3/21 - SEPAC Meeting (see details below)
3/22 - Student Council
Blake String Fling
3/22-3/24 - Worcester Art Museum Field Trips
3/23 - Pride Alliance
School Committee
3/29 - Student Council
3/30 - Pride Alliance
School Committee
3/31 - No School; Teacher Professional Day
4/3 - Blake Site Council (3:30 p.m.)
4/5 - Student Council
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we are and get inspired, our question(s) for this week are: Where do you find inspiration? What inspires you? Finding Inspiration and Maintaining Hope (Week of 3/19/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 Report Cards
On Monday, 3/20 students brought home their report cards for the second term. Time was 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 2023-2024
Parental/guardian input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Please access the link below for information regarding parent/guardian input for placement for the 2023-2024 academic year...
Blake Parent/Guardian Input Letter Spring 2023
If you are interested in sharing information, please submit your thoughts in writing no later than Wednesday, March 29. 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 Jen Dondero (Grade 6), Matt Marenghi (Grade 7), and Tracy Allen (Grade 8).
World Language Selection Form - Incoming 6th Grade Only
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form by Thursday, March 23...
2023-2024 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form
Music Ensemble Selection Form - Incoming 6th-8th Grade
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form by Thursday, March 23…
2023-2024 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form
Follow Up from Incoming 7th-8th Grade Info Sessions
For your reference, I have copied links to the presentation and handouts from our incoming information sessions for the 2023-2024 school year…
Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night Slides for Families - March, 2023
(Slide deck)
Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night for Blake Families (March, 2023) - Recording
(Recording of Presentation)
** If you have any specific questions or need clarification on any topics/concerns, do not hesitate to reach out. I am more than happy to talk things through, or put you in touch with the 'right person'.
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 23-24
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)
** Although this is 'Day in the Life of a 6th grader', all families may be interested in viewing the video.
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Todd Rose: Variability Matters
(0:00-4:20)
Fitting in Cardboard
(1:54)
We Have To Do Something Different
(1:30)
Does Your Face Light Up?
(2:27)
** The Incoming 6th Grade Information Follow-Up Links will be sent to families soon
MCAS 2023
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.
4/11 - Grade 6 ELA
4/12 - Grade 6 ELA
4/25 - Grade 8 ELA
4/26 - Grade 8 ELA
4/27 - Grade 7 ELA
4/28 - Grade 7 ELA
5/1 - Grade 8 Math
5/2 - Grade 8 Math
5/3 - Grade 6 Math
5/4 - Grade 6 Math
5/8 - Grade 7 Math
5/9 - Grade 7 Math
5/15 - Grade 8 Science
5/16 - Grade 8 Science
Female Music Makers Display
Celebrate Women's History Month by exploring the amazing contributions of female music makers. Stop by the hallway near the cafeteria to read about the accomplishments of women in the field of music. There are 50 profiles highlighting composers, pop stars, jazz musicians, opera singers, conductors, and more!
Art ‘N Bloom - Blake Artists
This spring the Medfield Public Library will host Art ‘N Bloom, a collaborative effort between the Visual Arts Department & the Medfield Garden Club. Congratulations to Justin Bae and Keala DeHoff for being selected for this year's exhibit!
The exhibit will feature approximately 20 pieces of student artwork interpreted in floral designs by Garden Club members. The Art ‘N Bloom exhibit will be on display from Thursday, March 23rd- Sunday, March 26th 2023 during regular library hours. Hope to see you there!
March Madness Poetry Brackets!
The March Madness Poetry Bracket continues! Even if you didn't have time to participate before, it's not too late!! If you click on the new brackets you can read the new match ups and vote. Or if you have already read the poems click and vote to ensure your favorites move on! (The old links are still there so all poems continue to be available for viewing.)
March Madness - 8th Graders
March Madness for 8th graders continues to round 2 this week! 5 teams have advanced to the second round to try some more free throws.
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!
Movie Night
The School Committee and the Medfield Energy Committee are co-sponsoring the movie “Catching the Sun’ on solar energy. Solar energy is an important part of Medfield’s Climate Action Plan. Learn how the transition to solar power is taking shape in many diverse communities.
The movie will be shown twice - Monday night March 27th at 7pm in the Medfield High School auditorium and again on Sunday April 2nd at 1pm in the Medfield Library meeting room. Please join us.
We hope to see many of you at our 3/21 High School Transitions meeting (7 pm Blake Middle School Library). Please mark your calendars; our next meeting is April 11th at 7pm in the Blake Middle School Library. This meeting is open to anyone in the community. You do not need to have a child who has an IEP or 504 in place to attend. The topic is Social Emotional Care & Animal Assisted Therapy, presented by The Lark Center’s Michelle Gaudet & therapy dog, Grizz, plus SEPAC’s own Sarah Giunta & therapy dog, Willow. Please RSVP to [email protected], so we have an idea of how many to plan for. Hope to see you there!
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]).
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.
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.
Education Now | The Protective Powers of Out-of-School Play
Wednesday, 3/22 at 3 p.m.
Creativity. Movement. Connection. How do activities like sports, music, dance, art, writing — and all sorts of playful, self-directed passions — help sustain kids’ mental health and well-being? How can adults — caretakers and educators — best support children’s hobbies and passions? And how can they support and encourage activities that protect mental health in adolescence?
Guests:
• Sean Cassel, Assistant Principal, Seneca High School, Tabernacle, New Jersey
• Molly Easterlin, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Lead Author of study on team sports participation and mental health outcomes
• Lorraine Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Host: Aysha Upchurch, Lecturer on Education and Artist in Residence, Harvard Graduate School of Education
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.