Important Dates
9/30 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/7 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/12 - No School
10/14 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/20 - Blake PTO Meeting
SEPAC Meeting
10/21 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about reflecting upon our own learning and what we have learned, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What have you learned about yourself as a learner since the school year started? Recognizing and Understanding Our Learning (Week of 9/28/20)
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Medical and Health Information for Blake Families
Below please find important information from the Blake nursing team…
Flu Shots
All students are required to have a 2020/21 influenza vaccine (flu shot) by December 31, 2020 as mandated by the MA Department of Public Health. Please send in medical documentation your child(ren) received the vaccine prior to the end of 2020. This documentation can be your child’s updated vaccination record if the flu shot was given in his/her physician’s office or medical documentation from the pharmacy or clinic where your child received his/her flu shot.
Any medical or religious exemptions to vaccinations must be renewed annually every September at the start of the school year and submitted to the school nurse’s office.
Emergency Health Information Form
The Emergency Health Information Form (blue form) was sent home with students in Cohorts A, B and C last week and mailed home for students in Cohort D. Parents/guardians please complete both sides of this form in pen, sign/date and return to the school nurse’s office within the next week. If you have not yet received the form, please ask your child as it may still be in his/her backpack otherwise please contact us and we will gladly send you another form.
Physicals
Physicals with updated vaccination records are required for all students in 7th grade. Parents/guardians of 7th graders, if you have not already sent in your child’s physical over the past year, then please send in the physical as soon as possible within the next week.
COVID-19 Health Information
Please click on the link below for important COVID-19 health information and an easy to follow algorithm which we hope you will find helpful. This information was sent out in a separate email last week on 9/25/2020. We are sharing it again just in case you missed it.
Family COVID Updates
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your support and vigilance in keeping your children home when they are feeling ill. We understand these are challenging times, and we are here to support you and your children. Please reach out to us anytime! You can reach us in the school nurse’s office at 508-242-8554 weekdays except Wednesdays and at the email addresses listed below.
- Tricia & Arlene
Stretch and Movement Break for Students and Families
The Blake Wellness team will be offering 2 minute stretch and movement break videos for all Blake staff and students. Students will be sitting more than usual this year and it's so important for their bodies and minds to take a few minutes to refocus and energize. With "tech neck" on the rise, we are including some stretches to help with posture as well. Feel free to use this 2 minute stretch break while working remotely too! 2 Minute Movement/Stretch Break Video
October is Inktober Month!
Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. This creative challenge is an engaging activity that can help to connect the community. Once again, Blake, along with the Medfield Public Schools, will be participating in this creative social media challenge by posting our artwork on twitter and instagram. Use the hashtags #bmsed #medfieldinktober #inktober2020 when posting work. Look to the daily announcements for the daily prompts and additional info. ANYONE CAN DO INKTOBER, JUST PICK UP A PEN AND START DRAWING! See your art teacher if you have any questions. inktober.com for more info. ALL are encouraged to participate--students, staff, and community members! We can't wait to see the drawings!
9/30 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/7 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/12 - No School
10/14 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/20 - Blake PTO Meeting
SEPAC Meeting
10/21 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about reflecting upon our own learning and what we have learned, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What have you learned about yourself as a learner since the school year started? Recognizing and Understanding Our Learning (Week of 9/28/20)
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Medical and Health Information for Blake Families
Below please find important information from the Blake nursing team…
Flu Shots
All students are required to have a 2020/21 influenza vaccine (flu shot) by December 31, 2020 as mandated by the MA Department of Public Health. Please send in medical documentation your child(ren) received the vaccine prior to the end of 2020. This documentation can be your child’s updated vaccination record if the flu shot was given in his/her physician’s office or medical documentation from the pharmacy or clinic where your child received his/her flu shot.
Any medical or religious exemptions to vaccinations must be renewed annually every September at the start of the school year and submitted to the school nurse’s office.
