LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #30 2023-2024
April 7, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are having a great weekend! We are back with another busy week before vacation and 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! The newsletter will not be published next week. Enjoy the April break! Let’s see what’s happening this week…
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” – Lilly Pulitzer
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – A Day – 1st day of quarter 4, Site Council, 5:00 PM Library
Tuesday – B Day
Wednesday – C Day – MCAS ELA SESSION 1, PTO Meeting 6:30 PM Library
Thursday – D Day – MCAS ELA SESSION 2
Friday – A Day – Day 135, Last Day of Quarter 3
LAST DAY OF QUARTER 3
The last day of quarter 3 was Friday, April 5th. Quarter 4 starts on Monday, April 8th and students will begin their new Unified Arts class.
MCAS BEGINS THIS WEEK
It is that time of year again and students will be taking the MCAS assessment starting this week. All grade levels will be participating in the ELA assessment according to the following schedule:
Wednesday, April 10 – All Grades, ELA Session 1
Thursday, April 11, All Grades, ELA Session 2
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. You can help your children in many ways:
- Be Positive
- Make sure your child attends school on every testing day
- Make sure your child arrives on time at 7:30 AM
- 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
- Be sure to have your child charge their Chromebook at night and bring it to school fully charged
- All students should have a book to read for when they complete testing
The MCAS assessment will be given on computers again this year. We have provided all students with training that will assist them in taking the assessment. We have also been providing students with sample items that will better prepare students for the type of questions that will be asked. 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 the MCAS, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I thank you in advance for helping our students navigate through the testing season and demonstrating that the Locke is a great place to learn and grow.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024
As you know, the solar eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8th. Go to this link to find out more information about the time frame in our area. Enjoy!
Please AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS/LATE BUSES
HW Club, Activities, and late buses are completed for the year. There are some make-up days scheduled for activities. Parents will be contacted individually via email for those dates. Our middle school sports, 5th grade orchestra, and musical rehearsals will continue after school. Parent pick-up will be required for all programs moving forward.
TRIMESTER 2 REPORT CARDS
Report Cards were published to Aspen on Friday, March 22nd. We ask parents to sign and return the report card envelope to indicate that they have seen the report. The report can be seen on your home screen under “published reports”. If you do not have an Aspen login, please email portalhelp@billericak12.com and we will be able to provide this information to you as soon as possible. All student reports are published on the portal.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Please see the attached list of honor and high honor roll students for Trimester 2. In addition, please see the list of students recognized as Students of the Trimester. Congratulations to our students for their accomplishments.
CHROMEBOOK CHARGERS
Many students have lost their chargers. As a reminder, Chromebooks should be charged when students come to school. If your child needs a charger, you can purchase one for $15 on-line. Please see the attached for more information.
SCHOOL LUNCH
Please see the attached lunch menu for the week.
LOCKE GEAR FOR SALE
The PTO is now selling Locke gear. Please see the attached flyer with the link to the store.
LOCKE FAMILY HOCKEY MATINEE
Welcome all friends and families! Please join us on at the Tsongas Center Sunday, May 4th for the Locke Middle School afternoon out at PWHL for a Spring matinee when PWHL Boston defends their home ice against PWHL Montreal! See the link below to purchase tickets.
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. You must have a valid CORI on file to volunteer at school. Please see the minutes from our last meeting. Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 10th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for the remaining PTO meetings during the year.
We also have a new Facebook page – “Billerica Locke PTO”. Click on the link below to take you there:
https://www.facebook.com/
LOCKE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL UPDATE
The Site Council met on Monday, March 10th. Please see the attached minutes from the meeting. The minutes and documents from our meetings can be found on the Locke website.
MCAS DATES 2024
ELA (All Grades) -- April 10, 11
Math (All Grades) -- May 7, 8
Science (Grade 5) -- May 14,15
DISTRICT-WIDE ART SHOW
The district art show will be open for viewing from April 12th –April 25th at BATV. A reception will be held on Friday, April 12th from 5:00-7:00 PM. See the attached flyer for more details.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Baseball is back!
Luis plans to purchase some new baseball bats and gloves before spring training begins. Luis wants to buy the same bats and gloves he purchased last spring, but he can’t remember the price of each item. Luis recalls making two purchases last spring, each totaling $135 and both tax-exempt. The first purchase was for a glove and three bats. The second purchase was for two gloves and a bat. If the current prices of these items are the same as last spring, how much will Luis pay this spring for three gloves and four bats?
Last week’s MPOW answer – The two facilities will both cost $48 after 8 hours.
Show all work. Submit your answers to Mr. Garas for a chance at a Dunkin gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!
RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: 1. Why do eggs like April Fools’ Day? – they love practical yokes 2. When shouldn’t you plant spring flowers? When you haven’t botany.
This week – What’s a moon’s favorite snack during an eclipse?
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! 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 annual Clean Up – Green Up Day will be held on April 20th from 10 am to 12 noon. Please see the attached for more information.
SUMMER PROGRAM – Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy Summer Program
REMINDERS
CHROMEBOOKS AND GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
Students are required to bring their school-issued Chromebooks to school every day. 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.
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 secretaries, Ms. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com or Lucy O’Brien at lobrien@billericak12.com
BUS ASSIGNMENTS
Students who 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.
The bus routes for the year are listed at this link.
If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ALSO ON THE MASTER CALENDAR ON THE LOCKE WEBSITE
- Friday, April 5th – Day 135, Last Day of Quarter 3
- Monday, April 8th – Quarter 4 Unified Arts Classes Begin
- Monday, April 8th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, April 10th –PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM Library
- Wednesday, April 10th – MCAS ELA Session I, All Grades
- Thursday, April 11th – MCAS ELA Session II, All Grades
- April 15th – 19th – Spring Vacation
- Saturday, April 20th – Clean Up-Green Up Day 10:00-12:00
- Monday, April 22nd – Return to School
- Thursday, April 25th – Group Photos
- Friday, April 26th – Last Day for ELA Make-ups
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call 978-528-8655 Have a great week!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal