February 26 - Subway Night for Blake
February 27 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night (7:00 p.m.)
February 28 - 'Project Moves' at Medfield High School (7:30 p.m.) - See details below
March 1 - Read Across America Day
March 4 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC)
March 6 - Superintendent's Advisory Council Mtg
March 7 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night (7:00 p.m.)
March 13 - ÷ and Conquer! - Helping your child with Pre-Algebra Information Session (see details below)
March 14 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night (7:00 p.m.)
March 15 - Blake CSA Meeting (9:30 a.m. in Blake LMC)
March 18 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
March 19 - 7th Grade ELA Long Composition MCAS
Nadine Briggs Presentation (see details below)
March 20 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
MCPE Spelling Bee
March 21 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
March 22 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
March 25 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
March 28 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
7th Grade ELA Long Composition Make-Up MCAS
March 29 - No School
'Topic/Question for the Dinner Table'
To keep in line with the idea of a 'cabinet of rivals', our Topic/Question for the Dinner Table this week is: "Can people who do not see things eye to eye stand with each other, side by side?"
Project Moves
MCPE, Blake CSA, and SEPAC are proud to present a moving, multimedia dance performance at Medfield High School on Thursday, February 28th at 7:30 p.m. This performance is the kick-off for a month-long initiative around acceptance common to both Medfield High School and Blake Middle School. "Project Moves. . . accept ME" by Project Moves Dance Company, Inc., the resident company of The Gold School of Dance Art in Brockton, Mass., features dancers ages 6 to 18. The show uses dance, spoken word, and visual media to promote messages of acceptance. Upon special invitation in 2012, members of the dance company performed on ABC's “Dancing with the Stars”. The mission of the Project Moves Dance Company, Inc. is to advocate a message of acceptance and tolerance through dance art. The company is dedicated to creating a platform that empowers young dance artists with the knowledge, compassion and understanding necessary to create works that address the most pressing issues of today's youth, thus transforming the artists and their audiences. Tickets are free and available at the door, first come, first served. This show is suitable for middle school and high school students, as well as their parents and guardians. There will be an opportunity for any middle school or high school student who attends the performance, if s/he chooses, to participate in a short follow up discussion on Friday morning at his or her respective school. Check out the link below for more information: http://www.projectmoves.org/Performances.html
March is 'Acceptance' Month
The Project Moves: Accept Me performance is the kick-off event for a month-long effort in March. The month of March will be themed "ACCEPTANCE" at both the high school and middle school. This crossover event seeks to spread the message as to why bullying & judgement are harmful and promotes acceptance of others for who they are. To help get this message across, each week of the month of March will host various efforts by middle and high school students and staff. These efforts zero in on the negative effects of bullying and judgement, harmful words we should eliminate from our vocabulary, activities to promote getting to know others and stepping outside of our "comfort zones," and focusing on what unites us all as a human race!
Blake Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council this year has been working on the development of a survey to be distributed to the Blake community. Focus areas include the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. The results will help us to gather information and examine our current practices to better meet the needs of our students. Please complete the survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the Blake community. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]).
Link to the survey: Blake School Survey 2012-2013
iPad Pilot Update
As you know we held an iPad Highlights Night on Wednesday, February 6 for all parents/guardians to hear and see highlights from the pilot, answer questions, and learn about the progress that has taken place. I invite and encourage you to visit the updated site (iPad Blog) to get an update on the information that was shared and to learn more about our endeavors with mobile learning. Our intention is to hold another presentation in early March in the morning, to highlight some of our work and share our progress. The feedback we have gained from 2012-2013 pilot program has been a critical factor for both the school and district's future implementation and direction we will take with technology. Through classroom observations, professional development, informal and formal feedback from parents and students, and staff input, we have been pleased with the efficacy of the pilot and have determined that it is worth expanding the pilot for the 2013-2014 academic year. In an effort to expand upon our current iPad Pilot, we are working towards a 1:1 iPad initiative for the entire 8th grade for the upcoming academic year, with students purchasing their own iPads or taking part in a 'Lease to Own' program through the school. As part of our program, we will have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need. The details for this initiative will be shared at our Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with the new technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive learning experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
÷ and Conquer! - Helping your child with Pre-Algebra
Have you ever wondered what the rules are when working with positive and negative numbers? Does the expression PEMDAS have you searching the Internet late at night? Are you looking to support your child as they learn to solve equations? Then come join us on Wednesday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Blake Middle School. Nat Vaughn, along with Susan Bycoff, will explore the concepts and skills behind the following topics:
- Working with positive and negative numbers
- Order of Operations
- Solving linear equations
Read Across America Day
As noted above in the upcoming dates, March 1 is Read Across America Day, a day sponsored by the National Education Association. The day is celebrated every year on or around March 2, in honor and recognition of Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2). I have encouraged teachers to use this opportunity during SSR this week to discuss passions for reading, share favorite children's books, and simply enjoy reading with their students. I encourage you to take some time this week to do the same.
