LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #11 2021-2022
November 14, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are having a great weekend! We are excited to be back with a full 5 DAYS OF LEARNING this week. Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” -- Albert Einstein
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – C Day -- HW Club, activities, late buses, PTO Meeting 6:30, Library
Tuesday – D Day
Wednesday – A Day – Quarter 1 ends, HW Club, activities, late buses
Thursday – B Day -- HW Club, activities, late buses
Friday – C Day – Quarter 2 begins
QUARTER 1 COMPLETE
Quarter 1 finished last week and students started their quarter 2 unified arts classes. Final grades for quarter 1 classes will be posted to ASPEN and will appear on the trimester 1 report card issued in December.
THANKFUL TREE
The Locke will be creating a thankful tree on the half-day, November 24th. Students will come up with something they are thankful for and add it to their grade level tree. In addition to this, there will be a collection bucket by the tree for students to donate money to the Billerica Food Pantry. Please contact Mrs. Wells or Ms. Higgins with any questions. mwells@
A HUGE HIT -- LOCKE/MARSHALL THEATER PRODUCTION
Congratulations to the Locke and Marshall Drama clubs for their performance of “All Together Now” over the weekend. It was an amazing show. Thank you to Mr. Ashe, Ms. Berard, Ms. Barker, the Marshall team, and parent volunteers for making this happen. The students did an amazing job!
STUDENT COUNCIL
For students interested in joining the student council, please fill out the attached application.
LOCKE SPIRIT GEAR
You have one more day to purchase spirit wear. The deadline is Monday, November 15th. Show your Locke spirit! See the attached form to order your Locke gear.
COVID TESTING
Our weekly routine COVID testing will continue on Tuesday this week. If you gave consent for your child to be tested, this will occur every Tuesday moving forward. If you have not completed the consent form, please see the link:
https://forms.gle/
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
After-school activities end this week for most activities. Activities end at 2:45. If you are picking up, please arrive at 2:45 in the circle in front of the school.
HOMEWORK CLUB
HW club will continue this week. It will be in the library every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:45 – 2:45. Students do not need to sign up ahead of time for HW club. Students will sign up in the morning in the office and 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. HW Club continues throughout the year.
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. We have 3 late buses. Please see the attached routes. Please let students know their bus number. Students will wait in the cafeteria until buses arrive. Late buses run throughout the year.
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
We held our first meeting last week. Please see the Locke website for meeting minutes and further information regarding the council.
STUDENT REMINDERS
- Charge Chromebooks at night and bring them to school every day
- Bring in a pair of inexpensive headphones to leave in school or your backpack.
BUS POLICY
Students that ride the bus can only ride on their assigned bus in the morning and afternoon. Students are not allowed to ride different buses to be with friends after school.
If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9
IT’S A COIN FLIP!
There are 10 coins on a table heads side up. Mr. Garas wants them all to be tails side up, but with each move, he must turn over exactly 6 coins. What is the fewest moves he can make so that he ends up with all of the coins tails side up? (hint – use real coins to model)
Send your answers to Mr. Garas – tgaras@billericak12.com – Show your work and explain! You can win a Dunkins gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!!
Last week’s answer: 14 Bananas, Winners of the drawing will be announced on Friday
PTO CORNER
Our next PTO meeting will take place on Monday, November 15th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place in the Locke library. Hope you can join us!
We are also looking for help with the following programs:
Special Programs Coordinator
Labels Program (Box Tops, etc.)
School Time Fundraisers
Scrip Gift Card Program
Scholastic Book Fair
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the Locke PTO
Email: billericalockepto@
Facebook: https://www.
Keep your family safe while also raising funds for the Locke with a customized mask! They are comfortable and breathable. You can order directly from the Google form:
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
LUNCH/BREAKFAST
Please see the attached November lunch menu. All lunches are free to students. We will continue the practice of giving out free breakfast bags at the end of the school day. Breakfast will not be served in the morning.
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, November 15th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM Locke Library
- Wednesday, November 24th – Half Day – 10:40 Dismissal (approximate, depending on buses)
- November 25th and 26th – No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
- Monday, December 6th – Day 60, Trimester 1 ends
- Tuesday, December 7th -- PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM Locke Library
- Wednesday, December 8th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM Library
- Wednesday, December 8th – Band Concert – 7:00 PM Marshall Middle
- Thursday, December 9th – Orchestra concert – 7:00 PM Marshall Middle
- Tuesday, December 14th – Trimester 1 Grades Published
- Thursday, December 23rd – Half Day – 10:40 Dismissal (approximate, depending on buses)
- December 24th through January 2nd – Holiday Break
- Monday, January 3rd – Return to school
Have a great week! If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal