LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #27 2022-2023
March 19, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. Spring is here on Monday! We have another busy week ahead with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING!! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – B Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses, Day 120, Last Day of Trimester 2
Tuesday – C Day - 7th-grade BMHS Assemblies
Wednesday – D Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses
Thursday – A Day – Activities, HW Club, Late Buses, 7th grade parent night at BMHS-6:00 PM
Friday – B Day – School Dance, 6:00-8:00 PM
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
This is the last week of Winter After School Activities. If there are additional sessions that need to be made up, you will be contacted by the main office. HW Club and late buses continue throughout the year.
DAY 120 – LAST DAY OF TRIMESTER 2
Due to the snow day, Monday, March 20th the last day of trimester 2. Students, make sure all of your work is turned in. Report Cards will be published on Monday, March 27th at 2:00 PM.
PTO FUNDRAISERS
The Penny War is over! Thank you for your donations. We have a lot of counting to do to determine the homeroom winners.
BOOK FAIR THIS WEEK
Our Scholastic Book Fair is this week! Please visit our Book Fair website to set up an eWallet for your child. Starting tomorrow you can also shop online.
All classes will visit the fair during their Reading/ELA periods.
Monday-5A
Tuesday-5B
Wednesday-6th grade
Thursday-7th grade
Friday-Make up day
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. Tickets are on sale this week at lunch for $5.
MCAS CALENDAR 2023
Please see the attached calendar for MCAS testing dates this year.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Same as last week – We need more answers!
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 do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day? Real Rocks are too heavy!
This Week: What did the tree say during springtime?
NEWSLETTER REMINDERS
LATE BUS PICK-UP
Students will report to the cafeteria for late bus pick-up. Late bus runs will run 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.
- Clean-up/Green Up is on April 22, 2023. Please see the attached flyer.
UPCOMING DATES – ALL DATES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
- Monday, March 20th – Day 120, Last Day of Trimester 2
- March 20th -- 24th – Book Fair
- Week of March 20th – Last week of Activities
- Tuesday, March 21st – 7th grade BMHS assembly
- Wednesday, March 22nd – PTO, 6:30 PM – Library
- Thursday, March 23rd – 7th grade parent night, BMHS, 6:00 PM
- Friday, March 24th – Spring Dance – 6:00-8:00 PM
- Monday, March 27th – 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