Nat Vaughn, Blake Principal

Week of 6/7/22-6/13/22

6/9/2022

Upcoming Dates
6/13 - Eagles Bike Trip
6/14 - Stars Bike Trip
6/15 - Bike Trip - Rain Date
          Blake Student Council Meeting
          8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m. (see info below)
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - Juneteenth - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
      Half-Day of School
6/22 - Happy Summer!

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about taking the time to pause and reflect, our question of the week is: What have you learned about yourself this year? Allowing Time to Pause (Week of 6/5/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

8th Grade Boston Field Trip - Important Ticket Info
We are looking forward to our field trip with the 8th grade students to Boston on Thursday, June 16. All tickets for the Red Sox game at Fenway Park will be 'digital tickets' and tickets are sent and received through the MLB Ballpark App. The tickets are for entry and 'meal voucher' during the game.

In order for our students to attain their tickets, the app will need to be downloaded on a personal smartphone via a home (non Medfield school) e-mail account. For students who do not have a personal smartphone or if a family is not comfortable downloading this app, we will have a plan for students to enter the park with one of the chaperones. Please take a few minutes to complete the Google Form below...
Red Sox Ticket App Permission Form (June, 2022)
We are asking all families to complete this form by Friday, June 10.

8th Grade Closing Ceremony Update
Our 8th grade Closing Ceremony is scheduled for next Wednesday, 6/15 at 6:00 p.m. on the baseball field.

All students should arrive by 5:45 p.m. so that we can start promptly at 6:00 p.m. When students arrive they should head directly to their seats on the baseball field (students will be sitting by advisory in alphabetical order). Students should not be entering the building before heading to their seats on the field.
All students should enter the baseball field by the 'dugout entrance', near home plate.
Families are welcome and we ask that all guests bring lawn chairs/blankets for seating in the outfield. We will have a limited number of chairs for our guests or those who may need some accommodated seating.
We ask that students and families do not bring any food on to the field, and that only water be brought for beverages.
All families and guests should enter the baseball field by the outfield entrance.
Students typically like to dress up a bit but cool, comfortable clothing makes sense and is appropriate -- collared shirts and nice shorts, dresses, or pants are common choices. Both students and families should dress for a potentially warm evening.
In accordance with the COVID-19 parameters, masks are not required for students and families while outside on school grounds.
If the weather turns and we are unable to hold the ceremony outside, it will take place in the Blake Middle School gymnasium.

We are looking forward to celebrating and recognizing our 8th graders as they finish their years at Blake. The safety and well-being of our students is and will remain to be our top priority, and we will communicate any/all updated safety parameters as we get closer to the ceremony. Let's all hope that the weather forecast is accurate and we get a cool and dry evening!

Request for Lawn Games - thanks!
We are busy planning activities to celebrate the end of another year at Blake. To help make the festivities more fun we are asking families and staff to loan lawn games (cornhole, Wiffle Ball, ladder golf, etc.) and pop up canopies for the 8th grade cookout on June 17th.
Please clearly label anything you lend and bring them to the Blake Main Office during the week of June 13th. You can pick things up at the close of school on June 17. We will do our best to ensure your property is returned in the same condition as when you drop it off.

MICCA Festival Update - Congratulations!
The 7th & 8th grade band, chorus, orchestra, jazz ensemble and jazz choir joined together for Blake's 19th annual music trip to Six Flags this past Friday, June 3.
School music groups from all over New England participated in the Great East Music Festival hosted by various schools across Massachusetts.
Approximately 150 Blake students performed at Springfield Central High School early Friday morning before traveling to Six Flags New England in Agawam. The performances were adjudicated by veteran music
educators who also led each of the ensembles in a short clinic. All of the BMS music ensembles gave outstanding performances! The Orchestra earned a Gold rating! The Band, Chorus, Jazz Band and Jazz Choir each earned a Platinum rating!
We had a great day at the park. Thank you to all of the teachers and parents who chaperoned. Congratulations to all of our music students!

Rainbow Pride Spirit Day - 6/10/22
The Blake GSA and Student Council are sponsoring a Rainbow Pride Spirit Day this Friday, June 10th in honor of Pride Month. Students are encouraged to show their pride or support for the LGBTQ+ community by wearing rainbow or Pride colors.

Blake Battles Bias - Advisory Visits
During the week of June 6th, in 6th grade advisories, student leaders from Blake Battles Bias will be leading an "iceberg" activity around identity. The activity aims to explore aspects of identity and to help students gain an appreciation of what they have in common with each other and what also makes them unique. Students always have the option to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with and advisory teachers will be supporting the activity as well. The link to the slideshow that students will be presenting is included here

Cluster/Advisory Placement Info for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families at the end of the school day via e-mail on Thursday, June 16. E-mails will be sent directly to both students and parents/guardians. Please know that clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.

Transition Day for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Transition Day will be taking place Friday, June 17 and that morning students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events.

8th Grade Bike Trip
This year the 8th graders will again have the opportunity to participate in the annual Bike Trip. The students will bring a bike and helmet to school and travel by cluster in either the morning or the afternoon on a scenic historical tour of our hometown of Medfield. Students depart from Blake Middle School and will be accompanied by their teachers and other staff volunteers. Each leg of the trip is approximately 3 miles and the pace of the trip is very manageable. At each stop along the route, students will hear about historical events from the past that have impacted the town and its surroundings.

Blake Summer Reading Info
The Blake summer reading website is live... Click here for all details! Email Kerry Cowell/ Beth Sancher with any questions :)

STEM Summer Opportunities
Here are some opportunities for students - check them out!
Stem summer opportunities/websites

Blake’s Feedback Sessions - Follow Up Information
As a follow-up to last week's Feedback Information Session, below please find links to relevant information, including the feedback website, webinar recordings, and a copy of the slide deck. On Tuesday, May 17 we will be holding grade level assemblies with our students to share information about the adaptations taking place for the Term 3 report cards.

Blake's Student Feedback and Family Information Portal
A dedicated website has been created to provide families with information about our feedback system and provide additional resources including a FAQ document, relevant research, recordings/slide decks, and more.

Webinar Presentation Recordings
There are two links below (Part 1 and Part 2) for the recordings...
Part 1…
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/gjwCLCnWyCKxvXjfIop9QpJo5H40HHaJ3R7PXuMe4G8ruzf9LAImnoerPPSvHeAs.qXz-mpSs6q2VYntQ
Passcode: Y0wT!rM3

Part 2...
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/vSBgdYoN5GNDdGLK2lFNzHtcPojbZ2fKMWPzM9ZFVNpZqpTkHvpozzbsLxqqVs_4.sLBc8FW_yzGjtEjj?startTime=1652309864000
Passcode: ^89?N6ml

Blake's Feedback Information Session Presentation (5/11/22)

Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net. Please include the following information:

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

2022 JUNIOR WARRIOR FOOTBALL ACADEMY REGISTRATION
Registration for Summer 2022 Warrior Football Academy. LOCATION: 88R South Street, Medfield, MA 02052. DATES: JUNE 22nd, 23rd, 24th.
6-8:30PM on the MHS TURF FIELD.
2022 JUNIOR WARRIOR FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 5/31/22-6/6/22

6/2/2022

Upcoming Dates
5/31-6/3 - Blake Art Show
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Student Council Meeting
         Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - Blake Battles Bias Meeting
        DEI Task Force Meeting
6/8 - Blake Student Council Meeting
6/15 - Blake Student Council Meeting
          8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
      Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we each can help foster a supportive, caring, and inclusive community, our question of the week is: What can you do to help our community be supportive and inclusive? Be specific. Supporting One Another (Week of 5/29/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

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

Memorial Day Presentations
In honor of Memorial Day, the sixth grade students welcomed Medfield resident and family historian, Jonathan Gray. After a two year hiatus, Jonathan came to Blake more enthusiastic than ever before. Despite some technology glitches, Jonathan once again portrayed his father as he told the story about Richard Gray's time spent as a POW in WWII. Teachers and staff were incredibly proud of the students for providing Jonathan with their full attention and respect. On behalf of the sixth grade at TA Blake Middle School, we thank Jonathan for sharing with us a piece of family history.

