December 11 - Tilden Village for 8th Grade
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
December 11-12 - Christmas in the City Field Trip for 8th Grade
December 12 - Blake Ski & Snowboard Club Rental Fittings
December 12-January 11 - Coats for Kids Drive - see details below
December 13 - Grades 7-8 Chorus/Orchestra Concert
December 14 - CSA Mtg (9:30 a.m. in Blake LMC)
Term 1 Report Cards go home
December 19 - Radio Disney Cyberbullying Assembly for Grade 6
December 20 - Grade 7 to A Christmas Carol
December 24-January 1 - Holiday Vacation
January 2 - School Resumes
Ski Club Meeting
January 7 - Site Council Mtg (3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC)
January 10 - Grades 5/6 Chorus/Orchestra Winter Concert
Term 1 Report Cards
This Friday students will bring home their report cards for the first term. Time will be spent in advisory with students reflecting upon the work they accomplished, as well as setting healthy goals for the second term. 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.
'Topic/Question for the Dinner Table'
As Term 1 ends and report cards go home on Friday, it is important to take time to think about the long-term goals we have for our students. With this in mind, our question for the week is: What do you do to stay organized and remind yourself of what you need to do?
Student Recognition and Achievement
We have spent time as a school community examining and discussing the methods and practices that we have in place to both recognize and honor student achievement here at Blake. As our mission statement reads, it is our goal to both challenge and support all of our students, encouraging them to explore new opportunities for learning and growth: The mission of the Thomas A. Blake Middle School is to create a challenging and supportive atmosphere where each student, during the transitional years, is encouraged to explore and develop unique academic skills, artistic talents and physical and personal strengths. As such, we have been examining and discussing the practices that we currently have in place, as well as taking time to explore other options to recognize our students in a healthy, appropriate, and productive manner. One key focus area of this discussion for our staff in conjunction with the Blake Site Council has been our practice of publishing the Academic Recognition and Academic Distinction lists in the town newspaper. Taking the social-emotional and developmental of our students into account, our discussions and beliefs have led us to the conclusion that it is a practice we will no longer continue. The accomplishment of attaining Academic Recognition and/or Distinction is certainly worthy of praise, but it is praise that we believe is not appropriate for middle school students for publication in the town newspaper. Reflection is one of our core values here at Blake, and we will continue to both examine and implement methods for recognizing our students throughout the year for all of their accomplishments.
School Day Hours Reminder for All Families
We have noticed that some students are being dropped off early at Blake and I want to remind parents/guardians of the expectations and guidelines. The Blake office hours are 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and these are the time parameters for students to be at school. Students who arrive before 7:30 a.m. will report to the gymnasium (sixth and seventh grade) or cafeteria (eighth grade). Supervision in these designated locations starts at 7:10 a.m., so students should not be dropped off prior to 7:10 a.m. unless they have a pre-arranged appointment with a teacher or are attending an announced extra help session. These extra-help sessions do not begin until 7 a.m., so students who are dropped off prior to that time should report to the main office. By the same token, students who are staying after school need to be with a teacher for extra help or in the library doing homework. They should be picked up promptly after their sessions are over, as they will not be supervised at that point. All students need to be picked up by 3:30 p.m. as that is the time that the Blake secretaries leave. We need to make sure that all students are safe and supervised at all times. Thank you for your understanding, help, and cooperation.
Seasonal Reminder for all Blake Students and Families
Cradles to Crayons Book Drive - Last Call!
Here is your chance to provide a gift of reading to underprivileged kids in Boston. The 7th grade Cradles to Crayons Book Drive ends on Tuesday, Dec. 11th. Please send in gently used or new books. Thank you.
Music in the Halls at Blake - Donations Welcome
As you may know we are fortunate to use music rather than bells for 'passing time' at Blake. Rather than trying to tune into the radio, we have been using an old iPod Touch to listen to different genres throughout the week - 60's, 80's rock, oldies, swing, salsa, etc. Unfortunately, our iPod Touch is dying, and if any family is willing to donate an old iPod Touch after an upgrade, we would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Scholastic Book Fair Information
The Scholastic Book Fair ONLINE sale for family and friends of Blake Middle School students will continue through Friday, December 14th. Go to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/blakemiddleschool to find great books at great prices!
Intramurals Update
The fall intramurals are winding down. Look for winter sign-up information when we return from the holiday vacation.
SIPS is running its annual coat drive sponsored by Anton's Cleaners. Over the past 8 years, SIPS has collected nearly 800 coats which have helped needy families across neighborhoods of Massachusetts. Parents and students are encouraged to donate "gently used" coats from Wednesday, 12/12 until Friday, 1/11. A donation box will be located at the main entrance of the school. Thank you in advance.
- Attention parents of students in the Nashoba Ski/Snowboard club. The final packet has been sent home with important forms. A couple important dates to remember:
- December 11, 2012 - Final bus payment and all signed forms are due. The total cost of the bus for all six weeks is $104. Please make checks out to Blake Middle School.
- December 12, 2012 - Nashoba will be fitting students who are renting equipment at 2:15 in the Blake Middle School Cafeteria. Students who are renting should see Ms. Hurley to get a rental form.
- January 2, 2013- There will be a mandatory meeting from 2:15 - 2:45 after school in the auditorium for all students attending ski club. Important information and bus assignments will be given.
- CHAPERONES NEEDED - The program is in need of parent chaperones. All chaperones receive a free lift ticket to Nashoba. Non-skiers and non-snowboarders are welcome. There is a lovely lodge with wifi. Buses leave Blake Middle School at 2:15 and return around 7:45/8. If you are interested in chaperoning one or more trips, please contact Eileen Hurley ([email protected]) for more information.
The 14th Annual Blake Lip Sync will take place on January 25 and 26th. Important dates for performers include...
- January 4th- Final music must be submitted on a CD to Mrs. Dondero in the guidance office. Late music will not be accepted. Music must be on a CD not a flash drive or MP3 player/ipod.
- January 16th and 17th- Dress Rehearsal from approximately 215-530
- January 25th and 26th- Performances
MCPE News
As the Medfield Coalition for Public Education’s 25th Anniversary Appeal continues toward its goal of raising $100,000 through on-line donations and mailed in contributions, grant funding has kept an equally rigorous pace. At the November meeting MCPE’s Board of Directors approved four grants totaling $33,000 bringing funding so far this school year to $62,000. To make your tax deductible donation before year end, please visit out website (www.medfieldcoalition.org).
CSA News
We are looking forward to seeing you on December 14th at 9:30 for the Blake CSA meeting. Check the Thursday Packet for the meeting agenda.
Tonight, December 11, is Royal Pizza night. Please support Blake and have pizza for dinner!!