LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #16 2022-2023
December 18, 2022
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. I am so appreciative of our staff for persevering during these challenging times. Also, to families, thank you for your patience and support as we transitioned back to a “normal” routine for our students. We look forward to 2023 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 2023!!
4 ½ DAYS OF LEARNING left in 2022! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself. -- Unknown
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – A Day – HW Club, Late Buses,
Tuesday – B Day -- Orchestra concert 12:45
Wednesday – C Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Thursday – D Day – 7th-grade field trip, No after-school programs or late buses
Friday – A Day – Half Day Schedule 10:40 dismissal (approximate, based on buses) ugly sweater, pajama day, be festive!
HALF-DAY – FRIDAY, 12/23
Students will be dismissed at approximately 10:40 (depending on buses) on Friday, 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 be on Monday and Wednesday this week. (not Thursday)
UGLY SWEATER/PAJAMA/BE FESTIVE DAY
Friday, December 23rd is Ugly Sweater/Pajama/Be Festive Day. Show your holiday spirit!
TRIMESTER 1 REPORT CARDS
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@
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 this week.
CONCERT SEASON
We have one more holiday concert on the schedule. It will be the orchestra at the Locke on Tuesday, December 20th at 12:45. Parents can enter by the side parking lot entrance. Congratulations to all of our ensembles for their great holiday performances over the last few weeks.
LOCKER CLEAN OUT/LOST AND FOUND
We will be cleaning out lockers this week and the lost and found. Students, please check the lost and found. We have assorted sweatshirts and water bottles that need a home. Any items not claimed by the end of the week will be donated.
TRINKET SALES
Holiday trinkets will be on sale at lunch Monday through Wednesday. Most items are $2, some are $1.
FROM THE NURSE
- Each student must have an updated physical and immunization form on file.
- Students should be bringing their own water bottles to school and utilizing the filtered water refilling stations throughout the school.
LOCKE FAMILY NIGHTS
Please see the attached flyers for Locke family nights for a Umass-Lowell hockey game and for the Harlem Globetrotters.
TURKEY TOSS – A BIG SUCCESS!
We made a $5000 donation to the food pantry last week. See the story in the Lowell Sun! Thank you again for your generous donations.
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
PTO Events/Information:
- Thank you to all of the volunteers for helping at the book fair and the holiday fair this past week. Both events were a big success!
- Trinket sales: December 19th – 21st Most items are $2, some $1.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Holiday Deliveries
Garas Delivery charges $20.00 to send a 1-pound package via two-day service and an additional $2.00 for every 4 ounces of package weight over 1 pound. How much will it cost to ship a package that weighs 3.75 pounds via Garas Delivery’s two-day service?
Last week’s answer: -- 15 games and 255 games -- Congrats to Madeline Chiaradonna and Nathan Reynolds, Go Argentina!
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: What kind of pictures do elves take? Selfies or North Polaroids –LOL
This week: Which elf is the best singer?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
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.
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.
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
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.
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
- December 19th through 21st – Trinket Sales during lunch
- Tuesday, December 20th – Orchestra Concert, 12:45 Locke Auditorium
- Friday, December 23rd – Half-Day
- December 26th through January 2nd – Holiday Recess
- Tuesday, January 3rd – School Resumes
- Monday, January 9th – School Site Council – 5:00 PM, Locke Library
- Monday, January 16th – No School, MLK Day
- Wednesday, January 18th – PTO Meeting, 6:30PM-Library
- Thursday, January 26th – Day 90, Quarter 2 Unified arts classes last day
- Friday, January 27th – Day 91, Quarter 3 Unified Arts classes begin
- Friday, January 27th – Umass-Lowell Hockey Game
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