LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #19 2022-2023
January 16, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We are back this week with 4 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening ...
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – No School
Tuesday – C Day – Math Competition Test
Wednesday – D Day – Grade 6/7 Presentation, HW Club, Late Buses, PTO 6:30-Library
Thursday – A Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – B Day
WINTER AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Please see the listing of winter after school activities in the link below. Activities will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis according to the timestamp on the google form. The google form link for signing up and the registration form will be sent to families via email at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, January 17th. The registration form will also be sent home with students on Tuesday.
Winter After School Activities Brochure
SAY SOMETHING PRESENTATION
On Wednesday, January 18th, 6th and 7th grade students will be participating in a “Say Something” presentation. It is sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise and relates to school safety. For more information, please see the parent brochure.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
After-school programs and late buses will be on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations to all students that achieved honor roll and high honor roll. Also, congratulations to our “Student of the Trimester” recipients. Please see the attached lists:
Trimester 1 Honor Roll Trimester 1 High Honor Roll Students of the Trimester
7th GRADE – PROJECT EXPLORE
The Shawsheen Tech’s after-school program starts on continues this week. It will be on Tuesday and Thursday for the next 3 weeks. Students will board the buses in the side parking lot.
LOCKE FAMILY NIGHTS
Please see the attached flyers for Locke family nights for a Umass-Lowell hockey game and for the Harlem Globetrotters.
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
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Do you want to build a snowman?
Mr. Garas is building a snowman with 3 sections and he wants each section to have a prime number of buttons. If Mr. Garas has 12 buttons, in how many ways can he put them on his snowman? (Note that he does not necessarily need to use all of the buttons.) Remember, a prime number has only two factors, itself and 1.
Last week’s answer: -- 47.3333 sec
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: I have no legs. I will never walk but always run. What am I? A river
This Week: How do you make the number one disappear?
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.
FROM THE COMMUNITY
- The Billerica Recreation Department has many great programs for all ages. Please see the department website.
- The boys and girls club has great opportunities for our students. Please see the club website.
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
- Wednesday, January 18th – PTO Meeting, 6:30PM-Library
- Wednesday, January 18th – Say Something Presentation, 6th and 7th grade
- 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
- Monday, January 30th – Winter After School Activities Begin
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