Upcoming Dates
1/6 - Blake GSA Meeting
1/10 - Blake Battles Bias
MTSS Committee Meeting
1/12 - Blake Student Council Meeting
1/13 - Blake GSA Meeting
1/17 - No School - Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
1/18 - SEPAC Meeting
1/19 - Blake Student Council Meeting
1/20 - Blake GSA Meeting
SEL Task Force Meeting
1/26 - Blake Student Council Meeting
MCAP Meeting
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about hopes, resolutions, and intentions in the new calendar year, our question for this week is: Please complete this statement: This year (2022) I hope to… Hope, Belonging, and Action (Week of 1/2/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake Battles Bias
Blake Battles Bias will meet on Monday, January 10th. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Kara Gelormini ([email protected]) or Meghan Thress ([email protected]).
8th Grade STEM Talks
During 8th grade science classes on 12/22, our students heard from recent and not so recent grads of MPS now studying or working in the STEM field. Thanks so much to the following graduates: Emily Taylor, Anne Tucker, Andrew Maritan, Dylan Hogan, Kathryn Giordano, Olivia Taylor, and Megan Hawley. I encourage everyone to think of other ways we can make the learning tangible for our students - via in person or virtual connections with alumni, individuals 'in the field', or outreach. Thanks to Orla Berry for coordinating and to the 8th grade science teachers for hosting!
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural session is loosely set to run from mid January until the beginning of April. Be on the lookout for the offerings shortly after we return from winter break. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Blood Drive at Blake Middle School
Hello Medfield families , we have less than two weeks before our annual blood drive . Your child may be coming home soon with the sign up forms. Please consider donating, blood is at an all time low and every donation counts. Each student on the blood drive committee would like to send their thanks for your support. Any questions feel free to reach out to Cynthia McClelland at: [email protected].
Info from Mrs. McClelland about the Blood Drive
MLK Day is more than a holiday, it is an official day of service. In the spirit of what MLK Jr. stood for, the nation is asked to stand up and make the world a better place by giving back. For over 10 years Blake middle school has had a proud tradition in honoring this day by giving back. This includes our blood drive. Due to the support of the amazing Medfield community I am proud to say we are the second largest drive in this area each year. Every year this blood drive is important, but due to Covid, blood is at an all time low. Many in our community are truly counting on us to help. I am proud of all our student blood drive committee members who are working hard to honor MLK by giving back to the community, but they are doing more than just serving, they are saving lives. Students get the gravity of this and feel a sense of pride that will be with them for a lifetime, embodying the spirit of what it really means to honor MLK Jr.
Below are two links about the day of service and the amazing youtube video with MLK preaching the importance of serving and giving back.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (To Serve)
Blake MERJ (Medfield Educators for Racial Justice) Update
The Blake MERJ team has been meeting on a regular basis throughout this year for discussions and work to provide meaningful experiences for our students. Over the next couple of weeks in advisory, students will be exploring some different resources reflecting our theme of ‘Justice January’. Advisories will also be choosing their door spotlight over the next few weeks for Black History Month in February.
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.
VOLUNTEER TODAY and give back to your community.
Each group is only ONE HOUR long and all responses will be anonymized. Gift cards are also available for participation!
To sign-up:
1. Gather a group of interested Medfield adults
(around 10 participants is ideal)
2. Choose 3 dates and times that will work for your group
to meet (either in-person or via Zoom)
3. Gather all participant email addresses and have one
person sign-up your group by visiting:
https://forms.gle/AJyCCVv5FBkTheTZ6
Questions? Contact Medfield Outreach's Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas, at [email protected] or by calling (508) 359-7121.
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 Nat Vaughn at [email protected] with any questions.
Blake Yearbook Update
We are excited to announce there will be a yearbook this year! ALL yearbooks will be ordered through an online system with the Herff Jones Company. You should have already received an email about the ordering process. If you have any questions, please reach out to either yearbook advisor; Kristin Buley ([email protected]) or Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
Term 1 Report Cards
Prior to vacation all Blake students received their report cards for Term 1. Thanks to the work of our staff and technology department, our reports have been streamlined into our database to provide a more accessible layout for students and families to receive feedback on learning and progress. 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. Please be sure to complete this form for each of your Blake students to indicate that you have received and reviewed your student's report card...
Blake Term 1 Report Card Signature Form 2021-22
Progress Update on Reporting Adaptations
As shared in the e-mail to Blake families in December, our staff has been working to address the recommendations from our Director of Instruction and Innovation's 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021), and an update was shared at the most recent School Committee meeting (Link to recording now available: Medfield School Committee (12-09-2021). We will be sharing these updates via information and educational sessions for families in the new year via a recorded webinar format.
Adaptations to our reporting will take place in Term 3 of 2021-2022, including…
- traditional letter grades on all priority standards for grades 7 and 8
- expansion of a metric scale from the current 1-3 scale by adding a fourth metric of feedback (1-4 scale)
The purpose of reporting on academic progress is to provide feedback on a student’s progress and to help direct future efforts. Effective feedback to students during the learning process is essential to a healthy and productive learning experience. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...
- more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
- more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
- greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers
Thank You to MCPE and PTO
Thank you to the Blake PTO and MCPE (Medfield Coalition for Public Education) for their generous support of our endeavors/grants. We greatly appreciate the contributions as we look to provide unique and innovative experiences for our students!
Update from Blake Library
The Blake LMC has never been busier! Thank you for checking out so many great books!! If you have an overdue library book, let Mrs. Walton or Mrs. Cowell know if you would like to renew it. If you misplace a book, just let us know so that we can replace it. Thank you so much!
Information for Incoming 9th Grade Families
SAVE THE DATE: Medfield High School would like to welcome all students and parents/guardians of the Class of 2026 to an informational program on Wednesday, February 2, 2026. Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn about the culture, classes, and extracurricular offerings at MHS. More information will be shared after the new year.
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Webinars of Interest
Addressing Family Stress and Depression Workshop
Wednesday, 1/19 at 7:00 p.m.
Does your family have the tools they need to address life’s stressors? By being knowledgeable about self-care and mental health, you can help your family get on the path to wellness.
This virtual workshop is co-hosted in partnership with Natick 180 and First Church Natick. The program will be facilitated by Families for Depression Awareness and delivered by a licensed mental health professional. During the training, participants will learn how to identify symptoms of stress in themselves and family members, manage stress as a family, respond when symptoms become “more than stress,” and get help for themselves or a family member.
LGBTQ+ Basics and Beyond
Thursday, 2/3 at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness with OUT MetroWest
Curious about some part of the LGBTQ+ acronym? Want to support transgender people but not sure where to start? This presentation will equip participants with up-to-date vocabulary, answers to frequently asked (and frequently awkward!) questions, and basic tools for effective allyship.
ASL interpretation will be provided at this event.
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)