On Friday May 27th, the 7th grade listens to a presentation during advisory about Memorial Day. Students learned about Kyle Van de Giesen, a Marine helicopter pilot from North Attleboro who lost his life serving in Afghanistan in 2009. Students also learned about the 13 Medfield residents who have served between World War I and present day who also made the ultimate sacrifice in their service. These 13 Medfield residents all have either streets or squares named after them with commemorative plaques describing their lives. Be sure to ask your 7th grader about their locations the next time you drive through town.

Blake’s Art Show - 5/31-6/3
Blake Middle School will be hosting its 2022 Art Show from Tuesday, May 31st until Friday, June 3rd. This art show showcases the variety of creative perspectives from students of grades 6 through 8 and applauds risks taken, mistakes made and a deeper appreciation of the arts earned through an immersive art making experience. In other words, the students did a phenomenal job this year and we, the Blake Middle School art department, are proud and excited to share their work with the community of Medfield.

Information About Festival of Hope
Last week students participated in a "Festival of Hope" to raise money for humanitarian aid and celebrate Ukrainian culture. They had the opportunity to make bracelets, write their names in Ukrainian, plant sunflower seeds, weave, craft a vinok, and more. Thank you to everyone who helped! It was great to see the school come together!

Blake Battles Bias - Advisory Visits
During the week of June 6th, in 6th grade advisories, student leaders from Blake Battles Bias will be leading an "iceberg" activity around identity. The activity aims to explore aspects of identity and to help students gain an appreciation of what they have in common with each other and what also makes them unique. Students always have the option to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with and advisory teachers will be supporting the activity as well. The link to the slideshow that students will be presenting is included here

Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Workshops/Presentations
This week we continued our work, discussing and sharing ways to foster a safe learning environment for our community, specifically our LGBTQ+ youth and families. I encourage you to check out the links below for more information/resources...
Why Is This Work Important?
LGBTQ+ Resource Document for Families
Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Communication - 5/25/22

Our direct work has been taking place this week, with a workshop model by cluster and advisory. The outline for this work is as follows...
Student Presentations

Stand up/sit down icebreaker
Why we're here – to build respect & empathy
Landon's story
Terminology - definitions of LGBTQ+ and Ally
How to be an Ally
Q&A

Advisory
Advisors will use the following discussion questions:

Why is it important to make our school a safe and respectful environment for LGBTQ+ students?
What can Blake do to make sure our school is welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ students and families?
What can you do and what can teachers do to be allies to LGBTQ+ students?

Optional Art project - create a sign that could be hung up at Blake that lets people know that this is a welcoming school for LGBTQ students & families.

The primary goal at Blake is to establish an emotionally and physically safe and healthy learning environment for all of our students. Our core values at Blake help guide our work, and we must continue to remind and assure our students that we want Blake to be a safe school for all students and adults and our efforts and expectations remain steadfast to both welcome and embrace all learners. We are continually striving towards a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, regardless of one's race, color, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, or ethnicity. As such, we continue to live by these three principles:

Every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
We are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
We must always be present and continue to be here for one another.

It is our belief and hope that this work will help to broaden our community’s (students, staff, and greater community) definition and understanding of acceptance and diversity to establish a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all. We are excited about this work and look forward to enhancing the Blake culture of support and acceptance for our community.

Cluster/Advisory Placement Info for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families at the end of the school day via e-mail on Wednesday, June 15. E-mails will be sent directly to both students and parents/guardians. Please know that clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.

Transition Day for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Transition Day will be taking place Friday, June 17 and that morning students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events.

8th Grade Bike Trip
This year the 8th graders will again have the opportunity to participate in the annual Bike Trip. The students will bring a bike and helmet to school and travel by cluster in either the morning or the afternoon on a scenic historical tour of our hometown of Medfield. Students depart from Blake Middle School and will be accompanied by their teachers and other staff volunteers. Each leg of the trip is approximately 3 miles and the pace of the trip is very manageable. At each stop along the route, students will hear about historical events from the past that have impacted the town and its surroundings. The dates for the trip are as follows: Stripes 6/6, Stars 6/8, Eagles 6/9, Rain Date 6/10.

Blake Summer Reading Info
The Blake summer reading website is live... Click here for all details! Email Kerry Cowell/ Beth Sancher with any questions :)

STEM Summer Opportunities
Here are some opportunities for students - check them out!
Stem summer opportunities/websites

Blake’s Feedback Sessions - Follow Up Information
As a follow-up to last week's Feedback Information Session, below please find links to relevant information, including the feedback website, webinar recordings, and a copy of the slide deck. On Tuesday, May 17 we will be holding grade level assemblies with our students to share information about the adaptations taking place for the Term 3 report cards.

Blake's Student Feedback and Family Information Portal
A dedicated website has been created to provide families with information about our feedback system and provide additional resources including a FAQ document, relevant research, recordings/slide decks, and more.

Webinar Presentation Recordings
There are two links below (Part 1 and Part 2) for the recordings...
Part 1…
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/gjwCLCnWyCKxvXjfIop9QpJo5H40HHaJ3R7PXuMe4G8ruzf9LAImnoerPPSvHeAs.qXz-mpSs6q2VYntQ
Passcode: Y0wT!rM3

Part 2...
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/vSBgdYoN5GNDdGLK2lFNzHtcPojbZ2fKMWPzM9ZFVNpZqpTkHvpozzbsLxqqVs_4.sLBc8FW_yzGjtEjj?startTime=1652309864000
Passcode: ^89?N6ml

Blake's Feedback Information Session Presentation (5/11/22)

Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net. Please include the following information:

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 5/24/22-5/30/22

5/24/2022

Upcoming Dates
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
          Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Presentation - 6:30 p.m.
          (see info below)
5/31-6/3 - Blake Art Show
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
   Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about reflection by asking questions, including ‘big picture’ questions, our question of the week is: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? And, why? Questioning for Reflection (Week of 5/22/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Fostering A Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment for Our Students and Community - Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for an introductory parent/community presentation and discussion with Colby Swettberg, Landon Callahan, and Blake educators as we continue to discuss how to best foster a safe learning environment for our community. As outlined below, this event will help lay the foundation for the upcoming work we will be doing with our students, staff, and the greater community to assure an inclusive atmosphere of respect, acceptance, and understanding. It is an opportunity for parents and community members to learn more about this endeavor and get answers to questions that exist. The evening will include:

Sharing of vocabulary, terminology, and legal updates/implications for schools
Panel discussion of educators, parents, and mental health providers
Outline future programming for Blake students (see timeline below)
Question and answer forum

Colby is no stranger to the Medfield Public Schools. In May, 2016 the entire Blake staff participated in a half-day workshop with Colby Swettberg, a consultant who presented on the topic of Working Effectively With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LBGTQ) Youth. Colby had previously presented at Medfield High School in December 2015 and presented to the elementary school staff in February 2017. In the spring of 2017, Colby worked closely with the Blake staff and community to provide a similar structure of learning for students, families, and the community. As a staff, we have discussed how we can carry forth this work for our students and believe that continuing to work with students, parents, and staff to provide ongoing support is a critical step. In an effort to be consistent and have shared language and experiences, we have worked closely with Colby and Landon to develop a program for all of our students as outlined below. Landon works with the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students through the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We look forward to the important and meaningful work that lies ahead. These workshops were originally scheduled for March 2020, but were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

5/24 - Blake Staff Meeting - Workshop with Colby Swettberg and Landon Callahan
5/25 - Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Presentation via Zoom (see outline above)
** Families will be able to access the information via a Zoom webinar format (details will be sent in advance of the session to all who sign up via the Google Form).
5/31, 6/1, 6/2 - Work and Presentations with Blake students in Cluster and Advisories focused on fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all of our students at Blake

We are continually striving towards a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, regardless of one's race, color, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, or ethnicity. As such, we continue to live by these three principles that reflect our core values:

Every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
We are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
We must always be present and continue to be here for one another.

We are excited about this work and look forward to bringing these important conversations to our Blake Community. Please click this link to RSVP for our evening presentation:
Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Parent/Community Evening (5/25/22)

Colby Swettberg's Bio...
Colby Swettberg (they/them) earned a Masters degree in Education at Harvard's Graduate School of Education with a focus on LGBTQ issues. Colby is a former high school English teacher who started the first gay-straight alliance in the district where Swettberg taught. Colby later went on to help start Waltham House, the first co-ed group home for LGBTQ youth in the country. The Massachusetts Department of Children & Families hired Colby and a team of trainers to conduct LGBTQ sensitivity training for over two thousand social workers in the Commonwealth. This training initiative set a national precedent which Colby has helped other states to replicate. As Colby’s professional focus gravitated toward child welfare, Swettberg returned to graduate school to complete a Master of Social Work and has continued to work with systems involving young people for nearly 20 years.

Landon Callahan's Bio...
Landon Callahan graduated from Fitchburg State University in 2021 with a BS in professional communications and a minor in political science. He is a public speaker and advocate for transgender rights. His public speaking experiences include guest lecturing at Harvard Law School and Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has been involved in creating guidance and policy at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as it relates to transgender student rights. He has also helped develop model curriculum units for History, English, and Health classes at the elementary, middle, and high school level.

Term 3 Family Outreach Period
Below please find links to letters from the each grade level team with mid-term messages along with the information about Term 3's Family Outreach Period. If you have any questions about your student's progress, please contact their guidance counselor or teachers directly.
Grade 6 - Term 3 Family Outreach Updates (May, 2022)
Grade 7 - Term 3 Family Outreach Updates (May, 2022)
Grade 8 - Term 3 Family Outreach Updates (May, 2022)

Blake’s Art Show - 5/31-6/3
Blake Middle School will be hosting its 2022 Art Show from Tuesday, May 31st until Friday, June 3rd with a reception on Tuesday, May 31st from 5-6:30 p.m. This art show showcases the variety of creative perspectives from students of grades 6 through 8 and applauds risks taken, mistakes made and a deeper appreciation of the arts earned through an immersive art making experience. In other words, the students did a phenomenal job this year and we, the Blake Middle School art department, are proud and excited to share their work with the community of Medfield.

Information About Festival of Hope
Next week students will take part in our at-school Festival of Hope. Activities will include making a bracelet, designing a traditional Vinok (flower headpiece), entering a raffle, observing cossack dancing, listening to traditional music, writing their name in a new language, planting sunflowers, and learning about culture. As part of this endeavor, donations are being collected throughout the week to support humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Students may bring any donation directly to their Advisory teacher throughout the week. Please know that these donations are not required. If you have any questions, please reach out to Nate Walkowicz (nwalkowicz@email.medfield.net).

Blake Battles Bias - Advisory Visits
In early June, in 6th grade advisories, student leaders from Blake Battles Bias will be leading an "iceberg" activity around identity. The activity aims to explore aspects of identity and to help students gain an appreciation of what they have in common with each other and what also makes them unique. Students always have the option to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with and advisory teachers will be supporting the activity as well. The link to the slideshow that students will be presenting is included here

Blake Summer Reading Info
The Blake summer reading website is live... Click here for all details! Email Kerry Cowell/ Beth Sancher with any questions :)

Memorial Day Presentation for 6th Graders
Jonathan Gray will be presenting his father's POW story to our sixth grade students on Friday May 27th. His compelling story and portrayal of his father is captivating. The presentation is in honor of Memorial Day.

Blake’s Feedback Sessions - Follow Up Information
As a follow-up to last week's Feedback Information Session, below please find links to relevant information, including the feedback website, webinar recordings, and a copy of the slide deck. On Tuesday, May 17 we will be holding grade level assemblies with our students to share information about the adaptations taking place for the Term 3 report cards.

Blake's Student Feedback and Family Information Portal
A dedicated website has been created to provide families with information about our feedback system and provide additional resources including a FAQ document, relevant research, recordings/slide decks, and more.

Webinar Presentation Recordings
There are two links below (Part 1 and Part 2) for the recordings...
Part 1…
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/gjwCLCnWyCKxvXjfIop9QpJo5H40HHaJ3R7PXuMe4G8ruzf9LAImnoerPPSvHeAs.qXz-mpSs6q2VYntQ
Passcode: Y0wT!rM3

Part 2...
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/vSBgdYoN5GNDdGLK2lFNzHtcPojbZ2fKMWPzM9ZFVNpZqpTkHvpozzbsLxqqVs_4.sLBc8FW_yzGjtEjj?startTime=1652309864000
Passcode: ^89?N6ml

Blake's Feedback Information Session Presentation (5/11/22)

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 31 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on Tuesday, May 31. 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.

Medfield Moves for Mental Health
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Register for the Medfield Moves for Mental Health initiative, a virtual campaign to promote movement and wellness during the month of May. Register here: buff.ly/3rUnjir

All Night Grade Party
This year's ANGP takes place on Sunday night, June 5th at 9:00 p.m. and goes until Monday morning, June 6th at 5:00 a.m.
It takes a village to make this night a success. We need almost 200 volunteers throughout the course of the night. As you know, family members of the Medfield Class of 2022 students cannot volunteer. That is why we are reaching out to the entire Medfield community to help. It is a fun experience you won’t want to miss.
Please sign up for shifts below. We will send you an email one week prior to the ANGP with all the details that you will need.
Please post or pass this sign-up along to friends.
ANGP Chaperone & Volunteer Sign-Up Genius

Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net. Please include the following information:

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 5/17/22-5/23/22

5/18/2022

Upcoming Dates
5/20 - 8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/23 - Blake Battles Bias
          DEI Task Force Meeting
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
          Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Presentation - 6:30 p.m.
          (see info below)
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
   Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about learning with a focus on progress and moving forward, our question of the week is: What skills do you see as your strengths? What skills would you like to improve? Learning Forward (Week of 5/15/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Term 3 Family Outreach Period - 5/16-5/20
This week (5/16-5/20) is the Term 3 Family Outreach week for Blake Middle School. During this week, teachers will send an e-mail to families to notify them if their student is consistently not meeting the standard in an area OR if they do not have sufficient data to assess their student at that point in the term due to absence or missing work. If students are meeting the standards, families will not receive an e-mail from teachers. Please know that you may reach out to teachers or your child's guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns about their progress.

Blake’s Feedback Sessions - Follow Up Information
As a follow-up to last week's Feedback Information Session, below please find links to relevant information, including the feedback website, webinar recordings, and a copy of the slide deck. On Tuesday, May 17 we will be holding grade level assemblies with our students to share information about the adaptations taking place for the Term 3 report cards.

Blake's Student Feedback and Family Information Portal
A dedicated website has been created to provide families with information about our feedback system and provide additional resources including a FAQ document, relevant research, recordings/slide decks, and more.

Webinar Presentation Recordings
There are two links below (Part 1 and Part 2) for the recordings...
Part 1…
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/gjwCLCnWyCKxvXjfIop9QpJo5H40HHaJ3R7PXuMe4G8ruzf9LAImnoerPPSvHeAs.qXz-mpSs6q2VYntQ
Passcode: Y0wT!rM3

Part 2...
https://medfield-net.zoom.us/rec/share/vSBgdYoN5GNDdGLK2lFNzHtcPojbZ2fKMWPzM9ZFVNpZqpTkHvpozzbsLxqqVs_4.sLBc8FW_yzGjtEjj?startTime=1652309864000
Passcode: ^89?N6ml

Blake's Feedback Information Session Presentation (5/11/22)

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 31 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on Tuesday, May 31. 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.

Career Day Thanks
Our 8th Grade Career Day was a great success. Thanks to all of our guest speakers for our students: Alex Richardson, Kurt Hudson, Chelle Manganello, Kim Brennan, Bassim Ibrahim, Hannah Doctoroff, Gayle Manning, Jodi Bills, Krista Becker, Meaghan Cloutman, Kerry Gibson, Hugh Devlin, Kristin George, and Alec Stevens. Special thanks to Matt Marenghi and Debbie Avery for their creative planning and providing a meaningful experience for our students!

Fostering A Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment for Our Students and Community - Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for an introductory parent/community presentation and discussion with Colby Swettberg, Landon Callahan, and Blake educators as we continue to discuss how to best foster a safe learning environment for our community. As outlined below, this event will help lay the foundation for the upcoming work we will be doing with our students, staff, and the greater community to assure an inclusive atmosphere of respect, acceptance, and understanding. It is an opportunity for parents and community members to learn more about this endeavor and get answers to questions that exist. The evening will include:

Sharing of vocabulary, terminology, and legal updates/implications for schools
Panel discussion of educators, parents, and mental health providers
Outline future programming for Blake students (see timeline below)
Question and answer forum

Every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
We are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
We must always be present and continue to be here for one another.

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Webinars of Interest
Supporting Social-Emotional Regulation at the End of the Year
Monday, 5/23 10:30-12:00 p.m.
Supporting social-emotional regulation requires balancing consistency and predictability with flexibility and adaptability. As the end of the school year approaches, educators can and should plan proactively to support students’ social-emotional regulation through the predictable moments of dysregulation that the end of the school year brings. This free 90-minute virtual workshop will support leaders to reflect on predictable and consistent structures and systems that are already in place across the school or district, while also exploring opportunities for flexible and adaptive interventions. These strategies are compatible with any social-emotional curricula and for any grade level. Come prepared to participate and:

Learn about the importance of balancing consistent and predictable interventions with flexibility and adaptability to student needs, particularly as the end of the school year approaches;
Explore intervention strategies, both proactive and responsive, to add to your toolkit/menu of options;
Learn with and from peers; and,
Leave with an actionable next step.

Note: This workshop was previously offered in March 2022. Some adjustments have been made to target the end of the school year.
Facilitated by:
Lindsey Minder, MS, CCLS, works with educators, school leaders, and partner organizations to create holistic educational experiences at the classroom, school, and system level. After over a decade in the classroom, she has deep experience and expertise in supporting students’ holistic growth, as well as, a strong commitment to the social-emotional development and well-being of educators. She currently collaborates with school leaders across the country seeking trauma-informed, equitable and inclusive ways to integrate social-emotional learning into all elements of their school models. Lindsey is dual certified in Elementary and Special Education, holds a BA in Psychology from Marist College, a Masters Degree in Child and Family Studies from Wheelock College and is trained as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. Most recently Lindsey was a Lead Partner at Transforming Education. Prior to that she was a founding teacher and later became the Director of Social Emotional Learning at Codman Academy. She also taught at Dorchester Collegiate Academy and The Fayerweather Street School and was a Certified Child Life Specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center. Lindsey currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 5/10/22-5/16/22

5/10/2022

Upcoming Dates
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
          Feedback Info Session - 6:30 p.m.
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/17 - MCPE Meeting
5/20 - 8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/23 - Blake Battles Bias
          DEI Task Force Meeting
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Presentation - 6:30 p.m. (see info below)
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
   Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about what is important in our lives, our question of the week is: What are the most important things in your life? Why? What's Important (Week of 5/8/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake’s Feedback Session and Opportunity for Families
Wednesday, 5/11
SBR/Feedback Information Session - 6:30 p.m.
We plan on recording this session and families will be able to access the information via a Zoom webinar format (details will be sent in advance of the session to all who sign up via the Google Form).
** These sessions will be structured differently, but similar information will be shared, with opportunities for questions/answers.

Please RSVP via our Google Form: Blake Feedback/SBR Info Sessions - May, 2022

Overall Information
At this session, we will be taking some time to provide an update on the progress and changes that have been made to our formal systems of feedback and reporting at Blake. These adaptations address the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). The structure of feedback that is taking place this term (Term 3) is outlined below...

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and World Languages based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

** It is important to note that this letter grade does not represent a simple transposition of 4, 3, 2, 1 scale for A, B, C, and Does Not Meet Standard scale. Rather, it is a composite of your child’s progress across a subject’s priority standards.

These adaptations have been made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff. Dr. Brown and Dr. Power will be joining the sessions, and we look forward to these opportunities to share the progress taking place and answer questions.

Our hope is that these informational sessions with families will provide a structure to collaboratively support the learning process for our students. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

Fostering A Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment for Our Students and Community - Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for an introductory parent/community presentation and discussion with Colby Swettberg, Landon Callahan, and Blake educators as we continue to discuss how to best foster a safe learning environment for our community. As outlined below, this event will help lay the foundation for the upcoming work we will be doing with our students, staff, and the greater community to assure an inclusive atmosphere of respect, acceptance, and understanding. It is an opportunity for parents and community members to learn more about this endeavor and get answers to questions that exist. The evening will include:

Sharing of vocabulary, terminology, and legal updates/implications for schools
Panel discussion of educators, parents, and mental health providers
Outline future programming for Blake students (see timeline below)
Question and answer forum

Every individual at Blake (students, staff, parents, and the greater community) matters, is cared for, and is an important piece of the Blake fabric.
We are a community of learners who must 'practice what we preach'.
We must always be present and continue to be here for one another.

Medfield Moves for Mental Health
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Register for the Medfield Moves for Mental Health initiative, a virtual campaign to promote movement and wellness during the month of May. Register here: buff.ly/3rUnjir

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

MCPE Annual Meeting
The MCPE Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5/17 at the Zullo Gallery. 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.

Webinars of Interest
The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
Wednesday, 5/11 at 7 p.m.
Author/educator Jessica Lahey offers comprehensive information for parents/educators on how to prevent substance use disorder in children.
About this event
All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance use disorder. New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey helps parents, caregivers, and educators understand the roots of substance use disorder and identify who is most at risk for addiction, while offering practical steps for prevention.

"The Addiction Inoculation" provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools adults need to understand, support, and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children. The guidelines are age-appropriate and actionable—from navigating a child’s risk for addiction, to interpreting signs of early misuse, to advice for broaching difficult conversations with children.

This program is a collaboration between the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success Program and Natick 180, with support from SPARK Kindness.

Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, and lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a lot of dogs.

School Is Almost Out, Now What? Fostering Family Relationships Over the Summer
Tuesday, 5/17 at 2 p.m.
This school year has been uniquely challenging for everyone and most of us are happy to put it in our rearview mirror. As educators gear up to enjoy their much-needed and well-deserved summer break, Michael and Nita Creekmore will provide strategies for how you can end the year strong with current students' families and begin forming relationships with families of incoming students over the summer. You will also learn how to plant seeds of connection with students and families that can bloom throughout the school year.

About the Presenters
Michael Creekmore is a Professional School Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. He has served as Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor to community mental health programs and has been an independent consultant for the past 13 years.
Nita (E’Manita) Creekmore is an Instructional Coach and former Elementary School teacher. She has been in education for 18 years.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 5/3/22-5/9/22

5/5/2022

Upcoming Dates
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/6-5/8 - Blake Theater
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
        Blake Site Council - 3:15 p.m.
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
        SBR/Feedback Info Session - 6:30 p.m.
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/20 - 8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/23 - DEI Task Force Meeting
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
   Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about improvement and growth, our questions of the week is: What do teachers do that help their students improve and become better learners? Improving Learning (Week of 5/1/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake Theater Performances! (5/6-5/8)
Blake's silliest play to date starts this weekend. Performances of Stinky Cheese Man and Other Farily Stupid Tales will be Friday at 3pm (ticketed and free open dress rehearsal), Saturday at 1 pm and 7pm and Sunday at 1pm. Ticket information is available at blaketheater.weebly.com. Hope to see you there.

Blake SBR/Feedback Sessions and Opportunities for Families
Monday, 5/9
Blake Site Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/11
SBR/Feedback Information Session - 6:30 p.m.
We plan on recording this session and families will be able to access the information via a Zoom webinar format (details will be sent in advance of the session to all who sign up via the Google Form).
** These sessions will be structured differently, but similar information will be shared, with opportunities for questions/answers.

Please RSVP via our Google Form: Blake Feedback/SBR Info Sessions - May, 2022

Overall Information
At these sessions, we will be taking some time to provide an update on the progress and changes that have been made to our formal systems of feedback and reporting at Blake. These adaptations address the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). The structure of feedback that is taking place this term (Term 3) is outlined below...

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and World Languages based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

Project Teamwork Visited Blakers
Project Teamwork (Medfield High School students) visited our 7th and 8th graders this spring. Below are write-ups about their visits…
During our visit to the eighth grade advisories, we talked about what it means to be a bystander and how and when to step in when you see a situation that might be bullying. We discussed how to know when you need help from an adult to deescalate a situation and how to decide that it is best to handle it between peers. We also talked about leadership, identifying some leaders that we look up to and recognizing that everyone is a leader in some way, so we should all use that power for good.

During our seventh grade visit, we talked about differing perspectives and how just because people disagree on something, there isn’t always a right or wrong answer. Students were given prompts and got to decide whether they agreed, disagreed, or were unsure about their answer and we talked about why people chose what they did. We also worked through some scenarios, like students making rude jokes or excluding others, and talked about how everyone would react in that situation.

Working Warriors - Towel Drive!
We are the Working Warriors and are doing a community service project for the New Life Furniture Bank, a non- profit organization that offers gently used furniture and household items to people who are coming out of homelessness.

New Life is in desperate need of towels, so we are holding a Towel Drive for two weeks. We are asking if you could please donate gently used towels to our cause. The towels can be washcloths, hand towels, or bath towels that are NOT stained or torn. Unfortunately, we cannot take beach towels.

There will be a bin outside of the main entrance of the school to put the towels. Thank you! We appreciate your help!

MCAS Dates for Blake Students - Spring 2022
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Jazz Night Info!
Jazz Night is Back! Join us on Friday, May 6th at 7p to listen to the cool sounds of Alex Lee-Clark on trumpet. Medfield High Schools' Jazz Band, Ensemble and Choir along with the Blake Middle School Junior Jazz Choir and Junior Jazz Band will be joining Alex on stage at the MHS Lowell Mason Auditorium. It's going to be a great night. Get your tickets today at http://www.medfieldmusicassociation.com

For 8th Grade Families - from Blake PTO
Congratulations to you and your soon-to-be graduate of the Thomas Blake Middle School! To highlight their accomplishment, the Blake PTO is selling yard signs for $10. The deadline to order is next Wednesday, May 9. Click HERE to order or reach out to Carrie Quinlan (cquinlan2@gmail.com) with questions.

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

MCPE Annual Meeting
The MCPE Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5/17 at the Zullo Gallery. 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.

Webinars of Interest
The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
Wednesday, 5/11 at 7 p.m.
Author/educator Jessica Lahey offers comprehensive information for parents/educators on how to prevent substance use disorder in children.
About this event
All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance use disorder. New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey helps parents, caregivers, and educators understand the roots of substance use disorder and identify who is most at risk for addiction, while offering practical steps for prevention.

"The Addiction Inoculation" provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools adults need to understand, support, and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children. The guidelines are age-appropriate and actionable—from navigating a child’s risk for addiction, to interpreting signs of early misuse, to advice for broaching difficult conversations with children.

This program is a collaboration between the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success Program and Natick 180, with support from SPARK Kindness.

Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, and lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a lot of dogs.

School Is Almost Out, Now What? Fostering Family Relationships Over the Summer
Tuesday, 5/17 at 2 p.m.
This school year has been uniquely challenging for everyone and most of us are happy to put it in our rearview mirror. As educators gear up to enjoy their much-needed and well-deserved summer break, Michael and Nita Creekmore will provide strategies for how you can end the year strong with current students' families and begin forming relationships with families of incoming students over the summer. You will also learn how to plant seeds of connection with students and families that can bloom throughout the school year.

About the Presenters
Michael Creekmore is a Professional School Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. He has served as Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor to community mental health programs and has been an independent consultant for the past 13 years.
Nita (E’Manita) Creekmore is an Instructional Coach and former Elementary School teacher. She has been in education for 18 years.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 4/26/22-5/2/22

4/27/2022

Upcoming Dates
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
          Blake Student Council Mtg
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
          Blake GSA
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
        Blake Site Council - 3:15 p.m.
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
        SBR/Feedback Info Session - 6:30 p.m.
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/20 - 8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/23 - DEI Task Force Meeting
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
   Half-Day of School

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about our hopes and the ways we want to grow as learners, our questions of the week are: What are your hopes for the end of this school year? How do you want to grow as a learner? Hope and Growth (Week of 4/24/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake SBR/Feedback Sessions and Opportunities for Families
Monday, 5/9
Blake Site Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/11
SBR/Feedback Information Session - 6:30 p.m.
We plan on recording this session and families will be able to access the information via a Zoom webinar format (details will be sent in advance of the session to all who sign up via the Google Form).
** These sessions will be structured differently, but similar information will be shared, with opportunities for questions/answers.

Please RSVP via our Google Form: Blake Feedback/SBR Info Sessions - May, 2022

Overall Information
At these sessions, we will be taking some time to provide an update on the progress and changes that have been made to our formal systems of feedback and reporting at Blake. These adaptations address the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). The structure of feedback that is taking place this term (Term 3) is outlined below...

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and World Languages based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

MCAS Dates for Blake Students - Spring 2022
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Medfield Moves for Mental Health
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Register for the Medfield Moves for Mental Health initiative, a virtual campaign to promote movement and wellness during the month of May. Register here: buff.ly/3rUnjir

World Language Form for All Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form

Music Ensemble Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form

Empty Bowls
You didn't get a chance to participate in our Empty Bowls Workshop? There is still time to sign up and support the Food Cupboard. Come to the Empty Bowls Dinner! Choose a handmade bowl at dinner, fill it with delicious soup donated by local restaurants, and take your bowl home with you!
Empty Bowls Dinner 2022 will be served on 5/12 at 6-8 in the HS Cafe. INFO

Follow Up from Incoming 6th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentations and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023

Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)

Putting for Patients
On Saturday, April 30th from 12:00-3:00pm, Medfield High School’s Student Council is partnering with the Jimmy Fund to put on our 7th Putting for Patients event! Bring your family and friends to the MHS gym to take part in the 18 hole mini-golf course, hole-in-one contest, opportunity drawing, caricaturist, and photo booth! The link below contains all the information for the event, as well as the link to register online. If you can’t make the event but would still like to contribute, the same link doubles as our donation page. All contributions go directly to the Jimmy Fund to find a cure for cancer! We’ve raised over $29,000 through our years with the Jimmy Fund. Contact medfieldstuco@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Here is the link to more information: https://sites.google.com/view/mhsstudentcouncil/home

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach - DEA Drug Take Back Day
This Saturday, April 30th, is National DEA Drug Take Back Day! Join us by doing your part to keep your community safe and your environment healthy. Bring your unused prescription medication to the lobby of the Medfield Public Safety Building on Saturday, April 30th, between 10am and 2pm. (Brought to you by the Medfield Cares About Prevention Community Coalition and the Medfield Police Department)

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

MCPE Annual Meeting
The MCPE Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5/17 at the Zullo Gallery. 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.

Webinars of Interest
Exploring Big Ideas Through Short Documentaries
Thursday, 4/28 at 4 p.m.
In addition to the hundreds of articles published daily, The Times creates innovative visual storytelling through film and video. Times Video series, like Op-Docs, Modern Love, Diary of a Song and Conception, offer viewers an intriguing and unique perspective of the world.
Every week of the school year, we feature a short documentary film – typically under 12 minutes – published in The New York Times. These films ask students to think deeply about a variety of themes like ethics, human rights, gender identity and scientific discovery. Each Film Club begins with an essential question to help frame the lesson, followed by a set of questions to help students connect the film to their own lives.
In this webinar, editors from The Learning Network will discuss ways educators can use these short documentaries to help students develop critical thinking and visual literacy skills, make meaningful connections, tackle important topics, and deepen understanding of good storytelling. Together we will:

Walk through the components of this weekly feature.
Discuss ways to use Film Club across the curriculum.
Explore the collection of films and select ones to use in your classroom right away.

How to Move Forward During Difficult Times
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7 p.m.
With Dr. Lisa Coyne - Hosted by SPARK Kindness
Are you, your child or someone you care for feeling stuck? Psychologist and author Lisa Coyne, PhD will share actionable microskills to help you tolerate the discomfort of living through challenging times, face your fears and move forward to live a more connected and meaningful life.
Simultaneous Spanish Language and ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.

About Our Presenter
Dr. Coyne is the Founder and Senior Clinical Consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents at McLean Hospital and is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA) and is Past President of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). She is a member of the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board and is on the Faculty of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). She is also a licensed psychologist, a peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and author. She has authored multiple articles and chapters on ACT with children and adolescents and is a co-author of the books Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Clinician’s Guide for Supporting Parents (Elsevier), and The Joy of Parenting (New Harbinger). Her new books, Stuff That’s Loud: A Teen’s Guide to Unspiralling When OCD Gets Noisy (New Harbinger & Little Brown), Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway, were published in 2020.

Drug Use Is On The Rise: How To Identify The Signs In Your Child Or Loved One
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7 p.m.
This event will highlight the types of drugs that are circulating in our communities, ways to recognize the signs of drug use in your child or loved one and how to talk with your kids about drug use before it starts.
Hosted by the NWH Substance Use Services Council

The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
Wednesday, 5/11 at 7 p.m.
Author/educator Jessica Lahey offers comprehensive information for parents/educators on how to prevent substance use disorder in children.
About this event
All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance use disorder. New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey helps parents, caregivers, and educators understand the roots of substance use disorder and identify who is most at risk for addiction, while offering practical steps for prevention.

"The Addiction Inoculation" provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools adults need to understand, support, and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children. The guidelines are age-appropriate and actionable—from navigating a child’s risk for addiction, to interpreting signs of early misuse, to advice for broaching difficult conversations with children.

This program is a collaboration between the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success Program and Natick 180, with support from SPARK Kindness.

Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, and lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a lot of dogs.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Weeks of 4/12/22-4/25/22

4/13/2022

Upcoming Dates
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
   Blake Site Council Meeting
          Grade 6 Band Concert
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
          Blake Student Council
4/14 - Blake GSA
4/15 - No School
4/18-4/22 - April Vacation
4/25 - DEI Task Force Meeting
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
          Blake Student Council Mtg
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
          Blake GSA
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the things we enjoy and how we can incorporate them into our days and lives, our question of the week is: What do you enjoy most about school? Why? Finding Your Enjoyment (Week of 4/10/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

Blake Site Council Meeting -SBR Updates/Discussion
Rescheduled Date - TBD
These meetings are open and everyone is welcome to attend.

At this meeting, we will be taking some time to provide an update on the progress and changes that have been made to our formal systems of feedback and reporting at Blake. These adaptations address the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). The structure of feedback that is taking place this term (Term 3) is outlined below...

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for 'academic' classes (math, science, SS, ELA, and World Language) based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

** It is important to note that this letter grade does not represent a simple transposition of 4, 3, 2, 1 scale for A, B, C, and Does Not Meet Standard scale. Rather, it is a composite of your child’s progress across a subject’s priority standards.

These adaptations have been made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff. Dr. Brown and Dr. Power will be joining our meeting, and we look forward to this opportunity to share the progress taking place and answer questions.

Later this term we will be holding an informational session for families, in an effort to collaboratively support the learning process for our students. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

For the twenty-seventh 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 deserving student artwork to receive special notice by our community in a professional gallery setting. The show is designed to highlight student work and pieces are chosen as examples of student learning within the art curriculum.This year’s exhibit will be held from April 2nd through April 24th.
6th Graders - Mason Cotter, Annie Flippo, Allan Han and Anne Zhang
7th Graders - Cecilia Puthiaparambil, Owen Marsette and Thomas Rosa
8th Graders - Emma Birdsong, Isabella LaFrancesca, Lily Lewis, Rose McEntee, Brooke Russell and Lottie Swirbalus

The Zullo Gallery is also open every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 5 PM. Over the course of the exhibit, the Zullo Gallery is typically visited by hundreds of viewers, enjoying the display of our wonderful student artwork.

Follow Up from Incoming 6th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentations and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023

Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Dr. Tony Wagner - 7 Survival Skills
(6:42)
'Inside Out' Pixar Clip
(3:25)
A conversation with Bryan Stevenson: What role does education play in making change possible?
(2:36)
Jesse Jackson - I am Somebody
(1:25)
Creative Person - Fred Rogers
(0:39)

MCAS 2022
We are approaching that time of year again, when our statewide assessment for grades 6-8, MCAS will occur. For planning purposes, we are sharing the dates below for these assessments. It is important that students are present during the MCAS testing window.
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Putting for Patients
On Saturday, April 30th from 12:00-3:00pm, Medfield High School’s Student Council is partnering with the Jimmy Fund to put on our 7th Putting for Patients event! Bring your family and friends to the MHS gym to take part in the 18 hole mini-golf course, hole-in-one contest, opportunity drawing, caricaturist, and photo booth! The link below contains all the information for the event, as well as the link to register online. If you can’t make the event but would still like to contribute, the same link doubles as our donation page. All contributions go directly to the Jimmy Fund to find a cure for cancer! We’ve raised over $29,000 through our years with the Jimmy Fund. Contact medfieldstuco@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Here is the link to more information: https://sites.google.com/view/mhsstudentcouncil/home

Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2021-2022 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class performance, placement test scores, and teacher recommendations. For current 8th grade students, placement is determined by success in their current class level and teacher recommendation. We are very mindful during this time to consider the whole child while making these decisions. Additionally, it is important to us that parents/guardians feel they have a voice in this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. If your questions involve long-term planning for math, do not hesitate to email Jess Safer, Math Department Chair at jsafer@email.medfield.net. Thank you!

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Webinars of Interest
What School Could Be Game Changer Series: A Conversation with Mike Flanagan, D'Andre Weaver & Kedra Ishop
Thursday, 4/14 at 1:00 p.m.
The circumstances of the past two years have exposed significant challenges associated with our industrial-era education systems. Parents, educators and policymakers now recognize that "seat time," the basic construct undergirding conventional schooling, has outlived its usefulness. Instructional approaches such as mastery learning, which enable learners to develop skills and competencies at different rates, have shown enormous potential to generate more equitable learning outcomes and equip students for 21st century jobs. In this conversation, MTC's CEO Mike Flanagan and two MTC board members — USC's Kedra Ishop along with D'Andre Weaver of Digital Promise — will describe how mastery learning is a powerful strategy driving K–12 school transformation and how MTC's Mastery Transcript is helping to break new ground in college admissions practices.

About Our Guests
Mike Flanagan is the CEO of the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), a growing group of high schools creating a digital high school transcript that opens up opportunity for each and every student — from all backgrounds, locations, and types of schools — to have their unique strengths, abilities, interests, and histories fostered, understood, and celebrated.

Mike oversaw the design and development of Mastery Transcript software products, connecting with members and advisors to manage the MTC product roadmap till May, 2021. He is an experienced education technology executive, most recently having served as CEO of the Services Division at the National Association of Independent Schools, where he led a complete redesign and relaunch of their School and Student Services financial aid platforms.

D’Andre J. Weaver. Ph.D. is a native of Chicago’s South Side who understands the life-changing power of effective teachers and a quality public education. As a former public school teacher, principal, senior leader, and superintendent, D’Andre cares deeply about helping students realize their dreams. His leadership is centered around equity and access, learner-centered approaches, advancing digital equity, and organizational health. Under D’Andre’s leadership as superintendent, DeSoto ISD – a Dallas, TX-area school system –experienced a 12-point gain in the District’s state accountability rating and saw increases in student learning, student connectedness, district finances, talent management, and stakeholder engagement. He also spearheaded an ambitious community driven and learner-centered strategic plan which prioritized a whole-child/whole-family approach to education as well as an emphasis on personalization, competency-based education, and passion-driven learning. Last fall D’Andre became the inaugural Chief Digital Equity Officer of Digital Promise, who ultimately furthers the goal of improving digital equity.

Dr. Kedra Ishop is Vice President for Enrollment Management and also serves as an Adjunct AssociateProfessor in the Rossier School of Education. In her administrative capacity, she oversees the admissions, financial aid, and registrars' offices, including orientation and a multi-office collaborative effort regarding the Veterans Resource Center.

She came to USC from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where she served as the school’s first Vice Provost for Enrollment Management from 2014-2020. During her tenure there, she advanced a student-centered vision while overseeing undergraduate admissions, financial aid, new student programs, and the registrar. To support this work, she expanded the Enrollment Management support structures to include Marketing and Communications, Enrollment Research, Data and Analytics, Strategic Initiatives, and Operational Effectiveness. Prior to Michigan, she served for 17 years in admissions at the University of Texas at Austin, concluding her service there as Vice Provost and Director of Admissions.

Dr. Ishop is a nationally recognized expert, speaker, and advisor on issues in higher education focused on issues of access and opportunity for low-income and students of traditionally under-represented backgrounds, recruitment and enrollment practices, standardized testing, legal and policy issues in admissions and enrollment, and curriculum development. She has also contributed to the Center forEnrollment Research, Policy and Practice, the Coalition for College Access, the National CollegiateAthletic Association, American Council on Education, Graduate School Council, Council of Graduate Schools, among others.

Dr. Ishop holds three degrees from UT-Austin: a B.A. in sociology, a master of education in higher education administration, and a PhD in educational administration.

Hosted by Ted Dintersmith (author, film producer, innovation expert, 2018 recipient of NEA’s Friend of Education Award) and guest co-host Tony Wagner (Senior Research Fellow, Learning Policy Institute, author of Learning By Heart and many other great books)!

This event is part of the Game Changer Series, a collection of conversations between Ted and some of the leading education change makers. Make sure to check out all the events in the series. Just look for the What School Could Be: Game Changer Series in the app.

Between a Rock and a Calm Place: Practical Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Challenging Behavior in Students
Thursday, 4/14 3-5:30 p.m.
Join a LIVE ONLY extended workshop with our Summit keynote Jessica Minahan, education expert and Co-Author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students.
With up to one in three children struggling with anxiety in this country, overwhelmed adults are in need of a new approach as well as an effective and easy-to-implement toolkit of strategies. Understanding the role anxiety plays in a student’s behavior is crucial and using preventive strategies are key to successful intervention. In addition to preventive strategies, it is crucial to teach coping skills, self-monitoring, and alternative responses.
Through the use of case studies, humorous stories, and examples of common challenging situations, participants will learn easy-to-implement preventive strategies for reducing anxiety, increasing self-regulation, accurate thinking, and self-monitoring in students.
Join us for an extended workshop led by Jessica Minahan, Co-Author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students, focusing on proven practices to help teachers, counselors, leaders, and parents identify the messages underlying challenging student behaviors and respond in supportive ways. This event will be a review of her keynote Summit session, but with time to go even deeper into the content.
Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst, special educator, as well as a consultant to schools internationally. Jessica has over 17 years of experience supporting students who exhibit challenging behavior in public school systems. She is the co-author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students and author of The Behavior Code Companion: Strategies, Tools, and Interventions for Supporting Students with Anxiety-Related or Oppositional Behaviors.

Drug Use Is On The Rise: How To Identify The Signs In Your Child Or Loved One
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7 p.m.
This event will highlight the types of drugs that are circulating in our communities, ways to recognize the signs of drug use in your child or loved one and how to talk with your kids about drug use before it starts.
Hosted by the NWH Substance Use Services Council

The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
Wednesday, 5/11 at 7 p.m.
Author/educator Jessica Lahey offers comprehensive information for parents/educators on how to prevent substance use disorder in children.
About this event
All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance use disorder. New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey helps parents, caregivers, and educators understand the roots of substance use disorder and identify who is most at risk for addiction, while offering practical steps for prevention.

"The Addiction Inoculation" provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools adults need to understand, support, and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children. The guidelines are age-appropriate and actionable—from navigating a child’s risk for addiction, to interpreting signs of early misuse, to advice for broaching difficult conversations with children.

This program is a collaboration between the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success Program and Natick 180, with support from SPARK Kindness.

Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, and lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a lot of dogs.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 4/5/22-4/11/22

4/8/2022

Upcoming Dates
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
Grade 6 Band Concert
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
Blake Student Council
4/14 - Blake GSA
4/15 - No School
4/18-4/22 - April Vacation
4/25 - DEI Task Force Meeting

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about our hopes and vision for the future, our question of the week is: What would you like to do in the future? Why? Fostering the Future (Week of 4/3/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

World Language Form for All Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form

Music Ensemble Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form

MICCA Festival Follow Up
A huge congratulations to the 7th & 8th Grade Band students for earning top honors with a Gold Medal rating at the MICCA Concert Festival last Friday! More than 150 bands and orchestras from across the state of Massachusetts participate in the festival each year. The standard is exceptionally high and very few ensembles earn Gold Medal ratings.

Bravo to the 7th & 8th Grade Band Students for not only persevering through a very challenging time for musicians everywhere, but for dreaming big and giving a truly beautiful performance on the big stage! The Band will be entered into a lottery for the opportunity to perform at historic Mechanic’s Hall in Worcester next Sunday on the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase.

Empty Bowls
You didn't get a chance to participate in our Empty Bowls Workshop? There is still time to sign up and support the Food Cupboard. Come to the Empty Bowls Dinner! Choose a handmade bowl at dinner, fill it with delicious soup donated by local restaurants, and take your bowl home with you!
Empty Bowls Dinner 2022 will be served on 5/12 at 6-8 in the HS Cafe. INFO

Zullo Gallery Art Exhibition

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for 'academic' classes (math, science, SS, ELA, and World Language) based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

** It is important to note that this letter grade does not represent a simple transposition of 4, 3, 2, 1 scale for A, B, C, and Does Not Meet Standard scale. Rather, it is a composite of your child’s progress across a subject’s priority standards.

I am thrilled to share that these changes were made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff. Later this term we will be holding informational sessions for families, in an effort to collaboratively support the learning process for our students. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

Reflection For Students
After receiving their report cards, time was spent in advisory for all students to reflect on their work thus far via a Google Form. Our hope is that this reflection will help students identify areas of success as well as areas for growth, and to foster more connections with staff and trusted adults. I have outlined the questions below and encourage you to have conversations this week to help bridge the connections between home and school...

What surprised you about your Term 2 feedback? Was this a positive or negative surprise and why?
What did NOT surprise you about your Term 2 feedback and why?
If you would like to check in with your advisor or teacher, with whom would you like to speak? Put "none" if you do not wish to check in with one of your teachers
How do you plan to do so (check all that apply) (Attend extra help, Visit during Advisory, Speak to the teacher in class, E-mail the teacher, Wait for the teacher to talk to me, None)
Please share something you learned, understood about yourself, challenged you, or about which you are proud.
What is an area of strength, from the Learning Skills listed below, that you have demonstrated? Please provide an example of how you demonstrated this in your classes.
From the Learning Skills listed below, which ones are areas of growth/improvement?
What do you want your teachers to know? How can we help you as a learner?
In the last month, I learned something interesting in school. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
The last month of school was a positive one for me. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
At Blake, I get to do what I do best every day. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
I have fun at Blake. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
If you had time to learn about anything you want this term, what would it be?
Is there anything else you'd like us to know? (Optional)

Follow Up from Incoming 6th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentations and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023

Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Dr. Tony Wagner - 7 Survival Skills
(6:42)
'Inside Out' Pixar Clip
(3:25)
A conversation with Bryan Stevenson: What role does education play in making change possible?
(2:36)
Jesse Jackson - I am Somebody
(1:25)
Creative Person - Fred Rogers
(0:39)

MCAS 2022
We are approaching that time of year again, when our statewide assessment for grades 6-8, MCAS will occur. For planning purposes, we are sharing the dates below for these assessments. It is important that students are present during the MCAS testing window.
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2021-2022 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class performance, placement test scores, and teacher recommendations. For current 8th grade students, placement is determined by success in their current class level and teacher recommendation. We are very mindful during this time to consider the whole child while making these decisions. Additionally, it is important to us that parents/guardians feel they have a voice in this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. If your questions involve long-term planning for math, do not hesitate to email Jess Safer, Math Department Chair at jsafer@email.medfield.net. Thank you!

