12/1 - Grades 6-8 Orchestra Concert (7 p.m.)
12/4 - Term 1 Ends
7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
12/7 - Blake Band Concert
12/9 - Spaghetti with Santa
12/10 - Grades 7/8 Chorus Concert (7 p.m.)
12/11 - Hour of Code at Blake
Term 1 Report Cards go home
12/16 - 1/2 Day for Students
12/17 and 12/18 - 8th Grade to Christmas in the City
12/23 - 7th Grade to A Christmas Carol
12/24-1/1 - Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/4 - School Resumes
Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
One Simple Question
When you offer academic or social feedback to a young person, do you focus more on the pitfalls of the actions or to the missed opportunities they can act upon next time.
- the pitfalls that need to improve, to avoid making the same mistakes
- the missed opportunities that can be taken, in order to do things better next time
Recess Reminder for All Parents/Guardians
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Christmas in the City
Permission slips will be going home this week for the 8th grade's field trip to Christmas in the City. In the next few weeks 8th grade advisories will be busy shopping for gifts for children attending the Christmas in the City Event. Each 8th grade advisory is responsible for purchasing a gift for a child off of his or her wish list, worth up to $50, in order to help keep the magic and spirit of the holidays alive for these children. The 8th grade will be purchasing gifts for 15 children and will deliver these gifts when they attend the Christmas in the City community service field trip on December 17 and 18. Contributions towards the cost of the buses are greatly appreciated - checks should be made out to Blake Middle School with Xmas in the City Transportation in the memo line.
Cradles to Crayons - 7th Grade
In January/February of 2016 our 7th grade will be running a clothing drive for Cradles to Crayons. Please set aside any clothing donations in advance. Thank you!
26 Days of Kindness
We have enjoyed the first couple weeks of 26 Days of Kindness at Blake. The students and staff are enjoying the small, 'easy' gestures that foster a culture of kindness as well as build a stronger school culture. Please continue to send Marissa Gumas ([email protected]) any pictures, videos, or feedback of/on your student's participation in the daily activities. She will be putting a visual representation of all the wonderful things our community is doing.
How to Raise an Adult - Book Discussion Group for Parents
Please join the Blake Site Council will be reading and discussing HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. For more information, here is a book review from The New York Times...
HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. We will be reading it throughout the year, taking time to discuss the ideas presented and have a common, shared experience. The discussions will take place at the end of each Site Council meeting (more information/details to come - our second book group meeting will be 4:30 p.m. on Monday, 1/4). All parents are invited to join us. If you are interested in joining the book discussions, please fill out this Google Form: How to Raise an Adult Blake Book Group
The breakdown for the readings is as follows...
- For 1/4 Meeting - Read Part II (Pages 77-139)
- For 2/1 Meeting - Read Chapters 12-17 (143-227)
- For 3/7 Meeting - Finish book (228-305)
Winter Dance Information from Student Council
Our Winter Wonderland dance for 7th and 8th grade students is Friday, December 4 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the gym. The cost to enter is $5.00. Students who are being dismissed early from a dance need to be picked up at the door by a parent. Prior to the day of the dance, parents should notify Mrs. Ruminski and Ms. Hurley that student is being picked up early. Attire for this dance is 'dressy optional' - we recognize that some students do desire to dress up for this dance, but this is NOT a requirement and the dance is NOT a semi-formal. For ALL of our dances, students are expected to abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness, and safety at all times. The use of mobile phones is prohibited, except in the designated 'Cell-Phone Use' zone outside the gym. If a student has not yet turned in a dance contract for the 2015-16 academic year, he/she should see Mrs. Ruminski or Ms. Hurley before Friday, December 4.
Private School Information
For those families looking to apply to private school for next year, please make sure all materials (all teacher recommendation forms, transcript request, an 8x11 envelope and 4 stamps per envelope) are to the guidance office at least 3 weeks prior to the application due date. We want to make sure the teachers have sufficient time to provide thoughtful letters for all students applying. If the forms will be sent electronically to the teachers, please email Mrs. Avery and your student's guidance counselor to inform them. Mrs. Avery tracks all applications and makes sure they get out in time. Any questions, please contact Ms. Allen (6th), Mrs. Dondero (7th) or Mr. Marenghi (8th).
Winter Basketball Information
The Blake boys basketball team practices will begin practicing on Monday, November 30 at 2:15 p.m. Please contact Jeff Cincotta ([email protected]) with any questions. The girls team will begin practicing on Monday, December 7 at 3:30 in the Blake gymnasium. The girls should meet Coach Avery in Room 104 at 3:15 p.m. prior to their first practice. Please contact Nancy Avery ([email protected]) with any questions.
Message from MHS National Honor Society
Please stop by Medfield High School on December 12th, 2015 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM to support this MHS National Honor Society dual event. At the main entrance (by the office) of the school, the society will be partnering with the organization Big Brother Big Sister to collect the following items:
* Gently used clothing & shoes (adults & kids - all sizes; all seasons)
* Small household items
* Gently used bed linens, spreads/quilts
* (note that BBBS can no longer accept electronics, large appliances, or furniture)
Not only will you be helping the recipients of your donations, but you will also be helping members of the class of 2016. For every pound of donations collected, BBBS will award NHS with 5, 10, or 20 cents (depending on the total lbs collected). This money will be applied to the NHS scholarship fund for graduating seniors! In the school cafeteria (on the other side of the building) other NHS members will be participating in our annual holiday gift-wrap event. Gift wrapping is FREE but we gladly accept donations. All donations will go towards the National Honor Society fund. Thank you in advance for your support! Please invite local friends and family to this event to spread the word. Contact MHS National Honor Society advisor, Ms. Bethany Sancher at [email protected]t with any further questions or concerns.
Angel Run News
Students! Come help decorate the Angel Run Route!
Come make posters at the annual Angel Run Poster Making Party on Tuesday, 12/1 from 2:15-3:15 in the BMS Cafeteria. All materials provided. Come for all or a portion of the time. Artists and non-artists welcome! The race is this Sunday at 2pm. Your final training assignment is to run 30 minutes twice this week leaving Friday andSaturday as rest days. Look for your t-shirts to be delivered to your mailbox on Wednesday or Thursday. Wear your shirt to school on Friday. If you have time and interest there are still unfilled volunteer assignments available on our MFi Angel Run Sign-up Genius site. Check out the opportunities. Your help is appreciated!
Medfield Parks and Rec Ski Club for Blake Students
Medfield Parks and Recreation would like to invite students from Blake Middle School to two exciting events in 2016. The first is the Nashoba Valley Ski Club, which will run on the four Thursdays in January. Registration is available for the ski club, but space is extremely limited. To register, go here. The second event is the annual Snow Tubing trip to Nashoba Valley, which will take place onFriday, Feb. 5. This annual event always sells out! This is a no school day in Medfield, so take full advantage with a fun trip to go tubing with friends! Registration for this event just went live, and you can signup here. Some of you may need to create an account before registering if you have not done an activity with Parks & Rec over the past few years since we upgraded to a new software program. That process should take no more than 5 minutes. To register an account on our Web site simply go tocreate an account. Any questions, or to volunteer for either program (CHAPARONES ARE NEEDED FOR BOTH TO RUN!!!), please email Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks & Recreation, at[email protected].
K-8 PTO News
MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR – AMAZING HOLIDAY GIFTS!
Place your order before December 10th to assure on time holiday delivery. Customize EVERYTHING from text to colors and designs from sports to drama to music. Choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more. Spend $85 or more and get a free customized t-shirt. 12% of proceeds from each order will go to your school’s PTO. This is all you have to do:
Go to shop.mylocker.net
Enter your school locker number - BLAKE BD979
Use promo code b2g6dTK1 to receive $10 off every order you place
NOTE: Due to different branding sizes, make sure to check all size charts when ordering to ensure you get a great fit for each product. Use MyLocker to create apparel for your teams, clubs, service groups, and more. The possibilities are endless! Please contact Laura Zaher [email protected] with any questions.
ZEBRA’S FLATBREAD FRIDAYS FUNDRAISER
No need to cook on a Friday night after a crazy week! Enjoy a delicious flatbread from Zebra’s and support the Medfield Public Schools at the same time. 10% of the proceeds from flatbreads sold via take-out or in the restaurant on Friday evenings will be donated to the Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE) and Medfield K-8 PTO. Please contact Kim Price [email protected] with any questions.
THANK YOU FUND
Are you looking for a way to thank your child’s teacher? Make a contribution to their THANK YOU FUND! Anyone may contribute a financial gift to any teacher’s THANK YOU FUND. The teacher can use these funds to purchase books, games, supplies and other things for their classroom as needed. This is a great way to give your child’s teacher a little extra something that will benefit both the teacher and the children in their class. This is particularly useful for “specials” teachers that do not receive classroom gifts. This is all you need to do to contribute to a teacher’s THANK YOU FUND:
Write a check payable to BLAKE PTO with a note in the memo line designating which teacher’s fund you are contributing to
Send the check to school in an envelope with your child and include Erika Clarke’s name on the envelope
You can also mail the check directly to Erika Clarke at 10 Knollwood Rd.
You will be given a note that your child can give to their teacher letting them know you contributed to their fund or a note can be sent on your behalf
Please contact Blake PTO Treasurer, Erika Clarke [email protected] with questions.
OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITION
Eversource Co-Chair to shadow the current Chair for the light bulb fundraiser. This fundraiser coincides with Earth Day and will run during the spring. Please contact Maura Gerardi at [email protected] if you are interested.
BAY STATE TEXTILES
Just a reminder that the textile bins accept clothing, shoes, pocketbooks, linens, accessories, and stuffed animals are as long as they are in clean and dry condition. This helps the PTO fundraise, helps the town save on disposal fees and helps the environment! Last year we raised $3,000 for our schools! Please keep those donations coming! If the bin at your school is full, please feel free to drop off at any school or at the bin at the Transfer Station.
BOX TOPS
Please cut out your Box Tops and have your child bring them to the Blake office or their advisory. Visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/coupons for coupons on participating Box Tops
NEXT BLAKE PTO MEETING
Tuesday, December 15th @ 7:00 pm in the Blake LMC.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE News
MCPE’s on line auction of “Treasured Experiences” is NOW LIVE. Featuring over 100 unique opportunities for students to spend time with their favorite teachers, this online auction will run until 5 PM Friday, December 4th. Be sure to start your holiday shopping medfieldcoalition.org.
“MCPE Subway Day” is today (Tuesday, December 1st) from 2:00-8 PM! DON’T cook, and instead enjoy an easy tasty meal knowing that TWENTY PERCENT of all proceeds go to enriching your child’s education.
Are you looking for a way to let your child's teacher, a school staff member, a coach, a bus driver or an administrator know just how much you and your child appreciate them? Consider MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program. It is an easy and thoughtful way to recognize the efforts of a member of our school community during the holiday season. Each person recognized with a donation will receive a card, customized with a thank you note from you, indicating that a donation was made in his or her honor. To learn more, please click on: medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/blue-ribbon-program/.
We are thankful for the incredible support the Medfield community has given to the Coalition in the past. As 2015 comes to a close, we hope you will consider making MCPE part of your family’s annual charity gift giving. Please help us continue our mission of funding grants that support academic enrichment programs not covered by the school budget. To donate to our annual appeal, please click here: medfieldcoalition.org/donate-now/.
Holiday shopping? MCPE is pleased to announce an easy way to raise money for the Medfield Public Schools through AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support MCPE every time you shop at Amazon (with or without Amazon Prime) at no cost to you. Once registered, every time you shop, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to MCPE. To learn more about and/or register at AmazonSmile, go to medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/amazonsmile/.
Medfield Music Association
The MMA meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5.
A big thanks to the Blake music students who have volunteered to serve at Spaghetti with Santa on Dec. 9. We couldn’t do this event without you…and it’s our 42nd year!
Please spread the word with friends and family members: Spaghetti with Santa tickets are on sale now at Park Street Books for the 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. seatings, but if past years are any indication, they won’t last long, so everyone is urged to buy early! This year we have numerous special guests making an appearance, including Memorial School teachers Mrs. Ravinski, Mrs. Hedberg, and Mrs. Pollock for the 5:15 p.m. seating. Kurt Jackson will be back providing entertainment at the 6:30 p.m. seating, as well as other VIPs to come.
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.