3/7 - Blake Battles Bias
3/8 - Blake Site Council Meeting
3/9 - Blake Student Council
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/10 - Blake GSA
School Committee Meeting
3/14 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/15 - Blake String Fling
3/16 - Blake Band-o-Rama
3/18 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
3/23 - Empty Bowls (see info below)
3/24 - MCPE Spelling Bee
3/25 - #DLDMedfield (No School for Students)
3/28 - DEI Task Force Meeting
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the need for and purpose of vacations, our question for this week is: Why are vacations important? Reflecting and Preparing with Purpose (Week of 2/27/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
March is Women’s History Month
March 1 marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. Please share any ideas you have as to how we can recognize this month within the Blake community. Here are a couple of reads of interest…
What Schools Teach About Women’s History Leaves a Lot to Be Desired
The Long & Winding Road to Women’s Rights
Educational resources are available from federal sources and the National Women's History Museum, among others.
Incoming Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/9 - Incoming 6th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2021-2022 academic year’s mobile learning Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/14 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh and eighth grade (current sixth and seventh grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th and 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year.
Volleyball Tourney at Blake
The Wellness Team was proud to host another Volleyball Championship tournament with all PE students the week leading up to February break. Students worked hard on their skills in hopes to be the championship team to face off against their teachers on the Friday before break. We had three spirited and enthusiastic teams (one from each grade) challenge their teachers for that final showdown. We laughed, cheered and watched in awe as digs and dives were made by both staff and students. Overall, a fantastic community event that we've all been missing. We hope to have the same enthusiasm as we begin our next unit - Badminton!
Blake Battles Bias
Blake Battles Bias will meet on Monday, March 7th at 2:15 in Ms. Thress' room. All are welcome!
Empty Bowls is Back!
Bowl making- 3/15 from 2:15-4:15
Glazing session- 4/14 from 2:15-4:15.
The cost is $25. and includes the Empty Bowls dinner on 5/12 from 6-8 in the HS cafe.
All proceeds will go to the Medfield Food Cupboard.
Empty Bowls Flyer - 2022
Health Screenings Info for Blake Students
We want to remind you we will be doing state mandated health screenings starting tomorrow and continuing throughout this week during physical education (gym) classes. Postural screening will be done for all three grades (6th, 7th and 8th) to screen for back issues that may require further medical evaluation and 7th graders will also have BMI screening (height/weight).
Health screenings are confidential and done on an individualized basis to protect the privacy of each child. You will be notified if your child’s postural screening or BMI results require follow up by their primary care provider. In preparation for postural screening, girls are encouraged to wear a sports bra or the top of a two piece bathing suit.
If you have already completed an Opt Out form, then your child will not be screened per your request. If you have not yet completed an Opt Out form and prefer your child not participate in this week’s health screenings as noted above, then please complete the appropriate Opt Out form below based on your child’s current grade by 8pm tonight when the form will be closed.
OPT OUT Form - 6th Grade Postural Screening
OPT OUT Form - 7th Grade Health Screenings (postural & BMI)
OPT OUT Form - 8th Grade Postural Screening
If you decide after the form is closed that you prefer to opt your child(ren) out of the health screenings, then you will need to send in a note with your child to hand to us containing the current date, your signature and the health screenings you want your child excused from. This note must be received before your child’s physical education class this week in order for your child to be excused. A note is only required if you have not already completed the Opt Out form.
If you have any questions, please contact us at the email addresses listed below. Thank you for your assistance in this process.
Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2021-2022 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class performance, placement test scores, and teacher recommendations. For current 8th grade students, placement is determined by success in their current class level and teacher recommendation. We are very mindful during this time to consider the whole child while making these decisions. Additionally, it is important to us that parents/guardians feel they have a voice in this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. If your questions involve long-term planning for math, do not hesitate to email Jess Safer, Math Department Chair at [email protected]. Thank you!
Info from Dr. Worthley
Good Afternoon Medfield Parents and Families,
I hope you are all doing well, and that your kids are enduring what we all hope is the end-stage of the pandemic, at least for this year. It certainly has been a complicated couple of years. I thought I might share with you some resources that you may find interesting and helpful as you help your kids develop and grow into healthy young adults. Regardless of the age of your child, I suspect that this will be useful information.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a top news story right now, and with our social media access, and 24-hour news coverage, even the youngest students are aware of the situation. In Medfield and surrounding towns, we have families with strong Ukrainian ties that are understandably concerned about this situation. These Resources for Educators and Caregivers: Ukraine gives strategies and tips on how parents can help kids discuss their feelings and fears, and can help teachers steer the discussion in a healthy direction. War is unsettling, and our kids, from elementary school to high school kids who are concerned that there may be a draft, are feeling the stress.
The Newton-Wellesley Hospital/Mass General Brigham Resilience Project is hosting a webinar for parents, educators, and community members on Wednesday, March 9th, from 7:00-8:15PM, which will be an “important round-table discussion and Q&A on the current pediatric mental health crisis.” NWH Resiliency Project content is generally very good and worthwhile. Please use this link to register: https://partners.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tPprEKKcRCSRoVcII4nAUQ
I suggest you read the Psychology Today article, “The Hidden Heartache of Teenage Romances…And Why It Can Be So Much Worse For Boys.” It will remind you that teens experience things differently than we do, and give you some insight into the adolescent male psyche.
