LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #26 2022-2023
March 12, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We have another busy week ahead with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING!! Let’s see what’s happening …
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – A Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses, School Council Meeting-5:00 PM, PTO Meeting-6:30 PM – Both meetings in the Locke Library
Tuesday – B Day
Wednesday – C Day – No After School Programs or Late Buses
Thursday – D Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – A Day – St. Patrick’s Day-Wear Green! , Last Day of Trimester 2, Day 120
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS THIS WEEK
Due to staff training, there will not be after-school programs or late buses on Wednesday, March 15th. We will have our regular after-school programs and late buses on Monday and Thursday this week.
DAY 120 – LAST DAY OF TRIMESTER 2
Friday, March 17th is the last day of trimester 2. Students, make sure all of your work is turned in.
PTO UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Penny War!! 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
7th GRADE BMHS PARENT NIGHT
Billerica Memorial High School is having an orientation night for parents only on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:00 PM. See the attached flyer for more details.
SPRING DANCE
We are having a spring dance on Friday, March 24th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Please see attached flyer for more details.
LOST AND FOUND
We have many lonely water bottles, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, etc. in our lost and found. If are missing something, please look this week. We will be cleaning it out and donating the clothing at the end of the week.
MCAS CALENDAR 2023
Please see the attached calendar for MCAS testing dates this year.
ESSAY CONTEST – Due March 17th
Please see the attached link for an essay contest sponsored by the Billerica Adventure Series Corporation
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Crickets
I read once that you can figure out what the temperature is in degrees F (Fahrenheit) by counting the number of chirps that a cricket makes in 15 seconds. I couldn't remember the formula, but I did find some data.
- The temperature is 65 degrees when the cricket chirps 25 times in 15 seconds
- The temperature is 72 degrees when the cricket chirps 32 times in 15 seconds.
What could the temperature be when a cricket is chirping 164 times a minute?
Bonus: Write a formula that could be used to predict the temperature given the number of chirps per 15 seconds. Note: Use "c" for chirps and "t" for temperature.
Last Week’s Answer: Leo would have 13 beans
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: Why did the robin go to the hospital? For “tweet”ment !!
This Week: Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
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.
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
- March 6th – 17th – Penny War!
- 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
- Thursday, March 23rd – 7th grade parent night, BMHS, 6:00 PM
- 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