1/19 - SEPAC Meeting
1/21 - Start With Hello - Cohort B (see info below)
1/25 - Start With Hello - Cohorts A and D
1/26 - ‘Navigating Schools During Uncertain Times’ (see info below)
1/27 - MCAP Meeting
1/28 - School Committee Meeting
2/3 - Incoming 9th Grade MHS Webinar - see below
2/11 - School Committee Meeting
2/15-2/19 - February Vacation
Question of the Week
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about Dr. King’s work and commitment to service, our question for this week is: What is one action you can/will make to ‘serve’ and help others? Service for Others (Week of 1/17/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Synchronous Learning Update from Blake
Below please find a link to a letter outlining Blake-specific regarding the changes taking place next week. Beginning this week, all students on their remote learning days will be attending classes via Zoom in a synchronous manner...
Blake Synchronous Learning Letter - January 15, 2021
As always, thank you for your support, flexibility, grace, and understanding as we walk this path together as a community.
- 6th Grade students are required to attend their English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies classes on their remote learning days.
- 7th and 8th Grade students are required to attend their English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Language/Reading classes on remote learning days.
- You will receive (or have received) Zoom links and passwords for your classes from their teachers via Google Classroom.
- Remote GO Block attendance will continue to be required for all students on their remote learning days.
- Our expectation is that students maintain the norms and routines that have been set for remote participation in classes, including appropriate usage of the chat feature and respect for all students and staff - Blake's Netiquette Guidelines 2020-2021
- All students should arrive on time and be prepared for their Zoom classes with fully charged devices, materials, and headphones/earbuds.
- All students are expected to have the video enabled, and camera ON during Zoom sessions. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your teacher or guidance counselor.
Synchronous Learning Update from Dr. Marsden
1.Synchronous Learning- This agreement provides additional hours of synchronous learning in Grades 1-12 and goes beyond the minimum hours required in the new regulations. Core subjects are defined as science and technology, mathematics, history and social science, English, foreign language, and the arts. Please remember that many of our teachers are still new to live streaming. This skill set is complex and we ask for your patience during the rollout of this initiative.
Elementary-
- Grades 1-5 shall have live synchronous teaching for 20 minutes during a morning meeting/lesson each day. In addition, all grades will have live synchronous learning classes each day as outlined below:
- Grade 1 – Two (2) synchronous learning blocks of at least 35 minutes each day focused on core subjects
- Grades 2-3 - Two (2) synchronous learning blocks of at least 40 minutes each day focused on core subjects
- Grades 4-5 - Two (2) synchronous learning blocks of at least 45 minutes each day focused on core subjects
- Specialists will also be synchronous
- All core subjects will be live/fully synchronous
- All core subjects will be live/fully synchronous
2.Wednesdays- Beginning on February 10, 2021, Wednesdays will become a half-day of in-person learning for alternating cohorts. These days will be fully synchronous for the cohort not in-person. This will allow for more in-person learning and students at home will still be participating in real time.
The Wednesday schedule beginning on February 10, 2021 will be as follows:
Medfield High School 7:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Blake Middle School 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Elementary Schools 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (Elementary students will each lunch at 12:00.)
3. Returning to In-Person Update- We continue our commitment to prioritizing our youngest and most at-risk students for expanded in-person learning. Our Pre-K program remains fully in-person, our Full Day Kindergarten students will return 4 days a week in-person on January 25, 2021, and we are planning to bring our Grade 1 students back in-person in February. Our K-8 students with disabilities with an academic IEP began attending school 4 days a week on January 4th and we plan to have our 9-12 students with disabilities with an academic IEP begin to attend school 4 days a week in February. These are all positive steps toward our goal of bringing all students safely back to full in-person during the spring of 2021.
Start With Hello
Start With Hello will be presenting to students at Blake Middle School starting this week! Start With Hello teaches students the skills they need to reach out and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within our classrooms and school.
The Start With Hello presenter will be “zoomed” into the classrooms, where students will view the presentation with their classmates and teachers. Students will then have the opportunity to discuss and reflect the presentation during an advisory period. The following are the dates for the presentations:
COHORT B - Thursday, January 21, 2021
COHORTS A and D - Monday, January 25, 2021
For further information, please visit: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/start-with-hello/. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s Guidance Counselor.
Information for 8th Grade Families
ATTN: 8th Grade Students & Parents! Please mark your calendars for a Welcome to MHS Webinar on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 6:30pm via zoom. Students and parents will hear about academic offerings, high school culture, expectations, timelines, and more! The zoom link will be shared when the event gets closer. Placement tests for ninth grade classes will take place as follows - if you have questions about the process, the names and e-mail addresses of the respective department chairs are below...
- Science - 1/26 and 1/28
- Orla Berry - [email protected]
- English - 2/1-⅖
- Gail Duffy - [email protected]
- Social Studies - 2/8-2/12
- Kathleen Emerson - [email protected]
MLK, 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.
Term 1 SBR Reports
Please be sure to complete the form that is linked here for each of your Blake students to indicate that you have received and reviewed your student's report card. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight. In addition, your child’s guidance counselor is an important resource.
The Blake MERJ team has been meeting on a regular basis and has put together a monthly newsletter for the Blake staff and community. Within the newsletter are resources and ideas for advisory lessons. Over the next couple of weeks in advisory, students will be exploring some different activities from our MERJ January Newsletter. The focus for this month is "Justice January", with advisory activities about social justice and activism. We encourage you to take a look and continue the conversations with your students at home…
Blake MERJ January Newsletter
Here is the mission statement for the district-wide MERJ group...
Medfield Educators for Racial Justice seeks to promote racial justice and equity within the Medfield Public Schools and the larger Medfield community through staff development and education, curriculum review, design, and implementation, and community outreach and partnership. Through reflection, discussion, and action, we seek to promote an antiracist and anti-bias education in order to better prepare our students, staff, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue and to ultimately make our schools a more equitable, just, and inclusive learning community.
Building Aides Needed at Blake!
Are you or is someone that you know interested in working at Blake Middle School? We are looking for four building aides for the 2020-2021 school year. If you are available Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday to align with your family’s Cohort schedules, that would work as well. Please contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) if you are interested or would like more information.
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural Session has begun. Please go to the website for a list of offerings and registration info. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
ZoomProv!
ZoomProv! (virtual improv comedy club) will meet every Monday at 2:45 beginning next week. Open to all Blake students who would like to play some improv games and embrace their silly side. No experience necessary. Head to the Blake Intramural page to sign up and check out other club offerings as well. If you have any questions, contact Kara Gelormini ([email protected]).
Blake is Social
Blake is Social would love any and all work from students. We love to show off what makes Blake special. We meet every Monday via zoom, if interested please reach out to Mrs. McClelland at [email protected]
Cold Weather Attire
Please remind students to be sure that they dress in layers and bring hats, gloves, and coats to school. We will certainly be mindful of outdoor lunches but will hopefully be having outdoor mask breaks as much as possible.
Blake Blood Drive
The MLK Day Blood Drive recruitment was a success!! Thank you to all who have helped and supported our annual blood drive.
Blake Battles Bias
Is your 7th or 8th grade student interested in matters of racial justice and other forms of bias? BBB (Blake Battles Bias) meets every other Wednesday from 12-12:30. New members are always welcome. Any interested 7th or 8th grader should reach out to Mrs. Gelormini [email protected]
Blake’s GSA
This week Blake GSA will host MYSTERY DRAWING!!!! Come and join our zoom, Thursday from 2:30-3:00. Need the zoom link? Reach out to [email protected] Please feel free to contact Mrs. McClelland, Mrs. Dondero, or Mr. Marenghi with any questions.
Rainbow Peace Flag Project
We have received a donation of a rainbow PEACE flag as part of the Rainbow Peace Flag Project. - The Rainbow Peace Flag Project seeks to extend kindness and caring across national borders, with love that includes people of all sexualities, genders, abilities, religions, races, and cultures, and to condemn acts of violence and hatred, embracing peaceful dialogue instead.
Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is offering WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH DROP IN HOURS. Are you a Medfield parent or student who is feeling extra stressed, down or anxious? Want to talk to someone but you're not sure who or if what you're going through warrants ongoing therapy? We are availble to listen and help! Medfield Outreach is now offering Weekly Drop-In Mental Health Open Hours for STUDENTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 - 3:30pm and ADULTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:30am. Email [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Deep learning is doable: Four strategies to make learning meaningful in any setting
Thursday, 1/21 at 4:00 p.m.
With Jay McTighe, Harvey Silver, and Dan Cogan-Drew
Key takeaways will be:
- Consider what is “deep learning,” why it is needed, and how does it differs from superficial learning
- Learn 4 strategies to support deeper learning and avoid “coverage”
- Receive ready-to-use text sets in support of each strategy
“Navigating School During Uncertain Times”
Tuesday, 1/26 at 7:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Medfield Public Schools will again partner with Medway Public Schools to bring Jon Klienman from Challenge Success to host a Webinar, (a link will be shared closer to the presentation). This webinar will focus on the following: How can parents best support the personal and academic needs of their children while also attending to their own professional and familial needs? In this presentation, caregivers will learn how they can establish a healthier home environment for their school-aged child, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase their child’s resilience, creativity, and well-being.
Building Resilience in Middle School Students - SPARK Kindness Event
Wednesday, 2/3 at 7 p.m.
Parenting a middle schooler can be a time of stress and isolation for parents and caregivers. In this talk, psychologist and SPARK team member, Dr. Kristen Aberle will share tools and strategies to make the best of the middle school years and strengthen your child’s mental health and resilience.
Dr. Kristen Aberle is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in working with children, adolescents and families. She has provided services in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and community health clinics. She is also an avid runner and ran the Boston Marathon to support SPARK.
Navigating Screen Time, Digital Socializing, and Parenting during COVID-19 with Dr. Jill Walsh
Thursday, 2/11 at 7 p.m.
Join us for a virtual workshop as Dr. Jill Walsh explains best practices around technology consumption. This talk will include:
- the most important conversations to have with your children about technology now
- how to think about screen time during hybrid/ remote learning
- the key tech rules to institute for home learning that will set your child up for success
- understanding the opportunities and challenges that digital socializing provides your child
Stretch and Movement Break for Students and Families
The Blake Wellness Staff is providing 2 minute "Movement Break" videos for all students and staff to utilize throughout their school day. Whether you are in person learning or remote, you have access to these videos at your grade-level Blake Hybrid Learning Website. You can also visit our Blake Wellness Website for more resources!
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 http://www.medfield.net/o/medfield-public-schools/page/employment-opportunites--7 and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities". Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Google Classroom Tips for Families
Resharing a resource for families:
Blake Middle School - Google Classroom Tips
‘Go to Site’ for Hybrid Learning at Blake
Please bookmark and utilize our Hybrid Learning site - this is the ‘go to’ resource for students and families - thanks to Diane Horvath, our Technology Integration Specialist, for her work in establishing this resource…
Blake Middle School Hybrid Learning Website - 2020-2021
Remote Organizational Chart (ROC) and Checklists
All Blakers should be using the ROCs and completing the end-of-day checklists on the remote learning days...
GR 6 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
GR 7 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
GR 8 Blake Hybrid Remote Cohort Days ROC Template 2020-2021
This video helps explain the chart and checklist...
Blake Remote Learning Organization Chart and Checklist Overview
(4:12)
** The checklists are linked below and all students are expected to complete them at the end of each remote learning day...
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 6)
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 7)
Blake Hybrid Remote End-of-Day Checklist (gr. 8)
** You will each get a copy of your responses.
Resources for Families
CASEL CARES: Permission To Feel for Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett
(57:11)
Blake ‘EdChats’ - Adapting and Learning
We are trying out some ‘edchats’ with Blake teachers/staff as a way to connect and share what we are thinking and talking about as a community of learners. Each chat will have a particular focus and we will take some time to talk through a few questions. Check out our chats…
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 2 (Learning)
(Maura Batts, Tom Woods, Seth Hellerstein, Marjorie Heim, Michael Gow)
Adapting and Learning - EdChat # 1(Learning)
(Jason Heim, Orla Berry, Brian Gavaghan, Susan Bycoff, Marissa Gumas, and Diane Horvath)
Challenge Success Update
Challenge Success has many positive, collaborative goals for this school year! If you missed the webinar "Guiding Our Children Through Crisis", it discusses how to handle the impact of 2020 on all families. Strategies are provided for all types of caregivers and families, not just the majority; strategies include conversation-starters, self-soothing, self-care, prioritization and many others. You will learn how to be supportive and productive when addressing hot topics including the pandemic, the polarizing presidential election, societal tension, and remote learning. Hopefully you will walk away knowing how to better cope and heal from the trauma that has presented during 2020. You can still watch it here: https://www.ecornell.com/keynotes/view/K111620a/
VOLUNTEERS: We're also still looking for volunteers for the communication committee, with roles including social media management, newsletter writer, and liason with principal blogs. MEETINGS: I recognize that we can’t all do it all, so we provide options for members who support CS but don’t currently have time to attend meetings and/or volunteer. Please reach out if you would like to connect with the Challenge Success Medfield Parent Group. Stay well! I’m excited to work with you to find balance in our lives and provide the tools for our Medfield students! Kristen Careau [email protected]
MCPE Update
MCPE is bring back our popular Trivia Night in a fun virtual way! Join 200 of your closest friends on January 30 at 8:00pm for a full pub trivia experience without having to leave your couch! Register your team of 4-8 people here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/trivia-2021
Blake PTO Update
ANNUAL FUNDING DRIVE-going on now! The drive makes it possible for the PTO to operate and cover academic enrichment, classroom events, teacher appreciation activities and other school/class activities throughout the school year. Funds from this drive are dispersed evenly to all four schools based on the number of students per school. Therefore, you may send in one payment even if you have multiple children at different schools. Suggested contribution of $30 per child Pay by PayPal or Venmo (@MedfieldTownwide-PTO) Or checks made payable to Medfield K-8 PTO sent to: Medfield K-8 PTO P.O. Box 387 Medfield, MA 02052 Or please visit www.medfieldk8pto.com for more information Contributions of any amount are accepted and are tax-deductible. Please consider asking your employer if they will match your contribution. Thank you for your continued support!
HEROES UNDER THE MASK: Our Medfield Public School teachers and staff are working tirelessly to ensure our children's safety, social emotional health, educational progress, and happiness. If you’d like to celebrate the positive experiences that go above and beyond the normal role of teachers, staff and administrators, this is your chance! Please take a moment to share the positive experiences your family is experiencing during this time by nominating a hero using Using the Heroes Under the Mask Nomination https://forms.gle/LZPP54oZ15ANGgbg8 Nominations will be shared publicly so that we can celebrate the positive efforts as a community.