2/14 - Blake Student Council
2/15 - MAC Meeting
2/19-2/23 - February Vacation
2/26 - Pride Alliance
2/28 - Blake Site Council Mtg
2/29 - MAC Meeting
3/1 - 7th Grade Dance
3/4 - Pride Alliance
3/5 - Blake PTO Meeting
3/6 - Blake Student Council
Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/7 - MAC Meeting
3/8 - Term 2 Ends
3/11 - Pride Alliance
Band-o-Rama
3/12 - Teacher Professional Day - No School
3/13 - Blake Student Council
String Fling
3/14 - MAC Meeting
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/18 - Term 3 Begins
Pride Alliance
3/20 - Blake Student Council
3/21 - MAC Meeting
3/22 - 8th Grade Dance
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about what is helpful for ourselves and others, our question for the week is: Share a piece of advice you have received that has been helpful. Why was it helpful? Being Helpful (Week of 2/11/24) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Spirit Week at Blake (2/12-2/16)
Student Council cordially invites all staff and students to participate in our February Spirit Week next week (2/12-2/16)!
- Blake Stu Co
The Blake Break!
Thanks to our students and Kate Jones on the production of the Blake Break - special thanks to Blake PTO for their funding - check it out...
Here is the premiere episode of Blake Break!
In each episode of The Blake Break, students from the Design Studio classes (C2 and C4) will be delivering the news, events, and highlights from Blake Middle School. If you have any video or information to share, upcoming reminders, and/or curriculum, club, activity highlights, pass them along to Kate Jones at [email protected]
We will do our best to include any content in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned!
Theater Update
We had another amazing weekend of theater at Blake with the production of Pure Imagination. Thanks to all those who came out to support the performers and crew members. While you're waiting for the third and final show of the year, The Enchanted Bookshop, check out the podcast episodes our tech crew put together. Listen to Everyday Blakers: Theater Takes over at Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Z1pJ5effKT6gNj4XIl0t7?si=d81f3a704a79418b) or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to the tech kids, Diane Horvath, Deb Manning and Sarah LoMonaco for making those episodes happen.
Volleyball Tourney at Blake
The Wellness Department is happy to announce that the annual Volleyball Championship Tournament will be the day before February Break (Friday, 2/16). After many weeks of skill building, competitive gameplay and in-class tournaments, the day will consist of three tournaments where class champions will face off to determine a grade level champion. Later in the day that same grade level champion will play against a team of staff 'all stars' before their teachers and classmates in the gymnasium. PE students have been working hard on their skills and are looking forward to playoffs for a chance to play against their teachers.
Black History Month Update
Black History Month is a month dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the countless contributions Black Americans have made to society. In classes and advisory we are honoring the month through shared learning experiences.
Incoming Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/6 - 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.
3/14 - 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.
Save the Dates - 7th/8th Grade Dances
Save the Date(s) for the 2023-2024 school dances! There will be a total of 3 dances this year! There will be a dance for 7th graders, a dance for 8th graders, and a combined 7th/8th grade dance. Dance contracts and other details will be shared as we get closer to the events. Hope to see you there! Here are the dates:
➡️ 7th Grade Dance- Friday 3/1/24 from 7-9 pm
➡️ 7th/8th Grade Dance- Friday 3/22/24 from 7-9 pm
➡️ 8th Grade Dance- Friday 5/17/24 from 7-9 pm
MHS Football Interest Meeting - 2/14
Any interested 8th grader hoping to learn more about football at Medfield High School please stop by the cafe right afterschool on Wednesday, February 14th. Thank you.
MYP Parenting Solutions Information
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
Update from the Blake Library
Heads up- we will be making a push to get overdue library books back before February break. All help and reminders to students to check backpacks, lockers, and classroom shelves is greatly appreciated! February reading challenge is to read a book set in Massachusetts. If you are looking to venture into the world of graphic novels or if you haven’t yet read the award winning graphic memoir, Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, it would be a great way to hit two birds with one stone as it is set in our great state.
2024 Hilleman Student Essay Contest
WHAT SCIENTIFIC ISSUE WOULD YOU TAKE ON IF GIVEN THE CHANCE, AND WHY?
What if your life’s work led to saving 8 million lives every year? Virologist Maurice R. Hilleman dreamed of a world free from the ravages of infectious diseases. Through his contributions to over half of the routine vaccines that young children receive today, Dr. Hilleman put us closer to that goal than we had ever been before.
The annual Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest celebrates Dr. Hilleman's remarkable legacy by inviting students in grades 6 to 12* from the U.S. and Canada to learn about Dr. Hilleman and reflect on a scientific issue they would work to address and why.
More details about the 2024 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest are available at HillemanFilm.com
GRiT - STEM Club
Gender Representation in Tech club GRiT is a student-led club at Concord Academy that organizes and hosts an annual tech conference designed to promote gender equity in the STEM world. While all individuals are welcome at this conference, our goal is to create an open space for female and genderqueer students to explore their interests in tech. We welcome all students grades 6 through 12 (ages 12-19), regardless of previous experience.
The 2024 GRiT conference will take place on April 20, 2024, from 1-3:30 pm at Concord Academy (166 Main St, Concord, MA 01742). The conference will consist of two workshop blocks with workshops hosted by CA alums and other non-males in the tech industry. Students will be able to choose the workshop they wish to attend through a form sent to them prior to the conference.
As examples of workshops, our 2023 conference hosted workshops regarding navigating the tech world as a WOC, an introduction to creating more accessible technology, how to use technology and psychology to discover your own work style, and more!
Free registration link
For more info - see our website
Blake Intramurals - Winter Session
Registration for Blake's Winter Intramural Session in now in session. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
MAC Update
Blake's Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC) will meet Thursday after school in Mr. Gow's room, room 513.
Get ready for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
The eclipse may overlap with dismissal for many Massachusetts schools. We recommend preparing students to safely experience the eclipse. Comprehensive information related to the eclipse is available on our new eclipse resource site. Visit NASA’s website for comprehensive information about the eclipse. Free eclipse glasses for families! Solareclipse.us is sponsoring 1 free pair of glasses per household. You will need to order by February 8th, 2024 to allow time to ship.
Pride Alliance
Pride Alliance will meet Monday, January 29 at 215 in Señora Manning's room. At Pride Alliance, 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. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
Class of 2024 Fundraiser
Hello all, the Class of 2024 is hosting their last ever fundraiser of Medfield 9x12" pennants for $12. This fundraiser is to help support class initiatives for the rest of the year. The google form below will be opened until 2/16 and checks can be dropped off through the first set of double doors on the bookshelf. The link below includes a photo of what the pennants look like!
Pennant Fundraiser
February Vacation Opportunities
Registration is open for TWO Medfield TV Youth Media Programs during February Vacation! These 4-day classes cover essential skills for video production and important topics related to health and wellbeing. Scan the QR codes to register!
SEPAC WORKSHOPS
All are welcome to attend - you do not need a child on an IEP or 504 or have a child in the Medfield School District. Unless otherwise noted, we meet at 7 pm in the Blake Middle School Library. We offer child care at these meetings, and a remote link can be provided upon request. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/YhPL1BaLXLAi18sz6
MARCH 12th, 7 pm: New IEP Process w/ Director of Student Services Mary Bruhl. Massachusetts is rolling out a brand-new IEP process in September of 2024. Medfield was part of the early adopter's process to give feedback. Join us as Mary walks us through the benefits and changes.
APRIL 23rd, 7 pm: Executive Function Workshop w/ Ali Spidalieri, M.Ed BCBA . Executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes responsible for managing and controlling various aspects of our behavior. Executive function is vital in daily life, education, and work. Join us to learn more about Executive function and how to help kids develop these essential skills!
MAY 21st, 7 pm: High School Transition Planning w/ Meredith Becker and Stephanie Worthly. Come learn about High school Transition services available to you and your child from Meredith Becker and Stephanie Worthly. Learn how to prepare and develop effective secondary transition plans that will lead to a positive outcome after high school.
SEPAC BOARD MEETINGS
Our Board meetings follow our SEPAC Workshops, and all are encouraged to attend. It's a great way to stay informed with district information and share your experience and insight directly with our Director of Student Services, Mary Bruhl. Should our workshops run long, we will reschedule the board meeting over Zoom.
PARENT CONNECTION GROUPS
Our parent connection groups are informal meet-ups for parents and caregivers to connect and exchange resources on a particular diagnosis. Your child does not need an IEP, 504 or be in the Medfield Public School system to join. This group is for any parent who wishes to connect with other parents who have experience with this diagnosis. We request that parents attend these in-person meetings without children present to ensure privacy and connection. We are excited to share that we have over 40 parents who have expressed interest in our groups!
ADHD, March 4th, 7 pm, location Medfield Public Safety Building 2nd floor conference room. RSVP [email protected]
Down Syndrome, 3rd Thursday of the month (2/15, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16), 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Medfield Public Library. RSVP [email protected]
Dyslexia + Language-Based Learning Differences, 3rd Wednesday evening of the month to be confirmed. RSVP [email protected]
ASD, February 27th, 7 pm, Public Safety Building, RSVP [email protected]
Volunteer with MCPE and make a difference for our kids and schools!
Are you looking for a way to give back to Medfield Public Schools? Join the Medfield Coalition for Public Education!
MCPE is an independent, non-profit organization funded to provide system-wide support and academic enrichment for the Medfield Public Schools through grants for the development of innovative programs, curriculum, and enrichment. MCPE is led by a volunteer board that works throughout the school year to organize community-wide fundraising events and make grants to teachers and staff at all five Medfield Public Schools.
We’re recruiting new board members to start in the 2024-25 school year! If you are interested in becoming an MCPE board member, we would love to hear from you. We're looking for candidates who can commit to a 3-year term, attend board meetings once a month (Sept-June), and have an active interest in enriching kids' education in Medfield schools. All skill sets are welcome, and we strive to have a board with diverse backgrounds.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/volunteer
SAVE THE DATE:
* Early March – March Madness bracket pool benefitting MCPE!
* Monday, March 18 – Spelling Bee for Wheelock and Dale students!
* Mid-May – MCPE's Blue Ribbon Recognition Program gives you the chance to honor a Medfield teacher or staff member who has made a positive impact in a student's life and show your appreciation
Reminder that the PTO serves to support Blake teachers through financial grants, hands-on support, and ongoing teacher appreciation efforts on behalf of all parents. If you have not already, please consider donating $50 for the year (or whatever amount feels appropriate) through Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO or a check made out to Blake PTO. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month during the school day to help teachers with photocopying or bulletin boards, please email [email protected]
The Medfield Alumni Association presents Showcase Pro Wrestling!
Join us for an action-packed evening of wrestling excitement at Medfield High School! The Medfield Alumni Association is thrilled to bring you this event that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to witness incredible feats of strength and high-flying maneuvers as talented wrestlers from Showcase Pro Wrestling showcase their skills in the ring. Cheer on your favorite wrestlers and experience the adrenaline rush of live wrestling.
Don’t miss this opportunity to relive your favorite wrestling memories or create new ones! Grab your friends and family and join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment! Tickets are on sale now!
Doors open at 6:00 pm
First bell: 7:05 pm
Get your tickets https://MHSAAWRESTLING.eventbrite.com
We also have Sponsorship opportunities https://forms.gle/oXmFqePZXeBqqrV97
This event would not be possible without help from the Medfield Community if you can help, please see our volunteer sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA8A92CA5F8CE9-47890127-wrestling
Real Self-Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Taking Good Care of Yourself
How to shift self-care from a task on your “to do” list to a values-based practice of setting priorities.
Wednesday, 2/14 at 12 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
In this Q&A “fireside” chat, author and psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin, MD, offers an inclusive and affirming approach to prioritizing your own well-being. Her approach shifts self-care from a task on your “to do” list (that you feel guilty about not achieving) to a values-based practice of setting priorities and taking action. Dr. Lakshmin will share accessible, science-based strategies to help you shift your relationships, nurture yourself, and find ownership over your life. Participant questions will be welcomed before the program.
Live ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, keynote speaker, and a contributor to The New York Times. Her debut book, REAL SELF-CARE: Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble-Baths Not Included, is an NPR Best Book of 2023 and a national best-seller. Real Self-Care has been featured by Good Morning America, NPR’s Code Switch, The New York Times, The Ezra Klein Show, The Guardian, and translated into 9 languages. Pooja serves as a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine, and maintains an active private practice where she treats women struggling with burnout, perfectionism, and disillusionment, as well as clinical conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She frequently speaks, advises, and consults for organizations on mental health, well-being, and real self-care. Pooja also writes the email newsletter Therapy Takeaway, which is available for free on Substack.
State of the Field 2024: Accelerating the 30-Year Movement for Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning
Thursday, 2/15 at 12 p.m.
In the three decades since CASEL established the field of social and emotional learning (SEL), research has flourished, implementation has accelerated, and demand has hit all-time highs. But in 2024, we face new urgency and new challenges surrounding young people’s learning and well-being. In the decades to come, SEL will also play an increasingly important role in preparing all children for their futures. These demands will call on our field to bolster the evidence, strengthen implementation quality, and align policy conditions to support the social, emotional, and academic growth of every young person.
Join Dr. Timothy Shriver and Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel as they reflect on how three decades of the SEL movement has shaped the current educational landscape — and set the vision for the coming years.
Recommended for: education organization leaders, community partners, policy influencers, and district and school leaders.
Pathways to Careers with Purpose
HGSE Education Now Series
Wednesday, 2/21 at 3 p.m.
Recent research shows that many young adults are struggling to find purpose or meaning in their lives and work. This episode will consider new ways to help high school and college students discern their vocations and pursue fulfilling careers in an age where job prospects are evolving, thanks to artificial intelligence and other technological changes, and where financial uncertainty affects the daily lives of many young people.