Finally, we had Chris Herren come and speak to our Juniors and Seniors at the high school a couple of weeks ago. Chris always sends a strong message to our kids, and you could hear a pin drop as he discussed his descent into alcohol and drug addiction, while attempting to manage a highly successful college and professional basketball career. As you may know, the story does not end well. Each year, Chris’s presentation evolves, based on his experiences and the communities and kids that he speaks to. Chris spoke more about the role of parents this year, and the importance of ongoing discussion around the use and abuse of substances. I have included some information about Underage Drinking and the Social Host Law in Massachusetts, as well as How to Talk to Your Teen About Substance Use.
As you may know, I am all for parents having complicated discussions early and often with their kids. I feel that knowledge is power, and urge you to dive into that talk you have been putting off, or waiting for just the right time.
Be Well,
Dave Worthley, Ed.D.
Medfield Public Schools
Director of Social and Emotional Learning
[email protected]
Miss Amazing - 4/9 at 6 p.m.
Save the date! Massachusetts Miss Amazing is coming to Medfield High School for its ninth annual event! Miss Amazing’s mission statement reads, “Miss Amazing provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment.” Join us in supporting this goal and giving these girls and young women an opportunity to shine. This full-day event is Saturday, April 9th, 2022 and the show will be held in the Medfield High School Auditorium at 6 PM. If you want to volunteer with the event, you can sign up to be a buddy, half day volunteer (helping hand), or a right hand man online at https://missamazing.org/volunteer/. If you know a girl or young woman who might want to participate in this event, refer them to the Miss Amazing website so they can learn more! Sign up a participant at https://missamazing.org/participate/. See you there!
2022 Blake Track - Spring Letter
Please see link below information about spring track at Blake…
Blake Letter for Spring Track - 2022
Student Connectedness at Blake
‘No Significant learning occurs without a significant relationship’ - Dr. James Comer
It is important to us that every Blake student has a trusted adult at school. Each year we ask our students to fill out this survey - this information will help us to support our students. These are the questions that were asked this week in advisory…
- If you needed help at school with a big or small problem, which adult(s) at Blake would you feel comfortable going to about the issue? Please list the names of the adults. If you do not have any adults that you would feel comfortable going to in our school, you may write “no one”.
- Please explain why you feel comfortable going to these adults. What is it about them that makes them helpful or approachable?
- What do you think the people who work at Blake could do to make you feel more welcomed at school?
Summer Reading Input?
It's summer at Blake! The summer reading team will meet in early February to begin looking at titles for this summer's reading choices. Have a book you would like to recommend? Please share with Kerry Cowell ([email protected]) and Beth Sancher ([email protected]). Happy Reading!
Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
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 Nat Vaughn at [email protected] with any questions.
Progress Update on Reporting Adaptations
As shared in the e-mail to Blake families in December, our staff has been working to address the recommendations from our Director of Instruction and Innovation's 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021), and an update was shared at the most recent School Committee meeting (Link to recording now available: Medfield School Committee (12-09-2021). We will be sharing these updates via information and educational sessions for families in the new year via a recorded webinar format.
Adaptations to our reporting will take place in Term 3 of 2021-2022, including…
- traditional letter grades on all priority standards for grades 7 and 8
- expansion of a metric scale from the current 1-3 scale by adding a fourth metric of feedback (1-4 scale)
The purpose of reporting on academic progress is to provide feedback on a student’s progress and to help direct future efforts. Effective feedback to students during the learning process is essential to a healthy and productive learning experience. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...
- more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
- more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
- greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers
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.
How to Connect and Communicate with Children and Teens: What Do You Say?
Tuesday, 3/8 at 7 p.m.
In this talk, Ned Johnson, educator and co-author of “What Do You Say: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home,” will offer strategies and language for effective communication with children and teens to increase connection and well-being for children and parents alike.
ASL interpretation will be provided at this event.
About Our Presenter
Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation.
A professional “tutor-geek” since 1993 and battle-tested veteran of test prep, stress regulation and student performance, Ned has spent more than 40,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests, learn to manage their anxiety, and find the motivation to reach their full potential.
In 2006, Ned co-authored the book Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Students Overcome the Pressure and Succeed, which tackles the outsized role anxiety plays in standardized testing. With Dr. William Stixrud, Ned co-authored The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives, which explores how fostering children’s autonomy can help solve two challenges seemingly endemic to kids today: handling anxiety and developing intrinsic motivation. Ned is the host of the PrepTalks podcast: conversations with parenting and education experts. A sought-after speaker and teen coach on study skills, sleep deprivation, parent-teen dynamics, and test anxiety, and his work is featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, BBC, and many others.
Learn more about our presenter at www.thenedjohnson.com
MCPE Updates
Thursday, March 24, 2022
High School Auditorium
Grades 2 & 3: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Grades 4 & 5: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Gather your TEAM of 2-4 kids and register here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/spellingbee
or take a look at this year's new SOLO speller option. If two or more solo spellers sign up from the same school, we will combine the spellers into a new team. See the SOLO speller info here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/solo-spelling-bee
Thank you to our event sponsor: Medfield Orthodontics
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)