1/6 - Ski Club Meeting
1/8 - Blake Ski Club
Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop (see details below)
Go Fresh Night for Blake
1/12 - Blake Site Council (3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC)
1/13 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
1/14 - Geography Bee Finals
1/15 - Blake Ski Club
1/16 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
1/19 - MLK, Jr. Day (No School)
Day of Service at Blake
1/22 - Blake Ski Club
1/30 - Term 2 Interim Reports go home
2/2 - Blake Site Council (3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about resolutions, learning, and self-awareness, our topic/question of the week is: If you make a New Year's resolution list, will this one be under consideration: "Show others and yourself that taking small risks will help you learn a lot about yourself".
Divide and Conquer (Mathematics, MCAS, and Mindsets) Parent Workshop - 1/8/15
The evening session for 'Divide and Conquer' (scheduled for Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m.) has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. Join Nat Vaughn and Susan Bycoff, Math Content Specialist, gr. 6-12, for the Fall 2014 'Divide and Conquer' parent workshop. The focus is on mathematics, how students learn math, and a yearly review of MCAS will be presented. This year we will discuss an important topic in learning, Growth Mindset, exploring its place in learning and how students may benefit from this knowledge. Please RSVP via this Google Form: Divide and Conquer Parent Workshop January 2015.
7th Grade Trip to A Christmas Carol Recap
On December 19 the 7th grade traveled to the North Shore Music Theatre and witnessed Charles Dicken's A Chirstmas Carol come to life on the stage. Students had a great time, and many showed their knowledge of this classical story by pointing out the differences between the stage version and Dickens' original text. The performance was a wonderful way for students to end their first of several encounters with Dickens' work through their academic careers in Medfield.
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Sarah Jubber, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values -- humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. We are proud and honored that Sarah will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man whose goal was to make our country a better place for everyone. While his life was cut short due to assassination, MLK's goal to make our country a better place is still very much alive. On November 2, 1983 President Reagan made January 15th ( MLK Jr'.s birthday) a federal holiday, a day off for all. But a day off to support a man who gave his life to the betterment of our country did not really seem like a fitting honor so on August 23, 1994 President Bill Clinton signed a bill that moved the date of the holiday from MLK, Jr's birthday to the Monday after that day. The bill also stated that it was meant to be a day of service. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a not a day off, but a day on. To honor this day of service Blake Middle School will open its doors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to give students an opportunity to serve their community. Some of the activity students will be doing during this day of service will be: beautifying the school, making Valentine's day cards, book marks and paper flowers, for soldiers and those living in the nursing home. Students will also be making bracelets, which we will give to Children's Hospital for ill children. We are always open to new ideas for how we can serve the community and support making Monday, January 21st a day on! If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Cynthia McClelland at cmcclelland@email.medfield.net.
Blake Middle School Sponsoring Blood Drive for American Red Cross
This year, during the MLK day of service Blake Middle School will extend its service to the community by holding its first American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, January 19 from 9-2. Students will form a committee where they will learn the importance of giving blood, and how they can help recruit those old enough to give blood. The committee will meet every Thursday until the MLK day of service on January 19th. Check out the Prezi below that is being shared with students in advisory...
Blake Blood Drive Prezi
AMC 8 Contest Results
The 8th Grade American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8) is a multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills and sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The contest is held yearly in November. Students from all over the country participate in this contest both individually and on a school-wide basis. This year, 71 Blake 8th grade and one 7th grade student participated in the exam. We are proud of all students who participated. The following students have earned special recognition for their performance: Luca Leger, Peter Barrette, Molly Drumm, Nathan Parry, Lily Bannister, and Joseph Layden.
Term 1 Report Cards
Prior to vacation students brought home their report cards for the first term. Time was 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.
Theater
The Blake Theater page (http://padlet.com/tallen/611ejx2h8v) has been updated with the rehearsal schedule for Darcy's Cinematic Life. Because of our very short schedule, all actors and tech crew are expected at each rehearsal. Stage crew will meet on Fridays and on one or two other days during the week. Please have students listen to the
announcements for the schedule. Commitment letters for actors and all crew members for both shows (the play and the musical) will go home Tuesday, January 6. Please make
sure they are signed and returned with the $60 theater fee to Kathleen
Caprio by Friday, January 16.
Ted Talk Club
The Ted Ed Club will meet on January 9th and January 26th in room 212 from 2:15-3:15.
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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Reminder about Bus Notes
All students who would like to ride a different bus may do so for childcare purposes only and need permission from Central Offices. Students should bring a note from home that gives permission to ride another bus, along with the bus number. That note will be sent to Central Offices and approval is granted based on available space on the bus. It is best to have the notes dropped off before the school day starts so that we can get back to students promptly in case they need to make other arrangements. A back up plan is always good to have in case permission is not granted. If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Montillo at Central Offices ([email protected]).
Coat Drive
The Community Service Club is holding its annual coat drive through January 9th. Please consider donating new or gently used coats. All coats are taken to Anton's Cleaners where they are cleaned and eventually distributed to needy families across the Boston area. Please look for the boxes outside the library.
Blake Lip Sync Information
The Blake Lip Sync will be taking place in March of 2015. See information below for details...
Forms and Lyrics due: January 16, 2015
Mandatory Meetings & Dress Rehearsal:
Monday, February 8, 2:15-3:30 in the cafeteria Costume Check
Monday, February 23th from 2:15 until 5:30pm Dress Rehearsal
Performance dates: Friday, March 6, 2015
Blake Ski Club
The mandatory ski club meeting for all students has been moved from Wednesday, January 7th to Tuesday, January 6th. Any student who is not able to attend must see Ms. Hurley or Mrs. Heim to find out how to view the presentation and receive his/her bus assignment. The first ski club trip is schedule for this Thursday, January 8th. The forecast is predicating cold temperatures on Thursday night, so students are reminded to dress appropriately for the cold weather. Please refer to the ski club website for a packing checklist with warm clothing recommendations: http://blakeskiclub.weebly.com/documents--forms.html. Nashoba has been making snow for the past two weeks, so we are looking forward to seeing everyone on the slopes. We are also looking for some more chaperones for February 26, so let us know if you are interested!
Blake Intramurals
We are currently putting together the winter intramural program. Student sign-ups will be next week (1/12 - 1/16). Check the intramural page on the Blake website for sign-up information and offerings.
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
February 26, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
High School Auditorium
Please join members of the high school faculty as they present an overview of the Medfield High School academic curriculum. Additional information will be sent home as the date becomes closer. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Stephanie Worthley, Guidance Content Specialist at [email protected] or call the high school at (508) 359-4367.
CSA News
The CSA fundraising efforts continue with several ongoing fundraisers...
1. Check out our new Spiritwear vendor - www.mylocker.net. They have a huge range of customizable products that ship right to your door! Input Medfield K-8 store to benefit our CSA.
2. SCRIP - easier than ever through the shopwithscrip.com website. Or, stop by Park Street Books to purchase gift cards directly from their supply box.
3. Don't forget the textile recycling - not limited to wearable clothes. They will accept any fabrics in any conditions, shoes, bags, belts etc. Collection bins are at all schools.
4. BoxTops - one of the easiest way to support the CSA. Contact Laura Zaher at [email protected] if you have any questions.
5. Have you tried Swopboard -an online community marketplace that lets you buy and sell with the people you trust, and a minimum of 10% of each sale will go directly back to our school! Get started today at www.swopboard.com.
It is Blake night at Go Fresh on Thursday, January 8th! Go Fresh donates 15% of all proceeds from 4-9.
Take a night off and support Blake. Thank you Go Fresh!
Mark your calendars for our next meeting, which takes place at 9am on Friday 1/16. Meetings are usually held in the library, all are welcome.
Finally, all of us on the CSA Board wish you all a healthy and happy 2015.