11/4 - Election Day
11/6 - Student/Staff Basketball Game (see details below)
Go Fresh Night for Blake
11/8-11/12 - No Homework Weekend
11/10 - MWAHS Administration (see details below)
Student Trivia Challenge (see details below)
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
MCPE Meeting
11/13 - 'Troubling Times' Parent Workshop (see details below)
11/14 - MCPE Community Trivia Event
11/18 - Subway Night for Blake
11/19 - Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop (see details below)
CSA Mtg (6:30 p.m. in Blake LMC)
11/25 - Turkey Bowl
Celebration of Voice Assembly
11/26 - No School
11/27 - Happy Thanksgiving!
11/28 - No School
12/2 - 6th Grade Chorus/6-8 Orchestra Concert
12/4 - Go Fresh Night for Blake
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help foster conversations about the role a community plays in learning, our topic/question this week is: 'Ask yourself this: Why do I compare my group's performance with another person's group's performance?'
5th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball Game
The 5th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball game will take place Thursday, November 6, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Middle School gym. Tickets cost $3 each. All money raised goes to benefit Christmas in the City, a non-profit organization which receives donations each year to throw a Christmas Party for homeless children in Boston. This year, 8th grade students and teachers will spend two days helping to set up the party and purchase gifts for homeless children. Students can purchase tickets during advisory or at the door the day of the event. Any additional donations are welcome.
Digital Citizen Week at Blake
This week (11/3-11/7) is Digital Citizen Week at Blake, part of the district's Digital Citizenship Initiative. With every student now having a mobile device, it’s more important than ever to begin "empowering students to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world.” (Common Sense Media). Therefore, The Common Sense Media Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum will provide our framework as we begin to build this work into our own curriculum. There are three components to the week:
- Cyberbullying Lesson - To begin the conversation about cyberbullying and helping students understand what behaviors 'cross the line' in their use of social media, our Digital Citizenship team have designed and will lead a lesson based on Common Sense Media's curriculum.
- OverSharing: Think Before You Post Posters - Along similar lines, students are often posting pictures and “mashups” of each other online which can have a negative impact on their relationships in and out of school. An advisory period will be spent discussing the topic of 'oversharing' and Thinking Before You Post.
- Teen Panel: To put our students voices at the center of the conversation, we are hosting a teen panel. Diane Horvath and Jon Haycock will be moderating the panel of 4 selected students and 1 teacher by posing 5 predetermined questions about how they use technology in their digital life - from the moment they wake up, their house rules, and their feelings around the need for unplugging. We hope that hearing and openly sharing about each other’s experience will lead to spreading more positive and thoughtful uses of technology.
Please do not hesitate to contact Diane Horvath ([email protected]) or Nat Vaughn ([email protected]) with any questions.
Veterans Day Recognition
This week and next week we will be taking time with our students in advisory to discuss Veterans Day to increase their understanding and appreciation of our Veterans. Please take time with your students to discuss this topic - more information will be provided in next week's blog update.
Veterans Day - No Homework Weekend at Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, the weekend of Veterans Day will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. Homework will not be due on Monday, November 10 or Wednesday, November 12 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on November 10 or 12. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Troubling Times: Talking With Your Family About Mental Health Issues
Presenter: Christi Barney, RN, MSN, Clinical Specialist and Therapist
Director of Patient Safety at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
Many families are impacted by friends, neighbors and family members who struggle with mental health issues. How do you answer difficult questions from your child about hospitalization or diagnosis? If you know a friend is struggling, do you raise the issue directly? How can we, as a Medfield community, support each other with these issues?Please join us for this important discussion on Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Blake Middle School. If you are planning on attending please RSVP via this Google Form so that we can plan appropriately for the space/location (please know that you do not have to sign up ahead of time to attend, however): Troubling Times Parent Information Night.
Divide and Conquer (Mathematics, MCAS, and Mindsets) Parent Workshop
Join Nat Vaughn and Susan Bycoff, Math Content Specialist, gr. 6-12, for the Fall 2014 'Divide and Conquer' parent workshop. The focus is on mathematics, how students learn math, and a yearly review of MCAS will be presented. This year we will discuss an important topic in learning, Growth Mindset, exploring its place in learning and how students may benefit from this knowledge. The day workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 19 at 9:30 a.m., and the evening workshop will be Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP via this Google Form: Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop Fall 2014.
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks are on sale starting this week! The cost is $30, which guarantees a book in June. Please make out checks to Blake Middle School and return it to school with your child's advisory teacher. Please look for information coming home with students this week. The deadline is Friday, November 21. Please contact Mrs. Boulos with any questions. [email protected]
ADL Update
Seventh and eighth grade students in the peer leadership group have just finished their third full day of training, and they continue to meet after school weekly. They are wrestling with issues including challenging their own assumptions about peers, stopping cyberbullying, and examining the impact of exclusion and aggressive comments on students, both socially and academically. These 27 students are already working together in supporting peers who are experiencing issues. In addition, they have created and acted out 30 second PSAs about cyberbullying, and participated in role plays about stopping aggressive behaviors. They encourage us with their eagerness to learn about issues of social justice and then become active in making our community a more caring place for all!
Student Council Update
Blake's advisory pumpkin-decorating contest was a smashing success this past Friday!! We had everything from Egyptian pharaohs to the Pillsbury doughboy. School spirit was everywhere as staff and students alike were decked out in their costumes: we had the old Farming couple from the American Gothic painting, superheroes galore, teletubbies, pirates, rock-paper-scissors, and Incredibles! Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween from Student Council!
MWAHS Information
The administration of the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey for all Blake students is scheduled for Monday, November 10 (MWAHS Letter 2014). If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Susan Cowell, Wellness Content Specialist, at [email protected].
Technology Workshops for Parents
We were thrilled that many parents joined us for the Google Workshop 3-part series with Diane Horvath (@techmonstah), our Technology Integration Specialist. A special thank you to Diane for her expertise! If you missed the workshops or would like to refer to the presentations, please check out our mobile learning blog: Mobile Learning in Medfield. We look forward to offering more sessions in the future and welcome suggestions. If you have any questions or would like to share some suggestions, please e-mail Nat Vaughn ([email protected]) or Diane Horvath ([email protected]).
8th Grade Salem Trip
On Thursday, October 30 the 8th grade went on a field trip to Salem, MA in connection with our reading of The Crucible. Arthur Miller's play is about the Salem Witch Trials which took place in 1692. While in Salem, students visited The Witch Dungeon, where they saw a reenactment of an actual trial and then had a chance to tour the recreated dungeons of where the witches were kept. We also visited the Salem Witch Museum which gave a more comprehensive view of how the witch trials started. Here, students were able to see the changing ideas of witches over the centuries and also compare the Salem Witch Trials to modern day "witch hunts." Lastly, students were able to take part in an interactive performance of Cry Innocent! which allowed them to see what a witch trial might have been like. Students were able to ask questions of the accused woman as well as witnesses and judges; they then voted on the guilt or innocence of the accused! Overall, it was an exciting day spent in historical Salem.
Turkey Bowl - 8th Grade
8th Graders will once again take to the gridiron this year in an attempt to raise food for the Medfield Food Cupboard and raise student awareness that there are local families in need. The annual event is called the Turkey Bowl and this year it will take place on Tuesday, November 25th. Students are asked to sign-up, in teams of four, with their Physical Education Teachers. As an entry fee, students will be required to bring in one non-perishable food item per player. This is an exciting and fun event and we are hoping to get every 8th grader to play.
Stuff the Truck at Blake
Seventh grade students will be participating in a "Stuff the Truck" event for Cradles to Crayons, an organization which provides children in homeless and low-income situations with essential items so they can thrive at home, at school and at play. The 7th grade will be donating clothing, shoes, books, arts and crafts supplies, toys, baby gear and hygiene and new baby supplies (lists of items are available in your child's advisory). This collection will take place from Nov 17th until Nov 21st, so please start putting aside items which can be donated. Thank you!
Ballroom Dance Presentations
A group of 14 Grade 6 students will be joining our physical education staff at the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance convention at the DCU Center in Worcester
on November 17th! These students will be demonstrating the ballroom dances they learned in 4th and 5th grade at the Dale Street School. Medfield's ballroom dance program is among the most well-developed in the state, and our students will be participating along with a group of 9th grade students and the high school ballroom dance class students. High school wellness instructor Karen Renaud will be teaching educators from all across the state how to implement a successful ballroom dance program in their schools, and our student demonstrations will no doubt be a highlight of the presentation!
Private School Applications
Students who plan on applying to private school need to contact their guidance counselor. For more information, please call the guidance office or visit the guidance website: Blake Guidance Private School Information. Reminders of application deadlines will be noted in future blog updates.
Blake Ski Club
Sign ups for the Nashoba Ski and Snowboard Club opened on Monday, October 27th. Spots are limited to availability of seats on the bus. Please sign up as soon as possible to ensure a spot in the program. See the ski club website for important sign up information, pricing, and chaperone sign ups.
http://blakeskiclub.weebly.com
iPad Student/Parent Survey Fall 2014
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete the Fall 2014 Student/Parent iPad Survey. For those of you who have not had a chance, my hope is that you will be able to find some time this weekend. As of Tuesday morning, we have received 301 responses (out of 631): 6th Grade Parents - 104 (out of 202); 7th Grade Parents - 99 (out of 216); 8th Grade Parents - 98 (out of 213). Students will be taking the survey in school. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the student body and parents. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. Your sincere responses are essential to our information-gathering vision and mission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Link to the survey Student/Parent iPad Survey Fall 2014
Community Service Club Update
The Community Service Club of Blake is partnering with the Thomas Upham House. Twice a month, three members of the club will travel with a teacher to work with the people who live at the facility. Trips begin in November and will take place twice a month.
Music at Blake - Guess the Blake Pandora Jockey
In an effort to continue finding ways to foster a positive school culture and make connections between students and adults, we are continuing our Blake Pandora Jockey contest this year. Each week I will ask a different staff member to be the DJ, or PJ (Pandora Jockey) for Blake Tuesday-Thursday. The teacher will select different music 'stations' to be played and students will be able to cast their votes for who the Blake PJ of the week is. We have established an online voting system, Blake Pandora Jockey Form, and all entries must be registered by Thursday evening at 8 p.m. An 'electronic selector' will highlight a winner each week, and the winning student will be the Blake PJ for the following Monday. Each student may register only one vote. Encourage your students to participate!
Angel Run
Week 6 Angel Run Trainers. You are entering the home stretch. Here is your routine to do 3 times this week. Two cycles of 9 minutes of running followed by 1.5 minutes of walking then add one more 9 minutes of running. Go to MedfieldFoundation.org if you want to take a look ahead at the rest of the schedule or still need to register. Any guesses on the t-shirt color?
SEPAC Fundraiser - KIDSTUFF Coupon Book
Medfield SEPAC is offering the KIDSTUFF Coupon Book for sale. The book offers many great discounts and coupons for stores in the area. The coupon book is $25.00 and 50% of the sales go to SEPAC. SEPAC devotes these funds for family and community events, it provides assistance to teachers, and awards scholarship to graduating seniors. If you interested in purchasing a KIDSTUFF Coupon Book please contact [email protected].
CSA News
The CSA is hosting a New Field Day Spring Fundraiser. They are looking for committee members to help with this fun day for our students that will take place in the Spring on a 1/2 day. Please contact Joellyn Ripp at [email protected] to donate your time, ideas and expertise. We want to make this the best of all field days. Any amount of time you have for any part of this new fundraiser we'll take. Planning, procuring, volunteering the day of, etc. many thanks!
Go Fresh will be donating 15% of all proceeds to Blake on Thursday from 4-9 pm. Support our students and our generous business partners and enjoy Go Fresh on Thursday. Don't forget to mention Blake Middle School when you order.
Don't forget to send in your Box tops!
MCPE News
Are You Smarter Than Your Teachers? Find out at the Student Trivia Challenge on Monday, November 10th in the high school cafeteria. High School students can go head-to-head against MHS teachers: Anna Lall, Mary Adams, Ashley Estes and Monique Goodrow Trach! Blake students can test their trivia knowledge against Blake teachers: Tracy Allen, Jen Dondero, Eileen Hurley, and Greg Keohan. Don't see your favorite teachers listed? Challenge them to enter a team! All students who participate will be registered to win a $50 Visa gift card!! Concessions will be available. Invite your friends and register your team today at www.MedfieldCoalition.org! While we encourage advance registration, walk-in teams will be welcome, and with no school the next day, come, relax and have fun!
Entertaining for Education (E4E) is Back! How did MCPE fund over $108,000 in grants last year? With your help! Thank you to everyone who has already registered an E4E event. If you haven't planned an E4E event yet, please consider supporting MCPE while having fun with friends. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year! We need your support to make this fundraiser a success, so we can continue to fund enrichment programs for all of the children in the Medfield Public Schools. No time to host an E4E event? Please consider giving to our annual appeal: http://www.medfieldcoalition.org/donate-now/.
Green & Clear Cleaners Partners with MCPE The Medfield Coalition for Public Education is pleased to announce a partnership with Green & Clear Cleaners (in the Donut Express Plaza) to raise money for the Medfield Public Schools. Here's how it works: mention MCPE and get 10% off your personal cleaning order for that visit. For every subsequent visit, Green & Clear Cleaners will donate 10% of the total order to MCPE. (Please note, business shirts, specialty items and alterations are not included in the 10% donation.) What a great way to be eco-friendly and help support MCPE!
Show Our Community That You Support the Medfield Public Schools and MCPE! Make a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more to MCPE and you will receive an MCPE Proud Supporter magnet for your car. To make a donation, go to MedfieldCoalition.org and click on "Donate".
Medfield Music Association
1) The next meeting of the Medfield Music Association is 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the high school music room adjacent to the auditorium. All Blake music parents are encouraged to attend.
2) The Annual Wreath Sale has kicked off! Why buy a holiday wreath at a local retailer when you can buy one through the MMA and have a portion of the proceeds go to a great cause? Every wreath sold benefits the MMA scholarship fund for the Six Flags music trip this spring (or next year’s MHS music trip), or proceeds can be earmarked toward a specific music student to help with his/her own music trip costs. Enterprising Blake music students are welcome to sell multiple wreaths as a way to earn trip credits for themselves. For a wreath order form, go to the Thursday packet or www.medfieldmusicassociation.com. Wreath sales packets were also distributed last week. For more information, contact [email protected].