Nat Vaughn, Blake Principal

June 25, 2018 - End-of-Year Post/Update

6/25/2018

Important Dates
7/4 - Fourth of July!
8/22 - Blake New Student Orientation (10 a.m.)
8/27 - Professional Day for Teachers
8/28 - Professional Day for Teachers
8/29 - First Day of School
Delayed Start for 7th/8th Grade
8/31 - Half Day
9/3 - Labor Day (No School)
9/5 - Grade 8 Trip Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 8 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/6 - Grade 6 Music Ensemble Info Sessions (6 p.m.)
Grade 6 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/7 - Blake Picture Day
9/10 - Rosh Hashanah (No School)
9/11 - Grade 7 Nature's Classroom Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 7 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/19 - Yom Kippur (No School)
10/5 - Half Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
10/8 - Columbus Day (No School)
10/12 - Blake Picture Retake Day
10/23-10/26 - Nature's Classroom for 7th Grade

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about PDF (Playtime, Downtime, Family Time), our topic/question for the dinner table is: What are you looking forward to most about summer? Enjoying Summer (Summer 2018) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

New Student Registration at Blake
Blake would like to welcome any families with middle school students moving to Medfield to attend our Blake Registration Day Wednesday, August 22 at 10 a.m. Please call the guidance office at 508-359-2445 and speak with Debbie Avery to make an appointment to register. (After June 18, please call the main office at 508-359-2396 and speak to Mrs. Skerry). Paperwork needed to complete registration is listed on the guidance page - http://blakeguidancepage.weebly.com/new-student-information.html.

For Incoming 6th Grade Families
Rising 6th grade families - If your student would benefit from a tour of Blake before school starts, please sign up for an August tour time slot. Ms. Allen will be in the office the week of August 20th. Feel free to bring your student on his/her own or with a small group of friends. If you'd like the tour between June 20 and August 20, please contact the main office. Mr. Vaughn or Mrs. Campbell will be happy to take you around in July or early August. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094bada922a4ff2-6thgrade …

Theme of Happiness for 2018-2019
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Happiness. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last six years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, and Diversity. 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 Social Emotional Learning with Project Happiness (www.projecthappiness.org)
Project Happiness (www.projecthappiness.org) specializes in emotional resilience-building programs which provide proven techniques to empower students and their communities to thrive. Drawing from the three pillars of neuroscience, positive psychology, and mindfulness, all participants learn social and emotional learning skills. Project Happiness is connected to Common Core Standards, which helps students to learn to build a climate of kindness, appreciation, and cooperation. Each lesson fulfills Common Core Standards by teaching skills that allow students to calm themselves when angry, make friends, resolve conflicts respectfully, and make ethical and safe choices.

In May 2016, The MCPE funded the Project Happiness grant which included: Project Happiness Middle School Curriculum, Project Happiness Training Videos, Project Happiness Film, and 20 Project Happiness Books. Medfield Public Schools were recently featured by Project Happiness. http://us9.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=2e45f17d3d4a1ef72e24e6d3f&id=acd6095363

The Summer 2018 Social Emotional Learning @Blake: Project Happiness Team invites Medfield families to
Join us for the July Happiness Challenge @happyblakers

Join us for the July Happiness Challenge @happyblakersJoin us for the July Happiness Challenge @happyblakers

#MedfieldPS Twitter Chats
I encourage everyone to participate in the #MedfieldPS Twitter Chats.  The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. Hopefully you will be able to follow along, lurk, or join in one of our future chats - stay tuned for a mid-summer chat!

Blake Parent Nights for Fall 2018
The Blake parent nights for this fall have been scheduled...
9/5 - Grade 8 Trip Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 8 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/6 - Grade 6 Music Ensemble Info Sessions (6 p.m.)
Grade 6 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/11 - Grade 7 Nature's Classroom Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 7 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)

Blake Summer Reading
Please refer to the Blake Summer 2018 Reading Lists for copies of the 6th-8th grade reading lists for this summer. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Haycock at jhaycock@email.medfield.net.

Summer Supply Lists
All students should refer to the School Supply Lists located on the Guidance webpage.

Eighth Grade Canoe and Swim Test Information
As part of the eighth grade Charles River Community Awareness Unit offered in the fall, each eighth grade student is required to pass a swimming test during the summer. Each student is required to tread water for five minutes and swim a distance of seventy-five yards. A qualified swim instructor is required to administer the test and sign the form: Swim Test Form. Completed swim tests may be dropped off at the main office of the Middle School Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. throughout the summer. All swim tests must be completed and returned to the student’s new advisory teacher by the first day of school. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. The Charles River Community Awareness Unit is an exciting way for students to begin their eighth grade experience! (FYI: In the past, students have been certified at Hinkley Pond, YMCA and
local swim clubs.)

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming.  Please complete the Blake Site Council survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey.  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.

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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

2018-2019 iPad Planning Inventory
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2018-2019 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2018-2019 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey by Friday, June 1: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2018-2019.  Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-July, 2018. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.

We have outlined the Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.

The device selected by the students/families will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, these are all models that Apple has identified for continual OS updates:  iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad 5th Gen, iPad Pro, iPad Pro 2, and iPad 6th Gen.  We are committed to making the experience meaningful and viable for all of our students, troubleshooting challenges that arise in a thoughtful and inclusive manner.  Our work over the last five years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.

For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 18-19
Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 18-19

In the fall we will be planning an iPad/Mobile Learning/Innovation Highlights and Information Session for all Blake families. Our hope is for the entire Blake community of parents and guardians to hear and see highlights from teachers and students, answer questions, and gain an understanding of the work that is taking place. Stay tuned for more information!

We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

Update from Blake PTO
The Blake PTO would like to thank all of the volunteers, donors and supporters who made this year such a success! We couldn’t have done it without you. We hope you have a great summer, and look forward to another fun and successful year ahead.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEXT YEAR! Please visit the Medfield K-8 PTO website or click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH6fbiK1-cVI5r7yu42e6szW5bnuT2EUO9qk3CLc-l9A8UQ/viewform and sign-up to volunteer for the 2018-2019 school year! We need volunteers for events like teacher luncheons, 8th grade Cookout and Closing Ceremony Reception (7th grade parents are needed for this event) as well as many others!

We appreciate all your help and support. We couldn’t do it without you! And don’t forget to stay in touch! Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Week of 6/12/18-6/18/18

6/12/2018

Important Dates
6/12 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/13 - 7th Grade Creature Field Trip
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/15 - Transition Day
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about reflection and this past year of learning, our topic/question for the dinner table is:  How/why was this a good year for you as a learner? Process of Reflection (Week of 6/10/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Cluster/Advisory Placement Letters
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families via a letter that students will receive at the end of the school day on Thursday, June 14. Transition Day is Friday, June 15 and on that day students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events. Clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.

Extra Yearbooks are Available
There is a limited number of extra yearbooks for sale. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Please bring a check before Friday, June 15 for $30 (made out to: BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL) to Mrs. Skerry in the main office and place you on a list for a book.

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming.  Please complete the Blake Site Council survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey.  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.
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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

2018-2019 iPad Planning Inventory
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2018-2019 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2018-2019 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey by Friday, June 1: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2018-2019.  Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-late June, 2018. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.

We have outlined the Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.

The device selected by the students/families will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, these are all models that Apple has identified for continual OS updates:  iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad 5th Gen, iPad Pro, iPad Pro 2, and iPad 6th Gen.  We are committed to making the experience meaningful and viable for all of our students, troubleshooting challenges that arise in a thoughtful and inclusive manner.  Our work over the last five years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.

For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 18-19
Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 18-19

In the fall we will be planning an iPad/Mobile Learning/Innovation Highlights and Information Session for all Blake families. Our hope is for the entire Blake community of parents and guardians to hear and see highlights from teachers and students, answer questions, and gain an understanding of the work that is taking place. Stay tuned for more information!  We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.

Great East Music Festival
Congratulations to our music ensembles under the direction of Ryan, Brenna, Ann Marie, and Margo for their accomplishments last Friday at the Great East Music Festival. Here is a summary...The students had a wonderful day at the Great East Festival and Six Flags New England on Friday. After an early 5:00 AM start to the day, we traveled to Springfield Central High School where the 7th & 8th grade chorus, orchestra, band and BMS jazz ensemble gave outstanding performances. All of the large ensembles received a Gold rating! Thank you to our students, directors, chaperones and our school nurse, Mrs. Williams, for making this year's music trip one to remember! Please take time to congratulate the students on their accomplishments!

Technovation Challenge Update
Technovation is a global entrepreneurial competition for middle school and high schools girls to collaboratively work in teams of 2-5 to help solve a community issue or problem through app development. In Blake's 4th year with participating teams, we were proud to have the following 3 teams compete tackling a range of issues from obesity to providing access to art and promoting community-based inclusive fitness opportunities. A special congrats goes out to Team Egg-Cellent for being selected to the semi-finalist round. We are wishing them luck and hope they get to move forward to the final World pitch round in San Francisco, which will be announced in a few weeks.

Team Donuts to Apples (Mia Remington and Emma Mascari)
App: Cakes to Grapes
Our vision for our app, is to have it be the go to app for kids struggling with childhood obesity, or kids that just want to be healthy in general. In the future we would like to add things like veggies, proteins, grains, and dairy, to the Eat Instead. This way kids can get a whole meal every time they click instead of just a fruit. Technovation was a great opportunity to learn how to code and how you can work together and turn your idea into an app!

Team: iT&Bit
Team Members: Rachel Parry, Isabella Iannone, Bitsy Crowley
App: Bounze
We participated in the 2018 Technovation Challenge and created an app called Bounze. The goal of our app was to get kids outside and active, while also giving them an opportunity to be social. To do this, our app let teens create and join local pickup games. Technovation taught us how to code, as well as organization and time management. We really enjoyed participating in Technovation.

Team: Team Egg-cellent
Team Members: Maeve Kennedy (CTO, CEO), Thalia Tayara (CMO, COO) Julia Wall (CRO), Caeli Sheehan (CHRO)
App: Outlet Art
We created an app designed to combat the detrimental lack of art education in America’s modern public school system. Our app, Outlet Art, provides classes, which are posted by art teachers, to students without access to art education, and allows students’ pieces to be critiqued by peers and teachers. By doing this, we will best emulate art classes. In our app, students can have access to art education, even without an art room. Teachers can help their community by sharing their knowledge, and schools undergoing budget cuts can provide our service to their students at a much lower cost than hiring an art teacher. Our team was selected out of 40 as one of the top 3 Middle School teams at our Regional Pitch, and are now semi-finalists in the Technovation Challenge. We are hopeful to one day release our app to the Google Play store and improve the lives of students everywhere.

