LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #28 2018-2019

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March 24, 2019
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
We have another busy week ahead with 5 Days of Learning as we close out the month of March. Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, March 25th is a “B” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and Instagram: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. – Jean Hersey
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
HW Club and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.  
REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be published to Aspen on Wednesday, March 27th.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parent conferences are on Thursday, March 28th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. As we did in December, we are using a computer program called PTC wizard to schedule conferences. Conferences will be 5 minutes long and each teacher will have 24 openings. When scheduling conferences, please consider spacing out your times so that the teachers don’t get behind schedule. You may schedule appointments with our specialists, counselors, administration, and support staff. There is a possibility that a teacher will be booked and you will not be able to schedule a conference with a particular teacher. If that does occur, I encourage you to utilize email, meet individually with the teacher at another time, or schedule a team meeting. The link below will take you to the website to schedule your parent meetings. If you did not register in December, you will need to register and create an account. If you have already done that, your username and password will be the same as before. You will also need to know your child’s teachers’ names in order to schedule the meetings. The site will provide a list of names for you to choose from. The site is now open to schedule conferences. Here is the link:
We hope that this process is an improvement over having to wait in long lines to meet with a teacher. Please provide me with any feedback you have on this process in order to improve our communication with families. Thank you.
GRADE 6 PARENT WORKSHOP "Talking to Your Tween About Puberty"
At 5:15 on March 28th (prior to the start of parent conferences at 6PM) parents/guardians of Grade 6 students are invited to attend an informational workshop 'Talking to Your Tween About Puberty,' in room 314 with the health teacher, Mrs. Carpenter.  Mrs. Carpenter will share the
Grade 6 growth and development (puberty and hygiene) curriculum and provide parents with the language and tools needed to feel comfortable and confident talking to their child about the changes adolescents go through during puberty.  If you are unable to attend, please feel free to contact Mrs. Carpenter with any questions or to request the handout materials be mailed or emailed to you.  
ROBOTICS FUNDRAISER/RAFFLE
At parent conferences, the robotics team will be having a fundraiser to support their trip to the world championships in Louisville. They will be having a raffle for the following items:
  • A Fire Pit/Bundle of wood and Smores fixins,
  • 1 $25Gift certificate from the Emerald Rose 
  • 1 Swag bag from Altitude Trampoline Park including merchandise and 4 jump passes
  • 2  $25 I Tunes gift cards
  • 2  Yankee Candle gift baskets
  • 2  $25 gift certificates to Buff's Pub
  • 1 $20 gift card to Stelio's family restaurant
  • 2  30 day trial membership to Get in Shape for Women w/$200 discount for the winner if she signs on for their program, and a Get in Shape for Women tumbler
  • Razzy’s Bakery gift certificate
  • A Tastefully Simple basket
  • A Baking basket
  • A print from Colleen Sgroi Art Studio
  • Two passes to Canobie Lake Park
  • A Lenox clock
CLOTHING DRIVE to benefit CRADLES TO CRAYONS
MARCH 18 - APRIL 5
Sarah Richard, an 8th grade student at the Locke Middle School, was selected to represent Billerica as the Project 351 Ambassador.  As part of her role, Sarah has committed to leading a “Spring Community Service Project” for the Locke Community.  
During the weeks of March 18 - April 5, Sarah and her team of volunteers (Jacqueline Rogers, Cassandra Modoono, & Shannon Moore) will be organizing a clothing drive to support local children through the Cradles to Crayons organization. 
We are asking for your help in donating new or gently worn clothing and shoes for children ages newborn to 15.  Please bring donations to the Locke Middle School lobby.  Thank you very much for your generosity.
LOCKE MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERARY MAGAZINE
The Locke Middle School will be publishing a literary magazine this Spring! Ms. Cabral is looking for student submissions to be potentially published in the magazine. Submissions can be essays, poems, artwork, or any other creative work. Ms. Cabral is also looking for student volunteers that would like to help put the magazine together. Please visit Ms. Cabral in the library for more information or email/share your submissions to pcabral@billericak12.com.
BAND, CHORUS, or ORCHESTRA SIGN-UPS for 2019-20 School Year
If your student is currently in grade 5 or 6 and would like to schedule Band, Orchestra, or Chorus for next school year they should fill out the online form at http://tinyurl.com/BPSMusEns19 or print, complete and return the attached form.  **Any student that has a desire to be in Chorus does not need to have been previously enrolled in Chorus, new members are always welcome!
6TH GRADE CPR PROGRAM
In partnership with the Billerica Fire Department, we will be conducting the CPR program at the Locke from March 25th through March 28th. Billerica firefighters will join Mrs. Carpenter's health classes to conduct CPR certification training.  At the end of the four day program (adult, child, and infant CPR) your child will receive an official CPR certification card (free of charge).
It’s important that your child attend all four days of the training so please make attendance a priority and make every effort not to schedule appointments during that week. Please let Mrs. Carpenter know if there is a conflict and she will make special arrangements to try to make up the missed class material with your child.  
MCAS SCHEDULE
MCAS testing begins in April and continues in May. The testing schedule is attached.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: 19.7% of the year has passed
The Switch
By switching two of the digits of the number 123,456, Rodrigo obtains a new number that is 1980 more than the original. What is the product of the two digits Rodrigo switched?
PTO CORNER
Three of our PTO board members’ children will be moving to BMHS next year and we’ll have open positions we need to fill. If you are interested, please come to our next PTO meeting on April 1st for more information.
Our next restaurant night will be at Pinis Pizza on April 3rd. enjoy all day eating and support the Locke PTO.
It’s never too early to start thinking about Field Day. Remember, not only is this the 8thgraders final Field Day, but it’s the 7th graders final Field Day as well. Please help us to make this year’s Field Day the best for your child! This year’s Field Day will be June 14th. If you have ideas about how to make your child’s end-of-year event more enjoyable or would like to volunteer to help, please email billericalockepto@gmail.com or Facebook Message us.
If you need a gift card for a special occasion, we have a supply! Give a gift and support your school! If interested, email billericalockepto@gmail.com or Facebook Message us.
The PTO needs volunteers. If you would prefer not to participate in our fundraisers, but would still like to contribute, please see our Alternative Fundraiser form. "Like" the Locke PTO on Facebook for PTO, school, and district updates, email us at billericalockepto@gmail.com or call Faith Stevens at 978-314-3389 or 978-667-6676 with any questions. 
Important Upcoming Dates:
  • Report Cards Published – March 27th
  • Tween Puberty Workshop for Parents – Thursday, March 28th 5:15 PM, room 314
  • Parent Conferences – March 28th – 6:00 -8:00 PM
  • 7A Field Trip – March 29th
  • PTO Meeting – Monday, April 1st -6:30PM
  • PTO Restaurant Night at Pins Pizza – April 3rd 
  • April 8th, 9th – MCAS Grade 8 ELA Sessions 1,2
  • April 10th,11th – MCAS Grade 7 ELA Sessions 1,2
  • Early Release – April 12th, 11:40 Dismissal
  • April Vacation – April 15th–April 19th
  • Return to School – April 22nd
  • April 24th,25th MCAS Grade 6 ELA Sessions 1,2
2 attachments this week:
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655. Have a great week!!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal

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