3/15 - Student Council Mtg
Jothy Rosenberg Presentation (see details below)
3/16 - Pride Alliance
DEI Task Force
Incoming 6th Info Night (see details below)
3/20 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
3/22 - Blake String Fling
3/22-3/24 - Worcester Art Museum Field Trips
3/31 - No School; Teacher Professional Day
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ‘change process’ and the ways that we can and do adapt, our question for this week is: What helps you adjust to changes and new ideas? Adapting To and With Change (Week of 3/12/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Incoming Information Night
3/16 - Incoming 6th Grade Information 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 2023-2024 academic year’s mobile learning Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
March Madness Poetry Brackets!
The March Madness Poetry Bracket is here! Anyone is welcome to participate! There is more info on the library website. Use it as a 5 min filler if needed or take your time and enjoy poems and additional resources with this more involved slide show.
Neurodiversity Week
Medfield Public Schools is excited to celebrate Neurodiversity Week again. This year, the week is March 13-19, 2023. We will release more information in the coming weeks but wanted to share the attached invitation with you for planning purposes. We are excited to have Jothy Rosenberg, author, speaker, entrepreneur and founder of the Who Says I Can't Foundation speak to the Medfield Community at 7pm on 3/15/23 at the Medfield High School LMC. Please RSVP here. We will be live streaming the talk as well.
Jothy will be presenting again to the Memorial School and Medfield High School on the morning of 3/16/23 as well.
On Monday, 3/20 students will be bringing home their report cards for the second term. Time will be spent in advisory with students reflecting upon the work they accomplished, as well as setting healthy goals for the third 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.
Empty Bowls - Thank You!
The 2023 Empty Bowls dinner was held on 3/9 and was a success. This event brings together students, staff, community members, and local businesses to create art, share a meal, and bring awareness about local families who are experiencing food insecurity. $2800. was raised for the Medfield Food Cupboard. Thank you to all who contributed!
Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2023-2024 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class performance, placement test scores, and teacher recommendations. For current 8th grade students, placement is determined by success in their current class level and teacher recommendation. We are very mindful during this time to consider the whole child while making these decisions. Additionally, it is important to us that parents/guardians feel they have a voice in this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. If your questions involve long-term planning for math, do not hesitate to email Jess Safer, Math Department Chair at [email protected]. Thank you!
MCAP Event with Stephen Hill - March 20, 2023
We are pleased to announce that on Monday, March 20, 2023, Medfield Cares About Prevention is sponsoring a virtual parent program featuring Stephen Hill, a renowned national speaker on substance use prevention, mental health, and resilience.
Stephen has a truly inspiring comeback story that everyone must hear. He is the founder of Speak Sobriety, a young person in recovery, bestselling author, recovery coach, and an attorney. He has presented in front of thousands of people for over 500 schools and coalitions across the country. Through knowledge gained from his own personal and professional experience, Stephen shows parents how to build resilient kids to make healthy choices and overcome adversity.
Stephen spoke with the juniors and seniors at Medfield High School on Monday, March 13, 2023. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. We hope to see you there! Click here to register and you will be emailed a link to join the program: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qyAmhezVRbCSF6eveK5msQ
Parents, come learn about High school Transitions services available to you and your child from Meredith Becker and Stephanie Worthley. Learn how to prepare and develop effective secondary transition plans that will lead to a positive outcome after high school. We will meet in person 3/21 at 7pm at Blake Middle School Library. Please RSVP to [email protected] and share any questions you have about these transitions.
Hi, my name is Paige Henebry and I am this year’s Project 351 Ambassador representing Medfield. Project 351 is an independent organization that builds a movement of youth-led service by engaging an unsung hero from each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. This Spring I am excited to lead my very first service project as an ambassador, along with hundreds of other ambassadors around Massachusetts. For this service project, I am also collaborating with my own service group, Girls on a Mission. We have been working together since Kindergarten! Project 351 and Girls on a Mission share the same mission -serving our community while exhibiting the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude.
