10/24 - #MedfieldPS Twitter Chat - Feedback (8 p.m.)
10/25 - Blake Guidance Coffee (see details below)
SEPAC Meeting (7 p.m.)
10/27 - 8th Grade to Tri-County
10/30 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
11/6 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
11/7 - Winter Athletics Meeting (see details below)
11/8 - Student-Staff Basketball Game (see details below)
11/10 - No School (Veterans Day)
11/10-11/12 - Blake No Homework Weekend
11/17-11/19 - Blake Theater Performances (see details below)
11/22 - 1/2 Day for Students
11/23 - Happy Thanksgiving!
11/24 - No School
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about making time for play time, down time, and family time, our topic/question for the week is: How can we incorporate down time, play time, and family time into our days? Carving Out PDF (Week of 10/22/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Interim Reports
This past 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 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.
Standards Based Reporting Information Sessions
Thank you to all Blake parents/guardians who were able to come to our Standards Based Reporting information session on Thursday evening. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards-Based Reporting Parent Presentation October, 2017
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat 10/24/17 - Feedback
Our next district-wide Twitter chat is Tuesday, 10/24/17 at 8 p.m. with a focus on feedback. Our continued intent is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) at periodic times. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. I encourage you to follow the hashtag #MedfieldPS during the chat and to participate! Below are links to 'storify' archives of a few of our previous chats...
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-diversity
(Diversity)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-a-fresh-start-8-23-17
(A Fresh Start)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-a-community-of-learners-7-18-17#publicize
(A Community of Learners)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-reflections-on-16-17
(Reflections on 2016-2017)
New England Math League Comes to Blake
The New England Math League promotes the enjoyment and study of mathematics by organizing contests for grades 4-12. Contests serve as an enrichment to their current math program. Blake Middle School is holding the first annual math contests for students in grades 6-8. All Blake students are welcome to participate. Participation is easy. There are 3 practice meetings plus a contest date:
Practice Dates:
Thursday November 9th
Wednesday December 6th
Wednesday January 10th
Contest Dates:
Grades 6 7 8 contests: Tuesday February 27th, 2018 2:30-3:30 in room 108
Cost for the practice dates and 1 contest date: $24 (3 practices + 1 contest date)
Please do the following to register:
1. Complete this google form.
2. Please send in the following with your child to the front office:
-The indemnity form filled out (attached in this email).
-A check payable to 'Blake Middle School'.
Can't make it to the practices? No worries, you can still participate in the contest. Just contact Mrs. McLaughlin ([email protected]) or Mrs. Bycoff ([email protected]).
Parent Coffees
Please mark your calendars…..The Guidance Counselors would like to invite parents/guardians to a coffee on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. If you are interested in attending the parent coffee, please click here: Parent Coffee RSVP
Nature's Classroom - Medication Pick Up
Medications from the Nature's Classroom trip is available for PARENT pick up in the nurse's office. Any non-emergency medication not picked up by Friday, November 3 will be discarded.
Upcoming Magazine Drive for Blake
Our Magazine (and More) Drive begins Monday 10/30! Support our fundraiser and help us continue to offer Blake-specific special events and cultural activities.
MCAS Dates for Spring 2018
This spring our Blake students will be participating in the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). Below are the administration dates for these assessments...
Grade 6
ELA (4/26, 4/27)
Math (5/3, 5/4)
Grade 7
ELA (4/24, 4/25)
Math (5/14, 5/15)
Grade 8
ELA (4/11, 4/12)
Math (5/1, 5/2)
Sci/Tech/Eng (5/7, 5/8)
Make-up testing will take place when students return from their absence(s), provided that their return takes place within the testing window determined by the Commonwealth. We appreciate your assistance in looking at these dates and being mindful to try and avoid medical/dental appointments or conflicts with these assessments. As always, do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Blaker Makerspace - Join us!
Come by the Blaker Makerspace afterschool to help haunt and spookify it!
- Create a light up haunted house using the new Digital Cutting Machines
- Make spider pom poms!
- Invent a creepy moving hand!
- and more!
iPad Updates
Thank you for your patience. AT last….you may update your iPad's to iOS 11. BEFORE you do, make sure you back up your iPad first along with Notability and Explain Everything apps. Follow these steps:
- Back up your iPad and update to iOS 11- Go here for directions
- Back up the Explain Everything App to Google Drive- Watch this Video
- Back up the Notability to Google Drive- Watch This Video
Watch some iOS11 Tips from students in the Burlington Schools
If you would be interested in helping creating video iOS 11 tips and tricks for our BlakerMaker's YouTube Channel, please let me know! Thanks - Ms. Horvath
Medfield Food Cupboard Drive - Grade 6
October is GRADE SIX's month to collect donations for the Medfield Food Cupboard!! Most needed items (October) ~ Kid friendly cereal ~Mac and cheese boxes ~Canned pasta ~Cookies ~Crackers ~Peanut butter ~Non grape jelly Of course Household Items and Other Suggested Food Items can also be donated (see a list in student emails!). The goal is for each advisory to reach 20 donations in order for the whole grade to earn a collective prize!
Veterans Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Veterans Day Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 11/14 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on November 14 or 15. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.
Tri-County/Norfolk Aggie Trip and Information
All 8th graders will be taking a field trip to Tri-County Regional Vocational High School on Friday, October 27 as well as attend a presentation by Norfolk Aggie in order to explore options for high school that are publicly funded. Tri-County’s mission is to provide an excellent comprehensive technical and academic education to regional high school students. State-of-the-art technical skills and knowledge are enriched and complemented by a solid foundation of academic skills. Norfolk Aggie provides for a hands-on education, with caring and involved teachers in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. Students are united in their interests and attend vocational and academic classes every day. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tracy Allen ([email protected] or 508-359-2396 ext 2018).
Winter Athletics Meeting - 11/7 at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, November 7, at 6:00pm, there will be a meeting held in the gymnasium at the Medfield High School for all athletes and a parent(s) interested in playing high school athletics this coming winter season at Medfield HS and Blake MS. This meeting is very important and will cover many questions and concerns you may have, as well as introductions to all high school coaches and staff. Immediately following this meeting, coaches will meet with their respective sports to speak about the season and answer any questions you may have.
*Sports offered for the winter season at Blake are...
Basketball (Boys and Girls 8th Grade)
Blake Open Studios
Every Thursday the Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3 p.m. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ms. Jones will be on hand to provide materials and informal instruction. There will be no formal registration, it is on a first come, first served basis and limited to 15 students. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Art studio, room 208 !
Student-Staff Basketball Game for Christmas in the City - 11/8
Blakers- It is time for the annual Student-Staff Basketball Game to help raise money for Christmas in the City! Christmas in the City is an annual event held in the city of Boston for homeless children and families, where all children in attendance receive a gift from their wish list. Here at Blake, we help out in several ways, including taking the 8th grade into the city to help set up this great event, and purchasing gifts for children. The money raised during the Student-Staff basketball game will help to purchase as many gifts as possible. The game will take place during Wednesday, November 8th from 2:30-3:30 in the middle school gym, and the price per ticket is $3. Additional donations are welcome.
Blake Theater - Elf Jr!
Blake Theater's production of Elf is weeks away. The shows are Nov 17th & 18th at 7pm and Nov 19th at 3pm. Tickets will go on sale November 10th. The link to purchase tickets is elfjrbms.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets for students/MPS staff will be $12. Everyone else is $15/ticket. Hope to see you there!
Private School Applications
For those families looking to apply to private school for next year, please make sure all materials (all teacher recommendation forms, transcript request, an 8x11 envelope and 4 stamps per envelope) are to the guidance office at least 3 weeks prior to the application due date. We want to make sure the teachers have sufficient time to provide thoughtful letters for all students applying. If the forms will be sent electronically to the teachers, please email Mrs. Avery and your student's guidance counselor to inform them. Mrs. Avery tracks all applications and makes sure they get out in time. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Dondero (6th), Mr. Marenghi (7th), or Ms. Allen (8th).
Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool
Blake's BoxTop Contest
BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S BOX TOP COLLECTION CONTEST IS HERE
EVERY BOX TOP COUNTS AND IS WORTH 10 CENTS. The winning cluster will receive a prize.
Here's the deal:
Collect your box tops in an envelope/baggie and start sending them in THIS WEEK. Each Advisory class will have a collection envelope.
Remember: Your trash is Blake's cash!!
****This contest will run from Oct 2 - Dec 1****
Medfield Angel Run News
Angel Run friendly reminder. All you angels out there tell your friends to sign up for the MFi Angel Run this week at MedfieldFoundation.org. Here is week 5 of your training plan. Get out there 3 times with the routine of running for 8 minutes and walking for 2. Do three rounds of the combination. You will be ready for the Dec. 3rd 5k!
SEPAC - KidStuff Coupon Book
The KidStuff coupon book fundraiser is underway. Your support helps SEPAC fund workshops, events for kids and families, and scholarships. If you are interested in purchasing a book, please contact Kate Tormey at [email protected].
Parks and Rec - Ski Club and Tubing
Medfield Parks and Recreation would like to invite students from Blake Middle School to two exciting events in 2018. The first is the Nashoba Valley Ski Club, which will run on six Thursdays in January and February. Registration is available for the ski club, but space is extremely limited. This trip has SOLD OUT each of the past two years. To register, go here. The second event is the annual Snow Tubing trip to Nashoba Valley, which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 1. This annual event always sells out! This is a half school day in Medfield, so take full advantage with a fun trip to go tubing with friends! Registration for this event just went live, and you can signup here. Some of you may need to create an account before registering if you have not done an activity with Parks & Rec over the past few years since we upgraded to a new software program. That process should take no more than 5 minutes. To register an account on our Web site simply go to create an account. Any questions, or to volunteer for either program (CHAPERONES ARE NEEDED FOR BOTH TO RUN!!!), please email Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks & Recreation, at [email protected] or Eric Kevorkian, Program Coordinator, at [email protected]. Chaperones will be able to ski/snow tube for free at these events!
Update from Blake PTO
TOWNWIDE K-8 PTO MEETING IS OCTOBER 25 at 7:00. BLAKE'S BOX TOP COLLECTION CONTEST IS HERE! Every box top counts and is worth 10 cents. The winning cluster will receive a prize! Collect your box tops and start sending them into school. Each advisory class will have a collection envelope! REMEMBER: YOUR TRASH IS BLAKE'S CASH! Contest runs through December 1.
GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY!
ONGOING BLAKE APPEAL - We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the 2017 - 2018 school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen [email protected] or Keven Gallagher [email protected] with any questions.
STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com
Update from MCPE
Our 30th year appeal is well underway and we are making progress toward our goal of $75,000!! We need your help, please consider a gift to the MCPE and earn your blue ribbon. Keep an eye out for the blue ribbons on mailboxes all over town as we paint this town BLUE! www.medfieldcoalition.org