9/6 - Blake Student Council Info Meeting
9/11 - One-Day Food Drive (see details below)
9/14 - Blake Picture Day
School Committee Mtg
9/18 - Grade 8 Info Night - 6 p.m.
9/19 - SEPAC Meeting 9/20-9/22 - 6th Grade Field Trips to Hale Reservation
9/20 - Grade 7 Info Night - 6 p.m.
9/21 - MCAP Meeting - 4:30 p.m.
9/25 - Yom Kippur (No School)
9/27 - Grade 6 Info Night - 6 p.m.
10/3 - Blake Site Council Mtg - 3:30 p.m.
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about learning and growth as we start a new school year, our question for the week is: What are you hoping to learn this year? A Clean Slate (Week of 9/3/23) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Theme of Belonging for 2023-2024
Our theme for this school year at Blake is one of Belonging. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last eleven years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, Courage, Curiosity, Imagination, and Discovery. As ideas and thoughts come to mind, do not hesitate to email me ([email protected]) or Kelly ([email protected]) - all ideas and thoughts are welcome!
Our Information Nights have been scheduled and will be taking place in September...
9/18 - Grade 8 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/20 - Grade 7 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/27 - Grade 6 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
* These information Nights are for parents and caregivers. Students should stay at home.
Recognition of September 11
September 11, 2023 will mark the twenty-second 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 Monday, September 11. One of the lessons we were all reminded of twenty-two years ago was the importance of community and looking out for one another. In that spirit, and to continue a tradition started several years ago, Blake will be helping its own Medfield community by holding a one day collection for the Medfield Food Cupboard. More details regarding specific needs will be shared as we get closer to the date. Donations will be collected in the guidance office on Monday, September 11.
Grade 6 Hale Reservation Experience
More information will be coming this week, but I wanted to share the flier about the upcoming team-building experience for our sixth graders at Hale Reservation.
Blake - Grade 6 Hale Reservation Flier
We are looking forward to this experience - stay tuned for more information!
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 Public Schools - Employment Opportunities and look under ‘Substitute Teaching’. Please contact Kelly Campbell ([email protected]) with any questions.
Teaching Assistant Opportunities at Blake
We currently have several teaching assistant position openings at Blake for the 2023-2024 school year. These are important roles for our students and we value their presence on our staff. If you are interested in applying or know of any potential candidates, please reach out to me ([email protected]) and/or Kelly([email protected]). Thanks in advance!
Fall Intramurals
Registration for Fall Intramural Offerings will open the week of 9/11.
Book Discussion Group for Parents for 2023-2024
Over the last few years the Blake Site Council has read several books and we will continue this practice during the 2023-2024 school year. Stay tuned for more information and we hope you can join in these discussions - all caregivers are invited and welcome!
Reminder - Family Inventories
Thanks to all who have completed the Family Learning Surveys for their students. If you have not yet had a chance, please take a few minutes as the information shared will help us support both students and families...
Blake Family Learning Inventory 2023-2024
Our hope is that the answers will help our team support students and families throughout the year.
** If you would like this survey translated into a different language, please let me know ([email protected]).
Reminder - Chromebook Responsible Use Agreement
We are asking all families to please fill out the respective Responsible Use Agreements (Google Forms) below…
Responsible Use Agreement for Borrowed Chromebooks 2023-2024 - Caregiver Form
Health Reminders from the Nurses
- If you have not yet had a chance to complete the Student Health Emergency Form, please click here to complete and submit this form online by Friday, 9/8/23.
- Please make sure your child(ren) bring a refillable water bottle labeled with their name to school daily and encourage them to hydrate throughout the day. This is especially important given the hot weather forecasted for the remainder of this week.
- In addition to eating breakfast daily, please have your child(ren) apply sunscreen before leaving for school in the morning as students go outside for PE classes and recess.
Traffic Patterns and Safety Concerns
The safety and well-being of our students and families is of utmost importance. Some important notes and reminders...
- Please be mindful of all individuals (students, adults, bikers) when dropping off and picking up students.
- The driveway on the auditorium side of Medfield High School is for buses only from 7-8 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.
- All drivers need to drive slowly and carefully, adhering to proper speed limits.
- Please be sure to yield at crosswalks and come to a complete stop at the stop signs.
- For those families with students who are biking to and from school, please remind your students to wear helmets and to be mindful of both walkers and the traffic flow. Bikers should remain on sidewalks at all times while on campus - we have observed students biking through the traffic circles and the staff parking lots.
Notification for Absences/Dismissals
If a student will be absent, tardy or dismissed early from school, please e-mail [email protected]. Additionally, for absences and tardies, you can call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. For e-mails about dismissals, please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
Athletics Information for Fall 2023
Below please find information regarding Fall 2023 athletics (timeline, registration, important information etc). Registration for Blake Middle School fall athletics is open on FamilyID.com. There is a direct link off the Athletics page (under Activities) on Blake Middle School site. To complete registration, a check for $225 needs to be submitted (Made out to “Town of Medfield”) or payment can be made online (UniPay Gold). If this fee presents any hardship, please contact Eric Scott ([email protected]).
Athletics Registration
Registration Link
Teams and Schedules
https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/14340
*Blake Middle School Sports offered for the fall season are:
Cross Country (Grades 6-8)
Patty Graham (Head Coach) – [email protected]
Football (7th and 8th grade)
George Chung - [email protected]
Volleyball (8th grade)
Alison Ryan - [email protected]
Field Hockey (7th and 8th grade Girls)
Garland Kincaid - [email protected]
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Youth Action Club
YOUTH ACTION CLUB! (YAC!) open to all Blake students Meets @ Blake, weekly on Tuesdays from 2:15-3:00pm, start date TBD Does your child want to make a difference in their community? The Medfield Youth Action Club (YAC!) is their chance to get involved! Facilitated by Medfield Outreach Prevention Coordinators, YAC! is designed to empower middle school youth to take action in ways that support the health and wellness of the entire community. Throughout weekly club meetings, YAC! youth will identify a public health-related topic that is important to them and design an initiative to take positive action related to that topic. They will learn about basic public health concepts and develop skills related to decision-making, leadership, effective communication, and community involvement. YAC! provides Blake students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience using their voice to make a positive impact. Students will be able to sign-up in the coming weeks.
Message from SEPAC
Medfield Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC). SEPAC is run by a group of parent & caregiver volunteers, who work for the understanding of, respect for and support of, all children with special needs in the community As we head back, we encourage all parents to talk with their kids about differences. Here's a short article from Today's parents on why it's important to talk about differences before heading back to school: Before the first day of school, please have this talk with your child | TODAY.com
SEPAC has a lot of exciting things planned for this school year. Mark your calendars to join us at our upcoming meetings/ events:
- Tuesday, September 19th, at 7pm at the Blake Library: Digital communications workshop
- Saturday, September 23rd at Medfield Day featuring the dogs from Golden Opportunities for Independence
- Tuesday, October 17th at 7pm at the Blake Library: Meet the Medfield Educational Team Leaders (ETL) and the new Assistant Director of Student Services, Mark Harrison
Message from Medfield Outreach
Please click on the link below to read the back to school letter from Medfield Outreach…
Back to School Letter 2023 - Medfield Outreach
Message from Blake PTO
The Blake PTO organizes parent volunteers, supports educational enrichment programs through teacher grants, and appreciates teachers throughout the year on behalf of all parents. We rely upon parent dues (recommended $50 per child) rather than organizing fundraisers such as calendar or cookie sales throughout the year. Please make your tax deductible contribution for the school year via Venmo @MedfieldTownwide-PTO (note child name and grade) or send a check in to the school made payable to Blake Middle School PTO. Thank you for your support in continuing the initiatives that Blake faculty and staff rely upon.
Message from Medfield Music Association
Welcome back to school from the Medfield Music Association!
For over 50 years, the MMA has supported K-12 music education in the Medfield Public Schools. We are a parent volunteer organization that relies on support from our music families and donors in the community.
Interested in donating? Your donation can help support meaningful initiatives to excite and motivate our students to grow through music. Becoming a patron by October 31st allows us to grant music department initiatives in the current year. All donations are tax deductible.
Can you spare some time? The MMA relies on many helping hands, especially for our various events and activities which provide about half of our funding each year. We appreciate any amount of time you can give – big or small! To learn more about the MMA, please visit our website at:
medfield music association
Or send us an email at:
[email protected]
Thank you in advance for your support!
Workshops/Webinars of Interest
Experimenting with AI in the Classroom - Education Now
Wednesday, 9/6 at 3 p.m.
There is great interest in the consumer world in AI systems that generate content, like ChatGPT — but in the hallowed halls of academia the response has been more cautious. In this episode we explore the potential risks and rewards associated with using AI-assisted technology to help with teaching and learning in the classroom. Can AI actually increase the opportunities for creativity and imagination in our classrooms, for both teachers and learners?
Speakers:
• Dora Demszky, Assistant Professor in Education Data Science, Stanford Graduate School of Education
• Houman Harouni, Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Lakshya Jain, a Senior at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, MA
Host: Uche Amaechi, Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
How to Prevent and Respond to Cyberbullying with Expert Dr. Sameer Hinduja
Hosted by Spark Kindness
Tuesday, 10/3 at 7 p.m.
Expert Sameer Hinduja, PhD, shares how parents/caregivers can address the ways youth are using & misusing their phones and other technology.
Are you concerned about your child/teen’s technology use and the effects of harmful online behavior? This program is about empowering children/teens, parents, and community members to build a healthier online community for all. The pandemic has led to increased technology use by both children and adults. There has also been an increase in cyberbullying and online toxicity. Cyberbullying expert Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., will share:
- Information on the current trends and factors that contribute to cyberbullying, sexting, and unsafe social media practices.
- Prevention strategies for parents/caregivers and the community to address cyberbullying and harmful behavior.
- Ways to best inquire about and respond to children/teens’ technology use and abuse.
- Research-based parenting approaches designed to induce moral and ethical choices online (and offline).
- Strategies to sharpen your ability to informally and formally monitor your children’s actions.
- How to report cyberbullying when you spot it, and how best to assist both aggressors and targets.
- The importance of intentionally cultivating resilience and empathy, and how to use media to do so.
Becoming Stress Wise at School
Hosted by ASCD
Thursday, 9/21 at 3 p.m.
In this webinar, the authors of From Stressed Out to Stress Wise will offer a framework to navigate classroom stress, including visual maps and simple practices you can use to guide students to an enriched state of awareness and self-regulation. Learn more about this step-by-step framework to shift from stressed out to stress wise in a progressive way. Leverage the power of relationships to create a classroom where stress is acknowledged as a messenger of change rather than a monster.