6/1 - Blake Art Show Reception
Grades 6-8 Band Concert
Grades 7-8 Orchestra Concert
6/2 - Blake Mini-Marathon (see details below)
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
Civics Field Trip
6/7 - Blake Chorus Concert
6/8 - PEM Field Trip - Koalas
Screenagers Screening - 7:30 p.m. (see details below)
6/9 - PEM Field Trip - Otters
6/10 - Grade 8 Mandarin Field Trip
PEM Field Trip - Sea Turtles
6/13 - Screenagers Screening at Blake
Blake Site Council Mtg - 3:30 p.m.
MHS Athletics Meeting (see details below)
6/14 - Creature Fair (see details below)
6/15 - Creature Feature Field Trip
6/22 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony (see details below)
6/23 - Last Day of School for Students and Staff
Happy Summer!!!
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about 'good interruptions', this week's topic/question for the dinner table is: Share an experience you have had recently that at first felt like an interruption, but upon reflection held great meaning for you. Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Good Interruptions (5/29/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake Middle School Art Show
Come join us at the Blake Middle School Art Show reception Wednesday, June 1 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The show will be up from Tuesday, May 31-Friday, June 3.
Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making our 'No Homework Weekend' for Blake this past weekend a reality. This effort was part of our continued work to provide down time for students, staff, and families.
Washington, D.C. Trip - #blakeindc
I encourage the entire Blake community to check out the hashtag #blakeindc to view the pictures and 'online journal' of our excursion last week. In addition you can follow me on Twitter (@nat_vaughn), as I am using this account as a communication and resource tool for the Blake community - tweeting up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles on a daily or more frequent basis. You can also follow the hashtag #bmsed for Blake-related announcements and items of interest.
Thank you for all of the cooler donations. They can be picked up this week at the Blake office. Mrs. Williams has also asked that medication from the trip be picked up this week. Please contact her with any questions that you have ([email protected]).
"Screenagers" Film Screening and Discussion: A Blake Middle School Community (Parents/Guardians) Event on Wednesday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.
We are thrilled to present SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age, a documentary about the biggest parenting issue of our time.
Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that happening with her own kids and began a quest to uncover how it might impact their development. As with her other two award-winning documentaries on mental health, Ruston takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and also offers solutions on how adults can empower their kids to best navigate the digital world to find balance.
The film will be shown Wednesday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Medfield High School Auditorium, followed by an opportunity to engage in discussions about reactions, thoughts, questions, and takeaways. We do not have all of the answers, but we look forward to engaging in this important dialogue as a community of adults who are invested in our students and children. Please visit http://www.screenagersmovie.com/ to see the trailer! Our plan is to show this documentary to all Blake students during the school day on Monday, June 13 - therefore, this event is intended for parents and adults. Click this link for your free registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thomas-blake-middle-school-medfield-public-schools-presents-screenagers-growing-up-in-the-digital-tickets-25682389719
Creature Fair - Tuesday, June 14
7th grade parents are invited to visit the "Creature Fair" on Tuesday, June 14th in the LMC, during their child's math class. A letter is going home outlining the times. Hope to see you there!
The 4th annual Blake Marathon is here!!
Who: Blake staff, students, & families
What: Runners/walkers will be grouped into 3 waves, by grade level.
When: Thursday, June 2, 2016
Where: The race will snake around the Middle and High School campuses for 2.1 miles.
Why: To bring our Blake Community together and raise money for a good cause - The Heather Abbott Foundation!!
What do we need from families?
1) Parents MUST sign the attached Indemnity Form for ALL students (Runners, walkers, and cheering group) in order for students to participate.
2) This year’s registration “fee” is a suggested donation of $5.00 to The Heather Abbott Foundation. “Fees” can be submitted in cash or checks made payable to The Heather Abbott Foundation.
3) Parents/guardians interested in helping with the following roles, should indicate in the Google form below – we’d LOVE any support you can offer, especially in providing cases of water!
Parent Help sign-up - Click here
BEFORE RACE DAY:
Dropping off a case of water on 6/1
ON RACE DAY:
Runner check-in - before the race
Recording running times– during the race
Runner water stations/ recovery zone set-up & clean 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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
iPad Planning Inventory for 2016-2017 - Please Complete
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2016-2017 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2016-2017 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey by Thursday, May 12: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2016-2017. This inventory is different than the initial survey sent back in January. Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-June, 2016. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.
We have outlined the Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.
The 'minimum specifications' will still remain as the iPad 4, meaning the following are acceptable devices for students to use: iPad4, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, or iPad Air. The device selected by the students/families will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, then the iPad4, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, or iPad Air are the recommended devices. Our work over the last four years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.
For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...
Blake Mobile Learning Blog
Blake iPad Program Update for 16-17
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 16-17
Blake Mobile Learning Initiative Participation Options
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 16-17
We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Marimba Concert Flyer
Check out the flyer below for information about the Marimba event on June 9!
http://ngomadzakanaka.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/1/4/31140019/lowell_mason_house_concert_flyer.pdf
8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.
Summer Reading Book Sale
The Blake summer reading sale is in full swing. Our all-school book is a great one. It’s called Heart of a Samurai. It’s about a 14-year old boy from Japan in the 1840’s. He’s on a fishing boat that sinks in a storm. After nearly drowning he and some fellow survivors become stranded on a deserted island. They’re stuck on the island and are starving when they’re rescued by an American whaling ship from, of all places, New Bedford, Massachusetts. The ship’s captain ends up taking the 14-year old protagonist, Manjiro or John Mung as he later is known by, back to his home in Massachusetts. John likes his new life in America but also longs to return to Japan to see his family and also to fulfill his dream of becoming a Samurai warrior! Heart of a Samurai is a great book and is based on a true story!
