10/7 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/12 - No School
10/14 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
10/20 - Blake PTO Meeting
SEPAC Meeting
10/21 - Remote Learning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about listening, our topic/question for the dinner table is: How does the practice of listening help to improve your ability to learn? Making Room for Listening (Week of 10/5/20)
‘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
Working with the safety guidelines, we are thrilled to offer some intramurals for Blake students - here is the direct link…
2020 Fall Blake Intramural Offerings
Blake Student Council
For any student interested in leadership, school spirit, and bringing our community together this year:
Hot off the press! For the first time in Blake history, Student Council will be a volunteer-based group. Students no longer have to run in an election in your Advisory. We will hold an informational ZOOM meeting on Wednesday, 10/14 (info will be shared with Blake students) to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the members of the group. If after the meeting, students would like to commit, we will have our first official ZOOM meeting the following week.
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.
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.
COVID-19 Health Information
Please click on the link below for important COVID-19 health information and an easy to follow algorithm which we hope you will find helpful. This information was sent out in a separate email last week on 9/25/2020. We are sharing it again just in case you missed it.
Family COVID Updates
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your support and vigilance in keeping your children home when they are feeling ill. We understand these are challenging times, and we are here to support you and your children. Please reach out to us anytime! You can reach us in the school nurse’s office at 508-242-8554 weekdays except Wednesdays and at the email addresses listed below.
- Tricia & Arlene
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!
Blake's school hours are 7:50 a.m. until 2:05 p.m. on in-person days. Students who arrive after 7:50 a.m. will be marked tardy to school. GO Block (Get Organized Block) will be a 15 minute block of time for students to connect with their advisor, preview the day, ask any questions that they may have, receive organizational support, and build relationships . Attendance will be taken at that time. It is a part of the school day and students should arrive in time to be in their advisory GO Block by 7:50 a.m. Students will also be required to attend GO Block from 7:50-8:05 a.m. on their remote learning days. These GO Blocks will take place via synchronous Zoom calls with 'cluster point people'.
Early Dismissal Procedures
In order to provide a contactless early dismissal system, this year we ask that caregivers send an email to [email protected] in order to notify us of an early dismissal need due to an appointment or other reasons. This system will replace the handwritten notes and caregivers should not come into the building. You may pull up in the circle or come to the door and let us know you are here via the intercom system. Your email will serve as written permission for your child to be dismissed. Please include your child's full name, grade level, time of dismissal and reason for dismissal. Whenever possible, please notify us the day before. If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time. Thanks for your patience as we work out many new systems.
Visitors to Blake Middle School
This year, due to health protocols, we are not permitted to have visitors in the Blake building. If you need to come to school to drop something off, or to pick up your child, we will speak with you over the intercom system when you ring the doorbell. Please tell us your name, and how we may help you. There is a place to leave essential items that were forgotten at home, and there are some signs at the door to assist you. If your child is being dismissed, you will be asked to wait outside while we arrange for your child to meet you. Thank you for your patience!
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)
Resources from Office of Social and Emotional Learning
We would like to let you know about some resources and tools in relation to SEL in our district. The Office of Social and Emotional Learning has content related to COVID-19 coping strategies, tips and tools for families to utilize. We have broken the material into Elementary and Secondary levels, and have a section for Educators as well. We also want to let you know that we have partnered with many other districts in the state to form a collaborative, comprehensive and ever evolving website that has lots of great information that may help with mental health and wellbeing in this tumultuous time. We hope these resources can be a tool to support health and wellness in our community. The websites are listed below:
Medfield Office of SEL
Mental Health and Well-being Partner Website
Webinars of Interest
From Safe Space to Brave Space: Facilitating Classroom Discussions on Bias, Injustice and Oppression
Wednesday, 10/7 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Please join ADL’s Northeast Division on October 7th at 4:00 pm ET for this interactive forum will provide K–12 educators with strategies to facilitate a classroom environment in which all students are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on issues of bias, injustice and oppression. Join educators from across the Northeast to share your successes and challenges in creating brave space for discussions on bias and explore the ways in which ADL can support your efforts.
Managing Stress, Anxiety, & Parenting Under Covid 19 with Lisa Damour, PhDWednesday, 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
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.
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)
Twitter Accounts (@nat_vaughn, @blakeoffice) and Blake/Medfield Hashtags (#bmsed, #MedfieldPS, #MedfieldPLN)
We have established the hashtag (#bmsed) for education-related tweets of interest and Blake events and #MedfieldPS and #MedfieldPLN for Medfield Public Schools and Professional Learning related tweets, so be sure to check them out! My account is @nat_vaughn and the Blake account is @blakeoffice, and we will continue to tweet up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles of interest on a daily or more frequent basis.
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/
MCPE Update
Join MCPE for a floral workshop for the first event in our One Medfield Virtual FunRaising Night In series with Alice’s Table! MCPE has partnered with Alice’s Table to bring this private fundraising workshop to your home just in time for the Fall holiday season! Sign up for this exclusive virtual class and create your own stunning holiday centerpiece. A representative from Alice’s Table will teach you step-by-step how to create a beautiful fall arrangement in a stylish planter, all while sharing her top floral tips and tricks! Tickets are $87 a piece and includes all flowers and the planter (shipped to your doorstep) and the Zoom instruction ($20 from each registration will go to supporting Medfield schools). Only 100 tickets are available so signup quickly so you don’t miss out! Registration will close on November 1st to make sure the flowers can be delivered in time for our class. https://alicestable.com/events/virtual-floral-arranging-with-medfield-coalition_1597254546
Medfield Foundation - Angel Run Info!
Medfield Foundation Virtual Angel Run & Fundraiser
Thank You from Blake PTO
Dear Blake Families,
We appreciate your generosity in kick starting our new school year. With the support of your contributions we delivered
a variety of snacks, and thank you gifts for the front office and custodians at Blake.
Thank you for the teamwork!!
Here are some pictures!
Best,
The Blake PTO