4/8-4/14 - 7th Grade Greek Week (see details below)
4/10 - Special Olympics at Holliston High School (see details below)
Nature's Classroom Paper work and Deposit due (see details below)
4/10-4/11 - Peter Pan Performances
4/14 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
4/15 - Student-Faculty Artists' Reception at Zullo Gallery
4/17 - Blake CSA Mtg
ADL Youth Congress Field Trip
4/21 - Subway Night for Blake
4/20-4/24 - April Vacation
5/1 - CSA Meeting (9 a.m.)
5/4 - 6th Grade Math MCAS
5/5 - 6th Grade Math MCAS
5/6 - 8th Grade Math MCAS
Grade 6 Geology Field Trip
5/7 - 8th Grade Math MCAS
MEFA Early College Planning Seminar (6:30 p.m.) - see details below
Go Fresh Night for Blake
5/8 - 1/2 Day for Students
Term 3 Interim Reports go home
5/11 - 8th Grade Sci/Tech MCAS
5/12 - 8th Grade Sci/Tech MCAS
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
5/13 - 7th Grade Math MCAS
5/14 - 7th Grade Math MCAS
5/15 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
5/19-5/22 - 8th Grade Memorials, Monuments, and Museums Trip
5/19 - Royal Pizza Night for Blake
Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about creativity and collaboration in school, our topic/question(s) of the week are: Should we let students learn how to be more creative, and thus adaptable, if it is true that it will prepare them for life beyond the classroom? What should we do if empirical evidence implies that the act of collaborative creativity sometimes means having to try it over and over and over again? Are we obliged to prioritize a culture of collaborative creativity in school, no matter how much time it takes?
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/
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.
Acceptance Month at Blake
This week, we enter week 4 of Student Council's Acceptance month. The theme of the week is "Walk a mile in someone else's shoes." There will be Acceptance themed quotes in the announcements and in emails to students all week. In advisory this week, students will draw and decorate a shoe, writing on it what makes them unique. The shoes will be hung around the cafeteria as a physical representation of what it might be like in someone else's shoes! On Thursday of this week, the spirit day will be: "Walk a Mile in someone else's shoes" and students and staff are encouraged to wear someone else's shoes, or mis-matched shoes as a literal representation of empathy!
Greek Week
Greek Week starts on Wednesday April 8 in 7th grade social studies classes and runs through Tuesday April 14. Students will be competing as city states and will be dressing in an article of clothing that is the assigned color of their city state.
Argos = Grey
Athens = White
Corinth = Blue
Spata = Red
Thebes = Green
Most of the competition happens in the social studies classroom where students work together to demonstrate their knowledge of the Greek culture. Each day has a theme and competitions are both educational and fun. There are optional after-school competitions each day from 2:20 - 3:00 for students who want to continue to the fun and compete alongside their friends from other clusters.
Quote a Peep, Win a Poster!
The Blake LMC is combining literature and fun! The Library has many posters left over from the Scholastic Book Fair. To distribute them, they've introduced the "Quote a Peep, Win a Poster" contest. Students (and staff) are invited to create a quote based on anything (books, magazines, reference materials) in the Library. The quote must feature a marshmallow Peep. Here’s one example: “To Peep or not to Peep: that is the question.” -- William Shakespeep. Three winners will be chosen, based on creativity and originality of quote. Winners will get their first choice of posters. All entries will be posted on the LMC Wall of Quotes. The Contest runs from March 27 - April 10.
Seventh Grade Food Drive
The seventh grade is collecting food for the Medfield Food Cupboard from April 6 - 17. The most needed items are: juice, juice boxes, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, canned chicken, kid friendly cereal, cookies, crackers and canned fruit. Send items in with your child! Thank you!
This Week's Spring Cleaning Tips for your iPad
Spring is here! What better time for spring cleaning your locker and your iPad too! Students should tune into the daily announcements and their email for messages from Ms. Horvath for ways to tidy up your iPad. Parents can find those tips posted on the Mobile Learning in Medfield Blog.
*This will be helpful when another big iOS 8.3 update comes from Apple in the near-future!
Nature's Classroom Deposit and Paperwork due Friday, April 10
The deposit and paperwork for the seventh grade trip to Nature's Classroom is due on Friday, April 10th. All information and paperwork can be found at http://www.medfield.net/blake-information/nature-classroom.html Please have your child give completed forms and the deposit to his/her advisory teacher. If you need a hard copy of the packet, please contact your child's cluster leader. If your child will not be joining us, please return the signed permission form indicating that they will not be attending. We will need to plan for their experience here at Blake. The SCRIP fundraiser ends on April 10th. There is still time to earn money towards you final payment. Information about the fundraiser can be found at the link above. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Campbell, Jen Dondero or Judy Silva. We are looking forward to the trip!
Blake Site Council 14-15 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: 2014-2015 Blake Middle School Parent Survey
Special Olympics Information
For the third consecutive year, the Medfield Public Schools has partnered with Special Olympics of Massachusetts to develop a 5 town chapter and this year's event will be held at Holliston High School on Friday, April 10. We are thrilled that some of our Blake students will be participating, along with students from Medfield High School, Dale, and Wheelock. For those students and/or parents interested in attending the event to support the athletes, independent transportation arrangements must be made in advance and communicated to the front office at Blake. The event is scheduled to begin with the parade of athletes between 9:30 and 10:00 and is expected to conclude around 12:30 p.m., with the athletes staying for lunch. Please join us in wishing our student-athletes the very best!
Spring Intramurals at Blake
Spring Intramurals will begin the week after April vacation and run for 8 weeks. Student sign-ups will be the week of April 13.
Project 351 Drive
My name is Sarah Jubber. I am part of an organization called Project 351 and for the Spring, we are hosting something called Spring Service. Spring Service is a clothing and shoe drive for Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization that provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. Students, parents and teachers are invited to support children affected by homelessness and extreme economic challenges by donating:
- New and gently-used clothing (kids’ sizes 0-20; adult sizes small and medium)
- Like-new shoes, sneakers, winter boots (infant/child sizes 0-13 and youth/adult sizes 1-10)
- New and gently-used winter coats and spring jackets
- New socks, underwear, and pajamas
- Books for infants through age 12
- Boys long pants (Up to 30 inch waist)
- Boys and girls shirts (ages 2-12)
- New socks, underwear, and pajamas
- Books for infants and children ages 7-10
Peter Pan Update
Take a ride to the second star to the right. Peter Pan comes to Blake this Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Cast members have their call times and crew should arrive at 6pm. Doors will open at 6:45pm. Tickets are $12 each and are available online (at the addresses below) or at the door (if they're stil available). There will be no show in school for the students.
For Friday -
http://bmspeterpan.brownpapertickets.com
For Saturday -
http://bmspeterpansaturday.brownpapertickets.com
Sixth Grade Parents
All Nature's Classroom forms can be found at http://www.medfield.net/blake-information/nature-classroom.html If you need a paper copy of the forms, please contact Judy Silva at [email protected] The Nature's Classroom presentation for students will be on Monday.
Parent Information Nights for 2015-2016
For your reference and information, here are links to the presentations and handouts from the parent information nights...
Blake Incoming 6th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Incoming 7th PIN 2015 Presentation
Nature's Classroom Trip Slideshow
Nature's Classroom Trip Documents and Forms
Blake Incoming 8th PIN 2015 Presentation
Blake Parent Resources Handout 2015
Blake Program of Studies 2015-2016
iPad Program Update and Planning for 2015-2016
The Blake iPad Program Update for 15-16 was sent to all current 5th-7th grade families on February 5, 2015. This link outlines information for all Blake families outlining information about the iPad program for all Blake students for 2015-2016. To help us effectively prepare and plan our efforts, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2015-2016 academic year) to answer the questions on this Google Form survey: Incoming 15-16 iPad Program Planning Survey. Please fill out the survey for each child that will be attending Blake next year. Your responses are not binding and we recognize that your plans may change, but the initial feedback will assist us with our planning. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief survey and am hoping for 100% participation. For your reference I have posted links below to documents about our initiative/program…
Mobile Learning in Medfield (our blog, highlights, etc.)
Blake Mobile Learning General Information (has articles, background information, and philosophy)
Blake Mobile Learning Participation Options 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 15-16As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Ted Talk Club
The remaining dates for Blake's Ted Talk Club are below. We may try to squeeze a make up date in there too but we will let you know if advance.
Meeting 12 - April 13
Meeting 13 - April 27
Meeting 14 - June 5
Please let Mr. Hellerstein or Ms. Allen know if you have any questions.
Lightbulb Fundraiser
As we hope you've heard, we are holding a lightbulb fundraiser sponsored by Eversource (formerly NStar). In addition to providing you with products to save energy, another benefit is that every dollar raised comes directly to Blake CSA. There is no cost to Blake for the products.
We hope you will look through the brochure that your child received last week and find a few items you would like to try. Switching out your incandescent bulbs for these bulbs will save energy and save you money! Most of these bulbs are priced at less than retail. Ordering now is an easy way to see how the LED and CFL bulbs work in your home. You'll find a bulb for nearly every lamp! The smart power strip also helps you save energy by controlling multiple devices and is priced at 33% of retail.
For a modest investment starting at $1, you can purchase lightbulbs, start saving energy & money and support Blake CSA. Please consider asking your friends and neighbors if they are interested, too. The fundraiser runs from now through April 10th. You can find the full brochure and order forms attached to this email and in the Blake Thursday packet. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sullivan at [email protected] or 359-8274.
Third Annual Boxtops for education drive! Tuesday, March 24th until Friday April 17th
Please have your child hand in boxtops to his/her advisor or label with advisor's name and put in the collection box located in the main office. The top advisory will be eligible for a special advisory activity such as open gym or extra outdoor recess!
Sign up on the Boxtops 4 Education Link and you can get printable coupons on certain box top products. You can earn box tops at over 400 online stores by choosing a store, clicking on its logo and ordering as you usually would but box tops will be credited to the school account with every qualified purchase. Please see Forms and Documents tab for participating providers.
Early College Planning Information Night
Mark your calendars! Blake Middle School will be hosting MEFA's Early College Planning Seminar for Parents on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Seminar topics include:
- How can I best support my student to make good choices in middle school
and high school.
- What is important to understand about admissions and financial aid now?
- How much should we save for college and when is a good time to start
saving?
- Will savings affect financial aid?
- If we can't save enough, should we bother saving at all?
Please feel free to contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]) with any questions.
CSA News
1. Check out our new Spiritwear vendor - www.mylocker.net. They have a huge range of customizable products that ship right to your door! Input Medfield K-8 store to benefit our CSA.
2. SCRIP - easier than ever through the shopwithscrip.com website. Or, stop by Park Street Books to purchase gift cards directly from their supply box.
3. Don't forget the textile recycling - not limited to wearable clothes. They will accept any fabrics in any conditions, shoes, bags, belts etc. Collection bins are at all schools.
4. BoxTops - one of the easiest way to support the CSA. Contact Laura Zaher at[email protected] if you have any questions.
5. Have you tried Swopboard -an online community marketplace that lets you buy and sell with the people you trust, and a minimum of 10% of each sale will go directly back to our school! Get started today at www.swopboard.com.
6. Next Blake CSA meeting April 16 @ 9:00 AM
The Eversource Change a Light, Change the World Fundraiser is underway at Blake! Save energy and money by changing out your lightbulbs. Every dollar of this fundraiser comes directly to Blake as Eversource (formerly NStar) pays for all products. To see the brochure and order form check out the Thursday packet or follow this link.
http://www.medfield.net/images/docctr/Lightbulb_Fundraiser_Brochure_Overview_and_Order_Form.pdf
Nest Blake CSA Meeting April 17th at 9:00 AM
MCPE News
Nominations Wanted: The Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award
Bob Maguire dedicated 22 years of his educational career to the Medfield Public Schools. He served as principal of Medfield High School for eight years and then as Superintendent for fourteen years. In recognition of Bob's commitment to our students, MCPE has created this award to honor an educator in the Medfield school community who embodies Bob's legacy of exposing our students to the world beyond Medfield. Award application, award criteria and deadline information can be found on the MCPE website under "Awards." Visit medfieldcoalition.org.
Entertaining for Education (E4E) is a Terrific Way to Support the Medfield Public Schools
The snow is melting, and we're finally coming out of hibernation! Are you thinking about celebrating with a party? Please make your party an E4E party! For more information, visit our web site (above). For questions, contact Megan Infantino (508)359-9928, Kim Price (508)246-8335, or email [email protected].