Law, Psychology, And Healing: Exploring Racial, Ethnic, And LGBTQ+ Representation In Education
Thursday, 2/22 7-8:30 p.m.
This event is free to the public, please use the promotional code PERADAJER24 to register at no cost.
This event is $25 for practitioners seeking CEs for this lecture. As per the credentialing bodies, we can only grant CEs for synchronous attendance of events (online or in-person). Please pay and register for the lecture so that we may keep track of your attendance. Your CE registration status may not be changed after the event.
Description:
The history of institutional attempts to reform curricula to foster greater inclusivity and representation of the student body has a historical trajectory dating back to the 1960s when it was initially termed "multiculturalism." Even as United States demographics have diversified to the point that no ethnic or racial group forms a majority among its schoolchildren, the battle to resist comprehensive education, including and representing all ethnic, racial, and LGBTQ+ identities, has become increasingly fraught and widespread. Political and partisan voices favoring exclusive curriculum and "Don't Say Gay" rules argue that including all identities does harm to White youth who are made to feel "guilty" and to straight, cisgender youth who need protection from "sexual materials" that could harm them. From a legal perspective, removing ideas and materials from the curriculum for political reasons is unconstitutional. However, psychological research suggests that the actual harm does not originate from these arguments but rather from the inherent act of exclusion. In this lecture, Mary Kelly Persyn, Dr. Hector Adames, and Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi will offer insights and suggestions for legal action and clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- Explain the impact of oppressive laws on the mental health of Youth of Color and LGBTQ+ Youth.
- Analyze and identify healing and legal frameworks fostering the well-being of Youth of Color and LGBTQ+ Youth.
Timeline And Requirements:
The course will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2024. This lecture is presenter-led and is a fully online experience. This will be conducted synchronously online via Zoom from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm (EST).
CASCD Webinar - AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Tuesday, 2/27 at 7 p.m.
Join Dr. Douglas Reeves and expert panelists as they discuss how AI can support every level from the state department to the classroom. In this interactive webinar, participants learned what AI really is and how educators can maximize its use. Additionally, panelists addressed specific AI pain points that are submitted by participants.
Nurturing Relationships in Early Childhood
HGSE Education Now Series
Wednesday, 3/6 at 3 p.m.
While many early childhood frameworks have focused primarily on the healthy development of children, an emerging framework named known as “early relational health” stresses the importance of nurturing the broader human ecosystem around babies and toddlers as well. We explore key principles that can guide practitioners and leaders on the front lines of education, health, and social services.
Speakers:
• Thelma Ramirez, Researcher, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Co-author of Early Relational Health: A Review of Research, Principles, and Perspectives
• Jessica Sager, Co-founder and CEO, All Our Kin
Managing Moods 101: How to Help Kids Develop an Emotional Vocabulary
Wednesday, 3/20 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
In this interactive talk, author and child development expert Deborah Farmer Kris, M.Ed., will give practical advice about how to help kids name, normalize, and navigate their feelings – especially the tricky ones – so they can better manage themselves and the world around them.
We all want to raise kind and thoughtful kids – children who can reach out with compassion and bounce back from challenges. That’s why it’s important to support their emotional awareness and resilience. Emotionally literate kids are better equipped to learn in school, deal with difficulties, form healthy relationships, and make responsible choices. This program is a great opportunity for parents of preschool and elementary-aged children to add helpful tools to their parenting toolkit!
Igniting Lifelong Learning: SEL & Academic Integration
4/16, 5/23, 6/20
We recommend registering for the entire three-part series. You don’t need to be available to attend every webinar live. By registering, you will receive the recordings and follow-up resources straight to your inbox.
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Academic recovery is a top priority and will require a deep understanding of how students learn and progress. Research tells us that students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and key to academic learning and success. So how can we effectively integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) with academic content to best support learning and thriving?
This three-part webinar series will explore the research, practices, and policy conditions that promote SEL and academic integration. Through 60-minute thought leadership conversations, we aim to share expertise that can strengthen your work, encourage new approaches, and leave you curious to learn more.
Join us and collaborators once a month as we build a shared understanding of SEL and academic integration (part I), explore classroom and school strategies (part II), and spotlight supportive policies (part III).
Recommended for: Education and research/policy leaders at the state, district, and school levels.
Sessions:
April 16: Introduction to SEL and academic integration (Part 1 of 3)
May 23: School and classroom strategies that integrate SEL and academic learning (Part 2 of 3)
June 20: Beyond the classroom strategies (Part 3 of 3)