March 26 - iPad Highlights Morning Information Session (see details below)
Subway Night for Blake
March 28 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
7th Grade ELA Long Composition Make-Up MCAS
March 29 - No School
April 1 - Site Council Mtg (3:15 p.m.)
Grades 5-12 Band-O-Rama
April 2 - iPad Highlights Information Night (see details below)
April 3 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
April 5 - Special Olympics Event at Blake
April 5-7 - MICCA Festival
April 8 - MARC Assembly for Grade 6
April 9 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
April 10 - 1/2 Day for Students (Professional Dev't Afternoon for Staff)
Career Day for 8th Grade
April 11 - Grade 6 Geology Field Trip
April 15-19 - April Vacation
April 22 - School Resumes
CSA Meeting - 7:30 p.m. at Blake LMC
April 23 - Grade 6 Geology Field Trip Rain Date
Subway Night for Blake
April 25 - Energy Conservation Assembly
'Topic/Question for the Dinner Table'
To keep in line with the idea of one's impact on others, our Topic/Question for the Dinner Table this week is: If your friends learned of a different way to do something, (why) would you want them to show you? If you learned of a different way to do something, (why) would you want to show your friends?
Term 2 Report Cards
This past Friday students took time to review the Term 2 report cards and work done was done in advisory to establish productive goals for the third 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. All 'sign-off' sheets were due back by today, so be sure that outstanding forms are returned.
Blake Ledger
Our first edition is online www.blakeledger.weebly.com . f anyone wants to join, members are always welcome! We meet at 2:15 every Thursday. It's free to join and all grades are welcome.
Parental Input for 2013-2014
The due date for parental input for the 2013-2014 school year was this last Monday, March 18. This was one of the first steps in the process of placement and scheduling for 2012-2013. There is no need to be concerned if you did not put thoughts in writing, as equal consideration is given to the needs of every student, whether or not we have received input from parents. The input is only necessary if you have information to share that you do not believe the school already knows. As stated in the letter sent in early March, parents are asked not to make specific requests for teachers, as they will not be considered part of the placement process. The information that has been gathered will help guide us, and we do not guarantee placement with particular peers or teachers. We are confident our teachers and clusters are well balanced and that they each will provide a productive and positive educational experience for our students. Please trust our professional judgment as we strive to ensure a high quality and positive education for each of our students.
MA Geography Bee Competition
Nathan Parry, a sixth grade student on the Koala Cluster, is a semifinalist for the 2013 Massachusetts National Geographic Bee sponsored by the National Geography Society. Nathan won the school Geography Bee earlier in the year and then passed a geography test given by the National Geography Society. His score was amongst the top 100 students in the state. Nathan will compete against other state winners on April 5th at the Worcester Academy in Worcester. The winner of this competition wins $100, a DVD collection of the "Complete National Geographic on DVD" and a trip to compete in the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C. on May 23.
Spelling Bee
The MCPE's Spelling Bee last Wednesday night was a great success. Thank you to everyone for their encouragement of this event, and we commend all of our students who were able to participate. A special thank you to Jon Haycock and Travis Taliaferro for serving as emcees for the night, and to Kelly Campbell for judging.
MCAS Information
While we do not want to foster undue anxiety or pressure for students, a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast will ensure that they come to school prepared to do their best. Please be sure that students arrive at school on time. If your student is sick on the day of a scheduled test date, it is best for your child to get some rest and take it on a make-up day. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) or your child's guidance counselor.
