LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #7 2019-2020
October 14, 2019
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. We have had great fall weather for the last couple of days. We only have 4 DAYS OF LEARNING this week, but we have a busy schedule ahead as usual. Let’s see what’s happening …
Tuesday, October 15th is a “B” Day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Malcolm X
ALICE SAFETY DRILL
On Thursday, October 17th we will be having an ALICE safety drill in conjunction with the Billerica police and fire departments. During the drill, parents will not be able to access the building. The drill will take place from 8:35 – 9:30. Prior to the drill, staff will review our safety protocols with students.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
After school activities continue this week on Wednesday and Thursday. If you have any questions, please contact our secretary Mrs. Brewster. nbrewster@billericak12.com or 978-528-8650.
HOMEWORK CLUB
HW club will continue in the library every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Wednesday and Thursday this week) for the remainder of the year. 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.
LATE BUSES
Late buses continue this week and will run on every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The buses usually arrive at the Locke at 3:10 PM. Please see the attached late bus stops. One of our buses does drop off at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
HALLOWEEN DANCE
We will be having a Halloween Dance at the Locke on Friday, October 25th from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. More details to follow.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: 28 total students, 12 girls and 16 boys
Time for the Flu shot
Some organizations are looking to make a lot of money off of the flu vaccine that is in such high demand. A survey done last week reported that 55% of 677 hospital pharmacists who responded reported being offered the vaccine at highly inflated prices. Of those, 84% said they would not buy the vaccine at those prices. How many of the 677 hospital pharmacists did not say that they would not buy the vaccine at the high prices? Express your answer to the nearest whole number.
Turn your answers in to the office by Friday. The correct answers will be put in a drawing for huge, tremendous prizes!
PARENT PAGE
At the Locke, we believe that homework is important part of the learning process. It teaches organization, meeting deadlines, and is an extension of the learning done in the classroom. At the same time, we understand that students have other commitments outside of school and completing homework can be stressful. Here are a few tips to alleviate some of the concerns raised by homework.
- Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.
- Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. (have a HW box) Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.
- Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don‘t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.
- Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.
- When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the work becomes difficult, someone will do it for him or her. If the homework is too difficult, make a note to ask the teacher about it the next day.
ASPEN – PARENT PORTAL
For Parent Account login assistance or to re-set your password, please email: portalhelp@
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
PTO CORNER
LOCKE HOLIDAY TREE – We are now collecting items for the holiday tree. Please see the attachment for this year’s theme and the items we are looking for.
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
School Time Fundraisers (Trinket Sales)
Scrip Gift Card Program
Scholastic Book Fair
Walkathon
Field Day Chairperson/Committee
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the Locke PTO
Email: billericalockepto@
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Our next PTO meeting will be held on Monday November 4th at 7:00 pm in the library.
Hope to see you there!
Important Upcoming dates:
- Substance Abuse Prevention Forum – Wednesday, October 16th – 5:00PM, Marshall Middle
- ALICE Safety Drill – Thursday, October 17th
- Progress Reports Published--Tuesday, October 22nd
- Locke Halloween Dance – Friday, October 25th – 6:00-8:30PM
- Billerica Special Education—Parents’ Advisory Council Meeting – Tuesday, October 29th, 7:00PM-Parker Elementary
- Picture Make-Ups – Wednesday, October 30th
Two 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