Thomas Blake Middle School

May 14, 2025

Dear 8th Grade Families,
I hope everyone is doing well. We are planning the final details for next Tuesday's departure and looking forward to the week with the students! I am sending this update, including reminders to help assure a safe and healthy trip and our plan for communication updates...

• All room assignments have been finalized and students will be informed Friday, May 16 that their rooms are all set. Please check in with your students to make sure they know who they are rooming with and please let us know if you have any questions. All bus assignments will be shared with students on Friday as well.

• On Monday, May 19 we will be taking the day to review expectations to prepare students for the trip.

• Click here for the trip itinerary and here for all other information about the trip.

• All students should report to Blake by 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 20 and will check in with their bus chaperones.
  Our departure time is by 6:30 a.m.

• Please send your 8th grader with a healthy breakfast and lunch to eat on the bus during the first day of the trip, Tuesday, May 20. 

• Please pack healthy, non-perishable snacks in your 8th grader’s suitcase for them to have available throughout the trip. Students can carry daily snacks in their drawstring bag for snacking during the day. Energy drinks should not be packed and sent with students. Please refrain from sending candy and NO NUTS or NUT PRODUCTS! 

• Please remind your 8th grader NOT to share food with others.

• Students should pack sunscreen, hats/sunglasses, refillable water bottles labeled with their names, hand sanitizer/wipes, and a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt. 

• A backpack or drawstring bag backpack are helpful for students when we are walking about the various sites.

• Students are only permitted to carry or self-administer medication on the trip if we have received a medication form or allergy/asthma plan from their health care provider.

• If your child will need any medication (prescription or non-prescription) and if you have not already submitted a medication order form signed by your child's physician, please contact our school nurse, Meghan Carlson (mcarlson@email.medfield.net). In addition, please complete the information within this form (Medication Authorization Form) along with the signature from your child's health care provider.

• If your child becomes ill or has been ill within the last couple of days, please be sure to seek medical evaluation prior to the trip to assess any health needs.

• If you have any health concerns and have not connected with us, please be sure to email Meghan Carlson (mcarlson@email.medfield.net).

• Please join me in thanking all of our chaperones for helping to provide this trip and experience, away from their families and personal lives -
  Emily Alland, Stacey Balardini, Hannah Blanco, Susan Bycoff,Meghan Carlson,
  Mary Ellen DuBois, Kara Gelormini, Jason Heim, Greg Keohan,Anna Lambiase,
  Matt Marenghi, Matt Millard,Diana Mileszko, Isabel Perlman and Jillian Shaw (and me!).