11/8 - Blake Picture Retake Day
11/9 - Blake Student Council
11/10 - Blake Pride Alliance Mtg
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
11/16 - Blake Student Council
11/17 - Blake Pride Alliance Mtg
School Committee Mtg
11/18-11/20 - High School Musical (see details below)
11/23 - ½ Day
11/24 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the importance of finding value in other people and in ourselves, our question for the week is: What can we do to help make other people feel valued? Valuing Others (Week of 11/7/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Veterans Day Recognition
America honors Veterans on Friday, 11/11, so the Blake Student Council invites staff & students to join in a show of respect for those who've served our country by wearing Respectful RED, WHITE and BLUE on Wednesday 11/9 to school. Grade 6 has some local veterans visiting that day and it would mean a lot for our community to show our support and patriotism.
Reminders for Blake Families
Borrowed Chromebooks
We are asking all families to double check at home to make sure that students have their assigned chromebooks. If your student has a borrowed chromebook (normally there will be a numbered pink sticker on it), please have them return it to the LMC on Tuesday.
Chromebooks - Charging
The expectation for our students is that they bring their chromebooks fully charged every day. We do have a limited number of replacement chromebooks in the LMC, but these are reserved for broken devices. We appreciate your support in helping to establish the routine at home with our students.
Candy and Lollipops
With Halloween now past, we have been noticing an increased trend of students bringing in candies and bags of lollipops to be shared with other students. With concerns about allergens and the increased amount of litter (sticks, wrappers left on the floor), we are asking that all students refrain from bringing these items to school.
Late Bus For MS/HS Students
We are pleased to announce that we will start a free late bus service for middle school and high school students beginning on Monday, November 7th. Our goal for this pilot is to eliminate the transportation barrier for students so they can participate in afterschool activities.
Late bus service will run Monday through Thursday departing from outside the auditorium entrance at Medfield High School at 3:45 PM. We are unable to provide door-to-door service, but our bus company established a route with seven stops strategically placed throughout the town. These stops will remain consistent throughout the year.
Stop 1 - Corner of Lantern and Flintlocke
Stop 2 - Corner of Blacksmith and Marilyn
Stop 3 - Corner of Bridge and Marsh
Stop 4 - Corner of Algonquin and Orchard
Stop 5 - Corner of Indian Hill and Hopi
Stop 6 - Corner of South and Wilson
Stop 7 - Corner of Hummingbird and Granite
We will run this pilot throughout the 2022-2023 school year and then evaluate the interest for next year. Please contact the business office at 508-359-2302 if you have any questions.
‘Coats for Kids’ Drive
Starting this week we will be collecting winter coats for those in need. The coat drive is called “Coats for Kids”, but coats for all ages are more than welcomed. The collection box will be located in the Blake front lobby. Please check if you have any coats that your family no longer needs that can be donated. The collection will run up until winter vacation. Thank you for supporting this great cause!
High School Musical
It's time to Bop to the Top with the cast and crew of High School Musical. Tickets go on sale SATURDAY, NOV 12 at https://blakehighschoolmusical.brownpapertickets.com/. Performances are Friday, Nov 18 @ 7pm, Saturday, Nov 19 @1pm and 7pm, and Sunday, Nov 20 @1pm. We are all in this together but tickets will go fast! Hope to see you there!
Blake Yearbook Info
CLICK HERE for yearbook ordering information!
Blake Intramurals Update
The Blake Fall Intramural session is underway. There are still spots available in the following activities: Chess, Chill Out, Anime, and American Sign Language. More information can be found at the Blake Intramural Website, https://blakemsintramurals.weebly.com/
Term 1 Family Outreach Updates
Below please find links to letters from the each grade level team with mid-term messages along with the information about Term 1's Family Outreach Period. If you have any questions about your student's progress, please contact their teachers or guidance counselor directly.
Grade 6 - Term 1 Family Outreach Updates (October, 2022)
Grade 7 - Term 1 Family Outreach Updates (October, 2022)
Grade 8 - Term 1 Family Outreach Updates (October, 2022)
SEPAC Update
Medfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be hosting a communications workshop on November 9th at 7 pm in the Blake Middle School Library.
Come join us to create a Snapshot (summary sheet) for your child(ren)! Your Snapshot will make it easy to share important info with educators/ care providers/ coaches/ specialists/ extended family members/ etc. This 2hr, in-person workshop will be facilitated by Elise Stokes, a parent, and educational consultant. Parents/ guardians: you will leave this session with a powerful, individualized one-page summary page about your child; a simple overview in a friendly format.
Please bring a device like a computer or a tablet to easily create this powerful communications tool.
“The Medfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council’s (SEPAC) mission is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community. Our role as a parent council is to advise the district on matters pertaining to children with special needs; share information and discuss matters of common concern and interest; offer speaker events, workshops, and other programs for families and children; and fundraise to support the schools and award scholarships. For more information or to join please contact [email protected]”
Registration for Blake Middle School winter athletics is now open on FamilyID.com. There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School site. To complete registration, I will also need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”).
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the winter season are:
Girls Basketball (8th grade Girls).
Boys Basketball (8th grade Boys)
Blake’s Pride Alliance
We are pleased to announce that the club formerly known as Blake GSA is now called Pride Alliance! This more inclusive name better represents the values of our club, where we strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and also those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Meetings are every Thursday until 2:45 in room 502. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity.
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
PTO - Fundraiser
Thanksgiving is coming up fast and while we can't cook your Thanksgiving meal we can help plan your dinner for Sunday November 13th. Support Medfield K-8 and have a delicious meal from Ribpublic BBQ. All orders are due by Friday Nov. 11th at midnight. Pick-up is on Nov. 13th from 4-6PM at 26 Park Street.
https://ribpublicbbq.com/product-category/online-food-orders/medfield-k8pto-fundraiser-sunday-nov-13th/
MFI Angel Run
The High School Boys Basketball team is hosting a 3 x 3 tournament for boys and girls in grades 4-7 at the high school gym on Veterans Day from 9-12 .
Here is the registration form and a FAQ section on the tournament. Please email your completed registration forms or direct any questions to event coordinator, Natalie Madej at [email protected].
Medfield K-8 PTO Dues Flyer - 2022
Dear Medfield Families:
The Medfield K-8 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families to the 2022-2023 school year! The K-8 PTO is a volunteer organization that supports initiatives, activities and events designed to enrich and supplement the educational experiences of every Medfield K-8 student. Each school has its own PTO
Board that works closely with the staff to provide opportunities tailored specifically to that school. We come together as a K-8 organization during the school year to share ideas, fundraising opportunities and provide
financial support across the district.
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE MEDFIELD K-8 PTO?
● Contribute – The K-8 PTO runs entirely on donations! Last school year, we started 2 new traditions: K-8 Medfield Madness Online Auction and the K-5 Rainbow Run. We are excited to announce that Medfield Madness will be back this school year and the Rainbow Run is planned for Fall of 2023. We are thankful for the support of so many to make both fundraisers a huge success.
Today we are asking for your support to kick off the new school year with our Annual Dues Drive. The need is always greater than what we can fund throughout the year, so every dollar raised is appreciated. The suggested $30 per student amount is just a guideline - all donations welcome! You can now pay your dues online through Venmo or PayPal, as well as by check.
● Volunteer – The K-8 PTO needs you! We encourage you to attend school PTO meetings and become involved. Our online volunteer sign-up form is a great way to stay informed. There is no obligation to volunteer. As events are created and/or volunteer opportunities arise those on the distribution will be the first to know. Please sign up today by visiting www.medfieldk8pto.com.
Thank you for your continued support. It’s going to be a year to remember, and we look forward to supporting each and every child inside and outside of the classroom!
Sincerely,
Nicole Drummond
K-8 PTO President
Medfield Music Association Update
UPDATE: Medfield Music Association's Annual Fundraiser has a limited quanitity of wreaths for purchase, please order today if you are interested (bulbs have already sold out)! Order by November 17 and support Medfield Music Department’s needs across all 5 schools!
- High quality 20" Noble Fir Wreath for $35
- Shop at www.medfieldmusicassociation.com
- Delivery to your Medfield home on Saturday, November 26, 2022
- Volunteers needed! Please go to this link to learn more https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BACA929ABFC1-mmawreath
- The sale proceeds help fund enrichment activities, scholarships, and much more for Medfield music students.
- This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the Medfield Public Schools.
Social Justice Parenting with Dr. Traci Baxley: Social Justice Parenting: Raising Compassionate, Anti-Racist, and Socially Conscious Children
Wednesday, 11/9 at 7:00 p.m. from SPARK Kindness
About this event
Please join us for this important program in advance of Kindness Week and as part of our ongoing commitment as a community to practice kindness, respect, and justice for all! All are welcome!
For parents, caregivers and community members (all ages)
Social Justice Parenting: Raising Compassionate, Anti-Racist, and Socially Conscious Children
This program will address how to raise children who work to promote justice, compassion, and belonging for themselves and others. Dr. Traci Baxley will discuss the principles of Social Justice Parenting and offer strategies for implementing these values into your daily life.
Simultaneous ASL and Portuguese Language Interpretation will be provided at this event.
Restoring Youth Mental Health - Innovations in Access, Prevention, and Treatment
Thursday, 11/10 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring three experts in the field of youth mental health and well-being. Each panelist brings a different perspective from their part of the field and will share a report on their work as well as actionable insights on this critical topic. This event is free and open to the public, made available to you through a partnership between the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Challenge Success, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Youth Mental Health.
Demystifying Systemic Social and Emotional Learning: 10-Part Series
Friday, December 18 and Friday, December 16 at 11 a.m.
Educators around the globe are seeing an increase in demand and attention to social and emotional learning (SEL) to create successful and equitable outcomes for young people. As a result, education leaders are grappling with what high-quality, systemic social and emotional learning looks like in schools, what the current research says, and what policies will best support students.
This monthly series of thought leadership webinars addresses ten key aspects of high-quality systemic SEL. Join CASEL and collaborators for insights on prioritizing academic, social, and emotional learning for all students across all school contexts
Recommended for: Education leaders and researchers at the state, district, and school levels.
UPCOMING SESSION DATES & TOPICS:
Part 9 — November 18
Demystifying Systemic Social & Emotional Learning: Family Partnerships
Part 10 — December 16
Demystifying Systemic Social & Emotional Learning: Community Partnerships