LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #33 2020-2021
May 16, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather this weekend. Spring has finally arrived! We have another busy week ahead with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Education isn't something you can finish.”― Isaac Asimov, author
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
We are back to following our 4-rotation. Check your schedules on Aspen for quarter 4.
Monday, May 17 – A Day
Tuesday, May 18 – B Day-- No COVID Testing, MCAS – ELA, all grades
Wednesday, May 19 – C Day – MCAS – Math, all grades
Thursday, May 20 – D Day – MCAS – Science, Grade 5 only
Friday, May 21 – A Day
MCAS TESTING – THIS WEEK
Parents and Guardians,
It is that time of year again and students will be taking the MCAS exam this week in English Language Arts and mathematics. 5th graders will also participate in the MCAS science exam. See above for the testing dates.
The MCAS exam gives all students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and how much they have grown as learners. It is important for our school and community to ensure that all students do their best work. The testing can be stressful for students and as a staff we work diligently to provide a positive environment. Here are some reminders for parents and students:
- Be Positive
- Make sure your child attends school on every testing day
- Make sure your child arrives on time at 7:30 AM
- Students need to charge Chromebooks every night.
- Students need to bring their school-issued Chromebook and charger to school each day.
- Emphasize that the tests are important and give students a chance to demonstrate learning.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep prior to testing.
MCAS is based on the common core and all of our curricula have been aligned to ensure that the work being done in our classrooms every day meets the standards. If you have any questions regarding MCAS, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I thank you once again in advance for helping our students navigate through the testing season and demonstrating that the Locke is a great place to learn and grow.
MASK REMINDER
Just a friendly reminder to have your students change their masks daily when coming to school. Now that we're all back 5 days a week, it's more important than ever to keep up with good hygiene. If a student does not have a clean mask for the day, they may report to the Main Office in the morning to obtain a new one. Thank you!
POOLED COVID TESTING
We will not have testing this week due to MCAS. We will resume testing on Tuesday, May 25th. Please complete the attached form if you would like your child to participate. We are encouraging all students to participate. For more details, please see the district’s website.
https://forms.gle/
TALENT SHOW
We are having a virtual talent show. Auditions/Rehearsals will be held on Monday and Thursday this week after school. There are sign-up sheets for students on the cafeteria doors. Parents will need to provide a ride after school. If you have any questions contact Ms. Berard – aberard@billericak12.com
DISMISSAL/BUS PROCEDURES
Dismissal -- If your child is being dismissed, please send in a note with the time and the person who is dismissing the student. You must enter the building to dismiss your child and show your license.
Bus Procedures - Due to COVID restrictions, students are only allowed to ride on their assigned bus.
LITERARY MAGAZINE – submissions needed
Ms. Cabral is looking for submissions to be entered in this year's literary magazine! Submissions can be any artwork or written work, as long as it's school-appropriate. Examples of submissions received in the past include poetry, horror stories, original short stories, digital art, paintings, research essays, etc. There is no limit on how many items you can submit, so please submit as much as you'd like! Submissions can be emailed to Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com. Submissions are due by May 15. Please reach out to Ms. Cabral with any questions.
Want to see last year's magazine for inspiration? Check it out here!
BILLERICA SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP
Summer Camp is back!!! Students in grades K-7 are invited to enjoy a wide variety of activities and some socialization with friends. Camp runs from 6/23-7/28 and is from 8-12 at the Marshall. Community Pass will be the only method to register. If interested please register at the following link:
https://register.capturepoint.
All Billerica families have a Community Pass account, but if you have never registered your account please send an email to Communitypass@billericak12.
If you have any questions about camp please contact PJ McCarthy at PJMcCarthy@billericak12.com
CHORUS – NEXT FALL
Current 5th and 6th graders: Sign Up to take Chorus next year here. Chorus class meets twice a week during the school day. Want to learn more? Check out these videos by current members of Chorus explaining Why They Love Chorus!
Questions: mraleigh@
BOOK FAIR
The Book Fair is back! It will be held the week of May 24th. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s Answer: Mia is 7 or 9
The answer two weeks ago: 1. 48.9% 2. 51.1% 3. More likely to be born on a prime number than a multiple of 3.
Brood X-The Cicadas are back!
2021 is the year that the cicadas will reappear. The cicadas intrigue scientists because of their odd life cycle. The red-eyed ones from Brood X come up out of the ground every 17 years like clockwork. They then only live for 2.5 weeks before laying their eggs and dying. Assuming that the life span of a cicada is 17 years, and 2.5 of those weeks are spent above ground, what percent of their lives is spent above ground? Express your answer to the nearest tenth.
Send your answers to Mr. Garas – tgaras@billericak12.com – Show your work! Your answers will be put into a drawing for a dunkins card! (and the famous math certificate!)
PTO UPDATE
Hello from the Locke PTO!
Our next PTO meeting is on Wednesday, May 26th at 6:30.
A link to the meeting will be posted soon!
Join us!
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You can keep your family safe while supporting the Locke by ordering one of these handmade masks. They are comfortable, very breathable, and can even be customized!
LIBRARY INFORMATION –Books are still available!
Check out library books from the Locke library! The process for requesting library books online has become even simpler! Using Destiny Discover in your BPS Quick Links, you no longer need to log into the library catalog. Please see Ms. Cabral's updated instruction video on the Locke library website: https://
Returning library books: Students who need to return library books should please return them to the brand new bin in the lobby. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com
UPCOMING DATES
- May 18th – MCAS all grades ELA
- May 19th – MCAS all grades Math
- May 20th – MCAS 5th grade Science
- May 24th – Book Fair starts
- May 26th – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
- May 26th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM
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