For Incoming 6th Grade Families
Rising 6th grade families - If your student would benefit from a tour of Blake before school starts, please sign up for an August tour time slot. Ms. Allen will be in the office the week of August 20th. Feel free to bring your student on his/her own or with a small group of friends. If you'd like the tour between June 20 and August 20, please contact the main office. Mr. Vaughn or Mrs. Campbell will be happy to take you around in July or early August. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094bada922a4ff2-6thgrade …

Peabody Essex Museum - Grade 6
Sixth Grade students attended the Peabody Essex Museum last week. Each cluster traveled on separate days but each received the same two programs. The first program was a visit and lesson on the Yin Yu Tang House. This house was dismantled in a small village in China, shipped across the world, and reassembled in Salem, MA at the museum. Kids were able to walk through the structure and learn about Chinese history and culture. The second program was all about America's trade connections with Asia. This portion of the field trip ties in with our current unit on Trade. Students discovered that merchants collected and brought back artifacts to the museum from their trips overseas. As the kids are learning now, the trade connection established hundreds of years ago is alive today. To help foster a connection between the old and the new, students stayed with their Advisory on days of the field trip and learned about modern trade. Kids discovered about containers, container ships, ports, and new ways to use old containers no longer needed for trade. Overall, the connections students make between PEM and their lives is important. Kids should see how the world they live in today is somewhat similar to the world of 200 hundred years ago. Places in our world have always been closely linked with one another. The uniting factor was and will always be through trade.

Creature Feature Field Trip - 7th Grade
7th graders are preparing their creatures for the trip to the elementary schools. 7th graders will be visiting younger siblings or previous teachers with their creatures and stories. The creatures even come alive with the inclusion of Little Bits circuits to make them light up, move or make noise.

#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat Follow Up
We held our district-wide end-of-year Twitter chat Thursday, 6/7 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Reflections on Student Learning 17-18...
https://twitter.com/i/moments/989296272535408640
The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. We hope you can join in and participate in future chats!

8th Grade Cookout - 6/15/18
The 8th grade cookout will take place Friday, June 15. Students will be outside and should be prepared with sunscreen and hats.

8th Grade Bike Trip
Over the last week our 8th grade students have been exploring interesting historical sites in Medfield this week by taking guided bicycle tours to notable locations around town. The students will learn about people who have contributed to and enhanced our lives, and will learn about historic events that have happened in Medfield; as far back as 350 years ago.

New Student Registration at Blake
Blake would like to welcome any families with middle school students moving to Medfield to attend our Blake Registration Day Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. Please call the guidance office at 508-359-2445 and speak with Debbie Avery to make an appointment to register. (After June 18, please call the main office at 508-359-2396 and speak to Mrs. Skerry). Paperwork needed to complete registration is listed on the guidance page - http://blakeguidancepage.weebly.com/new-student-information.html.

Theme of Diversity for 2018-2019
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Happiness. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last six years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, and Diversity. 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).

Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has certainly increased! We will be clearing out the Lost and Found after school gets out - I encourage all students and parents/guardians to come take a look.

Library Reminder
This is a reminder for all families that all library books are now due back in the Blake Library. Students with checked out items were notified last week. Please encourage your child to return any library books promptly so that we can get the Library back in order before the end of the year. If the Library books are not returned, we will unfortunately have to ask for payment. Thanks for your help.

Help Request from Community Service Club
Sixth grade teacher and Community Service Advisor Mr. Gow, is looking for a parent or scout group who is/are willing to assist in the construction of an outdoor classroom space at the back of the school. he is in need of trail clearing assistance and the clearing of the outdoor classroom space. Additionally, he is looking for either a wooden shed or plastic shed to store the outdoor classroom furniture and supplies. Please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net for further information.

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

MFI Youth Leader Applications
Interested in philanthropy and giving back to your community? The MFi is currently accepting applications for their Youth Leader Program. Current 8th and 9th graders are encouraged to apply. To learn more about MFi and the youth leader program and to apply please go to http://medfieldfoundation.org/youth-leadership/ . The deadline for applications is June 8th. For more information contact Minta Hissong at minta@verizon.net or Sue Toohey at sotoohey@comcast.net.

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Girls Who Care Service Drive
Please support the 10th grade Service Group, Girls Who Care, by donating NEW Personal Care Items to help parents and kids who live in the Medway House, a local shelter for homeless families.
Items needed include: Shampoo/Conditioner, Feminine Hygiene Products, Deodorant, Mouthwash, Body Wash, Toothpaste, Lotion, Hair Brushes/Hair Care Products, Kids’ shampoo/body wash/bubble bath, Kids’ toothpaste & toothbrushes, Baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby oil, baby bath/wash, baby soap, baby wipes, diaper rash ointment, Diapers (especially sizes 5 & 6)
A donation box is located in the front office. Donations will be accepted through June 13th. Thank you for your support!

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

Update from Blake PTO
The Blake PTO would like to thank all of the volunteers, donors and supporters who made this year such a success! We couldn’t have done it without you. We hope you have a great summer, and look forward to another fun and successful year ahead.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEXT YEAR! Please visit the Medfield K-8 PTO website or click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH6fbiK1-cVI5r7yu42e6szW5bnuT2EUO9qk3CLc-l9A8UQ/viewform and sign-up to volunteer for the 2018-2019 school year! We need volunteers for events like teacher luncheons, 8th grade Cookout and Closing Ceremony Reception (7th grade parents are needed for this event) as well as many others!

We appreciate all your help and support. We couldn’t do it without you! And don’t forget to stay in touch! Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Week of 6/5/18-6/11/18

6/6/2018

Important Dates
6/6 - Bike Trip for Eagles Cluster
PEM Field Trip for Koalas
New Student Registration
7th/8th Grade Chorus Concert
6/7 - PEM Field Trip for Otters
#MedfieldPS Chat - 8 p.m. (see details below)
6/8 - Bike Trip for Stripes Cluster
PEM Field Trip for Sea Turtles
6/12 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/13 - 7th Grade Creature Field Trip
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/15 - Transition Day
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about seeking, fostering, and embracing change, our topic/question for the dinner table is:  How have you changed as a learner this past year? Be specific. Seeking and Embracing Change (Week of 6/3/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming.  Please complete the Blake Site Council survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey.  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.
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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

2018-2019 iPad Planning Inventory
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2018-2019 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2018-2019 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey by Friday, June 1: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2018-2019.  Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-late June, 2018. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.

We have outlined the Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.

The device selected by the students/families will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, these are all models that Apple has identified for continual OS updates:  iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad 5th Gen, iPad Pro, iPad Pro 2, and iPad 6th Gen.  We are committed to making the experience meaningful and viable for all of our students, troubleshooting challenges that arise in a thoughtful and inclusive manner.  Our work over the last five years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.

For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 18-19
Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 18-19

In the fall we will be planning an iPad/Mobile Learning/Innovation Highlights and Information Session for all Blake families. Our hope is for the entire Blake community of parents and guardians to hear and see highlights from teachers and students, answer questions, and gain an understanding of the work that is taking place. Stay tuned for more information!  We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly (nvaughn@email.medfield.net) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.

Blake Middle School Art Show
A big thank you to our Blake students and art staff for a wonderful show last week. Thank you to Christina Delaney, Nancy Deveno, Joe Knaus, and Kate Jones for all of their work in coordinating the event!

Technovation Challenge Update
Technovation is a global entrepreneurial competition for middle school and high schools girls to collaboratively work in teams of 2-5 to help solve a community issue or problem through app development. In Blake's 4th year with participating teams, we were proud to have the following 3 teams compete tackling a range of issues from obesity to providing access to art and promoting community-based inclusive fitness opportunities. A special congrats goes out to Team Egg-Cellent for being selected to the semi-finalist round. We are wishing them luck and hope they get to move forward to the final World pitch round in San Francisco, which will be announced in a few weeks.

Team Donuts to Apples (Mia Remington and Emma Mascari)
App: Cakes to Grapes
Our vision for our app, is to have it be the go to app for kids struggling with childhood obesity, or kids that just want to be healthy in general. In the future we would like to add things like veggies, proteins, grains, and dairy, to the Eat Instead. This way kids can get a whole meal every time they click instead of just a fruit. Technovation was a great opportunity to learn how to code and how you can work together and turn your idea into an app!

Team: iT&Bit
Team Members: Rachel Parry, Isabella Iannone, Bitsy Crowley
App: Bounze
We participated in the 2018 Technovation Challenge and created an app called Bounze. The goal of our app was to get kids outside and active, while also giving them an opportunity to be social. To do this, our app let teens create and join local pickup games. Technovation taught us how to code, as well as organization and time management. We really enjoyed participating in Technovation.

Team: Team Egg-cellent
Team Members: Maeve Kennedy (CTO, CEO), Thalia Tayara (CMO, COO) Julia Wall (CRO), Caeli Sheehan (CHRO)
App: Outlet Art
We created an app designed to combat the detrimental lack of art education in America’s modern public school system. Our app, Outlet Art, provides classes, which are posted by art teachers, to students without access to art education, and allows students’ pieces to be critiqued by peers and teachers. By doing this, we will best emulate art classes. In our app, students can have access to art education, even without an art room. Teachers can help their community by sharing their knowledge, and schools undergoing budget cuts can provide our service to their students at a much lower cost than hiring an art teacher. Our team was selected out of 40 as one of the top 3 Middle School teams at our Regional Pitch, and are now semi-finalists in the Technovation Challenge. We are hopeful to one day release our app to the Google Play store and improve the lives of students everywhere.

For Incoming 6th Grade Families
Rising 6th grade families - If your student would benefit from a tour of Blake before school starts, please sign up for an August tour time slot. Ms. Allen will be in the office the week of August 20th. Feel free to bring your student on his/her own or with a small group of friends. If you'd like the tour between June 20 and August 20, please contact the main office. Mr. Vaughn or Mrs. Campbell will be happy to take you around in July or early August. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094bada922a4ff2-6thgrade …

Creature Feature Field Trip - 7th Grade
7th graders are preparing their creatures for the trip to the elementary schools. 7th graders will be visiting younger siblings or previous teachers with their creatures and stories. The creatures even come alive with the inclusion of Little Bits circuits to make them light up, move or make noise.

#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 6/7/18
Our next district-wide Twitter chat is Thursday, 6/7 at 8 p.m. - 'Reflections on Student Learning 17-18'. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. We hope you can join in and participate!

8th Grade Cookout - 6/15/18
The 8th grade cookout will take place Friday, June 15. Students will be outside and should be prepared with sunscreen and hats.

8th Grade Bike Trip
The 8th grade students will explore interesting historical sites in Medfield this week by taking guided bicycle tours to notable locations around town. The students will learn about people who have contributed to and enhanced our lives, and will learn about historic events that have happened in Medfield; as far back as 350 years ago.

Learn How to Sew!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? Well, here’s your chance!
Learn to sew using the Makerspace’s new sewing machine mixed with embroidery -fancy sewing by hand stitches. Choose to make basic projects like bags, bandanas, banners, patches/badges with positive messages for yourself, a friend, your pet or to hang outdoors in Blake's entranceway or upcoming outdoor spaces (courtyard and outdoor classroom)! Sound good?.. then, join Mrs. Krah and Ms. Horvath next week after school !
When: Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday! (June 6,7, and 11th) from 2:10-3:10.
Location: Blaker Makerspace/LMC
Cost: $15 for materials
Sign up for Spring Intramural called SEW THIS & THAT by contacting Mr. Marenghi MMarenghi@email.medfield.net

New Student Registration at Blake
Blake would like to welcome any families with middle school students moving to Medfield to attend one of the Blake Registration Days. They will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. Please call the guidance office at 508-359-2445 and speak with Debbie Avery to make an appointment to register. (After June 18, please call the main office at 508-359-2396 and speak to Mrs. Skerry). Paperwork needed to complete registration is listed on the guidance page - http://blakeguidancepage.weebly.com/new-student-information.html.

Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has certainly increased! We will be clearing out the Lost and Found after school gets out - I encourage all students and parents/guardians to come take a look.

Library Reminder
This is a reminder for all families that all library books are now due back in the Blake Library. Students with checked out items were notified last week. Please encourage your child to return any library books promptly so that we can get the Library back in order before the end of the year. If the Library books are not returned, we will unfortunately have to ask for payment. Thanks for your help.

Washington, D.C. Trip - Coolers and Medications
Thank you for all of the cooler donations. They can be picked up this week at the Blake office. Mrs. Williams has also asked that medication from the trip be picked up this week. Please contact her with any questions that you have (twilliams@email.medfield.net).

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

8th Grade Parents - Request for Tents and Coolers
We are hoping to borrow EZ up tents for end of year activities - they can be dropped in main office with names on them. Also, donations of water coolers are welcome by June 13 - if you are able to donate, please e-mail Sharon Skerry (sskerry@email.medfield.net). Loans of lawn games such as Kan Jam, Ladder golf, Volleyball nets, wiffle ball and bat, and Corn Hole, etc. would be appreciated for just the day of the 8th grade cookout-- June 15th. All games will be returned to owners at the end of the day .

ADL Info for 7th/8th Grade FamiliesAs we begin to plan for our fifth year of the ADL peer leader program at Blake, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, we have taken time to reflect on our process of selecting students to be ADL Peer Leaders. Historically, we have asked students to respond to some questions in writing and then participate in an interview to expand on their thoughts, with the goal of selecting about 20 students. We have found each year that there are many Blake students, usually close to 80, interested in working toward a more inclusive community at Blake and the outside world. In an effort to provide access to more of these students who are interested in being changemakers, we have decided to eliminate the selection process.
We will instead welcome any student who:

Submits a written statement of interest via Google Form which demonstrates an understanding of the mission and commitment of the ADL Peer Leader group,
Commits to attend the three full days of training in the fall
Commits to attend weekly after school meetings and lunch meetings twice monthly
Expresses a comfort level with presenting to younger students in large groups.

This year ADL meetings took place on the same day as Student Council Meetings. This has been very positive as it has allowed the two student leadership groups to occasionally merge and share planning for some school-wide initiatives. The more leadership voices and role models in our school, the better! We expect to do the same again next year so students who are interested in a Student Council experience should know that ADL will meet on the same day. It will not be feasible to be part of both groups. Students will want to think about whether their focus is more on the specific topics of racial and cultural bias and discrimination at Blake and the world beyond or on planning social events and spirit activities for Blake.

For some students, the Peer Training Program, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, is an opportunity to inspire others to challenge all forms of prejudice, discrimination, bias, and hate, including bullying and cyberbullying. For other students, it is an opportunity to actively promote respect for cultural differences and other human differences. And for others, it is an opportunity to build greater unity in our community. For everyone who participates, the Peer Training Program is an opportunity to transform their schools and communities.

The Program begins with a series of dynamic training sessions for new members led by adult facilitators from A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute. Participating students engage in fun activities and meaningful discussions on cultural, racial, socio-economic and other human differences, and on how these differences sometimes divide rather than unite people. In addition, the students explore what they can do, individually and collectively, to help foster a world in which human differences are valued and respected.

Students also develop their leadership potential, and their communication and presentation skills, so that they, too, can lead activities and discussions on these topics. When the trained students are fully prepared, they will facilitate workshops for their peers during the school year.

Any student with an interest in fostering a more accepting school community, facilitating workshops for their peers related to identifying and responding to bias of all types in our world, and learning more about how to build a more respectful environment for all people, is welcome to apply to be a part of the ADL Peer Training Program. Current ADL Peer Leaders shared more information with students in the current 6th grade during assemblies at Blake on Friday, May 18th. Students in the 6th and 7th grades will receive a Google form directly today in which they should write a statement of interest and respond to a few prompts, and parents of students of students who choose to join will also receive an email in June with more information, including time commitments involved for training and participation. Commitment to this exciting program does entail a weekly after school commitment to the program as well as several school days of training which would require students to check in with teachers to get any missed work. Heather Gonzalez and Matt Marenghi will be continuing in their roles of the Peer Trainer program advisors at Blake. I am grateful for their dedication to the program and the students. Please feel free to reach out to me at kcampbell@email.medfield.net if you have questions or would like more information.

Take care,
Kelly Campbell

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Help Request from Community Service Club
Sixth grade teacher and Community Service Advisor Mr. Gow, is looking for a parent or scout group who is/are willing to assist in the construction of an outdoor classroom space at the back of the school. he is in need of trail clearing assistance and the clearing of the outdoor classroom space. Additionally, he is looking for either a wooden shed or plastic shed to store the outdoor classroom furniture and supplies. Please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net for further information.

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

MFI Youth Leader Applications
Interested in philanthropy and giving back to your community? The MFi is currently accepting applications for their Youth Leader Program. Current 8th and 9th graders are encouraged to apply. To learn more about MFi and the youth leader program and to apply please go to http://medfieldfoundation.org/youth-leadership/ . The deadline for applications is June 8th. For more information contact Minta Hissong at minta@verizon.net or Sue Toohey at sotoohey@comcast.net.

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Girls Who Care Service Drive
Please support the 10th grade Service Group, Girls Who Care, by donating NEW Personal Care Items to help parents and kids who live in the Medway House, a local shelter for homeless families.
Items needed include: Shampoo/Conditioner, Feminine Hygiene Products, Deodorant, Mouthwash, Body Wash, Toothpaste, Lotion, Hair Brushes/Hair Care Products, Kids’ shampoo/body wash/bubble bath, Kids’ toothpaste & toothbrushes, Baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby oil, baby bath/wash, baby soap, baby wipes, diaper rash ointment, Diapers (especially sizes 5 & 6)
A donation box is located in the front office.
Donations will be accepted through June 13th.
Thank you for your support!

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

Update from Blake PTO
BLAKE APPEAL - There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY!

STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Week of 5/29/18-6/4/18

5/29/2018

Important Dates
5/29 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Blue)
SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/30 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Red)
Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 7-8 Band and Orchestra Spring Concert
5/31 - 8th Grade Mandarin Field Trip
7th Grade MFA Field Trip (White)
6/1 - Great East Music Festival Trip
6/4 - Blake Site Council Mtg - 3:30 p.m.
MHS Fall Sports Info Night (see details below)
6/5 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/6 - Bike Trip for Eagles Cluster
PEM Field Trip for Koalas
New Student Registration
Grades 7-8 Chorus Concert
6/7 - PEM Field Trip for Otters
6/8 - Bike Trip for Stripes Cluster
PEM Field Trip for Sea Turtles
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about how individuals help to foster a truly diverse and rich community, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What contributions and 'gifts' can you bring to our community? Be specific. Out of Many, One (Week of 5/27/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake Middle School Art Show
Come join us at the Blake Middle School Art Show closing reception Wednesday, May 30 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend
Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making our 'No Homework Weekend' for Blake this past weekend a reality. This effort was part of our continued work to provide down time for students, staff, and families.

Washington, D.C. Trip - #blakeindc
I encourage the entire Blake community to check out the hashtag #blakeindc to view the pictures and 'online journal' of our excursion last week. In addition you can follow me on Twitter (@nat_vaughn), as I am using this account as a communication and resource tool for the Blake community - tweeting up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles on a daily or more frequent basis. You can also follow the hashtag #bmsed for Blake-related announcements and items of interest.

Thank you for all of the cooler donations. They can be picked up this week at the Blake office. Mrs. Williams has also asked that medication from the trip be picked up this week. Please contact her with any questions that you have (twilliams@email.medfield.net).

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six 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 survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. 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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
I encourage the entire Blake community to follow our hashtag #blakeindc next week (5/22-25) to stay current with the Blake tweeters as we look to share and 'record' the trip.

Blake Mini-Marathon
The 6th Annual Blake mini Marathon will take place during the school day on Monday, June 11 (rain date 6/12). Stay tuned for emails about charitable donations, student permission slips, and community involvement!

New Student Registration at Blake
Blake would like to welcome any families with middle school students moving to Medfield to attend one of the Blake Registration Days. They will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. Please call the guidance office at508-359-2445 and speak with Debbie Avery to make an appointment to register. (After June 18, please call the main office at 508-359-2396 and speak to Mrs. Skerry). Paperwork needed to complete registration is listed on the guidance page - http://blakeguidancepage.weebly.com/new-student-information.html.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

8th Grade Parents - Request for Tents and Coolers
We are hoping to borrow EZ up tents for end of year activities - they can be dropped in main office with names on them. Also, donations of water coolers are welcome by June 13 - if you are able to donate, please e-mail Sharon Skerry (sskerry@email.medfield.net). Loans of lawn games such as Kan Jam, Ladder golf, Volleyball nets, wiffle ball and bat, and Corn Hole, etc. would be appreciated for just the day of the 8th grade cookout-- June 15th. All games will be returned to owners at the end of the day .

ADL Info for 7th/8th Grade Families
As we begin to plan for our fifth year of the ADL peer leader program at Blake, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, we have taken time to reflect on our process of selecting students to be ADL Peer Leaders. Historically, we have asked students to respond to some questions in writing and then participate in an interview to expand on their thoughts, with the goal of selecting about 20 students. We have found each year that there are many Blake students, usually close to 80, interested in working toward a more inclusive community at Blake and the outside world. In an effort to provide access to more of these students who are interested in being changemakers, we have decided to eliminate the selection process.
We will instead welcome any student who:

Submits a written statement of interest via Google Form which demonstrates an understanding of the mission and commitment of the ADL Peer Leader group,
Commits to attend the three full days of training in the fall
Commits to attend weekly after school meetings and lunch meetings twice monthly
Expresses a comfort level with presenting to younger students in large groups.

This year ADL meetings took place on the same day as Student Council Meetings. This has been very positive as it has allowed the two student leadership groups to occasionally merge and share planning for some school-wide initiatives. The more leadership voices and role models in our school, the better! We expect to do the same again next year so students who are interested in a Student Council experience should know that ADL will meet on the same day. It will not be feasible to be part of both groups. Students will want to think about whether their focus is more on the specific topics of racial and cultural bias and discrimination at Blake and the world beyond or on planning social events and spirit activities for Blake.

For some students, the Peer Training Program, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, is an opportunity to inspire others to challenge all forms of prejudice, discrimination, bias, and hate, including bullying and cyberbullying. For other students, it is an opportunity to actively promote respect for cultural differences and other human differences. And for others, it is an opportunity to build greater unity in our community. For everyone who participates, the Peer Training Program is an opportunity to transform their schools and communities.

The Program begins with a series of dynamic training sessions for new members led by adult facilitators from A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute. Participating students engage in fun activities and meaningful discussions on cultural, racial, socio-economic and other human differences, and on how these differences sometimes divide rather than unite people. In addition, the students explore what they can do, individually and collectively, to help foster a world in which human differences are valued and respected.

Students also develop their leadership potential, and their communication and presentation skills, so that they, too, can lead activities and discussions on these topics. When the trained students are fully prepared, they will facilitate workshops for their peers during the school year.

Any student with an interest in fostering a more accepting school community, facilitating workshops for their peers related to identifying and responding to bias of all types in our world, and learning more about how to build a more respectful environment for all people, is welcome to apply to be a part of the ADL Peer Training Program. Current ADL Peer Leaders shared more information with students in the current 6th grade during assemblies at Blake on Friday, May 18th. Students in the 6th and 7th grades will receive a Google form directly today in which they should write a statement of interest and respond to a few prompts, and parents of students of students who choose to join will also receive an email in June with more information, including time commitments involved for training and participation. Commitment to this exciting program does entail a weekly after school commitment to the program as well as several school days of training which would require students to check in with teachers to get any missed work. Heather Gonzalez and Matt Marenghi will be continuing in their roles of the Peer Trainer program advisors at Blake. I am grateful for their dedication to the program and the students. Please feel free to reach out to me at kcampbell@email.medfield.net if you have questions or would like more information.

Take care,
Kelly Campbell

8th Grade Bike Trips - Save the dates!
Save the dates for the 8th Grade Bike Trip around the town of Medfield.
The Stars cluster will be going on Tuesday, June 5.
The Eagles cluster will be going on Wednesday, June 6.
The Stripes cluster will be going on Friday, June 8.

This will be a half day trip around the town of Medfield where students will learn about various historical sites in their very own town. Each student will need a bike and a helmet to participate, so please contact us as soon as possible if you know your child will be in need of one of these items. We will also be working to include students who are not able to ride a bike for any reason.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Bird Seed Requests for Mr. Gow
Mr. Gow is looking to resupply his bird seed containers for next year. He is looking for donations of black oil sunflower seeds both in the shell and out of the shell. The bird seed is used in conjunction with Mr. Gow's Exploration class where students observe, record, and track the birds of Blake. If you would like to donate, please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net

Help Request from Community Service Club
Sixth grade teacher and Community Service Advisor Mr. Gow, is looking for a parent or scout group who is/are willing to assist in the construction of an outdoor classroom space at the back of the school. he is in need of trail clearing assistance and the clearing of the outdoor classroom space. Additionally, he is looking for either a wooden shed or plastic shed to store the outdoor classroom furniture and supplies. Please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net for further information.

Medfield High School Fall Sports Night
On Monday, June 4th, at 7:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and their parents interested in playing high school athletics in the fall season at Medfield High School. Online registration will open on June 1st (FamilyID.com). There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School and Medfield High School site. To complete registration, I will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). You will also have the option to pay online with UniPay Gold. High School Sports offered for the Fall season are:
Football
Soccer
Field Hockey
Golf
Volleyball for Girls
Cross Country

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

Music Ensemble Selection
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete the selection form for music...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

MFI Youth Leader Applications
Interested in philanthropy and giving back to your community? The MFi is currently accepting applications for their Youth Leader Program. Current 8th and 9th graders are encouraged to apply. To learn more about MFi and the youth leader program and to apply please go to http://medfieldfoundation.org/youth-leadership/ . The deadline for applications is June 8th. For more information contact Minta Hissong at minta@verizon.net or Sue Toohey at sotoohey@comcast.net.

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

Update from Blake PTO
BLAKE APPEAL - There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Update from MCPE
The deadline to make a Blue Ribbon Recognition Donation is May 31st. Please visit our website www.medfieldcoalition.org to make your donation and recognize any of the many wonderful teachers that have impacted your children. Thanks!

Week of 5/22/18-5/28/18

5/22/2018

Important Dates
5/22-5/25 - 8th Grade Trip to D.C. (#blakeindc)
5/22 - Grades 4-6 Orchestra Concert
5/23 - Grades 4-6 Band Concert
5/24 - Grades 4-6 Chorus Concert
5/28 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/29 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Blue)
SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/30 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Red)
Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 7-8 Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert
5/31 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (White)
6/4 - MHS Fall Sports Info Night (see details below)
6/5 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/6 - Bike Trip for Eagles Cluster
6/8 - Bike Trip for Stripes Cluster
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about learning through experiences, our topic/question for the dinner table is:  What experiences made you a better learner this year? Be specific.  Learning Via Experiences (Week of 5/20/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Memorial Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No work will be due on Tuesday, May 29 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on May 29 or May 30. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six 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 survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. 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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade - Thank You!
Thank you to all of the chaperones from the dance last week: Nicki Welling, Deb Manning, Tracy Allen, Lisa Matthews, Connie Doolan, Emily Alland, Kelly Ruminski, Jess Thompson, and Matt Marenghi - greatly appreciated!

To Kill a Mockingbird Performance
After receiving feedback from all 8th grade students who were asked what they thought of the performance of “To Kill A Mockingbird” by The Classic Repertory Theatre group, the only conclusion one can make is that the performance was thoroughly enjoyed. Although there were characters (eg Aunt Alexandra, Dolphus Raymond) and scenes (eg Tim Johnson) and lines (eg “your father’s passin’”) that students said they wish were included, no student chose to express negative thoughts about the production; in fact, there was great praise for the performers.

Perhaps the most gratifying part of the event for the English teachers was the Q&A session the troupe facilitated after the end of their performance. During that time, it was wonderful to hear students share their thoughts with the performers and their peers. Big thanks to the PTO for funding this performance!

Term 3 Interim Reports
All outstanding interim report signature sheets need to be turned into advisors.

8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
I encourage the entire Blake community to follow our hashtag #blakeindc next week (5/22-25) to stay current with the Blake tweeters as we look to share and 'record' the trip.

Blake Summer Reading Sale
Thanks to Diana Mileszko, Jim James and staff of Park Street Books and the Blake PTO for organizing our our annual Blake Summer Reading Sale. It's highly recommended that each student buy a copy of his or her grade level's Required Reading books (Rising 7th - Better Nate Than Never, Left Out, Full Cicada Moon, or Patina.  Rising 8th - Rebound, Mississippi Trial 1955, A Night Divided, or Parrotfish) because the books will be used in English classes at the beginning of the new school year. Students are also asked to read one additional book as well over the summer. It can either be a title from our Suggested Book list or they may also choose another age appropriate book that they haven't yet read. Profits from our sale allow the Blake Library Media Center to buy man great books for students.  ORDERS SHOULD BE TURNED INTO ADVISORY TEACHERS BY THIS THURSDAY, MAY 24. Additional order sheets are linked below.

Summer Reading Sale Cover Letter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12JpzJRZB_PleOFtrEBPYNO7UE5HfMJBgJdzH3PE7k-A/edit?ts=5afef62c
Rising 7th Grade Summer Reading Order Sheet
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17kWldU6NH0QaunskFLPcUabhzFpeUxkojE2eyixKmqs/edit
Rising 8th Grade Summer Reading Order Sheet
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TwVnS3daAC7OTEyUwNLHbagEvLOc9yuFYxaxyBWGO7Q/edit

Blake Mini-Marathon
The 6th Annual Blake mini Marathon will take place during the school day on Monday, June 11 (rain date 6/12). Stay tuned for emails about charitable donations, student permission slips, and community involvement!

8th Grade Parents - Request for Tents and Coolers
We are hoping to borrow EZ up tents for end of year activities - they can be dropped in main office with names on them. Also, donations of water coolers are welcome by June 13 - if you are able to donate, please e-mail Sharon Skerry (sskerry@email.medfield.net).  Loans of lawn games such as Kan Jam, Ladder golf, Volleyball nets, wiffle ball and bat, and Corn Hole, etc. would be appreciated for just the day of the 8th grade cookout-- June 15th. All games will be returned to owners at the end of the day .

Career Day Thanks
Our 8th Grade Career Day was a great success. Thanks to all of our guest speakers for our students: Joe Kardouni, Andrea Balsamo, Amanda Carnes, Christian Carpenter, Jonathan Epstein, David Fletcher, Stacey Gonzalez, Carl Gustafson, Bassim Ibrahim, Julianne Inzemcev, Keith Lusby, Michelle Manganello, Kate Mead, Laurie Mills, Kelly Reilly, Suzie Sonnenberg, and Alec Stevens.

