10/26 - Grade 8 to Tri-County
Medfield Talks - Michael Thompson (see details below)
10/27 - Grade 6 Parent Coffee (10:15 a.m.)
#MedfieldPS Chat (see details below)
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
Blake Costume Day
11/1 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off
11/7 - Divide and Conquer Parent Info Session (see details below)
11/9 - Grade 7 Parent Coffee (10:15 a.m.)
11/10 - Divide and Conquer Parent Info Session (see details below)
XITC Basketball Game Fundraiser (see details below)
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
11/11-11/13 - No Homework Weekend for Blake
11/14 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
11/15 - AMC 8 Math Competition
11/23 - 1/2 Day for Students and Staff
8th Grade Turkey Bowl
Celebration of Voice Assembly
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about setting goals and outlining steps to improve, our topic/question for the dinner table is: Ask yourself - 'What is one change of habit I will make to improve'? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Taking Steps to Improve (Week of 10/23/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 1 Interim Reports
Last Friday students brought 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.
Parent Coffees
Are you feeling like you had just mastered your child's last grade's norms and now you have a new set of expectations to adjust to? Maybe your student is in a whole new building with even greater expectations. The Blake guidance counselors would like to help put your mind at ease by talking about what each grade level looks like and answering your questions. The coffees will take place...
10/27 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 6)
11/9 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 7)
Grade 8 meeting took place last week.
To RSVP, please go to this link...
Blake Guidance Parent Coffee RSVP Form Fall 2016
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Information Session
Thank you to all sixth grade 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 Presentation Fall 2016
We are also looking for parents/guardians to be part of our parent focus group. This group will be comprised of the 6th grade science teachers, administration, and parents and will meet throughout the year (Thursdays) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The dates that have been set for these meetings are: 10/27, 12/15, 2/9, and 5/18 at 8:30 a.m. We will also meet 3/30 at 1:20 p.m. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up 2016-2017
Divide and Conquer (MCAS, PARCC and Standards Based Reporting in Math)
Please join Nat Vaughn and Susan Bycoff (Math Content Specialist, gr. 6-12) for their annual 'Divide & Conquer' presentation/workshop. This workshop series shares information about mathematics, how students learn math,
assessments in math, and initiatives that are taking place. This year, time will also be devoted to the discussion of state assessments including MCAS and PARCC. Additionally, we will present parents and community members with information about our work surrounding new methods of reporting on both Math content standards and student learning skills. The night workshop will take place Monday November 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. and the day workshop will be on Thursday November 10, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP via this Google Form:
Divide and Conquer Math Parent Workshop, November 2016
Twitter Workshop Follow Up
Thank you to everyone who attended our Twitter workshop last Friday. Do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions. Please see below to view the presentation slides...
Twitter Workshop for Parents, Fall 2016
#HackYourHalloween Challenge
Hi BlakerMakers! The #HackYourHalloween Little Bits Challenge continues afterschool this week in the Makerspace. Stop by on Wednesday or Thursday from 2:10-3:00 to create a spooky portrait, dancing bats & ghosts, light up skeletons, creepy moving body parts and more!
Hope to spook you there! - Ms. Horvath
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 10/27/16
Our next district-wide Twitter chat is Thursday, 10/27/16 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Safe Learning Environments. 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 previous chats...
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-57e2929f8c7e6bca7fc31872
(Empathy)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfield-ps-a-community-of-learners-7-25-16
(A Community of Learners)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-reflections-on-15-16-twitter-chat-june-
(Reflections on Student Learning, 2015-2016)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-april-2016-twitter-chat
(Social Emotional Learning)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps
(Learning Skills)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-february-2016-twitter-chat
(Spirit of #DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-twitter-chat-resolutions-and-reflection
(Resolutions and Reflection)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-december-2015-twitter-chat-relevance
(Relevance)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-november-2015-twitter-chat
(DLD Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-october-2015-twitter-chat
(Homework Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-august-2015-twitter-chat
(Back to School)
Veterans Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, Columbus 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.
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 medication not picked up by Friday, November 6 will be discarded.
Student Council Updates
On Monday, October 31st, Blake is invited to participate in a costume day. We are asking students not to:
- wear masks or face paint
- wear fake blood
- bring fake weapons to school
More information will be shared with students in Advisory.
Tri-County/Norfolk Aggie Trip and Information
All 8th graders will be taking a field trip to Tri-County Regional Vocational High School on Wednesday, October 26th 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 Jen Dondero ([email protected] or 508-359-2396 ext 2003).
7th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball Game
The 7th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball game will take place Thursday, November 10, 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 one day 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.
Blake Open Studios
The Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3pm. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ms. Deveno and 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!
Blake Magazine Drive Information
Blake’s Magazine Drive will begin on Tuesday, November 1st! Our Magazine Drive helps us raise funds for special events and activities that are specific to the Blake community. It’s an annual tradition and one of our most popular events. Please start looking around for magazines in your home that need renewing. Or consider ordering new subscriptions. The catalogs and online store offer even more - choose from over 1600 unique and fun gifts, including holiday gifts and personalized items. Look for information packets coming home with your students on 11/1/16. As always, thanks for your generous support!
8th Grade Trip Information
8th Grade Trip packets went home with Grade 8 students on Monday, Sept. 12. Trip deposit and signed permission slip were due to your child's Advisory teacher by October 4th. On-line registration with our tour company, Worldstrides, is to be completed by October 28. Please see trip packet for details and instructions. For your reference and for more information, here is a link to the 8th grade trip presentation...
Memorials, Monuments, and Museums Fall 2016 Presentation
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The next Blake Site Council/Blake community book will be The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik. Stay tuned for more information!
Angel Run News
It is week #5 in your Angel Run training program. You are halfway there. Your assignment: 3 cycles of 8 minutes running followed by 2 minutes of walking. Sign up online at Medfieldfoundation.org by 11/1 for the shirt and join the hundreds who have already registered. See you on Sunday, December 4th at noon.
SEPAC KidStuff Fundraiser
SEPAC has the Kid Stuff coupon book fund raiser in progress. Anyone interested in purchasing a book may contact Kate Tormey - [email protected] Books are $25, with half of the proceeds going to the Medfield SEPAC.
BLAKE PTO UPDATE
GRANT FUNDED- 12 frames that will highlight and protect student artwork. Medfield Public Schools enjoy strong support of the visual arts, and provide a high-quality arts education for all students. These frames would highlight our program to the larger public, and put it within the context of the poster images from Art History. This grant was funded in the amount of $949.
BOX TOPS - NEW APP AVAILABLE! Download the new Box Tops Bonus App – School Fundraising to your phone and start earning DOUBLE points for your school. Simply create an account, select your school and start scanning. It is that easy! You can still drop your Box Tops in the main office’s Box Tops basket, but try the new app as well and help us earn double points.
ONGOING BAY STATE TEXTILE FUNDRAISER - Donate unwanted textiles to one of the bins located at the schools, transfer station or Hinkley Pond. For more information, go to our website and visit Bay State Textiles.
PTO MEETING - Please join us for our next PTO meeting on December 13th @ 9:00 am in the Blake LMC.
DON’T MISS OUR IMPORTANT POSTS SENT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK - Like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO, follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO For more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldpto.weebly.com.
MCPE Update
Medfield Talks, a new committee comprised of Dr. Marsden, MCPE, K-8 and High School PTOs SEPAC, MMA and the Medfield Foundation, presents its inaugural speaker, Michael Thompson, Ph.D., on Wednesday October 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the Medfield High School Auditorium. Dr Thompson, author of The Pressured Child, will meet with students from BMS and MHS during the day, and then present his observations to the community in the evening. (http://michaelthompson-phd.com) The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by a grant from the MCPE. Tickets may be reserved at www.medfieldcoalition.org.
The E4E (Entertaining for Education) tradition in Medfield is alive and well. Haven't heard of it yet or new to town? It's pretty simple- throw a party or an event, charge an admission price ($25/head or $25/family is the minimum suggested) and donate the proceeds to the MCPE in support of the Medfield Public Schools. We've seen Halloween parties, nights in with friends, comedy events, wine tastings, multivendor markets... The only limit is your creativity. Need more information or ideas? Email [email protected]