcement for Dr. Marsden about a new release in social media for the district! As always, we also have student voice about the topics discussed this week.
Enjoy your listening!
Heimtime & Techmonstah
Episode 2: Game Changing News
Or search "Everyday Blakers" in the iTunes Store or Google Play!
8th Grade American Mathematics Contest
The 8th Grade American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8) is a multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. It is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The contest is held yearly in November. Students from all over the country participate in this contest both individually and on a school-wide basis. In the past, students in 8th grade Algebra I accelerated have participated. We will continue this tradition, but would like to extend the opportunity to participate in the AMC8 Contest to all 8th grade math students this year.
The exam will be given during E period on Tuesday November 14th. Students who do not have math during this time slot will be excused from their class. Although the test is challenging, it certainly allows for a variety of learners to meet success and experience a high level of mathematical thinking. Below are several links that will allow you to explore this contest. All students in Algebra I Accelerated math classes have been registered. If your child is in Math 8-1 or Math 8-2 and you are interested in having your child participate in this test, please complete this Google form to sign up. Please note: If your child is in Algebra I Accelerated, they have already been registered.
For information about the AMC 8 Contest, click here.
For sample test questions, click here.
It is important to register by Wednesday October 11, 2017. As always, please do not hesitate to contact your child's math teacher or Susan Bycoff at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Recess Donations
This year we are continuing with recess as part of our Advisory structure. A great deal of research evidence shows that students are more productive and intellectually engaged when a physical and or mental 'break' is provided in the middle of the day. We are looking for donations from families to provide options for students during this time: frisbees, wiffle balls/bats, kickballs, tennis balls, single and double jump ropes, volleyballs, foam footballs, soccer balls, and hula hoops. If you have done some 'fall cleaning' and have extra items that could be donated, have students drop them off in the main office. Thank you in advance for your help.
Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool
Medfield Talks - Challenge Success - 10/17/17
The first 'Medfield Talks' presentation for 2017-2018 is scheduled for October 17. Challenge Success (challengesuccess.org) will be presenting 'The Balanced Student' from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Medfield High School auditorium. Stay tuned for more information.
Blake's BoxTop Contest
BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S BOX TOP COLLECTION CONTEST IS HERE
EVERY BOX TOP COUNTS AND IS WORTH 10 CENTS. The winning cluster will receive a prize.
Here's the deal:
Collect your box tops in an envelope/baggie and start sending them in THIS WEEK. Each Advisory class will have a collection envelope.
Remember: Your trash is Blake's cash!!
****This contest will run from Oct 2 - Dec 1****
Medfield Angel Run News
It's time to register for the annual MFi Angel Run. Join our 5K training program and three times this week set out for a 30 minute practice. That's 5 cycles of 3 minutes of running followed by 3 minutes of walking. It's that easy! New exercise next week. You will be race ready for the December 3rd event. The Angel Run is still auditioning singers to perform the National Anthem at the start of the race. Check out the MedfieldFoundation.org website for details.
SEPAC - KidStuff Coupon Book
The KidStuff coupon book fundraiser is underway. Your support helps SEPAC fund workshops, events for kids and families, and scholarships. If you are interested in purchasing a book, please contact Kate Tormey at [email protected].
Parks and Rec - Ski Club and Tubing
Medfield Parks and Recreation would like to invite students from Blake Middle School to two exciting events in 2018. The first is the Nashoba Valley Ski Club, which will run on six Thursdays in January and February. Registration is available for the ski club, but space is extremely limited. This trip has SOLD OUT each of the past two years. To register, go here. The second event is the annual Snow Tubing trip to Nashoba Valley, which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 1. This annual event always sells out! This is a half school day in Medfield, so take full advantage with a fun trip to go tubing with friends! Registration for this event just went live, and you can signup here. Some of you may need to create an account before registering if you have not done an activity with Parks & Rec over the past few years since we upgraded to a new software program. That process should take no more than 5 minutes. To register an account on our Web site simply go to create an account. Any questions, or to volunteer for either program (CHAPERONES ARE NEEDED FOR BOTH TO RUN!!!), please email Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks & Recreation, at [email protected] or Eric Kevorkian, Program Coordinator, at [email protected]. Chaperones will be able to ski/snow tube for free at these events!
Update from Blake PTO
NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING IS OCTOBER 19TH AT 7:00 PM. Minutes from the September 26th PTO Meeting can be found on our website http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake-meeting-minutes.html SAVE THE DATE! October 17th at 7:00 pm Challenge Success will come and discuss "The Well Balanced Student" at the High Schol Auditorium. For more information and to secure your seat at this event, please visit our website medfieldk8pto.com and click on the Medfield Talks link under the Town Wide tab.
BLAKE'S BOX TOP COLLECTION CONTEST IS HERE! Every box top counts and is worth 10 cents. The winning cluster will receive a prize! Collect your box tops and start sending them into school. Each advisory class will have a collection envelope! REMEMBER: YOUR TRASH IS BLAKE'S CASH! Contest runs through December 1.
GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY!
ONGOING BLAKE APPEAL - We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the 2017 - 2018 school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen [email protected] or Keven Gallagher [email protected] with any questions.
STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com
Update from MCPE
The MCPE is turning 30!! Be on the lookout for more details in your mailbox.We want to remind everyone of our ongoing book drive in partnership with Park Street Books. Bring in your nearly-new children's books to Park Street and mention the MCPE fundraiser. Depending on their condition and popularity, a donation will be made to the MCPE so we can continue funding innovation in our schools. Books that don't meet condition requirements will be given to Children's Hospital - it's a win win! See flyer in the Thursday packet for details.