12/5 - Blake Site Council (3:00 p.m.)
Spaghetti & Snowballs (MMA)
Blake PTO Meeting
12/7 - Samaritans Student Workshops
MCAP Meeting
Tilden Village Visit
12/11 - Term 1 Report Cards go Home
12/12 - ½ Day for Students
8th Grade Turkey Bowl (see info below)
Professional Afternoon
Blake Winter Band Concert
12/13 - Blake Winter Chorus Concert
12/14 - School Committee Mtg
12/19 - Blake Winter Orchestra Concert
12/22 - ½ Day for Students/Staff
12/25-1/1 - Winter Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/2 - School Resumes
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about change, adapting, and the skills we need to learn, our question for the week is: How do you think schools and education will change in the next year? Skills to Adapt (Week of 12/3/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Samaritans Workshops - Info for 7th Grade
At Blake Middle School, the School Counselors believe it is important to focus on the whole student, paying close attention to the emotions that are often associated with the teen years. No one wants to think about their child dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 years old. Unfortunately, not many youth know what to do or who to turn to when they are in need of help either for themselves or a friend.
Samaritans, Inc. will also be presenting this information to all 7th grade students on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Please refer to the email sent to all 7th grade parents/guardians from Stephanie Worthley.
Term 1 Report Cards
Next Monday students will be bringing home their report cards for the first term. Time will be spent in advisory with students reflecting upon the work they accomplished, as well as setting healthy goals for the second term. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.
Computer Science Week at Blake!
The goal is to increase school-wide participation, to broaden students' perspectives about CS and for them to see how CS connects to a content area and to have fun! Thanks to Diane Horvath for creating meaningful activities for our students - we are looking forward to a fun week!
December Reading Challenge
Hello Blake Community! The library has a lot of new titles just in time for the December Reading Challenge: a book published in 2023. We have a new display in the library and are eager to help students find their next favorite book!! All information about the Reading Challenge in on the Blake library website.
Save the Dates - 7th/8th Grade Dances
Save the Date(s) for the 2023-2024 school dances! There will be a total of 3 dances this year! There will be a dance for 7th graders, a dance for 8th graders, and a combined 7th/8th grade dance. Dance contracts and other details will be shared as we get closer to the events. Hope to see you there! Here are the dates:
➡️ 7th Grade Dance- Friday 3/1/24 from 7-9 pm
➡️ 7th/8th Grade Dance- Friday 3/22/24 from 7-9 pm
➡️ 8th Grade Dance- Friday 5/17/24 from 7-9 pm
Tilden Village Service Dinner
We are excited for our 2023 dinner service with Tilden Village, a housing complex adjoining the school property. Eighth graders are given a variety of ways to donate and participate.
We are also asking for an optional monetary donation to pay for a portion of the dinner. A suggested $5.00 donation (preferably a check made out to the Town of Medfield) will allow us to buy the main course of the evening--turkey pies from Outpost Farm--and make a contribution to the Medfield Home Committee; this organization has existed in Medfield since 1959 and brings a little "extra cheer" to Medfield residents at the holiday season through things like dinners, gifts, and clothing.
Thank you for your consideration and contribution to our annual dinner, service, and experience with Tilden Village. Here is a link to the Medfield Patch article from last year…
Eighth Graders Host Tilden Village Residents Holiday Dinner Again! | Medfield, MA Patch
Blake Turkey Bowl
Due to the storm set to arrive in Medfield this Wednesday morning in the form of intense rain and wind, the 'Turkey Bowl' is going to be postponed. We are saddened to have to change the date but it is the best option to have a fun and safe experience. We appreciate the whole staff for their flexibility and support in allowing us to 'make-up' the date instead of cancel. The event is meant to be inclusive, active and a showcase of the skills and rules they have been asked to demonstrate in class the past several weeks.
Any students who have not yet signed up for the tournament will still have an opportunity to do so and our canned food drive will extend to this new date. Donations can be brought to the PE office anytime before then
BMS Turkey Bowl
Who: Grade 8 Students
What: A 4v4 one-hand touch football tournament.
When: Tuesday (12/12) - 7:45-9:10 AM. Rain or shine.
Where: Meeting in Blake gym, then proceeding to the HS turf field.
Lost and Found
We have a lot of items in our lost and found bins; if you are missing clothing, water bottles or other items please encourage your child to check out the lost and found stations. You are welcome to stop by Blake after school daily from 2:15-3:00. We will be donating unclaimed items on December 22.
Multicultural Awareness Club - 12/7/23
Thank you to all the students who attended the first couple of meetings of the Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC). ALL ARE WELCOME!
Calling all K-12 student space and science enthusiasts!
NASA wants to hear where and how you’d explore space with the Power to Explore Student Challenge. Students are challenged to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light. Write about where your RPS-powered mission would go, the mission goal(s), the advantages of using RPS, and a unique power you have to help achieve mission success. In total, your submission is limited to 250 words. Entries will be judged in three grade-level categories: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts, where students will learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore. Fifteen national semifinalists in each grade category (45 winners total) will receive a NASA RPS Prize pack, three national finalists in each grade category will (9 finalists total) will receive a virtual session with a NASA RPS expert, and one grand prize winner from each grade category (3 total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Learn more at the Challenge website. Entries due January 26, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
From MHS PTO - Harlem Wizards - 1/31 at 7 p.m.!
