1/12 - Pride Alliance
School Committee Mtg
1/16 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No School
1/17 - SEPAC Mtg - see details below
1/19 - DEI Task Force Mtg
1/24 - ½ Day for Students; Professional Afternoon
1/25 - MCAP Meeting
1/26 - School Committee Mtg
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about skills we need and the steps we can take to be prepared, our question for this week is: What skills do we need to be prepared for the future? Building Bridges for the Future (Week of 1/8/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
MLK, Jr. Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, MLK, JR. Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 1/17 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due nor given January 17. 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.
Blood Drive - MLK, Jr. Day
The Blake Martin Luther King day of service blood drive supported by the American Red Cross is back, Monday, January 16th, from 8am-2pm. If you are 16 years old, and interested you just need to have a parent permission form filled out, and those 17 and older just sign up. You can sign up by asking your student for the sign up link which was shared with them or, simply email Mrs. McClelland: [email protected]
Feel free to contact me with any questions. We hope to see you there.
Blake Theater
Blake Theater participants are invited to join Fun Theater Fridays on January 13th and 27th. A sign up form for the 13th went out in the latest Theater Update email. Hound of the Baskervilles will start with a readthrough on January 30th.
Project 351 - Blake Representative for 2022-2023
We are thrilled to share that Paige Henebry, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values - humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. Launch Day for the ambassadors is this Saturday, 1/14 - a day-long endeavor that kicks off their work and service. We are proud and honored that Paige will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield!
American Mathematics Contest - Grade 8
Grade 8 students will be taking the American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8) on January 17, 2023 during G period. Students in Algebra 1 have been preregistered. Any student in Math 8 that is interested in taking the test should email Ms. Safer ([email protected]) as soon as possible to register.
Empty Bowls - 3/9/23
MHS Clay Club presents Empty Bowls, a collaborative community dinner of soup and bread to raise money for Medfield Food Cupboard. Come make or buy a bowl and join us for a soup dinner Thursday 3/9/23. All proceeds benefit Medfield Food Cupboard!
Sign up here: https://t.co/kQ8OtFIru6
Join us for our first meeting of 2023! Tuesday, January 17th at 7pm Our panel of community school parents is looking forward to helping you by offering their experience and knowledge. This meeting will be held virtually via zoom. Please RSVP to [email protected] to receive a meeting link. To make the night as helpful as possible, we will also send you a link to enter your questions ahead of time. We want to allow our panel to review questions so they can group them by topic and be able to share their insights.
Community Service Endeavor - 6th Graders
A group of 6th graders are collecting items for the Medfield Animal Shelter as a part of our monthly community service project. We put a bin by the library to collect items and flyers around the school list the items that the shelter needs the most. Please consider donating!
Medfield Class of 2025 - Fundraiser
The Medfield Class of 2025 is selling dog leashes to support their class. All dog leashes cost $25. When the dog leashes come in (we anticipate they will be in by mid-January), they can be picked up outside Medfield High School and they can be paid for at that time. The $25 can be paid in cash or a check made out to the Town of Medfield. Place your order HERE.
Cold and flu season is here and we need your assistance in keeping our school community healthy. Please monitor your child(ren) daily for signs/symptoms of illness and keep them home from school to rest and hydrate if they are not feeling well or if they have a fever. It’s helpful to keep a thermometer in your home to check their temperature.
Symptoms which may initially appear to be just a common cold or allergies could actually be COVID or the flu, so please be vigilant and follow these reminders.
- If your child has cold/allergy symptoms (see COVID Guidelines), please test them for COVID before sending them to school. If the test results are negative, repeat the COVID test 48 hours later. If positive, please keep your child home to isolate x 5 days and notify us and your child’s primary care provider (PCP).
- If your child has a fever, please call their PCP and keep your child home from school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without any fever/pain reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, etc.) and their symptoms have improved to the point where they are feeling well and ready to return to a full day of school.
- Frequent handwashing/hand sanitizing and mask wearing when you or your child(ren) have cold/flu or COVID symptoms in combination with keeping vaccinations up-to-date as recommended by the Department of Public Health are the most effective ways to decrease the spread of viral illnesses.
- Please call the Blake Middle School absence line (508-242-8501) by 7:40 a.m. each day your child will be absent or late for school. The absence line is available 24 hours a day. You may also send an email to [email protected]
- Please notify us in the school nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with COVID, influenza, strep throat or any other contagious illness as well as if your child is being treated for a concussion or recovering from an injury.
- You may email this information to [email protected] when you notify the school of your child’s absence or contact us directly.
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural session is loosely set to run from mid January until the beginning of April. Be on the lookout for the offerings shortly after we return from winter break. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Thank You to MCPE and PTO
Thank you to the Blake PTO and MCPE (Medfield Coalition for Public Education) for their generous support of our endeavors/grants. We greatly appreciate the contributions as we look to provide unique and innovative experiences for our students!
Message from Medfield’s Destination Imagination Team…
Medfield's Destination Imagination organization is looking for volunteers to be appraisers at either of the regional tournaments (March 4th in Medfield or March 12th in Beverly). It is the perfect opportunity for someone 18 years or older (and out of high school) who would like to spend the day praising the accomplishments of each dedicated and hugely creative Destination Imagination team and awarding as many points as possible. It is truly a fun day spent enjoying the creativity of students in grades 3-12 and is a great community volunteer opportunity for anyone- college students, retired folks, those who have previously participated in Destination Imagination, etc.). Contact [email protected] for more information and learn about Destination Imagination at destinationimagination.org.
National Science Bee
Registration is now open for the National Science Bee. Registration is free and easy! Click on this link National Science Bee for information and click on this link to navigate to the qualifying event (20 min Online Regional Qualifying exam.
Students compete in separate grade divisions to keep things fair and fun. Study guides and free practice questions from past years' competitions can be found on this website.
MakerSpace Materials
Thanks to all who have been bringing in cardboard for the Makerspace. We are all stocked up for the moment! But, there is always a need for different kinds of tape, hot glue sticks,small binder clips, brad fasteners, small magnets, popsicle sticks, etc.- basic office supplies/crafty stuff.
Late Bus For MS/HS Students
Late bus service runs Monday through Thursday departing from outside the auditorium entrance at Medfield High School at 3:45 PM. We are unable to provide door-to-door service, but our bus company established a route with seven stops strategically placed throughout the town. These stops will remain consistent throughout the year.
Stop 1 - Corner of Lantern and Flintlocke
Stop 2 - Corner of Blacksmith and Marilyn
Stop 3 - Corner of Bridge and Marsh
Stop 4 - Corner of Algonquin and Orchard
Stop 5 - Corner of Indian Hill and Hopi
Stop 6 - Corner of South and Wilson
Stop 7 - Corner of Hummingbird and Granite
We will run this pilot throughout the 2022-2023 school year and then evaluate the interest for next year. Please contact the business office at 508-359-2302 if you have any questions.
Blake’s Pride Alliance
We are pleased to announce that the club formerly known as Blake GSA is now called Pride Alliance! This more inclusive name better represents the values of our club, where we strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and also those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Meetings are every Thursday until 2:45 in room 502. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity.
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit Medfield Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
Webinars/Workshops of interest…
State of the Field 2023: SEL at a Crossroads
Friday, 1/27 at 1 p.m.
This past year, social and emotional learning garnered media and political attention like never before. For better and worse, SEL was a top priority for district leaders, an election-year talking point, and a household name across the country. What does this mean for SEL and where the field goes next? And most importantly, how will the next chapter of SEL continue to bring together families and educators to better serve every child?
Join Dr. Aaliyah Samuel and Dr. Timothy Shriver in a fireside chat as they reflect on a year of politics, policy, and promising practices — and begin building the agenda for the new year.
Recommended for: education organization leaders, community partners, policy influencers, and district and school leaders.