4/2 - No School
4/5 - Return to In-Person Model at Blake
4/7 - Full Length School Day
4/15 - School Committee Meeting
4/19-4/23 - April Vacation
Question of the Week
To help encourage dialogue and reflection about what learning could look like for each individual, our question of the week is: If you could design your own day of learning, what would it look like? Designing Your Learning (Week of 3/28/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Term 2 SBR Reports
Cohort A and B students brought home a blue pocket folder containing SBR reports for their Term 2 report card over the past few days. Cohort D students will be receiving them (or received them) in the mail. Time will be spent in advisory with students reflecting upon the work they accomplished via a Google Form (a similar form will be given to Cohort D students in the next few days). 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. We have included an attendance report for this year as an opportunity to reflect with your student on ways to ensure on-time arrival to school as we progress back to 5 day learning and consistent morning routines. As a reminder, students should arrive at school by 7:40 to have time to get to Go Block on time by 7:50. Students who arrive after 7:50 will be marked tardy to school.
Please be sure to complete the form that is linked here for each of your Blake students to indicate that you have received and reviewed your student's report card by Thursday, April 1st. 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. In addition, your child’s guidance counselor is an important resource.
Blake Student Council Update
Attention Blakers! Student Council is going to start meeting in person starting next week. The meetings will be held after school on Wednesdays from 2:20-2:50- location TBD. Everyone is welcome! Email Mrs. Ruminski or Mrs. Shaw with any questions.
Blake Battles Bias
Blake Battle's Bias will begin meeting IN-PERSON after school on Monday, April 5th. Any interested 7th or 8th grade student is welcome to join. Email Mrs. Gelormini or Ms. Thress with any questions.
Blake Logo Contest - Calling All Artists!
Calling all artists! Our Student Council is looking to create some Blake gear for students and staff, and we would love to use a logo created by a Blaker! If you are interested, you can start working on your logo. Insert a pic of the logo to this form when you are done.
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 2021-2022 school year…
Blake Incoming 6th Info Night March 2021 Presentation - Recording
Passcode: 39KdD!Z!
Blake Incoming 6th Info Night March 2021 Presentation for Families
Blake Incoming 7th/8th Grade Info Night March 2021 Presentation- Recording
Passcode: 6C1v!h%6
Blake Incoming 7th/8th Info Night March 2021 Presentation for Families
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 2021-2022
Blake Program of Studies 2021-2022
Within the presentation, you can find links to the 'subject specific' videos.
Here are direct links to the Special Education Overview and Music Ensemble Videos...
Blake Special Education Overview - Incoming 6th Grade
(8:10)
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview - Incoming 6th Grade
(4:34)
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview - Incoming 7th/8th Grade
(3:55)
Here are direct links to the videos/'talks' shared within the slides...
Sir Ken Robinson on role of a teacher
(2:23)
Nobody is Normal
(1:20)
Cornelius Minor at ILA 2018 - Changing Systems
(2:13)
Author of We Got This, Cornelius Minor Talks About What It Means to be Pro-Kids
(2:09)
Jesse Jackson - I am Somebody
(1:25)
Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2021-2022 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection
Form for All Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2021-2022 Blake Middle School World Language Selection
Pooled Testing Info from Our Nurses
If you haven't signed up your middle or high school children for the weekly pooled testing yet, please consider doing so. Pooled testing is a great data collection and mitigation tool to help ensure the safety of our schools. Our goal is at least an 80% participation rate. Here is the online Consent Form to fill out.
Some reminders about the pooled testing:
- Students will not miss any class time for the testing.
- Testing will be done every week.
- Results come back within 48 hrs after testing.
- You will only be notified if the pool your student was in comes back positive.
- If a pool is positive, we will run a rapid testing clinic at Blake for those students in the positive pool to determine the positive individual.
- Your student will not need to miss school in person if their pool comes back positive unless they are found to be the positive individual.
- Students are spaced 6ft apart with masks below their nose (mouth covered) for about 15 seconds while they test. Students self-administer their test and sanitize their hands before and after testing.
- If you don't hear from us, your student's pool was negative.
MFI Youth Leader Food Drive
MFI youth leaders will be running a food drive this Monday March 29th through Sunday April 4th! Donation boxes are located throughout various locations around town including Park Street Books, the public Library, the middle school library, and the high school. The food cupboards most needed items consist of Mac and cheese, hearty soup, creamy peanut butter, jelly, rice pilaf, canned beans, and beef stew. Any donation is greatly appreciated during this tough time, just make sure they are unopened and unexpired. Thank you so much, and feel free to reach out to Sophia Bruno with any questions!
Info for all Medfield Families
Last year was the introduction of the Rolling Rally which was a wonderful and successful celebration that many said should be done every year, so we are bringing it back. The Medfield Community was phenomenal with their outpouring of support and we’re asking for the same enthusiasm again this year.
On June 5th, the Seniors will ride through town and end at Blake Middle School baseball park for a ‘Party in the Park’. This will be a safe, supervised and substance-free celebration. Please contact us HERE if you’d like to volunteer at this event. You don’t need to be creative, just have fun working with friends decorating either the Town or the Party in the Park.
This event is dependent on kind donations from our generous community, any level of contribution will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made HERE
Are you or is someone that you know interested in working at Blake Middle School? We are looking for building aides for the 2020-2021 school year. Please contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) if you are interested or would like more information.
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 http://www.medfield.net/o/medfield-public-schools/page/employment-opportunites--7 and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities". Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Mathematics Placement Process for Incoming 8th Grade
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!
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 need a check for $225 (Made out to “Town of Medfield”). 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 (Boy’s and Girl’s – Grades 6-8)
Coach Krah (Head Boy’s 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 team).
Coach McClelland - [email protected]
Baseball (8th grade Boys)
Coach Becker – [email protected]
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Greta Krauss, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values -- humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. We are proud and honored that Greta will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Blake MERJ Update
This month advisories have been participating in a scavenger hunt to learn about the individuals spotlighted by different advisories. Check out our March newsletter...
Blake MERJ March Newsletter
Stay tuned for our April newsletter!
Blake is Social
Blake is Social will wrap up our Black History Month Posts by featuring all the lovely doors around the school. And as always we are looking for art work, photographs, videos of any and everything Blake students are up to. Feel free to send them to [email protected]
Blake GSA Update
GSA runs every Thursday from 2:30- 3:00. If you have any questions about the Blake GSA, please reach out to Matt Marenghi ([email protected]),Cynthia McClelland ([email protected]), or Jen Dondero ([email protected]).
WPI's Sonia Kovalevsky Day 2021: Registration Now Open!
The WPI Department of Mathematical Sciences and WPI Student Chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) are excited to announce our third-annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day (SK Day) outreach event for local 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls, to be held virtually on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
SK Days at WPI aim to bolster our participants’ passion and enthusiasm for mathematics in a supportive environment, while meeting girls in the New England area who share similar interests and, of course, having fun! SK Day 2021 will provide an interactive online experience for participants (and their parents/guardians!) to engage in math activities led remotely by WPI students and will feature keynote talks by women leaders in STEM.
Please see the attached flyer for more information about the event. In particular, interested participants should register by visiting:
https://www.wpi.edu/news/calendar/events/sonia-kovalevsky-day
^^ The link to the registration form is found at this site. Space is limited, so we ask that participants please register early (no later than March 27, 2021).
Jr Tech STEM Opportunity
Jr.Tech is committed to inspiring students to think about STEM topics and explore STEM career paths. We are hosting Girls STEM Summit LIVE 2021 in April 2021. This year's Girls STEM Summit LIVE 2021 will take place on two half-day Saturdays: Saturday, April 3rd, and Saturday, April 10th, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, both days. It will be hosted as a live, online, program via Zoom.
The summit is for girls in grades 8-12 who are interested in careers in the STEM fields. As this is a critical time in their education, and college decisions are beginning, we hope to empower these young women to see the many opportunities available to them within STEM.
Please share the attached PDF flyer with your teachers, curriculum heads, guidance staff, and principal to make them aware of Girls STEM Summit Live 2021 and ask them to share with your community. We invite your high school to purchase a group for your school or have parents register them individually.
Who: Girls in grades 8 - 12 interested in exploring STEM fields and career choices
What: #GirlsSTEMSummitLIVE2021
When: Hosted online two Saturday mornings via Zoom
Dates: Saturday, April 3, 2021, 8:30am - noon and
Saturday, April 10, 2021, 8:30 am - noon
Fee: $65
Register: https://juniortech.org/girls-stem-summit-live-2021/
Email: [email protected]
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 Kara Gelormini ([email protected]). Happy Reading!
Medfield Outreach
Medfield Outreach is offering WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH DROP IN HOURS. Are you a Medfield parent or student who is feeling extra stressed, down or anxious? Want to talk to someone but you're not sure who or if what you're going through warrants ongoing therapy? We are availble to listen and help! Medfield Outreach is now offering Weekly Drop-In Mental Health Open Hours for STUDENTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 - 3:30pm and ADULTS on: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:30am. Email [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Leading Courageously in Turbulent Times: Rules of the Road
Wednesday, 3/31 at 7:00 p.m.
SPARK Kindness presents…
The Covid-19 pandemic has upended virtually every aspect of our lives and our society, and the turbulence continues. How are we to lead—our organizations, communities, and families as well as ourselves—in this extraordinary moment?
Nancy Koehn, Ph.D., author of Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times, will present critical tools, insights, and behaviors for leading courageously in crisis. She will examine several “rules of the road” for helping you, your team, your family and other followers navigate through the Covid-19 crisis, the consequent economic fallout, and the campaign for justice and equality. Prof. Koehn will offer lessons from iconic crisis leaders in history, such as Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Ernest Shackleton, and Rachel Carson, and will conclude by exploring how to lead for the next stage of this multi-phase crisis while empowering and caring for yourself.
How Educators Can Support and Empower BIPOC Students
Thursday, 4/15 at 4:00 p.m.
SPARK Kindness presents: A FREE online event for educators (for educators of Preschool - High School students)
Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith on how educators and school leaders can support BIPOC children amidst racism, racialized violence and trauma. Psychologist, author and acclaimed speaker Dr. Briscoe-Smith will present on how to create a school environment that promotes pride and affirms the identity of BIPOC students. Dr. Briscoe-Smith will also offer resources for engaging in conversation, addressing trauma and connecting with families of color. Please note this session is for educators. SPARK Kindness is very excited to also be hosting a 2nd session at 7pm ET on how parents can support themselves and empower their BIPOC children amidst racism and trauma that is also FREE and available to all.
How BIPOC Families Can Support Themselves and Their Children
Thursday, 4/15 at 7:00 p.m.
SPARK Kindness presents: A FREE online event for caregivers and parents of BIPOC children of all ages with Dr. Briscoe-Smith
Dr. Briscoe-Smith will present on how parents and caregivers can support themselves and empower their BIPOC children amidst racism and trauma. Psychologist, author and acclaimed speaker Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith will present on how parents can support themselves and nurture and empower their BIPOC children amidst racism, racial violence and trauma. Dr. Briscoe-Smith will offer tools, strategies and frameworks to assist parents/caregivers in listening to their children and promoting their emotional health, resilience, empowerment and self care. Finally, in the midst of the pandemic, Dr. Briscoe-Smith will speak about how BIPOC families can offer themselves and their children grace amidst these times that are challenging on many levels.
#𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙𝙊𝙣𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 is going on NOW!!
All year, you have asked how YOU CAN HELP get our kids back into the classroom as safely as possible, and Monday is the time to come together and make it happen!! Wee launched a 5 day fundraising initiative to help cover needs that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as air filters, disinfecting spray and wipes. Keeping our kids, teachers, staff and administrators safe is critical, but its not free. Join us by making a donation and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same! medfieldcoalition.org
Blake PTO Update
The Medfield K-8 PTO is looking for a publicist to join the board! The role involves promoting PTO’s events and fundraising efforts through the weekly school newsflashes, blogs and on social media. If you are interested or for more information, please contact Nicole Drummond ([email protected])
MCPE Update
MCPE Date Night In Presents Murder, Mystery, Intrigue and Scandal: The Dark Side of Medfield Join us for a virtual history talk given by Medfield Town Historian, Richard DeSorgher, coupled with delicious pre-ordered pickup meals from Basil Wednesday, April 7th at 6:00 p.m.