3/8 - Blake Student Council
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night (see details below)
3/9 - PRIDE Alliance
School Committee Mtg
3/10 - Term 2 Ends
3/13 - Band-o-Rama
3/14 - Blake String Fling
3/15 - Jothy Rosenberg Presentation (see details below)
3/16 - DEI Task Force
Incoming 6th Info Night (see details below)
3/20 - Term 2 Report Cards go home
Blake’s Question of the Week
between/amongst our purpose, hopes, and practices, our question for this week is: What do you hope to accomplish in school over the next few weeks? Purpose, Hopes, and Practices (Week of 3/5/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Incoming Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/8 - Incoming 7th/8th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh and eighth grade (current sixth and 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.
3/16 - Incoming 6th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2023-2024 academic year’s mobile learning Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
March Madness Poetry Brackets!
The March Madness Poetry Bracket is here! Anyone is welcome to participate! There is more info on the library website. Use it as a 5 min filler if needed or take your time and enjoy poems and additional resources with this more involved slide show.
Neurodiversity Week
Medfield Public Schools is excited to celebrate Neurodiversity Week again. This year, the week is March 13-19, 2023. We will release more information in the coming weeks but wanted to share the attached invitation with you for planning purposes. We are excited to have Jothy Rosenberg, author, speaker, entrepreneur and founder of the Who Says I Can't Foundation speak to the Medfield Community at 7pm on 3/15/23 at the Medfield High School LMC. Please RSVP here. We will be live streaming the talk as well.
Jothy will be presenting again to the Memorial School and Medfield High School on the morning of 3/16/23 as well.
What a weekend! Medfield hosted 51 teams from around the state including our very own 7 Medfield teams. Each team performed their skit and challenge and competed on the spot for an instant challenge. This is not an easy feat for anyone, and we are proud of all participants.
Not only did Medfield participate, but 3 teams won and are advancing to Globals in Kansas City, MO in May.
The 6th grade team, “Medfield Madness” won the Middle School level Scientific Challenge. Congratulations to Kameli Annigeri, Maddie Crocker, Tess Healey, Tess Henebry, Charlotte Keefe, Lia Kenworthy, and Tenley Rogers (managed by Randal Kenworthy and Karyn Healey).
On Monday, 3/20 students will be bringing home their report cards for the second term. Time 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 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.
March is Women’s History Month
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.
March Madness
Student Council's first March Madness foul shooting contest for 8th graders will start this week during recess times in Advisory.
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
The annual rite of Spring known as March Madness is around the corner. MCPE is sponsoring a bracket pool to benefit the MCPE 35th Anniversary Appeal! This year, you can watch hoops while supporting Medfield Public Schools. Win win (if you’re lucky!). Click here to sign up now. Brackets will be available to complete in the evening on March 12 and must be completed by 12:15pm on March 16. It costs $20 per bracket to play and there will be cash prizes, including $500 for the winning bracket! Please feel free to share the pool with friends, family, and colleagues, near and far. The more participants we have, the more our schools and kids will benefit!
People to People
People to People, a community service group of MHS 10th graders, is collecting donations of new pajamas (sizes 0-3 mos. through Adult M) to support the Cradle to Crayons Annual Bruins PJ Drive. With your help, we can help reach the collective goal of 10,000 PJs for Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund. Cradles to Crayons works to fight children's clothing insecurity in various states and raises awareness about this crisis nationally. The Wonderfund works to provide children involved with the MA Department of Children & Families the opportunities, experiences, and essentials that every child deserves. Please see the flyer for more information. You can drop off donations in one of the 5 boxes, or donate via this link: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/11943124-5f3c-4bc7-85b2-053e85636337 Every $10 donated will purchase 1 pair of PJs. Thank you for your support of this great cause!
All of the activities are underway for this session. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
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.
Webinars/Workshops of Interest
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
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