LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #34 2022-2023
May 14, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy Mother’s Day!! I hope you are enjoying the great weather this weekend. 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
"A child's first teacher is its mother." – Unknown
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – D Day – MCAS Make-ups, HW Club, Late Buses
Tuesday – A Day
Wednesday – B Day – 5A2 Field Trip, HW Club, Late Buses
Thursday – C Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – D Day
LITERARY MAGAZINE—STAFF MEETINGS
Students interested in joining the literary magazine staff should attend a meeting on Wednesday, 5/17, after school. The meetings will be held in Ms. Carpenter's health room 314. If you cannot make it to the meeting but are interested in helping out, please reach out to Ms. Cabral at pcabral@billericak12.com. Space will be limited.
LOCKE MUSICAL
Congratulations to all students and staff who participated in High School Musical, Jr. this past week. Three incredible performances by our students on the Locke stage. Many legs were broken! Special thanks to the parent volunteers, Ms. Rodland, Ms. McDermott, Mr. Dearbeck. and Mr. Tassi.
CONCERT SEASON
It’s that time of year again. Our students will be showcasing their musical talents in their end of the year concerts. All concerts are at 7:00 PM.
May 15 – 6-12 Band -- BMHS
May 23 – Orchestra -- Marshall
May 24 – Grades 4 and 5 Band – Marshall
June 7 – Choir – BMHS
June 7 – Grade 4 and 5 Orchestra -- BMHS
7th GRADE END OF YEAR EVENTS
June 14th – Canobie Lake Field Trip
June 16th – BMHS tour
June 21st – 7th Grade Class Day
More information will be coming out soon for these events
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.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
From the Locke staff:
A huge thank you to the PTO for pampering the staff all week. From breakfast, lunch, and snacks to incredible desserts and raffles, we are so grateful for all that you do for us.
PTO –UPCOMING EVENTS
Our next PTO meeting is this week in the Locke Library at 6:30 PM. It was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but we may need to reschedule. Please check your email this week.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Make Way For Ducklings – Part 2
Three mother ducks went out one day
With two ducklings behind.
Fourteen kilograms was their weight
When all five were combined.
Add one mother duck and one duckling
And their weight increased.
Nineteen kilograms was the total
Of the seven with webbed feet.
If all ducklings have one weight,
and ducks all have another,
Then you should find the total weight
of three - one child, two mothers.
Last Week’s Answer: 7.125 ounces
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: What did the mother worm say to the little worm who was late? – “Where in earth were you?”
This Week: What did the mommy spider say to the baby spider?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
LATE BUS PICK-UP – Last Day May 25th
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 25th
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 – ART CONTEST
Yankee Doodle Art Contest for grades 5,6 and 7. See attached flyer.
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
· Monday, May 15th – 6-12 Band Concert, BMHS-7:00PM
· Tuesday, May 16th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM – Library (tentative)
· Wednesday, May 17th – 5A2 Field Trip
· Monday, May 22nd – 5B1 Field Trip
· Tuesday, May 23rd – Early Release – 11:40 Dismissal
· Tuesday, May 23rd – Orchestra Concert, Marshall-7:00 PM
· Wednesday, May 24th – Grades 4/5 Band Concert,Marshall-7:00PM
· Wednesday, May 24th – 5B2 Field Trip
· Thursday, May 25th – Last day of late buses and HW club
· Monday, May 29th – No School, Memorial Day
· Wednesday, May 31st – Step-up Day, Ditson to Locke
· Thursday, June 1st – Step-up Day, Kennedy/Parker to Locke
· Friday, June 2nd – 6th Grade Presentation
· Tuesday, June 6th – 4th grade parent orientation, 6:30 PM
· Wednesday, June 7th – Choir Concert, BMHS-7:00PM
· Thursday, June 8th – PTO Meeting, Library – 6:30 PM
· Thursday, June 8th – Grades 4/5 Strings Concert, BMHS-7:00
· Wednesday, June 14th – 7th Grade Canobie lake Field Trip
· Thursday, June 15th – Field Day!!
· Friday, June 16th – 7th Grade tour of BMHS
· Monday June 19th – No School, Juneteenth
· Wednesday, June 21st – 7th Grade Class Day
· Thursday, June 22nd – Last Day, Grades Published
· Thursday, June 22nd – Half-Day Schedule, 10:40 to 10:50 dismissal, depending on buses
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