4/5 - Grade 7 ELA MCAS
4/5 and 4/6 - Blake Play
4/9 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/10 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/15-4/19 - April Vacation
4/26 - 5-Town Special Olympics
4/30 - Blake Site Council Mtg
5/1 - Grade 8 Civics MCAS
5/2 - 5-Town Special Olympics (rain date)
Grade 8 Civics MCAS
5/3 - ½ Day for Students
8th Grade Career Day
Professional Afternoon for Staff
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about both making and time for ourselves, our question for the week is: What do you like to do to relax, ‘take a break’, and recharge? What strategies, habits, and routines help you to make time to do these things? Making and Taking Breaks (Week of 3/31/24) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Thanks to Kelly C. - Assistant Principal Week
This week is National Assistant Principal Week - please join me in thanking, recognizing, and appreciating Kelly for always looking out for, supporting, and recognizing the interests of all of our students, staff, and community - we are all very fortunate to receive her support and care.
2024-2025 Blake Middle School World Language Selection
** All incoming sixth grade families need to complete this form, regardless of their current participation in world language
Music Ensemble Selection Form - Incoming 6th-8th Grade
2024-2025 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form
** All Blake families need to complete this form, regardless of their current participation in music courses this year or interest in participation for the 24-25 school year.
Message from MAC
Blake's Multicultural Awareness Club, MAC, would like to thank community member Claire Pickering for joining our meeting on March 21st to share information about the Jewish holiday of Purim and its tradition to bake special cookies called Hamantaschens - yum!
Consistent with MAC's purpose, we welcome any/every community member to share their culture with our club. Please contact Mr. Marenghi ([email protected]).
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 Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
Blake 2024 MCAS Dates
Here are the dates for MCAS at Blake. It is important that students are present during the MCAS testing window. All students should have fully charged chromebooks and bring a non-electronic book to read if they finish testing early and a snack for after testing is completed.
4/5 - Grade 7 ELA
4/9 - Grade 8 ELA
4/10 - Grade 8 ELA
5/1 - Grade 8 Civics
5/2 - Grade 8 Civics
5/6 - Grade 8 Math
5/7 - Grade 8 Math
5/9 - Grade 8 STE
5/10 - Grade 8 STE
5/14 - Grade 7 Math
5/15 - Grade 7 Math
5/17 - Grade 6 Math
5/20 - Grade 6 Math
Math Placement Process
Our seventh grade math teachers at Blake will soon start the process of course placement for the 2024-2025 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!
Blake Middle School Track Information
We are SO excited for another Blake Track & Field season! Our season began on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
■ Before students can participate, (3) requirements must be met:
- Register Online FamilyID website: Link to the Athletics page: "Activities" on the Blake Site. Please be sure to include at least one caregiver email as all changes in schedule/cancellations will be communicated via email.
- Physical: A current and valid (good for 13 months from the exam date) must be on file with the Blake Nurse. The physical must remain valid for the entire season (or a new physical must be completed) and turned in to the nurse.
- Blake Athletics Fee: $225 with a check or money order to "Town of Medfield" or online with UniPay Gold.
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (unless it is a meet day)
- Time & Place: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM @MHS track
- Please pick up students at the MHS track at 3:15 PM.
- Students should bring water to all practices & meets.
- Practices are NOT mandatory; Meets are NOT mandatory.
Updated CDC Guidelines for Covid-19
Dear MPS Families,
As you may know, the CDC updated their guidance recently on isolation for COVID-19:
"The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." CDC March 2024
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department for Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) have also updated their guidelines. Students and staff (with the exception of school nurses) no longer have to isolate themselves at home for day 0-5 after a positive COVID test. COVID will be treated as other respiratory viruses and recommendations for when to stay home can be found here:Staying Home To Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses
Here are Illness Guidelines - When to keep your child home from school, from your school nurses.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Brittany Hardiman, RN
Nurse Leader MPS/MHS School Nurse
508-242-8568
Special Request: Calling all Thin Cardboard boxes & tubes
7th Grade Math is kicking off their creature feature projects with a CardBoard Bootcamp in the Makerspace starting April 7th! This means we need a TON of thin cardboard boxes and tubes (cereal, granola, tissue, mac & cheese, toothpaste boxes, etc.) of any shape and size as long as it's THIN. Any amount, even just one helps:) Drop it off at the makerspace on a table.
