10/18-10/22 - STEAM Week
10/19 - Blake Site Council - 3:30 p.m.
SEPAC Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Blake PTO Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
10/20 - Blake Student Council
10/25 - Blake Picture Retakes
10/25-10/29 - Family Outreach Period (see info below)
10/29 - Half-Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
11/11- Veterans Day (No School)
Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the importance of finding ways to get or see a new perspective on things/situations, our question for the week is: What strategies do you use to ‘clear your head’ when you are experiencing challenges and want/need to get a new look or perspective on things? Be specific. A New (Renewed?) Perspective (Week of 10/17/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Family Outreach Period - 10/25-10/29
The week of 10/25-10/29 is the Term 1 Family Outreach week for Blake Middle School. During this week, teachers will send an e-mail to families to notify them if their student is consistently not meeting the standard in an area OR if they do not have sufficient data to assess their student at that point in the term due to absence or missing work. If students are meeting the standards, families will not receive an e-mail from teachers. No news is good news. Please know that you may reach out to teachers or your child's guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns about their progress.
Seasonal Spirit week coming up the week of October 25-29
MON - PJs or comfy cozy day- wear your coziest outfit to welcome FALL
TUES - Crazy Mask Day - wear your craziest or favorite nose & mouth mask to school
WED - Wear pink for October to recognize Breast Cancer awareness month
THURS - Costume day - Thursday 10/28
Guidelines/Rules:
- NO full-face costume masks/paint
- No weapons (fake or real)
- No fake blood
- School Appropriate
- ***NOSE & MOUTH-COVERING MASKS MUST STILL BE WORN***
New Student Club Offering!!
Recently your student viewed the Say Something program in advisory. The program teaches middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.
A student club is being offered, at the middle and high school levels, to allow for ongoing discussion with students about building and nurturing inclusive welcoming environments for all. Part of the club will include opportunities to learn about being empathic, increasing social skills, how to identify problems and how to engage in responsible decision making.
Advisors for this club include Medfield Outreach mental health clinicians, Kathy McDonald, M.Ed, MSW, LICSW and Chelsea Goldstein-Walsh, LICSW as well as Medfield’s Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas.
If you think your student may be interested in joining, please have them fill out this google form. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign a permission form if their child expresses interest.
Blake's STEM WEEKS: Oct. 18-29
See Yourself in STEAM is taking place the third week of October. However, Blake will celebrate over a 2 week period of time: from Oct. 18-Oct. 29. Visti the Blake STEM Week Padlet for A collection of STEM/STEAM career videos for students to explore. In addition/optional, advisories are invited to the LMC/ Makerspace for a special Festive Lantern Making activity. Use this Google Doc to sign up for a date/time.
During the week of Oct 18-22, Massachusetts will celebrate STEAM week. This acronym represents the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. The theme for this year is “See yourself in STEAM” as groups all over Massachusetts work collaboratively to encourage students from all backgrounds to engage in these fields. See below for resources describing and linking to a variety of events occurring in our area.
Events and Activities for Stem Week
Metrowest Stem Education Network
Stem Week design Challenges
Blake Library Update
The Blake Library will be closed on Tuesday, 10/19/21
‘We Are All Connected’
"We Are All Connected" is the theme to this year's Lion's Club Peace Poster Contest. This international contest encourages children to express what peace means to them. If you are interested in entering a submission to this year's contest, (and are 11-13 years old), please see one of the art teachers at Blake for an entry form.
Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
Every October, artists all over the world take on the INkTOBER drawing challenge by doing one drawing a day the entire month. ANYONE CAN DO INKTOBER, JUST PICK UP A PEN AND START DRAWING!!! Listen to the announcements every AM for the prompts! Post your work to social media with the hastags #bmsed #inktober2021 #medfieldinktober
Want to join Student Council but have missed the first few meetings? There's still time to join! We meet every Wednesday from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Ruminski's room. Please join us this week. Reach out to Mrs. Ruminski or Mrs. Shaw if you have questions.
Message from Medfield Nurses - Pooled Testing Update
Covid pooled testing for Blake Middle School students and staff will be held on Mondays instead of on Tuesdays effective this week going forward. If your children have already been participating in the testing, then they are all set to continue.
If you haven’t signed your child(ren) up for weekly pooled testing yet for the current school year and are interested in having your child(ren) participate, then please use the following link to register your child(ren) and provide consent for testing.
Covid Testing Consent Form
Please note, we update our consent testing lists once a week on Fridays.
If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months, then please let me know as your child should wait 90 days after their diagnosis before participating in the pooled testing program.
Blake Battles Bias Update
Come join us for some great discussions and leadership opportunities! Interested 7th and 8th Graders we look forward to seeing you. If you know that you can't make meetings in the fall, but are still interested, please let Ms. Thress or Mrs. Gelormini know!
