3/31 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/1 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/2 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS Make-Up
Go Fresh Night for Blake
4/3 - No school
4/10 - Special Olympics at Holliston High School (see details below)
4/10-4/11 - Peter Pan Performances
4/14 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
4/15 - Student-Faculty Artists' Reception at Zullo Gallery
4/21 - Subway Night for Blake
4/20-4/24 - April Vacation
5/6 - Grade 6 Geology Field Trip
5/8 - 1/2 Day for Students
Term 3 Interim Reports go home
Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about the importance of delving deeper with questions to improve feedback, our topic/question of the week is: What is your response to this statement: Preparation and presentation skills, along with the ability to respond to and challenge peers with relevant follow-up questions and evidence, should be a core component of formative assessments. Follow-up question: would it make your job more interesting?
Term 2 Report Cards
All outstanding Term 2 report card signature sheets need to be turned into advisors.
MICCA Update
The 7th/8th Grade Orchestra received the Excellent "silver" Rating today at MICCA. The orchestra played well and had a great clinic with Walter Pavasaris from the Boston Conservatory. Congratulations to all who participated!
Acceptance Month at Blake
Throughout the week, Student Council's Acceptance month will explore the concepts of privilege and discrimination in advisory. Students will engage in a discussion about what it would be like if students were separated by eye color and only students with brown eyes were given privileges, or vice versa. Some may even engage in a simulation of what that privilege (and resulting discrimination of other eye colors) would be like. They'll be prompted with a series of questions in advisory to make ties to privilege and discrimination throughout history and today.
8th Grade - Medical Forms for NYC/DC Trip
NYC/DC Medical forms went home for 8th graders and need to be returned by April 1. This also includes doctor's signatures for any medications going on the trip.
Quote a Peep, Win a Poster!
The Blake LMC is combining literature and fun! The Library has many posters left over from the Scholastic Book Fair. To distribute them, they've introduced the "Quote a Peep, Win a Poster" contest. Students (and staff) are invited to create a quote based on anything (books, magazines, reference materials) in the Library. The quote must feature a marshmallow Peep. Here’s one example: “To Peep or not to Peep: that is the question.” -- William Shakespeep. Three winners will be chosen, based on creativity and originality of quote. Winners will get their first choice of posters. All entries will be posted on the LMC Wall of Quotes. The Contest runs from March 27 - April 10.
Contest Summary
This past week, Blake MS concluded its Energy Inventor’s Contest—by announcing the winners at EVERSOURCE Light Bulb Fundraiser Assembly on Wednesday. While we only had a few entries, our Blake students: Nicolina, Sophia, Nolan, Patrick and Christian brought forward some innovative thoughts and energy-saving ideas. You can read more about the contest and view the student video's at: tinyurl.com/blakeenergy
This Week's Spring Cleaning Tips for your iPad
Spring is here! What better time for spring cleaning your locker and your iPad too! Students should tune into the daily announcements and their email for messages from Ms. Horvath for ways to tidy up your iPad. Parents can find those tips posted on the Mobile Learning in Medfield Blog.
*This will be helpful when another big iOS 8.3 update comes from Apple in the near-future!
Office Mural
When you come in to Blake, please take some time to stop in the main office and check out the new mural created by a team of students at Blake. Thanks to Christina Delaney for her leadership with our students!
Blake Site Council 14-15 Survey
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: 2014-2015 Blake Middle School Parent Survey
Planning for 2015-2016
The due date for parental input for the 2015-2016 was Friday, March 13. This was one of the first steps in the process of placement and scheduling for next year. There is no need to be concerned if you did not put thoughts in writing, as equal consideration is given to the needs of every student, whether or not we have received input from parents. The input is only necessary if you have information to share that you do not believe the school already knows. As stated in the letter sent in early March, parents are asked not to make specific requests for teachers, as they will not be considered part of the placement process. The information that has been gathered will inform our work, and we do not guarantee placement with specific peers. We are confident our teachers and clusters are well balanced and that they each will provide a productive and positive educational experience for our students. Please trust our professional judgment as we strive to ensure a high quality and positive education for each of our students.
Special Olympics Information
For the third consecutive year, the Medfield Public Schools has partnered with Special Olympics of Massachusetts to develop a 5 town chapter and this year's event will be held at Holliston High School on Friday, April 10. We are thrilled that some of our Blake students will be participating, along with students from Medfield High School, Dale, and Wheelock. For those students and/or parents interested in attending the event to support the athletes, independent transportation arrangements must be made in advance and communicated to the front office at Blake. The event is scheduled to begin with the parade of athletes between 9:30 and 10:00 and is expected to conclude around 12:30 p.m., with the athletes staying for lunch. Please join us in wishing our student-athletes the very best!
Spring Intramurals at Blake
Spring Intramurals will begin the week after April vacation and run for 8 weeks. Student sign-ups will be the week of April 13.
Blake Track 2015
If your son or daughter is looking for a fun and active spring activity, the Blake track team could be the answer. We practice four times per week from 2:15-3:15, which leaves plenty of time for other things. The program also exposes kids with all different kinds of personalities and body types to new running, jumping and throwing events that could be further developed at the high school level. The season starts of Tuesday, April 7.
COACHES: Mr. Haycock, Mrs. Graham, Mr. Keohan, Mrs. Krah
ON-LINE SIGN-UP: Go to: www.medfield.net
• Under "Our Schools", click on either Medfield High School or Blake Middle School.
• Under the "Activities" tab, choose "Athletics".
• Click on the "Register Now" (Family ID) button.
