Dear Families:

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful weekend and that you have been able to find some time to relax. After such a beautiful past week, it is hard to believe that we may need to learn how to adapt to weather in the 50's this week! I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in making MCAS as smooth as possible, providing a structured and nurturing environment for our students. I also want to acknowledge and thank our staff for their work in making recess a successful and safe experience. It was great to see the different grades outside, taking advantage of the nice weather and blowing off steam. I do believe it is serving our students well.

Walking through the halls this week, I was reminded of the excellent educational environment that has been fostered, established, and supported here at Blake. From both a teacher and student's perspective, MCAS time can be one that induces anxiety and stress, and it is not necessarily the time of year that is always relished. However, in talking with students and staff during the week, I felt a sense of pride - for how we have prepared our students and for the manner in which our students work and strive to reflect the knowledge that has been gained through these assessments. In addition, the juxtaposition of the morning MCAS with the healthy 'recess break' served as an excellent reminder that we are continuing to work to both create and model a sense of balance for our students.

Last weekend I came across a commentary by Kenneth Lopour in Education Week entitled 'The Rising Tide of Data', and I have attached it for your interest as I found it pertinent to the experiences for our students this week. In this editorial, Lopour addresses the topic of standardized tests and the importance of using the collected data in a thoughtful manner, in order to effectively employ data-driven decision making -- "We need to have conversations about the reason for the data collection. It cannot be enough to simply collect numbers." The MCAS tests are a valuable tool, indeed, and they do serve as one measure of a student's educational knowledge; however, we need to be sure that we are continually pushing ourselves to use this information in a thoughtful manner, always keeping in mind the other measures of a student's understanding (performance-based assessments, authentic learning experiences, observational/experiential data, etc.). The goal is not about the raising of test scores, but rather the improvement and accurate demonstration of a student's growth and comprehension. Lopour ends his commentary by encouraging educators to use the data as a tool, but to keep perspective in mind: "As educators, we need to acknowledge that numbers should be a guide, not the sole determinant in our classrooms. We must not forget that teaching is an art as much as it is a science." I could not agree more.

'Balance' is a noble goal, and we will continue to use these data-based tools to analyze programming, having honest conversations about the 'good and the bad', identifying the measures we need to keep, and those that we need to improve. We will strive to emphasize and value the art in our teaching, while we look for new ways to enhance the learning and educational environment of our students.

Below please find updated information for the Blake community.
Best wishes for a great week.
Take care.

Nat Vaughn

Rising Tide of Data Article

Important Dates
March 27 - 1/2 Day for Students; Professional In-Service Afternoon for Staff
March 27 - Career Day for Grade 8
March 28-29 - 7th Grade ELA MCAS
March 30 - Last Day of MCAS Make-Ups for all students
April 2 - Blake Site Council Mtg at 3:15 p.m. in Blake LMC
April 6 - No School
April 10 - CSA Mtg at 9:30 a.m. in Blake LMC
April 11 - Yoko Watkins Presentation for Grade 7
April 12 - Grade 6 Geology Field Trip
April 13 - Grade 7 Bingo
April 16-20 - April Vacation
April 30 - Tacky Tourist/Crocs and Socks Day
May 1 - When I Grow Up...
May 2 - Funky/Mis-matched Prints Day
May 3 - Formal/Professional/Business Dress Day
May 4 - Lax Bro/Medfield Sports Day

MCAS Information
MCAS testing continues this week, with the final make-up day taking place on March 26. While we do not want to foster undue anxiety or pressure for students, a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast will ensure that they come to school prepared to do their best. Please be sure that students arrive at school on time. If your student is sick on the day of a scheduled test date, it is best for your child to get some rest and take it on a make-up day. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Campbell (kcampbell@medfield.mec.edu) or your child's guidance counselor.

Blake Spring Intramurals
Spring intramural information went home to students on Monday, 3/26. Sign-ups are due at the end of the week, and the programs will begin the following week. Check the intramural website for more information.

Game Design Intramural Highlight
Students in the Game Design Intramural learned to create their own computer games from the ground up. They designed all the elements of a game including character movement, level structure, graphic selection, and even the unique physics of the game world. Most importantly, students were able to explore their own ideas and create games that matched their own personal visions. Some of the games students created during the first session of the Game Design Intramural are now available to be played on Mr. Heafitz's website (http://www.quia.com/pages/mheafitz.html).

8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip
A yellow packet of medical consent forms for the Washington, D.C. trip was sent home with your child last week. Forms need to be completed by a parent/guardian in pen and returned to school as soon as possible. Please note: A physician's signature is required on the included medication form for all prescription as well as over-the-counter medications you plan to send on the trip including Tylenol,Advil,Motrin,Tums, allergy/cold/cough medication,etc. All forms need to be completed and returned to school by Friday, April 13th, the day before April vacation. Please plan accordingly.

Spelling Bee
The MCPE's Spelling Bee last Wednesday night was a great success. Thank you to everyone for their encouragement of this event, and we commend all of our students who were able to participate. A special thank you to Jon Haycock and Travis Taliaferro for serving as emcees for the night, and to Sandy Ayers and Kristen Kirby for judging.

Destination Imagination
Congratulations to many of our students who participated in the Region 8 Destination Imagination tournament this past weekend. Two of the Medfield teams presenting at the state tournament are from Blake Middle School. We wish them well in their endeavors!

Blake Track Team
The Blake Boys and Girls track team begins practice on Tuesday, April 3. Sign-up packets have been handed out but it's not too late to join. Extras are available in the library. Our meet schedule is as follows: 4/29-Ashland@Medfield, 5/3-Miscoe@Medfield, 5/8-King Philip@Medfield, 5/14-Medfield@Hopkinton, 5/17-Medfield@Westwood, 6/1-Franklin@Medfield. Practice is held Tuesday through Friday from 2:15-3:15. Meets begin at 3:00. The program serves as an introduction to track and field - come on out and give it a try!

School Dress Guidelines
As we welcome the warmer weather early this year, please take a moment to review the Blake dress guidelines with your child. As you may remember, Mrs. Campbell did convey this message to students during our welcome assembly at the start of the year. As a review, page 4 of the Student Handbook states "We are confident that good judgment on the part of students and parents will result in the wearing of clothing which will contribute to a respectful academic environment and educational atmosphere. Each student will abide by the guidelines of decency, cleanliness, and safety at all times. In accordance with our expectations for school dress, students are required to wear clothing that does not show the 4 B's : boxers, breasts, buttocks, and belly buttons. We do ask students not to wear hats, healies, halter tops, short shorts, midriff cut jerseys, and T-shirts or any other clothing that displays obscene language, violence, sexual references, or commercials for alcohol or other types of drugs. "

Please keep in mind that undergarments and cleavage should not be visible and skirts/shorts should generally be mid-thigh length. Students should be reminded that some clothing choices are great for the beach but not practical or appropriate for the school day. Please expect that students who arrive at school dressed inappropriately will be reminded of appropriate dress and parents will be contacted to bring a change of clothes to school.

High School Musical Practice Schedule
There is a study hall every rehearsal day in the cafeteria from 2:15-3 p.m. and music/dance practice from 3-4 p.m. in the auditorium. Rehearsal is from 4-5:15 p.m. All cast members needs to be off-book and know their music, as well as turn their fee and commitment letters in by 3/30.
3/26 - Scene 17 - songs "We're All in This Together" and "Bop to the Top" (Brainiacs, Jack Scott, Moderator, Ryan, Jocks, Cheerleaders, Dancers, Sharpay, Coach Bolton, Taylor, Chad, Troy, Zeke, Gabriella, Ms. Darbus, Kelsi)
3/27 - no rehearsal
3/28 - Scene 17 - song "Breaking Free" (Brainiacs, Jack Scott, Moderator, Ryan, Jocks, Cheerleaders, Dancers, Sharpay, Coach Bolton, Taylor, Chad, Troy, Gabriella, Ms. Darbus, Kelsi) - Tech crew with Annie O'Connor in Room 209 @ 3:15
3/29 - Scene 18 - songs "We're All in This Together - Reprise" and "Start of Something New" (Entire Cast and Entire Ensemble)
3/30 - Tech crew with Annie O'Connor in Room 209 @ 3:15

Medfield Fine Arts Announcement
Last month the Medfield K-12 Fine Arts Department announced the new Blake Fine Arts website. Since then we have had a tremendous amount of activity on our site from viewers looking at images from our classes, to 8th Grade students and their parents watching the short video regarding 9th Grade Art Electives for next year.

Well, we have another announcement to make... The new Medfield K-12 Fine Arts website is up for viewing. It can be found at: www.medfieldk12finearts.net and has images and information from each of our Medfield Public Schools' Art departments. Please take the time to visit our site! And if you have any comments or suggestions there are a couple of ways to let us know what you think.

First is our Contact Us page (much like the Blake Fine Arts website). On this page you can let us know what you think, you can "Follow" our Twitter (@Medfieldk12Arts) and Facebook Page (Medfield K-12 Fine Arts) accounts to get up-to-date information about our program and events too. The second option is to check out the Blog page to share your thoughts or start a community conversation. Either way, we'd love to hear from those viewing the site.

Student Council Spirit Week - April 30-May 4
Students are invited to join the Blake Student Council in a show of school spirit in 5 themed days throughout the week:
4/30 - Tacky Tourist/Crocs and Socks Day
5/1 - When I Grow Up...
5/2 - Funky/Mis-matched Prints Day
5/3 - Formal/Professional/Business Dress Day
5/4 - Lax Bro/Medfield Sports Day

Parent Information Nights
As noted above, thank you to all of the parents who were able to come to our parent information nights. I have attached the slideshows from the two nights down below. If you have any questions about the programming for next year, please let us know.

Incoming 6th PIN Slideshow

Incoming 7th-8th PIN Slideshow

Technology Spotlight March 2012
The March Technology Spotlight for Blake highlights the Stars and Red clusters. Thank you to Jess Durdel and Teri O'Brien for providing this information and for sharing the good work that is taking place.

Technology Spotlight March 2012

Donations for Ethiopian Children
We are collecting items for the millions of children orphaned in Ethiopia. The need was brought to a student's attention when she found out her uncle's neighbor in Brooklyn was adopting one of these orphans, named Tola, who is due to arrive in New York in April. There are many orphanages there and so much they need for these children. Many kids in Africa feel as if they may not have a chance at survival. Millions of children alone are affected by AIDS or have died due to it. The basic items requested would either make a child safer, healthier, or happier. The fact that you could bring a little joy and hope into a child's life is motivation for you to participate in this fundraiser. The items collected for the children in Ethiopia in the orphanage will be greatly appreciated. The orphanage wish list is attached below in this newsflash. There will be a box at the guidance office to collect any donations, and thank you to everyone.

Orphanage Wish List

Crop for a Cure
Help classmate, William Johnson, fight SMA by joining in the 8th Annual Super Scrapbooking Sunday to benefit Families of SMA. Bring your photos and your creativity April 22nd, 9-5, at the Pfaff Center. Please see the registration form in the Thursday packet for more details.

Medway Homeless Shelter
The Medway Homeless Shelter Needs Your Help! Every year the Medway Homeless Shelter provides a home for 12 families in need. They are currently helping several families with babies and young children. Please join the 6th grade Community Crusaders to provide the shelter with goods and/or donations. By donating the following goods we can help families get back on their feet.
Children: Diapers - size 3/4 and 5, Baby Wash, Bubble Bath, Baby Wipes, Toothpaste (Children), Toothbrush (Children)
Adults: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Soap, Shaving Cream, Toothpaste
The Community Crusaders will be collecting donations outside the Blake Middle School before school March 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd. Donation boxes will be available and your help is needed.

CSA News
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION- Hello, clippers! Don’t forget to keep sending in your box tops. Another check, this one for $287, is on it’s way to Blake, thanks to you. Remember, if you have a Yoplait, Ziploc or Land o Lakes product in your house, you have a donation for Blake. Just cut out the pink Box Top coupon and send it to school with your student. The collection box is in the main office. Keep clipping!!! Any questions call, Colleen Corrodi 359-2187

Nature's Classroom - Last orders can be picked on Friday at Lord's between 9:30 and 10:30.