LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #23 2017-2018
February 11, 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the rainy Sunday and have a good book to keep you occupied. The newsletter will not publish next week as we head into winter break. I wish everyone a restful, flu-free vacation. As usual, we have a busy week ahead with 5 days of learning! Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, February 12h is a “C” 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
It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela
SPIRIT WEEK IS HERE!!
Please see the attached flyer for the week’s themes. Show your spirit and have fun!
HOOPS FOR HEART FUNDRAISER
The fundraising sheets for “Hoops for Heart” went home with students. We encourage all students to participate in this fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association. All donations can be turned in to homeroom teachers. The schedule for the tournament this week is as follows:
6th grade: Tuesday, 7th Grade: Wednesday, 8th grade: Thursday, Faculty Game: Friday
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports have been issued and posted to the Aspen portal. If you have not done so already, please sign and return the progress report envelope. Thank you.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Activities, HW Club, and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
FLU SEASON
Please see the link below for information regarding the flu. This was provided to us by our school nurse, Ms. Allen.
POLICY REGARDING SMART WATCHES/CELL PHONES
Our policy regarding the use of apple/smartwatches is the same as our cell phone policy. If watches are being used inappropriately by a student for texting or during a test, then teachers will turn them into the main office for parent pick-up. See p.12 of the student agenda book for further clarification.
BMHS ATHLETICS
The following opportunities are available for middle school students. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Magliozzi at jmagliozzi@billericak12.com To register your child go to https://www.familyid.com/
Softball: 8th grade
Girls Lacrosse: 8th grade
Boys Tennis: 7th and 8th grade
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 Answer: Pats 35 Eagles 28 (If only it were true)
Silly Sequences
This past Saturday’s date, 02-10-18, forms an arithmetic sequence since 2 + 8 = 10 and 10 + 8 = 18. In honor of this occurrence, try your hand at solving these problems involving sequences and patterns.
a. What is the tenth term of the sequence −50, −49, −47, −44, −40, …?
b. What is the sixth term in the sequence 0, 3, 8, 15, 24, …?
c. Given the list of numbers 3, 2, 6, 3, 9, 5, 12, 7, …, if the pattern continues what is the sum of the ninth and tenth numbers?
PARENT CORNER
A parent shared with me the following website regarding cell phone use for middle school students. Something to think about …
PTO CORNER
Valentine Trinket Sales will continue through this Wednesday, February 14th. All items will sell for $1 each. Tuesday and Wednesday, carnations in red, pink, and white will be available in addition to the trinkets for students to purchase either for themselves or as Valentine's gifts. We wish to thank Carole Reardon, Tricia Mahoney, Kristen Aurilio and Laura Rosa for volunteering.
Locke Apparel: Forms were sent home last week. Please submit all orders with payment by this Friday, February 16th. Please make checks payable to Locke PTO. We expect orders to be available after returning from February vacation. Please reach out with any questions or assistance you may need with placing an order.
Scrip Gift Card fundraiser: Forms went home last week. Ordering gift cards through our scrip fundraising program gives you the opportunity to shop from home while helping the PTO raise funds that benefit the students. Please turn in all order forms with payment by this Friday, February 16th. Checks should be made payable to Locke PTO. Please let us know if you have any questions or require any assistance with placing an order.
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.
Restaurant Night: Our next Restaurant night will take place Thursday, February 22nd, during February vacation week, at the Chateau Restaurant in Burlington. A portion of the proceeds from all guest checks accompanied by a flier indicating support for the Locke will go to the Locke PTO. This offer is valid on both dine in and carry out orders. Fliers will be sent home prior to the event. We hope that this will be a fun event for everyone and hope to see many of you there!
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)
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) March 5th, April 2nd, May 14th, June 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 at billericalockepto@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 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