12/21 - Blake Site Council Meeting
12/23 - Half-Day for Students and Staff
12/24-1/2 - School Vacation
1/1 - Happy New Year!
1/3 - School Resumes
1/10 - MTSS Committee Meeting
1/17 - No School - Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
1/18 - SEPAC Meeting
Blake’s Question of the Week
To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways we process our own learning and growth, our topic/question for the week is: When thinking back on 2021, what have you learned about yourself and how have you grown as a learner? Learning Lessons (Week of 12/19/21) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Virtual STEM Talks for 8th Grade Students
Grade 8 science teachers will be hosting our annual stem talk (via zoom) on Wednesday December 22nd in science class. Recent and not so recent MHS grads students will describe their college and work life experiences to students while answering student questions!
VOLUNTEER TODAY and give back to your community.
Each group is only ONE HOUR long and all responses will be anonymized. Gift cards are also available for participation!
To sign-up:
1. Gather a group of interested Medfield adults
(around 10 participants is ideal)
2. Choose 3 dates and times that will work for your group
to meet (either in-person or via Zoom)
3. Gather all participant email addresses and have one
person sign-up your group by visiting:
https://forms.gle/AJyCCVv5FBkTheTZ6
Questions? Contact Medfield Outreach's Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas, at [email protected] or by calling (508) 359-7121.
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 at [email protected] with any questions.
Blake Yearbook Update
We are excited to announce there will be a yearbook this year! ALL yearbooks will be ordered through an online system with the Herff Jones Company. You should have already received an email about the ordering process. The yearbook is being sold at a $10 discount through December 31st. If you have any questions, please reach out to either yearbook advisor; Kristin Buley ([email protected]) or Kristin Manning ([email protected]).
Term 1 Report Cards
Last week all Blake students received their report cards for Term 1. Thanks to the work of our staff and technology department, our reports have been streamlined into our database to provide a more accessible layout for students and families to receive feedback on learning and progress. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight. In addition, your child’s guidance counselor is an important resource. Please be sure to complete this form for each of your Blake students to indicate that you have received and reviewed your student's report card...
Blake Term 1 Report Card Signature Form 2021-22
Progress Update on Reporting Adaptations
As shared in the e-mail to Blake families last week, our staff has been working to address the recommendations from our Director of Instruction and Innovation's 'Analysis of Standards-Based Reporting Assessment Practices' (Spring, 2021), and an update was shared at the most recent School Committee meeting (Link to recording now available: Medfield School Committee (12-09-2021). We will be sharing these updates via information and educational sessions for families in the new year via a recorded webinar format.
Adaptations to our reporting will take place in Term 3 of 2021-2022, including…
- traditional letter grades on all priority standards for grades 7 and 8
- expansion of a metric scale from the current 1-3 scale by adding a fourth metric of feedback (1-4 scale)
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. Our overarching goal remains to continue steadfast efforts to provide meaningful, actionable, learner-centered feedback for all of our learners via...
- more descriptive and actionable feedback to students and families
- more meaningful and personalized assessment and grading practices
- greater calibration of expectations and assessment practices between/amongst teachers
Reflection For Students
After receiving their report cards, time was spent in advisory for all students to reflect on their work thus far via a Google Form. Our hope is that this reflection will help students identify areas of success as well as areas for growth, and to foster more connections with staff and trusted adults. I have outlined the questions below and encourage you to have conversations this week to help bridge the connections between home and school...
- Reflecting on your learning and experiences during Term 1, what are you most proud of?
- Reflecting on your learning and experiences during Term 1 and the Term 1 reports from your teachers, what surprised you? Was this a positive or negative surprise? Why?
- Reflecting on your learning and experiences during Term 1 and the Term 1 reports from your teachers, what did not surprise you? Why?
- Would you like to check in with your advisor or one of your teachers?
- If you answered yes to the previous question, which teacher would you like to speak with and about what? Put "none" if you do not wish to check in with one of your teachers.
- What is your biggest challenge as a learner right now?
- Finish this sentence: I want to improve...
- Based on your answer to the last question, what is one idea that you have that can help you with this improvement?
- Reflecting on your learning skills, the feedback you received, and what you have learned about yourself as a learner, what is an area of strength that you have shown and demonstrated? Explain how you have demonstrated/shown this strength in your class(es).
- Reflecting on your learning skills, the feedback you received, and what you have learned about yourself as a learner, what is an area of growth/improvement for your learning?
- Give an example of feedback from one of your teachers you received that helped you learn. How did this help you learn?
- How can we help you as a learner? Please share ideas.
- In the last month, I learned something interesting in school. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- The last month of school was a positive one for me. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- At Blake, I get to do what I do best every day. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- I have fun at Blake. (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- If you had time to learn about anything you want this year, what would it be?
- Do you have anything else you would like to share with us? This can be information that would help us support you in your learning or as a person during this time. (Optional)
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 innovative experiences for our students!
Blake Intramurals
The Winter Intramural session is loosely set to run from mid January until the beginning of April. Be on the lookout for the offerings shortly after we return from winter break. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Marenghi ([email protected]).
Update from Blake Library
The Blake LMC has never been busier! Thank you for checking out so many great books!! If you have an overdue library book, let Mrs. Walton or Mrs. Cowell know if you would like to renew it. If you misplace a book, just let us know so that we can replace it. Thank you so much!
Information for Incoming 9th Grade Families
SAVE THE DATE: Medfield High School would like to welcome all students and parents/guardians of the Class of 2026 to an informational program on Wednesday, February 2, 2026. Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn about the culture, classes, and extracurricular offerings at MHS. More information will be shared after the new year.
** Please see message below from Cynthia McClelland...
Hello Medfield community,
I am proud to announce our annual MLK day blood drive, and it will be held at the middle school. Right now, we are looking for students to serve on the blood drive committee. Students on the committee will be responsible for organizing, promoting and supporting the Red Cross in running the blood drive the day of. If your child is interested they can reach out to Cynthia McClelland at [email protected].
Samaritans Presentation Follow Up
The 7th graders participated in the Samaritans, Inc. Suicide Prevention Training this week. The goals of the program are:
- To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness, and help them assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression.
- To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that can occur as a result of untreated depression.
- To provide students training in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in a friend.
- To impress upon our students that they can help themselves or a friend by taking a simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
The parent webinar provided parents with information regarding:
- 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
Additional resources can be found here and on the Guidance Department website.
Reminder for all Blake Students and Families - Gift Giving
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.
Coats for Kids Drive
At Blake we are collecting winter coats for those in need. The coat drive is called “Coats for Kids”, but coats for all ages are more than welcomed. The collection box will be located in the Blake front lobby. Please ask your parents if you have any coats that your family no longer needs that can be donated. The collection will run up until winter vacation. Thank you for supporting this great cause!
Blake Affinity Groups
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.
Medfield Outreach is available for consultation appointments. E-mail [email protected] to sign up for a free confidential specific time slot via telehealth.
Webinars of Interest
LGBTQ+ Basics and Beyond
Thursday, 2/3 at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Spark Kindness with OUT MetroWest
Curious about some part of the LGBTQ+ acronym? Want to support transgender people but not sure where to start? This presentation will equip participants with up-to-date vocabulary, answers to frequently asked (and frequently awkward!) questions, and basic tools for effective allyship.
ASL interpretation will be provided at this event.
MCPE Update
We'd like to send special thanks to Allyson Hart, and Pistil Floral Design for hosting a wonderful wreath workshop! The event was a great success and we hope you ended up with a gorgeous, handmade wreath for your holiday decorating. Upcoming events include the return of the MCPE Spelling Bee in March and Trivia Night planned for Winter 2022. Have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for supporting the Medfield Public Schools!
Spirit Store Info - Blake PTO
Medfield K-8 PTO Announces A Year-Round MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR STORE! Thanks to local business Day St Sports, we have answered the question – where can I find Medfield Spirit Wear? Over 100 options currently listed, all proceeds will be donated to the individual school K-8 PTOs. Shipping takes about 3 weeks, so please plan ahead for the holiday season. Medfield Spirit Wear
Link (Hyperlink to https://ts020252.prospherefanshop.com/)