Emergency Health Information Form
The Emergency Health Information Form (blue form) was sent home with students in Cohorts A, B and C last week and mailed home for students in Cohort D. Parents/guardians please complete both sides of this form in pen, sign/date and return to the school nurse’s office within the next week. If you have not yet received the form, please ask your child as it may still be in his/her backpack otherwise please contact us and we will gladly send you another form.
Physicals
Physicals with updated vaccination records are required for all students in 7th grade. Parents/guardians of 7th graders, if you have not already sent in your child’s physical over the past year, then please send in the physical as soon as possible within the next week.
COVID-19 Health Information
Please click on the link below for important COVID-19 health information and an easy to follow algorithm which we hope you will find helpful. This information was sent out in a separate email last week on 9/25/2020. We are sharing it again just in case you missed it.
Family COVID Updates
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your support and vigilance in keeping your children home when they are feeling ill. We understand these are challenging times, and we are here to support you and your children. Please reach out to us anytime! You can reach us in the school nurse’s office at 508-242-8554 weekdays except Wednesdays and at the email addresses listed below.
- Tricia & Arlene
Stretch and Movement Break for Students and Families
The Blake Wellness team will be offering 2 minute stretch and movement break videos for all Blake staff and students. Students will be sitting more than usual this year and it's so important for their bodies and minds to take a few minutes to refocus and energize. With "tech neck" on the rise, we are including some stretches to help with posture as well. Feel free to use this 2 minute stretch break while working remotely too! 2 Minute Movement/Stretch Break Video
October is Inktober Month!
Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. This creative challenge is an engaging activity that can help to connect the community. Once again, Blake, along with the Medfield Public Schools, will be participating in this creative social media challenge by posting our artwork on twitter and instagram. Use the hashtags #bmsed #medfieldinktober #inktober2020 when posting work. Look to the daily announcements for the daily prompts and additional info. ANYONE CAN DO INKTOBER, JUST PICK UP A PEN AND START DRAWING! See your art teacher if you have any questions. inktober.com for more info. ALL are encouraged to participate--students, staff, and community members! We can't wait to see the drawings!
Blake Intramurals
Working with the safety guidelines, we hope to have intramural options (both in person and virtual) available for registration the week of October 5.
Blake Student Council
Blakers! Info about the student council will be coming soon! Looking forward to a great year.
School Hours for Blake Middle School
Blake's school hours are 7:50 a.m. until 2:05 p.m. on in-person days. Students who arrive after 7:50 a.m. will be marked tardy to school. GO Block (Get Organized Block) will be a 15 minute block of time for students to connect with their advisor, preview the day, ask any questions that they may have, receive organizational support, and build relationships . Attendance will be taken at that time. It is a part of the school day and students should arrive in time to be in their advisory GO Block by 7:50 a.m. Students will also be required to attend GO Block from 7:50-8:05 a.m. on their remote learning days. These GO Blocks will take place via synchronous Zoom calls with 'cluster point people'.
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Overview of Schedule/Structure for Blake Students (Cohorts A-B)
Here is the link for our Wednesday order of periods and times…
Blake Hybrid Wednesday Bell Schedule 20-21
Thank you to all students and families who completed the respective Google Forms below about student interests and approaches to learning. If you have not had the chance, please take a few minutes to do so - our hope is that the answers will help our team support students and families throughout the year…
Blake Student Learning Survey 2020-2021
(This link has been sent to students and they can only access this link via their Medfield e-mail accounts.)
Blake Family Learning Survey 2020-2021
Early Dismissal Procedures
In order to provide a contactless early dismissal system, this year we ask that caregivers send an email to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net in order to notify us of an early dismissal need due to an appointment or other reasons. This system will replace the handwritten notes and caregivers should not come into the building. You may pull up in the circle or come to the door and let us know you are here via the intercom system. Your email will serve as written permission for your child to be dismissed. Please include your child's full name, grade level, time of dismissal and reason for dismissal. Whenever possible, please notify us the day before. If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time. Thanks for your patience as we work out many new systems.
Visitors to Blake Middle School
This year, due to health protocols, we are not permitted to have visitors in the Blake building. If you need to come to school to drop something off, or to pick up your child, we will speak with you over the intercom system when you ring the doorbell. Please tell us your name, and how we may help you. There is a place to leave essential items that were forgotten at home, and there are some signs at the door to assist you. If your child is being dismissed, you will be asked to wait outside while we arrange for your child to meet you. Thank you for your patience!
Message from Mrs. Cowell - Blake Library
Even though the library is not circulating library books at this time, there are so many digital resources available for students and families! Take a peek at our slideshow that presents all of this info! https://tinyurl.com/medfieldpddigmedia
Resources for Blake Families
Below please find links to some recordings and resources that share pertinent information regarding how we are ‘operating at Blake’ this year. We hope they will help serve as reference points for a successful orientation and beginning to the year. Please know that we are fully aware that our plans may (and most likely will) need to adapt as we see the 'best laid plans' in reality over the beginning days/weeks of school.
Blake Middle School Opening Webinar, September 2020
Password: +1#gf8aT
Curiosity Webinar Slides, September 2020
(This is still 'in the works', but it gives a preview of the Curiosity display that is being put together)
Blake Family Orientation Webinar, September 2020
(1:05:41)
Blake Family Orientation Slides, September 2020
Preview of Blake Middle School, September 2020
(5:01)
School Supplies for 20-21
Please note that students will not be using a locker this year due to social distancing so all belongings will be carried in their backpack throughout the day.
6th Grade Supply List
7th Grade Supply List
8th Grade Supply List
Please have your child also bring a beach towel daily, to use for outdoor seating
All students should bring their chargers to school every day.
Site Council Openings for Incoming Grade 6-8 Parents/Guardians
We have openings for parent representatives on the Blake Middle School Site Council. The Site Council meets monthly to review issues and discuss initiatives for the Blake Middle School community. The Council is also responsible for developing the annual School Improvement Plan and monitors progress with the plan throughout the year. Members include the administration, teacher representatives, and members of the community. The meetings are typically held once a month on Monday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Serving on the Site Council is a wonderful way to get involved in your child's education and have an active and positive role in improving the Blake Middle School experience. Interested parents should send a letter of interest, indicating their desire and rationale for involvement, to me (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) by Friday, October 2. If multiple parents express interest, an election will take place at parent night. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Theme of Curiosity for 2020-2021
Our theme for this school year at Blake is one of Curiosity. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last seven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, and Courage. Tony Wagner (@DrTonyWagner) recently shared these thoughts via Twitter…
Why do people stop learning? Two thoughts: 1) because they’ve only learned for extrinsic reasons-rewards and punishments-and once those are gone, they have no intrinsic reason to learn. 2)the intrinsic reason to learn stems, I think, from being curious & schools kill it.
My hope and sincere belief is that we are working as a school community to ‘combat’ this notion that ‘schools kill curiosity’ - this theme is one that will be important for our students, staff, and community! As a staff we have begun brainstorming ideas and I encourage all families to join us in the brainstorming process as well. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to e-mail me (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) or Kelly C. (kcampbell@email.medfield.net).
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: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445
Working with the safety guidelines, we hope to have intramural options (both in person and virtual) available for registration the week of October 5.
Blake Student Council
Blakers! Info about the student council will be coming soon! Looking forward to a great year.
School Hours for Blake Middle School
Blake's school hours are 7:50 a.m. until 2:05 p.m. on in-person days. Students who arrive after 7:50 a.m. will be marked tardy to school. GO Block (Get Organized Block) will be a 15 minute block of time for students to connect with their advisor, preview the day, ask any questions that they may have, receive organizational support, and build relationships . Attendance will be taken at that time. It is a part of the school day and students should arrive in time to be in their advisory GO Block by 7:50 a.m. Students will also be required to attend GO Block from 7:50-8:05 a.m. on their remote learning days. These GO Blocks will take place via synchronous Zoom calls with 'cluster point people'.
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Overview of Schedule/Structure for Blake Students (Cohorts A-B)
- All students in Cohorts A and B will have 2 days of 'in person learning' and 2 days of 'remote learning'.
- Wednesdays will be 'remote learning' via synchronous zooms for students in 6th-8th grade (see details below).
- For the 'Remote Learning' days (Monday/Tuesday for students in Cohort B and Thursday/Friday for students in Cohort A), students will start each day with 'GO Block' (see below) and access their materials for learning in an asynchronous structure.
- Google Classroom is the primary mode/learning platform for students accessing their school work, in conjunction with the respective grade level Virtual Agendas.
- All Virtual Agendas are housed on Blake's hybrid learning website (Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021), the 'home base' for students and families for learning, organization, and assignments. We encourage all students and families to 'bookmark' this site for updates, announcements, technology support, and more.
- In an effort to help provide some structure/parameters/guidelines for students and families who are looking for it, we are creating a potential template for students and families during their remote learning days. Please know that this will be ‘one template’ that can be adapted/adjusted to meet the needs of your children and your family. Our hope is to have this ready for students and families by the end of this week - stay tuned for that update.
- All students in Cohorts A and B will start their school days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with GO (Get Organized) Block from 7:50-8:05 a.m.
- GO Blocks are structured for students to connect with a Blake staff member, preview the day, ask any questions that may have, receive organizational support, and build relationships.
- GO Blocks for 'In Person Learning' are facilitated by advisors and take place in the advisor's classroom.
- GO Blocks for 'Remote Learning' take place by synchronous Zoom calls, facilitated by 'cluster point people' (these links and passwords have been shared via e-mail to student Medfield Gmail accounts).
- GO Blocks are required for all students on their in person and remote learning days. Attendance is taken at this time and will be recorded as present, absent, or virtually absent (for students on their remote learning days).
- As we have shared, we are starting the year without in-person extra help for students - this may change as the school year progresses.
- Starting this week, all teachers have set up virtual extra help for students on their remote learning days (i.e. Virtual Extra Help for Cohort A on Thursdays and Virtual Extra Help for Cohort B on Mondays).
- The intent is to allow for another 'contact/support' for students on their remote days and to help structure support for both students and teachers within the cohorts.
- Students will receive (or have received) Zoom links and passwords for their respective days/cohorts for these afternoons (Monday/Thursday).
Here is the link for our Wednesday order of periods and times…
Blake Hybrid Wednesday Bell Schedule 20-21
- Please note that the 'student day' is from 8:05-12:00 with synchronous zoom classes (Cohorts A and B will be combined) for students. The order of periods will run G-A, ending with an Advisory period.
- Attendance will be taken during each synchronous zoom period and during advisory.
- Teachers and/or cluster leaders will be sharing the information directly with students for their synchronous Zoom links and passwords.
- Academic classes will take place for 6th-8th grade.
- World Language classes will take place for 7th-8th grade.
- 6th-8th grade Related Arts and 6th grade World Language classes will not take place.
- Direct services for students may take place for students, depending on his/her/their schedule and learning plan.
Thank you to all students and families who completed the respective Google Forms below about student interests and approaches to learning. If you have not had the chance, please take a few minutes to do so - our hope is that the answers will help our team support students and families throughout the year…
Blake Student Learning Survey 2020-2021
(This link has been sent to students and they can only access this link via their Medfield e-mail accounts.)
Blake Family Learning Survey 2020-2021
Early Dismissal Procedures
In order to provide a contactless early dismissal system, this year we ask that caregivers send an email to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net in order to notify us of an early dismissal need due to an appointment or other reasons. This system will replace the handwritten notes and caregivers should not come into the building. You may pull up in the circle or come to the door and let us know you are here via the intercom system. Your email will serve as written permission for your child to be dismissed. Please include your child's full name, grade level, time of dismissal and reason for dismissal. Whenever possible, please notify us the day before. If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time. Thanks for your patience as we work out many new systems.
