LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #18 2023-2024
January 7, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the first snowstorm of the season. We had a great return to school last week and we will be back this week with a full 5 DAYS OF LEARNING!! Let’s see what’s happening …
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle and INSTAGRAM: locke_middle_school
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” —Thomas Jefferson
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – C Day – Locke School Site Council, 5:00 PM - Library
Tuesday – D Day
Wednesday – A Day – Advisory Schedule, PTO Meeting – 6:30 PM-Library
Thursday – B Day – Restaurant Night – Casa Blanca
Friday – C Day
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK AND JANUARY
- We will not be having HW Club or late buses this week.
- HW Club and late buses will return the week of January 15th on Wednesday and Thursday. (No school on Monday)
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES – WINTER SESSION
Winter After School Activities will start the week of January 29th. Information will be provided this week in a separate email.
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. For parent account login assistance or to re-set your password, please email: portalhelp@
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations to all students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll. Also, congratulations to our “Student of the Trimester” recipients. Awesome job!! Please see the attached lists:
Trimester 1 Honor Roll Trimester 1 High Honor Roll Students of the Trimester
LOCKE FAMILY NIGHTS
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.
We will be having a Locke family night at the UMASS-Lowell basketball game on Saturday, February 5th at 5:00 PM. Please see the link for tickets: LOCKE FAMILY NIGHT
PTO MEETING THIS WEEK
We will be having a PTO meeting on Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 PM. Please see the attached list of PTO meetings for the remainder of the year.
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
More 2024 Challenges!
1. If the area of a particular square is 2024 square inches, what is the perimeter of the square, in inches? Express your answer as a decimal to the nearest hundredth.
2. If it is noon right now, what time will it be in 2024 hours? Be sure to indicate a.m. or p.m.
Last Week’s Answer: Multiple Answers, Keep Trying! Prizes will be given out this week!
RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answers:
Name the most recent year in which New Year’s Day comes before Christmas. – 2024, New Year’s Day always comes before Christmas!
What do cows say on Jan. 1? Happy MOOOOOO Year!
Where can you practice multiplication tables on New Year's Eve? Times Square!
This week – 2 Jokes:
What New Year’s Resolution should a basketball player never make?
What’s the best food to eat in January?
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
- Monday, January 8th – School Site Council – 5:00 PM, 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