LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #3 2019-2020

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September 15, 2019
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
We made it through our first full week and we are getting our routines down and settling in. We have another busy week ahead with a full 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, September 16th is a “B” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison
EARLY RELEASE DAY TUESDAY – 11:40 AM
Tuesday, September 17th is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 11:40 AM.
PICTURE DAY
Smile!! Wednesday, September 18th is picture day.
FALL CROSS COUNTRY INFORMATION (6th and 7th grade students)
Please see the attached letter regarding signing up for cross country. Practices begin Monday, September 16th. An email was also sent out last week with a detailed explanation of the program.
FALL MUSICAL (7th grade students)
Please see the attached flyer regarding the fall musical for 7th grade students. There is an information meeting on Monday, September 16th from 1:45-2:45. Contact Ms. Berard if you have any questions: aberard@billericak12.com
HOMEWORK CLUB
HW club will start on Monday, September 23rd. It will be in the library every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students do not need to sign up ahead of time for HW club. They will report to the library immediately after school. Students can attend as many days as the parent/student believes are necessary. Students are expected to stay for the full hour.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The flyer for after school activities will be sent home later this week with students. It will also be sent in a separate email. Activities start the week of September 30th.  
LATE BUSES
Late bus runs begin on Monday, September 23rd and will run on every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The buses usually arrive at the Locke at 3:10 PM. We will send out the stops this week. One of our buses does drop off at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
As the year begins, we have a lot of information to provide to parents:
ASPEN – PARENT PORTAL
For Parent Account login assistance or to re-set your password, please email: portalhelp@billericak12.com    
BREAKFAST
We have started a grab-and-go program. Students will report to homeroom first and let their homeroom teacher know they are getting breakfast. Students will then pick-up breakfast in the cafeteria and return to homeroom to eat. We ask that students do not bring in breakfast from home or from fast food chains.
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. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com  
SCHOOL TIMES
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.
Bus students are dismissed at 1:40. Walkers and pick-ups are dismissed at 1:50.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB VAN
Students taking the van will report to the cafeteria with walkers and pick-ups and be dismissed after the buses. The van will pick-up in front of the car line.
FORMS – Due Monday, September 16th
If you have not already done so, please return the following forms to your homeroom teacher.
  • 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:
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.
Our next PTO meeting will be at 7:00 pm October 2nd. It will be held in the library. 
Our first fundraiser will be Yankee Candle and will run from September 16-September 27. Information will be sent out this week. 
We have two open spots on the PTO: Secretary & Treasurer
We are also looking for help with the following programs:
Special Programs Coordinator, Labels Program (Box Tops, etc), Locke Apparel, Restaurant/Family Nights, School Time Fundraisers (Trinket Sales) , Scrip Gift Card Program, Locke Holiday Tree, Scholastic Book Fair, Walkathon, Field Day Chairperson/Committee 
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the Locke PTO
Important Upcoming dates:
  • All forms, emergency information, etc.… are due by Monday, September 16th.
  • Early Release for Students Tuesday, September 17th 11:40 Dismissal
  • School Picture Day is Wednesday, September 18th  . 
  • Late Buses start on September 23rd  : Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
  • Homework Club starts on Monday, September 23rd . Homework club is held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:45-2:45.
  • After School Activities Begin on Monday, September 30th .
  • Blackout Bullying Day is Wednesday, October 2nd .
  • PTO Meeting: Wednesday, October 2nd 7:00 PM Library
Three attachments this week:
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

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