LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #25 2022-2023

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March 5, 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are enjoying the snowy weekend. It is a busy time of year in the busy month of March. We are back with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING this week! Let’s see what’s happening …

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school

LOCKE WEBSITE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”  – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

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

Tuesday – A Day – Early Release, 11:40 Dismissal

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

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

Friday –  D Day

EARLY RELEASE – Tuesday, February 7th  

Tuesday, March 7th  is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 11:40 AM

PTO UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

Penny War starts Monday! -- March 6th – March 17th, Please see attached flyer for details.

Book Fair – March 20th – 24th , parent volunteers needed

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 Monday, March 13th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for all of the PTO meetings during the year.

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.

HOOPS FOR HEART TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER – A BIG SUCCESS!

We had a fantastic basketball tournament and fundraiser before vacation. Thank you to our students and families for their donations to the American Heart Association. Also, a big thank you to our PE teachers for organizing the event.

MCAS CALENDAR 2023

Please see the attached calendar for MCAS testing dates this year.

 

ESSAY CONTEST

Please see the attached link for an essay contest sponsored by the Billerica Adventure Series Corporation

MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

Average Beans – See attached Problem

Last Week’s Answer: Multiple acceptable answers

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 is Spiderman’s favorite month? Web-ruary! (They keep getting better!)

This Week: Why did the robin go to the hospital?

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/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

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

  • March 6th – 17th – Penny War!
  • Tuesday, March 7th – Early Release Day – 11:40 AM Dismissal
  • Monday, March 13th – School Site Council, 5:00 PM – Library
  • Monday, March 13th – PTO, 6:30 PM – Library
  • Tuesday, March 14th – 7th grade BMHS assembly
  • Wednesday, March 15th – No After School Programs
  • Friday, March 17th – Day 120, Last Day of Trimester 2
  • March 20th -- 24th – Book Fair
  • Week of March 20th – Last week of Activities
  • Friday, March 24th – Spring Dance
  • Friday, March 24th – Trimester 2 Grades Published

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

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