May 21-24 - 8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
May 21 - SEPAC Mtg
May 23 - Grades 4-6 Orchestra Concert
May 27 - Memorial Day (No School)
May 28 - Subway Night for Blake
May 29 - Blake Art Show and Reception
May 31 - Six Flags Music Field Trip
June 3 - 6th-8th Band Concert/7th-8th Orchestra Concert
June 5 - Blake Mini-Marathon (see details below)
June 6 - 6th-8th Chorus Concert
June 7 - Grupo Fantasia Concert for 8th Grade
June 11 - Ben Speaks Presentation for Parents (see details below)
Royal Pizza Night for Blake
June 19 - 7th Grade Creature Feature Field Trip
June 21 - 7th Grade Field Trip to Boston
June 25 - Subway Night for Blake
June 26 - Transition Day
8th Grade Closing Assembly (7 p.m.)
June 27 - Last Day of School for Students/Staff
'Topic/Question for the Dinner Table'
To help bring the theme of balance and the need to unwind from multitasking into our conversations this week, our Topic/Question for the Dinner Table this week is: What can your right brain do for you when your busy life begets times of stress?
Memorial Day Weekend - No Homework Weekend for Blake
In a continued effort to provide down time for students, staff, and families, the weekend of Memorial Day will be a 'No Homework Weekend' for all of Blake. No work will be due on Tuesday, May 28 and tests, quizzes, and projects will not be due or given on that day as well. Thank you to all of the staff for their support and help in making this happen. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
iPad Program Selection Inventory for Incoming 8th Graders
Thank you to everyone for completing the iPad Inventory Survey last month as the information we gathered has helped in our planning. As the next step in our planning process, we are asking all current 7th grade parents/guardians to indicate your plans for your student ('Providing iPad' or 'Participating in Lease to Own Program') for next year, by completing this brief survey asap: Incoming 8th Grade iPad Program Selection. Even if your decision has not changed since the last correspondence, we are asking all families to complete this survey as well. As part of our program, we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact me directly ([email protected]). I have also copied the link to the iPad site (iPad Blog) and I encourage you to visit it to gain a greater understanding of the work that has taken place. We are excited about this initiative and look forward to our work together to enhance our students' education. As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns ([email protected]).
Curriculum Highlights - Art and Science
This week's curriculum updates come from the Art (Jim Cousens, Content Specialist) and Science (Orla Berry, Content Specialist) departments...
Art
The Blake Middle School Art teachers have been very busy over the last few weeks, collecting artwork from each student to be presented at this year’s Blake Middle School Art Exhibit. Each year right after Memorial Day the Art Department exhibits artwork in the LMC and the Principal’s Hallway from all of our students. The exhibit will be up for the entire week; Tuesday, May 28th – Friday, May 31st. We will also be hosting an Artists’ Reception on the evening of Tuesday, May 28th, from 6:00-7:30 PM. Bring the whole family to view the outstanding achievements of our Blake Middle School artists. All of this information and more can be “Followed” on our @Medfieldk12Arts Twitter account. So, to get up to the minute information about our K-12 Fine Arts Program’s; “News & Events”, new additions to our website (www.medfieldk12finearts.org), Building Art Show dates & times, student recognition, and much, much more, please “Follow” us. You can find a link at the top of any page on our website, or simply go to Twitter.com to find us.
Science
The race to build the fastest solar car in technology has kicked off for 8th graders this month. During this unique experience, students are utilizing tools and their new knowledge of the Sun and Earth to design and construct a vehicle that best utilizes the energy from the Sun.
In seventh grade science students used Lego models to learn about the structure of DNA, the formation of proteins using the DNA code, and mutations. These experiences along with an understanding of genetics will further their understanding of how organisms change over time.
6th grade students are taking a walk thought geologic time using the hallways of Blake to represent specific periods of time and seminal events. Using a variety of interactive tools, each student in 6th grade is working to become an expert on one geologic time period.
Ballroom Dance Competitions in Physical Education
In all physical education classes, this week was highlighted by our first annual "Blake's Ballroom Dance Competition." Groups of dancers performed in front of their classmates and a panel of teachers who acted as judges for the competition. The performances were outstanding and showed creativity and enthusiasm. Grade 8 performed the "Swing, Grade 7, the "Salsa" and Grade 6, the "Fox Trot."
Student Council - Spirit Week!
Student Council's theme for May is ENTHUSIASM!! We will be holding a spirit week the week of May 28th-31st.
MONDAY - No school - Memorial Day
TUESDAY - Trivia Tuesday (kids compete to earn tokens to win their homeroom a pizza party by answering trivia questions throughout the school day)
TUESDAY - ...also Bruins spirit Day
WEDNESDAY - Wild Wednesday (animal print)
THURSDAY - Twisted Thursday (dress inside out/backwards/how you usually wouldn't)
FRIDAY - Flashback Friday (dress in clothing from another decade)
A Night of Seuss
A Reminder to Parents of Cast and Crew of A Night of Seuss - If your student hasn't turned in their costume or crew shirt, please have them bring the items in to Ms. Allen by Friday.
Ben Speaks
MCPE in conjunction with a Blake Destination Imagination team, are pleased to present Ben Speaks (flyer posted on Forms and Documents tab), a presentation about fostering resilience and compassion in our teens. Judy Giovangelo is a local parent who lost her son, Ben, to suicide. She speaks with parents and students across Greater Boston about themes of empowerment, resilience, and compassion. We are pleased to offer this uplifting presentation to parents on June 11th at 7:00 p.m. at Blake Middle School followed by three grade level presentations for Blake students on Friday, June 14th. Students will be previewing the presentation in wellness classes the week prior to the presentations as well as spending time discussing it in class the week following it. Please feel free to contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
Blake Mini-Marathon
Blake is in the process of planning our first annual Blake Mini Marathon - This year's race is titled "Run for One." It will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 (Rain Date - Wednesday, June 12, 2013). The event is designed to bring the Blake Community (students, staff, & families) together around a common purpose. About a 1.3 mile course will weave students (& staff who choose to run) around the Blake & High School campus. It is our hope that ALL staff and students participate in some role (registration, water stations, cheering support, walking/running) - parents are welcome to volunteer as well. Registration and goal setting will take place in PE classes, with the hope of 100% participation (within various roles). This year, there will be a suggested registration "fee" (donation) of $5.00 to The One Fund. More details coming soon!
Spring Track at Blake
BOYS TRACK VS. MEDWAY AND HOLLISTON 5/15/13
The boys track team ran strong meets against Medway and Holliston last Tuesday. Justin Newman took first place in the shot put, Griffin Murphy took third, and Jack Morrill took fifth. Andrew Garfield took second in the long jump, Tim Graham took third, and Lukas Donner took fifth. In the running events, Dan Whelan took fifth in the mile. Andrew Garfield and Justin Newman, once again, took first and second in the 100. Jack Morrill took fourth in the event, and Will Shames took fifth. Liam McNulty ran a strong 800, taking first, with Steve Loranger taking fourth place. Matt Keady remains undefeated on the year in the 400 with Kyle Heaney taking third, and Mike Cantonese taking fourth. The one-two sprinting combo of Andrew Garfield and Justin Newman ruled once again in the 200. The final 4x100 relay team of Ryan Scales, Will Shames, Liam McNulty and Matt Keady took first place. The final score: Medfield 108, Medway 58, Holliston 55. The team's record now stands at 8-2.
Girls Track vs. Holliston and Medway 5/14/13
The Medfield Girls Track Team competed against Holliston and Medway this week in a very tight race. In the running events, Breanna Morgan took second place in the Mile. In the 100 Meter, Jamie Hirschfeld placed second, Camille Kerwin with third, and Meg Zona and Rebecca Shames with fourth and fifth. Julie Letai placed second in the 400 Meter and Naomi Lau took fifth. Riley Drometer sped to a first place finish in the 200 Meter with Rebecca Shames taking second. Medfield's 4 x 100 team of LeilaStansberry, Ally Beck, Julie Letai and Macey Musto took second place. In the field events, Abi Todd scored second in the Long Jump with Jaqui Shortsleeve taking second in the Shot Put and Macey Musto with fourth. Final tally had Holliston at 80, just edging out Medfield with 72 and Medway with 62.
Boston Strong Handmade Quilt Raffle
See posted flyer on 'Forms and Documents' tab of this blog to benefit FSMA and The One Fund.