2/10 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
2/12 - Tri-County Interviews
2/13 - Volleyball Day at Blake
2/14 - Happy Valentine's Day!
2/16-2/20 - February Vacation
2/23 - School Resumes
2/24 - iPad Highlights and Information Session (see details below)
2/25 - iPad Highlights and Information Session (see details below)
2/25 - Incoming 6th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
2/26 - Incoming 9th Grade PIN (see details below)
3/2 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:15 p.m. in the LMC)
3/3 - Twitter Workshop for Parents *Originally scheduled for 2/10
3/5 - Incoming 8th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
Go Fresh Night for Blake
3/10 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
3/11 - Incoming 7th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.) *Originally scheduled for 3/12
3/12 - Band-o-Rama
3/13 - Term 2 Ends
3/16-3/20 - Blake Book Fair
3/17 - 1/2 Day for Students
Career Day for 8th Graders
Subway Night for Blake
3/20 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
3/23 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/24 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS
3/26 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
3/27 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/30- Grade 8 ELA MCAS
3/31 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/1 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/2 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS Make-Up
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about the integration of new ideas, being open to 'newness', and shifts in thinking, our topic/question of the week is: Could this be done in your school: Parents will support administrators who promote a school that will allow teachers - who are well versed in the effective use of specific digital resources and are willing to give up classroom/curriculum time - to go into classrooms to help initiate, implement, and sustain a system of learning that wants the students to ask better questions, develop deeper curiosity, and produce stronger evidence that backs up their self-generated theses?
Term 2 Interim Reports
Last week students brought home their interim reports for the second term. They spent time in their advisories reflecting upon the work they have accomplished thus far, and setting healthy/measured goals for the second half of the term. Our hope is that this communication tool will give you an update on the progress your child is making in school. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight. All outstanding interim report 'sign-off' sheets need to be handed into advisors asap.
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 15-16
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Blake Site Council Survey Executive Summary
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. I am sharing the 2013-2014 Executive Summary of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. Our intent is to distribute the 2014-2015 survey right after February vacation. Stay tuned!
Digital Learning Day for Blake and Medfield Staff - 2/6/15
DLD Medfield 2015 was a great success, and we encourage you to explore the blog 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 following students (I hope I'm not missing anyone!) who came to help and teach our staff: Lucas Borrelli, Julia Cahill, Brenna Smith, Chloe Pucci, Eileen Morrill, Nigel Lau, John Shelley, Paul Barney, Jake Grenon, Jessica Mattoon, Claire McNulty, Bennett DiIanni, Patrick O'Connor, Olivia Deval, Isabella Brooks, Jonah Schulman, Kathryn Blake, Nick Iannone, Andrew Silva, Cam Sullivan, Nolan Hogan, Kayla Luczak, Anna Passas, Julianna Giurini, Paige Koterba, and Catherine Callahan.
Tri-County Interviews
Tri-County interviews will be February 12. If your student is applying and you have not already done so, please contact Tracy Allen at [email protected].
Blake Volleyball Tournament
Blake Middle School will be holding its annual volleyball tournament for 6th-8th graders on Friday, February 13. Students have been working hard on their volleyball skills over the past few weeks and have been competing against their fellow classmates. On Friday we will determine a champion for each grade and that team will then take on the teachers. It promises to be an exciting day and a great lead into February vacation.
Twitter??? Tweets are for kids!! (And adults…) ** Originally scheduled for 2/10
3/3/15 at 8:30 a.m.
We are thrilled to offer this workshop again for all parents!
Come explore the Twitterverse with Jason Heim (@jasonj1507), Diane Horvath (@techmonstah) and Nat Vaughn (@nat_vaughn)! This workshopis for all parents (both social media fans and those with 'socialmediaphobia') - learn about tweets, hashtags, following, and being followed. We hope to share lessons about Twitter and highlight how the educators at Blake are building professional learning networks and using the tool to enhance the learning environment at Blake. Feel free to bring your own device, an established Twitter account (we can help with that), and a willingness to learn! Please RSVP (or RSVP again if you had previously signed up for 2/10) via our Google Form: Twitter Workshop for Parents 3-3-15.
iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Information Sessions
2/24 at 6:30 p.m. and 2/25 at 8:30 a.m.
In an effort to continue our dialogue and share information with the Blake community about our iPad Initiative, we are holding two iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Information Session for parents/guardians on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, February 25 at 8:30 a.m. Our hope for these sessions is for the entire Blake community of parents and guardians to hear and see highlights from teachers and students, answer questions, and to gain an understanding of the work that is taking place. These events are for parents and guardians only. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Info Sessions 2-24-15 and 2-25-15) to let us know if you are planning on attending so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation.
Parent/Student iPad Survey January 2015
Thank you to all parents who have taken the iPad Survey that was sent out Monday, January 26. For those who have not had a chance, my hope is that you will be able to find some time over the next couple of days. This survey is Part 2 of our data collection process and it is being distributed electronically to all Blake Middle School grade students and parents. The questions will serve as a midpoint assessment (middle of year) tool and we will be administering a similar survey at the end of the year as well. The questions have to do with organizational skills, executive functioning, and comfort with technology. Questions are being sent to all three grades. The survey is not an evaluative tool of the teachers or the students; rather, it is a tool that we believe will help us gain insight about the initiative, our programming, and technology. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. You will see that the survey is for both students and parents, and students will be given time in school to complete it. It is important we only get one response per student. We appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the student body and parents. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. Your sincere responses are essential to our information-gathering vision and mission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]). Please take the time to complete a unique survey for each student you have at Blake Middle School: Student/Parent iPad Survey January 2015
Lip Sync
The lip sync has been rescheduled. The dates are being finalized for the end of March. If students have any questions, they should see Jen. We apologize for the inconvenience. Students who have already signed up please see mrs. Dondero this week to discuss the schedule change. Any questions or concerns please contact Jen dondero [email protected]
Book Drive for New Bedford!
Student Council invites Blake students to participate in a Book Drive for New Bedford! For those of you who know and remember our former principal, Peg Mongiello, she is seeking to get a book in the hands of every one of her 750 students at the Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford for Read Across America in March. Cluster leaders will be collecting books in their rooms and Student Council reps will count - the cluster with the highest percentage of books collected will win a prize!
Peter Pan
Rehearsals for Peter Pan start on Tuesday, 2/10. A tentative rehearsal schedule is posted on the theater website. Please make sure the students check out the website, learn lines, and practice songs while we are on February break. Also, if your student has not turned in the commitment letter for cast and crew, please make sure it's in by Friday, Feb 13. Students will be turned away from rehearsal and crew time if it's not in.
Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has increased. Please remind students to come take a look, as there are a number of items that are unlabeled. We will be clearing out the Lost and Found during February vacation.
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
2/25 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent 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 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
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3/5 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming eighth grade (current seventh grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/11 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m. ** This night was originally scheduled for 3/12
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. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
February 26, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
High School Auditorium
Please join members of the high school faculty as they present an overview of the Medfield High School academic curriculum. Additional information will be sent home as the date becomes closer. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Stephanie Worthley, Guidance Content Specialist at [email protected] or call the high school at (508) 359-4367.
Career Day Planning
The 2015 Career Day for the 8th grade will take place on our half day, March 17th. For this program, we enlist community members and parent volunteers who are interested in sharing about their occupation with our students. We have 3 sessions and each one is about 35 minutes long. Each participant would have the option to speak at one, two or three of the sessions, depending on the individual's schedule. To make this a success, we will need 20 volunteers. If you are interested and available to participate, please contact Debbie Avery ([email protected]) for more information. We welcome past presenters and new volunteers alike.
CSA News
It is Royal Pizza Night on Tuesday!!! Enjoy a night off and support Blake. Mention Blake when you order. Thank you Royal Pizza!
Don't forget to send in those box tops!
MCPE News
‘And the Oscar goes to…’
How about an E4E party with friends to checkout the latest fashions on the red carpet and see who will take home an Oscar?
• Plan a February 22 party for the Academy Awards (or plan a party anytime!)
• Invite your friends, asking them to make a donation to MCPE as their "ticket" to the event
• Have fun AND raise money for Medfield Schools
To-date, MCPE has funded over $40,000 in grants across all five public schools. We still need additional funds to help us continue this level of giving. For questions about your E4E party, please contact Megan Infantino (508-359-9928), Kim Price (508-246-8335), or email [email protected]. Register your party at www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/e4e-2/