11/30 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:15 p.m.)
12/6 - Samaritans Presentation for Families (see info below)
12/7 - Blake Winter Band Concert
12/8 - Samaritans Presentations for 7th Grade (see info below)
12/9 - School Committee Meeting
12/13 - Term 1 Report Cards go Home
Blake Winter Chorus Concert
12/16 - Blake Winter Orchestra Concert
12/20 - DEI Task Force Meeting
12/23 - Half-Day for Students and Staff
12/24-1/2 - School Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/3 - School Resumes
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the role of curiosity and imagination in the learning process, our topic/question for the dinner table is: How can your imagination and curiosity help you learn? Willful Imagination (Week of 11/28/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
8th Grade Turkey Bowl Wrap-Up
The Blake Wellness Staff was fortunate to be able to host one of our favorite traditions heading into Thanksgiving break. The 8th Grade Turkey Bowl consists of a 4v4 one hand touch football tournament and takes place on the MHS turf. This has been a culminating event to our 8th Grade Football unit and is always a great opportunity for students to come together, show spirit and compete in a friendly competition. In addition, we encourage students to bring in canned goods for our local food pantry. This year, we had 28 teams for a total of 112 participants. The morning conditions were crisp and cool and we loved seeing the creativity of the "uniforms" different teams put together. We were proud to see so many participants get involved and also showcase many of the skills learned throughout their PE football unit. We appreciate the support of many teachers who helped make it a safe and fun event for all. Happy Thanksgiving!
8th Grade American Mathematics Contest
The 8th Grade American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8) is a multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. It is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The contest is held yearly in January. Students from all over the country participate in this contest both individually and on a school-wide basis. All grade 8 students are invited to take the AMC 8. If your student is in Algebra I Accelerated they are already registered. If your student is in Math8, please reply to this email ([email protected]) by Thursday at 8 a.m. to register.
The exam will be given on January 18th during E period. Students who do not have math during this time slot will be excused from their class. Although the test is challenging, it certainly allows for a variety of learners to meet success and experience a high level of mathematical thinking. Below are several links that will allow you to explore this contest. Again, all students in Algebra I Accelerated math classes have been registered. If your child is in Math8 and you are interested in having them participate in this test, just reply to this email. Only Algebra I Accelerated students that wish to opt out of the test need to reply.
For information about the AMC 8 Contest, click HERE.
For sample test questions, click HERE.
For Math 8 students, it is important to register by this Thursday, December 2nd. There are a limited number of spots, so please respond as soon as possible. As always, please do not hesitate to contact your student's math teacher if you have any questions.
- Jessica Safer, Math Department Chair [6-12]
The Blake LMC has never been busier! Thank you for checking out so many great books!! If you have an overdue library book, let Mrs. Walton or Mrs. Cowell know if you would like to renew it. If you misplace a book, just let us know so that we can replace it. Thank you so much!
Blood Drive for MLK, Jr. Weekend
** Please see message below from Cynthia McClelland...
Hello Medfield community,
I am proud to announce our annual MLK day blood drive, and it will be held at the middle school. Right now, we are looking for students to serve on the blood drive committee. Students on the committee will be responsible for organizing, promoting and supporting the Red Cross in running the blood drive the day of. If your child is interested they can reach out to Cynthia McClelland at [email protected]. The first meeting will be Monday, December 6.
Students for Students
Students for Students will be resuming at Blake. Our Mission Statement: S4S was formed to provide support among students within the Medfield public school system. Our mission is to provide social support for students who have experienced or are experiencing a critical illness of an immediate family member. The founding members are students who have experienced such events and who want to help other students navigate this emotional impact on their lives. If any student is interested in participating please join us on Tuesday, November 23rd at 2:15 in the Foods Room. If you cannot make the first meeting, no worries. Just let Mrs. Dondero ([email protected]) know so we can get you information about our December meeting.
Samaritans Information for 7th Grade Families
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. No one wants to think about their child dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 years old. 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 Monday, December 6th at 6:30pm, we will virtually host a Suicide Prevention Parent Workshop presented by Samaritans, Inc. 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.
Samaritans, Inc. will also be presenting this information to all 7th grade students on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Please refer to the email from Stephanie Worthley for more information.
