LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #16 2021-2022
December 19, 2021
HOLIDAY EDITION!!
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season and a happy new year. We have had another great year at the Locke. And what a year it was! Our staff and families came together over the last year as we navigate our way through the pandemic. I am so appreciative of our staff for persevering during this challenging time. Also, to families, thank you for your patience and flexibility as we had to adopt new schedules and routines. It was not easy, but we succeeded in providing all students with a positive learning environment. As we reflect on 2021, remember the way that our community helped each other get through these times together. We look forward to 2022 with a renewed sense of hope, purpose, and determination. The Locke certainly has great days of learning planned for the coming months. Until then, enjoy your vacation and I hope you get some time to rest and recharge. The newsletter will be taking a week off and we will publish again on January 2nd. See you in 2022!!
Only 3 ½ DAYS OF LEARNING left in 2021! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year. – Vern McLellan
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – B Day – Trinket sales HW Club, late buses
Tuesday – C Day – Trinket sales
Wednesday – D Day – Trinket Sales, 7th-grade field trip, Note: no after school programs
Thursday – A Day – Half-Day Schedule, 10:40 Dismissal (depending on buses), ugly sweater/pajama day
HALF-DAY – THURSDAY, 12/23
Students will be dismissed at 10:40 (depending on buses) on 12/23. For the safety of all students, we will wait to dismiss until all buses have arrived.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
After-school programs and late buses will only be on Monday this week.
FUNDRAISER FOR TORNADO RELIEF
We are having a Pajama Day fundraiser this week. We are asking students to make an optional donation of $2 to the American Red Cross for tornado relief in Kentucky. They can turn the donation into their homeroom teacher starting tomorrow. We will be taking donations all week.
UGLY SWEATER/PAJAMA/BE FESTIVE DAY
Thursday, December 23rd is Ugly Sweater/Pajama/Be Festive Day. Show your holiday spirit!
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations to all students that achieved honor roll and high honor roll. Certificates will be given out this week. Also, we will be recognizing students in individual subjects with “Student of the Trimester” awards.
REPORT CARDS – TRIMESTER 1
Report cards were published last week. It appears under published reports on your Aspen homepage. Please return the report card envelope to indicate you have seen the report. For parent account login assistance or to reset your password, please email: portalhelp@
MASK REMINDERS
Just a friendly reminder to have your students change their masks daily when coming to school and to wash them regularly. Also, masks should fit properly over the nose and mouth. If a student does not have a clean mask for the day, they may report to the Main Office in the morning to obtain a new one. Thank you!
STUDENT REMINDERS
- Charge Chromebooks at night and bring them to school every day – We only have a few extras left in the office for students to borrow.
- Bring in a pair of inexpensive headphones to leave in school or your backpack.
STUDENT COUNCIL
For students interested in joining the student council, please fill out the attached application.
COVID TESTING
Our weekly routine COVID testing will resume after the holidays. If you gave consent for your child to be tested, this will occur every Tuesday moving forward. Note: Testing will not be done on December 21st. If you have not completed the consent form and wish your child to be tested, please see the link:
https://forms.gle/
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 #12
I HATE SHOVELING!
Because of the short week, the math problem is the same as last week.
Zoe and Sophia are sisters and don’t like to shovel (who does?), but they are responsible for keeping the family's driveway clear of snow. If they work together they can complete the shoveling in 30 minutes. One day Zoe had to do the job alone. It took her 40 minutes. How long would it have taken Sophia to shovel the same amount alone? You can assume that each girl always shovels at a constant speed.
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 winners: Alia Strazzere and Riley McCarthy
PTO CORNER
Our next PTO meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 20th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place in the Locke library. Hope you can join us!
Holiday Trinkets will be sold at all lunches from December 20-Wednesday December 22! All items are just $1. If you’d like to volunteer to sell, please email Tricia LaFauci tlafauci@msn.com
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
UPCOMING DATES
- 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