Our Spring service project is a clothing drive to benefit Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate clothing insecurity by providing children from birth to age 12 with new or gently used clothing so they can go to school feeling confident and cared for.
Our drive is specifically collecting new socks and new underwear for children up to the age of 12 years old. We have placed a bin in the Blake Middle School foyer for our collection and the Medfield Public Library. Our collection will run from March 15th until April 1st.
Please help us in supporting this amazing cause and consider donating!
Blake Theater Update
Here's a clue to what Blake Theater participants have been up to: Our next show, Hound of the Baskervilles: A Comic Thriller Starring Shirley Holmes and Jennie Watson, is April 28th-30th. Grab your spyglass, and find your calendar. You won't want to miss it!
Blake Intramurals Update
The Blake Winter Intramural Program wraps up at the end of this month. Look for the Spring Offerings in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
March is Women’s History Month
March 1 marked the beginning of Women’s History Month. Please share any ideas you have as to how we can recognize this month within the Blake community. Here are a couple of reads of interest…
What Schools Teach About Women’s History Leaves a Lot to Be Desired
The Long & Winding Road to Women’s Rights
Educational resources are available from federal sources and the National Women's History Museum, among others.
Message from Blake PTO
The BLAKE PTO is searching for new board members to support the Blake Community beginning next year, with opportunities to shadow members this year if interested.
The following positions will need to be filled: Co-President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested or want to know more, please reach out to Karen Peters, [email protected] or Brenna Ferrick at [email protected] if you would like to know more. Please consider offering your time in these important roles.
Message from MCPE
Are you looking for a way to give back to Medfield Public Schools? Join the Medfield Coalition for Public Education!
MCPE is led by a volunteer board that works throughout the school year to organize community-wide fundraising events and make grants to teachers and staff at all five Medfield Public Schools.
We’re recruiting new board members to start in the 2023-24 school year! If you are interested in becoming an MCPE board member, we would love to hear from you. We're looking for candidates who can commit to a 3-year term, attend board meetings once a month, and have an active interest in enriching kids' education in Medfield schools. This year, we have specific needs for treasurer, publicity/social media, events/fundraising, and website. All skill sets are welcome, and we strive to have a board with diverse backgrounds.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.medfieldcoalition.org/volunteer-information
STEM Event at Sharon Public Schools
Join us on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST at Sharon High School for a day of friendly competition and problem-solving, along with interactive labs! Students in grades 6-8 may sign up as a team of 4 to 6, or as individuals, where they will be assigned to a team for the day of the competition. Our registration deadline is Friday, March 17!
The registration form can be found here.
To find out more, visit our website at https://sharonmathscitourn.wixsite.com/smst.
People to People
People to People, a community service group of MHS 10th graders, is collecting donations of new pajamas (sizes 0-3 mos. through Adult M) to support the Cradle to Crayons Annual Bruins PJ Drive. With your help, we can help reach the collective goal of 10,000 PJs for Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund. Cradles to Crayons works to fight children's clothing insecurity in various states and raises awareness about this crisis nationally. The Wonderfund works to provide children involved with the MA Department of Children & Families the opportunities, experiences, and essentials that every child deserves. Please see the flyer for more information. You can drop off donations in one of the 5 boxes, or donate via this link: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/11943124-5f3c-4bc7-85b2-053e85636337 Every $10 donated will purchase 1 pair of PJs. Thank you for your support of this great cause!
All of the activities are underway for this session. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Yearbook Ordering
If you are interested in ordering a yearbook for your student this year please follow the instructions below. Grades 6-8 are showcased in the middle school yearbook. Please reach out to Kristin Buley([email protected]) or Kristin Manning([email protected]) with specific questions.
