1/12 - Grade 6 Chorus Concert
1/13 - #MedfieldPS Twitter Chat (8 p.m.) - see details below
1/15 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Teachers
1/18 - MLK, Jr. Day - No School
Day of Service at Blake
Blood Drive at Blake
1/21 - Jessica Cox Community Presentation (see details below)
1/22 - Jessica Cox School Presentations (see details below)
2/5 - Teacher Professional Day (#DLDMedfield)
2/5 and 2/6 - Blake Play
2/8 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
How to Raise an Adult Book Group (4:30 p.m.)
2/24 - Incoming 6th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
2/25 - Incoming 9th Grade PIN at Medfield High School (6:30 p.m.)
3/3 - Incoming 8th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/10 - Incoming 7th Grade PIN (6:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about the process of learning, this week's topic/question for the dinner table is:
These two statements are borrowed/paraphrased from the articles shared this week: 1. "There has to be a better way, and I don't know it yet" 2. In many cases, (we) may even choose not to do (something) because, in the end, (we) are not so sure about how to do (it) well." How often do you find yourself in one or both of these situations, and how do we get past it to the other side? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Is This Us? (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Jessica Cox - Assembly for Students and Community
Some exciting news just arrived! Blake students and the Medfield community have been offered a wonderful opportunity to meet Jessica Cox and hear all about her incredible story of courage and perseverance. Jessica is an energetic, positive motivational speaker who was born without arms but did not let that stop her from becoming the World's 1st Armless Pilot and the 1st Armless Black-belt in the U.S. She will present to Blake Middle School student on Friday, January 22nd, during assembly period. In addition (as a preview to the assemblies), Jessica will share her trials and triumphs with the Medfield community on Thursday, January 21st, at 7 p.m. in Blake Middle School Auditorium. Please see this Jessica Cox Community Event for more information, and check out the link to a trailer to a film about her story - Jessica Cox Film Trailer. We strongly encourage you seize the chance to meet Jessica and learn about her amazing accomplishments despite her physical constraints. Spread the word and order your free tickets now before they are gone! E-mail (your name, address, # of tickets) to: [email protected]
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 1/13/16
Our next district-wide Twitter chat is on Wednesday, 1/13 at 8 p.m. with a focus on 'Reflection and Resolutions'. 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-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)
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Sophia Gustafson, 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. We are proud and honored that Sophia will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man whose goal was to make our country a better place for everyone. While his life was cut short due to assassination, MLK's goal to make our country a better place is still very much alive. On November 2, 1983 President Reagan made January 15th ( MLK Jr'.s birthday) a federal holiday, a day off for all. But a day off to support a man who gave his life to the betterment of our country did not really seem like a fitting honor so on August 23, 1994 President Bill Clinton signed a bill that moved the date of the holiday from MLK, Jr's birthday to the Monday after that day. The bill also stated that it was meant to be a day of service. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a not a day off, but a day on. To honor this day of service Blake Middle School will open its doors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to give students an opportunity to serve their community. Some of the activity students will be doing during this day of service will be: beautifying the school, making Valentine's day cards, book marks and paper flowers, for soldiers and those living in the nursing home. Students will also be making bracelets, which we will give to Children's Hospital for ill children. We are always open to new ideas for how we can serve the community and support making Monday, January 18th a day on! If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Cynthia McClelland at cmcclelland@email.medfield.net.
Blake Middle School Sponsoring Blood Drive for American Red Cross
On Monday, January 18th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Blake will be holding its second MLK, Jr. Day of Service blood drive. Right now we desperately need donors, and I would like to invite you to come and donate on this day. Students at Blake have been educated on the importance of donating blood. We learned that one donor saves three lives and that every 2 seconds someone is in great need of blood. If you turned in a donation form and received a conformation e-mail from me you do not need to re-sign up. For those interested in donating, and have not yet secured an appointment time, please enter your time on this Google Form: 1/18/16 Blood Drive Sign Up Form. I understand not everyone who would like to donate, can. And for those folks, please know that you can still save lives simply by asking someone you know to donate for you. Asking someone to donate in your place saves a life just as much as if you did it yourself. Donors can be as young as 16 years old. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. If you have any questions about the day of service or blood drive, please contact me at [email protected].
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
2/24 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2016-2017 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/3 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming eighth grade (current seventh grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2016-2017 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/10 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2016-2017 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No work will be due on Tuesday, January 19 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on January 19-20. 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.
Update from ADL
We are excited to attend the 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Conference at Framingham State University on Saturday, January 16th. Our Peer Leaders will be participating in team building and workshops with other youth from the MetroWest area. The Peer Leaders have been steadily preparing to present their first lesson to 6th graders on Monday, February 1st. We are also looking forwarding to attending the Annual ADL Youth Congress in Boston on March 18th.
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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Reminder about Bus Notes
All students who would like to ride a different bus may do so for childcare purposes only and need permission from Central Offices. Students should bring a note from home that gives permission to ride another bus, along with the bus number. That note will be sent to Central Offices and approval is granted based on available space on the bus. It is best to have the notes dropped off before the school day starts so that we can get back to students promptly in case they need to make other arrangements. A back up plan is always good to have in case permission is not granted. If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Montillo at Central Offices ([email protected]).
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
February 25, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
High School Auditorium
Please join members of the high school faculty as they present an overview of the Medfield High School academic curriculum. Additional information will be sent home as the date becomes closer. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Stephanie Worthley, Guidance Content Specialist at [email protected] or call the high school at (508) 359-4367.
Community Service Club Coat Drive
Our Community Service Club of Blake is running its annual coat drive until the second week of January. Please locate the boxes outside the library and donate new or gently used winter coats. Child coats of all sizes are most welcomed but coats of all sizes are needed.
Cradles to Crayons - 7th Grade
In January/February of 2016 our 7th grade will be running a clothing drive for Cradles to Crayons. Please set aside any clothing donations in advance. Thank you!
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Pilot and Focus Group
Thank you to all sixth grade parents/guardians who were able to come to one of our Standards Based Reporting information sessions. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards Based Reporting Presentation Fall 2015
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 (Fridays at 12:30 p.m.) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The dates that have been set for these meetings are: 2/26, 4/1, and 6/3. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up
How to Raise an Adult - Book Discussion Group for Parents
Please join the Blake Site Council will be reading and discussing HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. For more information, here is a book review from The New York Times...
HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. We will be reading it throughout the year, taking time to discuss the ideas presented and have a common, shared experience. The discussions will take place at the end of each Site Council meeting (our third book group meeting will be 4:30 p.m. on Monday, 2/8). All parents are invited to join us. If you are interested in joining the book discussions, please fill out this Google Form: How to Raise an Adult Blake Book Group
The breakdown for the readings is as follows...
- For 2/8 Meeting - Read Chapters 12-17 (143-227)
- For 3/7 Meeting - Finish book (228-305)
Blake Science Fair
This is the first middle school science fair ever for Medfield. It’s a great opportunity to get involved in an extracurricular activity while having fun with friends. This project by high school junior Emma Twer was created to promote communication and speech skills for students. Being part of a science fair develops important attributes needed for the high school. Come show your creativity through science! Work sessions are available as a lead up to the fair on February 26.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6WieI40e5TlVnAxNDY4N1NpNVU/view?usp=sharing
Work Sessions: 2:30-3:30 on January 13, January 20, February 3
Fair: February 26 from 3:30- 5:30
K-8 PTO Update
GRANTS FUNDED
· A performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the 6th grade class in the amount of $1,160.
· A classroom set of 25 trapezoidal desks in the amount of $2,315
· Co-funded Jessica Cox, motivational speaker $500
BAY STATE TEXTILES
Recycle clothing, shoes, household linens and stuffed animals at one of the Bay State Textile boxes at your school or the Transfer Station. Recycle and help the schools!!
BOX TOPS
Please cut out your Box Tops and have your child bring them to the Blake office or their advisory. Visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/coupons for coupons on participating Box Tops products!
MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR
Customize EVERYTHING from text to colors and designs from sports to drama to music. Choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more.
Spend $85 or more and get a free customized t-shirt. 12% of proceeds from each order will go to your school’s PTO. This is all you have to do:
· Go to shop.mylocker.net
· Enter your school locker number - BLAKE BD979
· Use promo code b2g6dTK1 to receive $10 off every order you place
NOTE: Due to different branding sizes, make sure to check all size charts when ordering to ensure you get a great fit for each product. Use MyLocker to create apparel for your teams, clubs, service groups, and more. The possibilities are endless! Please contact Laura Zaher [email protected] with any questions.
ZEBRA’S FLATBREAD FRIDAYS FUNDRAISER
No need to cook on a Friday night after a crazy week! Enjoy a delicious flatbread from Zebra’s and support the Medfield Public Schools at the same time. 10% of the proceeds from flatbreads sold via take-out or in the restaurant on Friday evenings will be donated to the Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE) and Medfield K-8 PTO. Please contact Kim Price[email protected] with any questions.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE Update
Mark your calendars for TWO upcoming MCPE events: MCPE's 11th Annual Spelling Bee will take place on Tuesday, April 5th for grades 2-5, and Friday, April 29th is the date for an exciting new community event called LCR (Left Center Right Dice Game). Stay tuned for more information!
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.