LIFE AT THE LOCKE … AT HOME EDITION #4
April 20, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy Patriots’ Day! I hope you are all enjoying the 3-day weekend. The Locke Virtual Middle School (LVMS) returns this week for 4 DAYS OF LEARNING! Our remote learning plan continues this week and the work for this week will be sent to each team later this evening via student and parent email. Please see the important points for students and parents below as we continue to refine our virtual learning plan. We reiterate again that we understand what an extraordinary situation this is and we are all trying to get through it together. I appreciate the support of our staff, families, and students as we navigate these difficult times. Have a great week of learning!
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. – Michael Jordan
STUDENT PICTURES
We would love to put together a video of students working at home. Pictures may be of students being active, studying, cooking. reading, etc. Homemade signs are encouraged. Please send photos to tgaras@billericak12.com. Please be advised that photos will be posted to the internet via social media. Students, please ask parent permission before sending.
REMOTE LEARNING PLAN (Continuing this week)
Our new remote learning plan continues this week. To see the complete plan, please click this link:
To Summarize,
FOR STUDENTS
- A document with all of your classes and work for the week will be sent out Sunday night. It will be sent to your email.
- It is our expectation that you complete the work assigned. The one change for this week is that at the end of this and subsequent weeks assignments will be given a missing (MISS) or submitted (SUBM) code in aspen. Teachers will offer feedback to students for your work and this will not take the form of traditional grades.
- Remember to be appropriate during video calls – you should be dressed as you would for school and your language should be appropriate for school – This is a great tool for teachers to use – Please be respectful
- Try not to stress or be anxious about completing work – If you have any questions, email your teachers. Do the best you can!
- If you have any questions about your work, the schedule, or your log-in information please email your teachers, your counselor, assistant principal, or principal.
FOR PARENTS
- A document with all of your child’s classes and work for the week will be sent out each week on Sunday night. It will be sent to your email.
- Our guidance for families is to have students do “school work” for 3 hours per day. It is our expectation that students attempt to complete their work. They should also try to be active for an hour per day, in addition to doing chores, and helping out around the house. Students should also spend time being creative. (art projects, cooking, dancing, playing an instrument)
- Staff will offer feedback to students for their work and this will not take the form of traditional grades. Assignments will be recorded in aspen with missing (MISS) or submitted (SUBM) codes.
- All staff members will have virtual office hours which will be listed on the weekly schedule. Staff are expected to answer emails as soon as they can and definitely within their office hours.
- (Most) parents/guardians are not teachers. During this closure, we do not expect you to “teach” grade-level content standards to the students. Your role is to assist the students in engaging with the teachers and the materials to the best of your ability. For a variety of reasons this will be more challenging on some days than others, and we understand this.
- We know that within our school there are many students and each one is an individual learner. Some will transition to remote learning readily while others will need more support. Our Special Education team will work closely with parents and families to support all of our students on Individualized Education Programs and our Student Support Team (counselors, social workers) will work with students to make this experience as successful as possible.
- If your child needs more structure in their day, I have seen several schedules posted that may be helpful. If you need help in this area, please let me know or your teachers.
SPRING LITERARY MAGAZINE
Ms. Cabral is still looking for volunteers and submissions for the spring literary magazine. Submissions can be any artwork or written work, done for school or on your own. This is a great opportunity to showcase how you have been creative at home during the school closure! Please email Ms. Cabral for more information at pcabral@billericak12.com
KAMI SOFTWARE
Our teachers now have the option of using Kami software which works with google classroom. The link below explains how to add it to your chrome browser.
LOCKE LIBRARY/VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
Ms. Cabral has started a new website for the library: https://lockemiddlelibrary.
Ms. Cabral is also looking to start a virtual book club. Students, please email Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com if you are interested. I’m sure there will be virtual snacks for all.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: $270
Virtual Field Trip
The 5th-grade team was planning a virtual field trip to the Museum of Science. The teachers decided to put students in groups to tour the museum so that no one had to go alone. Their first attempt using pairs did not work - one person was left out. Next, they tried groups of five, but that didn't work either. Then they tried groups of three and again had someone left over. Still, no luck when they tried groups of four. Each attempt ended with one person left out.
If the 5th-grade team has fewer than 80 students, how many students are on the team?
Bonus: What number of group members should the teachers use to make this work?
SHOW YOUR WORK and send answers to tgaras@billericak12.com We will send out virtual prizes for correct answers!
PTO CORNER
We have two open spots on the PTO: Secretary & Treasurer
We are also looking for help with the following programs:
Special Programs Coordinator
Labels Program (Box Tops, etc)
Locke Apparel
School Time Fundraisers
Scrip Gift Card Program
Scholastic Book Fair
Walkathon
Field Day Chairperson/Committee
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the Locke PTO
Email: billericalockepto@
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Our next PTO meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00 pm in the library. (hopefully) Hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655. Have a great week and stay safe!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal