LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #32 2022-2023
April 30, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are having a great weekend. Hopefully, the sun will return soon. 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
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – B Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Tuesday – C Day – MCAS Math Session 1
Wednesday – D Day – MCAS Math Session 2, HW Club, Late Buses
Thursday – A Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – B Day
MCAS TESTING THIS WEEK
Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Students will be taking the MCAS exam this week in mathematics. All MCAS testing will be done on Chromebooks. 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 and a good breakfast 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 everyday 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.
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!
7th 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
LOCKE MUSICAL – Coming soon!
The Locke musical is coming soon. See the attached flyer for more information.
LOCKE MUSICAL -- CREW NEEDED
The Locke musical is looking for crew members. Students in all grades can work on the crew. You will need to be available May 1st through the 4th from 2:00-5:00. Also, May 8th and 9th from 2:00-5:00. Also, for all show times. Please email Ms. Rodland if you are interested. crodland@billericak12.com
WATER BOTTLES
As the weather gets warmer, students are reminded to bring in their own water bottles. Please do not share your bottle with other students.
PTO –UPCOMING EVENTS
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12 and we want to show the Locke teachers and staff just how much we appreciate them. We are trying to make this a week for them to remember. We will be hosting a breakfast on Monday, stocking the teacher's room with snacks on Tuesday, and a luncheon on Thursday complete with dessert. We will also be holding a raffle for the teachers and staff to make things even more fun. Please consider donating using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/
Mother’s Day Flower Sale
Single wrapped roses will be sold for $5 each
Pre-orders will be taken at lunch on Monday 5/8 & Tuesday 5/9. Look out for the form in your email this week. Orders will be picked up Friday 5/12 at lunch.
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
We are keeping the same problem as last week. We need more submissions.
Here Comes the Sun!
Sun City 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.
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 do bees become indecisive after April? – They become May-bees!
This Week: If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
LATE BUS PICK-UP – Last Day May 23rd
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 – Last Day May 23rd
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/
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 great opportunities for our students. Please see the club website.
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
- Monday, April 24th – Return to School
- Wednesday, April 26th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM -- Library
- Thursday, April 27th – ALICE Drill
- Tuesday, May 2nd – MCAS MATH – Session I
- Wednesday, May 3rd – MCAS MATH – Session II
- May 8th – May 12th – Teacher Appreciation Week
- Monday, May 8th – School Site Council, 5:00 PM -- Library
- May 9th and 10th – SCIENCE MCAS, Grade 5
- May 11th and 12th – Locke Musical, 7:00 PM-Auditorium
- Friday, May 12th – 5A1 Field trip
- Saturday, May 13th – Locke Musical, 2:00 PM
- Tuesday, May 16th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM – Library
- Wednesday, May 17th – 5A2 Field Trip
- Monday, May 22nd – 5B1 Field Trip
- Tuesday, May 23rd – Early Release – 11:40 Dismissal
- Wednesday, May 24th – 5B2 Field Trip
- Thursday, May 25th – Last day of late buses and HW club
- Monday, May 29th – 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