LIFE AT THE LOCKE … AT HOME EDITION #6

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May 3, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weekend. I also hope you got the chance to get away from your screens and enjoy the sunshine. The Locke Virtual Middle School (LVMS) returns again this week for a full 5 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!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
 “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.” Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers)
STUDENT VIDEO
Click on the link for the LVMS student video – Working from home #LockedIn
YEARBOOK NEWS
7th graders – Please click on the link to fill out information for the yearbook. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Milner at dmilner@billericak12.com
UNIFIED ARTS – 4th QUARTER
Students will start their 4th quarter unified arts classes on May 11th. The teachers will make every attempt to introduce themselves through email, video, or google meet.
STUDENT BELONGINGS
I have received many inquiries regarding student belongings. Please be patient as we implement a plan for students to retrieve them. As soon as the plan is ready, I will contact families.
REMOTE LEARNING PLAN (Continuing this week)
Our remote learning plan continues this week. We did receive new guidance from the Superintendent regarding teaching new material. Beginning on May 11th, we will be introducing content standards that may be new to students.
 To Summarize our current plan,
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. Assignments will be recorded in aspen with missing (MISS) or submitted (SUBM) codes. 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 (Update)
Thinking about submitting work to be included in the Locke's literary magazine but not sure what the literary magazine actually is? See last year's edition of the school's literary magazine on the new Locke Library website! The entire magazine is now available for viewing under the tab "literary magazine". Please submit any work you would like included in this year's magazine to Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com. All school appropriate work is accepted!
VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
Ms. Cabral has started 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: 12 Dimes, 10 nickels, 6 quarters, 32 pennies
After School Snacks
Shawn gets an allowance of $5 every other Sunday for doing chores. He likes to stop on his way home from school and buy a healthy snack. His favorite treat costs $0.65.
  1. How many of these snacks can Shawn afford every two weeks?
After buying as many of these snacks with his $5 as possible, Shawn puts his left over allowance in his piggy bank. He is saving to buy a new calculator. The model he wants costs $8.95. (It performs integer division and operations with fractions!)
  1. How many weeks will it take him to save enough for the calculator?
[Hint: Try estimating the answer before calculating it, so you will know if your answer is reasonable.]
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
Our next PTO meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00 pm. We will send out a link for the meeting.  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

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