December 3-7 - Scholastic Book Fair
December 4-11 - Book Drive for Cradles to Crayons - see details below
December 4 - Grades 6-8 Band Winter Concert
December 5 - Spaghetti with Santa
December 7 - Term 1 ends
7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m. in Blake Cafeteria)
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 20 - Grade 7 to A Christmas Carol
December 24-January 1 - Holiday Vacation
January 2 - School Resumes
'Topic for the Dinner Table'
To follow up on our Internet Safety night and student presentations from last week, we are encouraging all Blake families to talk about safety and the Internet. The question for this week is: Where do you think your name (identity?) will go when you send it off on a trip into the Internet world?
Last week's question: 'If you have a problem or a concern that needs to be addressed, which adult at Blake do you feel comfortable approaching or talking to?'
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.
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. During this holiday season we will continue to do our best to keep in mind the diverse faiths of our community and student body. The season/culture in our society is certainly predominantly geared towards Christmas, and we all need to keep this in mind when creating activities for our students.
Internet Safety Night for Parents/Guardians
We had a successful presentation on Cybersafety for parents on Thursday night and for all students on Friday. Two detectives from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council presented a slideshow on cybersafety for students. I have posted a resource sheet (located on the Forms and Documents tab of this blog) for your reference. Please ask your children about their impressions of the school assemblies. A few specific topics that were addressed are sharing passwords, posting personal information that may allow strangers to locate you, posting or sending photos of oneself, developing relationships with people you meet online, and the permanence of photos or comments that we post on line. Please remember that Blake Guidance Counselors and the Dean of Students are available if you or your child have questions or concerns at any time.
Music in the Halls at Blake - Donation Welcomed
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!
Blake Drama Production
The preliminary information about this year's play/musical production is up (thanks to Tracy Allen), and I encourage you to check it out: http://wallwisher.com/wall/611ejx2h8v.
Scholastic Book Fair
Blake Middle School is gearing up for our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair taking place December 3rd to December 7th in the Library Media Center. Shopping hours will be from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Online shopping is available until December 14th at:
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/blakemiddleschool
An amazing selection of books is headed our way! At the Book Fair you will find the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as books of interest for parents and teachers. The Book Fair is a great way to get everyone excited about reading. See you there!
Christmas in the City - 8th Grade
Reminder that all permission slips for the 8th grade's field trip to Christmas in the City should be turned in to advisors. 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. As with last year, two lucky families are invited to help Santa in the Santa Booth at Christmas in the City! You and your family will be able to experience first hand, the incredible magic of Christmas for thousands of homeless children. Chief elf duties include dressing in red and green holiday hats, lifting children onto Santa's lap and being helpful to Santa. Family helpers are very welcome as long as they are at least 11 years old. The party is Sunday, 12/16 , from 1-4 p.m. at the Boston Convention Center, then helpers will pitch in to clean up. If you are interested, please talk to your families and let us know by Friday, December 7. We will draw 2 family names and let you know by December 10th if you have been chosen to be Santa's newest elf!
Tilden Village
The annual holiday dinner sponsored by the Blake eighth grade will be held at the Tilden Village community center December 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students who have volunteered to make hot dishes are reminded that their food must be dropped off at the community center at around 4:45. Desserts, drinks, and other donations can be brought to school. Students who will serve at the dinner should arrive by 5:00 p.m., and those who will provide music should arrive by 5:15 p.m. Parents can pick up their children after the dinner at about 6:45 p.m.
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.
Book Drive for Cradles to Crayons
From December 4th to 11th seventh grade students will be collecting children's books to donate to Cradles to Crayons and later in the winter they will be organizing a pajama and clothing drive. Cradles to Crayons provides clothing, books and school supplies to low income children in Boston from birth to age 12.
Coats for Kids
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.
Winter Dance Information from Student Council
Our Winter Wonderland dance for 7th and 8th grade students is this Friday, December 7 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The cost to enter is $5.00. 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. We recognize that the dance is a social event outside of the classroom, and as such, rules for attire are more flexible than during the school day. Strapless dresses or spaghetti straps will be permitted with appropriate undergarments and adequate coverage. If, however, a student's clothing is deemed inappropriate, the students' parents/guardians will be contacted. The use of mobile phones is prohibited, except in the designated 'Cell-Phone Use' zone. If a student has not yet turned in a dance contract for the 2012/2013 academic year, he/she should see Ms. Dengos or Ms. Hurley before Friday, December 7th.
We at Blake also recognize that the December 7th dance coincides with Medfield's Midnight Madness. As always, families should plan accordingly to pick students up at 9:00 p.m. The school encourages that students are greeted by adults, rather than walk uptown unsupervised at night.
Nashoba Valley Ski/Snowboard Club
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.
Lip Sync Contest
The 14th Annual Blake Lip Sync will take place on January 25 and 26th. Important dates for performers include...
- December 5th - Meeting to go over songs from 2:15-3
- 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
iPad Pilot Information on Website
Please click on this link (iPad Pilot) if you are interested in learning some information about the pilot. We will be adding more information throughout the year and I will be highlighting the components as they are developed.
MCPE News
MCPE's community wide 25th anniversary appeal is underway! You may have noticed the blue bows popping up around town. A blue bow attached to a mailbox is a show of support and represents a donation to the appeal. To donate or for more information about how you can support continued enrichment programs at Blake please visit www.medfieldcoalition.org.
CSA News
Blake CSA meeting for December has been changed! The new meeting date/time is Friday, December 14 at 9:30 am. Hope to see you there!
It is easy to buy Scrip!!
Scrip will be for sale prior to the Winter Concert on Tuesday Dec 4th from 6:30-7pm.
Friday, Dec 7th - Stop by for Scrip and light appetizers after dropping your student at the Blake Winter Dance - 7:00-9:00. (15 Pound St.)