3/24 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS
3/26 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
Fundraiser for Michael Kennedy (see details below)
3/27 - Grade 6 ELA MCAS
3/27-3/29 - MICCA Festival
3/30- Grade 8 ELA MCAS
3/31 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/1 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/2 - Grade 7 Long Composition MCAS Make-Up
4/3 - No school
4/10 - Special Olympics at Holliston High School (see details below)
4/10-4/11 - Peter Pan Performances
4/14 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
4/20-4/24 - April Vacation
Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about the role failure plays in one's learning and development, our topic/question of the week is: Every time we fail, it marks the beginning of new understanding; plus a little more loss of innocence. But we should never consider the idea of completely trying to lose innocence. The complete loss of innocence is when we really stop asking why any more.
Term 2 Report Cards
This past Friday students brought home their report cards for the second term. Time has been and 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 a question 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.
Acceptance Month at Blake
On Friday, student council members participated in a silent demonstration in support of accepting others. Students wore quotes around their necks throughout the school day, and they read the quote at lunch, encouraging all to be accepting of others' differences. Student Council continues its acceptance focus this week. In this next week, students can look forward to continued mention of acceptance through quotes in the announcements and other messages throughout the week!
Office Mural
When you come in to Blake, please take some time to stop in the main office and check out the new mural created by a team of students at Blake. Thanks to Christina Delaney for her leadership with our students!
Blake Site Council 14-15 Survey
The Blake Site Council has been working on the development of our annual survey to students and parents. A similar survey has been administered the last three years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming. 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 and assess progress towards our mission. 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: 2014-2015 Blake Middle School Parent Survey
MCAS Information
As we enter 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 classes. 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.
Career Day Thanks
Thank you to everyone who helped make Career Day a great success for the 8th grade last Tuesday. A special thank you to all of our volunteer speakers who provided a window into their careers and vocational paths: Andie Mitchell, Steve Hart, Sara Drumm, Christine Rosecrans, Damian Sheehy, Michelle Manganello, Beowulf Borritt, Amanda Carnes, Douglas Whitla, Christopher Gauch, Andrew Witt, Carl Gustafson, Gordon Johnson, Mary Dealy, Mark Dondero, Mark Ockerbloom, Francesca Devlin, Kristopher James, Laurie Mills, Jane Carpenter, and PeggySue Werthessen.
Planning for 2015-2016
The due date for parental input for the 2015-2016 was Friday, March 13. This was one of the first steps in the process of placement and scheduling for next year. There is no need to be concerned if you did not put thoughts in writing, as equal consideration is given to the needs of every student, whether or not we have received input from parents. The input is only necessary if you have information to share that you do not believe the school already knows. As stated in the letter sent in early March, parents are asked not to make specific requests for teachers, as they will not be considered part of the placement process. The information that has been gathered will inform our work, and we do not guarantee placement with specific peers. We are confident our teachers and clusters are well balanced and that they each will provide a productive and positive educational experience for our students. Please trust our professional judgment as we strive to ensure a high quality and positive education for each of our students.
Special Olympics Information
For the third consecutive year, the Medfield Public Schools has partnered with Special Olympics of Massachusetts to develop a 5 town chapter and this year's event will be held at Holliston High School on Friday, April 10. We are thrilled that some of our Blake students will be participating, along with students from Medfield High School, Dale, and Wheelock. For those students and/or parents interested in attending the event to support the athletes, independent transportation arrangements must be made in advance and communicated to the front office at Blake. The event is scheduled to begin with the parade of athletes between 9:30 and 10:00 and is expected to conclude around 12:30 p.m., with the athletes staying for lunch. Please join us in wishing our student-athletes the very best!
Fundraiser for Michael Kennedy
Hello my name is Liam Frazier. My friend Michael Kennedy, was a firefighter who died in the line of duty on March 26, 2014. The Last call foundation has been set up in his honor to help Boston Fire Fighters. Please consider donations on March 26 to wearing your hat all day or by purchase a mustache sticker or tattoo. Mustaches will be sold outside the gym Thursday morning or in Mrs. Perachi's room during the day. I hope you will join me in donating to such a great cause.
8th Grade - Medfield Food Cupboard Drive
The 8th grade is collecting items to support the Medfield Food Cupboard during the month of March. Current needs include: Juice boxes, beef stew, macaroni and cheese, kid-friendly cereal, canned pears and fruit cocktail, kitchen trash bags, four packs of toilet paper and single rolls of paper towels. Donations can be dropped off in 8th grade advisories.
Spring Cleaning - Request for Legos Donations
In our ongoing efforts to foster experiences for students to be 'hands-on' and creative with materials, we are looking to provide outlets for students to create 'maker spaces' and also use these materials for stop-motion films and projects (i.e. ECM Lego Clip). As you begin your spring cleaning efforts (optimistic, I know!), we are looking for any donations from Medfield families of legos, blocks, figurines, play-doh, playmobil, or toys such as K'nex. Any donations can be dropped off at the Blake main office and would be greatly appreciated.
Spring Intramurals at Blake
Spring Intramurals will begin the week after April vacation and run for 8 weeks. Student sign-ups will be the week of April 13.
Peter Pan Update
We are getting closer to our Peter Pan performances. Please have your students check the theater website for rehearsal and crew information. We are having an All Hands on Deck day Saturday, March 28 from 10-1. Please have your student email Tracy Allen, Kathleen Caprio or Nancy Deveno if he or she is planning to attend. Tickets will go onsale for cast and crew March 30 and will open to the public April 6. Performances are Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 @ 7pm.
