The occurrences this week have given me pause to reflect on the topic of racism and social injustice. I have taken a lot of time to reflect upon my own thoughts and actions as a human being. I realize that I have to learn more, do more, and be better. I have also thought a lot about what is happening at Dale Street to and help eradicate racism and social injustice. We are committed to promoting justice and equality. At Dale Street, we are trying to do this by creating lessons that not only teach about ethnicities, religions, and schools of thought but also offer our students time to reflect on the differences and similarities between these groups. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Cowell and the staff at Dale Street, we are also making sure that the books in our library reflect a diverse population and these books provide windows for students to see other's reality and mirrors to help reflect our own life. It is my sincere hope that people continue to use their voice to spark systematic and genuine change to address racism and social injustice that clearly still exists.
As Dr. Marsden stated in his blog earlier this week, Now more than ever it is important to remember that our kids are watching and listening. Here is a link Dr. Marsden provided to the district to support families.
This week Dale Street artists were encouraged to try drawing using “perspective." We have such talented and creative students at #beproudbedale! Bravo!
- On Thursday, June 11, at 11am, Nat Vaughn (Principal) and Kelly Campbell (Assistant Principal) at Blake Middle School, will visit virtually with current 5th-grade students as students begin to transition to the middle school. Students will learn more about 'life in middle school' and have an opportunity to ask questions. Zoom details will be sent out soon.
- Transition Day for Incoming 6th Graders will be Monday, June 15, at 9am. Zoom details will be sent by Blake Middle School.
- Incoming 4th and 5th Graders will receive an email from their new teacher on Monday, June 15. This email will include Zoom meetings details for a class zoom which will be held on Tuesday, June 16 (11am - Incoming Grade 4, 11:30am - Incoming Grade 5).
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| On Wednesday, Dale Street held an Incoming Grade 4 family webinar. Special thanks to all the families who joined the meeting and for asking such great questions. I am also grateful that 20 + Dale Street staff members took the time to attend, present, and answer questions. |
Grade 5 Families - If anyone wants to order a non-custom book, please see this flyer with information to do so. The total with tax and shipping is around $34.00. Anyone who ordered before the deadline had no or reduced shipping, which is why it is more expensive after the deadline. There is no time limit on ordering.
Each school day, I place a student challenge of the day on my learning deck slide. This week students had the opportunity to share a challenge they wanted to overcome this week, how they would spend one million dollars if someone gave them that much money, the advice they would give to an incoming Dale Street 4th grade student, and the possession students would keep if they could only keep one. Here are some of the submissions.....
A challenge that I want to overcome is I want to finish my school work faster and considering there are only 2 weeks of school left I want to make them count! ~Fiona
One challenge that I am trying to overcome is to get active at least 60 min. a day, and try to finish my school work every week. ~Quinn
One challenge I hope to overcome this week is to furnish and decorate a treehouse that I share with a friend. ~Katrina
If I had a million dollars I would spend it on masks and medical wear for nurses and doctors or anyone that needs it, and I would also use it to help support local businesses. And then give some to Cancer Research Charities. ~Cara
One possession I would keep is my family because I love them and they love me and they care for me. ~Vivi
I want to thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and patience as we worked towards a plan for some type of Grade 5 celebration. Having to end school like this is something that none of us would ever have imagined, and it is not something that any one of us prefers. However, I am very happy to announce that the Grade 5 teachers are organizing a virtual celebration that will recognize the students and the wonderful 5th-grade class. The celebration will consist of opening remarks from me, guest speakers (we felt that this year it would make the most sense to have the 9 classroom teachers as guest speakers), elementary memories from students shared by the teachers, and a musical tribute to our rockstar fifth-grade students. Our hope is to send the link to the Grade 5 celebration out to families by Friday, June 19th. I will continue to keep you updated as the plan unfolds.
Like in past years, we are partnering with 1st Day School Supplies to get all your supplies for your student for next school year.
The teachers have given us the supply list for each grade and 1st Day School Supplies will assemble and deliver them for your child. Sign up now so you don't have to worry about where or how to get the exact supplies you need. All name brand supplies will be packaged individually for your student and shipped to the school. Depending on what the schools decide to do upon re-opening, kits will either be located in their classrooms or we will arrange a time for you to come pick up your kit.
Given the new normal we are all experiencing in regards to shopping for supplies, this is an even more available service provided by the K-5 PTO to keep everyone safe and your stress low.
Sign up now. Sale closes June 19th!
Enter Medfield's zip code and select your school.
Wellness teachers, Ms. Laughna and Mrs. Nawrocki have been having a blast hosting workouts over Zoom on Tuesday afternoons. These workouts consist of mostly bodyweight exercises and some stretching at the end - a great way to keep your body strong while stuck at home. If you would like to join for their last session this Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., please email Ms. Laughna at mlaughna@email.medfield.net They would be happy to have more kids join!
Incoming Grade 6 Summer Reading Information
Summer will be here soon and we would like to share with you Blake's Summer Reading Program. Blake Middle School believes that independent reading for pleasure is invaluable to students' life-long learning, and it needs to be encouraged and cultivated. The middle school's summer reading program strives to foster a love of reading through student choice and also encourages students to read a carefully selected book that reflects Blake Middle School's values around literature.
The summer reading requirement is at least two books; we encourage students to read consistently throughout the summer as there are so many benefits to reading. Please see the attached flyer for your student's summer reading core choices, book talks of the core choices by teachers, and other suggested titles. In September, your student's English teacher will expect students to be able to talk, write, or complete a small activity around what they have read -- the purpose being to share and celebrate their reading. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to kgelormini@email.medfield.
While not required, if you are interested in purchasing any summer reading books, Medfield Schools has partnered with Park Street Books for a virtual book fair that will open and run throughout next week. Be on the lookout for an email with more information and a link to Park Street's book fair site.
Happy Reading!
Blake's Summer Reading Committee
We are so excited to announce that FIELD DAY will be held next Friday, June 12th. This will be a K-5 field day event with all schools holding their virtual field days on the same date. If you have children in more than one building, we encourage you to pick and choose which events from each school will work for your age groups and have fun participating in. Please select the way that works best for you and your family. Ms. Laughna and Mrs. Nawrocki wanted to give you time to prepare so below is a list of suggested equipment that you will need for the Dale Street events. Dale Street will have 10 different events with children selecting at least 5 to participate in. Children can do more or all of the activities if they want! Directions for each game will be shared the week of Field Day. We are looking forward to a fantastic day!
Thank you to all who showed spirit today by wearing their favorite hat. Here are a few who uploaded a picture on Padlet.
Today, I sent out a letter outlining plans for families to pick up school materials. In case you did not have a chance to see the letter, I have included it here.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Steve
Respect • Compassion • Collaboration • Continuous Growth
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