LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #22 2017-2018
February 4, 2018
SUPER BOWL EDITION
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I hope you have your snacks all ready to go. In other news, the groundhog says we are getting 6 more weeks of winter (boo!) and another 5 days of learning this week (standing ovation). Let’s see what’s happening and GO PATS !!!!
Monday, February 5th is a “B” day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle – There are some great photos of the science fair and patriots day.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I just love working hard. I love being part of a team; I love working toward a common goal. --Tom Brady
EARLY RELEASE THIS WEEK
Tuesday, February 6th is an early release for students. Dismissal time is 11:40 (depending on buses, it may be a few minutes later.)
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports were issued last Thursday and posted to the Aspen portal. Please sign and return the progress report envelope. Thank you.
I-READY MID-YEAR ASSESSMENT
I-ready make-up testing will continue Monday morning. The results will be sent home with the2nd trimester report card.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Activities, HW Club, and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
SCIENCE FAIR – A BIG SUCCESS!
We had an extremely successful science fair on Friday, January 26th. Thank you to Ms. Sane, Ms. Parker, and the 8th grade staff for their hard work putting together this year’s event. Congratulations to our students for their outstanding projects this year. See pictures on our twitter feed.
2018 BILLERICA SPELLING BEE
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Spelling Bee on Saturday. The Locke had a great showing! Please go to the website below for the official results.
MCAS TESTING SCHEDULE
Please see the attached MCAS schedule for this spring.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s Answers: a. 2038 b. 26.
GO PATS!!
Before the big game, try a little math. We are looking for more answers from students. Turn them into the main office.
Mr. Garas has made a prediction for the final score of tonight’s game. The Patriots total points is the square root of a 4 digit number whose digits add up to 10 and two of the digits are the same. The Eagles total points is the cube root of a 5 digit number whose digits add up to 19 and has a 2 in the ten thousands place and a 2 in the ones place. What is the final score?
PARENT CORNER
A parent shared with me the following website regarding cell phone use for middle school students. Something to think about …
PTO CORNER
Next Meeting … Our next PTO meeting will be tomorrow, Monday, February 5th at 6:30 PM in the school library. Please join us!
Valentine Trinket Sales...Our next opportunity for students to purchase items for themselves or to give as gifts to friends and family for Valentine’s Day is coming up tomorrow, Monday, February 5th through Wednesday, February 14th. We are in urgent need of parent volunteers. Please take a look at your calendar and let us know if you have any days available that you would be willing to sell merchandise to students during lunch time. The specific time frame would be 10:15 a.m. to 12 noon, which includes set up and break down. Thank you in advance!
Stress-Free Fundraiser... Traditional fundraisers not your thing? Our Alternative/Stress Free Fundraiser runs throughout the school year. Donations can be sent in at any time and are sincerely appreciated. 100% of all donations go to the Locke PTO to directly benefit the students and staff at the Locke. Checks should be made payable to Locke PTO in an envelope marked Locke PTO. Forms are helpful but not mandatory if Stress Free Fundraiser is on the memo line of your check.
Positions/ Volunteer Opportunities: We need volunteers to "shadow" our current chair people for the following positions to take over at the end of the 2017-2018 school year: Co-Vice President (fundraising) PTO Treasurer Box Tops for Education Program Coordinator. Please reach out for more information or to express your interest in any of these positions. Thank you! Without the help of parent volunteers stepping up to give some time and share their expertise, we simply cannot have a successful PTO. Please help us continue our mission to make Life at the Locke the best it can be!
Volunteer Opportunities... The Locke PTO welcomes any and all help that parents are willing to give. We have many different opportunities to help out, some at our school or in other parts of Billerica and some that you can do from home. No amount of time and effort is too little, so please take a look at the attached list and let us know what you can do to help us make Life at the Locke that much better! Remember, even if each parent or family volunteers one hour of their time and effort, it all adds up and benefits all our kids and our Locke community. Forms may be sent to school with your child labeled Locke PTO or simply send us an email atbillericalockepto@gmail.com letting us know how you would like to help! Thank you!
Box Tops for Education: Please save and send us your Box Tops from Education. Each box top you are willing to clip from a Box or other container from your grocery store purchase and send into the school earns the Locke PT0 10 cents toward supplies, events, and programs for the children. Please make sure that the expiration dates remain intact so that we can receive credit. Box tops should be turned in in either an envelope or Ziploc bag clearly labeled with your child's name and homeroom number. Thank you!
Upcoming PTO Meetings: (All Mondays) February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, May 14th, andJune 4th Please join us! It's a great way to get lots of Information, share your ideas and suggestions, get answers to questions you may have, and have a say in what we do to help make life at the Locke the best we can for all the students. No babysitter? No worries. Children are always welcome.
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have atbillericalockepto@gmail.com or by calling Faith Stevens at 978-667-6676 or 978-314-3389. Thank you!
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. Battcock at pbattcock@billericak12.com
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
- February 5th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM
- February 6th – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
- February 7th – School Council Meeting, 6:00 PM
- February 12th-16th Spirit Week, Hoops for Heart
- February 19th – 23th School Vacation
- February 26th – Return to School (D Day)
ATTACHMENTS:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com Have a great week!!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal