10/14 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
Student Council Information Meeting - 7:30 a.m.
10/20 - Blake PTO Meeting
SEPAC Meeting
10/21 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/28 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Student
10/30 - No School for Students; Professional Day for Staff
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about paying attention to ourselves and our hopes and needs, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What is a hope that you have right now? What is one thing you can do towards that hope? Paying Attention (Week of 10/12/20)
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Remote Organizational Chart (ROC) and Checklists
In an effort to help provide some structure/parameters/guidelines for students on their remote learning days (Monday/Tuesday for Cohort B and Thursday/Friday for Cohort A), we have established an 'organizational chart' along with a checklist for students to complete at the end of each remote learning day. The intent is to help students to better understand and organize their own workflow and to support executive functioning. These templates and checklists were previewed with Cohort B students in advisory on Friday, 10/2 and will be previewed with Cohort A students in advisory on Tuesday, 10/8. This video tutorial provides an overview of the template and checklist...
Blake Remote Learning Organization Chart and Checklist Overview
(4:12)
Below please find links for each grade level's organizational chart/template (each of these links are 'forced copy' links, allowing students to individualize/personalize them)...
GR 6 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
GR 7 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
GR 8 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
The end-of-day checklists are linked within the docs, but these are the direct links - please note that we will be asking students to complete these at the end of each of their remote learning days (Monday/Tuesday for Cohort A or Thursday/Friday for Cohort B)...
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 6)
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 7)
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 8)
A few items of note...
- Please know that the ROC is ‘one template’ that can be adapted/adjusted to meet the needs of your children and your family. Please give yourself permission to try things out, make mistakes, adjust, and move forward. There is no one right path for parenting, teaching, and learning. We care deeply for all of your children and our commitment is to 'meet them where they are at' and help them (and you as families) to grow and move forward.
- The Google Form/end-of-day checklist is set so students will receive a copy of their own responses - hopefully helping to foster self-reflection and develop a 'skill set' to monitor their own learning.
- The checklist will be shared with students and it is an expectation that they complete it at the end of their remote learning days.
- The responses from students will also serve as another means for our teachers and counselors to take a global look at our remote learning days and to support individual students/families.
Blake Intramurals are beginning this week - please e-mail Mr. Marenghi ([email protected]) with any questions.
Blake Student Council
For any student interested in leadership, school spirit, and bringing our community together this year, please reach out to Mrs. Ruminski ([email protected]) or Mrs. Shaw ([email protected]). We would love to have you join!
Blake is Social
Blake is Social is back! We will hold our first zoom meeting Monday, October 19th. This is a club that fits all interests. We are looking for students who would like to create and post things on our Instagram and website. Think of it as our modern day newspaper club. Even if you don't attend meetings, we are always happy to share your work and videos.
Blake is Social Flyer
Message from Mrs. Cowell - Blake Library
Even though the library is not circulating library books at this time, there are so many digital resources available for students and families! Take a peek at our slideshow that presents all of this info! https://tinyurl.com/medfieldpddigmedia
Medical and Health Information for Blake Families
Below please find important information from the Blake nursing team…
Flu Shots
All students are required to have a 2020/21 influenza vaccine (flu shot) by December 31, 2020 as mandated by the MA Department of Public Health. Please send in medical documentation your child(ren) received the vaccine prior to the end of 2020. This documentation can be your child’s updated vaccination record if the flu shot was given in his/her physician’s office or medical documentation from the pharmacy or clinic where your child received his/her flu shot.
Any medical or religious exemptions to vaccinations must be renewed annually every September at the start of the school year and submitted to the school nurse’s office.
Stretch and Movement Break for Students and Families
The Blake Wellness team will be offering 2 minute stretch and movement break videos for all Blake staff and students. Students will be sitting more than usual this year and it's so important for their bodies and minds to take a few minutes to refocus and energize. With "tech neck" on the rise, we are including some stretches to help with posture as well. Feel free to use this 2 minute stretch break while working remotely too! 2 Minute Movement/Stretch Break Video
October is Inktober Month!
Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. This creative challenge is an engaging activity that can help to connect the community. Once again, Blake, along with the Medfield Public Schools, will be participating in this creative social media challenge by posting our artwork on twitter and instagram. Use the hashtags #bmsed #medfieldinktober #inktober2020 when posting work. Look to the daily announcements for the daily prompts and additional info. ANYONE CAN DO INKTOBER, JUST PICK UP A PEN AND START DRAWING! See your art teacher if you have any questions. inktober.com for more info. ALL are encouraged to participate--students, staff, and community members! We can't wait to see the drawings!
The Seal of Biliteracy “... is an award given by a school, school district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. Our vision is to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual.” (https://sealofbiliteracy.org/) Students are assessed on their ability to communicate in English and at least one other language through their interpersonal speaking skills, their writing skills, and their interpretive (reading and listening) skills. There is a requirement of proficient rating (MCAS) in English and Intermediate High (proficiency test ex. AAPPL) in a second language.
Last year in our first year of awarding the seal, Medfield recognized 39 seal recipients. Recently, the state Department of Education recognized Medfield as one of 23 high performing districts. All 23 districts that were recognized awarded the seal to at least 10% of their graduating seniors. We were proud to award the Seal of Biliteracy to 19.2% of last year’s graduating class. The World Languages and Cultures department in Medfield is encouraged and excited by the enthusiasm that the Seal of Biliteracy has created for the value of bilingualism and the study of languages and cultures. Our commitment to proficiency is the hallmark of our program grades 2-12. There are plans to expand proficiency testing to Blake in the coming year if circumstances permit.
Webinars of Interest
Managing Stress, Anxiety, & Parenting Under Covid 19 with Lisa Damour, PhD
Wednesday, 10/14 at 7:00 p.m.
SPARK Kindness presents: A FREE online event for caregivers and parents with Lisa Damour, PhD
About this Event
Dr. Damour explains the psychological science key to understanding how stress and anxiety operate, both under everyday conditions and at times of heightened concern and disruption.
Join us to learn more about:
- how to keep pressure and tension from reaching toxic levels
- how to parent effectively in the current circumstances
- the most reliable strategies for managing ongoing stress
Lisa Damour, Ph.D. writes the monthly Adolescence column for the New York Times, is a regular contributor to CBS News, and serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Damour is the author of two New York Times best selling books: Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood and Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls and the co-host of the podcast ASK LISA: The Psychology of Parenting.
Learn more about our presenter at her website: drlisadamour.com
Parenting Through Back-To-School During COVID-19: Strategies for Coping and Supporting Our Kids, Teens, and Ourselves
Thursday, 10/15 at 7:00 p.m.
Please join us for this FREE webinar Q&A for parents of kids and teens on the topic of parenting and navigating the challenges of back-to-school season and COVID-19. Our aim is to provide guidance and practical strategies on how parents might shift perspective and consider different approaches to managing challenge areas, while supporting both kids and teens and themselves. Webinar will include brief discussion followed by Q&A. Organized by NWH: The Resilience Project's Parents Program and featuring program co-directors, Tai Katzenstein, PhD and Juliana Chen, MD. Register for meeting link and password.
For questions about this event, and/or to learn more about The Resilience Project and/or our Parents Program, please call 617-243-5497 or email [email protected].
ReVision 2020 - Challenge Success Parent Ed Event
Friday, 10/23 at 2:00 p.m.
45-minute Livestream Event
Hosted by Challenge Success Co-Founders Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine with special guest and New York Times best-selling author Lori Gottlieb
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of The New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. Along with Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine, she will examine how 2020 has highlighted the importance of how we view well-being and relationships. How might we gain perspective and redefine what really matters for our children, families, and schools? How can we redesign and reimagine education to best support students to become balanced, healthy, and engaged learners? Join us to explore a vision of the future that focuses on connection, equity, and meaningful school reform.
Resources for Blake Families
Below please find links to some recordings and resources that share pertinent information regarding how we are ‘operating at Blake’ this year. We hope they will help serve as reference points for a successful orientation and beginning to the year. Please know that we are fully aware that our plans may (and most likely will) need to adapt as we see the 'best laid plans' in reality over the beginning days/weeks of school.
Blake Middle School Opening Webinar, September 2020
Password: +1#gf8aT
Curiosity Webinar Slides, September 2020
(This is still 'in the works', but it gives a preview of the Curiosity display that is being put together)
Blake Family Orientation Webinar, September 2020
(1:05:41)
Blake Family Orientation Slides, September 2020
Preview of Blake Middle School, September 2020
(5:01)
Site Council Openings for Incoming Grade 6-8 Parents/Guardians
We have openings for parent representatives on the Blake Middle School Site Council. The Site Council meets monthly to review issues and discuss initiatives for the Blake Middle School community. The Council is also responsible for developing the annual School Improvement Plan and monitors progress with the plan throughout the year. Members include the administration, teacher representatives, and members of the community. The meetings are typically held once a month on Monday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Serving on the Site Council is a wonderful way to get involved in your child's education and have an active and positive role in improving the Blake Middle School experience. Interested parents should send a letter of interest, indicating their desire and rationale for involvement, to me ([email protected]) by Friday, October 2. If multiple parents express interest, an election will take place at parent night. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Theme of Curiosity for 2020-2021
Our theme for this school year at Blake is one of Curiosity. 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, Happiness, and Courage. Tony Wagner (@DrTonyWagner) recently shared these thoughts via Twitter…
Why do people stop learning? Two thoughts: 1) because they’ve only learned for extrinsic reasons-rewards and punishments-and once those are gone, they have no intrinsic reason to learn. 2)the intrinsic reason to learn stems, I think, from being curious & schools kill it.
My hope and sincere belief is that we are working as a school community to ‘combat’ this notion that ‘schools kill curiosity’ - this theme is one that will be important for our students, staff, and community! 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]).
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
CASEL CARES: Permission To Feel for Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett
(57:11)
Blake ‘EdChats’ - Adapting and Learning
We are trying out some ‘edchats’ with Blake teachers/staff as a way to connect and share what we are thinking and talking about as a community of learners. Each chat will have a particular focus and we will take some time to talk through a few questions. Check out our chats…
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 2 (Learning)
(Maura Batts, Tom Woods, Seth Hellerstein, Marjorie Heim, Michael Gow)
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 1(Learning)
(Jason Heim, Orla Berry, Brian Gavaghan, Susan Bycoff, Marissa Gumas, and Diane Horvath)
Message from Medfield Outreach
COVID got you down? Is hybrid learning stressful? Could you benefit from a little extra support or some guidance about a child-related concern? Medfield Outreach is offering drop-in hours for personal, individualized appointments with two licensed mental health professionals. The Weekly Drop-In Mental Health Open Hours will be held during the month of October on Thursdays from 10 am to 11:30 am. Check-ins are confidential and free. Please email [email protected] for the Zoom link and to sign up for a specific time slot.
Have you had a conversation with the young person in your life about substance use yet? Did you know that the experts recommend starting the conversation early and having it often? There are many tools out there that can help frame the conversation.Here is one that has age-appropriate examples for every age. https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/
Blake PTO Update
Our next PTO meeting will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 pm over Zoom. Anyone who is interested in attending, please reach out to Carrie Quinlan at [email protected] for the Zoom meeting link.
MCPE Update
Please go to medfieldcoalition.org for more information and sign ups for each of the following events... ONE MEDFIELD MOVES! Walk, Run, Bike, Rollerblade, Swim or Skip your way to 20.52miles between now and November 30! $25 per participant (all ages welcome) gets you: a tracking sheet for recording your mileage, “One Medfield” t-shirt after your mileage is complete and weekly emails to keep you motivated. This event is sponsored by Medfield Orthodontics.
DRIVEWAY PAINTING: Sign up NOW to have our special “Medfield M” logo painted on your driveway and show your community spirit! Sign ups are limited, so don’t miss your chance! Cost: $35 When: Sign up through October 23. You will be contacted 24 hours before painting will occur. This event is sponsored by Will’s Hardware.
FLORAL WORKSHOP: Join MCPE for the first event in our One Medfield Virtual FunRaising Night In series with Alice’s Table! REGISTER NOW MCPE has partnered with Alice’s Table to bring this private fundraising workshop to your home on November 19 at 8:00 just in time for the Fall holiday season! Sign up for this exclusive virtual class and create your own stunning holiday centerpiece. Each ticket includes an abundance of farm-fresh flowers and a planter delivered to your doorstep the day before the event, so all you need to have on hand is your computer, a pair of scissors or floral clippers and some water!
Visit medfieldcoalition.org for more information on these exciting initiatives and other upcoming events!
Medfield Foundation - Angel Run Info!
Medfield Foundation Virtual Angel Run & Fundraiser