ADL Info for 7th/8th Grade FamiliesAs we begin to plan for our fifth year of the ADL peer leader program at Blake, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, we have taken time to reflect on our process of selecting students to be ADL Peer Leaders. Historically, we have asked students to respond to some questions in writing and then participate in an interview to expand on their thoughts, with the goal of selecting about 20 students. We have found each year that there are many Blake students, usually close to 80, interested in working toward a more inclusive community at Blake and the outside world. In an effort to provide access to more of these students who are interested in being changemakers, we have decided to eliminate the selection process.
We will instead welcome any student who:

Submits a written statement of interest via Google Form which demonstrates an understanding of the mission and commitment of the ADL Peer Leader group,
Commits to attend the three full days of training in the fall
Commits to attend weekly after school meetings and lunch meetings twice monthly
Expresses a comfort level with presenting to younger students in large groups.

This year ADL meetings took place on the same day as Student Council Meetings. This has been very positive as it has allowed the two student leadership groups to occasionally merge and share planning for some school-wide initiatives. The more leadership voices and role models in our school, the better! We expect to do the same again next year so students who are interested in a Student Council experience should know that ADL will meet on the same day. It will not be feasible to be part of both groups. Students will want to think about whether their focus is more on the specific topics of racial and cultural bias and discrimination at Blake and the world beyond or on planning social events and spirit activities for Blake.

For some students, the Peer Training Program, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, is an opportunity to inspire others to challenge all forms of prejudice, discrimination, bias, and hate, including bullying and cyberbullying. For other students, it is an opportunity to actively promote respect for cultural differences and other human differences. And for others, it is an opportunity to build greater unity in our community. For everyone who participates, the Peer Training Program is an opportunity to transform their schools and communities.

The Program begins with a series of dynamic training sessions for new members led by adult facilitators from A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute. Participating students engage in fun activities and meaningful discussions on cultural, racial, socio-economic and other human differences, and on how these differences sometimes divide rather than unite people. In addition, the students explore what they can do, individually and collectively, to help foster a world in which human differences are valued and respected.

Students also develop their leadership potential, and their communication and presentation skills, so that they, too, can lead activities and discussions on these topics. When the trained students are fully prepared, they will facilitate workshops for their peers during the school year.

Any student with an interest in fostering a more accepting school community, facilitating workshops for their peers related to identifying and responding to bias of all types in our world, and learning more about how to build a more respectful environment for all people, is welcome to apply to be a part of the ADL Peer Training Program. Current ADL Peer Leaders shared more information with students in the current 6th grade during assemblies at Blake on Friday, May 18th. Students in the 6th and 7th grades will receive a Google form directly today in which they should write a statement of interest and respond to a few prompts, and parents of students of students who choose to join will also receive an email in June with more information, including time commitments involved for training and participation. Commitment to this exciting program does entail a weekly after school commitment to the program as well as several school days of training which would require students to check in with teachers to get any missed work. Heather Gonzalez and Matt Marenghi will be continuing in their roles of the Peer Trainer program advisors at Blake. I am grateful for their dedication to the program and the students. Please feel free to reach out to me at kcampbell@email.medfield.net if you have questions or would like more information.

Take care,
Kelly Campbell

Blake Middle School Art Show
Come join us at the Blake Middle School Art Show closing reception Wednesday, May 30 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

8th Grade Bike Trips - Save the dates!
Save the dates for the 8th Grade Bike Trip around the town of Medfield.
The Stars cluster will be going on Tuesday, June 5.
The Eagles cluster will be going on Wednesday, June 6.
The Stripes cluster will be going on Friday, June 8.

This will be a half day trip around the town of Medfield where students will learn about various historical sites in their very own town. Each student will need a bike and a helmet to participate, so please contact us as soon as possible if you know your child will be in need of one of these items. We will also be working to include students who are not able to ride a bike for any reason.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Bird Seed Requests for Mr. Gow
Mr. Gow is looking to resupply his bird seed containers for next year. He is looking for donations of black oil sunflower seeds both in the shell and out of the shell. The bird seed is used in conjunction with Mr. Gow's Exploration class where students observe, record, and track the birds of Blake. If you would like to donate, please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net

Help Request from Community Service Club
Sixth grade teacher and Community Service Advisor Mr. Gow, is looking for a parent or scout group who is/are willing to assist in the construction of an outdoor classroom space at the back of the school. he is in need of trail clearing assistance and the clearing of the outdoor classroom space. Additionally, he is looking for either a wooden shed or plastic shed to store the outdoor classroom furniture and supplies. Please contact Michael Gow at mgow@email.medfield.net for further information.

Medfield High School Fall Sports Night
On Monday, June 4th, at 7:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and their parents interested in playing high school athletics in the fall season at Medfield High School. Online registration will open on June 1st (FamilyID.com). There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School and Medfield High School site. To complete registration, I will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). You will also have the option to pay online with UniPay Gold. High School Sports offered for the Fall season are:
Football
Soccer
Field Hockey
Golf
Volleyball for Girls
Cross Country

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

Music Ensemble Selection
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete the selection form for music...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

MFI Youth Leader Applications
Interested in philanthropy and giving back to your community? The MFi is currently accepting applications for their Youth Leader Program. Current 8th and 9th graders are encouraged to apply. To learn more about MFi and the youth leader program and to apply please go to http://medfieldfoundation.org/youth-leadership/ . The deadline for applications is June 8th. For more information contact Minta Hissong at minta@verizon.net or Sue Toohey at sotoohey@comcast.net.

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

Update from Blake PTO
BLAKE APPEAL - There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Update from MCPE
The highly anticipated tickets to the Fall Ball "Your Golden Ticket to Imagination" will go on sale Sunday May 20th at 9am on our website www.medfieldcoalition.org We'll see you at the ball! All are welcome and encouraged to attend the MCPE annual meeting being held on May 24th at the lovely Zullo Gallery in Medfield at 7 pm. Join us!

Only a few more weeks to submit donations for our annual Blue Ribbon Recognition program. Visit our website to donate today and thank the important teachers or staff in your child's life! Want to learn more about MCPE or know of a business that might want to be one of our sponsors for next year? Please visit our website for more information. Thank you!

Week of 5/15/18-5/21/18

5/15/2018

Important Dates
5/15 - 7th Grade Math MCAS
SEPAC Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake Library)
5/17 - Blake PTO Meeting - 7 p.m.
5/18 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/21 - SEPAC Event - Vision, Hopes, and Dreams (7-9 p.m.)
5/22-5/25 - 8th Grade Trip to D.C. (#blakeindc)
5/22 - Grades 4-6 Orchestra Concert
5/23 - Grades 4-6 Band Concert
5/24 - Grades 4-6 Chorus Concert
5/28 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/29 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Blue)
SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/30 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Red)
Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 7-8 Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert
5/31 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (White)
6/4 - MHS Fall Sports Info Night (see details below)
6/5 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/6 - Bike Trip for Eagles Cluster
6/8 - Bike Trip for Stripes Cluster
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about developing and fostering a love for learning, our topic/question for the dinner table is:  If it were up to you, what would you choose to learn about this week?  A Love For Learning (Week of 5/13/18)  (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake Site Council Survey - Please Complete
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 six 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 survey should take about 10 minutes of your time. 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 (nvaughn@email.medfield.net).
Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey May 2018

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade
The final dance of the year is on Friday, May 18th. A reminder that all students who wish to attend the dance should have submitted a dance contract. The time of the dance is from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Blake gym. A reminder that there are not cell phones or water bottles allowed in the gym. Students will have access to the water fountain, and there is a designated cell phone area. Additionally, students may leave early only if a pre-arranged parent or guardian picks the student up in person.

Term 3 Interim Reports
Last Friday students brought home their interim reports for the third term. They will be spending time in their advisories reflecting upon the work they have accomplished thus far, and setting healthy/measured goals for the end of the year. Our hope is that this communication 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 child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.

8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
I encourage the entire Blake community to follow our hashtag #blakeindc next week (5/22-25) to stay current with the Blake tweeters as we look to share and 'record' the trip.

Teacher Appreciation - Thank You!
On behalf of the Blake staff, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Blake community for the lovely luncheon last Friday - we are fortunate to be part of this wonderful community!

Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Memorial Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No work will be due on Tuesday, May 29 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on May 29 or May 30. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.

Upcoming Dodgeball Tournament
Student Council is hosting the 4th annual Charity dodgeball tournament this Thursday 5/17 from 2:00-4:00pm in Blake gym. Students sign up with 6 players per team. The cost to play is $5 per person - CASH or checks made out to Advocates. All proceeds go towards the charity, Advocates (https://www.advocates.org) - Advocates champions people who face developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. They partner with individuals and families to shape creative solutions to even the greatest obstacles. Donations will help provide safe, nurturing homes; supported employment at local businesses; recreational trips in the community; and compassionate care for thousands of people with disabilities and other life challenges. Donations help people be safe, healthy, and active - your gift changes lives.

8th Grade Bike Trips - Save the dates!
Save the dates for the 8th Grade Bike Trip around the town of Medfield.
The Stars cluster will be going on Tuesday, June 5.
The Eagles cluster will be going on Wednesday, June 6.
The Stripes cluster will be going on Friday, June 8.

This will be a half day trip around the town of Medfield where students will learn about various historical sites in their very own town. Each student will need a bike and a helmet to participate, so please contact us as soon as possible if you know your child will be in need of one of these items.  We will also be working to include students who are not able to ride a bike for any reason.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Medfield High School Fall Sports Night
On Monday, June 4th, at 7:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and their parents interested in playing high school athletics in the fall season at Medfield High School. Online registration will open on June 1st (FamilyID.com). There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School and Medfield High School site. To complete registration, I will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). You will also have the option to pay online with UniPay Gold. High School Sports offered for the Fall season are:
Football
Soccer
Field Hockey
Golf
Volleyball for Girls
Cross Country

Vision, Hopes, and Dreams - 5/21
What are your hopes and dreams for your child? What are your child's? How does the team create the IEP Vision Statement and what is its purpose? Please join Medfield's SEPAC and Student Services for a "Vision, Hopes and Dreams" presentation on Monday May 21st from 7-9 p.m. at the Blake Library Media Center to learn more. All families, teachers, administrators, and staff working with children with special needs ages 3-22 are invited and encouraged to attend.

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

Music Ensemble Selection
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete the selection form for music...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

Update from Blake PTO
THE NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 17 AT 7:00 PM.

