LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #38 2023-2024

June 9, 2024

FINAL EDITION!!

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

Final Thoughts ... We are completing a fantastic year at the Locke Middle School. To our families, thank you for the support and commitment that you have given to our staff and your children this year. The educational partnership between home and school is what helps students to grow academically and emotionally. Reflecting on this past school year, I am proud of the accomplishments and growth that our students have made. Our various school programs, whether in academics, arts, sports, or community service, have provided enriching experiences that have contributed to the success of our students. Please stay tuned for updates over the summer regarding the upcoming school year. We are committed to always improving our school and are excited about the opportunities and experiences that are ahead for our students. I wish you all a happy, healthy summer with many days of learning.

In addition, I wish all of our 7^th graders the best of luck as they move on to BMHS and new learning experiences. It has been an honor and a pleasure working with you for the last three years. From academic milestones to personal achievements, each student has demonstrated perseverance and a commitment to excellence. We have seen you grow from apprehensive 5^th graders to confident young adults. Remember to always work hard, make positive decisions, and make sure you learn something new every day. Most importantly, follow your dreams! We will miss you!

Only 6 Days of Learning remain … Let’s see what’s happening …

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

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – A.A. Milne

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK AND LAST DAY

Monday – D Day  -- 5B1 Field Trip

Tuesday – A Day

Wednesday – B Day – 7^th Grade Canobie Trip, 5A1 Field Trip

Thursday – C Day – Field Day!, What the Fork Restaurant Night

Friday –  D Day – 7^th Grade Class Day

Monday, June 17^th – A Day -- Last Day, ½ Day Schedule, 10:40 Dismissal, Final Grades Published

7^th GRADE END OF YEAR EVENTS

June 12^th – Canobie Lake Field Trip

June 14^th – 7^th Grade Class Day

• 7A Parent Invitation
• 7B Parent Invitation

FIELD DAY 2024!

Field Day will be on Thursday, June 13^th. Please see the attached payment form that is due on Tuesday, June 11^th.  We need parent volunteers! If you want to volunteer and have a CORI on file, please fill out the sign-up genius.

FIELD DAY PAYMENT FORM

FIELD DAY SIGN-UP LINK

RESTAURANT NIGHT

We will be having our final restaurant night on Thursday, June 13^th from 4:00 – 9:00 at What the Fork. See the attached flyer.

HALF DAY – Monday, June 17^th  

Monday, June 17^th is the last day of school. It is a half-day schedule with 10:40 dismissal. This is dependent on the arrival of buses. When the majority of buses arrive, we will begin to dismiss students.

FINAL REPORT CARDS

Final Report Cards will be published on Monday, June 17^th.  

SUMMER READING AND MATH

Please see the link below for all of your summer reading and math information. Summer reading and math is required for all students.

SUMMER READING AND MATH

2024-2025 STUDENT SCHEDULES

Student schedules for 2024-2025 will be published to ASPEN on Friday, August 16^th.

LOCKE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL UPDATE

The Site Council met for the final time on May 13^th. Please see the attached minutes from the meeting. We also presented our school improvement plan to the school committee on Tuesday, May 21^st. Thank you to the parents and staff who served on the council this year. Your input was invaluable as we discussed many topics for enhancing the learning experience for all students. The minutes and documents from all of our meetings can be found on the Locke website.

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 has concluded its business for the year. Thank you to our awesome PTO for a great year of support. 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 of the year on June 6^th. 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/share/p/W2AQvL6HZz2erG1S/?mibextid=oFDknk

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK – Last One!

POOL PARTY!!

Twenty-seven households are invited to an end of the school year pool party and the ratio of 5-person households to 4‑person households to 3-person households to 2-person households invited is 1:4:3:1, respectively. (The invite list did not include households of any other sizes.) How many people from households with less than 4 people are invited to the party?

Last week’s MPOW answer – 1. 2/5 of the final grade 2. 94%

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 answers: What’s a frog’s favorite summer treat? Hopsicles and Why should you never blame a dolphin for doing anything wrong? – Because they did not do it on Porpoise

This week – 1. What did the pig say on a hot summer day? 2. Where do sheep go on vacation?

7^th GRADE FAMILIES – SAVE THE DATE

Please see the information for 8^th grade orientation at BMHS

8th Grade Orientation

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

BMHS Auditorium

BILLERICA PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER PROGRAM

Join the 2024 Summer Reading Program: Jumanji: Your Library Adventure Awaits! For students in grades 5-12.

The Jumanji-themed reading program is based on the popular children's book by Chris Van Allsburg as well as the 3 popular movies that are out.  Go to billericalibrary.beanstack.com or download the Beanstack app. register for the challenge and start reading!  Students in grades 5-12 can read any type of book, ebook, graphic novel and manga or listen to audiobooks to receive virtual tickets to enter into a raffle for some great prizes.  YES, school summer reading books count!  Students can write stories and reviews, answer trivia questions, create artwork, and complete several activities for a chance to earn even more raffle tickets.  Swag bags will be given out for those that register, while supplies last.

Some program highlights: Learn How to make soap with Kulina Arts, hold bugs in our bug petting zoo with Professor Bugman, design jungle-themed cupcakes, experience a live animal show with Wildlife Encounters, DIY Tiki necklaces, play Candybar Bingo, make an edible terrarium, learn how to juggle, enter our Mario Kart 8 Tournament with One Up Games and sooo much more.

Registration starts June 24^th, sponsored by a grant from the Billerica Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Check out our Summer Reading Video:  https://youtu.be/uba8cbV7Z5I

UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ALSO ON THE MASTER CALENDAR ON THE LOCKE WEBSITE

• 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
• Friday, August 16^th – Schedules Published
• Wednesday, Thursday, August 21^st, 22^nd– 5^th grade tours
• Wednesday, September 4^th  – 1^st day of school

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