Visitors to Blake Middle School
This year, due to health protocols, we are not permitted to have visitors in the Blake building. If you need to come to school to drop something off, or to pick up your child, we will speak with you over the intercom system when you ring the doorbell. Please tell us your name, and how we may help you. There is a place to leave essential items that were forgotten at home, and there are some signs at the door to assist you. If your child is being dismissed, you will be asked to wait outside while we arrange for your child to meet you. Thank you for your patience!
Message from Mrs. Cowell - Blake Library
Even though the library is not circulating library books at this time, there are so many digital resources available for students and families! Take a peek at our slideshow that presents all of this info! https://tinyurl.com/medfieldpddigmedia
Resources for Blake Families
Below please find links to some recordings and resources that share pertinent information regarding how we are ‘operating at Blake’ this year. We hope they will help serve as reference points for a successful orientation and beginning to the year. Please know that we are fully aware that our plans may (and most likely will) need to adapt as we see the 'best laid plans' in reality over the beginning days/weeks of school.
Blake Middle School Opening Webinar, September 2020
Password: +1#gf8aT
Curiosity Webinar Slides, September 2020
(This is still 'in the works', but it gives a preview of the Curiosity display that is being put together)
Blake Family Orientation Webinar, September 2020
(1:05:41)
Blake Family Orientation Slides, September 2020
Preview of Blake Middle School, September 2020
(5:01)
School Supplies for 20-21
Please note that students will not be using a locker this year due to social distancing so all belongings will be carried in their backpack throughout the day.
6th Grade Supply List
7th Grade Supply List
8th Grade Supply List
Please have your child also bring a beach towel daily, to use for outdoor seating
All students should bring their chargers to school every day.
Site Council Openings for Incoming Grade 6-8 Parents/Guardians
We have openings for parent representatives on the Blake Middle School Site Council. The Site Council meets monthly to review issues and discuss initiatives for the Blake Middle School community. The Council is also responsible for developing the annual School Improvement Plan and monitors progress with the plan throughout the year. Members include the administration, teacher representatives, and members of the community. The meetings are typically held once a month on Monday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Serving on the Site Council is a wonderful way to get involved in your child's education and have an active and positive role in improving the Blake Middle School experience. Interested parents should send a letter of interest, indicating their desire and rationale for involvement, to me (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) by Friday, October 2. If multiple parents express interest, an election will take place at parent night. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Theme of Curiosity for 2020-2021
Our theme for this school year at Blake is one of Curiosity. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last seven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, and Courage. Tony Wagner (@DrTonyWagner) recently shared these thoughts via Twitter…
Why do people stop learning? Two thoughts: 1) because they’ve only learned for extrinsic reasons-rewards and punishments-and once those are gone, they have no intrinsic reason to learn. 2)the intrinsic reason to learn stems, I think, from being curious & schools kill it.
My hope and sincere belief is that we are working as a school community to ‘combat’ this notion that ‘schools kill curiosity’ - this theme is one that will be important for our students, staff, and community! As a staff we have begun brainstorming ideas and I encourage all families to join us in the brainstorming process as well. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to e-mail me (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) or Kelly C. (kcampbell@email.medfield.net).
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: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445
Middle School Athletics for Fall, 2020 - Message from Eric Scott
Dear Blake Middle School Parents:
After guidance from the DESE/EEA, MIAA, and discussion within the league and administration, we feel it necessary and prudent to suspend the Blake Middle School Athletic program for the Fall season.
Any checks that have been sent in will be shredded and credits from the spring season will (once again) be credited to your account for a future season. It is our hope that we will be able to resume athletics at some point this year and will explore opportunities with Mr. Vaughn and Mrs. Campbell to hopefully offer clubs and/or intramurals to keep our students active and involved.
Thank you again for your understanding and patience in this difficult time and I will reach back out with any updates.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Scott, Director of Athletics
Medfield Public Schools
Blake Theater
Blake Theater is back! What will it look like? We are still working on that. The model we are working with right now is a Cohort A show, a Cohort B show and a virtual component on Wednesdays. In order to make our plans, we need to see how many Blakers are interested in participating. To do that, we ask you to fill out this Theater Interest Form 2020-2021 by Tuesday, September 22nd. I know it's a tight turnaround but we are anxious to get going and having this information will assist our efforts. From there, our goal is to quickly get you the information you need in order to commit or not. We will have a virtual information session after school on Tuesday, September 29th, and our first rehearsal will be the week of October 5th. Please email me at tallen@email.medfield.net with any questions.
Resources from Office of Social and Emotional Learning
We would like to let you know about some resources and tools in relation to SEL in our district. The Office of Social and Emotional Learning has content related to COVID-19 coping strategies, tips and tools for families to utilize. We have broken the material into Elementary and Secondary levels, and have a section for Educators as well. We also want to let you know that we have partnered with many other districts in the state to form a collaborative, comprehensive and ever evolving website that has lots of great information that may help with mental health and wellbeing in this tumultuous time. We hope these resources can be a tool to support health and wellness in our community. The websites are listed below:
Medfield Office of SEL
Mental Health and Well-being Partner Website
Webinars of Interest
Teaching Like the Future Depends On It
Unlocking the Potential of Remote/Hybrid Learning Environments
10/5/2020 at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m.
To educators, parents, students, boards, and school communities, we ask: How do we amplify learning when engaging in remote or hybrid schooling?
Progressive ideals do not have to take a backseat in remote or blended learning situations.
In fact, the opportunities to explore interdisciplinary projects, hands-on minds-on learning, and rich student-centered experiences may never have been greater.
This free webinar will explore the landscape of what’s possible, what's working, how to enhance remote or hybrid student projects, and teaching for the future, even if we have no idea what tomorrow brings.
This session will be organized around four themes:
From Safe Space to Brave Space: Facilitating Classroom Discussions on Bias, Injustice and Oppression
Wednesday, 10/7 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Please join ADL’s Northeast Division on October 7th at 4:00 pm ET for this interactive forum will provide K–12 educators with strategies to facilitate a classroom environment in which all students are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on issues of bias, injustice and oppression. Join educators from across the Northeast to share your successes and challenges in creating brave space for discussions on bias and explore the ways in which ADL can support your efforts.
ReVision 2020 - Challenge Success Parent Ed Event
Friday, 10/23 at 2:00 p.m.
45-minute Livestream Event
Hosted by Challenge Success Co-Founders Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine with special guest and New York Times best-selling author Lori Gottlieb
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of The New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. Along with Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine, she will examine how 2020 has highlighted the importance of how we view well-being and relationships. How might we gain perspective and redefine what really matters for our children, families, and schools? How can we redesign and reimagine education to best support students to become balanced, healthy, and engaged learners? Join us to explore a vision of the future that focuses on connection, equity, and meaningful school reform.
Blake ‘EdChats’ - Adapting and Learning
We are trying out some ‘edchats’ with Blake teachers/staff as a way to connect and share what we are thinking and talking about as a community of learners. Each chat will have a particular focus and we will take some time to talk through a few questions. Check out our chats…
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 2 (Learning)
(Maura Batts, Tom Woods, Seth Hellerstein, Marjorie Heim, Michael Gow)
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 1(Learning)
(Jason Heim, Orla Berry, Brian Gavaghan, Susan Bycoff, Marissa Gumas, and Diane Horvath)
Twitter Accounts (@nat_vaughn, @blakeoffice) and Blake/Medfield Hashtags (#bmsed, #MedfieldPS, #MedfieldPLN)
We have established the hashtag (#bmsed) for education-related tweets of interest and Blake events and #MedfieldPS and #MedfieldPLN for Medfield Public Schools and Professional Learning related tweets, so be sure to check them out! My account is @nat_vaughn and the Blake account is @blakeoffice, and we will continue to tweet up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles of interest on a daily or more frequent basis.
Message from Medfield Outreach
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in your community? Do you value health and safety? Well, you're in luck because the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) coalition is looking for new members! MCAP's mission is to reduce youth substance use, promote healthy decision, and build a culture of safety in Medfield through a community collaborative of parents, youth, businesses, private organizations, and public agencies. Our meetings are open to the public and we want to hear from you! Everyone brings something valuable to the table. Please join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 4:30-6pm, for our monthly meetings. Email Medfield Outreach's new Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas, at mhaas@medfield.net for the Zoom link. Follow us on social media @MedfieldCares for updates and ways to get involved.
MCPE Update
Join MCPE for a floral workshop for the first event in our One Medfield Virtual FunRaising Night In series with Alice’s Table! MCPE has partnered with Alice’s Table to bring this private fundraising workshop to your home just in time for the Fall holiday season! Sign up for this exclusive virtual class and create your own stunning holiday centerpiece. A representative from Alice’s Table will teach you step-by-step how to create a beautiful fall arrangement in a stylish planter, all while sharing her top floral tips and tricks! Tickets are $87 a piece and includes all flowers and the planter (shipped to your doorstep) and the Zoom instruction ($20 from each registration will go to supporting Medfield schools). Only 100 tickets are available so signup quickly so you don’t miss out! Registration will close on November 1st to make sure the flowers can be delivered in time for our class.
https://alicestable.com/events/virtual-floral-arranging-with-medfield-coalition_1597254546
Dear Blake Middle School Parents:
After guidance from the DESE/EEA, MIAA, and discussion within the league and administration, we feel it necessary and prudent to suspend the Blake Middle School Athletic program for the Fall season.
Any checks that have been sent in will be shredded and credits from the spring season will (once again) be credited to your account for a future season. It is our hope that we will be able to resume athletics at some point this year and will explore opportunities with Mr. Vaughn and Mrs. Campbell to hopefully offer clubs and/or intramurals to keep our students active and involved.
Thank you again for your understanding and patience in this difficult time and I will reach back out with any updates.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Scott, Director of Athletics
Medfield Public Schools
Blake Theater
Blake Theater is back! What will it look like? We are still working on that. The model we are working with right now is a Cohort A show, a Cohort B show and a virtual component on Wednesdays. In order to make our plans, we need to see how many Blakers are interested in participating. To do that, we ask you to fill out this Theater Interest Form 2020-2021 by Tuesday, September 22nd. I know it's a tight turnaround but we are anxious to get going and having this information will assist our efforts. From there, our goal is to quickly get you the information you need in order to commit or not. We will have a virtual information session after school on Tuesday, September 29th, and our first rehearsal will be the week of October 5th. Please email me at tallen@email.medfield.net with any questions.
Resources from Office of Social and Emotional Learning
We would like to let you know about some resources and tools in relation to SEL in our district. The Office of Social and Emotional Learning has content related to COVID-19 coping strategies, tips and tools for families to utilize. We have broken the material into Elementary and Secondary levels, and have a section for Educators as well. We also want to let you know that we have partnered with many other districts in the state to form a collaborative, comprehensive and ever evolving website that has lots of great information that may help with mental health and wellbeing in this tumultuous time. We hope these resources can be a tool to support health and wellness in our community. The websites are listed below:
Medfield Office of SEL
Mental Health and Well-being Partner Website
Webinars of Interest
Teaching Like the Future Depends On It
Unlocking the Potential of Remote/Hybrid Learning Environments
10/5/2020 at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m.
To educators, parents, students, boards, and school communities, we ask: How do we amplify learning when engaging in remote or hybrid schooling?
Progressive ideals do not have to take a backseat in remote or blended learning situations.
In fact, the opportunities to explore interdisciplinary projects, hands-on minds-on learning, and rich student-centered experiences may never have been greater.
This free webinar will explore the landscape of what’s possible, what's working, how to enhance remote or hybrid student projects, and teaching for the future, even if we have no idea what tomorrow brings.
This session will be organized around four themes:
- Surveying the Horizon
- What Was Good, Is Good
- Less Us, More Them
- Teaching and Leading for the Other End of the Tunnel - Even if the Tunnel Ends Tomorrow
From Safe Space to Brave Space: Facilitating Classroom Discussions on Bias, Injustice and Oppression
Wednesday, 10/7 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Please join ADL’s Northeast Division on October 7th at 4:00 pm ET for this interactive forum will provide K–12 educators with strategies to facilitate a classroom environment in which all students are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on issues of bias, injustice and oppression. Join educators from across the Northeast to share your successes and challenges in creating brave space for discussions on bias and explore the ways in which ADL can support your efforts.
ReVision 2020 - Challenge Success Parent Ed Event
Friday, 10/23 at 2:00 p.m.
45-minute Livestream Event
Hosted by Challenge Success Co-Founders Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine with special guest and New York Times best-selling author Lori Gottlieb
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of The New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. Along with Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine, she will examine how 2020 has highlighted the importance of how we view well-being and relationships. How might we gain perspective and redefine what really matters for our children, families, and schools? How can we redesign and reimagine education to best support students to become balanced, healthy, and engaged learners? Join us to explore a vision of the future that focuses on connection, equity, and meaningful school reform.
Blake ‘EdChats’ - Adapting and Learning
We are trying out some ‘edchats’ with Blake teachers/staff as a way to connect and share what we are thinking and talking about as a community of learners. Each chat will have a particular focus and we will take some time to talk through a few questions. Check out our chats…
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 2 (Learning)
(Maura Batts, Tom Woods, Seth Hellerstein, Marjorie Heim, Michael Gow)
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 1(Learning)
(Jason Heim, Orla Berry, Brian Gavaghan, Susan Bycoff, Marissa Gumas, and Diane Horvath)
Twitter Accounts (@nat_vaughn, @blakeoffice) and Blake/Medfield Hashtags (#bmsed, #MedfieldPS, #MedfieldPLN)
We have established the hashtag (#bmsed) for education-related tweets of interest and Blake events and #MedfieldPS and #MedfieldPLN for Medfield Public Schools and Professional Learning related tweets, so be sure to check them out! My account is @nat_vaughn and the Blake account is @blakeoffice, and we will continue to tweet up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles of interest on a daily or more frequent basis.
Message from Medfield Outreach
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in your community? Do you value health and safety? Well, you're in luck because the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) coalition is looking for new members! MCAP's mission is to reduce youth substance use, promote healthy decision, and build a culture of safety in Medfield through a community collaborative of parents, youth, businesses, private organizations, and public agencies. Our meetings are open to the public and we want to hear from you! Everyone brings something valuable to the table. Please join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 4:30-6pm, for our monthly meetings. Email Medfield Outreach's new Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas, at mhaas@medfield.net for the Zoom link. Follow us on social media @MedfieldCares for updates and ways to get involved.
MCPE Update
Join MCPE for a floral workshop for the first event in our One Medfield Virtual FunRaising Night In series with Alice’s Table! MCPE has partnered with Alice’s Table to bring this private fundraising workshop to your home just in time for the Fall holiday season! Sign up for this exclusive virtual class and create your own stunning holiday centerpiece. A representative from Alice’s Table will teach you step-by-step how to create a beautiful fall arrangement in a stylish planter, all while sharing her top floral tips and tricks! Tickets are $87 a piece and includes all flowers and the planter (shipped to your doorstep) and the Zoom instruction ($20 from each registration will go to supporting Medfield schools). Only 100 tickets are available so signup quickly so you don’t miss out! Registration will close on November 1st to make sure the flowers can be delivered in time for our class.
https://alicestable.com/events/virtual-floral-arranging-with-medfield-coalition_1597254546
RSS Feed
