1/30-2/3 - Term 2 Family Outreach Week (see info below)
2/2 - Pride Alliance Mtg
2/7 - Blake PTO Mtg (see info below)
2/8 - ½ Day for Students
Professional Afternoon
MCPE Trivia Night (see info below)
2/9 - Pride Alliance Mtg
2/13 - School Committee Mtg
2/15 - Blake Student Council
2/20-2/24 - February Vacation
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we help ourselves stay centered and focused on our ‘why’, our question for this week is: What helps you stay centered and focused on what’s important? What's Important (Week of 1/22/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 Family Outreach Period - 1/30-2/3
The week of 1/30-2/3 is the Term 2 Family Outreach week for Blake Middle School. During this week, teachers will send an e-mail to families to notify them if their student is consistently not meeting the standard in an area OR if they do not have sufficient data to assess their student at that point in the term due to absence or missing work. If students are meeting the standards, families will not receive an e-mail from teachers. No news is good news. Please know that you may reach out to teachers or your child's guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns about their progress.
Football Meeting for 8th Graders
Any current 8th grader interested in playing high school football next fall should attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, February 15th at 2:15 pm in the Blake Middle School Cafeteria. Information will be shared about off-season conditioning and summer expectations. Students will get a chance to meet the football captains, and coaches and ask any questions about the upcoming season.
PTO Fundraiser
Ribpublic-PTO Superbowl Fundraiser Info
It's time for the big game, and Ribpublic BBQ is happy to be accepting orders for pickup on Super Bowl Sunday from 3-5PM (just in time for kickoff!)
In addition, Ribpublic BBQ is excited to be donating a portion of all proceeds to Medfield K-8 PTO in a Fundraiser to help support all of their amazing efforts!
Medfield K-8 PTO Fundraiser- Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 12th
Last year we SOLD OUT before the deadline….so PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW for pickup on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb 12th. Pickup is at our Medfield location at 26 Park Street, Sunday, February 12th from 3-5PM. Choose from Ribs, Pulled Pork, Smoked Chicken, Corn Bread, Coleslaw or 3 meal deals!
ALL ORDERS MUST BE PRE-ORDERED AND PLACED BY FRIDAY, February 10th AT MIDNIGHT (or before we sell out).
Quantities are limited, and WE WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY.
Please place your orders now to help support this amazing organization!
You DO NOT need to be from Medfield to order!
Blake Intramurals Update
There are still some spots available for our Winter Intramural Activities. All of the activities will be underway.. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Yearbook Ordering
If you are interested in ordering a yearbook for your student this year please follow the instructions below. Grades 6-8 are showcased in the middle school yearbook. Please reach out to Kristin Buley([email protected]) or Kristin Manning([email protected]) with specific questions.
- Go to HerffJones.com
- Select that you are a parent or a student looking to buy a yearbook
- Click Shop Now
- Click Visit our Yearbook order center in red
- Search by school name: Thomas A Blake Middle School (note there is no period after the A)
CLICK HERE to order a yearbook the 2022-2023 school year
SEPAC Updates
Thank you to everyone who attended our last session. Back by popular demand is another parent connection night. Join us via zoom 3/1/23 @7pm to connect with other parents with children with IEP/504s and learn some tips and tricks to navigating special education. RSVP to [email protected]. To ensure this meeting provides value for all you are encouraged to send your questions to us in advance. We also encourage you to send your topic ideas for future meetings via the link sent by Student Services 2/25/23. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, please check out our social media pages as we will be sharing events from other SEPACs- like the 2/1/23 Medways SEPAC presentation on bullying or the 2/9/23 Executive Function workshop by Understanding Our Differences.
Join us for the next Blake PTO Meeting!
Topic: Blake PTO Meeting
Time: Feb 7, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83690745514?pwd=OG1UQXpHbjk3UFBEU3JJODdIeVhSZz09
Meeting ID: 836 9074 5514
Passcode: 212107
The BLAKE PTO is searching for new board members to support the Blake Community beginning next year, with opportunities to shadow members this year if interested.
The following positions will need to be filled: Co-President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested or want to know more, please reach out to Karen Peters, [email protected] or Brenna Ferrick at [email protected] if you would like to know more. Look forward to hearing from you!
MCPE Updates
Trivia Night is just around the corner! This favorite Medfield event is a fun way to enjoy a night with friends while supporting our Medfield schools, teachers, and students. All proceeds benefit MCPE, which provides system-wide support and academic enrichment for Medfield Public Schools through grants for the development of innovative programs, curriculum, and enrichment. Check out some MCPE Grants in Action on FB! https://www.facebook.com/MCPEMedfield
Trivia Night is next Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 PM at AvaLena’s Bar in Millis. Teams of 4-6 adults will join other competitors and a professional trivia host for a fast-paced, humor-filled evening. The cost is $40/person (dinner included, cash bar). Team captains register teams here.
This year, we are partnering with our schools to fund five ambitious projects that will make a real difference in our students' educational experience. Without MCPE, many of the educational enrichment tools and professional development opportunities that differentiate Medfield Public Schools and make our students' academic experiences truly unique would simply not be possible, as they are outside the school budget. Over many years, MCPE has brought innovative and rewarding initiatives to students in all five public schools. From Numicon kits and Passport Club in our elementary schools to a disc golf course and pickleball at the middle and high schools, every single child that comes through the Medfield public school system benefits from grants funded by MCPE.
Please join us by making your MCPE 35th Anniversary Appeal gift today! Let’s paint the town blue!
The NYT invites students ages 13-18 to enter into their 4th Annual STEM Writing Contest. Students are invited to choose an issue or question in science, technology, engineering, math or health - then write an engaging 500-word explanation that helps a general audience understand the topic and its importance. Contest dates are Jan 18-Feb 15, 2023. Contest info can be found here.
Message from Medfield’s Destination Imagination Team
Medfield's Destination Imagination organization is looking for volunteers to be appraisers at either of the regional tournaments (March 4th in Medfield or March 12th in Beverly). It is the perfect opportunity for someone 18 years or older (and out of high school) who would like to spend the day praising the accomplishments of each dedicated and hugely creative Destination Imagination team and awarding as many points as possible. It is truly a fun day spent enjoying the creativity of students in grades 3-12 and is a great community volunteer opportunity for anyone- college students, retired folks, those who have previously participated in Destination Imagination, etc.). Contact [email protected] for more information and learn about Destination Imagination at destinationimagination.org.
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.
Webinars/Workshops of interest
Differently Wired: SOS for Parents in the Trenches with Debbie Reber
Tuesday, 2/7 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
Behind every child who is differently wired is likely one or more frustrated, isolated, perhaps even burnt out adult. In this practical and actionable talk, author and parenting activist Debbie Reber, MA, shares ten powerful “tilts,” a.k.a. practical ideas to help parents shift their thinking and actions in a way that will help them feel more confident and peaceful about their everyday reality, create a stronger family dynamic, and give their extraordinary children what they need to thrive.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
About Our Presenter
Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of TiLT Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. The Tilt Parenting Podcast has more than 5 million downloads and a slate of guests that includes high-profile thought leaders across the parenting and education space. A regular contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, Debbie’s most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope. In 2018 she spoke at TEDxAmsterdam, delivering a talk entitled Why the Future Will Be Differently Wired.
Prior to launching Tilt, Debbie spent fifteen years writing inspiring books for women and teens, including Doable, Chill, In Their Shoes, The Real Deal series from Chicken Soup for the Soul, Run for Your Life, and more than a dozen Blue’s Clues books.
Before becoming a solopreneur, Debbie worked in TV and video production, producing documentaries for UNICEF, working on Blue’s Clues for Nickelodeon, and developing series for Cartoon Network. She has an MA in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research and a BA in Communications from Penn State. In 2019, her husband, and differently wired teen relocated to Brooklyn, NY after living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for five years.
Vist her website at tiltparenting.com
Social Justice Parenting with Dr. Traci Baxley
Tuesday, 3/7 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers and community members (all ages) All are welcome!
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.
About Our Presenter
DR. TRACI BAXLEY is an author, professor, DEIB consultant, parenting coach, speaker, mother to five children, and the creator of Social Justice Parenting. An educator for over 30 years with degrees in child development, elementary education, and curriculum and instruction, she specializes in diversity and inclusion, racial identity, anti-bias curriculum, and social justice education.
Learn more at socialjusticeparenting.com
Stopping the Cycle of Anger: How to Navigate Anxiety and Big Feelings with Calm and Compassion
Thursday, 3/23 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this talk, author Renee Jain, MA, will offer practical, supportive techniques to address anger and other intense emotions in ourselves, our children and our teens with more understanding and less screaming. She will discuss how to uncover what's underneath these big feelings and how to empower individuals, parents, and children to shift to more positive response patterns.
Please note this program is 75 minutes.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
About Our Presenter
Renee Jain is the founder and Chief Storyteller of GoZen! She has been recognized as a pioneer in marrying technology and child psychology in a unique approach that nurtures the hearts and minds of kids. Through her writing, product invention and development, masterclasses for parents, and children’s advocacy, she works to build the emotional intelligence of kids. Originally a tech entrepreneur who suffered with her own anxiety, Renee founded GoZen! to help a new generation of kids, parents and therapists. Renee earned her Master’s degree in Positive Psychology — the scientific study of optimal human functioning — from the University of Pennsylvania and is the NYT bestselling co-author of Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience.
Vist the GoZen! website at gozen.com
Growing Up in Public: Navigating Reputation and Social Media in the Digital Age with Dr. Devorah Heitner
Thursday, 4/13 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this talk, author Devorah Heitner, PhD, will share pragmatic, research-based advice on how we can mentor our kids on cultivating a healthy online presence. She will address why character and learning how to navigate relationships are most important and how parents can stop stressing and focus instead on helping young people become responsible digital citizens.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
Free Book Giveaway
Please include your shipping address when prompted (during your registration) if you would like a chance to win a free copy of Devorah Heitner's next book! Everyone who shares their address will be entered into a raffle for one of 100 free books from SPARK as part of this event.
About Our Presenter
Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and her book on navigating Privacy and Reputation with kids and teens, Growing Up in Public will be out in 2023 with Penguin Random House.Dr. Heitner’s work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Twitter @Devorahheitner and on Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.
Visit her website at www.devorahheitner.com