4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
Blake Student Council Mtg
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
Blake GSA
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
Blake Site Council - 3:15 p.m.
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
SBR/Feedback Info Session - 6:30 p.m.
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/20 - 8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/23 - DEI Task Force Meeting
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/31 - Blake Spring Band Concert
6/1 - Blake Spring Chorus/Orchestra Concert
6/3 - Great East Music Festival
6/6 - DEI Task Force Meeting
6/15 - 8th Grade Closing Ceremony - 6 p.m.
6/16 - 8th Grade Field Trip
6/17 - Transition Day
6/20 - No School
6/21 - Last Day for Students and Staff
Half-Day of School
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about our hopes and the ways we want to grow as learners, our questions of the week are: What are your hopes for the end of this school year? How do you want to grow as a learner? Hope and Growth (Week of 4/24/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake SBR/Feedback Sessions and Opportunities for Families
Monday, 5/9
Blake Site Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/11
SBR/Feedback Information Session - 6:30 p.m.
We plan on recording this session and families will be able to access the information via a Zoom webinar format (details will be sent in advance of the session to all who sign up via the Google Form).
** These sessions will be structured differently, but similar information will be shared, with opportunities for questions/answers.
Please RSVP via our Google Form: Blake Feedback/SBR Info Sessions - May, 2022
Overall Information
At these sessions, we will be taking some time to provide an update on the progress and changes that have been made to our formal systems of feedback and reporting at Blake. These adaptations address the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). The structure of feedback that is taking place this term (Term 3) is outlined below...
- All Blake classes will shift from the current 1-3 scale to a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
- 7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and World Languages based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
- Feedback on the Learning Skills will remain the same format
These adaptations have been made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff. Dr. Brown and Dr. Power will be joining the sessions, and we look forward to these opportunities to share the progress taking place and answer questions.
Our hope is that these informational sessions with families will provide a structure to collaboratively support the learning process for our students. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...
- more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
- more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
- greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers
MCAS Dates for Blake Students - Spring 2022
4/27 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
4/28 - Grade 8 ELA MCAS
5/3 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/4 - Grade 6 Math MCAS
5/6 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/9 - Grade 7 Math MCAS
5/11 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/12 - Grade 8 Math MCAS
5/24 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
5/25 - Grade 8 Science MCAS
Medfield Moves for Mental Health
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Register for the Medfield Moves for Mental Health initiative, a virtual campaign to promote movement and wellness during the month of May. Register here: buff.ly/3rUnjir
All incoming 6th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School World Language Selection Google Form
Music Ensemble Form for All Incoming 6th-8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Please complete!
All incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians must complete this course selection form…
2022-2023 Blake Middle School Music Ensemble Selection Google Form
Empty Bowls
You didn't get a chance to participate in our Empty Bowls Workshop? There is still time to sign up and support the Food Cupboard. Come to the Empty Bowls Dinner! Choose a handmade bowl at dinner, fill it with delicious soup donated by local restaurants, and take your bowl home with you!
Empty Bowls Dinner 2022 will be served on 5/12 at 6-8 in the HS Cafe. INFO
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 2022-2023 school year…
Incoming 6th Grade Zoom Presentation for Families - 3/9/22
Password: 3EP?0wp%
** The formal presentation starts at '40 minutes' into the recording, as the first 40 minutes is while we were setting up and attendees were arriving.
Incoming 6th Grade Info Night Presentation Slides for Families - 3/9/22
Incoming 7th/8th Info Night Presentation for Families - March 2022
Blake Parent/Guardian Resources 22-23
Blake Program of Studies 2022-2023
Here are direct links to the Music Ensemble Video/'talk' and 'Day in the Life of a 6th Grader' video...
Music Ensembles at Blake Overview
(4:08)
A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Video
(5:55)
Putting for Patients
On Saturday, April 30th from 12:00-3:00pm, Medfield High School’s Student Council is partnering with the Jimmy Fund to put on our 7th Putting for Patients event! Bring your family and friends to the MHS gym to take part in the 18 hole mini-golf course, hole-in-one contest, opportunity drawing, caricaturist, and photo booth! The link below contains all the information for the event, as well as the link to register online. If you can’t make the event but would still like to contribute, the same link doubles as our donation page. All contributions go directly to the Jimmy Fund to find a cure for cancer! We’ve raised over $29,000 through our years with the Jimmy Fund. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Here is the link to more information: https://sites.google.com/view/mhsstudentcouncil/home
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m.,an email must be sent by the parent/guardian to [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
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 Nat Vaughn at [email protected] with any questions.
Blake Affinity Groups
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445.
This Saturday, April 30th, is National DEA Drug Take Back Day! Join us by doing your part to keep your community safe and your environment healthy. Bring your unused prescription medication to the lobby of the Medfield Public Safety Building on Saturday, April 30th, between 10am and 2pm. (Brought to you by the Medfield Cares About Prevention Community Coalition and the Medfield Police Department)
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
MCPE Annual Meeting
The MCPE Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5/17 at the Zullo Gallery. 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.
Webinars of Interest
Exploring Big Ideas Through Short Documentaries
Thursday, 4/28 at 4 p.m.
In addition to the hundreds of articles published daily, The Times creates innovative visual storytelling through film and video. Times Video series, like Op-Docs, Modern Love, Diary of a Song and Conception, offer viewers an intriguing and unique perspective of the world.
Every week of the school year, we feature a short documentary film – typically under 12 minutes – published in The New York Times. These films ask students to think deeply about a variety of themes like ethics, human rights, gender identity and scientific discovery. Each Film Club begins with an essential question to help frame the lesson, followed by a set of questions to help students connect the film to their own lives.
In this webinar, editors from The Learning Network will discuss ways educators can use these short documentaries to help students develop critical thinking and visual literacy skills, make meaningful connections, tackle important topics, and deepen understanding of good storytelling. Together we will:
- Walk through the components of this weekly feature.
- Discuss ways to use Film Club across the curriculum.
- Explore the collection of films and select ones to use in your classroom right away.
How to Move Forward During Difficult Times
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7 p.m.
With Dr. Lisa Coyne - Hosted by SPARK Kindness
Are you, your child or someone you care for feeling stuck? Psychologist and author Lisa Coyne, PhD will share actionable microskills to help you tolerate the discomfort of living through challenging times, face your fears and move forward to live a more connected and meaningful life.
Simultaneous Spanish Language and ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
About Our Presenter
Dr. Coyne is the Founder and Senior Clinical Consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents at McLean Hospital and is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA) and is Past President of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). She is a member of the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board and is on the Faculty of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). She is also a licensed psychologist, a peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and author. She has authored multiple articles and chapters on ACT with children and adolescents and is a co-author of the books Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Clinician’s Guide for Supporting Parents (Elsevier), and The Joy of Parenting (New Harbinger). Her new books, Stuff That’s Loud: A Teen’s Guide to Unspiralling When OCD Gets Noisy (New Harbinger & Little Brown), Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway, were published in 2020.
Drug Use Is On The Rise: How To Identify The Signs In Your Child Or Loved One
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7 p.m.
This event will highlight the types of drugs that are circulating in our communities, ways to recognize the signs of drug use in your child or loved one and how to talk with your kids about drug use before it starts.
Hosted by the NWH Substance Use Services Council
The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
Wednesday, 5/11 at 7 p.m.
Author/educator Jessica Lahey offers comprehensive information for parents/educators on how to prevent substance use disorder in children.
About this event
All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance use disorder. New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey helps parents, caregivers, and educators understand the roots of substance use disorder and identify who is most at risk for addiction, while offering practical steps for prevention.
"The Addiction Inoculation" provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools adults need to understand, support, and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children. The guidelines are age-appropriate and actionable—from navigating a child’s risk for addiction, to interpreting signs of early misuse, to advice for broaching difficult conversations with children.
This program is a collaboration between the Dover-Sherborn Challenge Success Program and Natick 180, with support from SPARK Kindness.
Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, and lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a lot of dogs.
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)