LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #1 2019-2020

September 1, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

Are you ready for 180 DAYS OF LEARNING …

In our efforts to improve communication with families, we started the Life at the Locke weekly newsletter of what is happening at our school. We will “publish” every Sunday or Monday of a long weekend.

I hope you have all enjoyed the summer and are ready for the school year to begin. We have been busy this summer getting ready for new students in two grades and preparing for the transition to grades 5, 6, and 7. I want to thank our custodial staff for working through the hot days to clean our school and having it ready for students and staff. I would also like to thank our teachers for spending countless hours preparing their classrooms for students. We have many new staff members this year and many have transitioned into new teaching spaces.

One of our school improvement goals this year is focused on student engagement and motivation. We believe that all students should be provided with high quality, rigorous, engaging instruction. With that goal in mind, we will continue to implement the reader’s and writer’s workshop in the 5^th and 6^th grade and are piloting new math curriculum in the 7^th grade. We are committed to a standards-based educational environment where all students can grow academically. With your help and partnership, we will meet our goals and become a model of learning for others.

Another goal of ours is to utilize PBIS (positive behavior intervention systems) to improve our overall school climate. We are stressing the three tenets of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and SAFETY. We will be meeting with all students on the first day in grade level assemblies in order to review our goals and expectations.

Of course, the main focus of our year will be on the transition to a grade 5 through 7 middle school. In June, we said goodbye to two-thirds of our student population and we are prepared to welcome new staff and students. It certainly is an exciting time at the Locke and in the district! We will do our best to make the transition a positive experience for all students. It’s going to be a great year!

For parents and guardians, I have attached some tips to help you and your child through the transition to middle school.

As the year begins, we have a lot of information to provide to parents:

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. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com  

The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 3^rd.  It is an “A” Day. All students report to homeroom. Student schedules will be provided in homeroom on the 1^st day and they are also on the aspen portal. School starts promptly at 7:30. Students should be in their homeroom at 7:30. The drop-off time for students is 7:10 -- 7:25. Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:10. From 7:10 – 7:20, students that enter the building will be supervised in the cafeteria.

On the first day, students will receive the following forms to be filled out and returned:

• Emergency form
• Medical form
• Signed agenda book (p.19)
• Technology Release
• Communication Preference
• Photo-opt form (only send back if you need to)

For the safety of all students, please adhere to the following traffic patterns in the morning and afternoon:

Student drop-off traffic pattern in the morning:

Parents are to enter VIA URBAN ST (off Baldwin Road), drop students off at the sidewalk, make a U-turn, and exit via Urban Street.

Parents please do not enter from Allen Road in the morning. The Allen road entrance is only for school buses.

Dismissal:

Bus students and boys’ and girls’ club are dismissed at 1:40 (beginning Monday, September 9^th.)

Walkers and pick-ups are dismissed at 1:50 after the buses depart.

Traffic Pattern for Dismissal:

Parents enter via Urban Street and line up in lower circle. After the buses leave, parents are to pull around circle in a SINGLE file line to pick up children. The pick-up zone is between the two cross walks. This is the only place we would like children picked up. We do not want children stepping in front of cars to be picked up.Please keep the line single file.

PLEASE DO NOT PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE LOWER LOT.

PTO CORNER

The Locke PTO welcomes you!!

Please see the attached for the members of the board and contact information.

We invite and welcome all Locke parents and friends to attend our monthly PTO meetings. The 1^st meeting is this Wednesday, September 4^th at 7:00 PM.  See the attached document for future meetings.

If you have any questions, please email billericalockePTO@gmail.com

Important Upcoming dates:

·        First day of School is Tuesday, September 3^rd  All students report to homeroom.

·        PTO Meeting: Wednesday, September 4^th at 7:00 PM – Locke Library

·        Breakfast Program Begins on Thursday, September 5^th.

·        Boys and Girls Club Van starts Monday, September 9^th

·        Back to School Night is Thursday, September 12^th 6:00-8:00 PM.

·        All forms, emergency information, etc.… are due byMonday, September 16^th.

·        Early Release for Students Tuesday, September 17^th11:40 Dismissal

·        School Picture Day is Wednesday, September 18^th  . 

·        Late Buses start on September 23^rd  : Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday

·        Homework Club starts on Monday, September 23^rd . Homework club is held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:45-2:45.

·        After School Activities Begin on Monday, September 30^th .

·        Blackout Bullying Day is Wednesday, October 2^nd .

Two attachments this week:

·        PTO information

·        Parent tips for middle school transition

If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655 I look forward to a great school year!!

Warmest regards,

Tony Garas, Principal