LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #32 2023-2024

April 28, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are having a great weekend. It looks like Spring is finally here. We are back with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening this week…

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER (X) @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We will fail when we fail to try.” — Rosa Parks

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Monday – C Day

Tuesday – D Day – Bionic Project for 6^th grade

Wednesday – A Day – Bionic Project for 6^th grade

Thursday – B Day – Day 150

Friday –  C Day – PTO Cookie Monstah Restaurant Night, 4:00-9:00

BIONIC PROJECT – 6^th GRADE

The Bionic Project will be coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday this week to work with our 6^th graders during PE class. We will also have a presentation on Tuesday for all 6^th graders in the auditorium. The Bionic Project allows students to learn more about disabilities through adaptive sports and education. For more information, please see their website.

https://www.bionicproject.org/school-programs

QUARTER 3 UNIFIED ARTS GRADES

The last day of quarter 3 was Friday, April 5^th. Quarter 3 Unified Arts grades have been posted to the Aspen portal and will appear on the final report card.

MCAS DATES 2024

Math (All Grades) -- May 7, 8

Science (Grade 5) -- May 14,15

YEARBOOK – 7^th Grade Information Needed

7^th Graders -- Please log into your Billerica account and fill out the forms if you would like to include your vote for favorites OR what you'll be doing in 20 years -- a little something fun to put in the book to remember your time at Locke!
PLEASE NOTE:  the links will close May 14^th for submission. Responses will not be accepted after that date.

Thanks!
Mrs. McAleer & Mrs. Hebert-YB advisors

7th grade favorites survey

In 20 years form

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK -- DONATIONS NEEDED

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6^th through May 10^th. The PTO is looking for donations of food and raffle items. Please sign up at this link and for more information:

SIGN UP HERE

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS/LATE BUSES

HW Club, Activities, and late buses are completed for the year. Our middle school sports, 5^th grade orchestra, and musical rehearsals will continue after school. Parent pick-up will be required for all programs moving forward.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Please see the attached list of honor and high honor roll students for Trimester 2. In addition, please see the list of students recognized as Students of the Trimester. Congratulations to our students for their accomplishments.

CHROMEBOOK CHARGERS

Many students have lost their chargers. As a reminder, Chromebooks should be charged when students come to school. If your child needs a charger, you can purchase one for $15 online. Please see the attached for more information.

SCHOOL LUNCH

Please see the attached lunch menu for the week.

LOCKE GEAR FOR SALE

The PTO is now selling Locke gear. Please see the attached flyer with the link to the store.

PTO RESTAURANT NIGHT

Our next restaurant night will be at Cookie Monstah on Friday, May 3^rd from 4:00-9:00 PM. See the attached flyer for more details.

LOCKE FAMILY HOCKEY MATINEE

Welcome all friends and families! Please join us at the Tsongas Center on Saturday, May 4th for the Locke Middle School afternoon out at PWHL for a Spring matinee when PWHL Boston defends their home ice against PWHL Montreal! See the link below to purchase tickets.

Tickets for Hockey Game

PTO CORNER

The PTO welcomes all families to the Locke. We will be meeting monthly to plan several events throughout the year. We are always looking for volunteers to help plan great programs that will benefit our students. You must have a valid CORI on file to volunteer at school. Please see the minutes from our last meeting, April 10th. Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 8^th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for the remaining PTO meetings during the year.

We also have a new Facebook page – “Billerica Locke PTO”. Click on the link below to take you there:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/W2AQvL6HZz2erG1S/?mibextid=oFDknk

LOCKE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL UPDATE

The Site Council met on Monday, April 8^th. Please see the attached minutes from the meeting. The minutes and documents from our meetings can be found on the Locke website.

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Spring Flowers

1. In the spring of 2020, Dahlia created a flower bed and planted one daffodil. The following spring, three daffodils bloomed. In fact, each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of daffodils that bloomed in Dahlia’s flower bed was 1, 3, 9, and 27, respectively. If this pattern continues, how many daffodils can Dahlia expect to bloom in the spring of 2024?

2. In the spring of 2020, Rose created a flower bed and planted two tulips. The following spring four tulips bloomed. Each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of tulips that bloomed in Rose’s flower bed was 2, 4, 8, and 16, respectively. If this pattern continues, what is the absolute difference in the number of tulips and daffodils expected to bloom in Rose’s and Dahlia’s flower beds in 2024?

3. In the spring of 2020, Lily created a flower bed and planted three hyacinths. Each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of hyacinths that bloomed in Lily’s flower bed was 3, 6, 10, and 15, respectively. If this pattern continues, what is the total number of hyacinths that will have bloomed in Lily’s flower bed from the spring of 2020 through the spring of 2024?

Last week’s MPOW answer – 1. 153 High-Fives 2. 144 High-Fives

Show all work. Submit your answers to Mr. Garas for a chance at a Dunkin gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!

RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK

Last week’s answer: What do you get when you cross a dog with a tulip? Collie-Flower (love this one)

This week – Which bear is the most condescending?

FROM THE BILLERICA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Wanted! Substitute Teachers!

If you are looking to earn additional income and need a flexible schedule, then Substitute Teaching may be the perfect part-time job for you!  Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.

Wanted! Substitute Cafeteria Workers!

Great opportunity for on-call part-time work.  These positions are approximately 3 hours a day and perfect hours for those who need a flexible schedule.  Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.

FROM THE COMMUNITY

The Billerica Substance Awareness Prevention Committee is hosting a community fair on Saturday, May 11^th. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

REMINDERS

CHROMEBOOKS AND GOOGLE CLASSROOMS

Students are required to bring their school-issued Chromebooks to school every day. Students should charge their Chromebooks overnight. All teachers will be setting up a Google classroom for their students where assignments will be posted and where assignments can be turned in electronically. If your child does not have a Chromebook, please contact the main office at 978-528-8650.

ABSENCES

If your child is going to be absent, please call 978-528-8650 to report the absence. You can leave a voicemail at this number which goes directly to our secretary. You may also email our secretaries, Ms. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com or Lucy O’Brien at lobrien@billericak12.com

BUS ASSIGNMENTS

Students who ride the bus can only ride on their assigned bus in the morning and afternoon. Students are not allowed to ride different buses to be with friends after school.

The bus routes for the year are listed at this link.

If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654

UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ALSO ON THE MASTER CALENDAR ON THE LOCKE WEBSITE

• Tuesday, Wednesday April 30^th, May 1^st – Bionic Project, 6^th Grade
• Friday, May 3^rd – Restaurant Night, Cookie Monstah, 4:00-9:00 PM
• Monday, May 6^th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM, Library
• May 6^th through May 10^th – Teacher Appreciation Week
• Tuesday, Wednesday May 7^th , 8^th – MCAS MATH Sessions 1,2
• Wednesday, May 8^th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
• Thursday, Friday May 9^th, 10^th – Locke Musical, 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 11^th – Locke Musical, 2:00 PM
• Tuesday, Wednesday May 14^th, 15^th – 5^th Grade MCAS Science Sessions 1,2
• Tuesday, May 14^th – Grades 6,7 Band Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
• Wednesday, May 15^th – Middle School Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
• Tuesday, May 21^st – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
• Wednesday, May 22^nd – Grades 4,5 Band Concert, 7:00 Marshall
• Thursday, May 23^rd – Middle School Choral Concert, 7:00 PM BMHS
• Friday, May 24^th – 5B2 Field trip
• Monday, May 27^th – No School, Memorial Day
• Thursday, May 30^th – Kennedy Visit
• Friday, May 31^st – Ditson Visit
• Monday, May 3^rd – 5A2 Field Trip
• Tuesday, June 4^th – 4^th Grade Parent Orientation, 6:30 PM Locke Auditorium
• Monday, June 10^th – 5B1 Field Trip
• Wednesday, June 12^th – 5A1 Field Trip
• Wednesday, June 12^th – 7^th Grade Canobie Lake Trip
• Thursday, June 13^th – Field Day
• Friday, June 14^th – 7^th Grade Class Day
• Monday, June 17^th – Last Day of School, Half-Day 10:40 Dismissal

If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call 978-528-8655 Have a great week!

Warmest regards,

Tony Garas, Principal