LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #10 2022-2023
November 6, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the warm weather and having a great weekend. We are back with only 3 DAYS OF LEARNING this week, but we still have a busy schedule ahead as usual. We wish a happy Veterans Day on Friday to all those who have served to protect our country. Let’s see what’s happening this week …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Even the greatest were beginners. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.” – unknown
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – C Day – HW Club, Activities, Late Buses
Tuesday – No School – Election Day
Wednesday – D Day – Picture Re-takes, HW Club, Activities, Late Buses
Thursday – A Day – Last day of quarter 1, No after school programs
Friday – No School – Veterans Day
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS THIS WEEK
Due to the holiday on Friday, we will not have after-school programs or late buses on Thursday, November 10th this week.
QUARTER 1 ENDS
Thursday, November 10 is the forty-fifth day of school and the end of the first quarter. The following courses are on a 45-day schedule this year: art, drama, health, music, shop, and computer science. Students will see a change during one period of their day on Monday, November 14th, the beginning of the second quarter. Students, please check your schedules. Final grades for quarter 1 classes will be posted to ASPEN by Tuesday, November 15th and will appear on the trimester 1 report card issued in December.
PICTURE RE-TAKES
If you were absent on the 1st day of photos or want your picture retaken, the pictures will be on Wednesday, November 9th. Please see attached flyer for more details.
MATH INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
If you are interested in learning more about how you can use the district's online math platforms to support your child at home, Ms. Hanafin will be hosting a virtual session on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 pm. Please fill out the form below and an email will be sent to you with a link to the meeting.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Megan Hanafin
Middle School Math Instructional Coach
HEALTH SCREENINGS
We will be doing scoliosis screenings for all students this week. If you do not want your child to be screened, please contact our nurse Ms. Roberts at jroberts@billericak12.com
PTO CORNER
PTO HOLIDAY TREE
Please the see attached flyer for information on the PTO holiday tree at the library. All donations are due by November 10th.
The PTO welcomes all families to the Locke. We will be meeting monthly to plan several events throughout the year. We are always looking for volunteers to help plan great programs that will benefit our students. Please email us at billericalockepto@gmail.com
Upcoming PTO Events:
November 15th – Herby Q’s Fundraiser (All day)
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #7
HALLOWEEN CANDY
After trick or treating 3 Locke students combined their candy and sorted it out. They found that 1/3 was Reeses, 1/4 was Butterfinger, 1/5 was Starburst and the rest were M and M’s. If they had 180 pieces of candy total, how many pieces were M and M’s? Also, what's your favorite candy?
Last week’s answer: -- 4 participate in both activities. Congrats to Evam Lambert, Cassandra Berube, Meghan Legaski, Megan Hogan
Send your answers to Mr. Garas – tgaras@billericak12.com – Show your work! You can win a Dunkins gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!!
RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: A zombie, a mummy, and a ghost bought a haunted house. What room won’t you find in the house? – A living room! Haha
This week: Kate’s mother has three children: Snap, Crackle, and ___?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
CHROMEBOOKS
Students are required to bring their school-issued Chromebooks to school every day. It is important that students remember to bring their Chromebooks every day. We have only a few in the office to let students borrow. Students should charge their Chromebooks overnight. All teachers will be setting up a google classroom for their students where assignments will be posted and where assignments can be turned in electronically. If your child does not have a Chromebook, please contact the main office at 978-528-8650. We also highly recommend purchasing a protective case for the Chromebook.
HOMEWORK CLUB
HW club will continue throughout the school year. It will meet 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 report to the library immediately after school and sign-in. 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 bus runs have begun 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. The late buses have different stops than the usual routes. Please review the attached routes with students.
BUS ASSIGNMENTS
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 there is an emergency reason that a student needs to ride another bus, please contact Mr. Peters.
The bus routes for the year are located on the district website:
https://www.billericak12.com/
If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654
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
FROM THE BILLERICA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Public Forum Dates to discuss extended School Day for 23-24 School Year
- Public Forum #3: Thursday, November 17, 7:00 pm, held via Zoom
- Public Forum #4: Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 pm, in-person, location TBD
Wanted! Substitute Teachers!
If you are looking to earn additional income and need a flexible schedule, then Substitute Teaching may be the perfect part-time job for you! Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.
Wanted! Paraprofessionals!
We are looking for full-time paraprofessionals to provide hands-on support to teachers when preparing lessons. These are full-time positions with benefits. Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.
Wanted! Substitute Cafeteria Workers!
Great opportunity for on-call part-time work. These positions are approximately 3 hours a day and perfect hours for those who need a flexible schedule. Please visit our website at www.billericak12.com and go under 'Human Resources' and 'Employment Opportunities" to apply.
FROM THE COMMUNITY
Please see the attached flyer about public skating at the Hallenborg rink.
UPCOMING DATES
- Tuesday, November 8th – No School for Students
- Wednesday, November 9th – Picture Re-Takes
- Thursday, November 10th – Quarter 1 Ends for Unified Arts
- Friday, November 11th – No School – Veterans Day
- Monday, November 14th – Quarter 2 Unified Arts Begin
- Monday, November 14th – School Site Council, 5:00 PM Library
- Tuesday, November 15th – Herby Q’s PTO Fundraiser (All Day)
- Tuesday, November 15th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 Library
- Wednesday, November 16th – Math Information Night – 7:00 PM Virtual
- Wednesday, November 23rd – Half Day, 10:40 Dismissal
- November 24th-25th – No School, Thanksgiving Recess
- Wednesday, November 30th – Locke Talent Show, 7:00 PM Auditorium
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call at 978-528-8655. Have a great week!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal