LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #16 2023-2024
December 16, 2023
HOLIDAY EDITION!!
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season and a happy new year. We have had another great year at the Locke. The Locke Middle School community is truly something special, and it's because of the invaluable contributions of our dedicated staff, supportive families, and enthusiastic students. We look forward to 2024 with a renewed sense of hope, purpose, and determination. May you return in the new year refreshed and ready for more exciting adventures in learning. The Locke certainly has incredible days of learning planned for the coming months. Until then, enjoy your vacation and I hope you get some time to rest and recharge. The newsletter will be taking a week off and we will publish again on January 1st. See you in 2024!!
4 ½ DAYS OF LEARNING left in 2023! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself. -- Unknown
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – B Day
Tuesday – C Day – Trinket Sales, Orchestra Concert -- 7:00 PM, Marshall
Wednesday – D Day -- Trinket Sales
Thursday – A Day – 7th grade field trip
Friday – B Day – Half-Day Schedule, 10:40 Dismissal (depending on buses)
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK AND JANUARY
- We will not be having HW Club or late buses the week of December 18th.
- HW Club and late buses will return the week of January 15th.
- Winter After School Activities will start the week of January 29th. Information will be provided in early January.
HALF-DAY – FRIDAY, 12/22
Students will be dismissed at approximately 10:40 (depending on buses) on Friday, 12/22. For the safety of all students, we will wait to dismiss until all buses have arrived.
UGLY SWEATER/PAJAMA/BE FESTIVE DAY
Friday, December 22nd is Ugly Sweater/Pajama/Be Festive Day. Show your holiday spirit!
TRIMESTER 1 REPORT CARDS
Trimester 1 report cards were published to the ASPEN portal on Thursday, December 14th. It appears under published reports on your Aspen homepage. Please return the report card envelope to indicate you have seen the report. For parent account login assistance or to re-set your password, please email: portalhelp@
CONCERT SEASON
We have one more holiday concert on the schedule. It will be the orchestra at the Marshall on Tuesday, December 19th at 7:00 PM. Congratulations to all of our ensembles for their great holiday performances over the last few weeks.
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 into your homeroom teacher by Tuesday, December 19th.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations to all students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll. Also, we will be recognizing students in individual subjects with “Student of the Trimester” awards this week.
LOCKER CLEAN OUT/LOST AND FOUND
We will be cleaning out lockers this week and the lost and found. Students, please check the lost and found. We have assorted sweatshirts, jackets, and water bottles that need a home. Any items not claimed by the end of the week will be donated.
PTO NEWS
- 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. All items will be $2.
- We will be having a restaurant night at Casa Blanca from 3:00-9:00 on Thursday, January 11th. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
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.
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
The MPOW will return in 2024!
Last problem’s Answer: The actual number of $25 gift cards Mr. Garas bought for gifts was 7 gift cards.
RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answer: What does Simba from the “The Lion King” say to celebrate Hanukkah? Hanukkah Matata!!
New jokes and riddles coming in 2024!
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
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.
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.
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 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
- Monday, January 8th – School Site Council – 5:00PM, Locke Library
- Wednesday, January 10th – PTO Meeting, 6:30PM-Library
- Thursday, January 11th – Restaurant Night, Casa Blanca
- Monday, January 15th – No School, MLK Day
- Wednesday, January 24th – Day 90, Quarter 2 Unified arts classes last day
- Thursday, January 25th – Day 91, Quarter 3 Unified Arts classes begin
- Monday, January 29th – Winter After School Activities Begin
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