LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #34 2023-2024
May 12, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy Mother’s Day!! I hope you are all having a great weekend. We have another busy week ahead with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER (X) @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Mothers can look through a child's eyes and see tomorrow. – Reed B. Markham
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – A Day – Site Council 5:00 PM
Tuesday – B Day – 5th Grade MCAS Science Session 1, Grade 6/7 Band Concert 7:00 PM Marshall
Wednesday – C Day – 5th Grade MCAS Science Session 2, Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
Thursday – D Day – MCAS Make-ups
Friday – A Day – MCAS Make-ups
REMINDER -- 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 192 responses which is a great start. Please click on the link to complete the survey. The link will remain open until Friday, May 17th. Thank you.
5th GRADE MCAS TESTING/MAKE-UPS THIS WEEK
5th grade students will be taking the science MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Make-ups for math and science will be held on Thursday and Friday.
YEARBOOK – 7th Grade Information Needed
7th 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 14th for submission. Responses will not be accepted after that date.
Thanks!
Mrs. McAleer & Mrs. Hebert-YB advisors
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. Also, thank you to our families for their generous donations. See our Instagram page for a few photos.
LOCKE MUSICAL – REVIEWS ARE IN!
Congratulations to the cast and crew who participated in Willy Wonka, Jr. this past week. Three incredible performances by our students on the Locke stage. Many legs were broken and a lot of Wonka bars were consumed! Special thanks to Ms. Crowley, Ms. Rodland, Ms. McDermott, Mr. Dearbeck, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Tassi, and the many parent volunteers. Remember to think POSITIVE!
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 14th – Grade 6,7 Band – Marshall, 7:00 PM
May 15th – Orchestra – Marshall, 7:00 PM
May 22nd – Grades 4 and 5 Band – Marshall, 7:00 PM
May 23rd – Choral Concert – BMHS, 7:00 PM
BOOK FAIR IS COMING
The book fair will be held from May 20th – 24th. Parents can put money into an e-wallet for their students. Click on this link to set it up. We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with the fair. Please sign up here for a time.
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 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, May 8th. Our final meeting of the year has been changed to Thursday, June 6th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Congratulations to our new board for 2024-2025.
Andrea Toomey -- President
Amit Gandhi -- Vice-President
Jacqui Chaffins -- Treasurer
Katie Malone – Secretary
We also have a new Facebook page – “Billerica Locke PTO”. Click on the link below to take you there:
https://www.facebook.com/
7th GRADE FAMILIES – SAVE THE DATE
Please see the information for 8th grade orientation at BMHS
8th Grade Orientation
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
BMHS Auditorium
7th GRADE FAMILIES – FROM BMHS ATHLETICS
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 willingness to work hard. We’ll provide the equipment, instruction, programming, and RESULTS.
Offered once again-- 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: 8-10 am
The program is designed with 2 age groupings and 1 Hybrid Model (Session Option)
1. Class of 2028 & 2029 8th & 9th Grade
2. Class of 2025, 2026, 2027 10th-12th Grade
3. Class of 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 Hybrid Model (New Session Option)
To Register: Need a verified account with “Community Pass”
Select 2024-25 Athletic Programs
6 Weeks of Training
- June 24 to August 8, 2024 (July 4th week Closed July 1-July 5)
- Monday-Thursday for ALL Sessions
- Location BMHS
- All sessions include breakfast and a snack
Program Options:
- Class of 2028 & 2029 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 2025, 2026, 2027 -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 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 Hybrid Model (Session Option)
- 1 Morning Session 8 am to 10 am
- Cost $170.00 per student
Questions Contact: John Magliozzi or Laura Jenkins 978-528-7922
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
More Spring Time Math!
1. A 6-inch tall flower casts a 4-inch shadow at 5:00 pm. One month later, when the sun was at the same position in the sky as it was at 5:00 pm one month earlier, the shadow cast was 5 1/3 inches long. How many inches taller was the flower when it cast the 5 1/3-inch shadow than it was when it cast the 4-inch shadow?
2. Two years ago Melanie planted two trees. Tree A was 24 inches tall when she planted it and Tree B was 40 inches tall when she planted it. If Tree A grows at a rate of 8 inches per year and Tree B grows at a rate of 6 inches per year, after how many more years will Tree A be as tall as Tree B?
Last week’s MPOW answer – 1. 81 2. 49 3. 55
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: 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? Saturn
What do you get when you cross a skunk with May 5th? – Stinko De Mayo (Hahaha)
This week – 1. What did the mommy spider say to the Baby spider? 2. What did the mother worm say to the little worm who was late?
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.
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 6th through May 10th – Teacher Appreciation Week
- Tuesday, Wednesday May 7th, 8th – MCAS MATH Sessions 1,2
- Wednesday, May 8th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
- Thursday, Friday May 9th, 10th – Locke Musical, 7:00 PM
- Saturday, May 11th – Locke Musical, 2:00 PM
- Monday, May 13th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM, Library
- Tuesday, Wednesday May 14th, 15th – 5th Grade MCAS Science Sessions 1,2
- Tuesday, May 14th – Grades 6,7 Band Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
- Wednesday, May 15th – Middle School Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM Marshall
- Tuesday, May 21st – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
- Wednesday, May 22nd – Grades 4,5 Band Concert, 7:00 Marshall
- Thursday, May 23rd – Middle School Choral Concert, 7:00 PM BMHS
- Friday, May 24th – 5B2 Field trip
- Monday, May 27th – No School, Memorial Day
- Thursday, May 30th – Kennedy Visit
- Friday, May 31st – Ditson/Parker Visit
- Monday, June 3rd – 5A2 Field Trip
- Monday, June 3rd – 7th Graders to BMHS for tour, 8:30-10:30
- Tuesday, June 4th – 4th Grade Parent Orientation, 6:30 PM Locke Auditorium
- Monday, June 10th – 5B1 Field Trip
- Wednesday, June 12th – 5A1 Field Trip
- Wednesday, June 12th – 7th Grade Canobie Lake Trip
- Thursday, June 13th – Field Day
- Friday, June 14th – 7th Grade Class Day
- Monday, June 17th – Last Day of School, Half-Day 10:40 Dismissal
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