Important Dates
2/7 - Stars to Worcester Art Museum
2/8 - Stripes to Worcester Art Museum
2/9 - Eagles to Worcester Art Museum
2/12 - #MedfieldPS Chat - 8 p.m.
2/13 - SEL Task Force Meeting
2/14 - Happy Valentine's Day!
2/16 - Blake Volleyball Tournament
2/19-2/23 - February Vacation
2/28 - Incoming 6th PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/1 - Incoming 9th PIN (6:00 p.m. at MHS)
3/2 - Blake Science Fair
3/6 - Incoming 7th PIN (6:30 p.m.)
3/12 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
3/14 - String Fling Concert
3/15 - Incoming 8th PIN (6:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about deliberate practice, adjusting a process, and directing your learning, our topic/question(s) of the week is: What can you change in your current 'practice of learning' to improve? What will that look like? Deliberate Change (Week of 2/4/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 Interim Reports and Reflection
On Monday in advisory students received their interim reports for Term 2. After receiving their interim reports all students took some time to reflect on their work thus far via a Google Form. Over the next two weeks advisors will be taking time in advisory to conference with advisees. Our hope is that this reflection will help students identify areas of success as well as areas for growth, and to foster more connections with staff and trusted adults. I have outlined the questions below and encourage you to have conversations this week to help bridge the connections between home and school...
- When looking at your interim report, what are you proud of?
- Looking at your interim report, what was not a surprise to you? Why was it not a surprise?
- Finish this sentence: I want to keep working on...
- What surprised you on this interim report? Was this a positive or negative surprise? Explain.
- In addition to your advisor, would you like to check in with one of your teachers?
- If you answered yes to the previous question, which teacher would you like to speak with and about what?
- If you had time to learn about anything you want this year, what would it be?
School Connectedness at Blake
School connectedness, or how connected a child feels to his or her school community, is a topic that is important to us at Blake. Some families may recall that in past years we surveyed students in order to determine whether each child had an adult in our school that they felt comfortable seeking out if they have a big or small problem and what quality about that person made them approachable. This information helps us to identify students who may be in need of more connections at school and gives us a sense of how connected our student body is feeling in general. It also gives us important information about the qualities that are important to middle school students. We administered this survey during advisory. Please take a few minutes to ask your child how it went, how they felt about it, and talk in general about their feelings of connectedness at school. Once we have had a chance to look at results, a guidance counselor will be in contact with families of children who indicate that they do not have a connected adult at school. As always, please be sure to reach out to a guidance counselor, Kelly Campbell or any of your child's teachers if you have a question or concern.
Blake Celebrates Read Across America On Dr. Seuss's Birthday
"Let's create a day to celebrate reading. We hold pep rallies to get kids excited about football. We assemble to remember that Character Counts. Why don't we do something to get kids excited about reading? - Read Across America Founders, 1997
Blake will be Reading Across America, along with thousands of other schools in every state, on Friday, March 2. This year students and staff will think of a book they’ve read - either recently or from early childhood days - that they would like to visit. They should be ready to tell their Advisory mates the title of the book and why they would like to pay a visit to the book. Our Read Across America activities will take place over two days during Sustained Silent Reading. On Thursday, March 1, students will share their “visit book”. On Friday the 2nd, students may either read their “visit book” (if they have a copy) or another book, along with participating students from across the country. Please feel free to reminisce with your sons and daughters about books you've read together during their younger years for inspiration.
Blake Volleyball Tournament
Blake Middle School will be holding its annual volleyball tournament for 6th-8th graders on Friday, February 16. Students have been working hard on their volleyball skills over the past few weeks and have been competing against their fellow classmates. We will determine a champion for each grade and that team will then take on the teachers. It promises to be an exciting day and a great way to head into vacation!
Recess Donations
At the midpoint of the year we are looking to build up our 'supplies' for indoor recess. We are looking for donations from families to provide options for students during this time: table tennis, table football, board games, etc. Any donations are welcome and can be dropped off in the main office - thank you in advance for your help!
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat on 2/12/18
Our next district-wide Twitter chat will be Monday, 2/12 at 8 p.m. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. I encourage you to follow the hashtag #MedfieldPS during the chat and to participate!
iPad Case Reminder
This is a gentle reminder that all students should have cases on their iPads at all times. Three websites that we have found to be useful, as they detail the various covers, rates them, and describes why covers are needed, are:
Recommended by Apple: STM Dux Case
Griffin Survivor Case
Top 5 Rugged iPad Cases
Blake Site Council Survey Executive Summary
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. I am sharing the Blake Middle School Executive Summary 16-17 of the compiled data for your reference, and I hope you are able to find some time to read the highlights. This year's survey will be sent out in the near future - stay tuned!
Maker Mondays with Mrs. Horvath (@techmonstah)!
ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO MAKER MONDAYS WORKSHOPS! Maker Mondays are for teachers and students to learn and create together! No sign up is needed. Just show up after school (2:10-3:00ish) to join in!
February 12th - Digital Portfolios and Google Sites. With all Middle School students developing digital portfolios, you might need a little extra help learning how this all happens with Google Sites. This Maker Monday will focus on just that!
March 5th - The 3D printer steals the spotlight and gets the most attention from students. Come learn how to start with a simple design and get ideas on how to integrate 3D printing into your curriculum. March 19th-- TBA Possibly Sew Electronics.. or a yarn/fiber community project
Let's get Making! And please help spread the word to students too!
Blake is Social - Submit Work!
BLAKE IS SOCIAL is our take on the literary magazines of the past! Using Instagram and the blakeissocial.weebly.com website, our hope is to digitally publish all of the creative endeavors that make our community of learners so special. Please encourage students to submit art; photography; poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing; sports photos and/or articles; videos; projects across content areas; musical compositions or performance videos etc. We would love to PUBLISH YOUR WORK.
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
2/28 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2018-2019 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/6 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom.
3/15 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming eighth grade (current seventh grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year.
Boston ECG Project - 2/10 at MHS
Please see important content (video and attachments) below for ECG screening performed by Boston ECG that is being offered to all Tri-Valley League schools and their families (ages 12 years and older). Medfield High School will be hosting the 1st of these screening on Saturday, February 10th from 10am-6pm in the MHS cafeteria. Please register by emailing Cindy Glennon at:
[email protected]Video link: EKG Screenings Can Protect Young Hearts
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.
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
March 1, 2018 at 6:00 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.
BMS Science Fair - 3/2/18
The third annual BMS Science Fair will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday March 2, 2018. All BMS students are invited to participate as individuals or in groups (single or multi grade) and show their passion for or interest in answering some question or learning more about a particular topic. More information will be forthcoming in the New Year. Check out this resource for some ideas on - How to get kids to love science!
Reminder about Locks
All Blake students are required to be using a combination lock to lock their hallway lockers. As this is the time of year when students can begin to be lax about using their locks and keeping them locked during the day, we appreciate your reminders at home as well. A photo of locks that fit on Blake lockers can be found on the school supply list page (School Supply Lists).
Donations Welcome
There is a collection box outside the Blake library for items for two homeless shelters, Father Bill's in Quincy and Mainspring in Brockton. We would like the students of Blake Middle School to help out these families because we believe nobody should be homeless. Please support these shelters by donating items such as the following... New winter coats, heavy socks, sweatpants or sweatshirts Toiletries like Shampoo, toothbrushes & toothpaste etc Dish soap and kitchen cleaning products Baby products And Gift cards to Target, Walmart and grocery stores All items should be placed in the box outside the LMC but please give any gift cards to the office. A complete list of the items needed can be found on the flyers you will see hanging throughout the school. The donation deadline is February 9th! The Service Stars and Father Bill’s and Mainspring thank you for your support!
Blake is on Facebook!
Blake is adding Facebook to our social media repertoire! You can now follow our page for the latest announcements, sharing of our school life, glimpses into special events and learning with FB Live and more...
Click this Link: www.facebook.com/BlakeMiddleSchool/ or search for @BlakeMiddleSchool
Update from Blake PTO
GET YOUR MEDFIELD WARRIOR SIGNS, COASTERS, TRAYS, ETC! Rustic Marlin Designs has designed a line of wood-based Medfield Warrior products (signs, coasters, flags, trays, blocks, etc.) that will be carried exclusively at Be Charmed, a new store in town! Be Charmed is located at 70 North Street. 75% of the profits from the sale of the Warrior line will go to both the PTO and MCPE! It’s a great way to get Warrior merchandise while supporting a new local shop and raising money for our schools! GET YOURS TODAY! ONGOING
BLAKE APPEAL - We need your help so we can continuing funding enrichment programs and future initiatives for the 2017 - 2018 school year. We are requesting a contribution of $50/child this year. This is a suggested amount but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Making a donation is easy. Simply click on the link http://www.medfieldk8pto.com/blake.html and scroll down to the end of the page or send a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO to Blake at 24 Pound St. Medfield, MA 02052. Thank you in advance for your support of the Blake PTO. Please feel free to contact Claudia Rosen [email protected] or Keven Gallagher [email protected] with any questions.
STAY IN TOUCH Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO. And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com