Substituting will offer the opportunity to learn what school nursing involves and to interact with our wonderful students. The need is sporadic, but the rewards are great! A current Massachusetts RN license is required and at least one year of pediatric nursing experience. Duties include: tending to the health needs of the students, dispensing medication, and communicating with parents. A basic orientation is provided. Please reach out to Brittany Hardiman, Nurse Leader, [email protected] for more information.
The Blake Break!
Thanks to our students and Kate Jones on the production of the Blake Break - special thanks to Blake PTO for their funding - check it out...
Here is the premiere episode of Blake Break!
In each episode of The Blake Break, students from the Design Studio classes (C2 and C4) will be delivering the news, events, and highlights from Blake Middle School. If you have any video or information to share, upcoming reminders, and/or curriculum, club, activity highlights, pass them along to Kate Jones at [email protected]
We will do our best to include any content in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned!
Save the Dates - 8th Grade Dance
➡️ 8th Grade Dance- Friday 5/17/24 from 7-9 pm
9th Annual Hunter's Run April 7, 2024
Please see information below regarding the 9th Annual Hunter’s Run on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
Summer 2024 AI and Natural Science Program by Stanford Alumni
Inspirit AI is a 25-hour project-based AI program taught by Stanford graduates that introduces middle and high school students to fundamental AI concepts to build interdisciplinary AI projects across domains. In 2024, the team is excited to announce new projects such as Exoplanet Discovery and ChatGPT for Mental Health. No CS experience is necessary to apply and priority applications are due soon.
GRiT - STEM Club
Gender Representation in Tech club GRiT is a student-led club at Concord Academy that organizes and hosts an annual tech conference designed to promote gender equity in the STEM world. While all individuals are welcome at this conference, our goal is to create an open space for female and genderqueer students to explore their interests in tech. We welcome all students grades 6 through 12 (ages 12-19), regardless of previous experience.
The 2024 GRiT conference will take place on April 20, 2024, from 1-3:30 pm at Concord Academy (166 Main St, Concord, MA 01742). The conference will consist of two workshop blocks with workshops hosted by CA alums and other non-males in the tech industry. Students will be able to choose the workshop they wish to attend through a form sent to them prior to the conference.
As examples of workshops, our 2023 conference hosted workshops regarding navigating the tech world as a WOC, an introduction to creating more accessible technology, how to use technology and psychology to discover your own work style, and more!
Free registration link
For more info - see our website
MAC Update
Blake's Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC) will meet Thursday after school in Mr. Gow's room, room 513.
Get ready for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
The eclipse may overlap with dismissal for many Massachusetts schools. We recommend preparing students to safely experience the eclipse. Comprehensive information related to the eclipse is available on our new eclipse resource site. Visit NASA’s website for comprehensive information about the eclipse. Free eclipse glasses for families! Solareclipse.us is sponsoring 1 free pair of glasses per household. You will need to order by February 8th, 2024 to allow time to ship.
Pride Alliance
Pride Alliance meets Mondays at 215 in Señora Manning's room. At Pride Alliance, 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. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. Meetings for Pride Alliance will take place on Mondays from 2:15-2:45 in room #309. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Dondero ([email protected]) and Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
Update from Blake PTO
This link contains information about the Blake PTO initiatives and ways you can get involved with supporting Blake teachers and students…
Update from Blake PTO
** Please note that there is an open position for Co-President of the Blake PTO - it is a two year position. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Update from SEPAC
The Medfield Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) is proud to announce The Jim James Inclusion Award. This award seeks to highlight the employees within our district who promote and model inclusive practices, ensuring that all learners are welcomed and celebrated. Read more and submit nominations here: https://forms.gle/c97eQzwrPoQmCCtP8
SEPAC Upcoming Events: Sometimes, there's a perception that a child's disability/diagnosis needs to present in a certain way or severity to join SEPAC, but SEPAC is for EVERYONE. So please mark your calendars for our spring Workshops & Parent Connection Groups:
4/1 ADHD Parent Connection Group, 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building.
4/3 Dyslexia + Language-Based Learning Disabilities Parent Connection Group - 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building.
4/23 Executive Function with Ali Spidalieri, M.Ed BCBA, 7 pm, Blake Middle School Library. SEPAC Board meeting after.
5/1 Dyslexia + Language-Based Learning Disabilities Parent Connection Group - 7 pm Medfield Public Safety Building.