BLAKE APPEAL - There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Update from MCPE
MCPE is currently accepting Blue Ribbon Donations until May 31. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the MCPE while recognizing outstanding teachers we look forward to hearing from you. You can visit our website for more www.medfieldcoalition.org

All are invited to attend the MCPE Annual Meeting on May 24th at 7pm at the Zullo Gallery. We will recognize outstanding grants and teachers as well as voting in our new board. Join us!

Finally, tickets for the Fall Ball "Your Golden Ticket to Imagination" go on sale to the public on May 20th at 9am via our website. We'll see you at the Ball on November 3!

Week of 5/8/18-5/14/18

5/8/2018

Important Dates
5/8 - 8th Grade Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/7-5/11 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5/8 - SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/11 - 1/2 Day for Students
Career Day for 8th Grade
Term 3 Interim Reports go home
Professional Afternoon for Staff
5/14-5/15 - 7th Grade Math MCAS
5/14 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
5/15 - SEPAC Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake Library)
5/17 - Blake PTO Meeting - 7 p.m.
5/18 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/21 - SEPAC Event - Vision, Hopes, and Dreams (7-9 p.m.)
5/22-5/25 - 8th Grade Trip to D.C. (#blakeindc)
5/22 - Grades 4-6 Orchestra Concert
5/23 - Grades 4-6 Band Concert
5/24 - Grades 4-6 Chorus Concert
5/28 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/29 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Blue)
SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/30 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Red)
Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 7-8 Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert
5/31 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (White)
6/4 - MHS Fall Sports Info Night (see details below)
6/5 - Bike Trip for Stars Cluster
6/6 - Bike Trip for Eagles Cluster
6/8 - Bike Trip for Stripes Cluster
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about Teacher Appreciation Week, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What do you appreciate most about the teachers in your life? Appreciating Our Teachers (Week of 5/6/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Term 3 Interim Reports
This Friday students will be bringing home their interim reports for the third term. They will be spending time in their advisories reflecting upon the work they have accomplished thus far, and setting healthy/measured goals for the end of the year. Our hope is that this communication 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 child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.

Spring Reminders
This week Kelly Campbell and Nat Vaughn will meet with each grade of students at Blake in an assembly forum to share some reminders as we head into "end of year" mode. We will renew our expectations for all students with regard to good decision-making and responsible behavior across the board but especially as it pertains to the following topics:

field trips and safety when off campus
end of year activities
technology and devices
school attire
substitute teachers
locking up your belongings, especially after school
being in a supervised area before and after school
on-time arrival to school in the morning

We appreciate the reinforcement of these topics from home as well. As always, let us know of any questions or concerns.

8th Grade Bike Trips - Save the dates!
Save the dates for the 8th Grade Bike Trip around the town of Medfield.
The Stars cluster will be going on Tuesday, June 5.
The Eagles cluster will be going on Wednesday, June 6.
The Stripes cluster will be going on Friday, June 8.
This will be a half day trip around the town of Medfield where students will learn about various historical sites in their very own town. Each student will need a bike and a helmet to participate, so please contact us as soon as possible if you know your child will be in need of one of these items. We will also be working to include students who are not able to ride a bike for any reason.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Medfield High School Fall Sports Night
On Monday, June 4th, at 7:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and their parents interested in playing high school athletics in the fall season at Medfield High School. Online registration will open on June 1st (FamilyID.com). There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School and Medfield High School site. To complete registration, I will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). You will also have the option to pay online with UniPay Gold. High School Sports offered for the Fall season are:
Football
Soccer
Field Hockey
Golf
Volleyball for Girls
Cross Country

Vision, Hopes, and Dreams - 5/21
What are your hopes and dreams for your child? What are your child's? How does the team create the IEP Vision Statement and what is its purpose? Please join Medfield's SEPAC and Student Services for a "Vision, Hopes and Dreams" presentation on Monday May 21st from 7-9 p.m. at the Blake Library Media Center to learn more. All families, teachers, administrators, and staff working with children with special needs ages 3-22 are invited and encouraged to attend.

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bird Seed Request
With spring on its way, Mr. Gow's Exploration class is in need of more black oiled sunflower seeds, suet, and hummingbird feeder juice. If interested in donating, please contact mgow@email.medfield.net.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade
The final dance of the year is on Friday, May 18th. A reminder that all students who wish to attend the dance should have submitted a dance contract. The time of the dance is from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Blake gym. A reminder that there are not cell phones or water bottles allowed in the gym. Students will have access to the water fountain, and there is a designated cell phone area. Additionally, students may leave early only if a pre-arranged parent or guardian picks the student up in person.

Music Ensemble Selection
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete the selection form for music...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

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 Blake Middle School Executive Summary 16-17 of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. This year's survey will be sent out in the near future - stay tuned!

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

Update from Blake PTO
THE NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 17 AT 7:00 PM.

BLAKE APPEAL
There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Update from MCPE
MCPE is currently accepting Blue Ribbon Donations until May 31. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the MCPE while recognizing outstanding teachers we look forward to hearing from you. You can visit our website for more www.medfieldcoalition.org

All are invited to attend the MCPE Annual Meeting on May 24th at 7pm at the Zullo Gallery. We will recognize outstanding grants and teachers as well as voting in our new board. Join us!

Finally, we have one Golden Ticket to Imagination left to be found. Test your luck at Park Street Books or Be Charmed today! Tickets for the Fall Ball go on sale to the public on May 20th at 9am via our website. We'll see you at the Ball on November 3!

Week of 5/1/18-5/7/18

5/1/2018

Important Dates
5/1-5/2 - 8th Grade Math MCAS
5/1 - Blake GSA Meeting
SEL Task Force (3:30 p.m.)
5/3-5/4 - 6th Grade Math MCAS
5/4 - Jazz Night at Medfield High School
5/7-5/8 - 8th Grade Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/7-5/11 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5/8 - SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/11 - 1/2 Day for Students
Career Day for 8th Grade
Professional Afternoon for Staff
5/14-5/15 - 7th Grade Math MCAS
5/14 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
5/17 - Blake PTO Meeting - 7 p.m.
5/18 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/22-5/25 - 8th Grade Trip to D.C. (#blakeindc)
5/22 - Grades 4-6 Orchestra Concert
5/23 - Grades 4-6 Band Concert
5/24 - Grades 4-6 Chorus Concert
5/28 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/29 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Blue)
SEL Task Force Meeting at MHS
5/30 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (Red)
Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 7-8 Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert
5/31 - 7th Grade MFA Field Trip (White)
6/14 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
6/18 - Last Day of School
6/19 - Happy Summer!

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about welcoming new ideas, relevance, and gaining a new lens on thinking, our topic/question(s) of the week are: How do you push yourself to gain new perspectives and challenge your thinking? New Perspectives (Week of 4/29/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Spring Reminders
This week Kelly Campbell and Nat Vaughn will meet with each grade of students at Blake in an assembly forum to share some reminders as we head into "end of year" mode. We will renew our expectations for all students with regard to good decision-making and responsible behavior across the board but especially as it pertains to the following topics:

field trips and safety when off campus
end of year activities
technology and devices
school attire
substitute teachers
locking up your belongings, especially after school
being in a supervised area before and after school
on-time arrival to school in the morning

We appreciate the reinforcement of these topics from home as well. As always, let us know of any questions or concerns.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.

Medfield Science Blog Update
Check out our new science blogspot: medfieldscience.blogspot.com

#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat Follow Up
We held our district-wide Twitter chat Tuesday, 4/24 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Professional Growth and Self-Care...
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-5ae606a50827020699499a3d
(Professional Growth and Self-Care)

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bird Seed Request
With spring on its way, Mr. Gow's Exploration class is in need of more black oiled sunflower seeds, suet, and hummingbird feeder juice. If interested in donating, please contact mgow@email.medfield.net.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

School Attire Guidelines
As we transition into spring at last, it is a good time to review guidelines for school dress. These guidelines can be found in the Blake student handbook. Students have an electronic copy and one is available on the Blake website for your reference. Open dialogue, balance, and discretion are important when dealing with issues related to dress. The responsibility for student dress and attire rests with both the student and the parent/guardian. We are confident that good judgment on the part of students and parents will result in the wearing of clothing that creates an environment that is conducive to learning for all. Each student will abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness and safety at all times. In accordance with our expectations for school dress, students are required to wear clothing that does not show the 4 B's: boxers, breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students not to wear hats, short shorts, midriff shirts, off the shoulder shirts, or clothing that displays obscene language, violence, lewd or vulgar pictures, alcohol or drug references, sexual innuendoes, racial/ethnic/religiously offensive materials, or any graphic that may interfere with the educational process. If clothing is deemed inappropriate for school, the parents/guardians will be contacted. We encourage students to consult their parents if they are concerned about an item of clothing that they may be considering wearing to school.

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade
The final dance of the year is on Friday, May 18th. A reminder that all students who wish to attend the dance should have submitted a dance contract. The time of the dance is from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Blake gym. A reminder that there are not cell phones or water bottles allowed in the gym. Students will have access to the water fountain, and there is a designated cell phone area. Additionally, students may leave early only if a pre-arranged parent or guardian picks the student up in person.

Music Ensemble Selection
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete the selection form for music...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

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 Blake Middle School Executive Summary 16-17 of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. This year's survey will be sent out in the near future - stay tuned!

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

PMC Kids Ride Medfield
Hello! Zoe Lewis, Olivia Price and Kim Price are organizing the PMC kids ride in Medfield! The ride will be held on June 9, 2018 looping through the Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. This year our ride will be held for kids in grades K-8 and they will have a chance to ride their bikes for a good cause. The Kids PMC strives to get young cyclists interested into raising money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition to promoting fitness and physical activity, the program engages youth in charity work and teaches them values of working to benefit others. We, along with many others, have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer. We want to support the PMC’s mission of making a change and to start this adventure by bringing the PMC Kids Ride back to Medfield, with the support of our friends, family, and young riders and volunteers like you. Please join us on June 9th for the Medfield Kids PMC Ride. Check-in starts at 10:00 am and the ride will begin at 11:00 am. The riders have one hour to complete as many loops around the course as they can or want to. Stick around for activities and family fun after the ride! For more information about the ride, registration and volunteering, please visit the Medfield PMC Kids Ride website: kids.pmc.org/Medfield

The New Life 5k Fundraiser
The New Life 5k Fundraiser at Hospital Hill will be held THIS Saturday (May 5th) at 9:00 AM at the scenic Medfield State Hospital grounds. The run/walk is open to the public, and all ages and speeds are encouraged to RUN, JOG or WALK in this family-friendly event! On-line registration closes on Thursday, May 3rd. (Race day registration is available 7:30-9:00 AM; cash and checks only.) Register NOW at: www.newlifefb.org. 100% of proceeds go toward fighting homelessness.