• Follow prompts to create username/password and register online
After completing registration, please write a check to the “Town of Medfield” for $225.00 (aid is available), with student’s “name” and “Middle School Track” written on the subject line. Have your son or daughter bring the completed check and a copy of a current (within last 13 months) physical to Mr. Haycock in the Blake Library/Media Center.
Project 351 Drive
My name is Sarah Jubber. I am part of an organization called Project 351 and for the Spring, we are hosting something called Spring Service. Spring Service is a clothing and shoe drive for Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization that provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. Students, parents and teachers are invited to support children affected by homelessness and extreme economic challenges by donating:
- New and gently-used clothing (kids’ sizes 0-20; adult sizes small and medium)
- Like-new shoes, sneakers, winter boots (infant/child sizes 0-13 and youth/adult sizes 1-10)
- New and gently-used winter coats and spring jackets
- New socks, underwear, and pajamas
- Books for infants through age 12
- Boys long pants (Up to 30 inch waist)
- Boys and girls shirts (ages 2-12)
- New socks, underwear, and pajamas
- Books for infants and children ages 7-10
Sixth Grade Parents
All Nature's Classroom forms can be found at http://www.medfield.net/blake-information/nature-classroom.html If you need a paper copy of the forms, please contact Judy Silva at [email protected] The Nature's Classroom presentation for students will be on Monday.
Parent Information Nights for 2015-2016
For your reference and information, here are links to the presentations and handouts from the parent information nights...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2015 Presentation
Nature's Classroom Trip Slideshow
Nature's Classroom Trip Documents and Forms
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2015
Blake Program of Studies 2015-2016
iPad Program Update and Planning for 2015-2016
The Blake iPad Program Update for 15-16 was sent to all current 5th-7th grade families on February 5, 2015. This link outlines information for all Blake families outlining information about the iPad program for all Blake students for 2015-2016. To help us effectively prepare and plan our efforts, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2015-2016 academic year) to answer the questions on this Google Form survey: Incoming 15-16 iPad Program Planning Survey. Please fill out the survey for each child that will be attending Blake next year. Your responses are not binding and we recognize that your plans may change, but the initial feedback will assist us with our planning. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief survey and am hoping for 100% participation. For your reference I have posted links below to documents about our initiative/program…
Mobile Learning in Medfield (our blog, highlights, etc.)
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning Participation Options 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 15-16As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Ted Talk Club
The remaining dates for Blake's Ted Talk Club are below. We may try to squeeze a make up date in there too but we will let you know if advance.
Meeting 12 - April 13
Meeting 13 - April 27
Meeting 14 - June 5
Please let Mr. Hellerstein or Ms. Allen know if you have any questions.
Lightbulb Fundraiser
As we hope you've heard, we are holding a lightbulb fundraiser sponsored by Eversource (formerly NStar). In addition to providing you with products to save energy, another benefit is that every dollar raised comes directly to Blake CSA. There is no cost to Blake for the products. We hope you will look through the brochure that your child received last week and find a few items you would like to try. Switching out your incandescent bulbs for these bulbs will save energy and save you money! Most of these bulbs are priced at less than retail. Ordering now is an easy way to see how the LED and CFL bulbs work in your home. You'll find a bulb for nearly every lamp! The smart power strip also helps you save energy by controlling multiple devices and is priced at 33% of retail. For a modest investment starting at $1, you can purchase lightbulbs, start saving energy & money and support Blake CSA. Please consider asking your friends and neighbors if they are interested, too. The fundraiser runs from now through April 10th. You can find the full brochure and order forms attached to this email and in the Blake Thursday packet. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sullivan at [email protected] or 359-8274.
Pennies for Patients Fundraiser Summary
Blake Middle School students and staff raised close to $1,000.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society last month. Recognition goes to Mr. Gavaghan's advisory, who raised over $250.00 alone. Thanks to all who contributed to this worthy cause.
Third Annual Boxtops for education drive! Tuesday, March 24th until Friday April 17th
Please have your child hand in boxtops to his/her advisor or label with advisor's name and put in the collection box located in the main office. The top advisory will be eligible for a special advisory activity such as open gym or extra outdoor recess!
Sign up on the Boxtops 4 Education Link and you can get printable coupons on certain box top products. You can earn box tops at over 400 online stores by choosing a store, clicking on its logo and ordering as you usually would but box tops will be credited to the school account with every qualified purchase. Please see Forms and Documents tab for participating providers.
CSA News
Thursday is Go Fresh night for Blake. Go Fresh will donate 15% of all proceeds from 4-9 pm. Thank you to Go Fresh for supporting programs funded by the CSA!! Enjoy Go Fresh on Thursday.
MCPE News
On Line Auction Now Open! MCPE's well-loved online auction, entitled "Treasured Experiences," is open from now until -Thursday, April 2. The most popular items from previous auctions and raffles will be available again, plus great new items! mcpeauction2015.24fundraiser.com/e/site/store/248/items
Nominations Wanted: The Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award
Bob Maguire dedicated 22 years of his educational career to the Medfield Public Schools. He served as principal of Medfield High School for eight years and then as Superintendent for fourteen years. In recognition of Bob's commitment to our students, 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 beyond Medfield. Award application, award criteria and deadline information can be found on the MCPE website under "Awards." Visit medfieldcoalition.org.
Entertaining for Education (E4E) is a Terrific Way to Support the Medfield Public Schools. The snow is melting, and we're finally coming out of hibernation! Are you thinking about celebrating with a party? Please make your party an E4E party! For more information, visit our web site (above). For questions, contact Megan Infantino (508)359-9928, Kim Price(508)246-8335, or email [email protected].