9/26-9/29 - Nature's Classroom Trip for Grade 7
9/27 - Blake PTO Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
9/30 - Half Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
10/3 - Rosh Hashanah (No School)
10/10 - Columbus Day (No School)
10/12 - Yom Kippur (No School)
10/17 - Picture Retake Day
Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
10/21 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
10/26 - Medfield Talks - Michael Thompson (see details below)
10/31 - Happy Halloween!
11/1 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off
11/7 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
11/11 - Veterans Day (No School)
11/11-11/13 - No Homework Weekend for Blake
11/14 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about listening and fostering relationships, our topic/question for the dinner table is: How can you be a better listener? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Fostering Dialogue (Week of 9/25/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
#blakeatnc
We are very excited to be on our trip to Nature's Classroom in Silver Bay, NY with the 7th graders. Please follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #blakeatnc. You can also follow Kelly Campbell at @kmcsoup. She will be sharing photos and updates on Twitter in addition to a daily e-mail to all parents with a general update.
Blake Open Studios
Beginning September 28th, the Blake Art room will be open after school on Thursdays, until 3pm. All students are welcome to participate in studio activities of their own choice- choose from drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ms. Deveno and Ms. Jones will be on hand to provide materials and informal instruction.
There will be no formal registration, it is on a first come, first served basis and limited to 15 students. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Art studio, room 208 !
Student Council Update
Student Council would like to thank all of the candidates who ran for Student Council this year, as well as the students in each homeroom for participating in the voting process. We are impressed with the bravery and positive attitudes that everyone brought to the elections, and we congratulate the following advisory representatives:
Grade 6: Maddie Le, Alex Gjerasi, Gabby Curl, James Tyer, Abby Giordano, Marilyn Tyer, Nick Caro, Hannah Boyd, Megan Colleran, Aidan Glenn, Brennan Mulock
Grade 7: Annie McCarthy, Drew Stanton, Wes Lawson, Abby Silva, Lily Goodman, Charlie Katsikaris, Jake Mewhiney, Sophia Bruno, Adrian Sheehy, Bobby Spence, Deeya Yadapadithaya, Kevin Cronin, Colin Bligh, Aryav Yadapadithaya
Grade 8: Evan Adolph, Erin Sullivan, Nigel Lau, Sarah Churchill, Ellie Bayard, Nick Crofts, Nicole Mulready, Peter Travis, Camilla Silk, Karley Rhuda, Eliza Vara, Isabel Vara, Meghan Bannister
The first official Student Council meeting will be on Thursday, October 6. While seventh graders are at Nature’s Classroom, sixth and eighth grade Student Council representatives should come to an unofficial meeting on Thursday, September 29 from 2:15-2:45 in room 307. It will be a chance for the sixth graders to hear a little more about what we do during the year and get to know the eighth grade reps before officer elections are held in a few weeks.
Parent Coffees
Are you feeling like you had just mastered your child's last grade's norms and now you have a new set of expectations to adjust to? Maybe your student is in a whole new building with even greater expectations. The Blake guidance counselors would like to help put your mind at ease by talking about what each grade level looks like and answering your questions. The coffees will take place...
10/18 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 8)
10/27 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 6)
11/9 at 10:15 a.m. (Grade 7)
To RSVP, please go to this link...
Blake Guidance Parent Coffee RSVP Form Fall 2016
Bengbu Exchange
We are thrilled that our visitors arrived safely Friday night from Bengbu, China. Thank you to all of the host families for helping make this opportunity a wonderful experience for all.
Blake Fall Intramurals
The Blake Fall Intramural offering are now available. Please check them out at the following link and let Matt Marenghi (Intramural Director) know if you have any questions or concerns: [email protected]. All forms are due Friday, September 30.
2016 Blake Fall Intramurals
Bus Reminder
Students are not permitted to take bus rides home with friends on other buses without prior approval from Central Offices. If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Montillo ([email protected] or (508) 359-4978).
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.
Parent Information Nights
Our Parent Information Night (PINs) will take place on Wednesday, September 21 for grade 6 at 6:30 p.m. This night will provide you with an opportunity to visit your student's classrooms and hear about the curriculum and exciting programs that will take place throughout the year. Sixth grade chorus, band, and orchestra parents are invited to informational meetings at 6:00 p.m. on September 21, prior to PIN. For your reference and information, here are links to the other parent nights...
Grade 6 Fall 2016 PIN Presentation for Blog
Nature's Classroom Fall 2016 Presentation for Blog
Grade 7 Fall 2016 Presentation for Blog
Memorials, Monuments, and Museums Fall 2016 Presentation
Grade 8 Fall 2016 PIN Presentation
8th Grade Trip Information
8th Grade Trip packets went home with Grade 8 students on Monday, Sept. 12. Trip deposit and signed permission slip are due to your child's Advisory teacher by October 4th. On-line registration with our tour company, Worldstrides, is to be completed by October 28. Please see trip packet for details and instructions. For your reference and for more information, here is a link to the 8th grade trip presentation...
Memorials, Monuments, and Museums Fall 2016 Presentation
8th Grade American Mathematics Contest
The 8th Grade American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8) is a multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. It is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The contest is held yearly in November. Students from all over the country participate in this contest both individually and on a school-wide basis. In the past, students in 8th grade Algebra I accelerated have participated. We will continue this tradition, but would like to extend the opportunity to participate in the AMC8 Contest to all 8th grade math students this year.
The exam will be given during F period on November 15th. Students who do not have math during this time slot will be excused from their class. Although the test is challenging, it certainly allows for a variety of learners to meet success and experience a high level of mathematical thinking. Below are several links that will allow you to explore this contest. If you are interested in having your child participate in this test, please complete this Google form to sign up. Please note: If your child is in Algebra I Accelerated, they have already been registered.
For information about the AMC 8 Contest, click here.
For sample test questions, click here.
It is important to register by Wednesday September 28, 2016. As always, please do not hesitate to contact your child's math teacher or Susan Bycoff at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The Blake Site Council summer book was The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness by Todd Rose, and we will be discussing the book on Monday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. in the Blake LMC, following our Site Council meeting. For more information about this book, you might find these of interest...
Review: In ‘The End of Average,’ Cheers for Individual Complexity
Standards, Grades And Tests Are Wildly Outdated, Argues 'End Of Average'
3D Printer Workshop Week - Message from Mrs. Horvath
Come one! Come All! Come Learn about Blake's 3D printer in our Makerspace! I will be holding short after school workshops this week introducing you to the software used to design your 3D projects. You will need to complete this introductory project if you would like to eventually design and print your own. We'll begin with this introductory project: Building Word Blocks
Each block will have one word that describes Blake MS (our community) and we'll link them together to display in the Makerspace/LMC.
Of course, you can also design a second block with your name!
Intro to 3D Printer: Build Word Blocks
When: Monday- Thursday
Time: 2:15-3:00
* Choose one of the days that work for you.
* I will be available between 2:15-3:00- come when you can!
iOS Update Information
Apple recently released the next big iOSX update with several bugs and glitches. We are asking you to please wait until our Technology Director, Mr. O'Corcora feels it is safe for you to install it on your school device and that the school-based apps are also updated to work with iOSX. It may be another week or two. Students should watch for an update from Mrs. Horvath for more information.
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.
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". 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.
#MedfieldPS Twitter Chat Follow Up
I encourage everyone to check out the 'storify' archives of our district-wide #MedfieldPS chats below. The goal of these chats is to bring the five schools together (staff and administration) to discuss pertinent topics in education, initiatives, and ideas to collaborate around and share. Hopefully you will be able to follow along, lurk, or join in one of our future chats!
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-57e2929f8c7e6bca7fc31872
(Empathy)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-a-fresh-start-8-23-16
(A Fresh Start)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfield-ps-a-community-of-learners-7-25-16
(A Community of Learners)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-reflections-on-15-16-twitter-chat-june-
(Reflections on Student Learning, 2015-2016)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-april-2016-twitter-chat
(Social Emotional Learning)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps
(Learning Skills)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-february-2016-twitter-chat
(Spirit of #DLDMedfield)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-twitter-chat-resolutions-and-reflection
(Resolutions and Reflection)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-december-2015-twitter-chat-relevance
(Relevance)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-november-2015-twitter-chat
(DLD Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-october-2015-twitter-chat
(Homework Focus)
https://storify.com/nat_vaughn/medfieldps-august-2015-twitter-chat
(Back to School)
Medfield Talks
Medfield Talks, a new committee comprised of Dr. Marsden, MCPE, K-8 and High School PTOs, SEPAC, MMA and Medfield Foundation will kick off a new speaker series on October 26th with Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D. According to his website, "Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D. is a consultant, author and psychologist specializing in children and families. He is the supervising psychologist for the Belmont Hill School and has worked at more than seven hundred schools across the United States, as well as international schools in Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia." In 2004, Dr. Thompson published The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and Life which has helped parents navigate and mitigate the pressures faced by our children as they progress from their kindergarten through high school years. Through an MCPE sponsored grant, Medfield is privileged to host Dr. Thompson, who will speak to middle and high schoolers during the day and parents in the evening. Please join us on October 26th for this important event. Free tickets and additional information will be available in September.
Angel Run News
Registration is officially open for the 2016 MFi Angel Run. Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 4th at 12noon. Register online (www.medfieldfoundation.org) by 11/1 to get your official race t-shirt. Training tips begin this week. Follow the plan and you will be ready for your first 5k. Three times this week do 6 cycles of 1 minute running followed by 4 minutes of walking. It’s that easy!
Medfield Soccer Event
This year Medfield Boys and Girls soccer teams have a once in a lifetime / unique opportunity to play soccer at Gillettestadium. In an effort to increase attendance at the Rev's games, as well as support high school athletics, we have a ticket package to include the following:
- Ticket (Tier One - "Great Seats") for the New England Revolution Game on Sunday, October 23rd (4pm game vs. Montreal Impact), AND...
- Admission to the Girls (5pm) and Boys (7pm) Varsity Soccer Games vs. Medway HS (with an exhibition game for both JV games at the half of the Boys/Girls Varsity games).
Go Warriors!
Please use the following link to purchase your ticket to this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Here are some of the details for the game at Gillette stadium on October 17th and how to order your tickets.
Times
5PM: Girls Varsity vs. Medway
Halftime (5:45ish): Girls JV vs. Medway
7 PM: Boys Varsity vs. Medway
Halftime (7:45ish): Boys JV vs. Medway
Price: Tickets are $25 per person.
Payment: Checks made payable to "Town of Medfield". Checks can be mailed or dropped off at Medfield High School (88R South St, Medfield, MA 02052)
To resister and purchase tickets click HERE:
SEPAC News
The KidStuff coupon book fundraiser will be underway in the upcoming weeks. Look for ordering information on the SEPAC website (found here) and Thursday packets. Your support helps SEPAC fund workshops, events for kids and families, scholarships, and other Medfield community enrichment.
K-8 PTO News
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
We have 3 open volunteer positions and we can use your help!
- Coordinator for Career Day
- Co-Coordintaor for the 8th Grade Cookout
- Coordinator for the 7th Grade Ice Cream Social
ONGOING BAY STATE TEXTILE FUNDRAISER
Donate unwanted textiles to one of the bins located at the schools, transfer station or Hinkley Pond. For more information, go to our website and visit Bay State Textiles.
BOX TOPS
Don't forget to clip your Box Tops and send them to the main office.
DON’T MISS OUR IMPORTANT POSTS SENT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK
Like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO, follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO For more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldpto.weebly.com.
MCPE News
Community Trivia Night is back on Friday, October 21! This Medfield tradition always sells out, so get your teams of no more than 4 adults set, dust off your inner Einstein and put it in your calendar now! Tickets are on sale at www.medfieldcoalition.org.
The MCPE would like to thank all of those who made our Fall Ball Gala and Online Auction an overwhelming success. Together our town came together to support our public schools, and displayed the amazing sense of community that, as the saying goes, "makes Medfield Medfield".
The E4E (Entertaining for Education) tradition in Medfield is alive and well. Haven't heard of it yet or new to town? It's pretty simple- throw a party or an event, charge an admission price ($25/head or $25/family is the minimum suggested) and donate the proceeds to the MCPE in support of the Medfield Public Schools. We've seen Halloween parties, nights in with friends, comedy events, wine tastings, multivendor markets... The only limit is your creativity. Need more information or ideas? Email [email protected]