3/5 - SEL Task Force - 3:30 p.m. (Medfield High School
3/6 - Blake STEAMERS Showcase (see details below)
#MedfieldChat - 8 p.m. (Feedback and Reflection)
3/7 - Incoming 7th/8th Parent Night - 6:30 p.m.
3/8 - Matt de la Pena Assembly
3/12 - Harlem Wizards at MHS (see details below)
3/13 - 1/2 day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
3/14 - One-Day Food Drive for Medfield Food Pantry
3/18 - Blake Site Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m. (Blake LMC)
3/19 - SEPAC Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake LMC)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about discovering our own sources of motivation and interest, our topic/question of the week is: What is it about your favorite subject or favorite activity that you enjoy or like? Be specific. Discovering and Developing Oneself (Week of 3/3/19) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Kindness Month at Blake
Please join the Blake community for ‘A Month of Kindness’. Be sure to follow the hashtags #blakeiskind, #bmsed, #happyblakers, and #medfieldprojecthappiness. We encourage everyone to participate!
This week for Project Happiness the students will be connecting Love, Kindness, and Happiness in preparation for our author visit on Friday!Be sure to ask your child about it! A few notes for your reference...
- The daily inspiration from Project Happiness is included in the morning announcements to staff and students.
- To subscribe: https://www.projecthappiness.org
- To follow on Twitter: @happyblakers #MedfieldProjectHappiness
Our fourth annual celebration of our students and STEM - The Blake STEAMers Showcase - will be held at 4:00 pm on Wednesday March 6, 2019. All BMS students are invited to participate as individuals or in groups (single or multi grade) and show their passion for or interest in answering some question or learning more about a particular topic - including but not limited to - recent genius hour projects, maker space projects or personal interest projects or investigations.
#MedfieldChat Twitter Chat on 3/6/19
Our next district-wide Twitter chat will be Wednesday, 3/6 at 8 p.m. with a focus on Reflection and Feedback. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. I encourage you to follow the hashtag #MedfieldChat during the chat and to participate!
Thanks to generous funding from MCPE and the Memorial, Wheelock, Dale Street, and Blake PTOs, we are excited to announce that Newberry Award winning author, Matt de la Peña, will be visiting the K-12 Medfield Public Schools on March 7th and 8th. Mr. de la Peña directs his talks at all learners by sharing his personal experience as a reluctant reader. Matt will focus on his personal journey-- while also incorporating his books. He talks about his inspiration for each story and character and his fascination with the real world. He will talk about how each of us owns an important story.
Check out this link!
Medfield Welcomes Newbery-award winning author, Matt de la Peña!
3/7 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) and eighth (current seventh grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th and 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom.
Below are two links pertaining to the 19-20 school year...
Blake Program of Studies 2019-2020
2019-2020 Blake Middle School Music Selection
For Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
For your reference, I have copied the link to the presentation and handout along with the Program of Studies 2/27/19…
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2019 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2019-2020
Blake Program of Studies 2019-2020
Below please find links to the Course Selection Google Forms that all incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete…
2019-2020 Blake Middle School Music Selection
2019-2020 Blake Middle School World Language Selection
Music Ensemble Selection - All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2019-2020 Blake Middle School Music Selection
Parent/Guardian Input Information for 2019-2020
Parental/guardian input is an important part of our planning purposes for the 2019-2020 academic year. Please refer to the Blake Parent/Guardian Input Letter Spring 2019 regarding our process and the guidelines for input. If you are interested in sharing information, please submit your thoughts in writing not later than Friday, March 16. As stated in the letter, written requests for specific teachers and 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 Matt Marenghi (Grade 6), Tracy Allen (Grade 7), and Jen Dondero (Grade 8).
Mathematics Placement Process
Math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2019-2020 school year. The goal of the process is to see that every student is placed in a class that allows for them to learn math well while feeling good about their efforts. For current 6th and 7th grade students, decisions on student placement are made by considering current class grades, placement test grades, MCAS 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 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 Susan Bycoff, Math Department Chair at [email protected]. Thank you!
Term 2 Interim Reports and Reflection
All outstanding interim report 'sign-off' sheets need to be handed into advisors asap.
Dangers and Risks of Vaping Follow Up
It was great to see some of you at the 'Dangers and Risks of Vaping' presentation we held at Blake. I would like to thank Bob Clarke for sharing his expertise, care, and time with all of us. In Bob's presentation, he shared information about e-cigarettes, juuls, and vapes - outlining the health risks and addressing some of the common 'safety myths' held by students and adults alike. As a follow up to the presentation, I am sharing the link to the slide deck from the evening...
Vaping Presentation 2/27/19
We are working with our staff to share this information with students and will continue our open lines of communication with families as well. We strongly encourage you to talk with your children about the dangers of vaping and the problems that can occur from it. Honest and straightforward discussions about issues such as these between parents and children can have a significant impact on their choices.
Blake Site Council Book Discussion Group
Blake’s Site Council book is What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith. At our next Site Council meeting (3/18/19), we will be discussing the book - join us!
Blake Middle School Site Council Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey and the Executive Summary can be found here: Blake Middle School Executive Summary 17-18. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. Our intent is to distribute the 2018-2019 survey in the near future. Stay tuned!
Nature’s Classroom Information
Save the date! The 2019 trip to Nature’s Classroom will be Tuesday, October 22 to Friday, October 25. The cost of the trip will be $490.00 and a deposit of $245.00 is due on Friday, April 12, 2019. The balance will be due on Friday, May 17, 2019. Cost is never a reason for a child not to attend the trip. Please reach out to Nat Vaughn [email protected] if this is a concern for you.
