LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #11 2022-2023

-

 LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #11 2022-2023

November 13, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. We are back with a full 5 DAYS OF LEARNING this week and we have a busy schedule ahead as usual. Let’s see what’s happening  …

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” – E.E. Cummings

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Monday – B Day – Quarter 2 Starts, HW Club, Activities, Late Buses, School Site Council 5:00 PM, Library

Tuesday – C Day -- PTO Meeting 6:30 PM, Library

Wednesday – D Day – HW Club, Activities, Late Buses

Thursday – A Day – HW Club, Activities, Late Buses

Friday –  B Day

LAST WEEK OF FALL ACTIVITIES

After-school activities end this week for most activities. Note: HW Club and late buses will continue throughout the year.

QUARTER 1 ENDS

Thursday, November 10, 2022, was 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.

TURKEY TOSS IS BACK!!

Turkeys will be flying again in the Locke gym. We are raising money for the Billerica Food Pantry. Please see the attached for more information.

TURKEY TOSS INFORMATION

TALENT SHOW

We are having a talent show on November 30th at 7:00 PM. Please see the attached for audition information.

Talent Show Audition Flyer

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.

Parent Sign-Up Form

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Megan Hanafin

Middle School Math Instructional Coach

 

PTO CORNER

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 if you would like to be contacted as opportunities arise. You must have a valid CORI on file. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for all of the PTO meetings during the year.

Upcoming PTO Events:

November 15th – Herby Q’s Fundraiser (All day) SEE ATTACHED FLYER

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9

ANOTHER CANDY PROBLEM!

Sugar Shack gourmet candy shop’s signature candy mixture contains Sour Drops, Chocolate Chews, and Tangy Twists in the ratio 2:3:4, respectively. How many more pounds of Tangy Twists than Sour Drops are in a 135-pound batch of this signature candy mixture?

Last week’s answer: -- 39 M&Ms. Congrats to Arielle Nanda and Ellie parker

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: Kate’s mother has three children: Snap, Crackle, and Kate.

This week: Liam was 11 the day before yesterday, and next year he’ll turn 14. How is this possible? (It’s a tough one)

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/district/transportation

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 the 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

  • 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

Popular posts from this blog

LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #39 2024-2025

-
June 15, 2025 FINAL EDITION!! Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students, Final Thoughts ...  We are completing another fantastic year at the Locke Middle School. To our families, thank you for the support and commitment that you have given to our staff and your children this year. The educational partnership between home and school is what helps students to grow academically and emotionally. Reflecting on this past school year, I am proud of the accomplishments and growth that our students have made. This year has been filled with learning, discovery, and countless moments of achievement. Whether it was through academic challenges, extracurricular activities, community service, or building meaningful friendships, our students have shown remarkable resilience, curiosity, and character. I wish all of our 7 th  graders (class of 2030!) the best of luck as they move on to BMHS and new learning experiences. It has been an honor and a pleasure working with you for the last three y...
Read more

LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #38 2024-2025

-
June 8, 2025 Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students, I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We are back to work with our last full  5 DAYS OF LEARNING  this week! It is a busy time of year as we head to the end of the school year. Let’s see what’s happening … FOLLOW US ON X @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school LOCKE WEBSITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “What feels like the end is often the beginning.” – Unknown SCHEDULE THIS WEEK Monday –  A Day  – 5A2 Field Trip, 7 th  Grade to BMHS Tuesday –  B Day  – Field Day! Wednesday –  C Day  –  5A1 Field Trip, Bionic Project for 6 th  grade, PTO Meeting 6:30 PM Thursday –  D Day  – Bionic Project for 6 th  Grade, 7 th  Grade to Canobie Friday –    A Day IMPORTANT PARENT SURVEY Our Locke school council recently presented our school improvement plan to the school committee.  As we developed this plan, we utilized feedback from parents and guardians. ...
Read more

LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #37 2024-2025

-
June 1, 2025 Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students, Happy June! I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We are back with  5 DAYS OF LEARNING  this week! It is a busy time of year as we enter the home stretch. Let’s see what’s happening … FOLLOW US ON X @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school LOCKE WEBSITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. – James Baldwin SCHEDULE THIS WEEK Monday –  D Day  – 5B1 Field Trip Tuesday –  A Day  – 4 th  Grade Step-up day Wednesday –  B Day  –  5B2 Field Trip, 4 th  Grade Step-Up Day, 4 th  Grade parent Orientation 6:00 PM Thursday –  C Day Friday –    D Day  -- BMHS Graduation IMPORTANT PARENT SURVEY Our Locke school council recently presented our school improvement plan to the school committee.  As we developed this plan, we utilized feedback from parents and guardians. Every Spring we ask...
Read more