Blake GSA Update
The Blake GSA has had a great turn-out for our first few meetings! We're looking forward to a great year of learning and talking about LGBTQ+ issues, making friends, and supporting each other. Meetings are every Thursday from 2:15-2:45 in Ms. Malone's room, room 502. Everyone is welcome!
Middle School Winter Athletics Info for 8th Grade
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, I will also need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). If you have any questions, please contact Eric Scott ([email protected]).
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the winter season are:
- Girls Basketball (8th grade Girls).
- Boys Basketball (8th grade Boys)
Blake’s Virtual ‘Info Night’ Videos - Coming Soon
Our ‘Info Night’ videos are being finalized and will be shared soon. They will be shared via a virtual, asynchronous format with recordings/videos of presentations from staff shared with families and posted on the Blake Website. Although it is certainly not the same as seeing Blake families in person, we hope that you find this information/format meaningful and helpful.
Theme of Imagination for 2021-2022
Our theme for this academic year at Blake is one of Imagination. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last seven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, Curiosity, and Imagination. 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]).
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. - Albert Einstein
Creativity doesn’t happen without day dreaming. - Lin Manuel-Miranda
Demanding proof stalls creativity. New ideas need room to breathe, and a good imagination will always be ahead of the best evidence. - Adam Grant
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 at [email protected] with any questions.
Challenge Success Update
Challenge Success Medfield Parent Group is working on identifying initiatives for the 2021-2022 school year across all grade levels (PreK-12). If you have an idea or you are interested in being on one of the planning or implementation committees, please reach out to Eric Baacke (HS), Kristen Careau (MS and upper elementary), and Nicole Hall (lower elementary). Challenge Success is always open to new ideas and new faces!
Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Webinars of Interest
Education Now | The Healing Power of Friendships and Relationships
Wednesday, 10/20 at 7 p.m.
The pandemic has caused many of us to recognize the power of relationships — for ourselves, and for our children. Have your children's friendships changed — or suffered? Are your students finding it hard to re-ignite their stalled connections? How can schools help to foster friendship — and prioritize strong relationships and a sense of belonging for every student? And what are the lessons we can take with us into our own adult lives?
Join us as we explore the sustaining power of friendships and relationships. Let's identify the ways in which relationships give us strength, help us learn, and keep us happy and well. We'll share strategies for prioritizing friendships and connections for our children and ourselves.
Host: Junlei Li, Saul Zaentz Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Co-Chair, Human Development and Education Program, Harvard Graduate School of Education
How to Navigate Re-entry Stress
Hosted by SPARK Kindness
Wednesday, 10/20 at 7 p.m.
During the pandemic, many families delighted in a slower, more intentional way of life and are now overwhelmed by the demands and pressures of re-entry. Author (Minimalist Parenting) + podcaster (Edit Your Life) Christine Koh will share practical advice for how to navigate re-entry stress, including tactics to manage calendar creep, maintain boundaries, protect time for yourself and with your family, and continue to tap into the things you and your family truly care about.
About our Presenter
Christine Koh is a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative. She is a fierce believer in the power of humans, small moments and actions, and vulnerable, authentic storytelling. She communicates on these beliefs through her work as a writer (she is a regular contributor at the Washington Post, Boston Globe Magazine, and CNN; co-author of Minimalist Parenting; and founder of the award-winning blog Boston Mamas), podcaster (Edit Your Life, Hello Relationships), designer (Brave New World Designs), and creative director (Geben Communication). You can find her at @drchristinekoh on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Blake PTO Update - Hospitality
Please join us as we kick off our 2021-2022 school year at Blake! As part of the Hospitality Committee, we will be hosting several staff and Student Appreciation events this year. One of the recurring events we will host is a snack table for our wonderful faculty at Blake this year as we have done in the previous year. We will be setting this table up for every Faculty Staff meeting this year! Please use this sign up (Blake PTO Sign-Up Genius Form) to donate funds or gift cards for the purchase of snack items and drinks to set up a nice snack bar for these faculty meetings! You can also drop off gift cards at 2 Pueblo Road or 25 Cole Drive! We plan on using these cards or funds for the snack bar events as well as for future appreciation events at Blake this year. BUT if you don’t have time to grab a card and want to donate, feel free to Venmo a donation. Any amount is appreciated and will be used throughout the year. You can send your Venmo donation here: @MedfieldBlake-PTO (5428 if it asks you for last 4 #'s). Please indicate in the comments section that your donation is for the Blake Middle School Teacher and Staff Appreciation.