The FUNTASTIC AND HIGH-FLYING Harlem Wizards are returning to Medfield High School, Wednesday, January 31st 2024 at 7pm!!
This event promises to be high energy, fun-filled, great for kids and adults and will guarantee to put a smile on all your faces! Extremely talented basketball players will play against your teachers from all Medfield District Schools. (We say ‘play', but we all know they’ll run circles around them in a very entertaining way!!)
The event is a fundraiser for the Medfield High School PTO, to help raise funds for scholarships, deserving awards, inspirational speakers, grant requests to enrich classroom experiences and so much more.
Please help support us buy purchasing tickets to this great show, bringing the whole community together. Tickets would make great Holiday Gifts giving you all something to look forward to in the New Year!
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE - Hurry before they sell out!
Thank you for your support.
VIEW QUICK EVENT PROMO
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Recess Reminder for All Parents/Guardians
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
Pride Alliance
At Pride Alliance, we strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and also those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero (jdondero@email.medfield.net) and Kristin Manning (kmanning@email.medfield.net).
Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit Medfield Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Kelly Campbell (kcampbell@email.medfield.net) with any questions.
Message from SEPAC
Medfield SEPAC is offering Parent Connection Groups this year in response to feedback in meetings and after-meeting surveys. A SEPAC parent volunteer will coordinate each, focusing on a different diagnosis. These informal groups will connect parents and caregivers of children of all ages with the specific diagnosis to share experiences and resources.
Our Parent Connection Group, focusing on Down Syndrome, is holding its second meeting on December 21st from 11:30 am-12:30 pm at the Medfield Public Library. If you want to join this group, please get in touch with Michelle, this group's parent volunteer, at mebrien@gmail.com.
We are looking to form groups for the following diagnoses: ADHD, Dyslexia + Language-based Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum. If you want to join one of these groups, please email sepac@email.medfield.net to connect with our parent volunteers for more information.
If you haven't taken our website survey yet, there is no time like the present. Access the survey directly here: https://forms.gle/tySXyGgTXGrRNE5J6
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
Workshops/Webinars of Interest
Tips for Talking with Your Teen about Drugs & Alcohol in Today’s World - Presented by Dr. Safdar Medina
Tuesday, 12/5 at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMassChan Medical School. He currently serves as the school physician for the Northborough/Southborough School District. He was awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008 to work with community partners on teen substance use prevention. He treats youth who struggle with mental health conditions and addiction, including providing medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Questions or comments? Contact Natick 180 at natick180@natickma.org
Fearless Grading and Equity
Tuesday, 12/5 at 7:00 p.m.
Grading is one of the most emotional subjects in education. In this interactive keynote address, Dr. Reeves shows educators and leaders how to avoid the unnecessary fights that have surrounded grading reform around the world. “Start with common values – accuracy and fairness,” says Dr. Reeves. Once we find common values, schools can avoid unnecessary fights that have derailed so many grading reform movements. The keynote will provide practice and evidence-based strategies to accelerate the pace of change and bring immediate improvements in achievement, behavior, attendance, and faculty morale within a single year. Most importantly, the keynote shows how schools can quickly create local evidence of impact, demonstrating that these ideas work with your schedule, budget, and bargaining agreement.
FREE WEBINAR: "Inquiry Hub: The Dream, Create, Learn School" with Principal Dave Truss | BQI Community
Wednesday, 1/17 at 7 p.m.
Join us for this important overview of a compelling school model that highlights the power of project-based learning.
Inquiry Hub is a small Coquitlam School District (BC) high school that is unique in its approach and delivery. Known as the Dream – Create – Learn school, Inquiry Hub was born out of the idea that students don’t need to spend every minute of their day siloed into individual courses, without any unstructured time. It has evolved into a community of students who work both together and individually to complete the required curriculum while also designing some of their courses and their day around inquiries and passion projects that they want to pursue.
Grade 9’s and 10’s do cross-curricular projects using SCRUM project management, collaborating to get work done efficiently and effectively, and they also take an Inquiry Course designed around developing strong presentation skills and documenting their learning journeys, doing passion projects that they design. Grade 11’s and 12’s construct year-long IDS – Independent Directed Studies courses where they delve deep into their interests.
A key component of the program is DCL time, coined after the Dream – Create – Learn motto, where students are not in a structured class, but rather have unstructured time to work on their class projects, homework and assignments, and/or on their passion projects. Central to this is creating a community of learners who are eager to help each other and who have learned that failure is part of learning. Projects can be too big, too challenging, too overwhelming, but still result in a final product or presentation that exceeds expectations.
RSVP now to join us for this important session with principal Dave Truss and teacher Dr. John Sarte.