11/22 - ½ Day for Students
11/23 - Happy Thanksgiving!
11/24 - No School
11/27 - Angel Run Poster Making Party
12/1 - Term 1 Ends
12/4 - Term 2 Begins
Samaritans Workshop for Families (see info below)
12/5 - Blake Site Council (3:00 p.m.)
Spaghetti & Snowballs (MMA)
Blake PTO Meeting
12/7 - MCAP Meeting
Tilden Village Visit
12/11 - Term 1 Report Cards go Home
12/12 - 8th Grade Turkey Bowl (see info below)
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the practice of gratitude, our question for the week is: What are you thankful for? Intentional Gratitude (Week of 11/19/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Samaritans Workshops - Info for 7th Grade
At Blake Middle School, the School Counselors believe it is important to focus on the whole student, paying close attention to the emotions that are often associated with the teen years. No one wants to think about their child dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 years old. Unfortunately, not many youth know what to do or who to turn to when they are in need of help either for themselves or a friend.
On Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm, we will virtually host a Suicide Prevention Workshop presented by Samaritans, Inc. In this presentation, you will learn how to recognize risk factors and warning signs in your child as well as learn how to talk to your child who may be feeling depressed or suicidal and basic steps in getting help.
Samaritans, Inc. will also be presenting this information to all 7th grade students on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Please refer to the email sent to all 7th grade parents/guardians from Stephanie Worthley.
Blake Turkey Bowl
Due to the storm set to arrive in Medfield this Wednesday morning in the form of intense rain and wind, the 'Turkey Bowl' is going to be postponed. We are saddened to have to change the date but it is the best option to have a fun and safe experience. We appreciate the whole staff for their flexibility and support in allowing us to 'make-up' the date instead of cancel. The event is meant to be inclusive, active and a showcase of the skills and rules they have been asked to demonstrate in class the past several weeks.
Our tentative makeup date will be set for the half day on December 12.
Any students who have not yet signed up for the tournament will still have an opportunity to do so and our canned food drive will extend to this new date. Donations can be brought to the PE office anytime before then
BMS Turkey Bowl
Who: Grade 8 Students
What: A 4v4 one-hand touch football tournament.
When: Tuesday (12/12) - 7:45-9:10 AM. Rain or shine.
Where: Meeting in Blake gym, then proceeding to the HS turf field.
Hearing and Vision Screening at Blake - 7th Grade
Hearing and vision screening will be held the week after Thanksgiving for all 7th grade students. The purpose of this screening as mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is to identify students who may have hearing or vision issues requiring medical follow up. The school nurses will be conducting the screenings for 7th graders during physical education classes the week of November 27th - December 1, 2023. If your child has contact lenses or glasses, please be sure your child wears his/her contacts or brings his/her glasses to school to use during the vision portion of the screening.
If you prefer to opt out (excuse) your child from either the vision and/or hearing screening, then please click here to complete the opt out form by next Wednesday, 11/22/23.
If you would like your child to participate in the screenings, then please do not complete the form. You will be contacted if your child does not pass either of the screenings and requires medical evaluation.
Please email Tricia directly at [email protected] if you have any questions or you can reach Meghan and I in the middle school health office at 508-242-8554.
8th Grade Winter Sports
Registration for Blake Middle School winter athletics is now open on FamilyID.com. There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School site. To complete registration, we will need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”).
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the winter season are:
● Girls Basketball (8th grade Girls)
● Boys Basketball (8th grade Boys)
Sincerely,
Mike Mason, Asst AD and Blake MS Athletics Liaison
Eric A. Scott, Director of Athletics
Medfield Public Schools
Multicultural Awareness Club - 11/30/23
Thank you to all the students who attended the first couple of meetings of the Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC). ALL ARE WELCOME!
November Reading Challenge!
November reaching challenge is: A book recommended by your library. There is a display up in the library with some of my favorites- please come down and have a look! There are suggestions on all subject areas and all types of books. I’m also happy to make recommendations in person so stop in and let’s find the perfect book for you!! Don’t forget to fill out the Google form on the library website to let me know that you participated! Otherwise, how will I know to send you a prize?
Annual Coat Drive
A group of Blake 7th Graders are partnering with the Careau family to support their Annual Coat Drive for local shelters and veterans. Please visit the sign up and consider donating to those in need today!
Mens & Womens coats in sizes Medium, Large, XL, 2XL are especially needed. Gift cards to Shaw's are also helpful!
There is a bin outside Blake Middle School for donations.
THANK YOU!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0E4DACAB2BA3FF2-45973297-annual
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families - Gift Giving
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Recess Reminder for All Parents/Guardians
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
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 e-mail Mrs. Avery and your student's school counselor to inform them. Mrs. Avery tracks all applications and makes sure they get out in time. Any questions, please contact or Ms. Allen (8th), Mr. Marenghi (7th), or Mrs. Dondero (6th).
Pride Alliance
At Pride Alliance, 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. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
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 Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
MCAP/Medfield Outreach Update
Your response matters! Click on the link below or scan the QR code to participate in a brief parent/guardian survey about youth substance use in Medfield. Accurate information helps decision makers effectively address community needs.
*Fill out the survey for your chance to win $30!
flowcode.com/p/qAwRpcDJk?fc=0
Medfield Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC). SEPAC is run by a group of parent and caregiver volunteers who work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of all children with special needs in the community. SEPAC has a lot of exciting things planned for this school year.
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
Message from Blake PTO
Reminder that the PTO serves to support Blake teachers through financial grants, hands-on support, and ongoing teacher appreciation efforts on behalf of all parents. If you have not already, please consider donating $50 for the year (or whatever amount feels appropriate) through Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO or a check made out to Blake PTO. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month during the school day to help teachers with photocopying or bulletin boards, please email [email protected]
Message from MCPE - Grants in Action!
There’s still a bit more time before Thanksgiving 🦃, but you may already be getting in the mood for turkey, cranberries - and giving! Giving Tuesday is coming up on Tuesday, November 28 but it’s not too early to make your contribution to MCPE. Dollars donated to MCPE are put to work funding grants to enrich Medfield Public Schools, enhancing student learning and education for years to come! Tax-deductible donations can be made directly to our Venmo account: @ mcpe_medfield
We are so incredibly thankful for the support of our donors!
Volunteers needed on Tuesday evening, Dec. 5, 2023 for "Spaghetti and Snowballs!"
You loved this event when your children were little…please volunteer to help launch a new holiday tradition for the next generation of Medfielders!
Guests will enjoy a spaghetti dinner (with or without sauce and/or meatballs) and an ice cream dessert, music performed by Medfield students, and photos with Olaf from Frozen. 7th & 8th grade music students will be your servers for the evening. There will also be a bake sale, gift basket raffles, and many more fun surprises.
Tickets for Spaghetti & Snowballs are available here: https://www.ticketsource.us/medfield-music-association
Would you like to volunteer? This event takes so many helpers to pull off. Sign up as an event helper, a baker for the bake sale, or a shopper to fill the raffle baskets using the signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4AADA822AA8-45674067-spaghetti#/
This event is brought to you by the Medfield Music Association (MMA)and proceeds benefit the music program in all Medfield Public Schools. Please follow us on facebook for updates.
Two dinner seatings are available: one at 5:15 p.m., and another at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each (plus a small processing fee) and only 250 tickets are available for each seating.This event sells out quickly every year, and families are encouraged to buy their tickets early. Ticket sales open on November 1st!
This event is brought to you by the Medfield Music Association (MMA) and proceeds benefit the music program in all Medfield Public Schools.
Workshops/Webinars of Interest
Tips for Talking with Your Teen about Drugs & Alcohol in Today’s World - Presented by Dr. Safdar Medina
Tuesday, 12/5 at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMassChan Medical School. He currently serves as the school physician for the Northborough/Southborough School District. He was awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008 to work with community partners on teen substance use prevention. He treats youth who struggle with mental health conditions and addiction, including providing medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Questions or comments? Contact Natick 180 at [email protected]