1/11 - MAC Meeting
1/15 - Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
No School
Day of Service Blood Drive
1/17 - Blake Student Council
1/18 - MAC Meeting
1/22 - Pride Alliance
1/23 - ½ Day for Students
Professional Afternoon
1/24 - Blake Student Council
1/25 - MAC Meeting
1/29 - Pride Alliance
1/30 - Blake Site Council
2/1 - MHS Info Night (see details below)
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we approach what lies ahead, our question for the week is: Please complete this statement: This year (2024) I hope to… One's Approach (Week of 1/7/24) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
6th Grade Egypt Presentation
On January 9th, the sixth grade students welcomed Paulette Morin who provided a hands-on presentation about Ancient Egypt. Paulette's visit was an introduction to our Ancient Egypt unit. She provided the kids with detailed accounts of stories from Ancient Egyptian mythology, mummies, pyramids, and much more. On behalf of the sixth grade, Ms. Emily Alland and I would like to thank the PTO for funding this experience.
Project 351 - Blake Representative for 2023-2024
We are thrilled to share that Jackson Dunn, 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. Launch Day for the ambassadors was this past Saturday, 1/13 - a day-long endeavor that kicks off their work and service. We are proud and honored that Jackson will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield!
MLK, Jr. Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, MLK, JR. Weekend will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No assignments will be given with a due date of 1/16 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due nor given January 16. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, let us know.
Blood Drive - MLK, Jr. Day
We need you! Right now, this area is experiencing a critical blood shortage. This blood drive is often counted on for operations and cancer treatments in addition to adding to the stock in case of emergencies. The students on the committee are dedicated to reaching our donor goal, but we are not there yet, and need your help. Please consider donating, and if you are unable, please send this link or email to others who may be able to.
It is okay to sign up in a power red spot and not actually donate the power red. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to Cynthia McClelland at [email protected]
Here's the link:
Red Cross Blood Donation
- Blake Blood Drive Committee
January Reading Challenge at Blake
Hi Blake Families, start the new year off by participating in the reading challenge! January’s theme is great for the whole family - a book under 100 pages. The real challenge this month might be finding a book that qualifies. Do you have a favorite picture book you would like to revisit? Some chapter books we have found in our library are: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Hub fans bid Kid adieu by John Updike, or All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World, by Lori Alexander and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. In our graphic novels section we have found quite a few, some of the most popular being the nonfiction books by Don Brown, and the Olympians series. Can you find any other titles? When a Blaker reads a book that qualifies for the challenge they can go to the library website and fill out a google form. Thanks for joining in!
Blake Intramurals - Winter Session
Registration for Blake's Winter Intramural Session in now open. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
MAC Update
Blake's Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC) will meet Thursday after school in Mr. Gow's room, room 513. MAC will be looking to organize an opportunity for students to attend the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Conference at Framingham State University on Saturday, January 13.
Get ready for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
The eclipse may overlap with dismissal for many Massachusetts schools. We recommend preparing students to safely experience the eclipse. Comprehensive information related to the eclipse is available on our new eclipse resource site. Visit NASA’s website for comprehensive information about the eclipse. Free eclipse glasses for families! Solareclipse.us is sponsoring 1 free pair of glasses per household. You will need to order by February 8th, 2024 to allow time to ship.
Pride Alliance
Pride Alliance will meet Monday, January 22 at 215 in Señora Manning's room. At Pride Alliance, 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. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
Blake Theater - Re-Save the Dates!
Re-save the dates. Blake's second theatrical production, Pure Imagination, will now take place Saturday, February 10th (1pm and 7pm) and Sunday, February 11th (1pm). Ticket information coming soon.
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]).
Calling all K-12 student space and science enthusiasts!
NASA wants to hear where and how you’d explore space with the Power to Explore Student Challenge.
Students are challenged to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light. Write about where your RPS-powered mission would go, the mission goal(s), the advantages of using RPS, and a unique power you have to help achieve mission success. In total, your submission is limited to 250 words.
Entries will be judged in three grade-level categories: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts, where students will learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore. Fifteen national semifinalists in each grade category (45 winners total) will receive a NASA RPS Prize pack, three national finalists in each grade category will (9 finalists total) will receive a virtual session with a NASA RPS expert, and one grand prize winner from each grade category (3 total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Learn more at the Challenge website. Entries due January 26, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
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!
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 Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
Update from SEPAC
This year, give yourself the gift of connection by joining one of the parent connection groups coordinated by Medfield SEPAC volunteers. A SEPAC parent volunteer will coordinate each, focusing on a different diagnosis. These informal groups will connect parents and caregivers of children of all ages with the specific diagnosis to share experiences and resources.
Our Parent Connection Group, focusing on Down Syndrome, will hold its meetings on the third Thursday of the month (1/18, 2/15, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16) from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Medfield Public Library. If you want to join this group, please get in touch with Michelle, this group's parent volunteer, at [email protected].
We are getting close to forming groups for the following diagnoses: ADHD, Dyslexia + Language-based Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum. If you want to join one of these groups, please email [email protected] to connect with our parent volunteers for more information.
As requested, we are offering our Communications Workshop in January, where participants will learn to create a one-page snapshot of their child. This resource is helpful for teachers, coaches, babysitters, and anyone who interacts with your child. Our Co-President, Melissa Lowry, will lead this workshop and has offered to host it at a time convenient for the majority. So, if you are interested, please indicate which times work best for you in this doodle poll. https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/bovNZvBa Thank you!
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
Reminder that the PTO serves to support Blake teachers through financial grants, hands-on support, and ongoing teacher appreciation efforts on behalf of all parents. If you have not already, please consider donating $50 for the year (or whatever amount feels appropriate) through Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO or a check made out to Blake PTO. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month during the school day to help teachers with photocopying or bulletin boards, please email [email protected]
From MHS PTO - Harlem Wizards - 1/31 at 7 p.m.!
The FUNTASTIC AND HIGH-FLYING Harlem Wizards are returning to Medfield High School, Wednesday, January 31st 2024 at 7pm!!
This event promises to be high energy, fun-filled, great for kids and adults and will guarantee to put a smile on all your faces!
Extremely talented basketball players will play against your teachers from all Medfield District Schools. (We say ‘play', but we all know they’ll run circles around them in a very entertaining way!!)
The event is a fundraiser for the Medfield High School PTO, to help raise funds for scholarships, deserving awards, inspirational speakers, grant requests to enrich classroom experiences and so much more.
Please help support us buy purchasing tickets to this great show, bringing the whole community together. Tickets would make great Holiday Gifts giving you all something to look forward to in the New Year!
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE - Hurry before they sell out!
Thank you for your support.
VIEW QUICK EVENT PROM
FREE WEBINAR: "Inquiry Hub: The Dream, Create, Learn School" with Principal Dave Truss | BQI Community
Wednesday, 1/17 at 7 p.m.
Join us for this important overview of a compelling school model that highlights the power of project-based learning.
Inquiry Hub is a small Coquitlam School District (BC) high school that is unique in its approach and delivery. Known as the Dream – Create – Learn school, Inquiry Hub was born out of the idea that students don’t need to spend every minute of their day siloed into individual courses, without any unstructured time. It has evolved into a community of students who work both together and individually to complete the required curriculum while also designing some of their courses and their day around inquiries and passion projects that they want to pursue.
Grade 9’s and 10’s do cross-curricular projects using SCRUM project management, collaborating to get work done efficiently and effectively, and they also take an Inquiry Course designed around developing strong presentation skills and documenting their learning journeys, doing passion projects that they design. Grade 11’s and 12’s construct year-long IDS – Independent Directed Studies courses where they delve deep into their interests.
A key component of the program is DCL time, coined after the Dream – Create – Learn motto, where students are not in a structured class, but rather have unstructured time to work on their class projects, homework and assignments, and/or on their passion projects. Central to this is creating a community of learners who are eager to help each other and who have learned that failure is part of learning. Projects can be too big, too challenging, too overwhelming, but still result in a final product or presentation that exceeds expectations.
RSVP now to join us for this important session with principal Dave Truss and teacher Dr. John Sarte.
Success Reimagined - Exploring Intergenerational Perspectives on Life's Purpose
Thursday, 1/25 at 7 p.m.
Join Challenge Success Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor, Denise Pope, and New York Times Bestselling Author, Chip Conley, for a thought-provoking fireside chat as we delve into the complex concept of success from intergenerational viewpoints. “Success Reimagined” brings together individuals of different ages and backgrounds to discuss and explore life’s purpose and the evolving definition of success in our rapidly changing world.
Chip Conley was Inspired by his experience of intergenerational mentoring as a ‘modern elder’ at Airbnb, where his guidance was instrumental to the company’s extraordinary transformation from fast-growing start-up to the world’s most valuable hospitality brand. He then went on to create Modern Elder Academy (MEA) – the world’s first ‘midlife wisdom school.’ Dedicated to reframing the concept of aging, MEA supports adults to navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. His new book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age, was recently profiled on Good Morning, America.
Chip’s mission aligns directly with Challenge Success’ beliefs that there are many roads to success for students, and lots of ups and downs along the way. We are challenging the narrow notion of success that often leads to high stress, overload, and a lack of well-being for middle and high school students. Challenge Success partners with school communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement. Our vision is that educational systems value each student for their unique identities, assets, and individual definitions of success and effectively prepare them for the variety of opportunities and challenges they will encounter in school and beyond.
A recording of the event will be sent to all registrants on January 26th.
CASCD Webinar - AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Tuesday, 2/27 at 7 p.m.
Join Dr. Douglas Reeves and expert panelists as they discuss how AI can support every level from the state department to the classroom. In this interactive webinar, participants learned what AI really is and how educators can maximize its use. Additionally, panelists addressed specific AI pain points that are submitted by participants.