3/16 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
3/17 - Term 2 Ends
3/20 - Safe Learning Environment Discussions - Grade 6
3/21 - Safe Learning Environment Discussions - Grade 7
3/24 - Safe Learning Environment Discussions - Grade 8
7th Grade Greek Week begins
Term 2 Ends
3/30 - Harmony Day - Wear Green
3/31 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
3/31-4/2 - MICCA Festival
4/3 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
4/4-4/5 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/6 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
4/7 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/7-4/9 - Blake Musical
4/12 - Day of Silence
4/17-4/21 - April Vacation
4/25-4/26 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/27-4/28 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
5/4-5/5 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/10-5/11 - Grade 8 Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/16-5/17 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/18-5/19 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about learning and adapting, our topic/question for the dinner table is: How are you willing to adapt to help others learn? A Willingness to Adapt (Week of 3/12/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Safe Learning Environment Work
We are sharing a follow up to the evening presentation that was held at Blake on Monday, 3/13 as we discussed and shared ways to foster a safe learning environment for our community, specifically our LGBTQ youth and families. . We want to express our sincere thanks to the Blake PTO and MCPE for their support of this work. I encourage you to check out the links below for more information/resources...
LGBTQ Resource Document for Families
Why is This Work Important?
Safe Learning Environment Evening 3/13/17 - Blake Communication
Our direct work with students will take place the week of 3/20 in 90 minute blocks of time (3/20 - Grade 6, 3/21 - Grade 7, 3/24 - Grade 8) with a workshop model by cluster and advisory. The outline for this work is as follows...
Student Presentations
- Stand up/sit down icebreaker
- Why we're here – to build respect & empathy
- Zach's story
- Terminology - definitions of LGBTQ and Ally
- How to be an Ally
- Q&A
Advisors will use the following discussion questions:
- Why is it important to make our school a safe and respectful environment for LGBTQ students?
- What can Blake do to make sure our school is welcoming and safe for LGBTQ students and families?
- What can you do and what can teachers do to be allies to LGBTQ students?
The primary goal at Blake is to establish an emotionally and physically safe and healthy learning environment for all of our students. Our core values at Blake help guide our work, and we must continue to remind and assure our students that Blake is a safe school for all students and adults and our efforts and expectations remain steadfast to both welcome and embrace all learners. Ours is a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, regardless of one's race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. As such, it is important that we continue to live by these three principles...
- Every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
- We are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
- We must always be present and continue to be here for one another.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nat ([email protected]), Kelly, ([email protected]), or your student's guidance counselor.
The Blake Site Council has been working on the development of our annual survey to students and parents. A similar survey has been administered the last three years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming. Focus areas include the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. The results will help us to gather information and examine our current practices to better meet the needs of our students and assess progress towards our mission. Please complete the survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the Blake community. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]). Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey February 2017
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey. The Blake Middle School Executive Summary 15-16 of the compiled data is here for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights.
Acceptance Month at Blake
Student Council will be running Acceptance month again this year. Acceptance month was kicked off with Spread the Word to End the Word on March 1st. This week is "Pay It Forward" week. Students who are seen doing kind acts around the school will receive a bracelet or two (one to pay forward). Student Council will also run mix it up lunches (students will be encourage to sit at different lunch tables and compete in a trivia challenge). Additionally, there will be a spirit week to show our support to different members of our school community. Blake Student Council is working in conjunction with the Medfield High School Student Council to help practice student leadership as students organize these events.
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 3/15/17
Our next district-wide Twitter chat is Wednesday, 3/15/17 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Literacy. 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. I encourage you to follow the hashtag #MedfieldPS during the chat and to participate! Below are links to 'storify' archives of previous chats...
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-58a34a86a51b8de45f9bfd78
(Differentiation)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat
(Resolutions, Reflection, and Growth)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-december-20-2016-a-potluck-chat
(A Potluck Chat)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medf
(#DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-safe-learning-environments
(Safe Learning Environments)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-57e2929f8c7e6bca7fc31872
(Empathy)
Intramurals Update
Please expect to see the Spring Intramural offerings at some point in the near future. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
ADL Youth Congress Conference
The ADL Peer Leaders are excited to attend the Anti-Defamation League's 22nd Annual Youth Congress in Boston on Thursday, March 30
Spring Cleaning - Request for MakerSpace Donations
In our ongoing efforts to foster experiences for students to be 'hands-on' and creative with materials, we are looking to provide outlets for students to create in our 'maker space'. As you begin your spring cleaning efforts (optimistic, I know!), we are looking for any donations from Medfield families of: old toys and electronics, PVC pipe, felt/fabric, crafty supplies (yarn, string, makers, wipe off markers, wipe off contact paper, marbles, duct tape, wasabi tape, different types of glue), cookie cutters (variety of shapes), old tools, play dough, recyclables (anything used for storage containers/bins), cell batteries, AA batteries, conductive materials (copper wire, aluminum foil, telephone wire, washers, brackets). Any donations can be dropped off at the Blake main office and would be greatly appreciated.
Nature's Classroom 2017
The dates for the Nature's Classroom Trip 2017 will be Tuesday, October 10 to Friday, October 13. There will be an informational presentation on Thursday, March 16th during the Seventh Grade Incoming PIN. On Friday, March 17th students will see a similar presentation during school. All paperwork will be emailed home, posted on the Nature's Classroom website http://www.medfield.net/blake-information/nature-classroom.html and attached below.
Blake Track 2017
Is your son or daughter looking for a fun spring sport without a huge time commitment? If so, the Blake Track Team may be for him or her. We practice four times per week from 2:15 - 3:15 on the high school track. Our program encourages students to continue with their other extra-curricular activities while they give track and field a try. The season starts on Tuesday, April 4 and there will be a brief after-school organizational meeting in the Blake cafeteria next Wednesday, March 15 - students will not miss their buses. For more information, including sign-up details, please look at below Info Sheet. Please contact Coach Haycock with questions: [email protected]
Information Sheet
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zOAb7MaTa_AfrPk0NmxSAj6sncG91NyrDMdBcUQ1Bvs/edit
Poster
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UYMfOaH5phPc7kydpT8GBIfEc-aVd25CMqJBKHIJQ0E/edit
For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2017-18 Blake Middle School Music Selection
2017-18 Blake Middle School World Language Selection
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/16 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom.
For your reference and information, here are links to the presentations and handouts for grade 6...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2017 Presentation
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2017 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2017-2018
Blake Program of Studies 2017-2018
Parent/Guardian Input Information for 2017-2018Parental/guardian input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2017-2018 academic year. Please refer to the Blake Parent/Guardian Input Letter Spring 2017 regarding our porcess and the guidelines for input. If you are interested in sharing information, please submit your thoughts in writing not later than Friday, March 17. As stated in the letter, written requests for specific teachers and will not be entertained or accepted. Your letter should be addressed to your child's guidance counselor and Assistant Principal, Kelly Campbell. Guidance counselors for next year will be Jen Dondero (Grade 6), Matt Marenghi (Grade 7), and Tracy Allen (Grade 8).
Digital Learning Day for Blake and Medfield Staff - 3/8/17
Medfield's Digital Learning Day was a great success, and we encourage you to explore DLD Medfield Schedule 2017 and the hashtag #DLDMedfield to get a sense of what Medfield tweeters were 'saying' throughout the day. It was a great opportunity to learn from one another and expand our understanding of technology integration. I would like to thank and recognize the our student volunteers who came to help teach, support, and help our staff!
Blake Baseball Meeting - 3/22
The Blake Baseball sign-up meeting will be Wednesday, March 22nd after school in the Blake LMC. This meeting is mandatory if you would like to play. If you are not able to make the meeting, please contact Mr. Becker: [email protected]
Blake Softball Information
The 2017 softball season is nearly here. We are excited to again be a 7th and 8th grade team. This year it looks like the weather may cooperate and we will be able to start practicing March 20th. Middle school softball is a great place for both seasoned and new players. If your daughter is thinking about giving it a try - do not hesitate to contact Cynthia McClelland ([email protected]).
Photos for Yearbook - 8th Grade!
8th Graders!!! We are collecting childhood or baby pictures for a special section in the Blake yearbook. Write your name on the back of the photo and hand it in to your Advisor by Friday, March 17th. Remember that we DO NOT return the pictures.
