LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #31 2017-2018

April 22, 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

Happy Earth Day! I hope you had a great vacation and are enjoying the nice weather this weekend. It looks like spring has finally made an appearance. Let’s hope it stays that way. We have a busy week ahead with 5+ days of learning! Let’s see what’s happening …

Monday, April 23rd is a “B” day.  Please plan accordingly for the week. 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”
—Wendell Berry 

EXTENDED TUESDAY SCHEDULE

On Tuesday, April 24^th we will begin our extended day schedule. Dismissal will be at 2:40. We will follow our regular schedule and with the additional timestudents will report to their Day B, period 1 class. Students will go to lockers from 1:40 – 1:45 and class from 1:45 – 2:40. They will not go to lockers at the end of the day.

MCAS TESTING CONTINUES

MCAS testing continues this week with 6^th grade ELA on Wednesday and Thursday. We will begin make-ups for English this Friday and will continue next week. Please see the attached schedule for all of the testing dates moving forward. We are extremely pleased with the effort of our students on the assessment thus far and hope that all students continue to demonstrate their best work.

HONOR ROLL

Congratulations to students for achieving high honor and honor roll status for Trimester 2. Please see the complete list on our website’s home page and it is posted in the lobby. It will also be in the Minuteman soon.

AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK

HW Club and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.

GO LOCKE MONSTERS ROBOTICS!

Our Locke Monsters Robotics Team 8025B is heading off to the VEX World Robotics Championship in Louisville, Kentucky this Tuesday, April 24th! The team will represent Billerica and Massachusetts in a field of teams from over 31 countries. They worked very hard to get there and are extremely proud to represent Billerica at this event! Your support has made all the difference in getting the team to Kentucky! The team wishes to thank all of you for all of your support! The results of this trip will be shared upon returning. The championships may even be televised, so stay tuned! You can follow us on Facebook at Locke PTO and share our posts, and also follow us on twitter at @Locke Robotics and retweet our tweets! Good Luck, Monsters!!

YEARBOOK NEWS

Yearbook orders being collected by Mrs. Milner now through June 1st. The cost is $20 cash or check (made out to Locke Middle School) enclosed in an envelope orziploc labeled with student’s name.

Also, the 8^th grade photo will be on Thursday, April 26^th.

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Last Week’s Answer: 7.125 ounces

Guessing Game

Yvonne takes a 10-question true and false test. If she randomly guesses on every question, what is the probability she gets at least 75% of the questions correct? Express your answer as a common fraction.

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The 2018 summer enrichment program will be held at the Locke. Please see the attached flyer and the link below:

https://sites.google.com/a/billericak12.com/bps/Resources/summer-enrichment

PTO CORNER

Our Next Meeting:  Our meetings are typically held on the 1st Monday of every month. However, our next meeting will be held on Monday, May 14^th. We hope to see you there! The full agenda will be posted in advance, but the most urgent item on our agenda will be the need for a new Vice President or co-Vice Presidents to manage fundraising.  Please consider this opportunity and do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or suggestions you may have. Nominations will be made at our May meeting (5/14) and our 2018 -2019 PTO Board will be voted in at our June meeting (6/4). Please fill out and send in the attached nomination form for any position that you may be interested in. Nominations can also be submitted electronically by email sent to Billericalockepto@gmail.com. Thank you!

Upcoming Events...

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon...Each spring the Locke Community honors our wonderful teachers and staff with a luncheon. This year's luncheon will be held onTuesday, May 8th. The teachers and staff look forward to this event every year. Our PTO secretary, Kristen Aurilio has graciously offered to host this event, setting up the teacher's lounge and assisting as needed throughout the day.  We do ask Locke families to show their support and appreciation by contributing items for the teachers/staff. Donations of the following would be welcome and sincerely appreciated: 

Breakfast baked goods, Fruit, Yogurt, Coffee/Creamer/Sweeteners/ Tea, Juices

Lunch main dishes, Side dishes, Salads/Salad Dressings & toppings, Desserts, Bottled Water    Paper/Plastic Goods: plates, cups, utensils, napkins, etc.

A form will be sent out ASAP and will also be available via the Locke PTO Facebook page.  You may also reach us at billericalockepto@gmail.com to let us know what you would like to contribute. Thank you!

Walkathon... Each May, our amazing physical education teachers take the students on a walk throughout the Locke Middle School property. This opportunity serves both as a great outdoor exercise opportunity for the kids, and a fundraiser that does not involve asking families to buy or sell anything! This year's walk a thon will be held on Thursday, May 24th.More details and sign up forms will follow.

Field Day… Every June we celebrate the end of another fantastic school year with, you guessed it, field day! This event is great fun for the kids with both indoor and outdoor activities available over the course of the day but does depend on a tremendous number of volunteers. This year's field day is scheduled for Friday, June 15th.  Whether you can stay the day, or spare even a 1/2 hour, any and all help is welcome and truly appreciated.  Please mark your calendar and keep an eye out for volunteer forms, which will be available with upcoming newsletters and on the PTO Facebook page starting in May. Thank you in advance!

Spring cleaning...While separating items you no longer need, please consider setting them aside for our upcoming fundraiser. We are working on setting up a yard sale and setting a date to have a Fill a Truck fundraiser through Savers for which the Locke PTO would receive 20 cents per pound for soft goods such as clothing, coats, shoes, linens, towels, etc.  Hard goods such as furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. are also welcome.  Further details including the dates for these events will be made available ASAP

Auto Repairs...Don't forget that Marshall's Auto Body will donate $40 to the PTO for every vehicle they repair. Simply mention that you would like to support the Locke PTO and please feel free to spread the word to friends and family. Thank you!

Box Tops for Education: Please save and send us your Box Tops from Education. Each box top you are willing to clip from a Box or other container from your grocery store purchase and send into the school earns the Locke PT0 10 cents toward supplies, events, and programs for the children. Please make sure that the expiration dates remain intact so that we can receive credit. Box tops should be turned in in either an envelope or Ziploc bag clearly labeled with your child's name and homeroom number. Thank you!

Upcoming PTO Meetings:  (All Mondays) May 14^th, June 4th

Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have at billericalockepto@gmail.com or by calling Faith Stevens at 978-667-6676 or 978-314-3389.

Don't forget to like and follow Locke PTO on Facebook!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

• April 24^th – 7 ^th grade presentation, author of “Refugee”
• April 24^th – Extended day, 2:40 Dismissal
• April 25^th, 26^th – MCAS ELA Grade 6
• April 26^th – 8 ^th grade group photo
• April 27^th – 8 ^th grade presentation, Museum of Science
• April 27^th- May 4^th  – MCAS ELA Make-ups
• May 1^st -- Extended day, 2:40 Dismissal (every Tuesday through June 12^th)
• May 1^st – Nature’s Classroom assembly 7^th grade
• May 2^nd— School Council, 6:00 PM
• May 3^rd, 4^th , and 5^th – Locke Musical, 3^rd and 4^th at 7:00 PM, 5^th at 2:00 PM
• May 4^th-- Art show at the Bennett Library, 4:00PM—7:00PM
• May 5^th , May 6^th -- Art show at the Bennett Library, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• May 7^th – Student presentation at school committee – 6:00 PM
• May 8^th – Teacher Luncheon
• May 8^th, 9^th – 8^th Grade Math MCAS
• May 10^th, 11^th – 7^th Grade Math MCAS
• May 10^th – 8^th Grade DC parent meeting 6:30 PM
• May 14^th – Progress Report Grades published
• May 14th, May 15^th  -- 6^th Grade Math MCAS
• May 16^th, May 17^th – 8^th Grade Science MCAS

ATTACHMENTS:

1. MCAS testing schedule

2. Summer Program

3. PTO nomination form

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

Warmest regards,

Tony Garas, Principal