6/16 - Subway Night for Blake
6/17 - Grade 7 Creature Feature Field Trip
6/19 - Grade 7 Field Trip to Boston
6/22 - Transition Day
Grade 8 Closing Ceremony/Graduation (see details below)
6/23 - Last Day of School
Happy Summer!
Topic/Question(s) for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations about the important role that kindness plays in the classroom for both students and adults, our topic/question of the week is: In a class that prioritizes self-discipline, accountability and reflection, how often would it be ok to put aside those values and allow for kindnesses that may compromise those priorities?
8th Grade Closing Ceremony
Our 8th grade closing ceremony and goodbye evening will be on Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. This evening will be our opportunity to thank and recognize our 8th graders for their years at Blake and wish them well as they head off to high school. Families are welcome, and there will be a reception with refreshments, including allergen-free treats, in the cafeteria following the ceremony. We are hoping for a 'cool weather' evening.
8th Grade Cookout
The 8th grade cookout will take place Monday, June 22. Students will be outside and should be prepared with sunscreen and hats.
Cluster/Advisory Placement Letters
Tentative cluster and advisory assignments will be shared with students/families via a letter that students will receive at the end of the school day on Friday, June 19. Transition Day is Monday, June 22 and on that day students will get the opportunity to meet their teachers and get a preview of next year's curriculum and grade level events. Clusters and advisories are always subject to change based on budget, staffing, and curricular needs, as well as the possible influx of new students.
Theme of Collaboration for 2015-2016
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Collaboration. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last four years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, and Acceptance. As a staff we have begun brainstorming ideas and I encourage all families to join us in the brainstorming process as well. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]) or Kelly C. ([email protected]).
Extra Yearbooks
There are a few extra yearbooks for sale. If your child forgot to order in the fall, they can bring in a check for $30 (made out to: BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL). Please bring all checks to Mrs. Boulos in Room 129. All spring yearbook orders will be placed on a waiting list for the extra books.
Parking
This is a general reminder to all parents to be sure to follow the parking regulations in the parking lots and around the 'flagpole circle'. When dropping off or picking up students, vehicles should not be parked ('stationary' or 'live') in the fire zone. We need to make sure that we are providing a safe environment at all times for our students and community. Thank you for your cooperation.
Peabody Essex Museum - Grade 6
Sixth Grade students attended the Peabody Essex Museum last week. Each cluster traveled on separate days but each received the same two programs. The first program was a visit and lesson on the Yin Yu Tang House. This house was dismantled in a small village in China, shipped across the world, and reassembled in Salem, MA at the museum. Kids were able to walk through the structure and learn about Chinese history and culture. The second program was all about America's trade connections with Asia. This portion of the field trip ties in with our current unit on Trade. Students discovered that merchants collected and brought back artifacts to the museum from their trips overseas. As the kids are learning now, the trade connection established hundreds of years ago is alive today. To help foster a connection between the old and the new, students stayed withtheir Advisory on days of the field trip and learned about modern trade. Kids discovered about containers, container ships, ports, and new ways to use old containers no longer needed for trade. Overall, the connections students make between PEM and their lives is important. Kids should seehow the world they live in today is somewhat similar to the world of 200 hundred years ago. Places in our world have always been closely linked with one another. The uniting factor was and will always be through trade.
iPad Planning Inventory for 2015-2016 - Please Complete
As you know we are continuing with our mobile learning program at Blake for the entire 6th-8th grade for the 2015-2016 academic year. To help us effectively plan for next year, we are asking all current 5th-7th grade parents/guardians (incoming 6th-8th grade parents/guardians for the 2015-2016 academic year) to let us know your plans for your student (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for next year, by completing this brief survey: iPad Planning Inventory at Blake Middle School for 2015-2016. This inventory is different than the initial survey sent back in January. Please fill out this inventory for each child that will be attending Blake next year. This decision is not binding and we recognize that your plans may change - confirmation and final decisions will be made by mid-June, 2015. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to complete this brief inventory and am hoping for 100% participation.
We have outlined the 2015-2016 Participation Options (Lease-to-Own, Bring an iPad from home, Borrow) for Blake students for this program. We are committed to providing an equitable learning experience for our students and appreciate the shared commitment and investment in the education of our students. As such we have a system in place for families with demonstrated financial need.
The 'minimum specifications' will still remain as the iPad 2, meaning the following are acceptable devices for students to use: iPad2, iPad Mini, iPad4 and the iPad Air. Although the iPad 2 is no longer manufactured by Apple, it will suffice for the students' needs in school as long as Apple continues to update the OS (operating system) on that device. If your family intends to purchase a new device this year, then the iPad4, iPad Mini, or iPad Air are the recommended devices. Our work over the last three years has provided a foundation as our teachers and staff continue to thoughtfully implement and review the effectiveness of this initiative. It is important to keep in mind that teachers and students will be following the same curriculum frameworks and the common core Blake curriculum.
For your reference I am sharing links below to documents about our initiative/program...
Mobile Learning in Medfield
Blake iPad Program Update for 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning General Information
Blake Mobile Learning FAQs 15-16
Blake Mobile Learning Participation Options 15-16
iPad Program Estimated Lease-to-Own Pricing Structure 15-16
We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead as we work to provide your students with the opportunity to learn with meaningful technology and are hopeful that we can foster and promote a positive and relevant learning experience. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me directly ([email protected]) with any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you may have.
Field Hockey Meeting
There will be a field hockey meeting for those going to be freshman next year on next Wed. June 17th after school in the cafeteria. This meeting is for current 8th graders going to be Freshman and who are interested in Field Hockey.
Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has certainly increased! We will be clearing out the Lost and Found after school gets out - I encourage all students and parents/guardians to come take a look.
Blake Vietnam Memorial
About two years ago the Medfield High School Vietnam Memorial was unveiled at Blake Middle School. With Memorial Day a couple of weeks ago and Flag Day this past weekend I encourage everyone to take some time when you are at Blake to visit the memorial.
Blake Theater Shirts On Sale
Blake Theater 2015 shirts will be on sale starting this week in guidance. Sizes are limited. Shirts are $5 each. Cash or checks made out to Blake Middle School will be accepted. Purchases can be made before school only.
Library Reminder
Parents, just a reminder, that all library books are now due back in the Blake Library. Students with checked out items were notified last week. Please encourage your child to return any library books promptly so that we can get the Library back in order before the end of the year. If the Library books are not returned, we will unfortunately have to ask for payment. Thanks for your help.
Middle School Athletics for Fall, 2015
Anyone interested in participating in Blake Middle School Athletics in the Fall (Grade 6-8 Boys and Girls Cross Country, 8th Grade Girls Field Hockey, 8th Grade Girls Volleyball, or 7th and 8th Grade Football) please do the following ASAP:
- Register your son/daughter on FamilyID.com (direct link off Blake Athletics Page)
- Pay online (Direct Link for UniBank on FamilyID) or send check for $225 (made out to the "Town of Medfield") to Medfield High School, C/O Eric Scott, AD, 88R South St, Medfield, MA 02052. You can also drop it at the main office.
Football:
George Chung
papachungz@yahoo.com
Cross Country:
Patty Graham
pgraham@email.medfield.net
Volleyball:
Setheli Hellerstein
shellerstein@email.medfield.net
Field Hockey:
Mary Adams
[email protected]
Library Media Update
Thanks for supporting the Blake CSA Summer reading sale - we sold a record number of books, which raises money for us to buy new books for our library next year. Special thanks also to Diana Mileszko for running the sale and to Jim James of Park Street Books for all of his efforts over the years.
Our all-school summer reading book is The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen. It’s the story of 16 year-old Jessica, a high school track star who loses her foot in car crash. We’ll journey with Jessica through her sadness, anger, frustration and - by learning to both give of herself and to accept the help of others - ultimate redemption. The book was written before the events of April 15, 2013 but certainly parallels what many of the Boston marathon bombing amputees went through.
We're working on tying potential summer reading speakers next September to some aspect of the book and dedicating the money raised from the Blake Mini Marathon (and possible other fund-raisers as well) to helping amputees.
Music Updates
The 6-8 bands did a terrific job on their spring concert! The sixth grade band performed an exciting program including Serengeti Dreams, Celtic Air and Dance, A Prehistoric Suite, and Dark Fortress. The seventh and eighth grade band performed a demanding program including The Battle Pavane, Bonsai Tree and Music from West Side Story.
Recently, the seventh and eighth grade band, chorus and orchestra as well as the jazz ensemble performed at the Great East Festival at Westfield State University. The seventh and eighth grade band, orchestra and seventh grade chorus each earned a Gold Medal. The eighth grade chorus earned a Silver Medal, and the jazz ensemble a Platinum Metal. Following their performances, the students were rewarded with a fantastic day at Six Flags New England! We are very proud of how the students represented the Medfield community. Thank you to all of the parents and teachers who helped out!
CSA News
The CSA thanks you all for your wonderful support over the past year. Because of you some of the items we were able to fund were...
1. Contribute $8000 to cover the cost of the 8th Grade canoe trip
2. Provide $6000 in scholarships for Nature's Classroom and Washington DC trips
3. Provide $3500 towards DiLL Language Learning Software
4. Curriculum-based program enhancements such Pyraminds and Pharaohs, Midsummer Night's Dream
5. Fulfill various technology requests
6. Cover the cost of a clay tile mural
In addition to all who contributed financially, we would like to take this time to thank all who volunteered their time. We had many events which required you assistance, and we are fortunate and very grateful that we had a team of volunteers who stepped up to help.
Finally, the CSA is excited to announce a new name and website.
Check out http://www.medfieldpto.weebly.com, going live this week.
While there, please be sure to click the Volunteer Request form which highlights all the open positions for the upcoming year. The CSA is more than fundraising - it coordinates the volunteers to run the programs that the kids and staff both appreciate. Please consider helping out.
Have a wonderful Summer!
Blake CSA Board
MCPE News
LAST CHANCE! Blue Ribbon Program for Showing Appreciation: It’s almost the end of the school year. Are you looking for a way to acknowledge and thank your kids' bus drivers, teachers, coaches, and/or school administrators? Well, look no further. MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program is a meaningful (and easy!) way to let members of our school community know just how much you and your child appreciated them. Click on: medfieldcoalition.org/events-programs/blue-ribbon-program/. Requests need to be submitted by June 19th.
Save the date! Trivia is back! Mark your calendars for the return of MCPE's Community Trivia Night and Student Trivia Challenge. Trivia Night, for those ages 21 and over, is scheduled for Friday, November 13th at 7 pm at the American Legion AND Student Trivia Challenge, for middle and high schoolers, is scheduled for November 10, 2015 at 3:00 in the Medfield High School Cafeteria. Visit www.medfieldcoalition.org in early September for more details and to register your team. All proceeds will fund enrichment programs for Medfield Public Schools.
Thank you! Many thanks to our generous donors who enabled us to fund nearly $70,000 in grants across all five Medfield public schools this past year! Our teachers and students benefit daily from your support!