LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #14 2018-2019
December 2, 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy December! We have a busy 3 weeks ahead before the holiday break. We return with another 5 DAYS OF LEARNING this week! Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, December 3rd is a “C” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and Instagram: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Don’t count the days, make the days count. – Muhammad Ali
END OF TRIMESTER 1
The last day of trimester 1 is Tuesday, 12/4. Trimester 2 and new unified arts classes begin on Wednesday, 12/5.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
HW Club and late buses will continue this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parent conferences will be held on Thursday, December 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Conferences will be scheduled in 5 minute increments. Parents will receive an email later this week that will explain how to use the PTC wizard website to sign up for conferences.
NATURE’S CLASSROOM INFORMATION MEETING
Prior to parent conferences on December 13th, we will be having a 7th grade parent meeting regarding the Nature’s Classroom Field Trip. It will be at 5:00 PM in the auditorium.
HOLIDAY CONCERTS!!
Our band, chorus, and orchestra are busy preparing their holiday concerts. Please come out to hear some great music. Please see the calendar below for the dates.
LOCKE ROBOTICS FUNDRAISER (HOLIDAY SALE!!)
Locke Monsters Robotics is selling string bags and coffee mugs as a fundraiser: The 16-ounce two-tone mugs with the Locke Monster Logo are dishwasher and microwave safe. The green and black Locke Monster Logo sting bags have a zippered pocket on one side and mesh material on the other side, they are 13" by 15" and hold up to 16 pounds.
Bags: $5 Mugs $10, Special: 1 Mug and 1 Bag Combo for $12!
Please email Locke Monsters Robotics Coach Maureen Parker at mparker@billericak12.com to purchase. Thank you for your Support!
TURKEY TOSS – A HUGE SUCCESS!
A tremendous thank you to students and families for donating to our Turkey Toss fundraiser. We raised $2513 and received 2028 food items to help local families this holiday season. All homerooms met the challenge and we had a lot of fun down in the gym on Wednesday. Thanks to Ms. Wells, Ms. Higgins, and our student council students for organizing the event.
PARENT INFORMATION
The holidays can be a stressful time for adults and children. The American Psychological Association offers the following tips to parents:
Strengthen social connections – We know that strong, supportive relationships help us manage all kinds of challenges. So, we can view the holidays as a time to reconnect with the positive people in our lives. Accepting help and support from those who care about us can help alleviate stress. Also, volunteering at a local charity on our own or with family can be another way to make connections; helping others often makes us feel better, too.
Initiate conversations about the season – It can be helpful to have conversations with our kids about the variety of different holiday traditions our families, friends, and others may celebrate. Parents can use this time as an opportunity to discuss how some families may not participate in the same holiday traditions as others. Not everyone needs to be the same. It is important to teach open-mindedness about others and their celebrations.
Set expectations – It is helpful to set realistic expectations for gifts and holiday activities. Depending on a child's age, we can use this opportunity to teach kids about the value of money and responsible spending. We need to remember to pare down our own expectations, too. Instead of trying to take on everything, we need to identify the most important holiday tasks and take small concrete steps to accomplish them.
Keep things in perspective – On the whole, the holiday season is short. It helps to maintain a broader context and a longer-term perspective. We can ask ourselves, what’s the worst thing that could happen this holiday? Our greatest fears may not happen and, if they do, we can tap our strengths and the help of others to manage them. There will be time after the holiday season to follow up or do more of things we’ve overlooked or did not have the time to do during the holidays.
Take care of yourself – It is important that we pay attention to our own needs and feelings during the holiday season. We can find fun, enjoyable and relaxing activities for ourselves and our families. By keeping our minds and bodies healthy, we are primed to deal with stressful situations when they arise. Consider cutting back television viewing for kids and getting the family out together for fresh air and a winter walk. Physical activity can help us feel better and sleep well, while reducing sedentary time and possible exposure to stress-inducing advertisements.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: 65%
Sold Out!
The Land O’ Lakes High School auditorium has exactly 26 rows of seats. The rows are labeled, in order, from the front of the auditorium to the back from A through Z. There are 8 seats in the row A. Each row after the first row has two more seats than the previous row. There are 10 seats in row B, 12 seats in row C and so on.
a. How many seats are there in row Z?
b. What is the total number of seats in the Land O’ Lakes High School auditorium?
Turn your answer into the main office.
PTO CORNER
Next PTO meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, December 3rd at 6:30 in the Library. We hope to see you there.
Scrip gift cards are available! We have two deadlines: December 3 for delivery week of December 10, and December 11 for delivery week of December 17. Order forms must be complete and payment in full at the time of order. Please turn in to your child’s homeroom teacher. There will also be a limited number of cards available for sale during Parent/Teacher Conferences on December 13. Payment may be in the form of cash, check or credit card (cards at the P/T Conferences only). You can also bring your completed order forms to the conferences and pay by credit card on that date. As a reminder, there will be a nominal fee assessed on all credit card sales.
Next restaurant night: Mooyah! Please join us on December 10 at Mooyah between 4 and 9 pm at the Boston Road location. Flyers must be provided at the time of order. See attached.
The PTO is partnering with Savers for a fundraiser. Items will be resold at Savers stores to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation. We will have a truck at the school on Thursday, December 13, for the entire day and during Parent/Teacher Conference. Please help us load up that truck with your gently used, un-needed items, including soft goods (clothing, sheets, towels, blankets, etc.) and hard goods (furniture, small appliances, etc.).
Yankee Candle fundraiser is still available with online ordering until January 9th, 2019, at www.
The PTO needs volunteers. If you would prefer not to participate in our fundraisers, but would still like to contribute, please see our Alternative Fundraiser form. "Like" the Locke PTO on Facebook for PTO, school, and district updates, email us at billericalockepto@gmail.com
Important Upcoming Dates:
- PTO Meeting – Monday, December 3rd, 6:30PM
- Day 60 –Tuesday, December 4th Last day of Trimester1
- Day 61 – Wednesday, December 5th , 1st day of trimester 2, change unified arts classes
- Locke/Marshall Musical – Elf, December 7th and 8th – 7:00 PM Marshall auditorium
- 8th grade Field trip – Monday, December 10th
- Chorus Concert – Tuesday, December 11th – 7:00 PM BMHS
- Band Concert – Wednesday, December 12th—7:00 PM Marshall
- Report Cards Published – Wednesday, December 12th
- Nature’s Classroom info for 7th grade parents –Thursday, December 13th – 5:00PM
- Saver’s Fundraiser – Thursday, December 13th
- Parent Conferences – Thursday, December 13th – 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Orchestra Concert—Tuesday, December 18th – 7:00 PM BMHS
- 6th grade Field Trip -- Wednesday, December 19th
- 7th grade field trip – Thursday, December 20th
- Half Day – Friday, December 21st
- Holiday Recess – December 22nd – January 1st
- Return to School – Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
4 attachments this week:
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655 Have a great week!!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal