March 11-28 - Nature's Classroom SCRIP Fundraiser (Info coming home week of 3/4)
March 12 - Harmony Day (see details below)
Big Blue vs Faculty Basketball Game (see details below)
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
March 13 - ÷ and Conquer! - Helping your child with Pre-Algebra Information Session (see details below)
Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night and Nature's Classroom Information Session (7:00 p.m.)
March 14 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night (7:00 p.m.)
March 15 - Blake CSA Meeting (9:30 a.m. in Blake LMC)
March 18 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
March 19 - 7th Grade ELA Long Composition MCAS
Nadine Briggs Presentation (see details below)
March 20 - 6th Grade ELA MCAS
MCPE Spelling Bee
March 21 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
March 22 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
March 25 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
March 26 - Subway Night for Blake
March 28 - 8th Grade ELA MCAS
7th Grade ELA Long Composition Make-Up MCAS
March 29 - No School
'Topic/Question for the Dinner Table'
To keep in line with the idea of one's impact on others, our Topic/Question for the Dinner Table this week is: How important is it to give someone credit where credit is due? How important is it to hear someone give you credit when credit is due to you?
Springing Forward
We have noticed an increase in the amount of tardy students this week with the time change. This is a reminder that all students should arrive at Blake by 7:30 a.m. so that they have enough time to settle in, get their materials ready for the day, and arrive to their first period class by 7:40 a.m.
Washington, D.C. Medical Forms
All medical forms for the Washington, D.C. trip need to be returned asap.
MCAS Information
As we prepare for MCAS season, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires that we review our expectations with students prior to testing. I have posted the Student Responsibilities during Testing sheet that will be reviewed with students during the week in their advisories. I would like to call your attention to the updated guidelines with regard to electronics (iPods, iPhones, iPads, phones, all types of Kindles, Nooks, and e-readers). The DESE states: "Results will be invalidated for students who use cell phones or other electronic devices at any time during a session, including after a student turns in his or her test materials, during a break, or during the transition to a test completion area." Please review this aspect of digital responsibility with your child.
While we do not want to foster undue anxiety or pressure for students, a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast will ensure that they come to school prepared to do their best. Please be sure that students arrive at school on time. If your student is sick on the day of a scheduled test date, it is best for your child to get some rest and take it on a make-up day. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) or your child's guidance counselor.
March is 'Acceptance' Month
This week's Acceptance Month activities will center around awareness of the "power of words", encouraging students to eliminate hurtful language from their vocabulary and THINK (True, Helpful, Important, Necessary, & Kind) before they speak. There will be a particular emphasis on the Spread the Word to End the Word (R-word) campaign. This effort falls perfectly within National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Students will view video stories, engage in advisory discussions, and participate in a voluntary banner-signing pledging to eliminate the R-word from their vocabulary. Also in keeping with our acceptance theme, The High School Harmony Club is holding their annual "Harmony Day" today, for which staff and students are invited to wear green in support of LGBT individuals in their lives.
Parental Input for 2013-2014
As noted during the presentation, parental input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2013-2014 academic year. Please see the attached letter regarding our process and the guidelines for input. If you are interested in sharing information, please submit your thoughts in writing no later than Monday, March 18. As stated in the letter, written requests for specific teachers will not be accepted. Your letter should be addressed to your child's guidance counselor and Dean of Students, Kelly Campbell. Guidance counselors for next year will be Matt Marenghi (Grade 6), Tracy Allen (Grade 7), and Jen Dondero (Grade 8).
Parent Information Nights/Sessions
The planning for the 2013-2014 school year has already begun, and our parent information nights have been scheduled...
3/13 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Information Night and Nature's Classroom Information Session (7 p.m.)
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be presenting 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.
3/14 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night (7 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. A more detailed presentation regarding the logistics of the 2013-2014 academic year's iPad Program will take place during this evening as well.
Blake Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council this year has been working on the development of a survey to be distributed to the Blake community. Focus areas include the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. The results will help us to gather information and examine our current practices to better meet the needs of our students. Please complete the survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the Blake community. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]).
Link to the survey: Blake School Survey 2012-2013
Career Day Planning
Planning for the 8th grade Career Day is underway. Career Day will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, which is also a half day for students. On this day we will have a morning of presentations given by a variety of professionals from many different occupations. Year after year people return to share their careers with our students but we need additional volunteers to help make this event successful. We invite you to volunteer to participate in this exciting program to enlighten our students about your occupation and career opportunities. Please consider sharing your experiences regarding your present occupation, stories of interest and personal insights with eighth graders in three informal sessions of approximately 35 minutes each. The sessions run between 8:45 am and 10:45 am. If you are interested in participating please contact Debbie Avery in the Blake Middle School Guidance Office at 508-359-2445 or email [email protected]. Thank you in advance for helping make our Career Day a continued success. We count on the community to make our program a rewarding and enriching experience for our students.
iPad Pilot Update
As you know we held an iPad Highlights Session on Wednesday, February 6 and Wednesday, march 6 for all parents/guardians to hear and see highlights from the pilot, answer questions, and learn about the progress that has taken place. I invite and encourage you to visit the updated site (iPad Blog) to get an update on the information that was shared and to learn more about our endeavors with mobile learning. The feedback we have gained from 2012-2013 pilot program has been a critical factor for both the school and district's future implementation and direction we will take with technology. Through classroom observations, professional development, informal and formal feedback from parents and students, and staff input, we have been pleased with the efficacy of the pilot and have determined that it is worth expanding the pilot for the 2013-2014 academic year. In an effort to expand upon our current iPad Pilot, we are working towards a 1:1 iPad initiative for the entire 8th grade for the upcoming academic year, with students purchasing their own iPads or taking part in a 'Lease to Own' program through the school. As part of our program, we will have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need. The logistics for this initiative will be shared at our Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with the new technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive learning experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
÷ and Conquer! - Helping your child with Pre-Algebra
Have you ever wondered what the rules are when working with positive and negative numbers? Does the expression PEMDAS have you searching the Internet late at night? Are you looking to support your child as they learn to solve equations? Then come join us on Wednesday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Blake Middle School. Nat Vaughn, along with Susan Bycoff, will explore the concepts and skills behind the following topics:
- Working with positive and negative numbers
- Order of Operations
- Solving linear equations
- Specific strategies will be given to help your student succeed in math. Please RSVP to Susan Bycoff ([email protected]) by Wednesday, March 6 if you are able to join us.
Nature's Classroom Information
Information will be presented at the PIN on March 13th. You can find all the forms to fill out at http://www.medfield.net/blake/school-information/natures-classroom.html If you are unable to print the forms, please contact your child's cluster leader or Judy Silva at [email protected] to arrange to have a packet sent home.
Big Blue vs MHS Faculty Charity Basketball Game, March 12th
A long standing tradition that had ended several years back has found new life under the motivation and thoughtfulness of Big Blue's current senior captains, Matt Pembroke and John Zimmerman. Matt and John wanted to honor their team statistician, 7th grader William Johnson, by bringing back this exciting family evening at the gym while raising money towards William's disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Come cheer as Mr. Sperling, Mr. Scott, Mr. Nickerson, Mr. Moon, Mr. Mason, Mr. Grace and other favorite Medfield teachers suit up against Big Blue's Boys' Varsity Basketball team. All the action will take place on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:30 at the high school gym. Doors will open at 6:00 and seating is on a first come first serve basis. All proceeds from the night's fun will be donated to Families of SMA, the organization funding research for a cure for William (for more information on FSMA go to www.curesma.org ). All ticket purchases and other donations can be made at the door. $3 Student/$5 Adult. Please save the date and plan to bring your entire family out for this evening of basketball fun and tradition. For more details, please contact [email protected].
8th Grade Food Pantry Drive
The 8th grade food pantry drive has begun and it will continue throughout the month of March. The grade will be involved in a friendly competition to determine the advisory that is the most generous. Although the Medfield Food Pantry will graciously accept all contributions, the items that are especially needed are bottles of juice or juice box packs, hot and cold cereal, applesauce cups, four packs of toilet paper, Kleenex, and snacks. We hope it will be a successful drive.
Blake Drama Production
Below please find the schedule for the week. Please continue to look at the theater website ( http://padlet.com/wall/611ejx2h8v ) for any changes or news.
March 11- 15
Monday -Oh the Thinks You can Think,Solla Sollew, Gertrude/Espionage (1&2), All for you, Whos Return/People versus Horton the Elephant (1&2)
Tuesday -Here On Who, Meet Jojo the Who, Notice Me Horton, Mayzie at the Circus, Amayzing Horton, It's Possible (1+2)
Wednesday- Yopp, Alone in the Universe (Repreise), Oh, the Thinks you Can Think! (finale), Green Eggs and Ham, Monkey around/Chasing the Whos
Thursday - Costume crew meeting. No rehearsal.Friday - CAT IN THE HAT REHEARSAL
'Surviving Adolescents: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast! And the ABC's of Parenting Adolescents' - Parent Presentation
The Medfield SEPAC is hosting a parent presentation by Nadine Briggs, founder of Social Smart Kids has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Blake Middle School auditorium: 'In these workshops on adolescents, we will explore adolescent development and how this exciting, yet sometimes excruciating, process of growing up can impact family life. Surviving Adolescents will explore why teens become “allergic” to their parents and how boys and girls journey through adolescence in similar and different ways. We will talk about how to gain respect from your teen, strategies for parenting a teen as opposed to a younger child and how to avoid the traps our teens set for us and the ones we set for ourselves to establish a healthy relationship with our adolescents. The ABC's workshop focuses in depth on Collaborative Problem Solving with teens and easy, quick “catch phrases” that parents can use to communicate with their teen as well as hints from teens themselves on how to parent them.' For additional information on this workshop and more, visit www.socialsmartkids.com. RSVP not required but suggested to Una Smith at [email protected].
Incoming 9th Grade Visual Arts Electives Information
This 7 minute video (http://www.medfieldk12finearts.net/9th-grade-electives-info.html) will give a brief description on how to locate information on our K-12 Fine Arts website regarding Visual Art Electives for 9th Graders and our Program of Studies information (http://www.medfieldk12finearts.net/visual-arts-program-of-studies-2013-14.html). Please take the time to carefully read through the POS information, and if you have any questions feel free to contact Jim Cousens, K-12 Fine Arts Content Specialist ([email protected]). Also, please use our www.medfieldk12finearts.net website to see images from our foundation Art courses; Introduction to Art, Drawing & Painting, Printmaking & Design, and 3-Dimensional Design.
MCPE News
There are only three days left to register for the Annual Spelling Bee.Register your team online at medfieldcoaltion.org by Thursday,March 14th. All entrants will be entered into a raffle for an iPad Mini!
Also coming up is the "Fun and Favorite Things Online Auction." Teachers and staff from Blake and the other schools will be offering you a chance to win unique items such as director's seats at the upcoming spring musical, after school cookie baking with Mrs. Dondero, and dodgeball with Mr. Taliaferro, just to name a few. Mark your calendars for April 1st when the online bidding opens. More information will be posted on the MCPE website soon.
CSA News
Reminder!! March 12th - 7th Grade Cookie Dough Fundraiser Ends
April 9th - 7th Grade Cookie Dough Fundraiser distribution day from 2-6 PM
3/11-3/28 Nature's Classroom Scrip Promotion
Royal Pizza night March 12th. Please support Blake and go to Royal Pizza tomorrow!
The March CSA meeting is Friday, March 15 at 9:30AM. The agenda is in the Thursday packet. We hope you to see you there!