5/27-5/29 - No Homework Weekend
5/29 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/30 - Blake Spring Band Concert - 7 p.m.
5/31 - Student Council
Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert - 6:30 p.m.
6/1 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Stripes)
Pride Alliance
6/2 - Great East Festival
6/5-6/9 - Blake Art Show
6/5 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Stars)
6/6 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Eagles)
6/7 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Rain Date)
6/8 - 8th Grade Mandarin Field Trip
6/9 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Rain Date)
6/12 - 8th Grade Bike Trip (Rain Date)
6/14 - Transition Day
8th Grade Cookout
8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/15 - Last Day for Students and Staff
Half-Day of School
6/16 - Happy Summer!
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about goals and the steps we take towards their realization, our question for this week is: What goal(s) do you want to focus on over the last few weeks of this school year? What step(s) are you taking to meet this/these goal(s)? Mapping Steps (Week of 5/21/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Memorial Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No work will be due on Tuesday, May 30 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on Tuesday, May 30. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.
Blake Mini-Marathon - Thank You!
On Friday, May 12, the entire Blake Community gathered for the 9th annual Blake Mini Marathon. The marathon is a school event and 2.1 mile race/fun run that became a part of our community 10 years ago, in the wake of the tragedy surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon. Since then, our community has gathered for this event to bring us together and to raise funds for a good cause. This year, we were thrilled to bring the race back live and in person, to its fullest and most wonderful capacity! Over 450 staff & student runners & walkers participated in the event, cheered on by their peers.
Together, we not only had a fun community bonding experience, but also raised over $2,300 for Medfield Outreach, a small but mighty municipal department of the Town of Medfield, serving the social, emotional, and financial needs of Medfield residents. Through collaboration with a wide network of organizations, including the schools, Medfield Outreach provides a variety of services including: free and confidential counseling, community assistance for financial hardship, referrals to a wide range of local, state and federal programs and prevention programming.
We were thrilled that this year's mini marathon was such a huge success and look forward to this community event that unites us all for many years to come!
Blake Theater Celebration!
Blake Theater friends will be celebrating a wonderful year of acting, painting and tech work on Wednesday, June 7 from 2:15-3:30pm. More info will be emailed to participants soon!
8th Grade AAPPL Tests for World Language
As part of the process of strengthening our alignment to proficiency and informing our program, once again this year we will be administering 3 sections of the AAPPL proficiency (form A) assessment to our eighth grade world language students on May 31st. This test is untimed, but we expect that most students will complete this portion of the assessment in the first 3 periods of the day. Students will complete the speaking portion during class time between 5/12 -5/22.This assessment is the same format as the proficiency assessment that students take to measure their proficiency for the seal of biliteracy in high school. The form we will use, however, is designed for middle school students. The AAPPL test is different from other standardized tests such as MCAS or SAT as it is a proficiency-based assessment that is designed to determine a student's ability to function in a language in real-life circumstances while assessing reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
For more than 70 years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness month. The focus of Mental Health Awareness Month is to call attention to the various issues people have with stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges while at the same time reminding us all that each individual has inherent value. Throughout the month, we will be promoting mental health awareness and encouraging our students to prioritize their emotional well-being. Below please find some webinars and workshops that pertain to this endeavor.
Mental health is as vital as physical health, and in fact can impact physical well-being. Adolescence is a challenging time for many. It is important that we provide students with the support they need to cope with the various stressors in their lives.
We invite parents and other caregivers to join in our efforts. Speaking with children about their concerns, fears, and other challenges in their lives, and sharing resources to help them cope with these challenges is one way to promote positive mental health. Working collaboratively we can build resilience, create a healthy and positive learning environment, and help young people develop skills that will serve them into adulthood. Below please find a couple of resources and ‘shares’ of interest.
How can I support you? A teen mental health primer
from Making Caring Common Project
Harvard EdCast: A Crisis of Belonging
(27 minutes)
Geoff Cohen discusses ways we can nurture belonging as educators, parents, and citizens.
Memorial Day Presentation for 6th Graders
Jonathan Gray will be presenting his father's POW story to our sixth grade students on Friday May 26. His compelling story and portrayal of his father is captivating. The presentation is in honor of Memorial Day.
Art and Ice Cream!
Join us at the Blake Art Show and Empty Bowls Fundraiser June 6th 5:30-7. Come to the Blake LMC to view the amazing works of art by Blake artists. Purchase an ice cream sundae and 100% of funds raised will benefit the Medfield Food Cupboard. Thank you PTO for granting the seed money for this community event!
Update from SEPAC
At SEPAC, we like to advocate, educate and celebrate. And it's definitely time to think about celebrating!! Please join us for our end-of-the-year celebration at Hinkley playground on June 13th at 5 pm. This is a great opportunity for families to meet and make connections. The SEPAC board will provide popsicles. Families are encouraged to make a night of it and bring whatever snacks/ dinner items they'd like. Please RSVP by using this link: SEPAC End-of-Year Celebration 6/13 @ 5 pm
Still looking for somtehing for your 10-14 year old to do this summer?
Consider The Norfolk County Sheriff's Youth Leadership Academy!
This year's academy will be held in Medway.
With a goal of developing youth leaders in the community, the Academy includes icebreakers, games,activities and demonstrations aimed at building self-confidence, problem-solving, goal-setting and communication skills in an atmosphere of fun and adventure.
A highlight of the Academy are the adventure days on the high ropes course to give the participants an opportunity to challenge themselves in a supportive environment. This summer there are 4 sessions available, each session is one-week long. Sessions start July 10, July 17, July 24 and July 31.
Although the Sheriff’s Office runs this program, this is not a ‘boot camp’ style experience. We aim to engage students in a fun and friendly way. Contact us for more information.
The program is for children aged 10 to 14 years old. $199 for the week per child ($35 if they qualify for free or reduced school lunch). To register visit: youthacademymedway.campbrainregistration.com
For more information: [email protected] or 781-751-3501
Do you know a Medfield teacher or staff member who has made a positive impact in a student's life? MCPE's Blue Ribbon Recognition Program is the perfect way to honor their efforts and show your appreciation! By making a donation to MCPE in their name, you can recognize their hard work and dedication to our students.
And what better time to participate in the program than during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week? This is a thoughtful and easy way to recognize the important role these individuals play in shaping our children's future.
Let's show our gratitude and make a difference in our school community by participating in the Blue Ribbon Recognition Program today!
Submit your Blue Ribbon Recognition here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/blue-ribbon-recognition-2023
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
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 Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.