Miss Amazing - 4/9 at 6 p.m.
Save the date! Massachusetts Miss Amazing is coming to Medfield High School for its ninth annual event! Miss Amazing’s mission statement reads, “Miss Amazing provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment.” Join us in supporting this goal and giving these girls and young women an opportunity to shine. This full-day event is Saturday, April 9th, 2022 and the show will be held in the Medfield High School Auditorium at 6 PM. If you want to volunteer with the event, you can sign up to be a buddy, half day volunteer (helping hand), or a right hand man online at https://missamazing.org/volunteer/. If you know a girl or young woman who might want to participate in this event, refer them to the Miss Amazing website so they can learn more! Sign up a participant at https://missamazing.org/participate/. See you there!

Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net. Please include the following information:

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

Week of 3/29/22-4/4/22

3/31/2022

Upcoming Dates
3/31 - Blake GSA
   Harmony Day
4/1 - MICCA Festival
4/5 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/6 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
        Blake Student Council
4/7 - Blake GSA
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
   Blake Site Council Meeting
          Grade 6 Band Concert
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
          Blake Student Council
4/14 - Blake GSA
4/25 - DEI Task Force Meeting

Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about how habits, goals, and systems are connected with each other, our question for this week is: What daily habits have you found help you to reach your goals? Habits-Goals-Systems (Week of 3/27/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)

World Language Form for All Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form

Music Ensemble Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form

Harmony Day - 3/31/22
The GSA invites all students and faculty to participate in Harmony Day on March 31st by wearing GREEN. Harmony Day was started at the high school several years ago as a way to show support for the LGBTQ+ community - it is a day when any community member at Blake and MHS who has a friend, family member, etc. in their life who is LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer) to wear a green shirt. The idea was started by Clinton Oxford, a 2008 graduate of Medfield High School, who thought if everyone could see just how many have a LGBTQ+ person in their lives, it might reduce the name-calling/anti-gay remarks heard in the hallways.

Medfield Outreach and Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention
Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention is proud to be sponsoring MEDA, Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association presentation: "Healthy or Eating Disordered. How to Know and What to Do" See the flyer for more details. Visit this link to register: https://forms.gle/Tcxg5WZTpferbhis5

All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for 'academic' classes (math, science, SS, ELA, and World Language) based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format

** It is important to note that this letter grade does not represent a simple transposition of 4, 3, 2, 1 scale for A, B, C, and Does Not Meet Standard scale. Rather, it is a composite of your child’s progress across a subject’s priority standards.

I am thrilled to share that these changes were made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff. Later this term we will be holding informational sessions for families, in an effort to collaboratively support the learning process for our students. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...

more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers

What surprised you about your Term 2 feedback? Was this a positive or negative surprise and why?
What did NOT surprise you about your Term 2 feedback and why?
If you would like to check in with your advisor or teacher, with whom would you like to speak? Put "none" if you do not wish to check in with one of your teachers
How do you plan to do so (check all that apply) (Attend extra help, Visit during Advisory, Speak to the teacher in class, E-mail the teacher, Wait for the teacher to talk to me, None)
Please share something you learned, understood about yourself, challenged you, or about which you are proud.
What is an area of strength, from the Learning Skills listed below, that you have demonstrated? Please provide an example of how you demonstrated this in your classes.
From the Learning Skills listed below, which ones are areas of growth/improvement?
What do you want your teachers to know? How can we help you as a learner?
In the last month, I learned something interesting in school. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
The last month of school was a positive one for me. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
At Blake, I get to do what I do best every day. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
I have fun at Blake. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
If you had time to learn about anything you want this term, what would it be?
Is there anything else you'd like us to know? (Optional)

Follow Up from Incoming 6th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentations and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023

Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Dr. Tony Wagner - 7 Survival Skills
(6:42)
'Inside Out' Pixar Clip
(3:25)
A conversation with Bryan Stevenson: What role does education play in making change possible?
(2:36)
Jesse Jackson - I am Somebody
(1:25)
Creative Person - Fred Rogers
(0:39)

MCAS 2022
We are approaching that time of year again, when our statewide assessment for grades 6-8, MCAS will occur. For planning purposes, we are sharing the dates below for these assessments. It is important that students are present during the MCAS testing window.
4/5 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/6 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS

Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2021-2022 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class performance, placement test scores, and teacher recommendations. For current 8th grade students, placement is determined by success in their current class level and teacher recommendation. We are very mindful during this time to consider the whole child while making these decisions. Additionally, it is important to us that parents/guardians feel they have a voice in this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. If your questions involve long-term planning for math, do not hesitate to email Jess Safer, Math Department Chair at jsafer@email.medfield.net. Thank you!

Miss Amazing - 4/9 at 6 p.m.
Save the date! Massachusetts Miss Amazing is coming to Medfield High School for its ninth annual event! Miss Amazing’s mission statement reads, “Miss Amazing provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment.” Join us in supporting this goal and giving these girls and young women an opportunity to shine. This full-day event is Saturday, April 9th, 2022 and the show will be held in the Medfield High School Auditorium at 6 PM. If you want to volunteer with the event, you can sign up to be a buddy, half day volunteer (helping hand), or a right hand man online at https://missamazing.org/volunteer/. If you know a girl or young woman who might want to participate in this event, refer them to the Miss Amazing website so they can learn more! Sign up a participant at https://missamazing.org/participate/. See you there!

Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to blakeearlydismissal@email.medfield.net. Please include the following information:

Date
Time of dismissal
Student name
Reason for dismissal
Person picking up

If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office at (508) 359-2396 in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.

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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Nat Vaughn at nvaughn@email.medfield.net with any questions.

Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.

As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.

For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: mmarenghi@email.medfield.net or 508-359-2445.

Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail Medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.

MCPE - Spelling Bee Recap
Congratulations to the 15th Annual MCPE Spelling Bee Champions!!!🐝

Wheelock Champions: The Three Syllables (3rd Grade)
Madison Crow, Josephine Jablonski, Charlotte Langdon

Dale Champions: The Spellcasters (4th Grade)
Owen Aronowitz, Alex Franke, Thomas Wirts

Thank you to all the families for your amazing support of the 15th Annual Medfield Coalition for Public Education Spelling Bee, sponsored by Medfield Orthodontics! 383 spellers from Wheelock and Dale took part in this year's comeback event! The competition was F-I-E-R-C-E and all teams should be proud of their A-C-H-I-E-V-E-M-E-N-T-S! We hope everyone had a fun night spelling with friends and we can't wait to see you next year! #thebeeisback

Webinars of Interest
Addressing Hate & Bias in School Athletics: A Call to Action
Tuesday, 4/5 at 9 a.m.
Sports can be a powerful force to help people come together around a common interest or goal, display leadership in equity and inclusion, and set a tone for schools and communities of mutual respect and encouragement. But over the last few months, we’ve seen an increasing number of incidents in schools and on athletic fields that have been driven by hate and bias. This call to action is for school administrators, athletic directors, and coaches from across the state to come together with a shared commitment to addressing these issues. Join us in making this commitment and to hear about resources and additional programming to help ensure that you have the tools you need to prevent and address hate and bias incidents in school sports and school communities.

Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)

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