MCPE Update
We are so excited to bring back our popular Fall Fest event, Friday, November 5, 2021! Spend a crisp fall evening in the outdoor pavilion catching up with friends and neighbors over your favorite beverage. Attendance is capped at 375 for everyone’s comfort and safety. Fall Fest is officially SOLD OUT, but you can join the waitlist on our website - www.medfieldcoalition.org
Medfield Music Association’s Annual Wreath & Amaryllis Sale
Order your winter décor and holiday hostess gifts and support the Medfield Music Program!
20” Mixed Greens Wreath - The noble fir wreath features incense cedar, juniper, and ponderosa cone accents. Made in Oregon, this high-quality wreath is known for excellent needle retention. The cost is $30 each.
Amaryllis Bulb Kit - The amaryllis flowers will bloom in one of six assorted colors – maroon, red, red/white, white, pink, or pink/white. Unfortunately, we are not able to control which color you get--so part of the fun will be waiting to see what appears! The cost is $15 each.
• Please place all orders online at: https://www.medfieldmusicassociation.com/shop
• Wreaths & bulb kits will be delivered to your home in Medfield the Saturday following Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2021).
Proceeds from our wreath and bulb sales will help the MMA support the Music Department’s needs across all five schools.
Destination Imagination Information Night
Destination Imagination (DI) Registration
Destination Imagination - Medfield Open House
Thursday, October 21, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wheelock Cafeteria
What is DI?
DI is a fun hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity and curiosity through open-ended academic challenges. DI’s mission and vision is to teach students the creative process and empower them with the skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. In solving challenges using a student-driven, collaborative, problem-solving approach, DI participants learn patience, flexibility, persistence, time-management, and respect for others and their ideas. Teams, consisting of no more than seven members, choose to participate in one of the Central Challenges offered.
DARING ESCAPE Technical Challenge – The Technical Challenge prompts students to complete tasks by using engineering, research, strategic planning, and related skills.
UP CLOSE Scientific Challenge – The Scientific Challenge blends the curiosity of scientific research with the creative expression of performance art.
ROLL WITH IT Engineering Challenge – The Engineering Challenge asks students to design, build, and test load-bearing structures created from specific materials.
TRICKY TALES Fine Arts Challenge – The Fine Arts Challenge helps students develop acting and creative skills through artistic media, theater arts, script writing, and prop design.
FESTIVAL FRENZY Improvisational Challenge – The Improvisational Challenge is all about research, spontaneity, and storytelling. Teams receive topics and produce skits right on the spot.
FOR THE FUTURE Service Learning Challenge – The Service Learning Challenge is designed to engage students in public service that addresses real-life community issues.
MONSTER MANNERS Rising Stars Challenge (available to 2nd grade only) – The Rising Stars Challenge offers simple experiences with the creative process, and gives young kids a place to work together and make new friends.
What skills do participants need?
A willingness to cooperate with others and learn new things are really the only pre-requisites. Teamwork and creativity are two key components of DI. You will be surprised by the skills and talents that are revealed and acquired in the creative problem-solving process.
What role do parents play?
Parents are invited to KEEP OUT of the process! DI is students working with students to problem solve and create solutions to challenges. The only role parents’ play is as a guide to the process. In fact, DI considers it “interference” if an idea comes from a non-team member. Each team will have the support of two parent Team Managers but students, not the “coaches”, drive the solution.
How do teams get formed?
Students can sign up in groups of 7 (or less) or can sign-up individually and will be placed on a team. Teams may be same-gender or co-ed and typically consist of members in the same grade. Teams are broken into grade-level divisions: elementary (3rd-5th); middle level (6th-8th); senior level (9th-12th). There is also a non-competitive Rising Star division, for 2nd graders.
Where does the competition part come into play?
Team members work together during the school year to prepare for the regional competition in March where Medfield DI teams compete against teams from local towns. This year the regional tournament will be held at Medfield High School on March 19. The top scoring teams from the regional competition go on to compete in a statewide competition at Worcester Polytech Institute in April. The winners from the statewide competition advance to compete in a global competition held in Kansas City in May, and yes, Medfield has had numerous teams win States and make it to Globals!
What type of commitment should we expect?
The teams drive the process. Typically, teams start meeting in late Oct on whatever day/time the team collectively chooses. Meeting weekly is typical but the groups are flexible. When closer to the competition, teams typically choose to meet more frequently.
How do I get more information?
Join us for the Information Night on October 21st to learn more. Meet and talk with experienced Team Managers as they explain “Instant Challenges” and share their Destination Imagination experience. Registration forms will be distributed and are due no later than October 28th. If you can’t make it, please email [email protected]. For more information, visit the MA DI website www.madikids.org or the national DI website www.idodi.org or email [email protected]