9/11 - One-Day Food Drive (see info below)
Wear Red, White, and Blue
9/12 - Blake Picture Day
Grade 7 Nature’s Classroom Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 7 Parent/Guardian Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/19 - School Committee Meeting
9/30 - Rosh Hashanah - No School
10/9 - Yom Kippur - No School
10/14 - Columbus Day - No School
10/15 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
10/21 - Blake Picture Retake Day
10/22-10/25 - Nature’s Classroom for 7th Grade
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about ways that we can step back and recharge to access learning, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What do you do to ‘recharge your batteries’ when you feel tired, overwhelmed, or need a break? Recharging for Learning (Week of 9/8/19) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
School Absence Reminder
This is a reminder for parents that a student's absence or tardiness must be reported by a written note or a parental telephone call to the school absence line (508-242-8501) by 8 a.m.
Blake Parent/Guardian Information Nights for Fall 2019
The Blake parent night for Grade 7 is this Thursday, 9/12
9/12 - Grade 7 Nature's Classroom Info Session (6 p.m.)
Grade 7 Parent Night (6:30 p.m.)
For your reference and information, here are the links from the Grade 6 and Grade 8 Parent Information Nights…
Grade 6 Fall 2019 PIN Presentation for Blog
Grade 8 Fall 2019 PIN Presentation for Blog
Memorials, Monuments, and Museums Presentation Fall 2019
Arts in Education Week
This week (9/8-9/14) is Arts in Education Week. I have shared this with our art and music departments. Please keep this in mind when talking to your children about cultural events, music, and the arts this month.
https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy/arts-in-education-week
Recognition of September 11
September 11, 2019 will mark the eighteenth anniversary of the tragic events that transpired on September 11, 2001. To help commemorate all those who were affected by the events that took place, we are encouraging everyone, in an appropriate and respectful manner, to wear the colors of red, white, and blue on Wednesday, September 11.
9/11/19 - One Day Food Drive
One of the lessons we were all reminded of eighteen years ago was the importance of community and looking out for one another. In that spirit, and to continue a tradition started seven years ago, Blake will be helping its own Medfield community by holding a one day collection for the Medfield Food Cupboard. Current needs include:
- Tuna (solid white in water preferred)
- Hearty soups (low sodium, if available)
- Spaghetti
- Jelly/jam
- Peanut butter
- Rice pilaf
- Cereal
- Oatmeal packets (boxed, not canisters)
Parent/Guardian Sign-Offs
All families should have received (or will be receiving soon) an e-mail from '[email protected]' with 'Emergency Contact Information' in the subject line. We are asking all families to complete this digital sign-off for most of the beginning-of-year forms by Monday, 9/16.
Advisory Update for Blake
During Wednesday's advisory time, everyone will be taking time to watch an important video of resilience from 9/11.The video tells the untold story about boaters who helped hundred of thousands of people out of lower Manhattan. This ties nicely with our theme of courage this year. Students will then be decorating rocks based on how the story made them feel about their country after watching the uplifting from such a tragic day. We encourage you to check out the Advisory website to stay apprised and connected with what is taking place at Blake!
Blake Wednesday Advisory Website
Blake Intramurals Update
The 2019 Fall Intramural Offerings are tentatively scheduled to be available Sep. 16 with a start date the week of Sep. 23. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Blake’s GSA
Blake's Gay Straight Alliance will hold its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 11th. The GSA seeks to make our school community a more welcoming and accepting place by helping to educate students and staff about the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to create a safe space for people in the community, those who want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, and also for those who wish to learn how to become a better ally. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of identity. We will meet every Wednesday from 2:15 - 3:00.
Theme of Courage for 2019-2020
Our theme for this academic year at Blake is one of Courage. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last seven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, and Happiness. 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]).
A Message from Mrs. Caprio to 7th and 8th Graders
There is an opportunity for you to possibly have your poetry efforts displayed in town as part of the Poetry Project with Medfield TV. I would love a few volunteers! During the "Poetry and Makerspace" Explorations last year (Caprio, Heim, Horvath), you created some exceptionally well-written poetry, and you probably saved it to your Digital Portfolio or an Explorations Google Drive folder. We would LOVE to show people your creative poetry efforts by helping you to showcase your work.
If you are a current eighth grader, you created some original poetry in your ELA classes, and don't forget that you also created the Fever and Tom Sawyer poems when you were in sixth grade. I am looking for - pleading with - begging some of you to come to see me on Thursday or Friday morning after 7:10 or briefly after school so that I can help you to make a plan to record and showcase your hard work. I miss you all, and I'm hoping to see some of you. Please stop by or email me ([email protected]) if you are interested.
A Message from Blake Student Council
This week in advisory, students will learn about Blake Student Council. We are looking for students who can attend mandatory Wednesday meetings from 2:10-3:00, want to take a leadership role in the grade, can present information to their peers, and want to volunteer and encourage others in our community! If interested, kids should see their advisor for a speech writing sheet (speeches are less than 2 minutes). Elections will be held in advisory on Monday 9/16/19 & elected representatives will be announced Tuesday 9/17/19. The first meeting is Wednesday, 9/18/19 at 2:10pm in Room 506.
Hidden in Plain Sight Display - Message from MCAP
The Medfield Cares About Prevention substance misuse prevention coalition would like to share some information about an upcoming event that may be interesting and relevant to parents in our community. The Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit is coming to the Natick Mall this month, from September 10th through September 26th. This initiative helps parents and other adults spot signs of risky behaviors using an interactive display of a teen bedroom. Volunteer “tour guides” from MetroWest community coalitions will walk participants through the display, providing education about adolescent development and common signs of substance use. The exhibit is co-sponsored by community substance misuse prevention coalitions from the MetroWest region, including our own Medfield Cares About Prevention coalition.
Special Education Focus Group Information
Part of the Medfield 2021 Strategic Plan calls for focus groups to gather to support the development of a mission statement and to assess the current administrative structure for the special education department. As such, we are offering the following times and locations to foster conversation related to these areas.
September 11, 2019
Students: Reading Block at the High School Guidance Conference Room
Administration: 1pm in room 125 at Medfield High School
Staff: 3:15pm at Wheelock Library
Parents/Guardians/Family Members: 6pm at Blake Library
September 18, 2019
Students: Lunch period at Blake Middle School Library
Administration: 1 p.m. at Blake Middle School Library
Staff: 2:30pm in room 125 at Medfield High School
Parents/Guardians/Family Members: 9am at Blake Middle School Library
Media Notification
In order to promote some of the exciting programs and events in the Medfield Public Schools, we plan to continue the use of student photos on our district/school websites, teacher websites, blogs, and district approved Twitter accounts. In addition, there are times when we will have coverage in the local newspaper or on local TV. Please let Nat Vaughn know by Friday, September 6 if you DO NOT want your child’s photo or name to appear in the media. Please note, your child’s image or name may still appear within the school for classroom projects, hallway postings, in-school presentations, newsletters, yearbooks, and other in-school media. Please contact Nat Vaughn if you have any additional questions.
Bike Safety Reminder for All Blake Families
Bike Safety Reminders-- We are noticing that students are riding through the middle of the bus circles amongst cars and ask that you remind your child that students should only be walking bikes on sidewalks and use the crosswalks when on bikes. We are also noticing a number of students with no helmets or with helmets on but not buckled. We will continue to remind students but any help with that message from home would be great. It's great to see so many kids on bikes and we want to ensure that everyone is safe.
Social Emotional Learning Resource for All Families
I want to remind you about our website that comes from the Office of Social/Emotional Learning (www.medfieldsel.com). Included in the website is information regarding our current list of mental health resources, information about our RISE Transition Program, and a lot of information about Social/Emotional Learning. In addition, in our “In The News” tab, you will find articles that we feel may be of interest, including current trends that may affect our kids. Check back often, as there are new things to read all the time. The “Communication” tab will bring you to letters that this office has sent out during the course of the school year, so if you want to refer back, it is easy to find. Medfield Public Schools is taking the commitment to Social/Emotional Learning very seriously, so check out the site, browse around, and use it as a way to ignite conversation with your kids. - Dr. Dave Worthley (@DrWorthley)
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.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Substitute Nurses
As with our teaching positions, from time to time our nurse, Tricia Williams, will be out of the building and we need a substitute nurse for these days. We are fortunate that we have several substitute nurses in the district who are able to work on those days. If you are a registered nurse and have an interest in potentially serving as a substitute throughout the year, please let us know. You can contact me ([email protected]) or Tricia Williams ([email protected]). By the same token, if you have friends in the area who would have an interest in serving as a substitute, please let them know that they can contact us as well. The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority, and we would appreciate your interest in one of these roles.
Blake Site Council Book Discussion Group
Over the last two years the Blake Site Council has read several books and we will continue this practice during the 2019-2020 school year. Stay tuned for more information and we hope you can join in these discussions!
Twitter Accounts (@nat_vaughn, @blakeoffice) and Blake/Medfield Hashtags (#bmsed, #MedfieldPS, #MedfieldPLN)
We have established the hashtag (#bmsed) for education-related tweets of interest and Blake events and #MedfieldPS and #MedfieldPLN for Medfield Public Schools and Professional Learning related tweets, so be sure to check them out! My account is @nat_vaughn and the Blake account is @blakeoffice, and we will continue to tweet up-to-date information, Blake happenings, links to sites, and articles of interest on a daily or more frequent basis.
Recess Donations
This year we are continuing with recess as part of our Advisory structure. A great deal of research evidence shows that students are more productive and intellectually engaged when a physical and or mental 'break' is provided in the middle of the day. We are looking for donations from families to provide options for students during this time: frisbees, wiffle balls/bats, kickballs, tennis balls, single and double jump ropes, volleyballs, foam footballs, soccer balls, and hula hoops. If you have done some 'fall cleaning' and have extra items that could be donated, have students drop them off in the main office. Thank you in advance for your help.
Message from MCPE
Tickets for MCPE’s Fall Fest go on sale this Sunday at 8 a.m.! Event will be held on November 15th at the Boylston Shul Vernin Germany American Club in Walpole. There will be great food, music and an auction! Link to the ticket sales will be up on our website medfieldcoalition.org -don’t miss this fun night out!
Message from MMA (Medfield Music Association)
We hope you can join us for the MMA Kickoff Event on Tuesday, 9/17, 7pm at the Zullo Gallery. Also, on Sunday, 9/22 the Music Department is hosting a Mattress Sale fundraiser from 10-5 in the MHS gym to help offset Music Trip costs. Come check it out!
Blake PTO Update
Volunteers Needed for Blake! In particular, we are in need of a Hospitality Chair or Co-Chairs, which helps coordinates 3-4 teacher luncheons a year. It's a great way to get involved and appreciate the wonderful staff at our school! Please click on the link to the volunteer form below. Thank you!! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH6fbiK1-cVI5r7yu42e6szW5bnuT2EUO9qk3CLc-l9A8UQ/viewform
Also, our first meeting of the year will be held on September 24th at 7:00 in the LMC