9/7 - 8th Grade Info Night - 6:30 p.m.
9/8 - 7th Grade Info Night - 6:30 p.m.
9/9 - Mental Health Awareness Day (Wear Purple)
9/12 - One-Day Food Drive (see details below)
9/14 - 6th Grade Info Night - 6:30 p.m.
Music Ensemble Info Sessions - 6:00 p.m.
9/15 - School Committee Mtg
9/21 - Blake Picture Day
9/26 - No School (Rosh Hashanah)
9/28 - MCAP Meeting
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? Starting Fresh (Week of 9/4/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Theme of Discovery for 2022-2023
Our theme for the next academic year at Blake is one of Discovery. We believe that this theme will extend the work we have done over the last ten years with our themes of Community, Perseverance, Creativity, Acceptance, Collaboration, Empathy, Diversity, Happiness, Courage, Curiosity, and Imagination. 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 email me ([email protected]) or Marcia ([email protected]).
Family Information Nights
Our Information Nights have been scheduled and will be taking place in September...
9/7 - Grade 8 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/8 - Grade 7 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
9/14 - Grade 6 Family Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
Grade 6 Music Ensemble Info Sessions (6:00 p.m.)
* These information Nights are for parents and caregivers. Students should stay at home. We will send out reminders and more details on all of these meetings as we get closer to the actual dates.
Recognition of September 11
September 11, 2022 will mark the twenty-first 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 12, as September 11 is a Sunday. One of the lessons we were all reminded of twenty-one 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. 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 12.
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.
If a student will be absent from school, please call Blake's absence line at (508) 242-8501. If a student needs to be dismissed from school before 2:07 p.m., an e-mail must be sent by the parent/guardian to [email protected]. Please include the following information:
- Date
- Time of dismissal
- Student name
- Reason for dismissal
- Person picking up
Early Dismissal Procedures - Reminder
This is a reminder to all Blake families to email [email protected] in order to notify us of an early dismissal needed due to an appointment or other reasons. Your e-mail will serve as written permission for your child to be dismissed. If you have a last minute dismissal that your student is not aware of, please call the main office in addition to providing the written notice in order to assure that we get it in time.
Student and Family Inventories - Thanks!
In an effort to help foster relationships with students and establish open lines of communication with families, we are asking all students and families to please fill out the respective Google Forms below about each student's interests and approaches to learning...
Blake Student Learning Survey 2022-2023
(This link has been sent to students and they can only access this link via their Medfield email accounts.)
Blake Family Learning Survey 2022-2023
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]).
Mental Health Awareness - 9/9/22
On Friday 9/9 Wear Purple to show your support for Mental Health Awareness Day. Today we strive to increase awareness that help is available for those who struggle with their mental health or who have a loved one who struggles. Help is available, you matter and you are NOT alone. Wear purple or a strand of purple beads to show your support.
Arts in Education Week
Next week (9/11-9/17) 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
Feedback and Reporting Information
This year Blake will be continuing its model of feedback and reporting that was implemented in Term 3 of the 2021-2022 school year. The purpose of reporting on academic progress is to provide feedback on a student’s progress and to help direct future efforts. Effective feedback to students during the learning process is essential to a healthy and productive learning experience. Formal grade reports are issued at the end of each trimester.
Students will receive feedback in two major areas: (1) Content Standards and (2) Learning Skills. The Content Standards feedback provides information on the student's progress on meeting content area curriculum standards addressed by each department. Learning Skills feedback gives information on the student's progress on acquiring skills important for life-long learning that we strive to foster and help develop in our students.
The structure of feedback for the end-of-term reports include these components…
- All Blake classes will utilize a 1-4 scale for the priority standards to report a finer-grained level of understanding.
- 7th and 8th grade students will receive a single end-of-term letter grade for Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and World Languages based on their work throughout the term. This grade will align to the following format: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, Does Not Meet Standard.**
- Feedback on the Learning Skills is based on the frequency of observation by teachers
** Here is a link to the ‘summation models’, outlining the composite mapping of how the summation of the priority standards establish the letter grades for grades 7 and 8…
Summation Models - 2022-2023 School Year
** This structure reflects the adaptations that have been made based on the recommendations from Dr. Christine Power’s 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021). Adaptations were made in consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Associate Research Professor of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education. Dr. Brown is a leading expert in assessment and evaluation and he has provided professional development for our staff.
A dedicated website has been created to provide families with information about our feedback system and provide additional resources including a FAQ document, relevant research, recordings/slide decks, and more. We encourage all Blake families to check out the resources within the site…
Blake's Student Feedback and Family Information Portal
Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners.
Book Discussion Group for Parents for 2022-2023
Over the last few years the Blake Site Council has read several books and we will continue this practice during the 2022-2023 school year. Stay tuned for more information and we hope you can join in these discussions - all caregivers are invited and welcome!
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 Marcia Berkowtiz ([email protected]) with any questions.
Look for purple ribbons, representing the colors of Suicide Prevention, around town center. These ribbons will contain tags with QR codes that lead to a resource page. Medfield is fortunate to have so many businesses that support suicide prevention; many of these businesses will demonstrate that support by displaying purple lights in their windows and entrances during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Driving through Medfield on a September evening will leave you with a sense of togetherness and support as you notice purple ribbons and lights up in the center of town.
Let’s join together as a community by wearing purple on Friday, September 9th as a demonstration of support to all those who have struggled or continue to struggle with mental health. Collective action symbolizes that we are stronger together, help is available, and one is NOT alone. Encourage your child to wear purple to school that day as well! It’s never too early to begin talking about the mind-body connection and health.
A Yoga on the Turf event will be offered on Sunday, September 19th at 12:30pm on the Medfield High School turf. Tracey Buckley of Medfield Yoga Studio graciously donates her time and talents annually to lead this outdoor yoga class, where participants focus on being present and focused. This event honors the mind-body connection and allows residents to connect with themselves and with the community in order to enhance wellbeing.
Medfield Outreach staff are now certified QPR trainers. QPR is a Suicide Prevention Training that teaches people to recognize the warning signs of suicidal thinking and behavior, and trains individuals to question, persuade, and refer those at risk for help. If you have an interest in becoming trained or hosting a training for a group of friends, neighbors, or co-workers in the community, please reach out to [email protected] to check availability.
The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention was created in September 2017 and is composed of community members and professionals who care about mental health. Recognizing that suicide has touched our town, the coalition came together to form an initiative that raises awareness and has the potential to save lives. Our mission is to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all community members, raise awareness, reduce stigma, and educate our community to help end suicide. Our vision is to build a community where suicide, self-harm, and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care, and acceptance.
The coalition is open to all community members! Learn more on our website at https://www.medfieldcsp.org/ or email us at [email protected] for the monthly meeting schedule.
Message from MCPE(Medfield Coalition for Public Education)
Mark your calendars!
Come celebrate a Night Under the Stars, presented by MCPE on November 5th, 2022. The biannual Fall Ball is back, celebrating 35 years of innovative programs, curriculum, and enrichment. Join us at Gillette Stadium to dance, socialize, and raise money for our beloved Medfield Schools. Tickets go on sale September 25th. Be sure to stop by the MCPE booth during Medfield Day for a chance to win tickets before they go on sale!
Medfield Outreach
Happy summer vacation! Keep in mind this summer that Medfield Outreach is open and here to lend support should you be in need. If you are a Medfield resident and find yourself feeling particularly stressed, down or anxious and you would like to talk to someone, give us a call! If you're not sure if what you're going through warrants ongoing therapy, we are available to listen and help! Email [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot.
In addition, if you would like to become involved in either of our two community-based coalitions, Medfield Cares about Prevention or Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention, please reach out. We would be happy to tell you more about the prevention work we are doing and how you can get involved.