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families - Gift Giving
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Coats for Kids Drive
At Blake we are collecting winter coats for those in need. The coat drive is called “Coats for Kids”, but coats for all ages are more than welcomed. The collection box will be located in the Blake front lobby. Please ask your parents if you have any coats that your family no longer needs that can be donated. The collection will run up until winter vacation. Thank you for supporting this great cause!
New Student Club Offering!!
Recently your student viewed the Say Something program in advisory. The program teaches middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.
A student club is being offered, at the middle and high school levels, to allow for ongoing discussion with students about building and nurturing inclusive welcoming environments for all. Part of the club will include opportunities to learn about being empathic, increasing social skills, how to identify problems and how to engage in responsible decision making.
Advisors for this club include Medfield Outreach mental health clinicians, Kathy McDonald, M.Ed, MSW, LICSW and Chelsea Goldstein-Walsh, LICSW as well as Medfield’s Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas.
If you think your student may be interested in joining, please have them fill out this google form. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign a permission form if their child expresses interest.
Feedback and Reporting Update
This year the Blake faculty is continuing and expanding our work and efforts to provide effective methods of formal and informal feedback for students. The purpose of reporting on academic progress is to provide feedback on a student’s progress and to help direct future efforts. Effective feedback to students during the learning process is essential to a healthy and productive learning experience. Formal grade reports are issued at the end of each trimester. In lieu of traditional grades, students at Blake receive feedback in the form of Standards Based Reporting (SBR).**
Students will receive feedback in two major areas: (1) Content Standards and (2) Learning Skills. The Content Standards feedback provides information on the student's progress on meeting content area curriculum standards addressed by each department. Learning Skills feedback gives information on the student's progress on acquiring skills important for life-long learning that we strive to foster and help develop in our students. SBR has enabled us to provide:
- more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
- more meaningful and personalized grading practices
- greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between teachers
** In the spring of 2021, the Director of Instruction and Innovation shared an 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' at Blake Middle School. The report made several recommendations, including some adaptations to the system for grades 7 and 8. A cross-discipline/grade level team was established to explore and collect potential strategies and models to bring to the greater Blake staff and community for the fall of 2021. The research team was tasked with exploring, researching, and brainstorming various methods to address the recommendations within the report. This will help to lay the foundation to guide and structure the work going forward. Updates to our system of reporting will be shared with families throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners.
Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
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 Nat Vaughn at [email protected] with any questions.
Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Webinars of Interest
The Secret Lives of Teens and Tweens.
Tuesday, 11/30 and Tuesday, 12/7 at 7:00 p.m.
Presented by Natick's 180 coalition. Join Counselor Jon Mattleman for a fun and dynamic virtual program about what teens and tweens are really thinking, what they fear, why they do not share more, and how adults can effectively support them, especially during COVID-19. This presentation covers depression and anxiety, social media and technology, suicide, "acting out" behaviors, drug and alcohol use, and more. Participants will learn strategies they can implement now (Who has time to wait?!), including new ways of understanding teen/tween behavior, innovative techniques for engaging them, and specific language to better elicit productive conversations.
This 2-part series is for parents, caregivers, and community members caring for teens and tweens. Each session will be 60 minutes and a replay will be available to all registrants for four days after the webinar.
When you register (click below) you will be automatically registered for both sessions. The link to access each session will be sent via email and will be the same for both evenings.
From Burnout to Thriving with Sheryl Ziegler, Psy.D.
Thursday, 12/9 at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
Do you feel tired and overwhelmed? Have you continually put off the things you need to do for yourself? This program is designed for parents, caregivers, and educators, who have been pandemic heroes (often at their own expense). Therapist and author Sheryl Ziegler, Psy.D., will offer practical, empowering, and proven solutions to promote self care and thriving.
MCPE - Update and Thank You!
Tuesday, December 7th at 8:00 PM
Join MCPE for a virtual wreath making class just in time for winter.
MCPE has partnered with Pistil Floral Design, a local business owned and operated by Medfield mom Allyson Hart, to bring this private fundraising workshop to your home just in time for winter! Visit www.medfieldcoalition.org for details and to sign up for this exclusive virtual class. Tickets are $65 and we are limited to 100 tickets so sign up now.
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks, so please plan ahead for the holiday season. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)