Update from Blake PTO
THE NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 17 AT 7:00 PM.
BLAKE APPEAL - There's still time to contribute! We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the next school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com

Update from MCPE
Introducing THE Community EVENT of the year...THE MCPE Fall Ball "Your Golden Ticket to Imagination" on November 3rd 2018 Held at Gillette Stadium Cross Pavilion. Tickets will go on sale on 20th May for $125 per person via our website. HOWEVER you could WIN your FREE ticket to The Fall Ball inside one of the special chocolate bars sold at Park Street Books or Be Charmed on sale now! 100% of proceeds will go straight back into supporting amazing grants for all 5 Medfield Public Schools. Check out the promotional video: MCPE Fall Ball Invitation 2018

We are also accepting Blue Ribbon Donations through the end of May. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the MCPE while recognizing outstanding teachers we look forward to hearing from you. You can visit our website for more. Finally, all are welcome to attend the MCPE Annual Meeting on May 24th at 7pm at the Zullo Gallery. We will recognize outstanding grants and teachers as well as voting in our new board. Join us! www.medfieldcoalition.org

Week of 4/24/18-4/30/18

4/24/2018

Important Dates
4/24-4/25 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
4/24 - Blake GSA Meeting
#MedfieldPS Chat - 8 p.m. (see details below)
4/26-4/27 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
4/27 - Day of Silence
4/30 - MCAS Make-Ups
5/1-5/2 - 8th Grade Math MCAS
5/1 - Blake GSA Meeting
SEL Task Force (3:30 p.m.)
5/3-5/4 - 6th Grade Math MCAS
5/7-5/8 - 8th Grade Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/14-5/15 - 7th Grade Math MCAS

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about centering one's learning, articulating hopes, and growing as learners, our topic/question(s) of the week are: What are your hopes for the end of this school year? How do you want to grow as a learner? Getting Centered (Week of 4/22/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 4/24/18
Our next district-wide Twitter chat will be Tuesday, 4/24 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Professional Growth and Self-Care. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. I encourage you to follow the hashtag #MedfieldPS during the chat and to participate!

Term 2 Report Cards
All outstanding report card signature sheets should be turned into advisors.

Collaboration with MIT
Blake Middle School has been fortunate to have had a partnership with MIT in the areas of education and technology integration. On Friday, April 13, 2018, approximately 20 students will participate in a mathematics app field test. This app has been created by an MIT student in hopes of using technology to make math accessible to all students. We welcome these opportunities of collaboration and look forward to sharing more in the future!

Digital Learning Day for Blake and Medfield Staff
Here is a quick shout out to recognize those students who spent their day off supporting teachers in their learning at Medfield's Digital Learning Day (#DLDMedfield). Big props to: Kelly Blake, Jake Grzeskowiak, Caroline Harrington, Isabella Iannone, Spencer Joline, Brandon Lindgren, Katie Merck, Caroline Seitz, Preet Shah, Maeve Kennedy, and Finch Sullivan. We also had some of our Blakers showing their awesomeness in the Student Innovation Showcase. Those students included Caeli Sheehan, Maeve Kennedy, Thalia Tayara, Julia Wall, Rachel Parry, Isabella Iannone, Bitsy Crowley, Jim Kemp, Alex Munz, Katie Merck, Emily Soucy, and Caroline McBreen. You all made Blake very proud!

April is Autism Awareness Month
In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. On Friday, April 6th, Blake Middle school staff and students are invited to wear the color BLUE. We will be "Lighting it up Blue," which is a National movement in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism. In addition, each day, the morning announcements will include information to share and educate people about Autism.

Spring Intramurals at Blake
The 2018 Spring Intramrual Session is scheduled to start the week of April 9. The offerings will be available asap.

Blake GSA Information
The Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every Tuesday from 2:15 - 3:00 in room 101. The GSA provides a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Day of Silence
Friday, April 27 is the Day of Silence, ( www.dayofsilence.org), a national day of protest regarding anti-gay language and bullying. Students and staff can participate in 2 ways: (1) taking a vow of silence, or (2) being a supporter/ally. On Monday, 4/23 Blake GSA and Student Council members took some time in advisory to show the following slideshow in advisory to explain the day: 2018 Day of Silence Presentation
Students take a vow of silence for the duration of the school day to raise awareness of the voices we do not hear during the day: those students who "remain silent" about their identity for fear of bullying or harassment. Some students and staff at both Medfield High School and Blake will be participating and recognizing this day. Students/staff taking the vow of silence will sign-up ahead of time by signing the following pledge: SILENT Pledge: I pledge to be SILENT on April 27 to show my support for the LGBTQ+ community and all of those who have been silenced over the years. I will do my best to remain silent throughout the entire school day, including in the hallways, during recess, and at lunch. I will be respectful and take this pledge seriously because I believe that all people should be treated kindly and with respect. Students and staff may also be wearing Supporter badges and signing an ally pledge: ALLY Pledge: I pledge to support the LGBTQ+ community on April 27 and every other day of the year. I can show my support by being a loyal friend, speaking up when I see/hear unkind behavior, avoiding using hurtful language, and encouraging others to be kind to everyone in our community. I will show respect for all people, as all people are created equally. Helpful and Useful Resources... 'What Do You Say to 'That's So Gay'? GLSEN's website: www.glsen.org.

Theater Thanks
Blake Theater members would like to thank all the friends, teachers, administrators, families and community members who came to see Pom Pom Zombies. Sorry if any of the songs became earworms for the weekend! See you next year with more great performances!

Bird Seed Request
With spring on its way, Mr. Gow's Exploration class is in need of more black oiled sunflower seeds, suet, and hummingbird feeder juice. If interested in donating, please contact mgow@email.medfield.net.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

School Attire Guidelines
As we transition into spring at last, it is a good time to review guidelines for school dress. These guidelines can be found in the Blake student handbook. Students have an electronic copy and one is available on the Blake website for your reference. Open dialogue, balance, and discretion are important when dealing with issues related to dress. The responsibility for student dress and attire rests with both the student and the parent/guardian. We are confident that good judgment on the part of students and parents will result in the wearing of clothing that creates an environment that is conducive to learning for all. Each student will abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness and safety at all times. In accordance with our expectations for school dress, students are required to wear clothing that does not show the 4 B's: boxers, breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students not to wear hats, short shorts, midriff shirts, off the shoulder shirts, or clothing that displays obscene language, violence, lewd or vulgar pictures, alcohol or drug references, sexual innuendoes, racial/ethnic/religiously offensive materials, or any graphic that may interfere with the educational process. If clothing is deemed inappropriate for school, the parents/guardians will be contacted. We encourage students to consult their parents if they are concerned about an item of clothing that they may be considering wearing to school.

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade
The final dance of the year is on Friday, May 18th. A reminder that all students who wish to attend the dance should have submitted a dance contract. The time of the dance is from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Blake gym. A reminder that there are not cell phones or water bottles allowed in the gym. Students will have access to the water fountain, and there is a designated cell phone area. Additionally, students may leave early only if a pre-arranged parent or guardian picks the student up in person.

For Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians
For your reference, I have copied the link to the presentations, parent resources handout, and program of studies...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Nature's Classroom Spring 2018 Slideshow
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2018-2019
Blake Program of Studies 2018-2019

Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

Music Ensemble Selection - All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

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 Blake Middle School Executive Summary 16-17 of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. This year's survey will be sent out in the near future - stay tuned!

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for New Life's 5K Fundraising Run/Walk
Do you LOVE the Angel Run? Then we think you’re going to LOVE New Life Furniture Bank’s "1st Annual New Life 5k Trail Run". This fundraising event will be held at 9:00 am on Saturday, May 5th at the scenic Medfield State Hospital grounds. The New Life 5k Trail Run is open to the public, and all ages are encouraged to run, jog or walk in this family event not to be missed! Registration is open! There are only 40 free t-shirts left! To register or for additional information, go to newlifefb.org. ON-LINE REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 3RD.

Update from Blake PTO
2018 Blake Annual Appeal LAST CHANCE TO DONATE!! We don’t want to sell wrapping paper and other knick-knacks that no one needs or wants anymore! All you have to do is write one fundraising check for the whole year and you are DONE! WE NEED YOUR HELP so we can continuing funding enrichment programs & future initiatives. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

Update from MCPE
The MCPE is currently accepting nominations for the Robert C. Maguire "Global Perspectives in Education" Award. This award is given annually to a staff member who inspires students to look beyond the town of Medfield and expand their horizons. Learning about the global community could include efforts in world history, politics, science, technology, literature, mathematics, economics, sociology, anthropology and more. If your child has been enriched by such a teacher, please visit our website www.medfieldcoalition.org to complete the nomination form. Deadline for submissions is April 27. Our annual teacher recognition "Blue Ribbon" giving campaign is ongoing. If you would like to make a donation in recognition of some of the fantastic educators in your child's life, please visit our website and seek 'blue ribbon'. Submission deadline is 5/31

Weeks of 4/10/18-4/23/18

4/9/2018

Important Dates
4/10 - #DLDMedfield
No school for students
4/11-4/12 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
4/11 - All Chorus Extravaganza
4/12 - Movie Matinee (see details below)
Zullo Art Reception (see details below)
4/13 - Trout Release Day
MCAP Meeting
4/16-4/20 - April Vacation
4/24-4/25 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
4/24 - Blake GSA Meeting
4/26-4/27 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
4/27 - Day of Silence
4/30 - MCAS Make-Ups
5/1-5/2 - 8th Grade Math MCAS
5/1 - Blake GSA Meeting
SEL Task Force (3:30 p.m.)

Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about sharing one's learning, our topic/question of the week is:  What is something you have learned lately that you would like to share with others? Sharing Learning (Week of 4/8/18)  (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Term 2 Report Cards
All outstanding report card signature sheets should be turned into advisors.

Digital Learning Day for Blake and Medfield Staff - 4/10/18
Next Tuesday, April 10 is Digital Learning Day for the staff of the Medfield Public Schools. I encourage you to begin checking out the hashtag #DLDMedfield and to look for more information to stay current with the Blake and Medfield tweeters.  Some of our Blake students will be helping out throughout the day as well. We are excited about this opportunity to learn from one another and expand our understandings of technology integration as we continue to work towards our mission for our students and school.