- Go to HerffJones.com
- Select that you are a parent or a student looking to buy a yearbook
- Click Shop Now
- Click Visit our Yearbook order center in red
- Search by school name: Thomas A Blake Middle School (note there is no period after the A)
CLICK HERE to order a yearbook the 2022-2023 school year
Blake’s Pride Alliance
We are pleased to announce that the club formerly known as Blake GSA is now called Pride Alliance! This more inclusive name better represents the values of our club, where 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. Meetings are every Thursday until 2:45 in room 502. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity.
Blake Student Council
Blake’s Student Council meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-2:45 in Mrs. Shaw’s room (525). All are welcome to join - the more members we have, the more we can accomplish! Spread the word!
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 Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
Webinars/Workshops of Interest
Stopping the Cycle of Anger: How to Navigate Anxiety and Big Feelings with Calm and Compassion
Thursday, 3/23 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this talk, author Renee Jain, MA, will offer practical, supportive techniques to address anger and other intense emotions in ourselves, our children and our teens with more understanding and less screaming. She will discuss how to uncover what's underneath these big feelings and how to empower individuals, parents, and children to shift to more positive response patterns.
Please note this program is 75 minutes.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
About Our Presenter
Renee Jain is the founder and Chief Storyteller of GoZen! She has been recognized as a pioneer in marrying technology and child psychology in a unique approach that nurtures the hearts and minds of kids. Through her writing, product invention and development, masterclasses for parents, and children’s advocacy, she works to build the emotional intelligence of kids. Originally a tech entrepreneur who suffered with her own anxiety, Renee founded GoZen! to help a new generation of kids, parents and therapists. Renee earned her Master’s degree in Positive Psychology — the scientific study of optimal human functioning — from the University of Pennsylvania and is the NYT bestselling co-author of Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience.
Vist the GoZen! website at gozen.com
Next Generation Learning Goals: What Should Students Know?
Thursday, 3/30 at 1 p.m.
It's a changing world. We've covered numerous advances in technology, agreements, and world priorities, however, how does this shape what learners should be able to do? What are the necessary learning goals that meet the demands of the future?
On this Getting Smart Town Hall, we're talking about various Portraits of a Graduate, Graduate Profiles, and Student Learning Goals with hopes of identifying a set of learner capabilities and skills that will prepare young people for whatever is next.
Growing Up in Public: Navigating Reputation and Social Media in the Digital Age with Dr. Devorah Heitner
Thursday, 4/13 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness
For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this talk, author Devorah Heitner, PhD, will share pragmatic, research-based advice on how we can mentor our kids on cultivating a healthy online presence. She will address why character and learning how to navigate relationships are most important and how parents can stop stressing and focus instead on helping young people become responsible digital citizens.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
Free Book Giveaway
Please include your shipping address when prompted (during your registration) if you would like a chance to win a free copy of Devorah Heitner's next book! Everyone who shares their address will be entered into a raffle for one of 100 free books from SPARK as part of this event.
About Our Presenter
Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and her book on navigating Privacy and Reputation with kids and teens, Growing Up in Public will be out in 2023 with Penguin Random House.Dr. Heitner’s work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Twitter @Devorahheitner and on Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.
Visit her website at www.devorahheitner.com
Mental Health on Purpose: Teaching Young People Skills As They Step into Their Future
Wednesday, 4/19 at 7 p.m.
The statistics regarding young people’s mental health continue to cause alarm. Anxiety is the most common and often the earliest issue to surface, and then becomes a risk factor for increasing problems throughout the teen years. The good news? We know what helps. Taking action to increase connection and actively focusing on certain cognitive and social skills make a big difference in preventing future struggles. Lynn Lyons will showcase an approach consisting of skills that move away from the all-too-common avoidant behaviors (and myths) that interfere with academic, social, and emotional growth.
This event is hosted by Challenge Success and REACH Student Life Management. The event will feature a presentation by licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Lynn Lyons, as well as a conversation with Challenge Success Co-Founder, Denise Pope, Ph.D., and high school students.
This event is part of Challenge Success’s commitment to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action for Youth Mental Health.
A recording of the event will be sent to all registrants on April 20th.