10/21 - Turn in day for postcard booklets
Subway Night for Blake
10/22 - First turn in day for magazine orders
10/24 - Google Workshop for Parents (see details below)
Term 1 Interim Reports go home
7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
10/28 - Blake Picture Retake Day
10/29 - Second turn in day for magazine orders
10/30 - 8th grade to Salem
Magazine drive ends
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
Costume Day at Blake
Google Workshop for Parents (see details below)
11/3 - Navigating Social Media with Your Tweens/Teens (see details below)
11/4 - Grade 7 Egypt Presentation
11/6 - Student/Staff Basketball Game (see details below)
Go Fresh Night for Blake
11/8-11/12 - No Homework Weekend
11/10 - Student Trivia Challenge (see details below)
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
MCPE Meeting
11/14 - MCPE Community Trivia Event
11/18 - Subway Night for Blake
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help bring the ideas of being connectedness into the conversations this week, our Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table this week is: Making the effort to connect is like going to wedding where you meet familiar faces and new ones, and leave there with a renewed look on life.
Term 1 Interim Reports
This Friday students will be bringing home their interim reports for the first term. The interim report is a mid-term progress update on students' effort and work based on the first five weeks of school. It is not a report card and the expectation is that students will follow up on any suggestions that teachers provide in the interim report. Time will be spent in advisory reflecting upon the work they have accomplished, as well as setting healthy goals for the second half of the term. The signature sheet that accompanies the report should be returned on Monday, October 27 to advisory teachers. If you have any questions about your child's work on 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.
Google for Parents
As part of our continued efforts to engage and support parents in our mobile learning initiative, we are offering a Google Workshop 3-part series. Our first workshop on Friday, 10/17 went well - we encourage you to join us for session 2 and 3! Come work with Diane Horvath (@techmonstah), our Technology Integration Specialist, and learn about the power of Google. We hope to share lessons about Google to help you with your own learning and to better support the learning of your students. All sessions are at 10 a.m., and the dates are as follows:
10/24 - Google Calendar (iPad vs Computer)
10/31 - Google Drive
Please bring your own device, an established Gmail account, any questions you have, and a willingness to learn! Please RSVP via our Google Form: Google Workshop Series for Parents Fall 2014
Blake Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The Annual Blake Pumpkin Decorating Contest is taking place in homerooms. Over the next 2 weeks, students will design a pumpkin, to be voted on by the Blake Staff the morning of Halloween (October 31st). Prize to the winning advisory - see the Student Council website for more information!
7th/8th Grade Dance
The first 7th and 8th grade dance is Friday, October 24th from 7:00-9:00 in the Blake cafeteria. The dance is NOT a costume dance. All students planning to attend must have had a dance contract signed and returned in their homerooms- extras can be found on the Student Council Website.
Costume Day at Blake
Student council invites Blake staff and students to join in "Costume Day" on Friday, October 31st. Reminders that costumes must be school- appropriate, no masks that cover a student's face, and no weapons (real or fake)!
iPad Student/Parent Survey Fall 2014
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete the Fall 2014 Student/Parent iPad Survey. For those of you who have not had a chance, my hope is that you will be able to find some time this weekend. As of Tuesday morning, we have received 301 responses (out of 631): 6th Grade Parents - 104 (out of 202); 7th Grade Parents - 99 (out of 216); 8th Grade Parents - 98 (out of 213). Students will be taking the survey in school. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the student body and parents. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. Your sincere responses are essential to our information-gathering vision and mission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Link to the survey Student/Parent iPad Survey Fall 2014
5th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball Game
The 5th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball game will take place Thursday, November 6, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Middle School gym. Tickets cost $3 each. All money raised goes to benefit Christmas in the City, a non-profit organization which receives donations each year to throw a Christmas Party for homeless children in Boston. This year, 8th grade students and teachers will spend two days helping to set up the party and purchase gifts for homeless children. Students can purchase tickets during advisory or at the door the day of the event. Any additional donations are welcome.
Magazine Drive
The Blake Magazine Drive kickoff was Friday, October 17. The Magazine Drive raises needed funds for special student activities and events. Plus, 30% of the profits from the 8th grade sales offset the cost of the Washington, DC trip. Many students pay for a large part of their trip through their subscription sales. Your students should have brought home an informational packet. New this year is a line of precious memories products which allow you to make your own photo books, calendars, holiday cards, invitations, and more. Holidays are just around the corner! Please consider ordering a new subscription or renewing an existing one and help raise funds for your child's school. Magazine subscriptions make great holiday gifts.
Blake Theatrical Productions
The announcement is coming October 31st. Auditions will be the week of December 1st. More to come.
6th Grade Food Drive
The 6th grade is collecting for the Medfield Food cupboard in the month of October. The following are the Medfield Food Cupboard current needs: cereal, soup, juice, pasta sauces, canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, applesauce, canned veggies and fruits.
Connected Educator Month - Twitter Account (@nat_vaughn)
As noted in the weekly blog update, October is Connected Educator Month and I am encouraging both staff and students to explore the world of Twitter. For the past year I have used this technology as a communication and resource tool for both the Blake community and my own learning network. If you are interested in exploring with me, my account is @nat_vaughn. In addition to the weekly blog to our community, I plan on continuing tweeting up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles of interest on a daily or more frequent basis.
Music at Blake - Guess the Blake Pandora Jockey
In an effort to continue finding ways to foster a positive school culture and make connections between students and adults, we are continuing our Blake Pandora Jockey contest this year. Each week I will ask a different staff member to be the DJ, or PJ (Pandora Jockey) for Blake Tuesday-Thursday. The teacher will select different music 'stations' to be played and students will be able to cast their votes for who the Blake PJ of the week is. We have established an online voting system, Blake Pandora Jockey Form, and all entries must be registered by Thursday evening at 8 p.m. An 'electronic selector' will highlight a winner each week, and the winning student will be the Blake PJ for the following Monday. Each student may register only one vote. Encourage your students to participate!
Navigating Social Media with Your Tweens/Teens - Save the Date!
Monday, November 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Blake auditorium
Please join us for an evening with Dr. Elizabeth Englander from the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridegwater State University. Dr. Englander was part of our two-part series on technology use last fall and received very positive feedback about her practical and engaging strategies for parents children in the age of social media.
Parents of children of all ages are welcome to attend!
Blake Cross Country
The Blake Cross Country team finished up its season on Friday with a win over Medway. Breanna Morgan, Carina Christo, Gabby Christo, Isabel Vara, and Kathryn Blake helped score for the girls. Dylan Hogan, Matt Morgan, Andrew Barrette, Isaac Popper and Eric Plumb sealed it for the boys.
A special congratulations to Breanna Morgan for crossing the finish line First in 5 out of 7 races. Also congratulations to Dylan Hogan for finishing in the top 3 in all 7 races with two finishes in first.
Congratulations to all runners for a great season.
Blake Football
Blake football continues to improve as the team is executing with more efficiency on both sides of the ball. Although Weston's program is struggling a bit this year, Medfield did what they were capable of doing in last Wed home game and put together scoring drives on every possession except for one (5 TD's total). Defensively, the Blake Warriors held the Weston offense in check, allowing just one long TD run. Weston's only other score came on a Kick Return for a TD. Continuing with Special Teams, the Blake Warriors have been attempting PAT's the past two games which, at this level, is a major achievement for program. Five total PAT's were successively kicked through the uprights [out 8 attempts] over the past 2 games. The Blake Warriors head into their next game Wed, at Newton Day, with a 3-game winning streak.
Angel Run
It’s training week #4. You are almost halfway through the prep. Three times this week get out in the cooler air and do 4 cycles of 5 minutes of running and 2.5 minutes of walking. Are you registered? MedfieldFoundation.org by 11/3 for t-shirt and early bird price.
'Connecting Kids Who Have With Kids Who Need'
My name is Julia Steeger and I am an 11th grader working on my Girl Scout Gold Award Project “Connecting Kids Who Have With Kids Who Need.” For my Gold Award Project, I would like to raise awareness on the issue of how poverty affects kids and to address issues that affect kids who live in poverty. For instance, kids in poverty usually do not have access to enough food to eat; or the clothes they need to go to school like warm jackets or boots during the winter months; or books that would help them be able to read at home; or toys to play with that would be fun and also increase their ability to learn. My idea is to connect kids in Medfield with organizations who are helping kids in poverty so that hopefully, together, we can make a difference. Please see the two links below for more information...
Donation Guidelines
Cradles to Crayons Collection Unit Flyer
CSA News
Meadow Farms Fundraiser Update
Our Fall Fundraiser has officially come to a close. Thank you to everyone for all your support!
In order to wrap up our Fundraiser, please complete online orders accordingly on the Meadow Farms website. Form orders should be filled out and placed in the large Meadow Farms envelope. The outside of the envelope should be completed and then bring in to the School Office as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support of our Blake Community!
If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you.
Kim Lipsy
[email protected] or 508 423 9765
Subway night is Tuesday!! Go to the Medfield Subway from 2-9 pm on Tuesday and our generous business partner gives Blake 20% of their total proceeds! This fundraiser has helped to fund multiple programs. Thank you Subway!
The CSA is hosting a New Field Day Spring Fundraiser. They are looking for committee members to help with this fun day for our students that will take place in the Spring on a 1/2 day. Please contact Joellyn Ripp at [email protected] to donate your time, ideas and expertise. We want to make this the best of all field days. Any amount of time you have for any part of this new fundraiser we'll take. Planning, procuring, volunteering the day of, etc. many thanks!
Please Remember to send those Box Tops In.
MCPE News
Here is an easy way for you to help raise money for MCPE. Until 12/31, Needham Bank will give $100 to MCPE for every new checking account opened!
Needham Bank, a long-time supporter and sponsor of MCPE, will donate $100 for EVERY new checking account opened when the patron mentions MCPE.
PLEASE be sure to mention "MPCE".
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOUR TEACHERS? Find out at the Student Trivia Challenge – Monday, November 10th
Blake students can test their trivia knowledge against Blake teachers. High School students can go head-to-head against MHS teachers. Don't miss this fun and exciting event! All team members will be registered to win a $50 Visa gift card. Fun, food and prizes! Register your team today! With no school on the 11th, come relax and have fun with your friends!
E4E (Entertaining for Education)
How did MCPE fund over $108,000 in grants last year? With your help! Thank you to everyone who has already registered an E4E event. If you haven't planned an E4E event yet, please consider supporting MCPE while having fun with friends. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year! We need your support to make this fundraiser a success, so we can continue to fund enrichment programs for all of the children in the Medfield Public Schools.