1/3 - Blake Site Council
1/4 - Blake Student Council
1/5 - Pride Alliance Mtg
1/11 - Blake Student Council
1/12 - Pride Alliance
School Committee Mtg
1/16 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No School
1/17 - SEPAC Mtg - see details below
1/19 - DEI Task Force Mtg
1/24 - ½ Day for Students; Professional Afternoon
1/25 - MCAP Meeting
1/26 - School Committee Mtg
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about hope and intentions in the new calendar year, our question for this week is: Please complete this statement: This year (2023) I hope to… Starting with Hope (Week of 1/1/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
8th Annual STEM Talks - 12/22/22
During 8th grade science classes on 12/22, our students heard from recent and not so recent grads of MPS now studying or working in the STEM field. Thanks so much to the following graduates: Christian Daniele, Kathryn Giordano, Megan Hawley, Kylie Herbstzuber, Dylan Hogan, Nicole Loranger, Rachel Parry, Leah Richard, Adrian Sheehy, Emily Taylor, and Annie Tucker. I encourage everyone to think of other ways we can make the learning tangible for our students - via in person or virtual connections with alumni, individuals 'in the field', or outreach. Thanks to Orla for coordinating and to the 8th grade science teachers for hosting!
Update from SEPAC - Meeting on 1/17
Join us for our first meeting of 2023! Tuesday, January 17th at 7pm Our panel of community school parents is looking forward to helping you by offering their experience and knowledge. This meeting will be held virtually via zoom. Please RSVP to [email protected] to receive a meeting link. To make the night as helpful as possible, we will also send you a link to enter your questions ahead of time. We want to allow our panel to review questions so they can group them by topic and be able to share their insights.
Message from Our Nurses
Cold and flu season is here and we need your assistance in keeping our school community healthy. Please monitor your child(ren) daily for signs/symptoms of illness and keep them home from school to rest and hydrate if they are not feeling well or if they have a fever. It’s helpful to keep a thermometer in your home to check their temperature.
Symptoms which may initially appear to be just a common cold or allergies could actually be COVID or the flu, so please be vigilant and follow these reminders.
- If your child has cold/allergy symptoms (see COVID Guidelines), please test them for COVID before sending them to school. If the test results are negative, repeat the COVID test 48 hours later. If positive, please keep your child home to isolate x 5 days and notify us and your child’s primary care provider (PCP).
- If your child has a fever, please call their PCP and keep your child home from school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without any fever/pain reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, etc.) and their symptoms have improved to the point where they are feeling well and ready to return to a full day of school.
- Frequent handwashing/hand sanitizing and mask wearing when you or your child(ren) have cold/flu or COVID symptoms in combination with keeping vaccinations up-to-date as recommended by the Department of Public Health are the most effective ways to decrease the spread of viral illnesses.
- Please call the Blake Middle School absence line (508-242-8501) by 7:40 a.m. each day your child will be absent or late for school. The absence line is available 24 hours a day. You may also send an email to [email protected]
- Please notify us in the school nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with COVID, influenza, strep throat or any other contagious illness as well as if your child is being treated for a concussion or recovering from an injury.
- You may email this information to [email protected] when you notify the school of your child’s absence or contact us directly.
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural session is loosely set to run from mid January until the beginning of April. Be on the lookout for the offerings shortly after we return from winter break. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Thank You to MCPE and PTO
Thank you to the Blake PTO and MCPE (Medfield Coalition for Public Education) for their generous support of our endeavors/grants. We greatly appreciate the contributions as we look to provide unique and innovative experiences for our students!
Blood Drive for MLK, Jr. Weekend
** Please see the message below from Cynthia McClelland...
Hello Medfield community,
I am proud to announce our annual MLK day blood drive, and it will be held at the middle school. Right now, we are looking for students to serve on the blood drive committee. Students on the committee will be responsible for organizing, promoting and supporting the Red Cross in running the blood drive the day of. If your child is interested they can reach out to Cynthia McClelland at [email protected].
Message from Medfield’s Destination Imagination Team…
Medfield's Destination Imagination organization is looking for volunteers to be appraisers at either of the regional tournaments (March 4th in Medfield or March 12th in Beverly). It is the perfect opportunity for someone 18 years or older (and out of high school) who would like to spend the day praising the accomplishments of each dedicated and hugely creative Destination Imagination team and awarding as many points as possible. It is truly a fun day spent enjoying the creativity of students in grades 3-12 and is a great community volunteer opportunity for anyone- college students, retired folks, those who have previously participated in Destination Imagination, etc.). Contact [email protected] for more information and learn about Destination Imagination at destinationimagination.org.
National Science Bee
Registration is now open for the National Science Bee. Registration is free and easy! Click on this link National Science Bee for information and click on this link to navigate to the qualifying event (20 min Online Regional Qualifying exam.
Students compete in separate grade divisions to keep things fair and fun. Study guides and free practice questions from past years' competitions can be found on this website.
MakerSpace Materials
Thanks to all who have been bringing in cardboard for the Makerspace. We are all stocked up for the moment! But, there is always a need for different kinds of tape, hot glue sticks,small binder clips, brad fasteners, small magnets, popsicle sticks, etc.- basic office supplies/crafty stuff.
Late Bus For MS/HS Students
Late bus service runs Monday through Thursday departing from outside the auditorium entrance at Medfield High School at 3:45 PM. We are unable to provide door-to-door service, but our bus company established a route with seven stops strategically placed throughout the town. These stops will remain consistent throughout the year.
Stop 1 - Corner of Lantern and Flintlocke
Stop 2 - Corner of Blacksmith and Marilyn
Stop 3 - Corner of Bridge and Marsh
Stop 4 - Corner of Algonquin and Orchard
Stop 5 - Corner of Indian Hill and Hopi
Stop 6 - Corner of South and Wilson
Stop 7 - Corner of Hummingbird and Granite
We will run this pilot throughout the 2022-2023 school year and then evaluate the interest for next year. Please contact the business office at 508-359-2302 if you have any questions.
Blake’s Pride Alliance
We are pleased to announce that the club formerly known as Blake GSA is now called Pride Alliance! This more inclusive name better represents the values of our club, where 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. Meetings are every Thursday until 2:45 in room 502. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity.
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
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 Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
Webinars/Workshops of interest…
What Should My School/Classroom Look Like Based on Young Adolescent Development?
Thursday, 1/19 at 3:30 p.m.
Students from the ages of 10 – 15 are not adolescents, and they’re not children anymore—they’re young adolescents. These students need adults to respond to their unique needs; but some school and classroom practices mirror high schools’ or elementary structures rather than address your students’ needs. Join us and ask about how you and your fellow colleagues can make simple changes to address your students’ social and emotional needs, physical needs, identity challenges, and their intense cognitive growth.
State of the Field 2023: SEL at a Crossroads
Friday, 1/27 at 1 p.m.
This past year, social and emotional learning garnered media and political attention like never before. For better and worse, SEL was a top priority for district leaders, an election-year talking point, and a household name across the country. What does this mean for SEL and where the field goes next? And most importantly, how will the next chapter of SEL continue to bring together families and educators to better serve every child?
Join Dr. Aaliyah Samuel and Dr. Timothy Shriver in a fireside chat as they reflect on a year of politics, policy, and promising practices — and begin building the agenda for the new year.
Recommended for: education organization leaders, community partners, policy influencers, and district and school leaders.