6/16 - Bike Trip for Stars and Eagles
8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/17 - Transition Day
6/18 - 1/2 Day for Students
Last Day of School
** Happy Summer!
Question of the Week
To help encourage dialogue and reflection about this past year of learning, with ‘an eye’ towards next year, our question(s) for this week is/are: How/why was this a good year for you as a learner? How will this help you next year? Time for Reflection and Action (Week of 6/13/21)) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Cluster/Advisory Placement Info for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families at the end of the school day via e-mail on Wednesday, June 16. E-mails will be sent directly to both students and parents/guardians. Please know that clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.
Transition Day for Incoming 6th-8th Grade Students
Transition Day will be taking place Thursday, June 17 and that afternoon students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events.
Blake Summer Reading Info!
Find ALL Blake Summer Reading information HERE for incoming grade 6/7/8 students. Park Street Books is once again partnering with Blake Middle School to offer 20% back to Blake library/ reading programs with every purchase. Use this LINK to order online. Be sure to enter the discount code 'BLAKEREADS2021' to guarantee the 20% donation. Shopping in-store? Mention the special code at checkout!
Summer Supply Lists
All students should refer to the School Supply Lists located on the Guidance webpage.
Athletics Information for Fall 2021
Below please find the following information regarding Fall 2021 athletics (timeline, registration, important information etc). If you have any questions, please contact Eric Scott ([email protected]).
Athletics Registration:
Registration Link
Teams and Schedules:
https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/14340
Presentations:
Fall 2021 Athletics Meeting for Blake MS and Medfield HS
ArbiterLive (new schedule system) overview
8th Grade Closing Ceremony Update
Our 8th grade Closing Ceremony is this Wednesday, 6/16 at 6:00 p.m. on the baseball field.
- All students should arrive by 5:45 p.m. so that we can start promptly at 6:00 p.m. When students arrive they should head directly to their seats on the baseball field (students will be sitting by advisory in alphabetical order). Students should not be entering the building before heading to their seats on the field.
- All students should enter the baseball field by the 'dugout entrance', near home plate.
- Families are welcome and we ask that all guests bring lawn chairs/blankets for seating in the outfield. We will have a limited number of chairs for our older guests or those who may need some accommodated seating.
- We ask that students and families do not bring any food on to the field, and that only water be brought for beverages.
- All families and guests should enter the baseball field by the outfield entrance.
- Students typically like to dress up a bit but cool, comfortable clothing makes sense and is appropriate -- collared shirts and nice shorts, dresses, or pants are common choices. Both students and families should dress for a potentially warm evening.
- In accordance with the COVID-19 parameters, masks are not required for students and families while outside on school grounds.
Blake Battles Bias Update
BBB (Blake Battles Bias) Peer Leaders led an activity in 6th grade advisories that explored what Blakers have in common with each other yet also recognized and celebrated our differences. Congrats to our BBB Peer Leaders!
A Message from the Blake Battles Bias Peer Leader Program (BBB)
Dear Blake Community,
The Blake Battles Bias (BBB) Peer Leader program's primary goals are to learn about bias related issues in order to help educate ourselves and our community to promote positive social change. We would like to share with you some resources you might find helpful when thinking about bias and discrimination or talking about it with your family. This by no means is a complete list, but the following can offer ways to begin and continue the conversation.
Organizations and websites which offer a lot of information and resources:
Medfield Public School's Cultural Proficiency Resources - videos, articles, and other resources
Medfield Public Library's Anti-Racism Resources - videos, articles, podcasts, book lists, social media to follow
Redefy- a world wide social justice organization created and run by teens!
Also, be sure to check out all of the diverse voices in Blake's Summer Reading Lists. There are so many "own" voice stories to choose from!
For those incoming seventh and eighth grade students who would like to join us, we would love to hear your voice.
Thank you,
BBB Peer Leader Program
Blake Advisory Update
This week, our advisories will continue adding footprints they created that include action steps they have taken this year or want to take in the future to help address issues of social justice. The footprints are being added to a visual path that is hanging in the front hallway of the school. The path was created by some former Blakers - art students from the high school!
Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is offering WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH DROP IN HOURS. Are you a Medfield parent or student who is feeling extra stressed, down or anxious? Want to talk to someone but you're not sure who or if what you're going through warrants ongoing therapy? We are available to listen and help! Medfield Outreach is now offering Weekly Drop-In Mental Health Open Hours for STUDENTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 - 3:30pm and ADULTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:30am. Email [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Webinars of Interest
Game Changer Series: A Conversation with Dr. Darryl Adams, Education Leader & Social Justice and Equity Advocate and Ted Dintersmith
Part of What School Could Be’s Game Changer Series with Ted Dintersmith
Wednesday, 6/16 at 7:00 p.m.
About this Event
Darryl Adams has been a transformational education leader throughout his career, recognized by the Obama White House for his outstanding contributions. During this conversation, we’ll explore issues of equity, social justice, the appropriate role of technology, and how to energize and mobilize your community and your school board to support bold innovations. Fasten your seatbelt for this fascinating discussion.
Featuring:
Darryl Adams is a sought after keynoter speaker and thought leader and is widely known as the Rock & Roll Superintendent advocating that "Every Child Be Connected" and provided with a 21st Century College, Career and Citizenship education. Dr. Adams, known as an innovator, provides motivational "keynote concerts", a new concept in educating and "edutaining!" Dr. Adams also provides consulting, business and educational leadership training services to corporate firms, government entities and school districts. Dr. Adams has been recognized by the Obama Administration as one of the Top 100 Innovative Superintendents in the nation.
and Ted Dintersmith (author, film producer, innovation expert, 2018 recipient of NEA’s Friend of Education Award)
Game Changer Series: A Conversation with Ken Kay & Suzie Boss and Ted Dintersmith
Part of What School Could Be’s Game Changer Series with Ted Dintersmith
Wednesday, 8/4 at 10:00 p.m.
About this Event
Experts in the power of community’s embracing a Portrait of a Graduate as their education North Star, Ken and Suzie will share with us the many lessons they’ve learned over through their distinguished careers, and highlight what we will find in their eagerly-anticipated new book Redefining Student Success: Building a New Vision to Transform Leading, Teaching and Learning
Featuring:
Ken Kay is the Chief Executive Officer of EdLeader21, a professional learning community for education leaders committed to 21st century education. Ken co-founded the Partnership for 21st Century Skills in 2002 and served as its President for eight years. Prior to his work on 21st century education, Ken served as executive director of the CEO Forum on Education and Technology. Ken spent 28 years in Washington, DC, where he gained a national reputation as a coalition builder on competitiveness. He founded a landmark coalition of US universities and high-tech companies focused on research and development issues, and was the founding Executive Director of the premier CEO advocacy group in the US computer industry.
Suzie Boss is a journalist who writes about the power of teaching and learning to improve lives and transform communities. Author of Bringing Innovation to School: Empowering Students to Thrive in a Changing World and co-author of Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age, She's inspired by educators who push the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Suzie is on the National Faculty of the Buck Institute for Education, and has also helped nonprofit organizations design programs that teach both youth and adults how to improve their communities with innovative, sustainable solutions.
and Ted Dintersmith (author, film producer, innovation expert, 2018 recipient of NEA’s Friend of Education Award)
Blake PTO Update
Want to get involved? We're looking for a Treasurer and VP for our Board next year! Contact Mary Kelly ([email protected]) for more information!