5/16 Down Syndrome Parent Connection Group, 11:30 am Medfield Public Library
5/21 High School Transition Planning w/ Meredith Becker and Stephanie Worthley - 7 pm Blake Middle School Library
*the ASD group is working to find an April date to meet
Details are always available on our website and social media (FB & IG)! Our workshops and board meetings offer childcare, and a remote link can be made available if you'd like. Our workshops and board meetings are open to EVERYONE. You do not need a child on an IEP or 504 to attend. RSVP to [email protected] or by completing the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/SeeQg6Apmngad5dq7
Our parent connection groups are limited to parents and caregivers of children with the corresponding diagnosis. Please email [email protected] with questions or to join a group. If you want to connect with a parent with experience with a diagnosis not covered by our current parent connection groups, don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll work to find someone to connect with.
Join us for an action-packed evening of wrestling excitement at Medfield High School! The Medfield Alumni Association is thrilled to bring you this event that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to witness incredible feats of strength and high-flying maneuvers as talented wrestlers from Showcase Pro Wrestling showcase their skills in the ring. Cheer on your favorite wrestlers and experience the adrenaline rush of live wrestling.
Don’t miss this opportunity to relive your favorite wrestling memories or create new ones! Grab your friends and family and join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment! Tickets are on sale now!
Doors open at 6:00 pm
First bell: 7:05 pm
Get your tickets https://MHSAAWRESTLING.eventbrite.com
We also have Sponsorship opportunities https://forms.gle/oXmFqePZXeBqqrV97
This event would not be possible without help from the Medfield Community if you can help, please see our volunteer sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA8A92CA5F8CE9-47890127-wrestling
Student Advisory Council: Amplifying Student Voice to Improve the Student Experience
Wednesday, 4/10 at 7 p.m.
Join Student Advisory Council Member Logan Christopher and Director of Programs Kimberly Cawkwell to learn about the Challenge Success Student Advisory Council. Hear from current council members and how they’ve influenced positive change in schools. From blogs to podcasts, learn about their projects on elevating student voice. and their impact on student mental health, belonging, and engagement in learning. With opportunities to engage with current council members during a Q&A, find out more about the application for the 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council, and what it means to be a member!
Igniting Lifelong Learning: SEL & Academic Integration
4/16, 5/23, 6/20
We recommend registering for the entire three-part series. You don’t need to be available to attend every webinar live. By registering, you will receive the recordings and follow-up resources straight to your inbox.
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Academic recovery is a top priority and will require a deep understanding of how students learn and progress. Research tells us that students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and key to academic learning and success. So how can we effectively integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) with academic content to best support learning and thriving?
This three-part webinar series will explore the research, practices, and policy conditions that promote SEL and academic integration. Through 60-minute thought leadership conversations, we aim to share expertise that can strengthen your work, encourage new approaches, and leave you curious to learn more.
Join us and collaborators once a month as we build a shared understanding of SEL and academic integration (part I), explore classroom and school strategies (part II), and spotlight supportive policies (part III).
Recommended for: Education and research/policy leaders at the state, district, and school levels.
Sessions:
April 16: Introduction to SEL and academic integration (Part 1 of 3)
May 23: School and classroom strategies that integrate SEL and academic learning (Part 2 of 3)
June 20: Beyond the classroom strategies (Part 3 of 3)
The Power of Data to Transform the Student Experience
Wednesday, 5/1 at 7 p.m.
Join us to hear school leaders and students alike share their transformative journeys with Challenge Success. Discover how these visionary schools have used student and school survey data to increase student well-being, deepen engagement with learning, and enhance belonging within their educational communities. With unwavering dedication, they’ve leveraged insights from data to inform strategic decisions, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in student experiences.
They will share Challenge Success’s role as a support, with resources, expertise, and a network to help propel their vision forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from educators and students doing critical work to transform the student experience. You will leave empowered with ideas for your own school’s journey and energized to get started.
Elevating AAPI Youth: Uncovering Mental Health Challenges and Enhancing School Support
Tuesday, 5/7 at 7 p.m.
Asian American and Pacific Islander teens are often overlooked by mental health services due to the model minority myth. Even when AAPI students may look like they are “doing well”, they can mask underlying issues of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. In fact, we know that there has been a recent increase in mental health needs in this population due to factors like the isolation caused by the Covid-19, rise in AAPI discrimination and hate and the continued lack of access to mental health services. Special focus will also be given to AAPI LGBTQ youth’s mental health outcomes and suicide risk. This webinar will give participants compelling data and practical resources to better support the mental health of AAPI students.