LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #31 2022-2023

April 23, 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you all had a fantastic vacation week! We are back with another busy week and 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening …

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."

- William Shakespeare (his birthday today)

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Monday – A Day – HW Club, Late Buses

Tuesday – B Day

Wednesday – C Day – Advisory Schedule, HW Club, Late Buses, PTO Meeting 6:30 PM

Thursday – D Day – ALICE Drill, HW Club, Late Buses

Friday –  A Day

ALICE DRILL

We will be having an ALICE lockdown drill on Thursday, April 27^th. We will discuss the drill with students on Wednesday morning during advisory.

MCAS TESTING

Students have completed the ELA sessions of MCAS. Students did an outstanding job and gave their best efforts. Thank you to all for helping in making the testing a successful process for all students. The future testing dates are:

MATH -- All Grades—May 2, 3

SCIENCE -- Grade 5 Only -- May 9, 10

There will be one session per day. 

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 many as you'd like! Submissions can be emailed to Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com. All students who submit work will receive a free printed copy of the magazine once it is out. Please reach out to Ms. Cabral with any questions. 

Want to see previous years' magazines for inspiration? Check them out here!

7^th GRADE – YEARBOOK INFORMATION

The Grade 7 yearbook google classroom is open for all 7th-grade students to submit information for the book. ( in 20 years and remember when) 

Please join the google classroom The code is: mxyxkys

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Please see the honor roll lists and the Student of the Trimester recipients for Trimester 2. All students will receive certificates. Congratulations to students! Great work!

High Honor Roll

Honor Roll

Student of the Trimester

WATER BOTTLES

As the weather gets warmer, students are reminded to bring in their own water bottle. Please do not share your bottle with other students.

PTO FUNDRAISERS

The Penny War is over! Thank you for your donations. The results are in! The homeroom winners are:

Grade 5 -- Ms. Gagne, 246

Grade 6 -- Ms. Ternullo, 114

Grade 7 -- Ms. Fournier, 231

PTO CORNER

The PTO welcomes all families to the Locke. We will be meeting monthly to plan several events throughout the year. We are always looking for volunteers to help plan great programs that will benefit our students. Please email us at billericalockepto@gmail.com if you would like to be contacted as opportunities arise. You must have a valid CORI on file. Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 26^th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for all of the PTO meetings during the year.

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Here Comes the Sun!

1. Sun City, Arizona earned its name because it rarely rains there. In fact, it rains only 56 days each year there, on average. What percent of the days in 2023 is it expected to rain in Sun City? Express your answer to the nearest hundredth.

2. The rainiest month in Sun City is April. On average, it rains 10 days each year during the month of April. What is the average number of days it rains in a month other than April in Sun City?

Last Week’s Answer: 18 hops

Send your answers to Mr. Garas – tgaras@billericak12.com – Show your work! You can win a Dunkins gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!!

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Last week’s answer Why did the duck get fired from his Easter job? They kept quacking all of the eggs!

This Week: Why do bees become indecisive after April?

7^th GRADE FAMILIES

SUMMER STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM

Hello Families,  The registration window for the summer program is now open.  Please read the descriptions below to select the most appropriate program for your child.  

Summer Enrichment Strength & Conditioning Camp

Take advantage of the summer break to harden the mind and body by attending Billerica’s Summer Enrichment Strength & Conditioning camp. The camp is designed for ALL students and is fully staffed with fitness instructors and an athletic trainer. The perfect opportunity to learn how to properly exercise and develop your fitness. The program will focus on a wide range of physical traits such as flexibility, strength, speed, agility, and stamina. Our Strength & Conditioning Program will be a comprehensive four-day per week program designed to emphasize all of the physical attributes that are important to developing core strength. Participants will also receive advice and instruction on nutrition, the importance of recovery, and the prevention of injury. All that is required of the participant is his/her motivation and a willingness to work hard. We’ll provide the equipment, instruction, programming, and RESULTS.

New session option that will have a focus primarily on building aerobic strength as well as working on balance, flexibility, mobility, and general strength.  Athletes will learn about proper form and mechanics while running as well as injury prevention routines.  Athletes will also learn about the importance of nutrition and sleep and how they impact performance.  This option would be ideal for athletes planning to compete in cross country, soccer, or looking to build fitness/aerobic strength.  

• Ages: 8th-12th grade
• Time: 7:30-9 am

The program is designed with 2 age groupings and 1 Hybrid Model (New Session Option)

1. Class of 2027 & 2028  8th & 9^th Grade

2. Class of 2024, 2025, 2026  10^th-12^th Grade

3. Class of 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028   Hybrid Model (New Session Option)

To Register:  Need a verified account with “Community Pass” Select 2023-24 Athletic Programs

Questions Contact: John Magliozzi or Laura Jenkins 978-528-7922

6 Weeks of Training

• June 26 to August 11, 2023  (July 4^th week Closed July 3-July 7)
• Monday-Thursday for ALL Sessions
• Location BMHS
• All session include breakfast and a snack

Program Options:

• Class of 2027 & 2028 from 8-Noon
• Cost $250.00 per student
• In addition to the Strength & Conditioning Program there will be free gym time to play basketball, floor-hockey, and other team games.
• Class of 2024, 2025, 2026 -3 Morning sessions offered 6:30, 8:00 & 9:30 AM. 
• Cost $170.00 per student
• New Hybrid Model (Focus is aerobic strength)
• Class of 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028   Hybrid Model (New Session Option)
• 1 Morning Session 7:30 am to 9 am
• Cost $170.00 per student

NEWSLETTER REMINDERS

LATE BUS PICK-UP

Students will report to the cafeteria for late bus pick-up. Late bus runs will run on every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the school year. The buses usually arrive at the Locke at 3:10 PM. We have 3 late buses. The late buses have different stops than the usual routes. Please review the attached routes with students.

HOMEWORK CLUB

HW club will continue throughout the school year. It will meet in the library every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:45 – 2:45. Students do not need to sign up ahead of time for HW club. Students will report to the library immediately after school and sign in. Students can attend as many days as the parent/student believes are necessary. Students are expected to stay for the full hour.

CHROMEBOOKS

Students are required to bring their school-issued Chromebooks to school every day. It is important that students remember to bring their Chromebooks every day. We have only a few in the office to let students borrow. Students should charge their Chromebooks overnight. All teachers will be setting up a Google classroom for their students where assignments will be posted and where assignments can be turned in electronically. If your child does not have a Chromebook, please contact the main office at 978-528-8650. We also highly recommend purchasing a protective case for the Chromebook.

BUS ASSIGNMENTS

Students that ride the bus can only ride on their assigned bus in the morning and afternoon. Students are not allowed to ride different buses to be with friends after school. If there is an emergency reason that a student needs to ride another bus, please contact Mr. Peters.

The bus routes for the year are located on the district website:

 https://www.billericak12.com/district/transportation

If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654

ABSENCES

If your child is going to be absent, please call 978-528-8650 to report the absence. You can leave a voicemail at this number which goes directly to our secretary. You may also email our secretary, Ms. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com  

FROM THE BILLERICA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Wanted! Substitute Teachers!

If you are looking to earn additional income and need a flexible schedule, then Substitute Teaching may be the perfect part-time job for you!  Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.

Wanted! Paraprofessionals!

We are looking for full-time paraprofessionals to provide hands-on support to teachers when preparing lessons.  These are full-time positions with benefits.  Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.

Wanted! Substitute Cafeteria Workers!

Great opportunity for on-call part-time work.  These positions are approximately 3 hours a day and perfect hours for those who need a flexible schedule.  Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.

FROM THE COMMUNITY

• The Billerica Recreation Department has many great programs for all ages. Please see the department website.
• The boys and girls club has excellent opportunities for our students. Please see the club website.

UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE

• Monday, April 24^th – Return to School
• Wednesday, April 26^th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM -- Library
• Thursday, April 27^th – ALICE Drill
• Tuesday, May 2^nd – MCAS MATH – Session I
• Wednesday, May 3^rd – MCAS MATH – Session II
• May 8^th – May 12^th – Teacher Appreciation Week
• Monday, May 8^th – School Site Council, 5:00 PM -- Library
• May 9^th and 10^th – SCIENCE MCAS, Grade 5
• May 11^th and 12^th  – Locke Musical, 7:00 PM-Auditorium
• Friday, May 12^th – 5A1 Field trip
• Saturday, May 13^th – Locke Musical, 2:00 PM
• Tuesday, May 16^th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM – Library
• Wednesday, May 17^th – 5A2 Field Trip
• Monday, May 22^nd – 5B1 Field Trip
• Tuesday, May 23^rd – Early Release – 11:40 Dismissal
• Wednesday, May 24^th – 5B2 Field Trip
• Monday, May 29^th – No School, Memorial Day

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