Parent Information Night
The planning for the 2013-2014 school year has already begun, and our parent information nights have been scheduled...
- Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night is on Wednesday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
- Incoming 7th Grade Parent Information Night is on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
- Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night is on Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m.
Postural Screening for 7th Grade
Postural screening is scheduled for this week for all students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. BMI screenings (height/weight) will be done simultaneously for 7th graders only. If you would like your child excused from these state mandated screenings, then we must have a written request from you accompanied by a medical note or recent physical from your child's health care provider documenting the date(s) these screenings were done. Please contact our school nurse, Tricia Williams, if you have any questions or concerns ([email protected]).
8th Grade Softball for Girls
8th grade softball sign ups begin Wednesday, February 27 and call players/families are asked to sign up by Wednesday, March 7. Our first meeting will be held in room 111 after school on Wednesday, February 27. I would ask that all 8th grade girls interested in playing please stop by and check in with Mrs. McClelland in room 111, especially those students who are unable to make the Wednesday meeting. Practice will begin Thursday, March 21st. Unless otherwise stated most practices will run Mon-Fri from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once the season starts April 11th, practices will be held from 3-5 on days games are not held. Full schedule and other details will be provided at the Wed. softball meeting. Any questions please contact Coach McClelland at [email protected].
8th Grade Food Pantry Drive
We will be starting the drive Monday, March 4th, and it will continue throughout the month of March. The grade will be involved in a friendly competition to determine the advisory that is the most generous. Although the Medfield Food Pantry will graciously accept all contributions, the items that are especially needed are bottles of juice or juice box packs, hot and cold cereal, applesauce cups, four packs of toilet paper, Kleenex, and snacks. We hope it will be a successful drive.
Cradles to Crayons - Pajama Drive
The 7th grade just completed their annual Cradles to Crayons Pajama Drive. The campaign was really successful with a total of 227 pairs of pajamas collected across the grade. The advisories each had a little competition to see which could bring in the most pairs. Mrs. Gumas's advisory took top honors with an impressive total of 46 pairs. We thank all of the parents for their support of Cradles to Crayons and the work that they do to support kids all over the Greater Boston area. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to have a hands on role in helping those around them in need.
Blake Drama Production
Cast and crew continue to look at the website for any changes. Also, please make sure all commitment letters and activity fees are in by Wednesday, 2/27. The schedule for 2/25-3/1 is below:
Monday - How Lucky You Are, Sold/Mayzie in Palm Beach, All for You...
Tuesday - Mazie's Exit/Horton Sits on the egg/Dilemma/hunters, Egg, Nest and Tree, Mayzie at the Circus, Amayzing Horton
- Stage crew meets with Mrs. Deveno from 2:30-4
Wednesday- Solla Sollew, The Whos Return/People vs Horton the Elephant, Yopp
Thursday - NO REHEARSAL. CAST AND CREW MEET AT HS AUDITORIUM AT 7:10 TO SEE PROJECT MOVES AT 7:30PM.
Friday - CAT IN THE HAT REHEARSAL
Boxtops Reminder and Competition
Did you know that Blake Middle School participates in the Box Tops For Education fundraiser? Well, it's true. Even better, this fundraiser requires no check writing on your part. Simply clip the boxtop off of participating General Foods products and send them in to the school. The collection box is located on the counter in the main office. You would be surprised at how many of your everyday products have these stamps on their packaging. Cheerios, Chex, Yoplait, Hefty, Ziploc,Scott, Betty Crocker and Land of Lakes are just a few participating brands. Don't throw the Boxtops out, send them in to Blake!!! Your trash is Blake's cash. Those dimes add up quickly. You can also log onto BTFE.com. For your convenience, a complete listing of BoxTops products can be found on the Blake website.
First Annual Boxtops Competition! February 11th thru March 11th. Have your student bring in General Foods Boxtops to their advisory. The advisory in each grade with the most Boxtops collected will receive a class prize. Just want to give your boxtops in now? Collection box is conveniently located in the main office.
'Surviving Adolescents: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast! And the ABC's of Parenting Adolescents' - Parent Presentation
The Medfield SEPAC is hosting a parent presentation by Nadine Briggs, founder of Social Smart Kids has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Blake Middle School auditorium: 'In these workshops on adolescents, we will explore adolescent development and how this exciting, yet sometimes excruciating, process of growing up can impact family life. Surviving Adolescents will explore why teens become “allergic” to their parents and how boys and girls journey through adolescence in similar and different ways. We will talk about how to gain respect from your teen, strategies for parenting a teen as opposed to a younger child and how to avoid the traps our teens set for us and the ones we set for ourselves to establish a healthy relationship with our adolescents. The ABC's workshop focuses in depth on Collaborative Problem Solving with teens and easy, quick “catch phrases” that parents can use to communicate with their teen as well as hints from teens themselves on how to parent them.' For additional information on this workshop and more, visit www.socialsmartkids.com. RSVP not required but suggested to Una Smith at [email protected].
Incoming 9th Grade Visual Arts Electives Information
This 7 minute video (http://www.medfieldk12finearts.net/9th-grade-electives-info.html) will give a brief description on how to locate information on our K-12 Fine Arts website regarding Visual Art Electives for 9th Graders and our Program of Studies information (http://www.medfieldk12finearts.net/visual-arts-program-of-studies-2013-14.html). Please take the time to carefully read through the POS information, and if you have any questions feel free to contact Jim Cousens, K-12 Fine Arts Content Specialist ([email protected]).
Also, please use our www.medfieldk12finearts.net website to see images from our foundation Art courses; Introduction to Art, Drawing & Painting, Printmaking & Design, and 3-Dimensional Design.
Beads for Life
The beaded jewelry sold last week by Friends Helping Friends and Happy Helping Hands was a huge success thanks to the support of the Blake Community. The morning fundraisers brought in $225, and the total amount the girls sold was $1161. The sale was through an organization called Bead For LIfe, whose mission is to eradicate poverty by empowering women to support their families through sustainable income.
MCPE News
Registration opens for the Annual Spelling Bee Thursday, February 28th. Register your team at medfieldcoaltion.org. All entrants will be entered into a raffle for an iPad Mini!
In other news, total grant investments so far this school year have exceeded $66,000. Progress towards the fundraising goal of $100,000 continues as the MCPE 25th Anniversary Appeal moves forward. MCPE thanks the 374 donors who have contributed nearly $72,000 towards future enrichment programs for Medfield’s schools. The campaign will continue through the end of the school year and contributions are still being gratefully accepted either online at www.medfieldcoalition.org or by mail to MCPE, P.O. Box 452, Medfield, MA 02052.
CSA News
Subway Night Tuesday!! Please support Blake Middle School by going to Subway tonight!!!!
The CSA sponsored 7th grade cookie dough fundraiser begins on Monday, February 25th. All 7th graders have the opportunity to participate in this fundraiser to help defray the cost of next year’s 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. All profits - 45% of sales - will be applied directly to your child’s personal trip account. Information packets along with order forms will be handed out on Monday, February 25th and due back on Monday, March 11th. Additional trip credit will be awarded to the top three sellers along with a two wild card drawings for any student who sells five or more items. Please contact Paula Bogar at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Nature's Classroom Scrip Promotion will run from 3/11-3/28. information will be distributed to students and parents week of 3/4.