Movie Matinee - 4/12/18
On Thursday April 12th, the Community Service Club of Blake will host a movie matinee from 2:15 to 4:00 in the Blake Auditorium. The suggested donation for this event is $1. All proceeds will go directly towards the non-profit organization World Connect. Sixth grade students, for the upcoming unit on Economics, will learn about poverty, developed and eveloping countries, and the connection between a countries GDP/capita and the quality of life of its people. As part of the unit, students will learn about community driven projects sponsored by World Connect.

Zullo Student-Faculty Art Exhibit - 4/12/18
For the twenty-third year, the Zullo Gallery, in collaboration with the K-12 Visual Arts faculty of the Medfield Public Schools, is hosting its Annual Student-Faculty Art Exhibit. The Zullo Gallery offers a fantastic opportunity for a deserving student artwork to receive special notice by our community in a professional gallery setting. Approximately 60 artworks are chosen throughout the district and they will be on display alongside faculty work. The reception will take place Thursday, 4/12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  This year’s exhibit will be held from March 31st through April 22rd.
The Zullo Gallery is open every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 5 PM as well. Over the course of the exhibit, the Zullo Gallery is typically visited by hundreds of viewers, enjoying the display of our wonderful student artwork.

April is Autism Awareness Month
In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. On Friday, April 6th, Blake Middle school staff and students are invited to wear the color BLUE. We will be "Lighting it up Blue," which is a National movement in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism. In addition, each day, the morning announcements will include information to share and educate people about Autism.

7th Grade Food DriveAnnual 7th Grade Food Drive to stock the shelves at the Medfield Food Pantry!

All nonperishable items are welcome but the following are the most in demand...
Kid Friendly Cereal
Applesauce
Fruit Cups
Canned Pasta
Peanut Butter
Sweet and Salty Snacks
Make Donations in your advisory prior to April vacation.

Spring Intramurals at Blake
The 2018 Spring Intramrual Session is scheduled to start the week of April 9. The offerings will be available asap.

Blake GSA Information
To continue to the conversations started with Colby and Zach's presentation, the Blake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) will meet each Tuesday, from 2:15 - 3:00, in room 101. The GSA will provide a space for open dialogue about topics such as how to be better ally and how to make our school a safe place for LGBTQ students and families. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to contact Russ Becker (rbecker@email.medfield.net) or Amy Reynolds (areynolds@email.medfield.net) with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bird Seed Request
With spring on its way, Mr. Gow's Exploration class is in need of more black oiled sunflower seeds, suet, and hummingbird feeder juice. If interested in donating, please contact mgow@email.medfield.net.

8th Grade Trip Forms
All outstanding forms should be turned in ASAP. Forms should be completed in pen, dated and signed. If your child will need to take any medication on the trip (prescription and/or non-prescription), then his/her physician needs to review and sign the medication form. Please plan ahead and submit the medication form to your child’s physician within the next two weeks in order to get the signed form back to school by the April 3rd deadline. Please contact our school nurse, Tricia Williams, at 508-242-8554 or twillliams@email.medfield.net if you have any questions after reviewing the packet. Your assistance is appreciated in returning the forms on time as we finalize preparations for the trip.

Day of Silence - 4/27/18
Friday, April 27 is the Day of Silence, ( www.dayofsilence.org), a national day of protest regarding anti-gay language and bullying. Students and staff can participate in 2 ways: (1) taking a vow of silence, or (2) being a supporter/ally. Students take a vow of silence for the duration of the school day to raise awareness of the voices we do not hear during the day: those students who "remain silent" about their identity for fear of bullying or harassment. Some students and staff at both Medfield High School and Blake will be participating and recognizing this day.

Students taking the vow of silence will sign-up ahead of time by signing the following pledge: SILENT Pledge: I pledge to be SILENT on April 27 to show my support for the LGBTQ+ community and all of those who have been silenced over the years. I will do my best to remain silent throughout the entire school day, including in the hallways, during recess, and at lunch. I will be respectful and take this pledge seriously because I believe that all people should be treated kindly and with respect.

Students and staff may also be wearing Supporter badges and signing a pledge the morning of Friday 4/27: ALLY Pledge: I pledge to support the LGBTQ+ community on April 27 and every other day of the year. I can show my support by being a loyal friend, speaking up when I see/hear unkind behavior, avoiding using hurtful language, and encouraging others to be kind to everyone in our community. I will show respect for all people, as all people are created equally.
Helpful and Useful Resources... 'What Do You Say to 'That's So Gay'? GLSEN's website: www.glsen.org.

Mindful Mornings at Blake
Looking for a way to ease into the school day? Come to Mindful Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at 7am in the auditorium. If you come in late, please just quietly settle in. Staff and students are welcome.

School Attire Guidelines
As we transition into spring at last, it is a good time to review guidelines for school dress. These guidelines can be found in the Blake student handbook. Students have an electronic copy and one is available on the Blake website for your reference. Open dialogue, balance, and discretion are important when dealing with issues related to dress. The responsibility for student dress and attire rests with both the student and the parent/guardian. We are confident that good judgment on the part of students and parents will result in the wearing of clothing that creates an environment that is conducive to learning for all. Each student will abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness and safety at all times. In accordance with our expectations for school dress, students are required to wear clothing that does not show the 4 B's: boxers, breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students not to wear hats, short shorts, midriff shirts, off the shoulder shirts, or clothing that displays obscene language, violence, lewd or vulgar pictures, alcohol or drug references, sexual innuendoes, racial/ethnic/religiously offensive materials, or any graphic that may interfere with the educational process. If clothing is deemed inappropriate for school, the parents/guardians will be contacted. We encourage students to consult their parents if they are concerned about an item of clothing that they  may be considering wearing to school.

MCAS Dates for Spring 2018
Below are the administration dates for the MCAS at Blake...
Grade 6
ELA (4/26, 4/27)
Math (5/3, 5/4)

Grade 7
ELA (4/24, 4/25)
Math (5/14, 5/15)

Grade 8
ELA (4/11, 4/12)
Math (5/1, 5/2)
Sci/Tech/Eng (5/7, 5/8)

May Dance for 7th/8th Grade
The final dance of the year is on Friday, May 18th. A reminder that all students who wish to attend the dance should have submitted a dance contract. The time of the dance is from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Blake gym. A reminder that there are not cell phones or water bottles allowed in the gym. Students will have access to the water fountain, and there is a designated cell phone area. Additionally, students may leave early only if a pre-arranged parent or guardian picks the student up in person.

MCAS Information
As we are now close to 'MCAS season', the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education asks that we review our expectations with students prior to testing. English teachers will be reviewing student responsibilities in English classes in the weeks ahead. I have posted the Student Responsibilities during Testing sheet that will be reviewed with students during the week in their classes. I would like to call your attention to the updated guidelines with regard to electronics (iPods, iPhones, iPads, phones, Apple Watches, all types of Kindles, Nooks, and e-readers). The DESE states: "Results will be invalidated for students who use cell phones or other electronic devices at any time during a session, including after a student turns in his or her test materials, during a break, or during the transition to a test completion area." Blake students will be instructed to turn off all devices and place them in their locked hallway locker. This is a good time to check in with your child to be sure that they still have a combination lock on their locker and that they are using it to secure their belongings. Please review this aspect of digital responsibility with your child.

While we do not want to foster undue anxiety or pressure for students, a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast will ensure that they come to school prepared to do their best. Please be sure that students arrive at school on time. Arrival by 7:30 allows plenty of time to get settled. If your student is sick on the day of a scheduled test date, it is best for your child to get some rest and take it on a make-up day. Make up tests will be given throughout the testing window. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell (kcampbell@email.medfield.net) or your child's guidance counselor.

Parking
This is a general reminder to all parents to be sure to follow the parking regulations in the parking lots and around the 'flagpole circle'. When dropping off or picking up students, vehicles should not be parked ('stationary' or 'live') in the fire zone. We need to make sure that we are providing a safe environment at all times for our students and community. Thank you for your cooperation.

For Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians
For your reference, I have copied the link to the presentations, parent resources handout, and program of studies...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2018 Presentation
Blake Nature's Classroom Spring 2018 Slideshow
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2018-2019
Blake Program of Studies 2018-2019

Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection
2018-2019 Blake Middle School World Language Selection

Music Ensemble Selection - All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form...
2018-2019 Blake Middle School Music Selection

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 Blake Middle School Executive Summary 16-17 of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. This year's survey will be sent out in the near future - stay tuned!

Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.

Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at kcampbell@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for New Life's 5K Fundraising Run/Walk
Do you LOVE the Angel Run? Then we think you’re going to LOVE New Life Furniture Bank’s "1st Annual New Life 5k Trail Run". This fundraising event will be held at 9:00 am on Saturday, May 5th at the scenic Medfield State Hospital grounds. The New Life 5k Trail Run is open to the public, and all ages are encouraged to run, jog or walk in this family event not to be missed! Registration is open! There are only 40 free t-shirts left! To register or for additional information, go to newlifefb.org. ON-LINE REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 3RD.

Please see the message below from the Blake PTO with an update regarding the annual appeal. Thank you for your support!
EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 30th!!!!
2018 Blake Annual Appeal
We don’t want to sell wrapping paper and other knick-knacks that no one needs or wants anymore!
All you have to do is write one fundraising check for the whole year and you are DONE!
We have reached 22% of our $30,000 goal.
WE NEED YOUR HELP so we can continuing funding enrichment programs & future initiatives for the 2018-19 school year.
We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the DONATE button or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO.  Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

Update from Blake PTO
2018 Blake Annual Appeal EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 30th!!!! We don’t want to sell wrapping paper and other knick-knacks that no one needs or wants anymore! All you have to do is write one fundraising check for the whole year and you are DONE! We have reached 34% of our $30,000 goal.

WE NEED YOUR HELP so we can continuing funding enrichment programs & future initiatives. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen claudianrosen@gmail.com or Keven Gallagher kevengallagher@yahoo.com with any questions.

Update from MCPE
The MCPE is currently accepting nominations for the Robert C. Maguire "Global Perspectives in Education" Award. This award is given annually to a staff member who inspires students to look beyond the town of Medfield and expand their horizons. Learning about the global community could include efforts in world history, politics, science, technology, literature, mathematics, economics, sociology, anthropology and more. If your child has been enriched by such a teacher, please visit our website www.medfieldcoalition.org to complete the nomination form. Deadline for submissions is April 27.

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