10/6 - Blake Student Council
10/7 - School Committee Meeting
10/11 - No School
10/13 - Blake Student Council
10/20 - Blake Student Council
10/29 - Half-Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we can practice and establish habits, our question for the week is: What habits help you to become a better learner? Establishing and Practicing Habits (Week of 10/3/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
No Homework Weekend for Blake (10/8-10/11)
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, this upcoming weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 10/12 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on October 12 or 13. 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.
MCAS Results - Update
This week the results of the 2021 Next-Generation MCAS will be sent home to families. As with all standardized testing, the primary purpose of the Next-Generation MCAS and MCAS tests and scores is to help assess how well your child is doing and to determine how to help improve your student’s knowledge base and skill set. The Department of Education’s website (http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/), provides resources, sample questions, and student responses from past tests that you can use as a reference. It is also important to remember that this test is only one measure of a student’s understanding and growth. Please review your child’s scores with this idea in mind.
We are determined to meet the needs of all of our students, and we will continue to align our curriculum with the State Frameworks to help our students reach their highest potential. If you have any questions after reviewing your child’s scores, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell, your child’s guidance counselor, or Nat Vaughn.
Blake Intramurals - Update
The Fall Intramural Session in underway! We are still accepting registrations for: Ultimate Frisbee, Hair Braiding, Chill Out, and Anime Club
#INKTOBER is HERE!
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.
Back-to-School Resources from DESE
The Department has a new, family-friendly back-to-school page that answers basic questions about the 2021-2022 school year. Please share this link with your community. Other back-to-school resources from DESE include a letter from Commissioner Riley and a back-to-school public service announcement (in English and Spanish) that can be shared with staff, parents, and the community about the upcoming school year. The Department would like to thank Somerville Public Schools and particularly the staff and students of Albert F. Argenziano School for their help with the PSA!
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 had our first meeting on Thursday 9/23, and we had an amazing turn-out! 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!
Blake Theater Update
Blake Theater - The schedule for this week is as follows: Week of October 4. The tech schedule will be sent to students separately.
Monday- 10/4- Set Crew Only
Tuesday - 10/5 Cast in pages 60-73 - Ben, Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Royal Page, Fairy Godmother, Belle, Beast plus Audrey, Chad, Maleficient
Wednesday- 10/6 - Mrs. Tremblay- All cast
Thursday- 10/7 - All cast and set crew
Friday - 10/8- No Rehersal
Blake Theater - Movie Night
Want to support Blake Theater and have a fun night with your friends? On October 16th, we will host an outdoor screening of The Descendents in the space between the middle school and high school. There is a suggested donation of $15. Bring a blanket to sit on. Treats will be avialable for purchasel. RSVP to Kim Price at [email protected] by October 9. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V5jo4Ec3U_M8Unrtl4bG0jDUMI2g8R_K/view?usp=sharing
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.
DIG PINK IN OCTOBER
MHS girls & boys volleyball teams are going to Dig Pink in October!
- Buy a snack or drink @ Wheelock soccer fields this Saturday!
- Donate on the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/294554972088627/4738606006173704/
- Attend the girl's volleyball games Wed. Oct 13th versus Hopkinton @ MHS (JV2 starts @ 4:30, JV1 @ 5:30 & varsity girls serve it up @6:30) with all admissions going to Ellie Fund.
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
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]