June 12 - Medfield High School Fall Sports Night (see info below)
June 13 - Student/Staff Softball Game (see info below)
June 14 - Blake Beautification Event and Ice Cream Party (see info below)
June 15 - Grade 7 Creature Field Trip to Elementary Schools
Arts and Athletics Golf Tournament (see info below)
June 18 - Transition Day
Grade 8 Picnic
Grade 8 Closing Ceremony (7 p.m. in Blake Gymnasium)
June 19 - Last Day of School - 1/2 Day (Dismissal at 11:10 a.m.)
Communication
With the inherent busyness of the last week of school, the last blog update before we enter summer will be communicated towards the end of next week (June 21 or 22).
Visitors from China
We are excited to share that we are hosting four visitors from China (two educators and two government officials) - they will be arriving Tuesday evening and will be here until Thursday afternoon. Blake students and staff are invited to wear RED on Wednesday, June 13 as a way to recognize and welcome the Chinese officials and dignitaries that are visiting from Bengbu.
Cluster Placement Letters
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments are being finalized and will be shared with students/families via a letter that students will receive at the end of the school day on Friday, June 15. Transition Day is Monday, June 18 and on that day students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events.
Student/Staff Softball Game
The Student vs. Teacher/Faculty softball game will take place on Wednesday, June 13 at Shonda Schilling Field at 3:00 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $2 to watch the game. There will also be a freeze-pop stand, as well as a water balloon station where students will have the opportunity to show their "thanks" to some of their teachers. Proceeds from the game will go to the Ken Brackett Scholarship Fund. The event will be a truly memorable time for everyone involved and promises to be a great way to close out the school year. Families are welcome and encouraged to join in the festivities.
Blake Beautification Event and Ice Cream Party
SIPS members and their friends are welcome to help beautify the school on Thursday, Just 14th from 2:15- 3:15pm. Ice cream will follow.
8th Grade Parents
All 8th grade parents need to stop by the nurse's office by Friday, June 15 to pick up medication from the Washington, D.C. trip. Medications not picked up by that date will be discarded.
Grade 8 Cookout
The Grade 8 cookout will take place on Monday, June 18. Students will be outside and should be prepared with a sunscreen, hat, and a pen to sign yearbooks.
Grade 8 Closing Ceremony
Our Grade 8 Closing Ceremony will take place on Monday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Blake gymnasium. This event is intended to provide students, staff, and families to honor and recognize our students for their accomplishments and to reflect upon their middle school years. After the ceremony we will have a reception, courtesy of CSA, in our cafeteria for students and their families. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening!
Blake Gear
All orders will be delivered Tuesday, June 12.
Locks and Phones
Next year all students will be required to bring in a combination lock with which to lock their hallway lockers. They will give their combination to their advisory teacher for safekeeping in the event that they forget it. In order to give students time to practice using their lock and become comfortable with it, we recommend that families consider purchasing it in June so that students may practice using it throughout the summer.
In order to minimize distraction during the school day, all cell phones will need to be off and locked in lockers next year during school hours. Students will not be permitted to carry phones during the day. If a student needs to make a phone call, phones are available in the guidance office and the main office. In addition, if a parent needs to contact a student during the school day, please call the main office and we are happy to get messages to students throughout the day. As always, students are discouraged from bringing valuable and distracting items to school.
Memorial Day and Vietnam Memorial Project
This past week in Advisory students and staff took time to honor Memorial Day. As part of our efforts to raise money towards the construction of the Vietnam War Memorial at Blake, the red, white, and blue bracelets will be on sale for $2.00 through the end of the school year. I have copied below the press release regarding the project. Donations for this project can be made out to 'Medfield Foundation' with 'Veterans Plaque Fund' noted on the check or enclosure. These donations can be dropped off at the Blake Main Office or at Lord's. Thank you in advance for your support.
Calling all Gardeners!
Blake is in search of a group of volunteers to build several large raised garden beds in our library courtyard as we prepare to embark on a Blake community gardening endeavor. Students will be planting, tending and harvesting the gardens but we are in need of some volunteers who can lead the building effort over the next few weeks. Please contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) if you are interested in helping.
Exciting Blake Summer Reading Incentives
Tori Fitzpatrick, a sophomore at Medfield High School, is the force behind the New Summer Reading Incentive Program. As a former Blake student and avid reader, she realized there was no incentive for students who were not avid readers to pick up a book during the summer and read. The library staff took her idea and ran with it. Let's all congratulate and thank Tori for spearheading the change. All students are required to read the all-school book, one grade-level required book, and one optional book. Beyond those, here is the breakdown of the incentive program:
Best Buy $50 Gift Card Drawing: For every book read over the required three, up to a maximum of 17 books, students will get their names on a ticket for grade-level drawings for a $50 Best Buy Gift Card (separate card for each grade). The more you read, the better your odds!
Pizza Party/Park Street Books Trip: Read 20 books (the all school, 1 required grade level, and 18 from the grade-level optional list) and you get to take part in a pizza party followed by a trip to Park Street Books, where you may pick out a free book! Your name will also appear on 17 tickets for the Best Buy drawing!
Please refer to the Forms and Documents tab for copies of the 6th-8th grade reading lists for this summer. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Haycock at [email protected].
Diabetes Action - Research and Education Foundation
Students and staff are invited to make donations to Diabetes Action - Research and Education Foundation. Forms are available in advisories, guidance, or the main office. A powerpoint, made by Matt Averill, detailing this cause can be found on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog.
School Supplies for Nicaragua
Kelsey and Susan Sipple are once collecting any gently used school supplies for the children they met while building houses in Masaya, Nicaragua. Their school does not have enough money for supplies, nor do the families so any donations are greatly appreciated. There will be a box in the lobby until the end of school for any donations.
High School Boosters (Soon to be PTO!)
The Medfield High School Boosters has an informational flyer that can be found on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog. Contact Laurie MacLean at [email protected] or 359-2193 to get more information or sign up. You can also get information on their website at www.medfieldhighschoolboosters.org.
Medfield High School Fall Sports Night
All parents and athletes are requested to attend the Fall Sports Night for information on the 2012 season on June 12, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. All incoming 9th grade parents will meet the Athletic Director and Athletic Trainer in the Middle School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. for an introduction to Medfield athletics. At 7:15 p.m. all fall athletes and parents will meet in the High School auditorium for general expectations and then proceed to classrooms to meet with fall coaching staff. Please bring all required forms and fee checks. The informational flyer can be found on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog.
Arts and Athletics Golf Tournament
The first Arts and Athletic Golf Tournament is being held on Friday, June 15. This golf tournament is being presented in partnership with the Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts. The informational flyer and registration form can be found on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog.
MCPE News
Two good things rolled into one! Through MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program,you can acknowledge the excellence and outstanding service of particular teachers and staff by making a donation in their honor. A letter of your recognition will be provided to the recipient/s. In addition, your tax-deductible donation will help support future educational grants awarded to the Medfield Public Schools. What a great opportunity! To participate forms are due by Wednesday, June 13th. For more information, visit: http://www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/blue-ribbon-program.html.
CSA News
Before you head off for summer vacation, sign up to volunteer at Blake! Please visit the Blake CSA website today to receive more information on our immediate volunteer needs. Join us and get involved at http://medfieldcsa.org/blakevolunteer.html.
Tuesday, June 12th is our last Royal Pizza fundraiser for this school year. Royal is a great alternative to cooking on these warm evenings so feed the family and Royal Pizza will make a contribution to Blake Middle School CSA which benefits our middle school children. Remember every time SCRIP is used for the purchase an additional contribution goes to CSA. Thank you for your support, and when in Royal’s please thank them for their support too.
Can you help clear out the Blake scrip box inventory for the summer? Cathy still has lots of grocery stores and local vendors on hand. Email her at [email protected] to get your gift cards and support Blake at the same time.