11/1 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off
11/7 - Divide and Conquer Parent Info Session (see details below)
11/9 - Grade 7 Parent Coffee (10:15 a.m.)
Grade 7 SOS Parent Info Session (6:30 p.m.) - see details below
11/10 - Divide and Conquer Parent Info Session (see details below)
XITC Basketball Game Fundraiser (see details below)
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
11/11-11/13 - No Homework Weekend for Blake
11/14 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
11/15 - AMC 8 Math Competition
SOS Program for Grade 7 (see details below)
11/18 - MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey
11/23 - 1/2 Day for Students and Staff
8th Grade Turkey Bowl
Celebration of Voice Assembly
11/24 - Happy Thanksgiving!
11/25 - No School
12/7 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
12/9 - Term 1 Report Cards go Home
12/12 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about reframing one's thinking, opening up, and asking questions, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What question will you ask this week? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Reframing One's Learning (Week of 10/30/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Interim Reports
All outstanding interim report signature sheets must be turned into the advisory teachers.
Screenagers Follow Up
On Monday, 10/31 we showed the film Screenagers
to all 6th grade students. To help facilitate conversations at home, I am re-sharing a the handout we used last year with both students and families...
Screenagers Parent Handout - Fall, 2016
The link provides discussion questions that will help frame the student advisory sessions, along with some suggestions for parents/families. Our 'assignment' as a follow up to all students/families: Have a discussion with your family tonight/this week about 'screen time' and the expectations that have been or should be established at home. Our plan as we look ahead is to hold some specific parent coffees/forums to continue these conversations. Our staff and Digital Citizenship team will be continuing this work to assure that we are staying current and pertinent as we strive to find the 'best balance' in all aspects of the education of our students. I am grateful to work in a community that is open and willing to engage in this important dialogue. As always, let me know of any questions/concerns - I welcome the feedback.
Divide and Conquer (MCAS, PARCC and Standards Based Reporting in Math)
Please join Nat Vaughn and Susan Bycoff (Math Content Specialist, gr. 6-12) for their annual 'Divide & Conquer' presentation/workshop. This workshop series shares information about mathematics, how students learn math,
assessments in math, and initiatives that are taking place. This year, time will also be devoted to the discussion of
state assessments including MCAS and PARCC. Additionally, we will present parents and community members with information about our work surrounding new methods of reporting on both Math content standards and student learning skills. The night workshop will take place Monday November 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. and the day workshop will be on Thursday November 10, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP via this Google Form:
Divide and Conquer Math Parent Workshop, November 2016
SOS Program for all 7th Grade Students
At Blake Middle School, the Guidance Counselors believe it is important to focus on the whole student, paying close attention to the emotions that are often associated with the teen years. As of 2013, the CDC ranks suicide as the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24. Unfortunately, not many youth know what to do or who to turn to when they are in need of help either for themselves or a friend. On Tuesday, November 15, 2016, the Blake Middle School Guidance Department will be presenting the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program to all 7th grade students. This is the only school-based suicide prevention program selected by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts. In addition, all parents are invited to a presentation on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Blake Auditorium. Lauren Gablinske, Manager of Community Education and Outreach at Samaritans, who is a certified suicide prevention educator, will be providing a free training around Suicide Prevention. In this presentation, you will learn how to recognize risk factors and warning signs in your child as well as learn how to talk to your child who may be feeling depressed or suicidal and basic steps in getting help. Parents will also have the opportunity to view the SOS video at the end of Lauren’s presentation. We hope you can join us on November 9th.
Parent Coffee for Grade 7
Are you feeling like you had just mastered your child's last grade's norms and now you have a new set of expectations to adjust to? Maybe your student is in a whole new building with even greater expectations. The Blake guidance counselors would like to help put your mind at ease by talking about what each grade level looks like and answering your questions. The coffees will take place...
11/9 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 7)
Grade 6 and 8 meetings took place over the last two weeks.
To RSVP, please go to this link...
Blake Guidance Parent Coffee RSVP Form Fall 2016
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Information Session
Thank you to all sixth grade parents/guardians who were able to come to our Standards Based Reporting information session two weeks ago. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards Based Reporting Presentation Fall 2016
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 (Thursdays) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The dates that have been set for these meetings are: 12/15, 2/9, and 5/18 at 8:30 a.m. We will also meet 3/30 at 1:20 p.m. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up 2016-2017
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat Follow Up
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS chats below - last week's chat had a focus of 'Safe Learning Environments', and I have copied the links to the 'storify' archives of all of our previous chats. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. Hopefully you will be able to follow along, lurk, or join in one of our future chats!
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-safe-learning-environments
(Safe Learning Environments)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-57e2929f8c7e6bca7fc31872
(Empathy)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfield-ps-a-community-of-learners-7-25-16
(A Community of Learners)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-reflections-on-15-16-twitter-chat-june-
(Reflections on Student Learning, 2015-2016)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-april-2016-twitter-chat
(Social Emotional Learning)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps
(Learning Skills)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-february-2016-twitter-chat
(Spirit of #DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-twitter-chat-resolutions-and-reflection
(Resolutions and Reflection)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-december-2015-twitter-chat-relevance
(Relevance)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-november-2015-twitter-chat
(DLD Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-october-2015-twitter-chat
(Homework Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-august-2015-twitter-chat
(Back to School)
Veterans Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Columbus Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 11/14 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on November 14 or 15. 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.
Nature's Classroom - Medication Pick Up
Medications from the Nature's Classroom trip is available for PARENT pick up in the nurse's office. Any medication not picked up by Friday, November 4 will be discarded.
Tri-County/Norfolk Aggie Trip Follow Up
On Wednesday October 26th, the 8th graders visited Tri County Vocational High School. They learned about the many exciting vocational options available at Tri County. Some highlights included Engineering Technology, Early Education, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Graphics, and Medical Careers. interested students and families can attend an open house at Tri County on November 8th from 6:45-8:45. If you are unable to make the open house, there are tours of Tri-County, which are available to the public every Tuesday morning that school is in session at 10 a.m. Please call 508-528-5400 to schedule a tour. Students can complete paper or online applications (https://tri-county.go2cte.com/) and see Mrs. Dondero to send records to Tri County. Applicants will be interviewed at Blake, by Tri County representatives after their application has been reviewed.
Students also listened to a presentation by Norfolk Aggie on October 26th. Students learned about The Diesel and Mechanical Technology Vocation, the Animal and Marine Science Department, and the Environmental Sciences Department. Students spend much of their time outdoors at the Norfolk Aggie working in a hands on environment. Interested students should see Mrs. Dondero for an application and contact the Admissions office at (508)-668-0268 if you have any questions.
7th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball Game
The 7th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball game will take place Thursday, November 10, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Middle School gym. Tickets cost $3 each. All money raised goes to benefit Christmas in the City, a non-profit organization which receives donations each year to throw a Christmas Party for homeless children in Boston. This year, 8th grade students and teachers will spend one day helping to set up the party and purchase gifts for homeless children. Students can purchase tickets during advisory or at the door the day of the event. Any additional donations are welcome.
Blake Open Studios
The Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3 pm. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ms. Deveno and Ms. Jones will be on hand to provide materials and informal instruction.
There will be no formal registration, it is on a first come, first served basis and limited to 15 students. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Art studio, room 208!
Blake Magazine Drive Information
Blake’s Magazine Drive begins Tuesday, November 1st! Our Magazine Drive helps us raise funds for special events and activities that are specific to the Blake community. It’s an annual tradition and one of our most popular events. Please start looking around for magazines in your home that need renewing. Or consider ordering new subscriptions. The catalogs and online store offer even more - choose from over 1600 unique and fun gifts, including holiday gifts and personalized items. Look for information packets coming home with your students on 11/1/16. As always, thanks for your generous support!
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The next Blake Site Council/Blake community book will be The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik. Stay tuned for more information!
Angel Run News
It is week #6 in your Angel Run training program. Only 4 weeks to go. Your assignment: 9 minutes of running followed by 1.5 minutes of walking. Do this twice and finish with another 9 minutes of walking. Be sure you are signed up by Midnight on Tuesday, 11/1. You’ve got this Angels!!
Ski Club for Middle School Students
Medfield Parks and Recreation would like to invite students from Blake Middle School to two exciting events in 2017. The first is the Nashoba Valley Ski Club, which will run on SIX Thursdays in January and February. Registration is available for the ski club, but space is extremely limited. To register, go here. The second event is the annual Snow Tubing trip to Nashoba Valley, which will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 7. This annual event always sells out! This is a half school day in Medfield, so take full advantage with a fun trip to go tubing with friends! Registration for this event just went live, and you can signup here. Some of you may need to create an account before registering if you have not done an activity with Parks & Rec over the past few years since we upgraded to a new software program. That process should take no more than 5 minutes. To register an account on our Web site simply go to create an account. Any questions, or to volunteer for either program (CHAPERONES ARE NEEDED FOR BOTH TO RUN!!!), please email Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks & Recreation, at [email protected].
BLAKE PTO UPDATE
BLAKE TEACHER & STAFF THANK YOU FUND - Has a teacher or staff member at Blake done something special for your child? Something above and beyond what is expected? Or do you simply want to just say thank you for all you do each and every day? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Anyone may contribute a financial gift to a teacher or staff member at any time. The teacher/staff member can use these funds to purchase books, apps, games, supplies and other items for their classroom as needed. This is a great way to say thank you and give your child’s teacher a little extra something that will benefit both the teacher and the children in their class. This is all you have to do:
1. Write a check made payable to BLAKE PTO with a note in the memo line (or separate note) indicating which teacher’s or staff member’s fund you are contributing to (one check can be distributed to multiple funds).
2. Send the check (and note for the recipient if you would like) to school in an envelope with your child and include Erika Clarke, Blake PTO Treasurer on the envelope.
A note and certificate will be sent on your behalf to the teacher/staff member letting them know that you have contributed to their fund. Please contact Kim Price mailto:[email protected] with any questions.
BOX TOPS - NEW APP AVAILABLE! Download the new Box Tops Bonus App – School Fundraising to your phone and start earning DOUBLE points for your school. Simply create an account, select your school and start scanning with your shopping receipts. It is that easy! You can still drop your Box Tops in the main office’s Box Tops basket, but try the new app as well and help us earn double points. Thank you for your support!
ONGOING BAY STATE TEXTILE FUNDRAISER - Donate unwanted textiles to one of the bins located at the schools, transfer station or Hinkley Pond. For more information, go to our website and visit Bay State Textiles.
PTO MEETING - Please join us for our next PTO meeting on December 13th @ 9:00 am in the Blake LMC.
DON’T MISS OUR IMPORTANT POSTS SENT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK - Like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO, follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO For more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldpto.weebly.com.
MCPE Update
The E4E (Entertaining for Education) tradition in Medfield is alive and well. Haven't heard of it yet or new to town? It's pretty simple- throw a party or an event, charge an admission price ($25/head or $25/family is the minimum suggested) and donate the proceeds to the MCPE in support of the Medfield Public Schools. We've seen Halloween parties, nights in with friends, comedy events, wine tastings, multivendor markets... The only limit is your creativity. Need more information or ideas? Email [email protected]