1/18 - Superintendent's Advisory Council Meeting
1/19 - Blake PTO Meeting (7 p.m. in Blake LMC)
1/20 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
1/27-1/29 - Blake Theater Performances
1/30 - All Chorus Extravaganza
2/3 - Term 2 Interim Reports go Home
2/6 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
2/7 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
2/14 - Happy Valentine's Day!
2/15 - Strings SIDE Concert
2/20-2/24 - February Vacation
3/1 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
3/9 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
3/16 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about exploring interests, our topic/question for the dinner table is: If you had unlimited time, what would you choose to learn more about? Exploring Your Interests (Week of 1/15/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
Thank you to all of the Blake staff for their support and help in making our 'No Homework Weekend' this past weekend a reality. This effort was part of our continued work to provide down time for students, staff, and families.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Thank you to Cynthia McClelland for spearheading and organizing the 'Day of Service' and Blood Drive at Blake. It was a wonderful scene on Monday, as student and staff volunteers worked together, and we are thrilled that this has become a tradition for our community.
Update from ADL
We were thrilled that some of our ADL Peer Leaders were able to attend 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Conference at Framingham State University on Saturday, January 14th. They participated in team building and workshops with other youth from the MetroWest area. The Peer Leaders have begun preparing to present their first lesson to 6th graders on Friday, February 10th.
Inauguration Advisory Activity
This Friday we will be taking some time in Advisory for students to learn about the process of a 'peaceful transition of power' and the Presidential Inauguration. Our goal is that students gain a greater understanding of the 'why, when, and how' along with a context of history.
Geography Bee Wrap-Up
The 2017 Blake Geo Bee was a big success. Students had a lot of fun answering geography questions in their Social Studies classes on the first couple days back from Winter Break. Winners from each class received a nifty green National Geographic bracelet and a chance to compete against their peers on stage in the auditorium during the grade-level competitions. The winners of each grade level met after school in the LMC for a final face-off. Answering two out of the three final championship questions was 8th grader Tristan Marble, who took home the vaunted School Champion Medal and will have an opportunity to compete in the Massachusetts State Bee. We are delighted to announce that Tristan will advance to the next level of competition, a qualifying test to determine state competitors. All school champions are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $50,000 college scholarship, at the national championship in Washington, D.C. The runners-up were 6th grader Sean Narkewich and 7th grader Meghan McCarthy. Congratulations to all the participants in this year's Geo Bee!
School Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey and an Executive Summary will be distributed to families in the coming weeks. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. Our intent is to distribute the 2015-2016 survey in early February in the hopes of gathering the data by February vacation. Stay tuned!
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chats
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS chats below. 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
(Resolutions, Reflection, and Growth)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-chat-december-20-2016-a-potluck-chat
(A Potluck Chat)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medf
(#DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-safe-learning-environments
(Safe Learning Environments)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-57e2929f8c7e6bca7fc31872
(Empathy)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfield-ps-a-community-of-learners-7-25-16
(A Community of Learners)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-reflections-on-15-16-twitter-chat-june-
(Reflections on Student Learning, 2015-2016)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-april-2016-twitter-chat
(Social Emotional Learning)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps
(Learning Skills)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-february-2016-twitter-chat
(Spirit of #DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-twitter-chat-resolutions-and-reflection
(Resolutions and Reflection)
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)
Tri-County Interview Information for 8th Grade Families
On February 8th, Tri-County will be hosting their interviews for applicants. The interviews are approximately 15-20 minutes. Sample questions can be found here http://www.tri-county.us/node/271. The purpose of the interview is to clarify the student’s reason for attending Tri-County, choice of program areas, career goals, interests and motivation. In the case of student absence on the interview day, or in the case of a late applicant, the interview schedule will be mutually agreed upon between the Director of Guidance and the student’s counselor and/or parent(s)/guardian.
Come Join the Blake Math League Club!
The New England Math League promotes the enjoyment and study of mathematics by organizing contests for grades 4-12. Contests serve as an enrichment to their current math program. Blake Middle School is holding the first annual math contests for students in grades 6-8. All Blake students are welcome to participate. Participation is easy. There are 2 practice meetings plus a contest date for each grade level:
Practice Dates:
Monday, January 23rd
Monday, February 13th
Dates of Contests:
For gr 6, 7 and 8 contests: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 2016 - 2:30-3:30 in room 108
For Algebra I contest: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 2:30-3:00 in room 108
Algebra I test open to all students but strongly recommended for gr 8 students.
Cost for the practice dates and 1 contest date: $18
Cost for the practice dates and 2 contest dates: $24
Please make check payable to 'Blake Middle School'.
To register you must fill out this google form and submit the check and indemnity form to the main office.
Can't make it to the practices? No worries, you can still participate in the contest. Just contact Mrs. McLaughlin ([email protected]) or Mrs. Bycoff ([email protected]).
Blake Science Fair
The Blake Middle School Science Fair will be held on Friday March 10th. Come show your enthusiasm for science by participating in this event. Sign up sheets are available in your advisory classrooms. Come to the information session on January 30th after school in the cafeteria. All are welcome to participate!
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/1 - 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.
3/9 - 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.
3/16 - 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.
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
March 2, 1017 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.
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.
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The next Blake Site Council/Blake community book is The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik. We will be discussing the introduction and parts 1-3 (about 85 pages of reading) at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 6. Hope you can join!
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Sarah Boyd, 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 Sarah will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Reminder about Locks
All Blake students are required to be using a combination lock to lock their hallway lockers. As this is the time of year when students can begin to be lax about using their locks and keeping them locked during the day, we appreciate your reminders at home as well. A photo of locks that fit on Blake lockers can be found on the school supply list page (School Supply Lists).
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]).
Message from Blake PTO
GRANTS FUNDED A Roman Army presentation for 7th grade Social Studies students in the amount of $725. Students will learn directly from a Roman soldier, dress the part themselves and examine scale models of siege weapons used by the Romans. They will also learn about the daily life of a Roman soldier. History Antiqua will be performing on Tuesday, May 2nd. Blake PTO has also funded Shakespeare Now! Midsummer Night’s Dream performance for the 6th grade English students in the amount of $1,160. Following the hour long performance, students will have a Q & A session with the actors.
TOWN WIDE BOX TOPS CONTEST Memorial, Wheelock, Dale Street and Blake Middle School…Which school will win by bringing in the most Box Tops before March 31st? The school that brings in the most Box Tops will win a special prize for the entire school. Please start cutting out your Box Tops and bringing them to school. Please contact Jane Barr mailto:[email protected] with any questions. Let the competition begin!
NEW YEAR….NEW EMAIL ADDRESS Our email address has changed to www.medfieldk8pto.com. Make sure you don't miss out on important posts sent throughout the week. Please LIKE us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO.
PTO MEETING Please join us at our next PTO meeting on Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 pm in the Blake LMC.
Message from MCPE
Treasured Experiences is back and better than ever!
The MCPE Treasured Experiences auction begins on Monday January 30th, and will only stay open through Friday February 3! Over a hundred gifts of time and value have been donated to the Auction by our schools' staff in thanks and support of our common goal- making the Medfield Public Schools the best they can be! Watch for updates in your email, on Facebook and Twitter throughout the month.
Second Annual L-C-R Tournament.*
Put Friday March 24th in your calendar for the MCPE Second Annual L-C-R Tournament. Book the sitter if you need one and roll on down to the Legion with a table of 10 friends, or register for a mixed table. On March 24 you don't have to be smart, just lucky!
*Because it was so darn much fun last year.