Blake Track 2015
Blake's track season starts Tuesday, April 7. On-line sign-ups have begun. An info session will be held next Wednesday, March 25 right after school in the cafeteria. Students will not miss buses. Please see linked document (Blake Track 2015) for complete program overview. Feel free to contact Jon Haycock with any questions ([email protected]).
Sixth Grade Parents
All Nature's Classroom forms can be found at http://www.medfield.net/blake-information/nature-classroom.html If you need a paper copy of the forms, please contact Judy Silva at [email protected] The Nature's Classroom presentation for students will be on Monday.
Parent Information Nights for 2015-2016
For your reference and information, here are links to the presentations and handouts from the parent information nights...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2015 Presentation
Nature's Classroom Trip Slideshow
Nature's Classroom Trip Documents and Forms
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2015
Blake Program of Studies 2015-2016
iPad Program Update and Planning for 2015-2016
The Blake iPad Program Update for 15-16 was sent to all current 5th-7th grade families on February 5, 2015. This link outlines information for all Blake families outlining information about the iPad program for all Blake students for 2015-2016. To help us effectively prepare and plan our efforts, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2015-2016 academic year) to answer the questions on this Google Form survey: Incoming 15-16 iPad Program Planning Survey. Please fill out the survey for each child that will be attending Blake next year. Your responses are not binding and we recognize that your plans may change, but the initial feedback will assist us with our planning. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief survey and am hoping for 100% participation. For your reference I have posted links below to documents about our initiative/program…
Mobile Learning in Medfield (our blog, highlights, etc.)
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning Participation Options 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 15-16
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Ted Talk Club
The remaining dates for Blake's Ted Talk Club are below. We may try to squeeze a make up date in there too but we will let you know if advance.
Meeting 11 - March 30
Meeting 12 - April 13
Meeting 13 - April 27
Meeting 14 - June 5
Please let Mr. Hellerstein or Ms. Allen know if you have any questions.
Third Annual Boxtops for education drive! Tuesday, March 24th until Friday April 17th
Please have your child hand in boxtops to his/her advisor or label with advisor's name and put in the collection box located in the main office. The top advisory will be eligible for a special advisory activity such as open gym or extra outdoor recess!
Sign up on the Boxtops 4 Education Link and you can get printable coupons on certain box top products. You can earn box tops at over 400 online stores by choosing a store, clicking on its logo and ordering as you usually would but box tops will be credited to the school account with every qualified purchase. Please see Forms and Documents tab for participating providers.
CSA News
Some exciting changes are coming to the CSA for the 2015-16 school year...and we want to let you know about them!
· A new website
· A new name
· An increased presence in social media:
· LIKE us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/medfieldcsa
· FOLLOW us on Twitter @MedfieldCSA
· A new proposal for the structure of the CSA to streamline meetings, increase attendance, and visibility
· Please attend a meeting on April 15th at 7pm at Blake in room 101 to hear more about the changes, ask questions, and vote
· Any question, thoughts, ideas...we'd love to hear from you! email TownwideCSA President Brittany Hardiman at [email protected]
We also have several ongoing fundraisers in the works -
1. Check out our new Spiritwear vendor - www.mylocker.net. They have a huge range of customizable products that ship right to your door! Input Medfield K-8 store to benefit our CSA.
2. SCRIP - easier than ever through the shopwithscrip.com website. Or, stop by Park Street Books to purchase gift cards directly from their supply box.
3. Don't forget the textile recycling - not limited to wearable clothes. They will accept any fabrics in any conditions, shoes, bags, belts etc. Collection bins are at all schools.
4. BoxTops - one of the easiest way to support the CSA. Contact Laura Zaher at[email protected] if you have any questions.
5. Have you tried Swopboard -an online community marketplace that lets you buy and sell with the people you trust, and a minimum of 10% of each sale will go directly back to our school! Get started today atwww.swopboard.com.
MCPE News
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! MCPE's well-loved online auction, entitled "Treasured Experiences," will run from THIS THURSDAY, March 26 - Thursday, April 2. The most popular items from previous auctions and raffles will be available again, plus great new items! Here is a small sample of online items that will be available: two sets of four front row high school graduation seats, six front row seats to the 8th grade graduation, stories and slushes with Kurt Jackson, family photo shoot for six With Lisa McDonald, yoga with Mrs. Ravinski, Dale Street Mystery Scavenger Hunt, Flag Day VIP seats and parking at Memorial, girls varsity lacrosse captain for the day, one week full day soccer camp from John Smith, Jaie 3 beauty package, and high school VIP parking spot for two weeks. To bid on these and other great auction items, please visit our website: medfieldcoalition.org starting Thursday, March 26th.
Nominations Wanted: The Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award
Bob Maguire dedicated 22 years of his educational career to the Medfield Public Schools. He served as principal of Medfield High School for eight years and then as Superintendent for fourteen years. In recognition of Bob's commitment to our students, MCPE has created this award to honor an educator in the Medfield school community who embodies Bob's legacy of exposing our students to the world beyond Medfield. Award application, award criteria and deadline information can be found on the MCPE website under "Awards." Visit medfieldcoalition.org.
Entertaining for Education (E4E) is a Terrific Way to Support the Medfield Public Schools. The snow is melting, and we're finally coming out of hibernation! Are you thinking about celebrating with a party? Please make your party an E4E party! For more information, visit our web site (above). For questions, contact Megan Infantino (508)359-9928, Kim Price (508)246-8335, or email [email protected].