LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #24 2017-2018
February 25, 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the winter break. We are back to work with 5 days of learning this week.
I have attached the letter from the superintendent, town manager, and police chief regarding school safety. I want to reiterate the message from the letter that our main focus is to keep students and staff safe in order to focus on what is most important in schools; academic and social growth in an encouraging, supportive learning environment. Our thoughts will be with the members of the Douglas High School and Parkland, FL community as they return to school this week after a devastating tragedy. At the Locke, we will return with renewed efforts to provide all students with a positive learning experience based on mutual respect and trust. We have a busy week ahead. Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, February 26th is a “D” day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle – There are some great photos of spirit week and the hoops for heart tournament.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. -- Mahatma Gandhi
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Activities, HW Club, and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
AUTISM AWARENESS T-SHIRTS
Every year on national autism awareness day, staff and students wear t-shirts to promote acceptance and understanding. If you would like to participate, t-shirts are $10 (cash only, please) and orders are due by Friday, March 2nd. See attached order form. Students can turn orders in to the main office.
VETERAN PACKS FOR HOPE
We are collecting various items for our veterans. Please see the attached flyer for what is needed. Please turn donations in to the main office. Thank you for your help!
HOOPS FOR HEART FUNDRAISER
We had some spirited basketball games last week for our annual fundraiser. Thank you for your generous donations to the American Heart Association and a big thank you to Ms. Higgins, Ms. Capadanno, and Mr. Flynn for organizing the tournament and fundraiser.
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/smart watches 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 in to 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
MCAS TESTING SCHEDULE
Please see the attached MCAS schedule for this spring.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s Answer: a: -5, b. 35 c. 26 (bonus points)
Reversal of Fortune
The digits of a 3-digit integer are reversed to form a new integer of greater value. The product of this new integer and the original integer is 46,612. What is the new integer?
PTO CORNER
Valentine Trinket and Flower Sales we're successful. We hope that the kids enjoyed this opportunity to treat themselves to a little something or give a gift to a friend or family member for Valentine's Day. The carnations were a big hit and will likely return for our Saint Patrick's Day sales in March. We wish to thank Carole Reardon, Tricia Mahoney, Kristen Aurilio and Laura Rosa for volunteering.
Locke Apparel: Thank you for your orders! Items will be available after February vacation.
Scrip Gift Card fundraiser: Thank you for ordering! Orders will be available after February vacation.
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)
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 at billericalockepto@gmail.comletting 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 in to 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 at 6:30 PM) 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 atpbattcock@billericak12.com
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
- February 26th – Return to School (D Day)
- February 27th – Tech interviews
- March 5th – PTO meeting, 6:30 PM – Locke library
- March 6th – Early Release, 11:40 AM
- March 7th – Locke School Council, 6:00 PM
- March 15th – Group Picture Day
- Week of March 19th – Last week of activities
- March 20th – BMHS course selection assembly for 8th graders
- March 20th – Day 120, Last day of trimester 2
- March 21st – First day of Trimester 3A
- March 21st – Poetry Alive assemblies, Grade 7,8
- March 27th – Trimester 2 grades published
- March 28th – Parent Conferences, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
- March 29th – 7th Grade field trip
- March 30th – No school, Good Friday
ATTACHMENTS:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com Have a great week!!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal