­­­­­­­LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #33 2023-2024

May 5, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are having a great weekend. Go Bruins and Celtics, Happy Cinco De Mayo, Happy Staff Appreciation Week, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate today. It’s a busy time of year! We are back with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening this week…

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER (X) @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free. – Cesar Chavez, labor leader and civil rights activist

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Monday – D Day

Tuesday – A Day – MCAS Math Session 1

Wednesday – B Day – MCAS Math Session 2, PTO meeting 6:30 PM

Thursday – C Day – Musical, 7:00 PM

Friday –  D Day – Musical, 7:00 PM and Saturday, 2:00 PM

IMPORTANT PARENT SURVEY

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Locke School Council is working on a school improvement plan for next year. As we develop this plan, we would appreciate feedback from parents and guardians. The information from this survey will help us improve student learning, parent/school relationships, and the Locke's overall environment. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. It is greatly appreciated. Your answers are confidential. Thank you to those who have already completed it. At this time, we have 109 responses which is a great start. Please click on the link to complete the survey. The link will remain open until May 13th. Thank you.

LOCKE PARENT SURVEY

MCAS TESTING THIS WEEK

Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Students will be taking the MCAS exam again this week in mathematics on Tuesday and Wednesday. 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 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.

LOCKE MUSICAL THIS WEEK!

Please join us for Willy Wonka, Jr. this week!! Chocolate for all! Tickets are on sale at lunch -- $12 for adults, $7 for students

Thursday, May 9^th -- 7:00 PM

Friday, May 10^th -- 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 11^th -- 2:00 PM

MCAS DATES 2024

Math (All Grades) -- May 7, 8

Science (Grade 5) -- May 14,15

YEARBOOK – 7^th Grade Information Needed

7^th Graders -- Please log into your Billerica account and fill out the forms if you would like to include your vote for favorites OR what you'll be doing in 20 years -- a little something fun to put in the book to remember your time at Locke!
PLEASE NOTE:  the links will close May 14^th for submission. Responses will not be accepted after that date.

Thanks!
Mrs. McAleer & Mrs. Hebert-YB advisors

7th grade favorites survey

In 20 years form

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK -- DONATIONS NEEDED

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6^th through May 10^th. The PTO is looking for donations of food and raffle items. Please sign-up at this link for more information:

SIGN UP HERE

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS/LATE BUSES

HW Club, Activities, and late buses are completed for the year. Our middle school sports, 5^th grade orchestra, and musical rehearsals will continue after school. Parent pick-up will be required for all programs moving forward.

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.

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, April 10th. Our next meeting is this Wednesday, May 8^th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. If you are interested in being on the board next year, please attend this meeting. 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/share/p/W2AQvL6HZz2erG1S/?mibextid=oFDknk

LOCKE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL UPDATE

The Site Council met on Monday, April 8^th. Please see the attached minutes from the meeting. The minutes and documents from our meetings can be found on the Locke website.

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Spring Flowers (same as last week)

1. In the spring of 2020, Dahlia created a flower bed and planted one daffodil. The following spring, three daffodils bloomed. In fact, each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of daffodils that bloomed in Dahlia’s flower bed was 1, 3, 9 and 27, respectively. If this pattern continues, how many daffodils can Dahlia expect to bloom in the spring of 2024?

2. In the spring of 2020, Rose created a flower bed and planted two tulips. The following spring four tulips bloomed. Each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of tulips that bloomed in Rose’s flower bed was 2, 4, 8 and 16, respectively. If this pattern continues, what is the absolute difference in the number of tulips and daffodils expected to bloom in Rose’s and Dahlia’s flower beds in 2024?

3. In the spring of 2020, Lily created a flower bed and planted three hyacinths. Each spring, from 2020 to 2023, the number of hyacinths that bloomed in Lily’s flower bed was 3, 6, 10 and 15, respectively. If this pattern continues, what is the total number of hyacinths that will have bloomed in Lily’s flower bed from the spring of 2020 through the spring of 2024?

Last week’s MPOW answer – 1. 153 High-Fives 2. 144 High-Fives

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: Which bear is the most condescending? Pan – Duh!

This week – Riddle -- I have seven rings made of rock and ice, but you cannot wear them on your fingers. They are way, way too big. What am I?

Joke – What do you get when you cross a skunk with May 5^th?

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 Billerica Substance Awareness Prevention Committee is hosting a community fair on Saturday, May 11^th. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

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

• May 6^th through May 10^th – Teacher Appreciation Week
• Tuesday, Wednesday May 7^th, 8^th – MCAS MATH Sessions 1,2
• Wednesday, May 8^th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
• Thursday, Friday May 9^th, 10^th – Locke Musical, 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 11^th – Locke Musical, 2:00 PM
• Monday, May 13^th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM, Library
• Tuesday, Wednesday May 14^th, 15^th – 5^th Grade MCAS Science Sessions 1,2
• Tuesday, May 14^th – Grades 6,7 Band Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
• Wednesday, May 15^th – Middle School Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
• Tuesday, May 21^st – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
• Wednesday, May 22^nd – Grades 4,5 Band Concert, 7:00 Marshall
• Thursday, May 23^rd – Middle School Choral Concert, 7:00 PM BMHS
• Friday, May 24^th – 5B2 Field trip
• Monday, May 27^th – No School, Memorial Day
• Thursday, May 30^th – Kennedy Visit
• Friday, May 31^st – Ditson/Parker Visit
• Monday, June 3^rd – 5A2 Field Trip
• Monday, June 3^rd – 7^th Graders to BMHS for tour, 8:30-10:30
• Tuesday, June 4^th – 4^th Grade Parent Orientation, 6:30 PM Locke Auditorium
• Monday, June 10^th – 5B1 Field Trip
• Wednesday, June 12^th – 5A1 Field Trip
• Wednesday, June 12^th – 7^th Grade Canobie Lake Trip
• Thursday, June 13^th – Field Day
• Friday, June 14^th – 7^th Grade Class Day
• Monday, June 17^th – Last Day of School, Half-Day 10:40 Dismissal