2/16 - Blake Student Council
2/17 - Blake GSA
2/21-2/25 - February Vacation
2/28 - DEI Task Force Meeting
3/2 - Blake Student Council
3/3 - Blake GSA
3/8 - Blake Site Council Meeting
3/9 - Blake Student Council
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/10 - Blake GSA
School Committee Meeting
3/14 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night (see details below)
3/15 - Blake String Fling
3/16 - Blake Band-o-Rama
3/23 - Empty Bowls
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the things that motivate us to improve, our questions for this week are: What helps you when you face challenges? What inspires you to keep moving forward? Moving Forward (Week of 2/13/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Incoming Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/9 - Incoming 6th Grade Information 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 2021-2022 academic year’s mobile learning Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/14 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh and eighth grade (current sixth and seventh grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th and 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year.
Black History Month Update
Black History Month is a month dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the countless contributions Black Americans have made to society. Throughout the month in classes and advisory we have honored the month through shared learning experiences. Starting the month with grade-level assemblies, we asked each advisory to decorate their classroom doors by spotlighting a Black American who has made a significant contribution to our society.
Blake Spirit Week
Student Council cordially invites all staff and students to participate in our February spirit week! Here are the days coming up next week:
Monday 2/14: Valentine's Colors Day (red, white, pink)
Tuesday 2/15: Comfy Cozy Day
Wednesday 2/16: Decade Day/Blast from the Past
Thursday 2/17: Hawaiian/Tourist Day
Friday 2/18: Jersey/Sports Day
Intramural Update
Registration is open for Magic the Gathering (starting next week) and Badminton (starting the first week of March). If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
March is Women’s History Month
March 1 marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. Please share any ideas you have as to how we can recognize this month within the Blake community. Here are a couple of reads of interest…
What Schools Teach About Women’s History Leaves a Lot to Be Desired
The Long & Winding Road to Women’s Rights
Educational resources are available from federal sources and the National Women's History Museum, among others.
Student Connectedness at Blake
‘No Significant learning occurs without a significant relationship’ - Dr. James Comer
It is important to us that every Blake student has a trusted adult at school. Each year we ask our students to fill out this survey - this information will help us to support our students. These are the questions that were asked this week in advisory…
- If you needed help at school with a big or small problem, which adult(s) at Blake would you feel comfortable going to about the issue? Please list the names of the adults. If you do not have any adults that you would feel comfortable going to in our school, you may write “no one”.
- Please explain why you feel comfortable going to these adults. What is it about them that makes them helpful or approachable?
- What do you think the people who work at Blake could do to make you feel more welcomed at school?
Summer Reading Input?
It's summer at Blake! The summer reading team will meet in early February to begin looking at titles for this summer's reading choices. Have a book you would like to recommend? Please share with Kerry Cowell ([email protected]) and Beth Sancher ([email protected]). Happy Reading!
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 [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
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 [email protected] with any questions.
Progress Update on Reporting Adaptations
As shared in the e-mail to Blake families in December, our staff has been working to address the recommendations from our Director of Instruction and Innovation's 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021), and an update was shared at the most recent School Committee meeting (Link to recording now available: Medfield School Committee (12-09-2021). We will be sharing these updates via information and educational sessions for families in the new year via a recorded webinar format.
Adaptations to our reporting will take place in Term 3 of 2021-2022, including…
- traditional letter grades on all priority standards for grades 7 and 8
- expansion of a metric scale from the current 1-3 scale by adding a fourth metric of feedback (1-4 scale)
The purpose of reporting on academic progress is to provide feedback on a student’s progress and to help direct future efforts. Effective feedback to students during the learning process is essential to a healthy and productive learning experience. 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
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: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
MCPE Updates
This all volunteer group raises money through a series of community events and then we grant the money to fund Teacher Requested programs, curriculum, and enrichment for the Medfield Public School system.
Apply here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/volunteer-application-form
Bee registration is NOW OPEN for kids in grades 2-5. Visit our website for all the details and to register your team: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/spellingbee
Webinars of Interest
Updates To Our Favorite Tools – ScreencastifyTuesday, 2/22 at 3:30 p.m.
Screencastify has been a fantastic tool to record a computer screen for years. But lately, Screencastify has been adding features to their already awesome platform and creating functionality that is perfect for the classroom. Join EdTechTeacher instructor, Avra Robinson, for a fun show and tell focusing on Screencastify’s latest features.
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/)