But wait, there’s more to the summer reading program. Minimally, all Blake students are required to read two books, Heart of a Samurai and one additional title from their grade-level list. Here’s how our incentive works: Students who read a total of five books from their grade level list – Heart of a Samurai plus four that they choose, will get to come to the library for a complete pizza lunch with all of the trimmings.
In addition, they have to complete a video review, a podcast or comic strip or even a brief written review about one of the other 4 books that they’ve read – not the all-school. Their creations will be posted next September on the Blake LMC site.
So, simply have your son or daughter peruse their order sheets, check off the all-school book, decide which other four books they’d like to read, check those off, then get their order sheet and payment turned into their Advisory teacher. It’s that easy and fun! All proceeds from our Blake CSA book sale are used to buy additional books for the Blake Library. For additional information and order sheet reprints go to: http://blakelmcproject.wix.com/blakelmc
Blake Mini-Marathon/Heather Abbott
Last year’s Running Dream summer reading speaker and Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Heather Abbott, will be returning to school next Thursday, June 2 for our mini-marathon. Over the past several months, dozens of Blake students have been raising money for Heather’s foundation (http://heatherabbott.org) which provides prostheses to those who have suffered limb loss. Dozens of students, mostly on their own initiative, have run fundraising snack sales, lemonade stands, dodgeball competitions and even sold customized cell phone cases. All proceeds from the mini-marathon will also go to the Foundation.
Swapna Oslund, a 9-year old girl from Beverly, Massachusetts, will be the beneficiary of our fundraising efforts. Swapna was born in India with limb differences on both hands and her left leg. She has had a total of 18 surgeries including the amputation of her left partial foot in the fall of 2014. All money raised to date, along with the proceeds from the mini-marathon will go to Swapna for a new running leg. To see images and to read about Swapna’s life, check out her blog: https://lsofootblog.wordpress.com/ Heather and Swapna will speak to the Blake Community after the race. This is the first time Blake has had a full-year activity that emerged from a summer reading book. It’s been an educational and rewarding experience!
Blake Site Council 16-17 Survey
The Blake Site Council has been working on the development of our annual survey to students and parents. A similar survey has been administered the last three years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming. 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 and assess progress towards our mission. 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 Middle School Parent Survey March, 2016
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Pilot and Focus Group
Thank you to all sixth grade parents/guardians who were able to come to one of our Standards Based Reporting information sessions. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards Based Reporting Presentation Fall 2015
We are also looking for parents/guardians to be part of our parent focus group. This group will be comprised of the 6th grade science teachers, administration, and parents and will meet throughout the year (Fridays at 12:30 p.m.) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The remaining date that has been set for is: 6/3. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up
High School Athletics Meeting
On Monday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and their parents interested in playing high school athletics this coming fall season at Medfield. This meeting is very important and will cover many questions and concerns you may have, as well as introductions to all high school coaches and staff. Immediately following this meeting, coaches will meet with their respective sports to speak about the season and answer any questions you may have.
*Sports offered for the fall season are:
Cross Country (Boys and Girls)
Soccer (Boys and Girls)
Volleyball (Girls)
Field Hockey (Girls)
Football (Boys)
Golf (Co-ed)
K-8 PTO Update
PTO MEETING MINUTES
Our year end PTO meeting minutes have been posted. http://medfieldpto.weebly.com/blake-meeting-minutes.html
MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR
Customize EVERYTHING and choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more.
Go to shop.mylocker.net, enter your school locker number - BLAKE BD979 and use promo code b2g6dTK1
More information can be found on our website: http://medfieldpto.weebly.com/medfield-spirit-wear.html
RECYCLE INKJET AND TONER CARTRIDGES
Get rid of your trash and help Blake earn cash & supplies by recycling your inkjet and toner cartridges. We accept HP, Brother, Canon and Lexmark cartridges. Collection boxes are located outside of the Library. Thanks for your help! Please contact Donna Knott at [email protected] with any questions.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO , follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/medfieldk8pto/and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE Update
BLUE RIBBON RECOGNITION
MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program recognizes teachers, administrators, school coaches and staff for making a difference in a student's life. This program is an easy way to acknowledge school employees at the end of the school year. Each recipient will receive a personalized card announcing you made a donation in his or her honor. Click on the following link (formstack.com/forms/?1155510-ms8sVhWlW6) to make your donation online, and MCPE will take care of the rest. Your donation is tax deductible.
THE WINNERS OF THE FALL BALL ARTWORK CONTEST
Congratulations, and thank you to all who entered. The winning artwork will be displayed at the Fall Ball on September 24th, and a Grand Prize winner will be selected that night.
Memorial School:
Lauren Conder, Elizabeth Cumming, Tenley Rogers, Kiley Weafer and Anna Wilson
Wheelock School:
Katie Keating, Lily Lewis, Rose McEntee, and Joshua McMahon
Dale Street School:
Samantha Duggan, Jack Robertson, Katie Turner and Morgan Turner
Blake Middle School:
Sophia Donner, Lana Farrell, Sabrina Lee, Naomi Lung, Julia Wilson, Ashley Zilora
HELP WANTED!
One of the ways we hope to raise funds at the Fall Ball is through an online auction of desirable items and exciting experiences. Would you, could you help us? Please click on the Sign Up Genius link (signupgenius.com/go/70a054bacab2faa8-mcpe/) to see if you're able to contribute to this very worthy cause. If you have a lead on something fun or an item to donate that is not listed please contact Wendi Ayer [email protected] or Kim Price [email protected].
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.