School Dress Guidelines
As we hopefully begin to soon welcome the warmer weather, please take a moment to review the Blake dress guidelines with your child. As you may remember, Mrs. Campbell did convey this message to students during our welcome assembly at the start of the year. As a review, page 4 of the Student Handbook states "We are confidentthat good judgment on the part of students and parents willresult in the wearing of clothing which will contribute to arespectful academic environment and educationalatmosphere. At Blake Middle School, we endeavor toremove as many distractions from the day as possible sothat students are able to focus on the most important of theirday – learning. Each student will abide by the guidelines ofdecency, cleanliness and safety at all times. In accordancewith our expectations for school dress, students are requiredto wear clothing that does not show the 4 Bs: boxers,breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students notto wear hats, short shorts, midriff shirts, or clothing thatdisplays obscene language, violence, lewd or vulgarpictures, alcohol or drug references, sexual innuendoes,racial/ethnic/religiously offensive materials, or any graphicthat may interfere with the educational process."
Please keep in mind that undergarments and cleavage should not be visible and skirts/shorts should generally be mid-thigh length. Students should be reminded that some clothing choices are great for the beach but not practical or appropriate for the school day. Please expect that students who arrive at school dressed inappropriately will be reminded of appropriate dress and parents will be contacted to bring a change of clothes to school.
Parent Information Night Presentations
Thank you to all of the parents/guardians who were able to attend our information nights for 2013-2014. I have posted the PowerPoint presentations on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog for your reference. If you have any questions or concerns about next year, please contact your child's guidance counselor.
iPad Pilot and Initiative Update for 2013-2014
It was wonderful to see many of you last night at the Incoming 8th grade parent night to hear about the 8th grade program and iPad Initiative for next year. As you know we are expanding upon the current 8th grade iPad pilot and implementing a 1:1 iPad program for the entire 8th grade for the 2013-2014 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. To follow up I have posted copies of the documents that were distributed about the initiative/program (General Information, FAQ's, and 'Lease to Own' Information). The details of the 'Lease to Own' are tentative and still being finalized, as we are working to find the most cost-effective program for families. We anticipated sending out a Google Form 'Lease to Own Interest Inventory' by April vacation.
I have also copied the link to the iPad site (iPad Blog) and I encourage you to visit it to gain a greater understanding of the work that has taken place. We are have planned another iPad Highlights Information session for Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. This session is a 'repeat performance' of the sessions held on March 6 and February 6, and parents/guardians should not feel obliged to attend if they attended the previous meetings. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (iPad Highlights Evening Session on 4-2-13) to let us know if you are planning on attending either session so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation.
March is 'Acceptance' Month
As the end of the month of March draws near, Student Council's Acceptance month of activities and demonstrations is coming to a close. We have been exposed to some of the facts about bullying and judgement, worked around positive changes in the language we use, and have even stepped outside of our comfort zones in an effort to perhaps get to know someone we didn't before. Our final week of March will center around what unites us...we are all HUMAN, and as such, should treat each other with respect and grace to make this world a better place. Students will design "HUMAN" stickers to be worn in a show of unity on Thursday, March 28th (over a red shirt). They will also have an opportunity to hear the children's book, "Is There Really a Human Race?" by: Jamie Lee Curtis, read by members of our Blake community.
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
16 Hands Book Drive
16 Hands, a community service group of 8 junior girls from the Medfield High School will be running a book drive this week for the Italian home in Boston. This is a foster care center for children who are in need. There will be boxes located in the office and library to collect new and gently used books for all ages. Your donation would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Nature's Classroom Information
The Nature's Classroom forms and deposit were due Monday, March 25th. You can find all the forms to fill out at http://www.medfield.net/blake/school-information/natures-classroom.html If you are unable to print the forms, please contact your child's cluster leader or Judy Silva at [email protected] to arrange to have a packet sent home. Please be sure to contact Mr. Vaughn if financial help is needed.
Spring Intramurals
Spring Intramurals will start the week after April vacation (4/22). Look for sign-up information the week prior to vacation (4/8).
Spring Track at Blake
There is still time to sign up for Middle School Track. If anyone missed the informational meeting that was held this past week on the Spring Track season, please stop by the library and see Mr. Haycock. He will provide you with the informational sheet which includes the sign up information. The track team will begin its season on April 2. Practices will run from Tuesday through Friday from 2:30-3:30. We will have 7-8 meets during the season. This schedule will be out shortly.
Spring Softball
Practice will begin Tuesday, March 26 and will be held right after school in the gym. I will let students know when the fields are okay to practice on so that we may begin practice from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Wheelock.
Washington, D.C. Medical Forms
All medical forms for the Washington, D.C. trip need to be returned asap.
Spring Greening!
Blake's Project 351 representative, Kathleen Lanzilla, is running a drive from April 1st to April 5th. She is trying to collect as many new or gently used pieces of clothing and shoes (no stains or rips) during this time period. The drive is for a partnership between Cradles to Crayons and Project 351, an organization set up by Governor Deval Patrick to engage children in community service. All homerooms will be collecting items during that duration of time, so any donations would be fully appreciated.
8th Grade Food Pantry Drive
The 8th grade food pantry drive has begun 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.
Putting for Patients - Message from MHS Student Council
Cancer is a terrible disease that has affected many of our friends, families and neighbors personally. The Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute fundraiser and research tirelessly so that they may find the cure to cancer and improve the lives of millions who are affected by it. On April 6, from noon to 4, the Student Council will be partnering with the Jimmy Fund of Greater Boston to host "Putting for Patients," a Jimmy Fund golf tournament, in the MHS gymnasium. The event will feature an 18-hole miniature golf course, complete with great prizes for the best golfers and a silent auction with awesome items like Red Sox tickets and paraphernalia and local prizes like Slugger's Academy batting time and martial arts private lessons. There will also be a caricaturist, an event photographer, and plenty of refreshments! We hope that Putting for Patients will be a community event at which Medfield residents of all ages can come together and enjoy a fun afternoon of mini-golf and games! All proceeds will benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Registration forms are located in the Blake Middle School main office, as well as the high school main office. You can register online at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dEZRQ1pxRFBhY01CdjZOTXRQSDdfZlE6MA, or send in a registration form (which you can print off at http://www.mhsstuco.blogspot.com/) and send or drop off to:
Medfield High School
Attn. Jess Safer
88R South Street
Medfield, MA 02052
Please contact [email protected] with any questions! Have fun and get on the right course to fight cancer at Putting for Patients!
Blake Drama Production
Please continue to check the theater page for schedule updates. First round of costume requests is out. The students should bring what they have to rehearsal on Wednesday, March 27th. If anyone in the Blake community has any boas, flying goggles, or brown vests to donate or to loan to us, we'd appreciate it.
Bird Girls - Please look in your closets or ask your friends if they have colored tutus from dance.
Wickersham Bros - Do you have khaki shorts and/or a brown shirt?
Whos - Do you have pastel/light oranges, blues, greens, yellow clothing? No florals but dots, stripes, etc acceptable.
Jojo - Do you have Navy Shorts?
We are also looking for any boas, flying goggles, brown vests
MCPE News
Get ready for MCPE’S ONLINE AUCTION OF FUN AND FAVORITE THINGS from April 1-9, 2013! Back by popular demand, MCPE is offering its most popular educational experiences from auctions and raffles past. Kids and parents alike love these one-of-a-kind items, and teachers and administrators love to give back! Here are some of the items that will be up for auction: Dodgeball Party with Mr. Taliaferro, Dumpling Making with Miss Liu, Spanish Fiesta Time with Srta. LeBlanc, Basketball Clinic with Big Blue Co-Captains, MHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse; Captain for the Day, Shopping with the Teachers!, Matinee for 4 with Ms. Allen and Mrs. Gumas, Canoe and Bird Watching with Mr. Gow and many more!!
Visit www.medfieldcoalition.org
CSA News
Tuesday March 25th is Subway Night. Please go to Subway and support Blake Middle School!
Last call for Nature's Classroom Scrip orders - Last order to reduce your child's expenses for NC is due Thursday 3/28. Please bring your order to the Blake office.
April 9th - 7th Grade Cookie Dough Fundraiser distribution day from 2-6 p.m.