8th Grade Trip Forms
A packet of medical forms was sent home with your 8th grader last week for the Washington, D.C. trip Please take time to review and complete the forms which are due back to your child’s advisory teacher by April 3rd, 2017. Forms should be completed in pen, dated and signed. If your child will need to take any medication on the trip (prescription and/or non-prescription), then his/her physician needs to review and sign the medication form. Please plan ahead and submit the medication form to your child’s physician within the next two weeks in order to get the signed form back to school by the April 3rd deadline. Please contact our school nurse, Tricia Williams, at 508-242-8554 or [email protected] if you have any questions after reviewing the packet. Your assistance is appreciated in returning the forms on time as we finalize preparations for the trip.
Mathematics Placement Process
Math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2017-2018 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows for them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 6th and 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class grades, placement test grades, MCAS 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 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 Susan Bycoff, Math Content Specialist at [email protected]. Thank you!
Next-Generation MCAS Dates for Blake Students
All of our Blake students will be participating in the Next-Generation MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) assessments this spring. Our grade 8 students are required to take the computer-based assessments for both English Language Arts and Mathematics, and these will be administered on district-owned Chromebooks. All of our students will be taking assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics, and our grade 8 students will also be taking the Science and Technology/Engineering assessment. If you would like more information regarding these assessments, please visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/. Below are the administration dates for these assessments...
Grade 6
ELA (4/25, 4/26)
Math (5/18, 5/19)
Grade 7
ELA (4/27, 4/28)
Math (5/16, 5/17)
Grade 8
ELA (4/4, 4/5, 4/7)
Math (5/4, 5/5)
Sci/Tech/Eng (5/10, 5/11)
Make-up testing will take place when students return from their absence(s), provided that their return takes place within the testing window determined by the Commonwealth. We appreciate your assistance in looking at these dates and being mindful to try and avoid medical/dental appointments or conflicts with these assessments. As always, do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The next Blake Site Council/Blake community book is The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik. We will be discussing the entire book on Monday, 4/3 at 4:30 p.m.
Message from Blake PTO
2nd ANNUAL BLAKE APPEAL March 1, 2017 – April 1, 2017. Your contribution to this appeal gets you and others off the hook from the many volunteer hours needed to make a traditional fundraiser a success, not to mention 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to the Blake PTO.
The Blake PTO spends approximately $61.00 per student to provide enriching and educational services as well as technology initiatives that support both our students and teachers that are not funded by the town. To continue to fund Blake PTO’s current needs and future initiatives for the 2017-2018 school year we have identified a fundraising goal of $30,000. While Blake Middle School does promote fundraisers throughout the year, such as the Magazine Drive, these are NOT PTO fundraisers and do not benefit the BLAKE PTO.
We need your help. 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 or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052.
We are hoping for 100% participation of Blake families by April 1, 2017, so that our students and teachers over the next year can benefit as the students before them. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen [email protected] or Kim Price [email protected] with any questions.
OPEN PTO BOARD POSITIONS for 2017-2019 SCHOOL YEAR We are looking for a Blake PTO Co-President for the 2017-2019 school years. The town wide PTO is looking for a publicist to cover Memorial, Wheelock, Dale St. and Blake Middle School for the 2017-2019 school years. There will be training for all positions. We would love to have you join our team! Please contact Kim Price for more information [email protected].
Message from MCPE
L-C-R Tournament- Limited spots still available!
Limited tables are available for the Second Annual L-C-R Tournament on Friday March 24- don’t run out of time! $350 for a table of 10 and a night of fast fun, luck, music and prizes- and all proceeds go to your kids through the MCPE! Register now at www.medfieldcoalition.org.
Seeking Nominations for the The Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award
Bob Maguire was Principal of Medfield High School for 8 years and Superintendent of Schools for 14 years. In recognition of his commitment to our students,
the MCPE has created this award to honor an educator in the Medfield school community who embodies Bob's legacy of exposing our students to the world outside of Medfield. The Maguire award is given to a staff member who inspires students to learn more about the global community through innovative programs and technologies.
Parents, administrators, school staff and community members are encouraged to nominate a recipient for the Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award. Nominations are due April 14, 2017. The recipient will be announced at the MCPE annual meeting on May 18, 7:00 at the Zullo Gallery. For more information and criteria, please visit: www.medfieldcoalition.org/grants/bob-maguire-award/.