11/28 - Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop (see details below)
11/29 - Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop (see details below)
12/1 - Term 1 Ends
12/4 - Term 2 Begins
Blake Bands Concert
12/6 - Spaghetti with Santa
12/8 - Hour of Code at Blake!
12/11 - Blake Chorus Concert
12/12 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
Blake PTO Meeting
12/14 - Blake Orchestra Concert
12/15 - Grade 7 Field Trip
12/22 - 1/2 Day for Students and Staff
12/23-1/1 - School Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/2 - School Resumes
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about the role listening plays in learning, our topic/question of the week is: How does the act of listening help both the teacher and the student? Learning and Listening (Week of 11/26/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Turkey Bowl for 8th Grade Students
8th graders were invited to take part in our annual 'Turkey Bowl' tournament Wednesday (11/22). 18 teams of eighth graders braved the cold, drizzly weather to take part in a culminating event to the Phys Ed touch football unit. Over 80 participants, including a staff team, enjoyed the competition and camaraderie fostered by the team sport. As a ticket to compete, each participant brought in a non-perishable item as a donation to the Medfield Food Cupboard. It was a fun morning made memorable by the weather, devoted participants and exciting game play.
Divide and Conquer (Next Generation MCAS, Legacy MCAS, and Standards Based Reporting in Math) - Updated 11/17/17
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 Next Generation MCAS and Legacy MCAS. 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 day workshop will take place Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (originally scheduled for 11/28/17 at 10:15 a.m.) and the evening workshop will be Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. (originally scheduled for 11/28/17 at 6:30 p.m.).
Please RSVP via this Google Form:
Divide and Conquer Math Parent Workshops, November 2017 (Updated 11/17/17)
We hope that you will be able to join us for one of these workshops.
Christmas in the City
Permission slips will be going home soon for the 8th grade's field trip to Christmas in the City. In the next few weeks 8th grade advisories will be busy shopping for gifts for children attending the Christmas in the City Event. Each 8th grade advisory is responsible for purchasing a gift for a child off of his or her wish list, worth up to $50, in order to help keep the magic and spirit of the holidays alive for these children. The 8th grade will be purchasing gifts for 14 children and will deliver these gifts when they attend the Christmas in the City community service field trip in December. Contributions towards the cost of the buses are greatly appreciated - checks should be made out to Blake Middle School with Xmas in the City Transportation in the memo line.
Blake's Kindness Month
The five year anniversary of the tragic events in Newtown will be upon us shortly. At Blake, we will be continuing a tradition started four years ago by honoring those who died that day by asking everyone in the Blake community to participate in Blake's Month of Kindness. On the attached document, you will see the acts of kindness are not 'big', nor are they complicated, yet each can make an impact on someone, including each of us. We encourage you to print out the document and post it in a public spot (i.e. refrigerator) for your entire family to reference during the next month. We are going to document these days and put them together in a way that we can refer back to easily and remind ourselves that kindness is something we all can practice every day. I encourage you to check out the links for Blake's Month of Kindness
on Mrs. Gumas's website - mrsgumas.com. During this stretch of time, if you see your student partaking in an act of kindness and could take a picture or video, please send it to Marissa Gumas ([email protected]) or post it to post it to Blake's Kindness Padlet 2017. Items in need for the one day food drive (12/8/17) include peanut butter, fruit cups, canned tuna, canned pasta, spaghetti sauce, and paper products (napkins, paper towels, and tissues).
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families
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.
Blood Drive Meeting
Blake middle school is ready to kick off its 4th annual MLK day blood drive, hosted by the American Red Cross. Students who are interested in being a part of the committee that runs this incredible blood drive can come after school Tuesday, December 5th . We will meet as a group every Tuesday until the day of the blood drive. The committee is in charge of recruiting donors, preparing for the day of the drive and then running the blood drive. This is a positive leadership experience for anyone interested in being a part of a meaningful community drive. Any questions please feel free to contact, Cynthia McClelland at [email protected].
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.
#MedfieldPS #DLDMedfield Twitter Chat Follow Up
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS chats below from this year - last week's chat had a focus on #DLDMedfield, and I have copied the links to the 'storify' archives of all of our previous chats. 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. Hopefully you will be able to follow along, lurk, or join in one of our future chats!
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-dldmedfield
(#DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-feedback
(Feedback)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-diversity
(Diversity)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-a-fresh-start-8-23-17
(A Fresh Start)
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.
Technovation Information
Attn: BlakeGirls!
Do you want to help change people's lives for the better by coding an app- then you would be perfect for joining Blake's Technovation Teams! You don't have to be an expert at coding or anything, just someone who likes to work with others, contribute ideas, and be willing to learn new things like coding, giving a pitch, and more!
What is Technovation?
Technovation offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Girls ages 10 to 18 learn to identify a problem in their community and create a mobile app solution to address that problem, and then learn how to communicate these ideas and translate them into a fully launched business. Check out www.TechnovationChallenge.org for more info. (Please do not sign up there)
When do we meet?
Blake's Technovation Teams meet every Tuesday after school until 4pm from November-March. Your individual teams will also try to meet an additional time each week too. It could be during lunch or meeting at a team member's house or through google hangout, etc.
*Our regular meetings will begin Tuesday, November 29th.
Special Events
Technovation holds special events and workshops at Microsoft, MIT and other cool places for all Technovation Teams in Massachusetts.
If you are interested, please connect with Ms. Horvath ([email protected]).
Standards Based Reporting Information Sessions
Thank you to all Blake parents/guardians who were able to come to our Standards Based Reporting information sessions last month. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards-Based Reporting Parent Presentation October, 2017
Blake Open Studios
Every Thursday the Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3 p.m. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. 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 !
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 email Mrs. Avery and your student's guidance counselor to inform them. Mrs. Avery tracks all applications and makes sure they get out in time. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Dondero (6th), Mr. Marenghi (7th), or Ms. Allen (8th).
Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool
Blake's BoxTop Contest
BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S BOX TOP COLLECTION CONTEST IS HERE
EVERY BOX TOP COUNTS AND IS WORTH 10 CENTS. The winning cluster will receive a prize.
Here's the deal:
Collect your box tops in an envelope/baggie and start sending them in THIS WEEK. Each Advisory class will have a collection envelope.
Remember: Your trash is Blake's cash!!
****This contest runs from Oct 2 - Dec 1****
Medfield Angel Run News
The field is close to 1,300 runners. Here is the final week's training plan. Run 30 minutes 2x this week leaving Friday and Saturday as full rest days. You've got this and if you have room to do more please check out the Sign Up link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084eadaa2da20-volunteer2 for remaining needs for Angel Run 2017. We still need some help! Thank you all and see you Sunday, Dec. 3rd with bells on!
SEPAC - KidStuff Coupon Book
The KidStuff coupon book fundraiser is underway. Your support helps SEPAC fund workshops, events for kids and families, and scholarships. If you are interested in purchasing a book, please contact Kate Tormey at [email protected].
Update from Blake PTO
LAST WEEK FOR THE BOX TOP CONTEST! BRING IN YOUR BOX TOPS BY FRIDAY! Every box top counts and is worth 10 cents. The winning cluster will receive a prize! Collect your box tops and start sending them into school. Each advisory class will have a collection envelope!
REMEMBER: YOUR TRASH IS BLAKE'S CASH! Contest runs through December 1. GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY!
ONGOING BLAKE APPEAL - We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the 2017 - 2018 school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen [email protected] or Keven Gallagher [email protected] with any questions.
STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com
Update from MCPE
This week we reached the 30th day of our 30th anniversary fundraising campaign. With your help we have reached close to $41,000. THANK YOU! However, we still have our sights set much higher for our teachers and our students. Could we double that in the next 30 days? Not without your help! So please give today and know you are supporting innovation in our schools and also maintaining the value of our special little town. Every gift counts towards our large goal, no matter the size. Imagine what we could do together if every household was able to give what they can afford! The possibilities are endless! Thank you, again, and please visit our website to donate today. www.medfieldcoalition.org