12/18 - SEPAC Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake LMC)
12/20 - Tilden Village Dinner
12/21 - 1/2 Day for Students and Staff
12/24-1/1 - Vacation
1/2 - School Resumes
1/7 - Blake Site Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m. (Blake LMC)
1/9 - SOS Information Night (see details below)
1/11 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7-9 p.m.)
1/15 - SEPAC Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake LMC)
1/17 - Blake PTO Meeting - 7 p.m. (Blake LMC)
1/23 - Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Meeting - 9:30 a.m.
Topic/Question for the Summer Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about the need to step back and reflect to improve and grow, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What are you hoping to do and/or looking forward to do during the vacation? Making Room for Growth (Week of 12/16/18) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Spirit Week at Blake
Please join Student Council and participate in spirit week this week:
Monday, 12/17 - Comfy Cozy Day
Tuesday, 12/18 - Advisory Color Day
Wednesday, 12/19 - Summer Day
Thursday, 12/20 - Hoodie/Hat Day
Friday, 12/21 - Ugly Sweater Day
Christmas in the City Recap
Last Friday our eighth grade students took a field trip into Boston to help set up Boston's Christmas in the City festivities for homeless families. I encourage you to check out the links below about the event…
Christmas in the City brings joy to thousands of families
Christmas In The City Brings Holiday Joy To Kids In Need
Christmas in the City “Winter Wonderland”
Christmas in the City brings joy to children in need
Thank You to MCPE and PTO
Thank you to the Blake PTO and MCPE (Medfield Coalition for Public Education) for their generous support of our endeavors/grants. We greatly appreciate the contributions as we look to provide unique and innovate experiences for our students!
Term 1 Report Cards
All outstanding Term 1 report card signature sheets should be turned into advisors.
MHS Alumni Visit Blake
This Wednesday, 12/19 during 8th grade science classes, students will hear talks from Medfield graduates who are majoring in or working in the field of STEM. Twelve recent graduates have volunteered to come to Blake and talk on topics including computer science, medicine and chemistry. We are excited at the opportunity for our students to listen to and learn from these graduates. Special thanks to Orla Berry for her help organizing these visits!
Blake Winter Intramurals
Our winter intramurals begin in the new year - if you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Molly Donovan, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values -- humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. We are proud and honored that Molly will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
SOS Information for 7th Grade Families
Save the Date! Please join us on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 6:30pm for a Suicide Prevention Workshop presented by Samaritans, Inc. No one wants to think about their child dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 years old. This workshop on January 9th will give parents foundational knowledge and practical tools to talk with their children. Led by Samaritans, Inc., topics covered in this workshop will include:
- Suicide risk factors and warning signs
- Coping skills and resiliency building
- Facts, figures, and myth-busting
- Best practices for talking to and helping someone who may be suicidal
- School and community resources
Magazines are Needed
7th grade is asking families to send in no longer needed magazines. Students should give them to their advisors. They will be working on a project in January. Thank you.
#MedfieldProjectHappiness Update
During Project Happiness this week we will be wrapping up our lessons on gratitude. Each advisory will be choosing from a menu of lesson options. The final lessons include: creating gratitude bags for students to share why they are grateful for their peers in advisory, creating a Flipgrid to share a reflection on the gratitude themed lessons, and students reflecting on sharing their gratitude letters and how they could weave this idea into their lives. Be sure to ask your child what they did! A few notes for your reference...
- The daily inspiration from Project Happiness is included in the morning announcements to staff and students.
- To subscribe: https://www.projecthappiness.org
- To follow on Twitter: @happyblakers #MedfieldProjectHappiness
Information from Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Keigan
It seems to be that time of the year when we are starting to see an increase in illness throughout the school. Our Blake school nurses, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Keigan, have asked that we share this Illness guidelines link for information on sending your child back to school following an illness. Additionally, please note the following reminders:
- Students should go to the nurse's office if they are feeling ill, rather than text parents directly and getting dismissed via the main office. It is important that we are tracking illness in our school community and that students are cared for by an adult while they are not feeling well at school.
- Please review handwashing, hand-sanitizing, and tissue disposal ettiquette with your child so that they can minimize the spread of germs at school.
- Please remind students that sharing foods, drinks and utensils at lunch can lead to the spread of illness. It is a surprisingly common occurrence.
- Please avoid sending your sick child to school just to take a test or quiz. We are happy to provide another time for your child to take it so that they can stay home, rest, and avoid spreading illness to other students.
- If your child is out for multiple days, you may contact the grade level guidance counselor or cluster leader to request that work be left in the guidance office for someone to pick up so that your child does not fall behind.
Community Service Club Information - Coat Drive
The Community Service Club of Blake is holding its annual coat drive right now. The drive will conclude in early January. Please donate new or gently used WINTER coats. The donation box can be found at the front of the school. All coats that are donated will be delivered to Medfield's Anton Cleaners who sponsors the drive.
Lost and Found Items
The number of items in our Lost and Found has increased. Please remind students to come take a look, as there are a number of items that are unlabeled that have been collected. We will be clearing out the Lost and Found during the winter vacation.
Affinity Group Information
The purpose of an affinity group is to provide a forum of support for students who may feel a disconnection relative to identity to their larger school community. Such disconnections to identity may include, but not be limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. An affinity group’s goal is to play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.
An affinity group is open to students across every grade level. It is arranged for students in an affinity group to meet at least once a month during a mutually agreed upon time and the meetings are supervised by at least one staff member at Blake.
As the need for an affinity group may stem from a lack of or weaker connection to the larger Medfield community, efforts will be made to strengthen connections to the community. To this end, members of the community are welcome and at times will be invited to attend affinity group meetings.
For more information about starting or joining an affinity group at Blake, please contact Matt Marenghi, Guidance Counselor: [email protected] or 508-359-2445
This is a reminder that as a school we will not be orchestrating 'Secret Santa' type activities for students in which gifts are being purchased and/or given. For a number of reasons, school is not the proper forum for the exchange of gifts, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Recess Reminder for All Parents/Guardians
This is a gentle reminder to families that students are going outside for recess and should bring weather-appropriate clothing like winter jackets and gloves so that they will be warm outdoors.
Message from Medfield Youth Outreach
Having a tough time making ends meet? Are basic resources such as obtaining food and covering the cost of utilities becoming more daunting? Medfield Youth Outreach, a confidential town service, may be able to help. Learn about food and utility resources as well as holiday and birthday programs that help ease the stress during difficult financial times. Reach out at 508-359-7121 to Dawn, Chelsea or the MYO intern Sarah to learn more about what help is available. This office also provides other services which you can learn about here: https://www.town.medfield.net/403/Medfield-Youth-Outreach
Challenge Success
I encourage everyone to check out Medfield’s Challenge Success website and introductory video. We look forward to broadening our work and using this ‘platform’ as a way to continue our efforts at Blake to best support and meet the needs of all of our students.
Standards Based Reporting Information Sessions
Thank you to all Blake parents/guardians who were able to come to our Standards Based Reporting information sessions last week. As promised, here is the link to the presentation…
SBR Information Sessions October, 2018
Blake Site Council Book Discussion Group
Our first Blake Site Council book will be What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith. We hope you can join in by reading this book - stay tuned for discussion times!
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.
SEPAC Update
The Federation for Children with Special Needs will present "Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education" on December 18th at 7pm in the Blake Library. In this presentation you will learn about your rights under special education law, special education procedures, and other information so you can better participate in the team process and support your student. To learn more about Medfield SEPAC, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/mail.medfield.k12.ma.us/sepac/
MCPE Update
Do you know a Medfield teacher, staff member, coach, or administrator who has played an extra special role in your child's life? In this season of giving, donate to MCPE in their honor, and those individuals will be personally thanked and acknowledged in MCPE's annual newsletter. Go to www.medfieldcoalition.org for more information or to donate today. Thank you!
Blake PTO Update
REMINDER: please remember to send in your PTO dues! We recommend $25 per child which helps enable the PTO to fund exciting initiatives and programs throughout the year! If you have any questions please contact medfieldk8pto.com. There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved! For more information, please visit our website and sign up using the volunteer form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH6fbiK1-cVI5r7yu42e6szW5bnuT2EUO9qk3CLc-l9A8UQ/viewform
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook (Medfield K-8 PTO) and follow us on Twitter (@MedfieldK8PTO). And for more information and calendar of events, please check out our website medfieldk8pto.com