LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #16 2018-2019
December 16, 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. It is a great time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to new challenges. Enjoy your vacation with family and friends. The Locke has great year of learning planned for the new year. The newsletter will be taking a week off. We will publish again on January 1st. See you in 2019!!
4 ½ DAYS OF LEARNING left in 2018! Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, December 17th is an “A” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and Instagram: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. –Mother Theresa
HALF DAY – UGLY SWEATER DAY
Friday, December 21st is a half day (also ugly sweater day!) with dismissal at approximately 10:40. Breakfast and lunch will not be served. Dismissal time is dependent on the arrival of buses. Please be patient as we will follow our regular dismissal procedures for the safety of all students.
REPORT CARDS
Report Cards were published on the Aspen portal last week. You can see the report card under published reports on your home page. We ask that you sign and return the report card envelope for us to verify that you have seen the report card.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Homework Club and late buses will continue on only Monday and Wednesday this week. There will not be HW club or a late bus on Thursday.
LIBRARY NEWS
Follow the Locke Library on Twitter: The Locke library has a new Twitter account! Follow @LibraryLocke to get news about new books, events, and projects your students are working on in the library and throughout the school. https://twitter.com/
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 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!
BATV AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Billerica Access Television (BATV) and the Billerica Middle Schools (both Locke and Marshall) will be offering a combined Middle School Enrichment program. The program will be held at the BATV studio located at 430 Boston Rd, Billerica. The program will run from 2:00 – 3:30 PM, see dates listed below.
- Transportation to the BATV Studio will be provided by a school bus.
- Students will be dismissed at the regular time (1:40 PM) and ride a school bus to BATV.
- A BATV staff member along with a teacher will meet the kids at BATV.
- Parents will be responsible for picking up students at 3:30 at the BATV Studio.
Here's a list of the dates for the Combined Middle School Enrichment Program.
Week 1: January 3, Week 2: January 10, Week 3: January 17, Week 4: January 24, Week 5: January 31, Week 6: February 7, Week 7: February 14, Week 8: February 28, Week 9: March 7, Week 10: March 14, Week 11: March 21, Week 12: March 28, Week 13: April 11 Premiere: April 25
Questions or concerns should be directed to Amber Krasinski at amber@batvinc.org .
Please return all forms to the main office. (SEE ATTACHED)
PARENT IDEAS
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: 143
Baking Cookies …
Santiago was baking gingerbread cookies in the shape of children. He gave each gingerbread cookie eyes made from chocolate covered candies in one of four different colors, a nose made from a butterscotch chip, toffee chip or peanut butter chip, and a mouth made from a piece of red licorice. Santiago then gave each gingerbread cookie buttons made from gumdrops in one of four different flavors. For the final detail, he gave each cookie a bow tie or a red hair bow. How many dozens of cookies did Santiago bake if each gingerbread cookie he made was uniquely decorated with a different combination of eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, and bow?
PTO CORNER
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s Restaurant Night and Savers Fundraiser. Our next Restaurant Night will be at Royal Tavern on January 14. They are planning a special menu just for us! More to follow. And we’re considering a second Savers Fundraiser in the spring.
Thanks to everyone who placed Scrip orders. Cards from last week’s order will be given to the office Tuesday or Wednesday for distribution to the homeroom teachers.
Our next PTO meeting is Monday, January 7th at 6:30 in the Library.
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
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! See you in 2019!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Report Cards Published – Wednesday, December 12th
- 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 – Dismissal at 10:40 - Friday, December 21st
- Holiday Recess – December 22nd – January 1st
- Return to School – Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
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