LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #36 2018-2019

May 27, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful, Memorial Day weekend. Please take a moment to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our country in the defense of freedom. We are back to work with 4 DAYS OF LEARNING this week! It’s our busiest and most exciting time of the year. Let’s see what’s happening …

Tuesday, May 28^th is a “B” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and Instagram: locke_middle_school

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." – Franklin D. Roosevelt

AFTER SCHOOL – REMAINDER OF YEAR

We have concluded all of our after-school programs for students. We will not have late buses for the remainder of the school year. If students are staying after for any reason, parent transportation will need to be provided.

FIELD TRIPS – DC/NC

Our 8^th graders and 7B students are traveling this week to Washington and Nature’s Classroom. We wish them safe travels and a great learning experience!

STEP-UP DAY FOR 4^th and 5^th GRADERS!

The 4^th and 5^th graders will be at the Locke this week for step-up days on Wednesday and Thursday. Please welcome the students as they tour the building and eat lunch with us. They will soon be Locke students!

CPR PROGRAM – 6^th GRADE

In partnership with the Billerica Fire Department we will be conducting the CPR training programwith current grade 6 health students from June 3rd through June 6th. Billerica firefighters will join Mrs. Carpenter's classes to conduct the training. At the end of the four day program (adult, child, and infant CPR/AED and choking) your child will receive official CPR certification (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. Contact Mrs. Carpenter if there is a conflict and she will make special arrangements to try to make up the missed class material with your child.  

MCAS TESTING – A SUCCESS!

We have completed MCAS testing for another year. Thank you to our staff and students for working hard to be prepared and for giving your best efforts. Also, thank you to our parents for having students rested and ready for testing.  Finally, a big thank you to our guidance staff for doing all of the preparation and behind the scenes work.

MCAS scores are one measure of our school’s success and a way to tell the community how we are doing. This is why we ask students to be prepared and to take the assessments seriously. We believe that our instructional core prepares students to do well on these assessments. However, there are many other aspects of our educational program that help students to grow both academically and socially. Thank you again for your help, patience, and dedication throughout the testing season.

WALK-A-THON

We had another successful Walk-a-Thon this year with 314 students participating. Thank you to Ms. Higgins, Ms. Capadanno, and Mr. Flynn for leading the walk and not getting us lost. Also, thank you to students and families for their generous donations to the PTO.

YEARBOOK SALES

Please see the attached order form for the 7^th/8^th grade yearbook. Yearbooks can be ordered from May 6^th through June 3^rd  for $20 cash or checks made out to the Locke Middle School.

8^th GRADE GRAD DANCE

The 8^th grade grad dance will be held on Friday, June 7^th from 6:00 – 9:00. Please see the attached for more information.

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Last week’s answer: 50

Always lock your locker

A certain digital lock has a keypad with five buttons labeled 1 to 5. To activate the locking mechanism, a secret code is set with these restrictions: the code must contain three parts, each part will consist of either pressing one button or pressing two buttons simultaneously, and no button may be pressed more than once. For example [3][4][1], [1][ 2 & 4][5] and [1 & 2][4][3 & 5] are three possible codes. Also, note that [1][2 & 4][5] and [1][4 & 2][5] are the same. How many distinct secret codes can be set for this lock?

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The 2019 summer enrichment program will be held at the Marshall Middle School. Please see the link below:

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

PTO CORNER

Our final PTO meeting of the 2018 - 2019 school year will be June 3rd at 6:30 pm in the Library. We will vote on next year’s Board members. Please stop by and support them.

Field Day is almost here! As you know, Field Day is scheduled for June 14. If you have not turned in your child’s T-Shirt payment form (cost is $10 per child), please find it attached and return it to school no later than May 31. Also, thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help. We have some great events and treats lined up…multiple inflatables, bumper balls, peddle cars, selfies, snacks and the popular dunk tank! If you have not yet reached out and are available to help, or if you haven’t yet signed up for your volunteer slot, please click the link below and sign up for as many events for which you are available. We’ll need help all day.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44ADA72EA2F94-locke

Please ensure that your CORI is up-to-date. If you are uncertain of the expiration of your most recent CORI, please contact the school office and the secretary will look it up for you.

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:

• Monday, May 27^th – Memorial Day, No School
• May 28^th- 31^st – DC Trip, Nature’s Classroom for 7B
• Wednesday, May 29^th – 4^th grade Step-up Day
• Thursday, May 30^th – 5^th grade Step-Up Day
• Monday, June 3^rd – 6:30PM, PTO Meeting
• June 4^th – 7^th – Nature’s Classroom for 7A
• June 4^th – BMHS Graduation, 6:30 PM
• June 6^th – 4^th grade parent night 5:30-6:30, 5^th grade parent night 7:00-8:00
• June 7^th – 6^th grade assembly, Animal Adventures
• June 7^th – 8^th grade grad dance, 6:00-9:00
• June 11^th – 8^th grade awards night, 7:00
• June 13^th – 7^th grade awards assembly
• June 14^th – Field Day
• June 17^th – 8^th grade Canobie Lake Trip
• June 17^th – 7^th grade end of year party, 2:00-4:00
• June 18^th – Last Day of Learning, Half Day -10:40 Dismissal, Report Cards Published

4 attachments this week:

• Field Day Form
• 8^th grade grad information
• Yearbook Order Form
• PTO Alternative fundraiser

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