10/11 - Blake Site Council Mtg
10/12 - Blake Student Council Mtg
10/13 - Blake GSA Mtg
School Committee Mtg
10/18 - SEPAC Meeting
10/19 - Blake Student Council Mtg
10/24-10/28 - Family Outreach Week (Term 1)
10/26 - Blake Picture Retake Day
MCAP Meeting
11/1 - Blake Site Council Mtg
11/3 - School Committee Mtg
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about growing and learning through challenges and difficulties, our question for the week is: What strategies help you to work through challenges? Space for Growth (Week of 10/9/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Students for Students
The first meeting for Students for Students will be held on 10/14 at 2:15 p.m. in the foods room. We will be decorating "haunted" gingerbread houses. Please reach out if your child would benefit from joining us. There’s NO pressure to share anything personal - there’s just an unspoken connection between the kids and the hope to create lasting friendships and recognition that they are not alone. 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. Contact Jen Dondero [email protected] with any questions
Blake Battles Bias Update
Members from Blake Battles Bias volunteered at Medfield's CultureFest this Saturday. Thank you to those students who volunteered their time on a Saturday to support a community event which supports BBB's values--celebrating diversity.
Blake Intramurals
Registration for the Blake Fall Intramural Session is now open: Blake Intramural Website. We will be in touch as more activities become available.
Term 1 Family Outreach Period - 10/24-10/28
The week of 10/24-10/28 is the Term 1 Family Outreach week for Blake Middle School. During this week, teachers will send an e-mail to families to notify them if their student is consistently not meeting the standard in an area OR if they do not have sufficient data to assess their student at that point in the term due to absence or missing work. If students are meeting the standards, families will not receive an e-mail from teachers. Please know that you may reach out to teachers or your child's guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns about their progress.
Blake’s Pride Alliance
We are pleased to announce that the club formerly known as Blake GSA is now called Pride Alliance! This more inclusive name better represents the values of our club, where 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. Meetings are every Thursday until 2:45 in room 502. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity.
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
Inktober is Here!!!
Every October, artists all over the world take on the INkTOBER drawing challenge by doing one drawing a day the entire month. ANYONE CAN DO INKTOBER, JUST PICK UP A PEN AND START DRAWING!!! Listen to the announcements every AM for the prompts!
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 Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
Message from our Nurses
Welcome to the 2022/23 school year! We hope the new school year is off to a healthy start and your child(ren) are enjoying middle school.
Here are a few helpful reminders:
- Please send your child to school daily with a refillable water bottle to hydrate throughout the day. Please make sure their name is on the bottle.
- Please send in your child’s physical following their annual appointment.
- If your child is feeling ill with cold/allergy symptoms, headache, sore throat or other symptoms, please be sure to do a COVID test prior to deciding if they are well enough to attend school. Refer to the attached COVID Guidelines for more detailed information regarding when to test.
If your child tests positive for COVID, please keep them home to isolate for 5 days to avoid spreading the virus to others and notify us in the Blake School Nurse’s office as well as notify your child’s healthcare provider.
You can reach the nurse's office at 508-242-8554 or by email as noted below. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Theme of Discovery for 2022-2023
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Discovery. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last ten years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, Courage, Curiosity, and Imagination. 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 email me ([email protected]) or Marcia ([email protected]).
Food Services Information
The breakfast program at the Middle School is up and running! We are offering free breakfast to all students prior to the start of the school day from 7:10-7:30. The 8th grade students will get their breakfast in the cafeteria and 6th and 7th grade students will have the opportunity to get breakfast outside of the gym in the morning.
Similar to lunch, students will need their PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) to get breakfast. Please note your child’s PIN below and share it with them.
Additionally, if you wish to set up a My School Bucks account to track when your child is getting a school breakfast or lunch, you will need their student ID number.
Our breakfast menu can be found here.
If you have any questions regarding the breakfast program, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Caitlin Fahy
Food Service Director
[email protected]
Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m., an e-mail must be sent by the parent/guardian to [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
Book Discussion Group for Parents for 2022-2023
Over the last few years the Blake Site Council has read several books and we will continue this practice during the 2022-2023 school year. Stay tuned for more information and we hope you can join in these discussions - all caregivers are invited and welcome!
SEPAC Meeting - 10/18
The next SEPAC meeting is on October 18th. The topic is understanding your basic rights. Contact [email protected] to join the listserv to receive updated emails from us including meeting log in information, agendas, surveys, events and more.
3 v 3 Basketball Tournament for Grades 4-7
The High School Boys Basketball team is hosting a 3 x 3 tournament for boys and girls in grades 4-7 at the high school gym on Veterans Day from 9-12 .
Here is the registration form and a FAQ section on the tournament. Please email your completed registration forms or direct any questions to event coordinator, Natalie Madej at [email protected].
Medfield K-8 PTO Dues Flyer - 2022
Dear Medfield Families:
The Medfield K-8 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families to the 2022-2023 school year! The K-8 PTO is a volunteer organization that supports initiatives, activities and events designed to enrich and supplement the educational experiences of every Medfield K-8 student. Each school has its own PTO
Board that works closely with the staff to provide opportunities tailored specifically to that school. We come together as a K-8 organization during the school year to share ideas, fundraising opportunities and provide
financial support across the district.
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE MEDFIELD K-8 PTO?
● Contribute – The K-8 PTO runs entirely on donations! Last school year, we started 2 new traditions: K-8 Medfield Madness Online Auction and the K-5 Rainbow Run. We are excited to announce that Medfield Madness will be back this school year and the Rainbow Run is planned for Fall of 2023. We are thankful for the support of so many to make both fundraisers a huge success.
Today we are asking for your support to kick off the new school year with our Annual Dues Drive. The need is always greater than what we can fund throughout the year, so every dollar raised is appreciated. The suggested $30 per student amount is just a guideline - all donations welcome! You can now pay your dues online through Venmo or PayPal, as well as by check.
● Volunteer – The K-8 PTO needs you! We encourage you to attend school PTO meetings and become involved. Our online volunteer sign-up form is a great way to stay informed. There is no obligation to volunteer. As events are created and/or volunteer opportunities arise those on the distribution will be the first to know. Please sign up today by visiting www.medfieldk8pto.com.
Thank you for your continued support. It’s going to be a year to remember, and we look forward to supporting each and every child inside and outside of the classroom!
Sincerely,
Nicole Drummond
K-8 PTO President
Message from MCPE
(Medfield Coalition for Public Education)
Fall Ball is also widely considered THE event of the Medfield social calendar. With heels and sequins, jackets and ties, drinks and dancing, Medfield parents regularly turn this educational fundraiser into a rollicking time. Fall Ball is a great chance to spend a special night out with a group of friends or neighbors, and to connect with other parents. Parents of seniors may find Fall Ball especially meaningful as they celebrate their child’s last year in the school system, and spend a memorable night with fellow parents of the class of 2023!
Get your tickets today! https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=medfieldcoalition
- Science & Engineering Visiting Science Unit at Dale Street School, providing five hands-on engineering lessons from visiting scientists for grade 5 students
- Modernizing the LMC/Makerspace Learning Spaces at Blake Middle School, including purchase of a GlowForge 3D Printer and space-appropriate furniture
- Funding for Numicon kits for each Kindergarten and grade 1 classroom, allowing our youngest learners to build a developmentally appropriate conceptual understanding of numbers
Webinars/Workshops of Interest
Walking the Talk: A Practical Framework for Leading Toward Equity
Tuesday, October 11 3:00 p.m.
This webinar will explore the Equity Leadership Framework and the essential leadership attributes in creating a culture centered around everyday equity actions that matter. Leaders will gain insight and learn strategies to effectively lead equity efforts by
*Defining and clarifying equity. This is the foundation from which all things will flow. We will explore the importance of creating a working definition of equity and why this definition is so crucial for the other framework components to function optimally.
*Creating productive discomfort. Creating a new normal where adults get comfortably uncomfortable to challenge the status quo through intentional dialogue conscious of race.
*Building efficacy. Monitoring adult beliefs and supporting the development of higher levels of individual and shared efficacy.
*Normalizing action. Ensuring that staff routinely use an equity lens in gathering and using data and providing instruction for consistent and sustained success over time.
Equity calls for courageous leadership. Join this webinar for a journey of discovery about the importance of leveraging focus, competence, and passion to confidently forge an unconventional path that will authentically lead to equity.
About the Presenter:
Dwayne Chism is the Dean of the School of Education at Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska. He supports equity work at the local, state, and national levels and works to support the development of current and aspiring leaders of color across the United States. Chism previously served as a principal supervisor, principal, and teacher. In 2018, he founded Shifting Perspectives, LLC, to help schools navigate diversity to create equitable conditions for learning.
How to Have Difficult Conversations (with Respect and Understanding)
Wednesday, October 12 7:00-8:30 p.m.
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this small group interactive program, SPARK Founder and Executive Director Christine Guthery will share: (1) the reasons why courageous conversations are important; (2) why they are challenging; and (3) the tools, strengths (and super powers) that allow us to manage them successfully.
This program will focus on practical strategies and how to harness our strengths to have conversations that matter at work, at home, and in the community! Feel free to share scenarios that you would like to address in your registration form.
(Limit 30 registrants)
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
Foster a Sense of Belonging: Creating Space for Conversations About Race
Wednesday, 10/19 at 10:00 a.m
About this event
Students bring forward many challenging topics of conversation in schools - how are educators equipped to support students through difficult conversations about topics such as race and equity? In this workshop educators and school & district leaders will examine the mindsets (and mindset shifts) needed to hold conversations with students about race, and prepare to hold conversations about race and equity through regular culture-building practices. Join us to build and hone the skills for facilitating difficult conversations – including navigating moments of discomfort, harmfulness, inaccuracies, and differences – and explore how to sustain a positive culture of inquiry after a class conversation, particularly those that involve heightened emotions and may result in additional stakeholders getting involved. This workshop will invite participants to practice engaging in difficult conversations with their colleagues, as this is an essential practice for educators striving to build cultures of care and generative discussion in their classrooms and schools.
Facilitated by Lindsay Lyons
Lindsay Lyons (she/her) is an educational justice coach who works with teachers and school leaders to inspire educational innovation for racial and gender justice, design curricula grounded in student voice, and build capacity for shared leadership. Lindsay taught in NYC public schools, holds a PhD in Leadership and Change, and is the founder of the educational blog and podcast, Time for Teachership.
Supportive Regulation Strategies to Foster Students' Sense of Belonging
Tuesday, 10/20 at 3:00 p.m.
About this event
Leaders and educators must balance predictable and consistent routines, systems, and structures with flexibility and adaptability to individual student needs in order to foster a sense of belonging for all students. Co-regulation strategies support students to feel safe and secure in the classroom, and educators can intentionally leverage co-regulation to create a safe and welcoming environment. This free 2-hour virtual workshop will support leaders to reflect on predictable and consistent structures and systems that are already in place across the school or district, while also exploring opportunities for flexible and adaptive interventions. These strategies are compatible with any social-emotional curricula and for any grade level.
Facilitated by Lindsey Minder
Lindsey Minder, MS, CCLS, works with educators, school leaders, and partner organizations to create holistic educational experiences at the classroom, school, and system level. After over a decade in the classroom, she has deep experience and expertise in supporting students’ holistic growth, as well as, a strong commitment to the social-emotional development and well-being of educators. She currently collaborates with school leaders across the country seeking trauma-informed, equitable and inclusive ways to integrate social-emotional learning into all elements of their school models. Lindsey is dual certified in Elementary and Special Education, holds a BA in Psychology from Marist College, a Masters Degree in Child and Family Studies from Wheelock College and is trained as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. Most recently Lindsey was a Lead Partner at Transforming Education. Prior to that she was a founding teacher and later became the Director of Social Emotional Learning at Codman Academy. She also taught at Dorchester Collegiate Academy and The Fayerweather Street School and was a Certified Child Life Specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center. Lindsey currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Supportive Regulation Strategies to Foster Students' Sense of Belonging
Monday, 10/24 at 2:00 p.m.
About this event
Leaders and educators must balance predictable and consistent routines, systems, and structures with flexibility and adaptability to individual student needs in order to foster a sense of belonging for all students. Co-regulation strategies support students to feel safe and secure in the classroom, and educators can intentionally leverage co-regulation to create a safe and welcoming environment. This free 2-hour virtual workshop will support leaders to reflect on predictable and consistent structures and systems that are already in place across the school or district, while also exploring opportunities for flexible and adaptive interventions. These strategies are compatible with any social-emotional curricula and for any grade level.
Facilitated by Lindsey Minder
Lindsey Minder, MS, CCLS, works with educators, school leaders, and partner organizations to create holistic educational experiences at the classroom, school, and system level. After over a decade in the classroom, she has deep experience and expertise in supporting students’ holistic growth, as well as, a strong commitment to the social-emotional development and well-being of educators. She currently collaborates with school leaders across the country seeking trauma-informed, equitable and inclusive ways to integrate social-emotional learning into all elements of their school models. Lindsey is dual certified in Elementary and Special Education, holds a BA in Psychology from Marist College, a Masters Degree in Child and Family Studies from Wheelock College and is trained as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. Most recently Lindsey was a Lead Partner at Transforming Education. Prior to that she was a founding teacher and later became the Director of Social Emotional Learning at Codman Academy. She also taught at Dorchester Collegiate Academy and The Fayerweather Street School and was a Certified Child Life Specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center. Lindsey currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Foster a Sense of Belonging: Creating Space for Conversations about Race
Tuesday, 10/25 at 2:00 p.m.
About this event
Students bring forward many challenging topics of conversation in schools - how are educators equipped to support students through difficult conversations about topics such as race and equity? In this workshop educators and school & district leaders will examine the mindsets (and mindset shifts) needed to hold conversations with students about race, and prepare to hold conversations about race and equity through regular culture-building practices. Join us to build and hone the skills for facilitating difficult conversations – including navigating moments of discomfort, harmfulness, inaccuracies, and differences – and explore how to sustain a positive culture of inquiry after a class conversation, particularly those that involve heightened emotions and may result in additional stakeholders getting involved. This workshop will invite participants to practice engaging in difficult conversations with their colleagues, as this is an essential practice for educators striving to build cultures of care and generative discussion in their classrooms and schools.
Facilitated by Lindsay Lyons
Lindsay Lyons (she/her) is an educational justice coach who works with teachers and school leaders to inspire educational innovation for racial and gender justice, design curricula grounded in student voice, and build capacity for shared leadership. Lindsay taught in NYC public schools, holds a PhD in Leadership and Change, and is the founder of the educational blog and podcast, Time for Teachership.
Changing the Game with John O'Sullivan
Thursday, October 27 7:00-8:00 p.m.
For youth sport coaches at all levels of play, parents and caregivers of active kids. Young people involved in youth sports and teen athletes are also welcome to attend.
John O'Sullivan, internationally known bestselling author, speaker and podcast host, will offer strategies to promote a positive and character-building sports experience for young people. Youth sports should be focused on learning sport-specific skills, as well as helping kids get the most out of their sports experience, all while growing as a person, learning life lessons, and having fun.
Registrants are invited to also sign up for a special Post-Program Discussion with John O’Sullivan - here
Space is limited, so sign up now if you would like to join John O’Sullivan and fellow youth sport coaches/sports leaders immediately after the program to go deeper into some of the topics and content presented in “Changing the Game”. Bring your questions and ideas for this interactive discussion.
Social Justice Parenting with Dr. Traci Baxley: Social Justice Parenting: Raising Compassionate, Anti-Racist, and Socially Conscious Children
Wednesday, 11/9 at 7:00 p.m. from SPARK Kindness
About this event
Please join us for this important program in advance of Kindness Week and as part of our ongoing commitment as a community to practice kindness, respect, and justice for all! All are welcome!
For parents, caregivers and community members (all ages)
Social Justice Parenting: Raising Compassionate, Anti-Racist, and Socially Conscious Children
This program will address how to raise children who work to promote justice, compassion, and belonging for themselves and others. Dr. Traci Baxley will discuss the principles of Social Justice Parenting and offer strategies for implementing these values into your daily life.
Simultaneous ASL and Portuguese Language Interpretation will be provided at this event.
Restoring Youth Mental Health - Innovations in Access, Prevention, and Treatment
Thursday, 11/10 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring three experts in the field of youth mental health and well-being. Each panelist brings a different perspective from their part of the field and will share a report on their work as well as actionable insights on this critical topic. This event is free and open to the public, made available to you through a partnership between the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Challenge Success, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Youth Mental Health.
Demystifying Systemic Social and Emotional Learning: 10-Part Series
Friday, December 18 and Friday, December 16 at 11 a.m.
Educators around the globe are seeing an increase in demand and attention to social and emotional learning (SEL) to create successful and equitable outcomes for young people. As a result, education leaders are grappling with what high-quality, systemic social and emotional learning looks like in schools, what the current research says, and what policies will best support students.
This monthly series of thought leadership webinars addresses ten key aspects of high-quality systemic SEL. Join CASEL and collaborators for insights on prioritizing academic, social, and emotional learning for all students across all school contexts
Recommended for: Education leaders and researchers at the state, district, and school levels.
UPCOMING SESSION DATES & TOPICS:
Part 9 — November 18
Demystifying Systemic Social & Emotional Learning: Family Partnerships
Part 10 — December 16
Demystifying Systemic Social & Emotional Learning: Community Partnerships