There will be a presentation about the trip during the Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 7, 2019. The information packet including all forms to fill out will be emailed home before the presentation. Paper copies will be available in the guidance office and from the sixth grade cluster leaders.
In preparation for the trip an updated physical must be on file. Please submit your child’s 6th grade physical to Mrs. Williams as soon as possible. You may send it in with your child, or email directly to Mrs. Williams at [email protected].
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Judy Silva
[email protected]
Seventh Grade Science
Worcester Art Museum Visit - 8th Grade
As part of the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum the 8th graders will be visiting the Worcester Art Museum in February. The Eagles visited the Worcester Art Museum on February 14th, the Stars visited on February 27th, and the Stripes will visit on March 14th. As part of the visit the students will enjoy a guided tour of the Museum's Medieval galleries, students will also create their own "illuminated letter" as part of a workshop activity and, in addition, students will enjoy a demonstration of Medieval Armor conducted by Medieval Historian Neal Bourbeau. Students and teachers are excited about the experiential learning opportunities provided by this field trip and look forward to a great visit!
Harlem Wizards Game - 3/12/19
Come watch your favorite teachers battle against the Harlem Wizards basketball team on March 12 at 7 p.m. in the Medfield High School gym! There will be food, raffles, and souvenirs for all! Tickets can be bought online or at the door. Hope to see you all there!
Student Council Dodgeball Tournament - 3/14/19
Student Council Invites all students to play in the…-
- 6th Annual Dodgeball Tournament
- Thursday, March 14, 2019
- 2:15-4:00 p.m. in Blake gym
- 6 players per team - from the same grade, mixed genders (one 7th optional player will be allowed, but only 6 people on the court at a time)
- $5 per person - CASH or checks made out to "Medfield Public Schools - Blake Middle School"
- $3 for kids to come spectate
- Our charity is to be determined at this point. In light of recent events - The boy for whom the Silver Strong Cancer Fund was organized has passed away, so we are going to be donating this year’s dodgeball proceeds, but are unsure as to whether it will go to a memorial fund or a well-known cancer research foundation
- TEAM CAPTAIN ONLY Sign up on this google form: Team Sign up form
All grades are welcome!
Have fun!
Putting for Patients Event - 3/16/19
On Saturday, March 16th, MHS Student Council is hosting the Putting for Patients Jimmy Fund fundraiser from 12-3. StuCo has run this event several times in the past and successfully raised over $18,000 for the Jimmy Fund. In addition to an 18-hole mini golf course in the gym, there is also a caricaturist, photo booth, face paint, hole-in-one contest, and more! For more information and registration details, go to tinyurl.com/MedfieldP4P. This is a fun event for all ages and all proceeds go towards a great cause. Hope to see you there!... Can't make it but still want to donate? The link doubles as a donation site! Thanks for your support!
Save the Date - Miss Amazing!
Save the date! Massachusetts Miss Amazing is coming to Medfield High School for its sixth annual event! Miss Amazing’s mission statement declares that “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 give these girls and young women an opportunity to shine. The event is March 30th, 2019 and will be held in the Medfield High School Auditorium at 6 PM. Ticket sales are open to the public beginning on March 16th at ma.missamazing.org. If you want to donate, visit https://missamazing.org/donate/. 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!
Recess Donations
At the midpoint of the year we are looking to build up our 'supplies' for indoor recess. We are looking for donations from families to provide options for students during this time: table tennis, table football, board games, etc. Any donations are welcome and can be dropped off in the main office - thank you in advance for your help!
Parent Ed Workshop Follow Up
Metaphors, Multiplication, and Microscopes - Exploring Student Learning
This past month Nat Vaughn, Orla Berry (Science Department Chair, 6-12), Susan Bycoff (Mathematics Department Chair, 6-12), and Gail Duffy (English Department Chair, 6-12) held parent education workshops about English, Mathematics, and Science, healthy student learning, meaningful feedback, and classroom and state assessments. If you were unable to make the presentation, please check out the slides…
Metaphors, Multiplication & Microscopes - Winter 2019
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Standards Based Reporting Information Sessions
Thank you to all Blake parents/guardians who were able to come to our Standards Based Reporting information sessions this past fall. If you were unable to make the presentation, please check out the slides...
SBR Information Sessions October, 2018
If you have any questions, please let us know.
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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities". Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
SEPAC Update
Please join us Tuesday, March 19th at 7pm in the Blake Library to hear Mary Bruhl, Director of Student Services, discuss her entry plan and MA DESE Coordinated Program Review updates. And come support our student athletes at the 5 town Special Olympics event hosted by Holliston High School on March 22nd! To learn about SEPAC, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/mail.medfield.k12.ma.us/sepac/
Blake PTO Update
Want to get involved? We're looking for a Treasurer and Secretary for our Board next year! Contact Keven Gallagher ([email protected]) for more information!
Our Annual Appeal is here! We are again requesting a contribution of $50/child this year; an amount that has remained the same over the past 4 years. This is a suggested amount, but we will gratefully accept any amount you can contribute. Please make checks out to Blake Middle School PTO and send it in with your child. We are hoping for 100% participation of Blake families by April 1, 2019. This will allow our students and teachers to benefit over the next year, as the students and teachers did before them. We thank you in advance for your financial support of the Blake PTO.
Mark your calendars- PIN night is 3/7 for incoming 7th and 8th graders and 3/14 at 7:00 is out next PTO meeting. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook (Medfield K-8 PTO) and follow us on Twitter (@MedfieldK8PTO). And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com