3/21 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
** Dr. Temple Grandin Presentation (see details below)
3/23 - Empty Bowls (see info below)
Blake Student Council
3/24 - Blake GSA
MCPE Spelling Bee
3/25 - #DLDMedfield (No School for Students)
3/28 - DEI Task Force Meeting
3/30 - Blake Student Council
MTSS Meeting
3/31 - Blake GSA
4/1 - MICCA Festival
4/5 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/6 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
Blake Student Council
4/7 - Blake GSA
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
Grade 6 Band Concert
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
Blake Student Council
4/14 - Blake GSA
4/25 - DEI Task Force Meeting
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the importance of hope and the role it plays in our lives, our question for this week is: As we begin Term 3, what is one hope you have for yourself as a learner? Willful Hope (Week of 3/13/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 Report Cards
Next Monday students will be bringing home their report cards for the first 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.
Parent/Guardian Input Information for 2022-2023
Parental/guardian input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2022-2023 academic year. Please refer to this letter regarding our process and guidelines for parents/guardians for the 2022-2023 academic year…
Blake Parent/Guardian Input Letter Spring 2022
If you are interested in sharing information, please submit your thoughts in writing no later than Thursday, March 24. As stated in the letter, written requests for specific teachers will not be entertained or accepted. Your letter should be addressed to your child's guidance counselor and Interim Assistant Principal,Marcia Berkowitz. Guidance counselors for next year will be Matt Marenghi (Grade 6), Tracy Allen (Grade 7), and Jen Dondero (Grade 8).
March 21-27, 2022 is Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Neurodiversity Celebration Week provides schools with the opportunity to acknowledge the many strengths and advantages of being neurodivergent. By flipping the narrative, schools can create a more inclusive and equitable environment. We will be focusing on the many strengths and positive aspects that being Neurodivergent brings.
Medfield Public Schools and Medfield SEPAC are excited to kick off Neurodiversity Week with a virtual talk with Dr. Temple Grandin on 3/21/22 at 7pm. See attached to RSVP.
Dr. Temple Grandin Flyer
Follow Up from Incoming 6th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentations and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023
Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Dr. Tony Wagner - 7 Survival Skills
(6:42)
'Inside Out' Pixar Clip
(3:25)
A conversation with Bryan Stevenson: What role does education play in making change possible?
(2:36)
Jesse Jackson - I am Somebody
(1:25)
Creative Person - Fred Rogers
(0:39)
Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form
Form for All Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form
March Madness Book Tourney Update
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the Elite Eight contestants & round #1 raffle winners early next week!
MCAS 2022
We are approaching that time of year again, when our statewide assessment for grades 6-8, MCAS will occur. For planning purposes, we are sharing the dates below for these assessments. It is important that students are present during the MCAS testing window.
4/5 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/6 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
4/12 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/13 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
Registration for Spring Sports at Blake
Registration for Blake Middle School spring athletics is now open on FamilyID.com. There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School site. To complete registration, Mr. Scott needs a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”) or can pay online (UniPay Gold). If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Athletics, Eric Scott ([email protected]).
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the spring season are:
Track & Field (Boys and Girls – Grades 6-8)
Coach Krah (Head Boys Coach) – [email protected]
Coach Graham (Head Girl’s Coach) – [email protected]
Softball (8th grade Girls). *
* 7th Graders MAY be open to sign up and play if not enough 8th graders to field a team).
Coach McClelland - [email protected]
Baseball (8th grade Boys)
TBD
March is Women’s History Month
March 1 marks 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.
Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2021-2022 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!
Miss Amazing - 4/9 at 6 p.m.
Save the date! Massachusetts Miss Amazing is coming to Medfield High School for its ninth annual event! Miss Amazing’s mission statement reads, “Miss Amazing provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment.” Join us in supporting this goal and giving these girls and young women an opportunity to shine. This full-day event is Saturday, April 9th, 2022 and the show will be held in the Medfield High School Auditorium at 6 PM. If you want to volunteer with the event, you can sign up to be a buddy, half day volunteer (helping hand), or a right hand man online at https://missamazing.org/volunteer/. If you know a girl or young woman who might want to participate in this event, refer them to the Miss Amazing website so they can learn more! Sign up a participant at https://missamazing.org/participate/. See you there!
2022 Blake Track - Spring Letter
Please see link below information about spring track at Blake…
Blake Letter for Spring Track - 2022
Summer Reading Input?
It's summer at Blake! The summer reading team will meet in early February to begin looking at titles for this summer's reading choices. Have a book you would like to recommend? Please share with Kerry Cowell ([email protected]) and Beth Sancher ([email protected]). Happy Reading!
Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
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 Nat Vaughn at [email protected] with any questions.
Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Medfield Outreach is seeking your input for a community survey. Thanks to the generosity of the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund, we are working with a consultant and a group of community stakeholders to better understand the community’s needs and we’d love to hear from you!
If you are a Medfield resident, or work for the Town of Medfield, your opinion matters. Please click this link to share your valuable input. This survey is available in English, Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. This survey is anonymous and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is live now and closes on Sunday, March 27th.
The results of this survey will be made public following the analysis of the data. Furthermore, the data collected will be important in helping consider future resources, services and programming in Medfield.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact [email protected]
Thank you in advance for your participation.
State of the Kids: Uniting for Youth Mental Health
Tuesday, 3/22 at 8 pm.
Join us for a nationwide virtual event to chart a healthier way forward for our kids.
About this event
“Supporting the mental health of children and youth will require a whole-of-society effort.” —Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy
As the Surgeon General has declared a mental health emergency among youth, so many of us feel powerless to help. In this age of increased depression and anxiety, how can we collectively support our younger generation in the present moment so they can grow into thriving adults?
We invite parents, students, educators, health care professionals, community leaders, and concerned citizens to take part in a national virtual conversation to chart a healthier way forward.
Hear from young people about the state of their mental health and learn practical steps and inspiring strategies for supporting health at home, at school, and in our greater communities from these thought leaders:
- Deborah Roberts, Award-winning ABC News journalist
- Vicki Abeles, Director, Race to Nowhere and Beyond Measure
- Dr. Lisa Damour, Psychologist, Ask Lisa Podcast Host, and New York Times Bestselling Author
- Jason Gant, Learning Designer and Mindfulness Coach
- Julie Lythcott-Haims, Former Stanford dean and Author of How to Raise an Adult
- Meghna Singh, University of Michigan Student and Mental Health Advocate
- Rick Weissbourd, Founder of Making Caring Common and Senior Lecturer at Harvard
This event has a suggested donation of $5 and funds raised will be donated to The JED Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow. If you can contribute more, your generosity is appreciated, and your support will further the mission of raising awareness and aid for youth emotional wellness. Select the Donate ticket options to choose your donation amount. However, we realize not everyone is in a position to be able to donate. If you are a student or unable to donate, please click 'Tickets' then 'Enter Promo Code' and type in the code FREEKIDS, then click 'Apply' to register for free.
This event is presented by Beyond the Race to Nowhere, the nonprofit that grew out of millions of concerned people uniting around the documentary Race to Nowhere to reimagine a healthier future for our children and our society.
Medfield Madness - Message from PTO
MEDFIELD MADNESS AUCTION Online auction starts March 19th with fun experiences for PreK all the way up to 8th grade. Some of the auction items are principal for the day, an ice cream party, a season of Medfield Youth Soccer, and practicing with the varsity girls softball team! Look for more information later on in the week. Good Luck!
MCPE Updates
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)