2/24 - Subway Night for Blake
iPad Highlights and Information Session (see details below)
2/25 - iPad Highlights and Information Session (see details below)
2/25 - Incoming 6th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/2 - Read Across America Day (see details below)
3/3 - Twitter Workshop for Parents (see details below)
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
3/20 - Harmony Day
3/23 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/24 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS
3/26 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
3/27 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/30- Grade 8 ELA MCAS
3/31 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/1 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/2 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS Make-Up
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about centering and finding ways and time to do what is both needed and right, our topic/question of the week is: The many things you do may feel more right when you teach yourself to do them because you want to more than because you have to.
iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Information Sessions
2/24 at 6:30 p.m. and 2/25 at 8:30 a.m.
In an effort to continue our dialogue and share information with the Blake community about our iPad Initiative, we are holding two iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Information Session for parents/guardians on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, February 25 at 8:30 a.m. Our hope for these sessions is for the entire Blake community of parents and guardians to hear and see highlights from teachers and students, answer questions, and to gain an understanding of the work that is taking place. These events are for parents and guardians only. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (iPad Highlights and Mobile Learning Info Sessions 2-24-15 and 2-25-15) to let us know if you are planning on attending so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation.
Twitter??? Tweets are for kids!! (And adults…)
3/3/15 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 workshopis 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 2/10) via our Google Form: Twitter Workshop for Parents 3-3-15.
Spring Cleaning - Request for Legos Donations
In our ongoing efforts to foster experiences for students to be 'hands-on' and creative with materials, we are looking to provide outlets for students to create 'maker spaces' and also use these materials for stop-motion films and projects (i.e. ECM Lego Clip). As you begin your spring cleaning efforts (optimistic, I know!), we are looking for any donations from Medfield families of legos, blocks, figurines, play-doh, playmobil, or toys such as K'nex. Any donations can be dropped off at the Blake main office and would be greatly appreciated.
Mathematics Placement Process
Math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2015/2016 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows for them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 6th and 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class grades, placement test grades, MCAS 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 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 Susan Bycoff, Math Content Specialist at [email protected]. Thank you!
Read Across America Day
As noted in the upcoming dates, March 2 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.
Pennies for Patients Drive
Blake Middle School will be taking part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Pennies for Patients drive between Monday, February 23rd and Friday, March 13th. During the program, students may collect money to support LLS’s mission: to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. With the help of programs like Pennies for Patients, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance therapies that save lives. Last year alone, schools across Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire collected more than $789,000 in spare change and online donations. There will be a collection box for collecting spare change in each homeroom at Blake. In addition to collecting change, our school has its own online fundraising page to share with friends and family. Visit http://ma.sy.llsevent.org to access your school’s website today! Money can turn up anywhere! Check under the couch cushions, on your dresser or in your family car. Your child can make a difference in the lives of so many people simply by collecting change. Thank you in advance for helping LLS create a world without blood cancers.
iPad Program Update and Planning for 2015-2016
The Blake iPad Program Update for 15-16 was sent to all current 5th-7th grade families on February 5, 2015. This link outlines information for all Blake families outlining information about the iPad program for all Blake students for 2015-2016. To help us effectively prepare and plan our efforts, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2015-2016 academic year) to answer the questions on this Google Form survey: Incoming 15-16 iPad Program Planning Survey. Please fill out the survey for each child that will be attending Blake next year. Your responses are not binding and we recognize that your plans may change, but the initial feedback will assist us with our planning. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief survey and am hoping for 100% participation. For your reference I have posted links below to documents about our initiative/program…
Mobile Learning in Medfield (our blog, highlights, etc.)
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning Participation Options 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 15-16
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Technovation Updates
As many of you know we have a group of Blake 6th-8th grade girls who are participating in an international technology entrepreneurs competition called Technovation. For the next 10 weeks, we will be working to develop a mobile app to solve a community issue. The process/curriculum is pretty rigorous in order to meet our deadline and to be ready for the Regional Pitch Night at the Microsoft NERD Center on April 30th. Right now the teams are in the early stages of ideation and market research of figuring out an idea and seeing if it is something to move forward with and develop.
Our Teams are:
Totally Apptastic— Mary Orio, Allison Lane, Kate Anderson, Charlotte Wraight, Maddie Moon (Marjorie Heim and Kristen Buley - coaches)
Appily Ever After- Olivia Deval, Jamie Hollander, Emily Boyd, Anna DeBettenCourt, Paige Koterba (Diane Horvath- Coach)
These girls are more than excited about the challenge! We will keep you updated as we go!
Book Drive for New Bedford!
Student Council invites Blake students to participate in a Book Drive for New Bedford! For those of you who know and remember our former principal, Peg Mongiello, she is seeking to get a book in the hands of every one of her 750 students at the Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford for Read Across America in March. Cluster leaders will be collecting books in their rooms and Student Council reps will count - the cluster with the highest percentage of books collected will win a prize! New books are also welcome!
Lip Sync
The lip sync has been rescheduled. The dates are being finalized for the end of March. If students have any questions, they should see Jen. We apologize for the inconvenience. Students who have already signed up please see mrs. Dondero this week to discuss the schedule change. Any questions or concerns please contact Jen Dondero [email protected]
Blake Ski Club
There are two sessions left of Ski Club, both makeup days: Thursday 2/26 & 3/5. Nashoba will be holding lessons these two days.
Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has increased. Please remind students to come take a look, as there are a number of items that are unlabeled. We will be clearing out the Lost and Found at the end of this week.
Save the Date - Nature's Classroom 2015
The seventh grade trip to Nature's Classroom 2015 will be Monday, October 5 to Thursday, October 8.
Blake Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. I am sharing the 2013-2014 Executive Summary of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. Our intent is to distribute the 2014-2015 survey right after February vacation. Stay tuned!
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.
MHS Program of Studies Night for Incoming 9th Grade Parents
February 26, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
High School Auditorium
Please join members of the high school faculty as they present an overview of the Medfield High School academic curriculum. Additional information will be sent home as the date becomes closer. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Stephanie Worthley, Guidance Content Specialist at [email protected] or call the high school at (508) 359-4367.
CSA News
Blake CSA would like to remind you to check out our volunteer opportunities - all positions can be viewed in the online volunteer form on our website http://medfieldcsa.org/blake/blake.shtml.
Our CSA board is also looking for volunteers for next year - we have openings for Co-President and Treasurer. Further information will be provided in the upcoming couple of weeks but if you would like to contact us regarding what the positions entail please reach out to [email protected]
We also have several ongoing fundraisers in the works...
1. Check out our new Spiritwear vendor - www.mylocker.net. They have a huge range of customizable products that ship right to your door! Input Medfield K-8 store to benefit our CSA.
2. SCRIP - easier than ever through the shopwithscrip.com website. Or, stop by Park Street Books to purchase gift cards directly from their supply box.
3. Don't forget the textile recycling - not limited to wearable clothes. They will accept any fabrics in any conditions, shoes, bags, belts etc. Collection bins are at all schools.
4. BoxTops - one of the easiest way to support the CSA. Contact Laura Zaher at [email protected] if you have any questions.
5. Have you tried Swopboard -an online community marketplace that lets you buy and sell with the people you trust, and a minimum of 10% of each sale will go directly back to our school! Get started today at www.swopboard.com.
Mark your calendars for our next meeting, which takes place Wednesday March 18th at 7pm in the Blake library.
It is Subway night tonight!! Subway, a generous supporter of Blake, will donate 20% of all proceeds from 2-9pm. Don't miss an opportunity to thank Subway and fundraise for our students.
We are looking for a 6th grade parent volunteer to assist with the Nature's Classroom SCRIP Fundraiser this Spring. Please read below: The coordinator works with the existing SCRIP team to promote the fundraiser to the class parents. The coordinator would present the fundraiser at the NC / 6th Grade trip information night, and be the liaison between parents and the SCRIP committee. All of the purchasing and behind-the-scenes SCRIP transactions are handled by the SCRIP committee, however it is useful if the coordinator is familiar with the online SCRIP purchasing modules, PrestoPay and ScripNow feature as the fundraiser will be online only through the SCRIP website. Please e-mail Joellyn Ripp at [email protected] if you can help! Thanks!
MCPE News
E4E Parties and MCPE Annual Appeal
To-date, MCPE has funded over $40,000 in grants across all five public schools. We still need additional funds to help us continue this level of giving.
Please help by donating to our annual appeal www.medfieldcoalition.org/donate-now/ or by hosting an E4E Party.
Register your party at www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/e4e-2/ If you have questions, please contact Megan Infantino(508-359-9928), Kim Price (508-246-8335), or email [email protected].