November 5 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Tri-County
November 6 - 6th Grade Parent Coffee (see details below)
November 7 - iPad Initiative Info Session for Grade 8 Parents/Guardians (12:30 p.m. - see details below)
Deadline for last Washington, D.C. SCRIP Order
XITC Charity Basketball Game (see details below)
November 9-11 - No Homework Weekend (see details below)
November 11 - Veterans Day (No school)
November 12 - iPad Initiative Info Session for Grade 8 Parents/Guardians (6:00 p.m. - see details below)
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
Surviving Adolescents: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast! And The ABC’s of Parenting Adolescents (see details below)
November 13 - Lip Sync Info Mtg (see details below)
November 14 - Student Council Mtg at 2:15 p.m.
November 19 - Subway Night for Blake
November 20 - CSA Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
November 26 - Celebration of Voice Assembly
November 27 - No School
November 28 - Happy Thanksgiving!
November 29 - No School
December 6 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about collective efforts in our dialogue this week, our Topic/Questions for the Dinner Table this week is: In 5 minutes, how many examples from our contemporary world and from history can you come up with to support this statement: "the conscious effort to join and help others builds an atmosphere of high character and will inspire those around you to show intrepid perseverance, creativity, and camaraderie."
Veterans Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for 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. No work will be due on Tuesday, November 12 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on November 12-13. 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.
Costumes and Pumpkins at Blake
The Annual Blake Pumpkin Decorating contest was a HUGE success. Homerooms were immensely creative with their small sugar pumpkins. The 3rd place pumpkin was Mrs. Batts's Christmas In The City theme pumpkin that "made it rain" with dollar bills. In 2nd place, Mr. Bowles's Wrecking Ball pumpkin swung realistically from its construction. In 1st place, Mrs. Pratt's Honey Boo-Boo pumpkin took it home, complete with a big tin of Cheese Balls!
Costume day evoked the creativity of our staff and students. The winning 6th grade costume was Ella Kohler dressed as a likeness of Medusa. The 7th grade winner, Michael Koellner, was a legionnaire. And the 8th grade and grand prize winner, John Kohler, was dressed as Prince George.
8th Grade Salem Trip
On Wednesday October 30th, 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.
Veterans Day Recognition
This 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.
6th Grade Parent Coffee
The 6th graders seem to have settled into the Blake routines quite nicely, but that doesn't mean all the information about school is being shared at home. Join Matt Marenghi and Kelly Campbell for a parent coffee where you can get some of your questions about Blake academics, routines, and school culture answered. The coffee will take place Wednesday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (6th Grade Parent Coffee) to let us know if you are planning on attending either session so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation. You may register questions in advance via the link or walk in with your list.
7th Grade Parent Coffee
Our 7th graders are no longer adjusting to middle school life, nor are they preparing to step across the campus to the high school. So what are they doing? Join Tracy Allen and Kelly Campbell for a parent coffee where you can ask "What is 7th grade all about?". The coffee will take place Wednesday, November 20th at 9:30am. Hope to see you there. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (7th Grade Parent Coffee) to let us know if you are planning on attending the session so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation. You may register questions in advance via the link or walk in with your list.
8th Grade Parent Coffee
The 8th graders are now the leaders of the school and it is a very exciting year filled with many fun learning experiences and we want to be sure that all of the important information is getting home to you. Join Jen Dondero and Kelly Campbell for a parent coffee where you can get some of your questions about 8th grade academics, expectations and upcoming events answered. The coffee will take place Wednesday, November 13 at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there. Please RSVP via our Google Form link (8th Grade Parent Coffee) to let us know if you are planning on attending the session so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation. You may register questions in advance via the link or walk in with your list.
iPad Initiative Highlights Sessions for Grade 8 Parents/Guardians
In an effort to continue our dialogue and share information with parents and families about our 8th Grade iPad Initiative, we are inviting all Grade 8 parents/guardians to attend one of our iPad Highlights Information Sessions. We have scheduled a day session on Thursday, November 7 at 12:30 p.m. and an evening session on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. The intent is to share and highlights work that is taking place and provide a forum for questions. Parents/guardians should not feel obliged to attend. Please RSVP via our Google Form links ( iPad Initiative Highlights Day Session on 11-7-13 or iPad Initiative Highlights Evening Session on 11-12-13) to let us know if you are planning on attending either session so that we can make sure we are prepared. Please fill out the form for each parent/guardian attending the presentation. I also encourage you to visit our Mobile Learning in Medfield blog to gain a greater understanding of the work that is taking place.
4th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball Game
The 4th Annual Student/Staff Charity Basketball game will take place Thursday, November 7, 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.
Yearbook Information
It's time to order your 2013-2014 Yearbook! To guarantee a book in June, all orders must be placed this week! Here is the vital information:
COST: $30 check written to Blake Middle School
DUE DATE: Friday November 15
ORDERS GIVEN TO: Advisory Teacher
ANY QUESTIONS: contact Mrs. Boulos, [email protected]
Medfield Art Department
The Medfield K-12 Fine Arts website has a page designed to provide a way for Blake students and their families & friends UPLOAD images of CREATIVITY. If you have any pictures of students being creative in any of their classes or other Blake activities, please upload them to:
Blake Creativity
Once we have a few to display, we will create a Gallery of Creativity page on our website to share the many ways in which our Blake students are creative each day. Thank you in advance for your participation! Also, don't forget to follow our Twitter @Medfieldk12Arts account for the latest information about our Blake Art program as well as the rest of our K-12 Fine Arts program.
Curriculum Highlights - World Language
This week's curriculum updates come from the World Language (Ellen Toubman, Content Specialist) department...
World Language
The World Language classes have been busy. Here is a sample of classroom activities from each of the three grades at Blake:
In sixth grade French, we have learned about the Francophone world, where students were surprised to learn that there are over 25 countries with significant populations of French speakers. Students have mastered a basic conversation, including greeting, asking each other's names, asking how they are feeling, and saying goodbye. While learning the French alphabet and numbers, students examined the differences in sounds and writing in French. We are well on our way to being a Francophone classroom!
The 7th grade French classes have been studying the unit on School vocabulary.~ They learned to discuss their school schedules in the target language, to include asking when another student has a specific class, at what time, and finally sharing their opinion of the classes.~ The culminating skits were quite entertaining as the students can be very creative!~ To celebrate National French Week the week of November 4, each student designed a poster which included a French vocabulary word or expression as well as an illustration.~ These have been posted throughout the halls of Blake for all to see!
Grade eight has been working on talking on the phone in Spanish, inviting people places and even sending text messages. The students have completed this great activity: students "texted" each other in Spanish using a shared Google doc, also enabling teacher access. In real time, they were able to converse in the target language, using some authentic texting abbreviations, and the teachers could observe and participate.
Blake Theater Information
Auditions for Blake's two theatrical performances this year will take place December 2-6. If you think your student might be interested in being in or doing tech for one of these shows, please note that Tech week will be the week of April 7th and performances will be April 11-13. We will be putting on one play and one musical. Forms, including audition sign-ups, will be on November 12th on the theater website (under the Activities tab on the Blake site). See Ms. Allen with any questions.
Lip Sync Information
The 15th Annual Lip Sync will be held on January 24th. There will be one night of performances; therefore the first 20 acts to submit their completed paperwork by the due date will perform. We are only opening the show to 20 groups. Important upcoming dates...
11/13 @ 2:15 informational meeting in the auditorium
11/28 forms are due to Mrs. Dondero
Please do not hesitate to call or email Mrs. Dondero (508-359-2396 ext. 2003/ [email protected]) with any questions or concerns
Nashoba Valley Ski/Snowboard Club
SAVE THE DATES: The Nashoba Valley Ski/Snowboard club will be running again for six consecutive Thursdays (January 2nd - February 6th) this year. Paperwork to sign-up will be available near the end of October. Students participating will be expected to attend a mandatory meeting on December 17th from 2:15 -2:45. If a student is renting, staff from Nashoba Valley Ski Area will be available to fit your student on December 11th from 2:15-2:45. Please email Marjorie Heim at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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: http://blakeguidancepage.weebly.com/index.html. Reminders of application deadlines will be noted in future blog updates.
Music at Blake - Guess the Blake Pandora Jockey!
Last week's Blake PJ/DJ was Connie Doolan, and our student winner was Nicolina Farmer! Our new PJ/DJ will begin this Tuesday. We encourage all students to participate by voting at our Blake Pandora Jockey Link, 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!
Winter Athletics
Blake Middle School winter athletic registration is open to all 8th graders interested in participating in basketball for both boys and girls. Blake 8th grade basketball will begin on December 2nd. Please visit the athletics page on the Blake Middle School web site or click the following link to register:
https://www.familyid.com/medfield-public-schools
Please contact Eric Scott ([email protected]) with any questions.
SEPAC Speaker - November 12
Medfield SEPAC presents:
Surviving Adolescents: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast! And The ABC’s of Parenting Adolescents
Nadine Briggs, Social Smart Kids
Tuesday Nov 12, 2013 from 7-9 p.m. in the Blake Middle School Auditorium
Surviving Adolescents will explore why teens become “allergic” to their parents and how boys and girls journey through adolescence in similar and different ways. We will talk about how to gain respect from your teen, strategies for parenting a teen as opposed to a younger child and how to avoid the traps our teens set for us and the ones we set for ourselves to establish a healthy relationship with our adolescents.
MCPE News
The MCPE Spring Fling, this year’s great community social event, is scheduled for Friday, May 2nd at the Spring Valley Country Club in Sharon. All Medfield residents are invited to participate in an exciting auction and enjoy an evening of friendship, dancing and refreshments, while supporting our fabulous Medfield schools.
Lots of planning needs to be done between now and then to make this a great event. The MCPE needs volunteers for the: Corporate Sponsorship Team, Auction Team, and Decorating Committee, just to name a few. There are so many other ways to get involved, both big and small. For those interested in helping with the Spring Fling, there is an informational volunteer meeting on Wednesday, November 13th at 9:30 AM. Please contact Megan Infantino at [email protected] for more information on the meeting and how to get involved.
CSA News
Final days to submit your Washington, D.C. SCRIP order! Buy SCRIP to save on your trip to Washington, D.C. Parents of 8th graders, please note we are extending the promotion another week to allow more participation. The last day to put in your SCRIP order for tuition credit on the trip is now November 7th. The Washington Trip tab on Blake's website has instructions for setting up your account. Email [email protected] with questions.
Your trash, Blake's cash! Clip and send in your box tops. Collection box in the office.