4/6 - Chinese Culture Event - 7 p.m. (see details below)
4/8 - 1/2 Day for Students
Career Day at Blake
Professional afternoon for Staff
4/8-4/9 - Beauty and the Beast Performances
4/11 - Deposit and Paperwork due for Nature's Classroom 2016
4/12 - Day of Silence (see details below)
7th Grade Trout Release (see details below)
Project Moves (see details below)
4/14 - 7th Grade Trout Release Rain Date
4/15 - 7th Grade Bingo
4/18-4/22 - April Vacation
4/25 - 'This World Music' Assembly & Drumming Workshop (Grade 6)
4/27-4/29 - Grade 8 Math PARCC
5/2-5/4 - Grade 6 ELA PARCC
5/5-5/6 - Grade 7 ELA PARCC
5/6 - Grade 6 Science Field Trip
Term 3 Interim Reports go home
5/9 - Grade 7 ELA PARCC
5/10 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 ELA PARCC
Grade 6 Science Field Trip Rain Date
5/11 - Grade 8 ELA PARCC
5/12 - Grade 8 ELA PARCC
5/16 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
Final Payment due for Nature's Classroom 2016
5/17 - Grade 7 Math PARCC
Grade 8 Sci/Tech/Eng MCAS
5/18-5/20 - Grade 6 Math PARCC
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about working with purpose and finding one's voice, this week's topic/question for the dinner table is: Can the discovery of your personal voice (your passions, what you are good at) help to make everybody better? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Working with Purpose (4/3/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
MICCA Update - 7th/8th Grade Orchestra
The 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra performed at MICCA this afternoon and received a Silver "Excellent" Rating. We also learned a lot at a great clinic with Laura Mulligan Thomas of Charlottesville, Virginia.
Term 2 Report Cards
All outstanding report cards should be turned into advisors.
Course Selection Forms
Reminder to all 6th and 7th grade parents that course selection forms for the 2013-2014 academic year need to be turned in asap.
April is Autism Awareness Month
In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. For more information from the 'Autism Society', please click on the following link: http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/
A Midsummer Night's Dream
On March 31, the sixth grade classes were treated to a live performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" followed by a question and answer session with the actors. The performance wrapped up our MARS reading unit on Shakespeare, which consisted of comparing the written play and the stage performance. It was a joy to see the students engage with and respond to the actors on stage. Thank you to the Blake PTO for fully funding the "Shakespeare Now Company's" field trip to Blake.
Greek Week - Grade 7
The seventh graders are in the midst of a Greek Week competition in Social Studies. Each city-state (Argos, Athens, Corinth, Thebes, and Sparta) are competing for the grand prize--a feast of 'nectar and ambrosia' (pizza) with 'the gods' (Social Studies teachers) on 'Mount Olympus' (the foods room). Competitions range from day to day, but all involve applying knowledge gained during our recent unit on ancient Greece. This is a fun week for the students--you may have noticed them 'color coordinating' their outfits each day to match up with the color associated with their city-state!
Day of Silence
Friday, April 15 is the Day of Silence, ( www.dayofsilence.org), a national day of protest regarding anti-gay language and bullying. Students take a vow of silence for the duration of the school day to raise awareness of the voices we do not hear during the day: those students who "remain silent" about their identity for fear of bullying or harassment. Some students and staff at both Medfield High School and Blake will be participating and recognizing this day on Tuesday, April 12. Students and staff may also be wearing Supporter badges and signing a pledge...
By signing this pledge you are committing to doing your part to stop anti-LGBT language and teasing in our school. When it is safe to do so, you will intervene by saying to the offender that you do not accept that kind of language or humor, and politely request that it not be used around you. If you are unsure of what to say/do, or feel it would be unsafe for you to intervene, please inform a teacher.
Helpful and Useful Resources...
'What Do You Say to 'That's So Gay'?
GLSEN's website: www.glsen.org.
Blake Variety Show
Students will soon be able to sign up to be a part of the Blake 1st Annual Variety Show. The show will take place on Friday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Blake auditorium. Students will be sent a form in their emails and will have the opportunity to sign up to have their act previewed by a group of teachers on April 13th. There will be one rehearsal onApril 26th from 2:15 - 5:30. We would love to have a big variety of acts - singing, dancing, stunts, lip syncing, musical instruments, acting, movie productions, magic, etc. It is a great way for students to showcase their many talents. Please contact Mrs. Gumas, Mrs. McLaughlin or Mrs. Dondero with any questions.
7th Grade Food Drive
The seventh grade will be participating in a food drive to benefit the Medfield Food Cupboard. The drive will run from Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 15. Students can bring food items directly to their advisory teachers. The Medfield Food Cupboard provided the following list of items that are needed most: Kid Friendly Cereal, Juice-large and boxes, Canned black beans, Canned fruit/fruit bowls, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pasta Sauce, Canned Chicken, Beef Stew, Cookies, Salty snacks, Bags of regular white rice, Trash Bags
Trout Release Field Experience
Seventh grade students have done a great job of raising trout this year. We will be taking science classes to the brook to release the trout on Tuesday, April 12th during science classes. There will be a rain date ofThursday the 14th. We will go in light drizzle! Please have students wear boots or old shoes that day and a rain jacket if needed. A permission slip will be sent home soon. You can see the development of the trout on Instagram @ tablake_trout. Students post updates during their Science Exploration class. We are looking forward to waving goodbye to our babies!
Nature's Classroom 2016
The planning for the trip to Nature's Classroom next year is under way. The deposit and paper work must be turned in on Monday, April 11, 2016. Students should bring the paperwork and deposit to Debbie Avery in the guidance office. We send in the deposit for the bus and reserve a spot at Nature's Classroom for your child based on the paperwork we receive on April 11. The final payment is due on Monday, May 16,2016. The informational packet and forms that need to be filled out for the trip are attached. Cluster Leaders, the main office and the guidance office have paper copies if you need them. If there are any questions regarding the trip, please contact Tracy Allen, Tricia Williams, Kelly Campbell or Judy Silva. If you have financial concerns, please contact Nat Vaughn.
Nature's Classroom Spring2016InformationPacket ...
NaturesClassroomFormstoFillOut2016 (1).pdf
Chinese Culture Event
Welcome to an evening of riveting Chinese cultural performances put up by students of Medfield Middle and High Schools! Our show will open with the HS jazz band, and then feature the use of traditional Chinese stage props such as martial art fans, ribbons and cloth balls set to classic Chinese music. You will enjoy demonstrations of Chinese dance, ancient Chinese poem recitations, Chinese brush painting and Chinese drumming. Please visit www.medfieldchinese.weebly.com for more information.
Blake Ledger Update
The Blake Ledger has been updated - check it out!
The Blake Ledger
Blake Theater Updates
It's Tech Week! Mother Nature clearly was trying to give us atmosphere with the snow but we're doing Beauty and the Beast and not FROZEN!!!!!!! The show is Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Tickets still available at beautyandthebeastbms.brownpapertickets.com code:ROSE
Intramurals Update
There are still spaces available for the spring intramural sessions at Blake. Check out the offerings - Blake MS Intramurals. If you have any questions, contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
8th Grade Trip Forms
Medical forms for the Washington, DC trip were sent home last week with students. All forms were due Friday, April 1. This also includes doctor's signatures for any medications going on the trip.
Blake Site Council 16-17 Survey
The Blake Site Council has been working on the development of our annual survey to students and parents. A similar survey has been administered the last three years and we are committed to having parents and students take it each year as part of our continual efforts to examine our programming. Focus areas include the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. The results will help us to gather information and examine our current practices to better meet the needs of our students and assess progress towards our mission. Please complete the survey for each child you have at Blake, and base your responses on your student's experiences this year. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your identity can not and will not be discovered through the completion of this survey. We sincerely appreciate your honest responses and are hoping for 100% participation from the Blake community. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]). Link to the survey: Blake Middle School Parent Survey March, 2016
Project Moves returns to Medfield with a new show - Tuesday, April 12 @ 7 p.m.
With the generosity of MCPE, Project Moves, a dance company comprised of young people bringing a powerful message of inclusion, returns to Medfield with an exciting new show! If you missed the sold out show 4 years ago, here is a chance to be part of this impactful experience. "Peace requires everyone to be in the circle, wholeness and inclusion." A show for our times, "Symphony" shows us by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all, even the weak become strong when we are united as one. A cast of more than sixty pre-professional dancers along with a team of extraordinary choreographers and directors will send your heart sailing with optimism. You'll leave the theater holding your head a little higher, inspired to make the world a better place. For more information about Project Moves and their mission, please visit their website - projectmoves.org
Tickets are free and will be available online beginning March 1st. One hundred fifty additional tickets will be reserved for distribution at the door on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve online, please go to projectmovesmedfield.brownpapertickets.com.
Information from Incoming Parent Information Nights
For your reference and information, here are links to the presentations and handouts for grades 6-8...
Incoming 6th PIN 2016 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2016 Presentation
Nature's Classroom Slides March, 2016
Nature's Classroom Trip Documents and Forms
Incoming 8th PIN 2016 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2016-2017
Blake Program of Studies 2016-2017
Spring Cleaning - Request for MakerSpace Donations
In our ongoing efforts to foster experiences for students to be 'hands-on' and creative with materials, we are looking to provide outlets for students to create in our 'maker space'. As you begin your spring cleaning efforts (optimistic, I know!), we are looking for any donations from Medfield families of: old electronic toys, PVC pipe, felt/fabric, crafty supplies (yarn, string, makers, wipe off markers, wipe off contact paper, marbles, duct tape, wasabi tape, different types of glue), cookie cutters (variety of shapes), old tools, play dough, recyclables (anything used for storage containers/bins), cell batteries, AA batteries, conductive materials (copper wire, aluminum foil, telephone wire, washers, brackets). Any donations can be dropped off at the Blake main office and would be greatly appreciated.
Grade 6 Standards Based Reporting Pilot and Focus Group
Thank you to all sixth grade parents/guardians who were able to come to one of our Standards Based Reporting information sessions. As promised, here is the link to the presentation...
Standards Based Reporting Presentation Fall 2015
We are also looking for parents/guardians to be part of our parent focus group. This group will be comprised of the 6th grade science teachers, administration, and parents and will meet throughout the year (Fridays at 12:30 p.m.) to discuss the work that is taking place and provide feedback. The remaining date that has been set for is: 6/3. If you are interested, please complete the form below...
Standards Based Reporting Focus Group Sign-Up
STEM/Engineering for Middle School Girls
There are many STEM/Engineering opportunities for Middle School Girls especially during the summer - check them out!
http://www.bostongirlsstem.org/programs.html
Blake Track 2016
Practice for the Blake track team starts this week. The season opens on Thursday, April 28 with Wilson Middle school at the Natick High School track. The schedule so far is:
4/28 @ Wilson/Natick
5/2 @ Medway
5/5 H vs Hopkinton
5/9 H vs. Ashland and Medway
5/12 H vs. Westwood
5/19 H vs. Holliston and King Philip
Contact Mr. Haycock with any questions ([email protected]).
MHS Swim/Dive Team Information
MHS' Swim/Dive team invites you to join them at the Italian Groceria from 5-8PM on Tuesday, May 3rd. Thirty percent of all sales that evening will go toward the team's goal of buying towels for the 2016-2017 season. 8th Graders: Come meet our captains and learn more about our team. We'd love for you to make a splash with us next year!
K-8 PTO Update
BLAKE APPEAL PILOT - THANK YOU!
The PTO Board would like to send a huge thank you to the Blake community for donating to the Blake Appeal Pilot. We are thrilled to report that we received contributions from 285 families! We were overwhelmed with your generosity and support of this new fundraiser. Together we raised $19,500!
If you have not had a chance to donate, it is not too late. Please help us reach our $30,000 goal. To make your gift on line by credit card go to http://medfieldpto.weebly.com/blake.html or you can write a check made payable to Blake Middle School PTO. You can give your check to the Blake office directly or by mail to 24 Pound Street.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please visit the Medfield K-8 PTO website or click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fC6eFODC22eWf1TKc4YTIbSkhTtdcJfkt7oJIxhrvtg/viewform and sign-up to volunteer for the 7th grade Ice Cream Party, 8th grade Cookout, 8th grade Career Day and the 8th grade Closing Ceremony Reception (7th grade parents are needed for this event). We appreciate all your help and support. We couldn’t do it without you!
ISLIDE FUNDRAISER - Deadline extended to 4/30/16
ISlide and Dale Street PTO are offering ALL Medfield students and residents customized ISlides with the Medfield Warrior logo, student’s first or last name and team number for $40.99 a pair. Please complete the order form
MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR
Attention Spring Sports Teams, Club Organizers and Administrators! Blake PTO & MyLocker are ready to get you geared up for the season and your big event. Customize EVERYTHING from text to colors and designs from sports to drama to music. Choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more. Spend $85 or more and get a free customized t-shirt. 12% of proceeds from each order will go to your school’s PTO. NOTE:Due to different branding sizes, make sure to check all size charts when ordering to ensure you get a great fit for each product. Please contact Laura Zaher [email protected] with any questions. This is all you have to do:
- Go to shop.mylocker.net, enter your school locker number - BLAKE BD979 and use promo code b2g6dTK1
RECYCLE INKJET AND TONER CARTRIDGES
Get rid of your trash and help Blake earn cash & supplies by recycling your inkjet and toner cartridges. We accept HP, Brother, Canon and Lexmark cartridges. Collection boxes are located outside of the Library. Thanks for your help! Please contact Donna Knott at [email protected] with any questions.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com
MCPE Update
FALL BALL - ART CONTEST Design a poster for the MCPE Fall Ball and the winners will have their artwork on display at the event for all to see. Instructions and art paper will be handed out to each student by Thursday, April 7th. Please submit your entries to your school’s front office by Thursday, May 5th. Prizes will be awarded to the two winners from each grade (PreK-12).
Click here for more information: http://www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/fall-ball/
MCPE’s First Annual LCR Tournament - REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
Join us on April 29 for our first annual Left, Center, Right (LCR) Tournament. LCR is a fast-paced dice game using specially imprinted dice and chips. There will be a fun DJ, a scratch ticket raffle, snacks and a cash bar. Sign up to play from either 7:00-9:00 PM or 9:00-11:00 PM. Click here for game rules and registration: http://www.medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/left-center-right/
DON'T COOK ON TUESDAY! Let Subway do the work. MCPE is so pleased to have partnered with Subway of Medfield, and Tuesday, April 5th is "MCPE Subway Day" from 2:00-9:00 PM. TWENTY PERCENT of all proceeds will be donated to MCPE over a nine month period and will be used to enrich Medfield Student's Educations.
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.