1/29 - Blake Ski Club
1/30 - Term 2 Interim Reports go home
BMS Play
1/31 - BMS Play
2/2 - Blake Site Council (3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC)
2/3 - Nadine Briggs Parent Presentation (see details below)
2/5 - Blake Ski Club
2/6 - Digital Learning Day for Medfield Staff (#DLDMedfield)
No School for Students
2/10 - Twitter Workshop for Parents *Originally scheduled for 1/28
2/16-2/20 - February Vacation
2/25 - Incoming 6th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/5 - Incoming 8th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/11 - Incoming 7th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.) *Originally scheduled for 3/12
3/12 - Band-o-Rama
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about the role relationships play in the process of learning, our topic/question of the week is: Because we care about the child's academic and personal well being, and want to get them to a comfort level where they are ready to try, yet at the same time push them and make them uncomfortable, to challenge them to try a little harder, what will we do when it does not seem to be getting through to the child?
Twitter??? Tweets are for kids!! (And adults…) ** Originally scheduled for 1/28
2/10/15 at 8:30 a.m.
We are thrilled to offer this workshop again for all parents!
Come explore the Twitterverse with Jason Heim (@jasonj1507), Diane Horvath (@techmonstah) and Nat Vaughn (@nat_vaughn)! This workshop is for all parents (both social media fans and those with 'socialmediaphobia' - learn about tweets, hashtags, following, and being followed. We hope to share lessons about Twitter and highlight how the educators at Blake are building professional learning networks and using the tool to enhance the learning environment at Blake. Feel free to bring your own device, an established Twitter account (we can help with that), and a willingness to learn! Please RSVP (or RSVP again if you had previously signed up for 1/28) via our Google Form: Twitter Workshop for Parents 2-10-15.
School Connectedness
School connectedness, or how connected a child feels to his or her school community, is a topic that is important to us at Blake. Some families may recall that last winter we surveyed students in order to determine whether each child had an adult in our school that s/he felt comfortable seeking out if s/he has a big or small problem and what it was about the person that made them approachable. This information helps us to identify students who may be in need of more connections at school and gives us a sense of how connected our student body is feeling in general. It also gives us important information about the qualities that are important to middle school students. We will administer this survey again this year on Wednesday, January 28th during advisory. This year, students will complete it as a google form on their devices. Students who are not currently using an iPad may use a classroom desktop computer. It should take 10 minutes or less. Please take a few minutes to ask your child how it went, how they felt about it, and talk in general about their feelings of connectedness at school. As always, please be sure to reach out to a guidance counselor, Kelly Campbell or any of your child's teachers if you have a question or concern.
Parent/Student iPad Survey January 2015
Thank you to all parents who have taken the iPad Survey that was sent out Monday, January 26. For those who have not had a chance, my hope is that you will be able to find some time over the next couple of days. This survey is Part 2 of our data collection process and it is being distributed electronically to all Blake Middle School grade students and parents. The questions will serve as a midpoint assessment (middle of year) tool and we will be administering a similar survey at the end of the year as well. The questions have to do with organizational skills, executive functioning, and comfort with technology. Questions are being sent to all three grades. The survey is not an evaluative tool of the teachers or the students; rather, it is a tool that we believe will help us gain insight about the initiative, our programming, and technology. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. You will see that the survey is for both students and parents, and students will be given time in school to complete it. It is important we only get one response per student. We appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the student body and parents. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. Your sincere responses are essential to our information-gathering vision and mission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]). Please take the time to complete a unique survey for each student you have at Blake Middle School: Student/Parent iPad Survey January 2015
Digital Learning Day for Blake and Medfield Staff - 2/6/15
The official Digital Learning Day 2015 is scheduled for Friday, March 13, but in Medfield we are also recognizing it on our professional day next Friday, February 6, 2015. I encourage you to check out our blog, DLD Medfield 2015, and to follow the hashtag #DLDMedfield throughout the next week and on Friday, 2/6/15 to stay current with the Blake and Medfield tweeters. Some of our Blake students will be helping out throughout the day as well. We are excited about this opportunity to learn from one another and expand our understandings of technology integration.
Blake Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey and an Executive Summary will be distributed to families in the coming weeks. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. Our intent is to distribute the 2014-2015 survey in early February in the hopes of gathering the data by February vacation. Stay tuned!
Term 2 Interim Reports
This Friday students will be bringing home their interim reports for the second term. They will be spending time in their advisories reflecting upon the work they have accomplished thus far, and setting healthy/measured goals for the second half of the term. Our hope is that this communication tool will give you an update on the progress your child is making in school. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.
Photos for Yearbook - 8th Grade!
8th Graders!!! We are collecting childhood or baby pictures for a special section in the Blake yearbook. Write your name on the back of the photo and hand it in to your Advisor by Friday, January 30. Remember that we DO NOT return the pictures.
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
2/25 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
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3/5 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming eighth grade (current seventh grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/11 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m. ** This night was originally scheduled for 3/12
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2015-2016 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
Blood Drive Wrapup
I want to once again thank and recognize Cynthia McClelland for her leadership with the Day of Service and blood drive. It was wonderful having all of the students and staff who came helping out on their day off from school. For the blood drive, 64 donors were registered and 60 units of blood were collected - enough to help save up to 180 lives. The Red Cross shared that they typically anticipate collecting 26-30 units for a first-time drive - so their goals were exceeded and they hope to make this an annual tradition.
Mark Your Calendars - MCAS Dates for Sessions 1 and 2
Session 1
3/23/15 - Grade 6 ELA
3/24/15 - Grade 7 Long Composition
3/26 - Grade 7 ELA
3/27 - Grade 6 ELA
3/30- Grade 8 ELA
3/31 - Grade 8 ELA
4/1 - Grade 7 ELA
4/2 - Grade 7 Long Composition Make-Up
Session 2
5/4 and 5/5 - Grade 6 Mathematics
5/6 and 5/7 - Grade 8 Mathematics
5/11 and 5/12 - Grade 8 Science and Tech
5/13 and 5/14 - Grade 7 Mathematics
Blake Lip Sync
The Lip Sync Permission slip deadline has been extended until 1/26/15. All permission slips,checks and song lyrics need to be turned into Mrs. Dondero. Please contact Mrs.Dondero with any questions.
Career Day Planning
The 2015 Career Day for the 8th grade will take place on our half day, March 17th. For this program, we enlist community members and parent volunteers who are interested in sharing about their occupation with our students. We have 3 sessions and each one is about 35 minutes long. Each participant would have the option to speak at one, two or three of the sessions, depending on the individual's schedule. To make this a success, we will need 20 volunteers. If you are interested and available to participate, please contact Debbie Avery ([email protected]) for more information. We welcome past presenters and new volunteers alike.
Theater Update
This week is tech week and rehearsals will go to 5pm. The shows are Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Cast should arrive at 5:30pm and crew should arrive at 6pm. Cast members should have turned in a hairbrush, black mascara and black eyeliner in a baggie with the students name on it already. If they have not, please get it in ASAP.
There is no performance for the school so everyone should make sure to purchase their tickets for one of our performances this weekend. Tickets are $8 and are onsale at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1165475 and will be onsale at the door.
Blake Ski Club
This is a reminder to all parents to take a look at the Blake Ski/Snowboard website to view any items found on the bus or at Nashoba. Nashoba is holding a Safety Poster contest. Winners of this contest will receive gift cards to Nashoba. This is a great opportunity to review safety with the chance to win prizes. See Mrs. Heim or Ms. Hurley if you are interested or have questions.
Staycation
We are weeks away from February break and there is still time to sign up for our Staycation. Sign up ends February 4th. The cost is $25 day and is limited to Blake students only. Please see the flier for more info and sign up - https://www.smore.com/2zx05. Contact Tracy Allen ([email protected]) with any questions.
Medfield SEPAC Parent Presentation
Winning Over Worries: Parenting the Anxious Child
Tuesday, February 3rd from 7-9 p.m.
Blake Middle School Auditorium
RSVP by January 27 to Una Smith [email protected]
This seminar will discuss what kids worry about, how to teach kids what worrying is and how to manage those strong feelings. Parents can play a huge role in helping kids manage anxiety. Learn many strategies on how you can help in as little as 5 minutes a day. Roundtable discussion included to discuss your personal situation. Nadine Briggs, Director of Simply Social Kids, is an accomplished social educator. Nadine has expertise and certifications in bullying and cyberbullying prevention and sibling relationships (Sibshops). She is trained in social thinking methods, uses collaborative problem solving to teach children conflict resolution and has been trained by
the Child Anxiety Network at Boston University. She has dual graduate certifications in Coaching Children & Teens and Coaching Children & Teens with ADHD.
CSA News
Please take a look at the Blake CSA volunteer form and sign up to co-chair or volunteer for any open activities.
http://docs.google.com/forms/d/13mcnCavHDlVAOhiiCi5pDKcrQtKvdE-VXHqv5VPNK80/viewform5
Don't forget to send in those box tops!
MCPE News
Winter Weather Got You Feeling 'Deflated'? Get 'Pumped Up' By Hosting an E4E Super Bowl Party!! It's so easy:
- Put on your Patriot's shirt.
- Plan a Super Bowl party.
- Invite your friends, asking them to make a donation to MCPE as their "ticket" to the event.
- Have fun AND raise money for Medfield Schools.
For questions about your E4E party, please contact Megan Infantino (508-359-9928), Kim Price (508-246-8335), or email [email protected].
Register your party at www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/e4e-2/
Medfield Music Association
The Sing Off, featuring 12 Blake students and 8 MHS students, is a vocal contest for our talented singers that will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4 in the MHS auditorium. In addition to our students, the event will feature The Bostonians of Boston College, an a cappella group directed by alumni Paul Wagenseller. Tickets for The Sing Off are on sale now at Park Street Books -- $5 for students & seniors, and $10 for adults. Blake students who auditioned and successfully earned a spot in The Sing Off as a soloist or duet member are: Sophia Gustafson, Nolan Hogan, Mike Koellner, Thomas McGowan, Matthew McGrory, Bekah Morrison, Maria Neafus, Jessica Nicotera, Zoey Pollard, Alana Potts, Katie Predella and Emily Rosecrans.
Today – Jan. 27 -- is the deadline for MMA pie orders that can provide music trip credits for Blake students, or go toward the overall music trip scholarship fund. For more information, refer to the Thursday Packet or click here: http://www.medfieldmusicassociation.com/#!buy/cfvg