3/22 - Worcester Art Museum Field Trip (Blue Cluster)
7th/8th Grade Dance
3/25 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
Pride Alliance
3/26 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/27 - ½ Day for Students
Conference Afternoon for Blake
3/28 - ½ Day for Students
Conference Afternoon for Blake
3/29 - No School
4/3 - No School
Professional Day for Staff
4/4 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/5 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/5 and 4/6 - Blake Play
4/9 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/10 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/15-4/19 - April Vacation
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about communities and how they can/are fostered and nurtured, our questions for the week are: What are the most important characteristics of a community? What needs to be in place to create a community? How can we help people feel like they are part of a community? Community of Learners (Week of 3/17/24) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 Report Cards
On Monday, 3/18 students brought home their report cards for the second term, along with a Term 2 Report Card Sign-Off Sheet to be completed and returned to advisors. Below please find a link to a memo regarding information about the Term 2 report cards...
Memo to Blake Families - Term 2 Report Cards (March, 2024)
After receiving their report cards, time was spent in advisory for all students to reflect on their work thus far via a Google Form. 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.
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 2024-2025
Parental/guardian input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Please access the link below for information regarding parent/guardian input for placement for the 2024-2025 academic year...
Blake Parent/Guardian Input Letter Spring 2024
** If you are interested in sharing any information with us, please submit your thoughts in writing (email is a convenient means to relay your input) no later than Thursday, March 28.
** 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 Assistant Principal, Kelly Campbell. Guidance counselors for next year will be Tracy Allen (Grade 8), Jen Dondero (Grade 7), and Matt Marenghi (Grade 8).
World Language Selection Form - Incoming 6th Grade Only
2024-2025 Blake Middle School World Language Selection
** All incoming sixth grade families need to complete this form, regardless of their current participation in world language
Music Ensemble Selection Form - Incoming 6th-8th Grade
2024-2025 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form
** All Blake families need to complete this form, regardless of their current participation in music courses this year or interest in participation for the 24-25 school year.
Blake 2024 MCAS Dates
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.
3/25- Grade 6 ELA
3/26-Grade 6 ELA
4/3 - Teacher PD Day
4/4 - Grade 7 ELA
4/5 - Grade 7 ELA
4/9 - Grade 8 ELA
4/10 - Grade 8 ELA
4/26 - ELA Window Closes
5/1 - Grade 8 Civics
5/2 - Grade 8 Civics
5/3 - Half-Day
5/6 - Grade 8 Math
5/7 - Grade 8 Math
5/9 - Grade 8 STE
5/10 - Grade 8 STE
5/14 - Grade 7 Math
5/15 - Grade 7 Math
5/17 - Grade 6 Math
5/20 - Grade 6 Math
7th/8th Grade Dance - 3/22
Our next school dance is Friday 3/22 from 7-9 in the Blake Gym. This dance is for 7th and 8th graders. The cost is $10. 8th graders need to submit a dance contract prior to the dance. Any 7th grader who submitted one for the 3/1 dance does not need to complete another contract. Contracts can be found on the Blake website. Students will also receive a copy from their Advisor.
Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2024-2025 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!
Blake Middle School Track Information
We are SO excited for another Blake Track & Field season! Our season begins on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
■ Before students can participate, (3) requirements must be met:
- Register Online FamilyID website: Link to the Athletics page: "Activities" on the Blake Site. Please be sure to include at least one caregiver email as all changes in schedule/cancellations will be communicated via email.
- Physical: A current and valid (good for 13 months from the exam date) must be on file with the Blake Nurse. The physical must remain valid for the entire season (or a new physical must be completed) and turned in to the nurse.
- Blake Athletics Fee: $225 with a check or money order to "Town of Medfield" or online with UniPay Gold.
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (unless it is a meet day)
- Time & Place: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM @MHS track
- Please pick up students at the MHS track at 3:15 PM.
- Students should bring water to all practices & meets.
- Practices are NOT mandatory; Meets are NOT mandatory.
Blake’s Kindness Club
In the bustling halls of Blake Middle School, a heartwarming movement is taking shape – the Kindness Club. Committed to creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere, this group of compassionate students is on a mission to spread kindness like confetti. The Kindness Club is busy organizing various activities and initiatives aimed at fostering a sense of unity and support within the student body. A Blake Meets Kindness site has been established, which will have all the information in one place.
Substitute Nurses Needed…Can you help?
Substituting will offer the opportunity to learn what school nursing involves and to interact with our wonderful students. The need is sporadic, but the rewards are great! A current Massachusetts RN license is required and at least one year of pediatric nursing experience. Duties include: tending to the health needs of the students, dispensing medication, and communicating with parents. A basic orientation is provided. Please reach out to Brittany Hardiman, Nurse Leader, [email protected] for more information.
Music in Our School Month Resources
Who Am I? Music Themed Guessing Game: Blake Staff Edition
This Canva presentation is a guess who/trivia game that highlights staff musical interests, concert experiences, and playlists. Students and staff were given a ‘presentation’ to try and match staff members to the correct facts/clues. The slides below reveal the answers - enjoy finding out more information about the musical interests of our staff!
Who I Am Canva Link
Music Connects Us: Musician Display
Be sure to stop by during the month of March to check out the 'Music Connects Us' display in the hallway near the music room that highlights the musical skills and experiences of the Blake staff members who have learned to play an instrument or participated in a music ensemble in school (as well as a few other famous faces who have also played an instrument).
Blake Staff Music Posters
Blake’s March Reading Challenge
This might be our best Reading Challenge month yet! For March, the challenge if you choose to accept it, is to read an award winning book. There are a lot of different awards to choose from check out the American Library Association’s website if you want a suggestion. If you want to cover several awards at once try, All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team, by Christina Soontornvat. She is the first author to win a Newbery Award for both a fiction and nonfiction book!! Check out the Blake Library website for more information.
The Blake Break!
Thanks to our students and Kate Jones on the production of the Blake Break - special thanks to Blake PTO for their funding - check it out...
Here is the premiere episode of Blake Break!
In each episode of The Blake Break, students from the Design Studio classes (C2 and C4) will be delivering the news, events, and highlights from Blake Middle School. If you have any video or information to share, upcoming reminders, and/or curriculum, club, activity highlights, pass them along to Kate Jones at [email protected]
We will do our best to include any content in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned!
Save the Dates - 8th Grade Dance
➡️ 8th Grade Dance- Friday 5/17/24 from 7-9 pm
Upcoming Project 351 Clothing Drive - Message from our Project 351 Representative
My name is Jackson Dunn and I am in 8th grade. I was selected to be Medfield's 2024 Project 351 ambassador. What that means is that I got to go to Boston on the Saturday of MLK weekend and spend the day doing service projects to help those in need. I am running a clothing drive at Blake Middle School, and your child can drop off their donations during school to their homeroom teacher! There will be a general donation box outside of the main office in the foyer by the library if you would like to drop off any donations during the school day. We will also be collecting donations after school on March 27 and 28 from 12 pm-3 pm in the Cafeteria if you would like to drop off your donations then. All of the donations that we receive will go toward Cradles To Crayons! Thank you for making a contribution to help those in need of clothes. I know that Medfield can make a huge impact!
-Jackson Dunn
Grade 8
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.
9th Annual Hunter's Run April 7, 2024
Please see information below regarding the 9th Annual Hunter’s Run on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
GRiT - STEM Club
Gender Representation in Tech club GRiT is a student-led club at Concord Academy that organizes and hosts an annual tech conference designed to promote gender equity in the STEM world. While all individuals are welcome at this conference, our goal is to create an open space for female and genderqueer students to explore their interests in tech. We welcome all students grades 6 through 12 (ages 12-19), regardless of previous experience.
The 2024 GRiT conference will take place on April 20, 2024, from 1-3:30 pm at Concord Academy (166 Main St, Concord, MA 01742). The conference will consist of two workshop blocks with workshops hosted by CA alums and other non-males in the tech industry. Students will be able to choose the workshop they wish to attend through a form sent to them prior to the conference.
As examples of workshops, our 2023 conference hosted workshops regarding navigating the tech world as a WOC, an introduction to creating more accessible technology, how to use technology and psychology to discover your own work style, and more!
Free registration link
For more info - see our website
MAC Update
Blake's Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC) will meet Thursday after school in Mr. Gow's room, room 513.
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 meets Mondays 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]).
Update from Blake PTO
This link contains information about the Blake PTO initiatives and ways you can get involved with supporting Blake teachers and students…
Update from Blake PTO
** Please note that there is an open position for Co-President of the Blake PTO - it is a two year position. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Update from SEPAC
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, created by the United Nations to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. Did you know that 3,000- 5,000 babies are born each year with Down Syndrome? Down Syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, is a naturally occurring condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Down syndrome can cause varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues. As with all of us, people with Down Syndrome have different likes, dislikes, skills, and inherent rights to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community. Honor World Down Syndrome Day by learning more. Check out this 13-minute video on Down Syndrome titled "Just Like you": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M--xOyGUX4
To learn more about Down Syndrome, https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/what-is-down-syndrome
SEPAC Upcoming Events: Sometimes, there's a perception that a child's disability/diagnosis needs to present in a certain way or severity to join SEPAC, but SEPAC is for EVERYONE. So please mark your calendars for our spring Workshops & Parent Connection Groups:
3/19 Autism Spectrum (ASD)Parent Connection Group, 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building
3/21 Down Syndrome Parent Connection Group, 11:30 am Medfield Public Library.
4/1 ADHD Parent Connection Group, 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building.
4/3 Dyslexia + Language-Based Learning Disabilities Parent Connection Group - 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building.
4/23 Executive Function with Ali Spidalieri, M.Ed BCBA, 7 pm, Blake Middle School Library. SEPAC Board meeting after.
Details are always available on our website and social media (FB & IG)! Our workshops and board meetings offer childcare, and a remote link can be made available if you'd like. Our workshops and board meetings are open to EVERYONE. You do not need a child on an IEP or 504 to attend. RSVP to [email protected] or by completing the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/SeeQg6Apmngad5dq7
Our parent connection groups are limited to parents and caregivers of children with the corresponding diagnosis. Please email [email protected] with questions or to join a group. If you want to connect with a parent with experience with a diagnosis not covered by our current parent connection groups, don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll work to find someone to connect with.
This link contains information about the Blake PTO initiatives and ways you can get involved with supporting Blake teachers and students…
Message from Blake PTO - March, 2024
The Medfield Alumni Association presents Showcase Pro Wrestling!
Join us for an action-packed evening of wrestling excitement at Medfield High School! The Medfield Alumni Association is thrilled to bring you this event that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to witness incredible feats of strength and high-flying maneuvers as talented wrestlers from Showcase Pro Wrestling showcase their skills in the ring. Cheer on your favorite wrestlers and experience the adrenaline rush of live wrestling.
Don’t miss this opportunity to relive your favorite wrestling memories or create new ones! Grab your friends and family and join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment! Tickets are on sale now!
Doors open at 6:00 pm
First bell: 7:05 pm
Get your tickets https://MHSAAWRESTLING.eventbrite.com
We also have Sponsorship opportunities https://forms.gle/oXmFqePZXeBqqrV97
This event would not be possible without help from the Medfield Community if you can help, please see our volunteer sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA8A92CA5F8CE9-47890127-wrestling
Student Advisory Council: Amplifying Student Voice to Improve the Student Experience
Wednesday, 4/10 at 7 p.m.
Join Student Advisory Council Member Logan Christopher and Director of Programs Kimberly Cawkwell to learn about the Challenge Success Student Advisory Council. Hear from current council members and how they’ve influenced positive change in schools. From blogs to podcasts, learn about their projects on elevating student voice. and their impact on student mental health, belonging, and engagement in learning. With opportunities to engage with current council members during a Q&A, find out more about the application for the 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council, and what it means to be a member!
Igniting Lifelong Learning: SEL & Academic Integration
4/16, 5/23, 6/20
We recommend registering for the entire three-part series. You don’t need to be available to attend every webinar live. By registering, you will receive the recordings and follow-up resources straight to your inbox.
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Academic recovery is a top priority and will require a deep understanding of how students learn and progress. Research tells us that students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and key to academic learning and success. So how can we effectively integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) with academic content to best support learning and thriving?
This three-part webinar series will explore the research, practices, and policy conditions that promote SEL and academic integration. Through 60-minute thought leadership conversations, we aim to share expertise that can strengthen your work, encourage new approaches, and leave you curious to learn more.
Join us and collaborators once a month as we build a shared understanding of SEL and academic integration (part I), explore classroom and school strategies (part II), and spotlight supportive policies (part III).
Recommended for: Education and research/policy leaders at the state, district, and school levels.
Sessions:
April 16: Introduction to SEL and academic integration (Part 1 of 3)
May 23: School and classroom strategies that integrate SEL and academic learning (Part 2 of 3)
June 20: Beyond the classroom strategies (Part 3 of 3)
The Power of Data to Transform the Student Experience
Wednesday, 5/1 at 7 p.m.
Join us to hear school leaders and students alike share their transformative journeys with Challenge Success. Discover how these visionary schools have used student and school survey data to increase student well-being, deepen engagement with learning, and enhance belonging within their educational communities. With unwavering dedication, they’ve leveraged insights from data to inform strategic decisions, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in student experiences.
They will share Challenge Success’s role as a support, with resources, expertise, and a network to help propel their vision forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from educators and students doing critical work to transform the student experience. You will leave empowered with ideas for your own school’s journey and energized to get started.
Elevating AAPI Youth: Uncovering Mental Health Challenges and Enhancing School Support
Tuesday, 5/7 at 7 p.m.
Asian American and Pacific Islander teens are often overlooked by mental health services due to the model minority myth. Even when AAPI students may look like they are “doing well”, they can mask underlying issues of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. In fact, we know that there has been a recent increase in mental health needs in this population due to factors like the isolation caused by the Covid-19, rise in AAPI discrimination and hate and the continued lack of access to mental health services. Special focus will also be given to AAPI LGBTQ youth’s mental health outcomes and suicide risk. This webinar will give participants compelling data and practical resources to better support the mental health of AAPI students.