LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #15 2023-2024
December 10, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend and getting your shopping done! We have another busy week at the Locke with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING! Let’s see what’s happening …
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
A little light drives out much darkness. May we all help light up the world."
— Jonathan Sacks
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – A Day – HW Club, Late Buses, School Council-5:00 PM, Library
Tuesday – B Day – PTO 6:30, Library
Wednesday – C Day – HW Club, Late Buses, Musical Meeting After School, Band Concert – 7:00 PM Marshall
Thursday – D Day -- HW Club, Late Buses, Grades Published, Chorus Concert – 7:00 PM BMHS
Friday – A Day
AFTER SCHOOL FOR DECEMBER
Activities have concluded for the Fall Session. HW Club and late buses will continue this week. We will not be having HW Club or late buses the week of the 18th.
TRIMESTER 1 REPORT CARDS
Trimester 1 report cards will be published to the ASPEN portal on Thursday, December 14th. Students will be given report card envelopes on Thursday. Please sign and return the report card envelope to confirm you have seen the report online.
BOOK FAIR THIS WEEK!
We will be having a Scholastic Book Fair from December 12th – 15th. Please see the attached schedule for when students will be going. You can set up a virtual wallet for your child so they don’t have to bring cash. Please go to the following site: https://bookfairs.scholastic.
LOCKE MUSICAL—Information Meeting
Students, if you are interested in being in the Spring musical (cast or crew), we are having an information meeting on Wednesday, December 13th after school until 3:00 PM. See the attached flyer for more information.
PTO NEWS
- We will be having a PTO meeting on Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Upcoming PTO Dates: Please see the attached list of PTO meetings for the remainder of the year.
- We will be selling holiday trinkets during lunch on December 19th and 20th. We will be asking for parent volunteers to help sell. Stay tuned for more information.
TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE – Thank you!
The Locke Pride Alliance would like to thank the Locke Middle School community for their generous contributions to our Toys for Tots drive! We collected two full boxes of toys and gifts, well over 100 items in total. We would also like to thank the Billerica Fire Department for providing us with the collection boxes as well as picking up our donations. In the coming days our toys, along with donations from other collection locations, will be sorted and then distributed to children in our local area. Please see the attached photo.
HOLIDAY CONCERT SEASON
Holiday Concerts are coming soon! We have two this week! Please see the dates below and come out to support our talented band, chorus, and orchestra students.
UPDATED -- CAR DROP-OFF
Student car drop-off will be in the lower lot beginning at 7:10. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXIT CARS UNTIL 7:10. PLEASE WAIT FOR MY SIGNAL TO LET STUDENTS OUT OF CARS. ALSO, ONLY MAKE A U-TURN AT THE END OF THE LINE. Parents are to enter VIA URBAN ST (off Baldwin Road), drop students off at the sidewalk, make a U-turn, and exit via Urban Street.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9
GIFT CARDS
Same problem as last week – We need more submissions!
Mr. Garas decided that gift cards make the best gifts. (Plus, it saves time on shopping) He purchased a total of 21 gift cards for holiday gifts. He purchased gift cards in each of four denominations, $25, $50, $75, and $100. The number of $100 gift cards he purchased was twice the number of $75 gift cards he bought. The total value of the $50 gift cards he purchased exceeded the total combined value of the $25, $75, and $100 gift cards by $100. How many $25 gift cards did Mr. Garas buy? Send your answers to Mr. Garas – tgaras@billericak12.com –
Show your work! You can win a Dunkin gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!!
Last problem’s Answer: 1. Two are older than 12 2. 120 ways to sit – Congratulations to Lilah Kent and Bhakti Jayaswal!
RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: What begins with an “e” and only contains one letter? An envelope!
This Week: What does Simba from "The Lion King" say to celebrate Hanukkah?
LUNCH TO GO
On December 22, we will be having a half-day schedule. Students can order a lunch to go on the attached form. Please turn the form in to your homeroom teacher by Tuesday, December 19th.
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.
FROM THE TOWN OF BILLERICA
The Town of Billerica is seeking residents' input on Billerica's open space and recreation as it is currently updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan. I have been asked to share their survey link with families in order to reach a larger audience of residents. They would appreciate your input which can be shared by taking this online survey: https://www.
REMINDERS
LATE BUSES
Late bus runs have started 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. Please see the attached routes.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
One of our initiatives this year is to improve student attendance and tardiness. The impact on student learning due to attendance concerns can be seen in this graphic. Please see the attached attendance policy for the 23-24 school year.
HOMEWORK CLUB
HW club is available 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/teachers believe are necessary. Students are expected to stay for the full hour.
CHROMEBOOKS AND GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
Students are required to bring their school-issued Chromebooks to school every day. 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.
SCHOOL TIMES
School starts promptly at 7:30. Students should be in their homeroom at 7:30. The drop-off time for students is 7:10 -- 7:25. (Please note this change from last year) Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:10. From 7:10 – 7:20, students that enter the building will be supervised in the cafeteria. Students will not be allowed in before 7:10 AM.
Parents, please do not enter from Allen Road in the morning. The Allen Road entrance is only for school buses.
DISMISSAL
Walkers and pick-ups are dismissed at 1:50 after the buses depart.
TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR DISMISSAL
Parents enter via Urban Street and line up in the lower circle. After the buses leave, parents are to pull around the circle in a SINGLE file line to pick up children. The pick-up zone is between the two crosswalks. This is the only place we would like children picked up. We do not want children stepping in front of cars to be picked up. Please keep the line single file.
PLEASE DO NOT PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE LOWER LOT.
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 secretaries, Ms. Brewster at nbrewster@billericak12.com or Lucy O’Brien at lobrien@billericak12.com
BUS ASSIGNMENTS
Students who 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.
The bus routes for the year are listed at this link.
If you have any questions regarding bus assignments, please contact our assistant principal: Phillip Peters: ppeters@billericak12.com -- 978-528-8654
UPCOMING DATES
- December 12th through 15th – Book Fair
- Monday, December 11th – School Site Council, 5:00 PM-Library
- Tuesday, December 12th – PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
- Wednesday, December 13th – Musical Information Meeting, after school
- Wednesday, December 13th – Band Concert, 7:00 PM –Marshall Auditorium
- Thursday, December 14th – Chorus Concert, 7:00 PM – BMHS
- Thursday, December 14th – Trimester 1 Report Cards Published
- December 19th and 20th – Trinket Sales during lunch
- Tuesday, December 19th – Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM – Marshall Auditorium
- Thursday, December 21st – 7th Grade Field Trip, A Christmas Carol
- Friday, December 22nd – Half-Day Schedule, 10:40 Dismissal
- December 25th through January 1st – Holiday Recess
- Tuesday, January 2nd – School Resumes
If you have any questions, please contact me at tgaras@billericak12.com or call 978-528-8655 Have a great week!
Warmest regards,
Tony Garas, Principal