12/19 - Blake Winter Orchestra Concert
12/20 - Blake Student Council
12/21 - SEPAC Parent Connection Group
MAC Meeting
12/22 - ½ Day for Students/Staff
12/25-1/1 - Winter Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/2 - School Resumes
Blake Site Council (3:30 p.m.)
1/3 - Blake Student Council
1/4 - MAC Meeting
1/8 - Pride Alliance Mtg
1/9 - Blake PTO Mtg
1/10 - Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council
Blake Student Council
1/15 - Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
No School
Day of Service Blood Drive
1/17 - Blake Student Council
1/22 - Pride Alliance
1/23 - ½ Day for Students
Professional Afternoon
1/24 - Blake Student Council
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about values and the ways we act on our values, our question for the week is: What are the most important values in your life? How do they connect to your learning? Alignment with Values (Week of 12/17/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Report Cards
During advisory on Monday, 12/11 students received their report cards for Term 1, along with a Term 1 Report Card Sign-Off Sheet to be completed and returned to advisors. Below please find a link to a memo regarding information about the Term 1 report cards...
Memo to Blake Families - Term 1 Report Card (December, 2023) If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight. In addition, your student’s counselor is an important resource.
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.
Spirit Week at Blake - 12/18-12/22!
Student Council cordially invites all staff and students to participate in our December 2023 Spirit Week! The days are as follows:
Monday 12/18: Comfy Cozy Day
Tuesday 12/19: Flannel Day
Wednesday 12/20: Tropical/Summer Day
Thursday 12/21: Seasonal Day (sweaters, scarves, hats, etc.)
Friday 12/22: Lights Out Day (wear all black)
Let's end 2023 with a fabulous show of spirit!
Library Update: We are trying to get back as many overdue books as possible before the break. We are down to 96 from 219 last week! Huge progress!! Students have been doing a great job of looking for them in classrooms and lockers. We could use some help from home to search those sneaky hiding spots that books tend to find, under the bed, under the seat in your car, basically under anything! Students have recieved paper slips and emails have gone home to anyone with overdue books. Thank you for your assistance and feel free to email me with any questions! [email protected]
Turkey Bowl Follow-Up
The eighth grade Turkey Bowl' took place this past Tuesday. After being rescheduled due to the torrential rains before Thanksgiving, the half day on 12/12 was the perfect morning to make sure this tradition continued on for another year. The rain delay did no't diminish the enthusiasm for the event as over 160 students opted in to participate. Designed to be active, inclusive and fun, the participants conducted themselves wonderfully and demonstrated the skills and rules we worked on in class this past fall.
Student-Staff Basketball Game
On Friday, 12/22, we are excited to participate in the student-staff basketball game! Our 8th graders will take on the teachers in their annual game while the 6th and 7th grade will each spectate during one of the halves! We're looking forward to our annual tradition!
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural session is loosely set to run from mid January until the beginning of April. Be on the lookout for the offerings shortly after we return from winter break. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Seal of Biliteracy
In an effort to publicize the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, DESE and the Medfield World Languages and Cultures department would like to make it known that as a district Medfield has participated actively in the seal program and has been awarding the seal to graduating senior beginning with the class of 2020. We would like all members of the community to be aware of our participation in the program because it is a program for all students who are literate in multiple languages. While the recognition is tied to high school graduation, proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing a language is a skill that takes many years and hours to develop. The proficiency level for our Massachusetts State Seal is Intermediate High in each domain. More information about the state seal can be found here.
The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy celebrates the value of language diversity. It also serves the purpose of encouraging students to study and master languages. In the process of recognizing these critical skills, we hope to prepare students to become more marble in the labor market, more culturally aware, and able to participate and possibly gain credit in University programs. For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy, please visit our website and/or contact Ellen Toubman, WL Department Chair at [email protected] 508-359-4367 ext 11015.
Thank You to MCPE and PTO
Thank you to the Blake PTO and MCPE (Medfield Coalition for Public Education) for their generous support of our endeavors/grants. We greatly appreciate the contributions as we look to provide unique and innovative experiences for our students!
December Reading Challenge
Hello Blake Community! The library has a lot of new titles just in time for the December Reading Challenge: a book published in 2023. We have a new display in the library and are eager to help students find their next favorite book!! All information about the Reading Challenge in on the Blake library website.
Lost and Found
We have a lot of items in our lost and found bins; if you are missing clothing, water bottles or other items please encourage your child to check out the lost and found stations. You are welcome to stop by Blake after school daily from 2:15-3:00. We will be donating unclaimed items on December 22.
Calling all K-12 student space and science enthusiasts!
NASA wants to hear where and how you’d explore space with the Power to Explore Student Challenge.
Students are challenged to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light. Write about where your RPS-powered mission would go, the mission goal(s), the advantages of using RPS, and a unique power you have to help achieve mission success. In total, your submission is limited to 250 words.
Entries will be judged in three grade-level categories: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts, where students will learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore. Fifteen national semifinalists in each grade category (45 winners total) will receive a NASA RPS Prize pack, three national finalists in each grade category will (9 finalists total) will receive a virtual session with a NASA RPS expert, and one grand prize winner from each grade category (3 total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Learn more at the Challenge website. Entries due January 26, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Multicultural Awareness Club - 12/21/23
Thank you to all the students who attended the first couple of meetings of the Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC). ALL ARE WELCOME!
From MHS PTO - Harlem Wizards - 1/31 at 7 p.m.!
The FUNTASTIC AND HIGH-FLYING Harlem Wizards are returning to Medfield High School, Wednesday, January 31st 2024 at 7pm!!
This event promises to be high energy, fun-filled, great for kids and adults and will guarantee to put a smile on all your faces!
Extremely talented basketball players will play against your teachers from all Medfield District Schools. (We say ‘play', but we all know they’ll run circles around them in a very entertaining way!!)
The event is a fundraiser for the Medfield High School PTO, to help raise funds for scholarships, deserving awards, inspirational speakers, grant requests to enrich classroom experiences and so much more.
Please help support us buy purchasing tickets to this great show, bringing the whole community together. Tickets would make great Holiday Gifts giving you all something to look forward to in the New Year!
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE - Hurry before they sell out!
Thank you for your support.
VIEW QUICK EVENT PROMO
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
Pride Alliance
At Pride Alliance, we strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and also those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
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.
Message from SEPAC
Medfield SEPAC is offering Parent Connection Groups this year in response to feedback in meetings and after-meeting surveys. A SEPAC parent volunteer will coordinate each, focusing on a different diagnosis. These informal groups will connect parents and caregivers of children of all ages with the specific diagnosis to share experiences and resources.
Our Parent Connection Group, focusing on Down Syndrome, is holding its second meeting on December 21st from 11:30 am-12:30 pm at the Medfield Public Library. If you want to join this group, please get in touch with Michelle, this group's parent volunteer, at [email protected].
We are looking to form groups for the following diagnoses: ADHD, Dyslexia + Language-based Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum. If you want to join one of these groups, please email [email protected] to connect with our parent volunteers for more information.
If you haven't taken our website survey yet, there is no time like the present. Access the survey directly here: https://forms.gle/tySXyGgTXGrRNE5J6
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
-- At Memorial School… New decodable texts to enrich the reading experience in school and at home plus new Phonetic Awareness tools for Kindergarten, intended to foster literacy development among our youngest readers.-- At Wheelock School… New slant boards for student use to facilitate better handwriting and increased attention plus 3-D Doodle pens for the Wheelock MakerSpace that will provide students an avenue for creativity and allow students to make projects they can take with them.-- At Dale Street School… New “Read, Ride and Rejuvenate” stationary bicycles in the library to give more students the ability to move during their day, helping with focus and emotional regulation plus additional flexible seating options for fourth grade that allow students to participate fully, collaborate, and engage in critical thinking.-- At Blake Middle School… additional tools for the Blake MakerSpace like a large-scale printer and a button maker plus a new professional development opportunity at Blake and the High School focused on community empowerment through inclusion.-- At Medfield High School… A new TV production/video studio that will be used by students to create content that can be shared within the school and the town at large via Medfield TV and the department’s YouTube channel.
Attending events like Fall Fest isn’t the only way you can support MCPE! Community donations throughout the year are also critical so that we can fund more projects in future grant cycles. As a designated non-profit organization, donations to MCPE are tax-deductible, and you can contribute either at our website medfieldcoalition.org or through Venmo: mcpe_medfield.
Thank you and happy holidays!
Reminder that the PTO serves to support Blake teachers through financial grants, hands-on support, and ongoing teacher appreciation efforts on behalf of all parents. If you have not already, please consider donating $50 for the year (or whatever amount feels appropriate) through Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO or a check made out to Blake PTO. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month during the school day to help teachers with photocopying or bulletin boards, please email [email protected]
Workshops/Webinars of Interest
FREE WEBINAR: "Inquiry Hub: The Dream, Create, Learn School" with Principal Dave Truss | BQI Community
Wednesday, 1/17 at 7 p.m.
Join us for this important overview of a compelling school model that highlights the power of project-based learning.
Inquiry Hub is a small Coquitlam School District (BC) high school that is unique in its approach and delivery. Known as the Dream – Create – Learn school, Inquiry Hub was born out of the idea that students don’t need to spend every minute of their day siloed into individual courses, without any unstructured time. It has evolved into a community of students who work both together and individually to complete the required curriculum while also designing some of their courses and their day around inquiries and passion projects that they want to pursue.
Grade 9’s and 10’s do cross-curricular projects using SCRUM project management, collaborating to get work done efficiently and effectively, and they also take an Inquiry Course designed around developing strong presentation skills and documenting their learning journeys, doing passion projects that they design. Grade 11’s and 12’s construct year-long IDS – Independent Directed Studies courses where they delve deep into their interests.
A key component of the program is DCL time, coined after the Dream – Create – Learn motto, where students are not in a structured class, but rather have unstructured time to work on their class projects, homework and assignments, and/or on their passion projects. Central to this is creating a community of learners who are eager to help each other and who have learned that failure is part of learning. Projects can be too big, too challenging, too overwhelming, but still result in a final product or presentation that exceeds expectations.
RSVP now to join us for this important session with principal Dave Truss and teacher Dr. John Sarte.
Success Reimagined - Exploring Intergenerational Perspectives on Life's Purpose
Thursday, 1/25 at 7 p.m.
Join Challenge Success Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor, Denise Pope, and New York Times Bestselling Author, Chip Conley, for a thought-provoking fireside chat as we delve into the complex concept of success from intergenerational viewpoints. “Success Reimagined” brings together individuals of different ages and backgrounds to discuss and explore life’s purpose and the evolving definition of success in our rapidly changing world.
Chip Conley was Inspired by his experience of intergenerational mentoring as a ‘modern elder’ at Airbnb, where his guidance was instrumental to the company’s extraordinary transformation from fast-growing start-up to the world’s most valuable hospitality brand. He then went on to create Modern Elder Academy (MEA) – the world’s first ‘midlife wisdom school.’ Dedicated to reframing the concept of aging, MEA supports adults to navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. His new book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age, was recently profiled on Good Morning, America.
Chip’s mission aligns directly with Challenge Success’ beliefs that there are many roads to success for students, and lots of ups and downs along the way. We are challenging the narrow notion of success that often leads to high stress, overload, and a lack of well-being for middle and high school students. Challenge Success partners with school communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement. Our vision is that educational systems value each student for their unique identities, assets, and individual definitions of success and effectively prepare them for the variety of opportunities and challenges they will encounter in school and beyond.
A recording of the event will be sent to all registrants on January 26th.