1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/2 - School Resumes
1/7 - SEL Task Force - 3:30 p.m. (MHS)
1/8 - Parent Focus Group Mtg - 8:30 a.m. (Blake LMC) - see details below
1/13 - Blake Site Council - 3:30 p.m. (Blake LMC)
1/15 - Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council - 9:30 a.m. (Blake LMC)
1/17 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
1/20 - MLK, Jr. Day - No School
Blake Day of Service
Blood Drive at Blake (see info below)
1/23 - Blake PTO Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake LMC)
1/31 - Term 2 Interim Reports go Home
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about resolutions and intentions for the new year, our topic/question for the dinner table is: Please complete this statement: For 2020, I am committed to these 1-2 resolutions… Stating Intentions (1/1/20) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Report Cards
All students brought home their report cards for the first term on Monday, December 16. Time was and will be spent in advisory with students reflecting upon the work they accomplished via a Google Form. Our hope is that this reflection will help students identify areas of success as well as areas for growth, and to foster more connections with staff and trusted adults. I have outlined the questions below and encourage you to have conversations this week to help bridge the connections between home and school...
- Looking at your Term 1 report card, what are you proud of?
- Looking at your Term 1 report card, what was not a surprise to you? Why was it not a surprise?
- What surprised you on your Term 1 report card? Was this a positive or negative surprise? Explain.
- In addition to your advisor, would you like to check in with one of your teachers?
- If you answered yes to the previous question, which teacher would you like to speak with and about what? Put "none" if you do not wish to check in with one of your teachers.
- Finish this sentence: I want to keep working on...
- Which of the following topics would you like to work on/discuss in Advisory this year? (Check all that apply - Study Skills, Time Management, Stress-Relieving Strategies, Mindfulness, Organization, Team Building, Peer Relationships/Friendships)
- Are there any other topics you would like to discuss in Advisory this year?
- What 'unplugged' activities have you enjoyed or would enjoy during SSA (Tuesday/Thursday) Advisory? (i.e. card games, puzzles, etc.)
- If you had time to learn about anything you want this year, what would it be?
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!
MHS Alumni Visit Blake
On Friday, January 3 during 8th grade science classes, students will hear talks from Medfield graduates who are majoring in or working in the field of STEM. Twelve recent graduates have volunteered to come to Blake and talk on topics including computer science, medicine and chemistry. We are excited at the opportunity for our students to listen to and learn from these graduates. Special thanks to Orla Berry for her help organizing these visits!
Parent Focus Group Meeting - 1/8 at 8:30 a.m.
SBR and Systems of Feedback
As you may be aware, we are in the process of gathering and analyzing data regarding the Standards Based Reporting project at Blake Middle School. On Wednesday, January 8th from 8:30-9:30 am, we will hold a Blake Parent Focus group during which parents will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about SBR. This meeting will be held in the library and will be conducted by Christine Power, Director of Instruction and Innovation.
If you are interested in participating, please rsvp to Christine directly at [email protected].
Christine Power
Director of Instruction and Innovation
Medfield Public Schools
Tilden Village Thank You
We would like to thank the 8th grade students and parents for their support and service at the Tilden Village Dinner. The community service event was a huge success where 8th graders hosted and served a holiday meal including fresh Turkey Pies from Out Post Farm in Holliston. The residents of Tilden Village were serenaded by holiday music from students as they ate their dinner and conversed with the servers. Thank you to families that participated in this special event during this busy time of year.
Blake Winter Intramurals
Our winter intramurals begin in the new year - if you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Blake Blood Drive
January is Blood Donation Month
An American Red Cross Blood Drive Is Coming Soon!
When: Monday January 20, 2020
from 8 AM to 2 PM
Where: Blake Middle School Gym
Donating blood can save up to three lives. January is usually a time when hospitals experience blood shortages, so your donation is needed now more than ever. Sign up using the full link below:
Blake Blood Drive Sign-Up Form - 1/20/20
Give the gift of life this month by donating blood! Every two seconds someone is in need of blood; that’s 43,200 times in one day! There are four main red blood cell types; A, B, AB, and O. AB is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells. Each time you donate one pint of blood you can save up to three lives!
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - 1/20/20
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man whose goal was to make our country a better place for everyone. While his life was cut short due to assassination, MLK's goal to make our country a better place is still very much alive. On November 2, 1983 President Reagan made January 15th ( MLK Jr'.s birthday) a federal holiday, a day off for all. But a day off to support a man who gave his life to the betterment of our country did not really seem like a fitting honor so on August 23, 1994 President Bill Clinton signed a bill that moved the date of the holiday from MLK, Jr's birthday to the Monday after that day. The bill also stated that it was meant to be a day of service. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a not a day off, but a day on. To honor this day of service Blake Middle School will open its doors from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to give students an opportunity to serve their community. Some of the activity students will be doing during this day of service will be: beautifying the school, making Valentine's day cards, bookmarks and paper flowers, for soldiers and those living in the nursing home. Students will also be making bracelets, which we will give to Children's Hospital for ill children. We are always open to new ideas for how we can serve the community and support making Monday, January 20 a day on! If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Cynthia McClelland at [email protected].
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Zina Avagyan, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values -- humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. We are proud and honored that Molly will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Advisory Update for Blake
Happy New Year! In Wednesday's advisory this week, advisors are encouraged to search the team building portion of the website to help gear up for the new year!
Blake Wednesday Advisory Website
Information from Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Keigan
It seems to be that time of the year when we are starting to see an increase in illness throughout the school. Our Blake school nurses, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Keigan, have asked that we share this Illness guidelines link for information on sending your child back to school following an illness. Additionally, please note the following reminders:
- Students should go to the nurse's office if they are feeling ill, rather than text parents directly and getting dismissed via the main office. It is important that we are tracking illness in our school community and that students are cared for by an adult while they are not feeling well at school.
- Please review handwashing, hand-sanitizing, and tissue disposal ettiquette with your child so that they can minimize the spread of germs at school.
- Please remind students that sharing foods, drinks and utensils at lunch can lead to the spread of illness. It is a surprisingly common occurrence.
- Please avoid sending your sick child to school just to take a test or quiz. We are happy to provide another time for your child to take it so that they can stay home, rest, and avoid spreading illness to other students.
- If your child is out for multiple days, you may contact the grade level guidance counselor or cluster leader to request that work be left in the guidance office for someone to pick up so that your child does not fall behind.
Community Service Club Information - Coat Drive
The Community Service Club of Blake is holding its annual coat drive right now. The drive will conclude in early January. Please donate new or gently used WINTER coats. The donation box can be found at the front of the school. All coats that are donated will be delivered to Medfield's Anton Cleaners who sponsors the drive.
Blake is Social - Any Submissions?
Blake is social is looking for winter sports submissions. We would love pictures from ski club, or from basketball, or just an amazing snapshot of your snowman. What is Blake up to in the winter??? Work and submissions can be e-mailed to [email protected] or [email protected]
Blake’s 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.
This year the Blake Site Council’s first book is Middle School Matters by Phyllis Fagell. Stay tuned for more information and we hope you can join in these discussions!
Theme of Courage for 2019-2020
Our theme for this academic year at Blake is one of Courage. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last seven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, and Happiness. As a staff we have begun brainstorming ideas and I encourage all families to join us in the brainstorming process as well. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]) or Kelly C. ([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 http://www.medfield.net/o/medfield-public-schools/page/employment-opportunites--7 and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities". Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Substitute Nurses
As with our teaching positions, from time to time our nurse, Tricia Williams, will be out of the building and we need a substitute nurse for these days. We are fortunate that we have several substitute nurses in the district who are able to work on those days. If you are a registered nurse and have an interest in potentially serving as a substitute throughout the year, please let us know. You can contact me ([email protected]) or Tricia Williams ([email protected]). By the same token, if you have friends in the area who would have an interest in serving as a substitute, please let them know that they can contact us as well. The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority, and we would appreciate your interest in one of these roles.
Moxie Strings - 1/16/20
The MMA is proud to sponsor a return visit of The Moxie Strings on Jan. 16. The Billboard Top 20 classical strings musicians will work in clinics with Blake and MHS orchestra students during the day, and perform a can't-miss, high-energy concert with Medfield orchestra students that evening at 7pm in the MHS Auditorium. Admission is free to all Dale, Blake, and MHS orchestra students, and $12 for the general public. For tickets, visit medfieldmusicassociation.com or purchase at the door.
Blake PTO Update
Volunteers Needed for Blake! Please click on the link to the volunteer form below. Thank you!!
Blake PTO: 2019-2020 Volunteer Sign-Up Form