LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #21 2022-2023
January 29, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. The sun seems to be making a minor comeback. We have completed half of the school year and we are back with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening ...
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” — Dalai Lama
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – D Day – Day 91, New UA Classes Start, Activities, HW Club, Late Buses
Tuesday – A Day
Wednesday – B Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses, PTO 6:30-Library
Thursday – C Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – D Day
WINTER AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
After-school activities begin this week. All activity confirmations were sent out via email last week. If you have any questions, please contact the main office.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY CAR PICK-UP
Car pick-up for after-school activities will be at 2:45. If you are picking up, enter and exit via Urban Street and loop around the circle as we do for regular car pick-up. Students can enter cars between the two crosswalks.
LATE BUS PICK-UP
Students will report to the cafeteria for late bus pick-up. Late bus runs 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.
MUSICAL UPDATE
Here is an update for the musical:
Monday, 1/30 – Dance Auditions, Call-Backs 2:00 – 4:00
Wednesday, 2/1 – First Read-Through 2:00-3:30
Please email Ms. Courtney Rodland – crodland@billericak12.com with any questions.
MCAS CALENDAR 2023
Please see the attached calendar for MCAS testing dates this year.
LOCKE MONSTERS ROBOTICS UPDATE
On Sunday, January 15th, the Locke Monsters robotics team competed in their second VEX Robotics competition of the 2022-2023 season. The Locke Monsters fielded four different robots that were each designed, built, programmed, and operated by a team of students. It was a busy day, with each team being interviewed by the judges, competing in 6 different qualification matches as well as skills competitions. All of the teams showed great spirit, sportsmanship, and problem solving skills over the course of the day and made dramatic improvements from their performances in the December competition.
Special congratulations to Max Gorski, Shaurya Kaila, Ishaan Rana, James Robertson, and Asher Swint. The members of team 8025B were presented with the Judges Award at the end of the day. According to the VEX Robotics website, "The Judges Award is presented to a team that the Judges determine is deserving of special recognition. Judges consider a number of possible criteria for this award, such as team displays of special attributes, exemplary effort and perseverance at the event. or team accomplishments or endeavors throughout the season that may not fit under existing awards but are nonetheless deserving of special recognition." This is the second competition in a row where a Locke Monsters team has won this award.
Congratulations to team 8025D for going undefeated through all 6 qualification rounds and finishing as the second seed at the end of qualification. The robot, built and designed by Caroline Gorski, Sabrina Gorski, Shakti Meiyur, Dhyey Patel, and Elise Skelton made it to the semifinals round of competition.
Congratulations to Amir Akhmedov, Eli Baldwin, Sean O'Connor, Max Sweeney, and Drew Ungerson. Team 8025C made it to the finals round of the competition where they were ultimately defeated. Their alliance finished in second place for the day. Students are now busy making modifications to their robots in preparation for their next competition on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
LOCKE FAMILY NIGHTS
Please see the attached flyer for Locke family night 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
A Hog, a Dog, a Frog, and a Bog!
A hog, a dog, and a frog all want to cross a bog.
The hog slogs across at a speed of five feet per second.
The dog logs a time of 20 minutes for its crossing.
The frog jogs across twice as fast as the hog but half as fast as the dog.
What is the distance in feet across the bog?
Last week’s answer: -- 14,320 Days
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 did the snowman have for breakfast? – Frosted Snowflakes
This Week: What does the snowman call his parents?
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.
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
- Monday, January 30th – Day 91, Quarter 3 Unified Arts classes begin
- Monday, January 30th – Winter After School Activities Begin
- Wednesday, February 1st – PTO Meeting, 6:30PM-Library
- Tuesday, February 7th – Early Release – 11:40 Dismissal
- Monday, February 13th – Locke School Site Council, 5:00 PM – Library
- Monday, February 13th -- Globetrotter Game
- Thursday, February 16th – PTO Meeting, 6:30PM -- Library
- February 13th – 17th – Spirit Week
- February 20th – 24th – Winter Break
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