10/3-10/4 - Stars Canoe Trips
10/5 - Eagles Canoe Trip
10/6 - Half Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
10/9 Columbus Day (No School)
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 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
10/24 - #GlobalMakerDay
10/25 - Blake Guidance Coffee
10/27 - 8th Grade to Tri-County
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
11/6 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
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 making more connections between home and school, our topic/question for the week is: How can we 'build bridges' (make connections) between home and school? Building Bridges (Week of 10/1/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Danger of a Single Story Advisory - 10/4/17
As you know Blake's theme for the 2017-2018 school year is Diversity - 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, Collaboration, and Empathy. This Wednesday, October 4 we are having an extended advisory period, using Chimamanda Adichie's TED Talk, Danger of a Single Story, as a vehicle to foster conversations around our theme - highlighting the importance of listening to and learning about the many stories we all have and bring. We watched Adichie's talk as a staff during our opening faculty meetings and we are looking forward to this shared experience as a Blake community. I have shared the links below to the abridged talk (the one we will watch with the students) along with a transcript of the talk. I encourage you to watch the talk and hope that the conversations we have in school will carry over to home, and the ones at home will carry over to school as well.
Danger of a Single Story Full Length Talk
Danger of a Single Story Abridged Talk
Danger of a Single Story Transcript
The single story creates stereotypes. And the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story. -- Chimamanda Adichie
Our hope is that the conversations that take place will serve as a foundation upon which we can build for future work.
#blakeatnc
We are very excited for next 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.
Parent Coffees
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 !
#MedfieldPS Diversity Twitter Chat Follow Up
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS diversity chat 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-chat-diversity
@blakeissocial
Blake is revolutionizing the literary magazine platform and is now on Instagram (@blakeissocial). Through the use of social media, we are hopeful that our literary magazine will reach a larger audience and better represent the Blake Community as a whole. Students will not only have a current platform to show off their successes and interests, but those participating will have opportunities to gain skills in the field of journalism, art, music, photography, sports broadcasting, literary writing, and technology. Please encourage students to follow us and submit on Instagram or submit to our [email protected] email. 'Blake is social' is looking forward to receiving submissions from students as well as from teachers!
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]
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.
Seventh Grade Trip to Nature's Classroom Reminders
Please note: Our trip follows a long weekend this year. It is important to email Mrs. Silva, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Campbell (all three please) if your child receives an injury over the Columbus Day Weekend that limits your child’s mobility. If your child becomes ill over the weekend, and requires a new medication during the trip, please bring the med administration form to the doctor with you and drop off the medication with Mrs. Williams the morning of the trip.
It’s going to be an early start! Get ready for the 6:10 am drop off on Tuesday, October 10! Seventh graders should report to their bus to get their luggage tags. If your child is unable to go at the last second, please call the Blake office and your child’s roommate. We will find another room for the roommate to stay in at Nature’s Classroom.Packing: A packing list and final details can be found here Nature's Classroom Final Details. On Monday, 10/9, a sheet will be sent home with your child's bus and room number. The sheet also lists the type of beds in the room. If you are sending your child with sheets, please check for the form. Some rooms have full and queen sized beds. Roommates can arrange which beds they will be sleeping in. Folding beds will be brought in if needed to provide a bed for each student.
Nature's Classroom Final Details 2017
Medication: Please be sure your child takes their morning medications at home before the trip.
Bus Ride: Please be sure your child is dressed for the day when they board the bus. Long pants please and closed toe shoes. Rain jackets if it is rainy. They should have a nut-free snack, a filled water bottle and a book or non-electronic game to keep them busy. We expect to be home at 2:30pm on Friday. We will be in touch with Mr. Vaughn to update our progress. Watch for his Tweets!
Electronics: Please do not allow your child to bring electronics or cell phones in any form. They are not allowed on the trip.
Follow us at NC! Follow #blakeatnc and @kmcsoup for photos and updates throughout the week. Daily email updates will be sent each day as well.
We are looking forward to the trip! Contact Judy Silva [email protected] with any questions.
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.
Parent/Guardian Sign-Offs
All families should have received an e-mail from '[email protected]' with 'Emergency Contact Information' in the subject line. We are asking all families to complete this digital sign-off for most of the beginning-of-year forms...
- Student Responsible Use Guidelines/Acceptable Use Policy
- School Handbook (and Addendum, where appropriate)
- Free and Reduced Lunch
- Your child's emergency contact information (all students) and additional contact/authorizations (Grades 1 through 5 only).
- Photo release form
Theme of Diversity for 2017-2018
Our theme for this academic year at Blake is one of Diversity. 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, Collaboration, and Empathy. 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]).
Social Emotional Learning Resource for All Families
I want to remind you about our website that comes from the Office of Social/Emotional Learning (www.medfieldsel.com). Included in the website is information regarding our current list of mental health resources, information about our RISE Transition Program, and a lot of information about Social/Emotional Learning. In addition, in our “In The News” tab, you will find articles that we feel may be of interest, including current trends that may affect our kids. Check back often, as there are new things to read all the time. The “Communication” tab will bring you to letters that this office has sent out during the course of the school year, so if you want to refer back, it is easy to find. Medfield Public Schools is taking the commitment to Social/Emotional Learning very seriously, so check out the site, browse around, and use it as a way to ignite conversation with your kids. - Dr. Dave Worthley (@DrWorthley)
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
Angel Run News!
Registration is open at medfieldfoundation.org. Start preparing now by joining our 10 week training program. Pick three non-consecutive days a week and do the 30 minute progressive workout. This week it's 6 cycles of 2 minutes running followed by 3 minutes walking. Sing your way to the starting line! Student vocalists in grades 6-12 are invited to enter our National Anthem singing contest. Enter by November 1st. See full contest details on the Medfield Foundation website.
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].
Blake PTO News
NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING IS OCTOBER 19TH AT 7:00 PM 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.
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
Thank you to all who have already signed up for our annual Community Trivia Night on November 3. We are currently sold out for both sittings but encourage you to join our waiting list in case tables become available. Visit www.medfieldcoalition.org to add your name to the waiting list.
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.