LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #23 2021-2022
February 13, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
Happy Super Bowl Sunday and Happy Valentine’s Day! We have one more week until winter break and we have a busy 5 DAYS OF LEARNING ahead this week! Let’s see what’s happening …
We will not publish the newsletter next week. Have a great vacation!!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” -- Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut
UPDATE -- COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
- IMPORTANT – NEW MASK GUIDELINES
- DESE and the Billerica Public Schools have lifted the mask mandate effective Monday, February 28th. (Mask Update from DESE) Throughout this week, we will have discussions with students about respecting the decisions of others regarding the wearing of masks. On Monday, February 28th we will have an extended homeroom period to further discuss our expectations and to ensure that all students and staff feel safe with respect to their mask choices. Our conversations will emphasize our core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Safety. Students can revisit our expectations on pages 2, 3, and 4 of the agenda book.
- Last week we passed out our first round of rapid tests to families. The box contains 2 tests. We recommend that students test each Sunday moving forward. Every two weeks, you will receive another test kit. If you did not sign up already and want to receive a test kit on the next distribution, please complete the form by clicking on the link below.
- Our weekly routine COVID testing continues in school on Tuesdays. 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 and wish your child to be tested, please see the link:
- We will no longer be tracing close contacts in school.
- Please report all positive cases to our school nurse Ms. Roberts (jroberts@billericak12.com ) and Mr. Garas. (tgaras@billericak12.com ). Test results can be sent in by paper copy, e-mailed after scanning, sending screenshots, or taking pictures of at-home tests. Students can return to school following a positive test result after isolating for a minimum of 5 days following either symptom onset or a positive test result via a PCR or antigen test (this is day 0 of quarantine). This includes over the counter home tests; please e-mail an image of at-home tests. Students can return on day 6 if they are fever-free (and diarrhea, vomiting, headache-free, etc.) for 24 hours without the use of medication, have improving symptoms, or have been asymptomatic.
- If on Day 6, your child is still not feeling well, please do not send them to school. Please keep them home until they have improved symptoms. Also, please do not send your student to school in the morning to receive a Covid test if they are not feeling well. School nurses cannot function as testing sites during this time.
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK – SPIRIT WEEK!!
Monday – C Day, Activities, HW Club, late buses, Carnations for sale at lunch $1
Tuesday – D Day, COVID pool testing
Wednesday – A Day – Activities, HW Club, late buses
Thursday – B Day – Activities, HW Club, late buses
Friday – C Day
SPIRIT WEEK IS HERE!
NURSE SCREENINGS
We will be doing postural screenings for all grades, and height/weight screenings for Grade 7 during the week of February 14th. If parents would like to opt-out, please email our school nurse, Janice Roberts – jroberts@billericak12.com .
AUTISM AWARENESS T-SHIRTS
Friday, April 1st is Autism Awareness Day at the Locke. Please see the attached flyer if you would like to order a t-shirt to celebrate the occasion. Send the form to the main office.
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.
LOCKE FAMILY BASKETBALL NIGHT AT UMASS-LOWELL
Please see the attached flyer for more information and to purchase tickets.
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.
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 #19
A Valentine’s Day card goes in an envelope that is 5 inches long and 8 inches wide. The stamp that goes on the envelope is 11/2 inches by 11/3 inches in area. What percentage of the card’s face is covered by the stamp?
Last Week’s Answer Check – 1. 58 in row Z 2. 858 seats
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!!
PTO CORNER
Our next PTO meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 9th at 6:30 in the library.
We had a very successful Valentine Trinket sale last week. Thank you to our parent volunteers. We will be selling Valentine carnations tomorrow for $1.00 each in the cafeteria at all lunches!
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
- Carnation Sales, $1 – February 14th
- Spirit Week – February 14th – 18th
- February 21st – 25th – Winter Break
- Monday, February 28th – Return to School
- Tuesday, March 1st – Family Night – Umass Lowell Basketball
- Tuesday, March 8th – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal
- Wednesday, March 9th – Locke Site Council, 5:00 PM – Library
- Wednesday, March 9th – PTO Meeting, 6:30-Library
- Friday, March 18th – Trimester 2 Ends
- After School Activities End – March 21-25
- Book Fair – March 21-25
- Friday, March 25th – Report Cards Published
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