LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #20 2023-2024
LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #20 2023-2024
January 21, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope you are enjoying the cold weekend. We are back with 5 DAYS OF LEARNING for the first time this year! Let’s see what’s happening ...
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If I had my way, I would remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead.” – Roald Dahl
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday – D Day – HW Club, Late Buses
Tuesday – A Day
Wednesday – B Day – End of Quarter 2, Advisory Schedule, HW Club, Late Buses
Thursday – C Day – New Unified Arts Classes Start, HW Club, Late Buses
Friday – D Day
END OF QUARTER 2
Quarter 2 unified arts classes end on Wednesday, January 24th. Quarter 3 unified arts classes start on Thursday, January 25th. Students, please check your schedules for your new class.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
HW Club and late buses will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. Please see the attached late bus routes.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES – WINTER SESSION
Winter After School Activities will start the week of January 29th. We have several exciting activities for students to choose from. The following activities are full at this time: Basketball, Soccer, and Silly Science. We have openings in all other activities. Please complete this Winter After School Activity Form to sign up for after-school activities. The Google form must be completed to enroll. All sessions have limited enrollment and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis according to the timestamp on this form. In addition, complete the attached form and send it in with your payment. Families will be informed this week via email regarding confirmation of enrollment.
THE PENNY WAR IS COMING …
From January 29th – February 2nd, the PTO is sponsoring a penny war between homerooms. The winning homeroom in each grade receives a pizza party! Please see the attached flyer for the rules and more details.
SCHOOL LUNCH
Please see the attached lunch menu for the week.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations to all students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll. Also, congratulations to our “Student of the Trimester” recipients. 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 Locke family night at the UMASS-Lowell basketball game on Saturday, February 3rd at 5:00 PM. Please see the link for tickets: LOCKE FAMILY NIGHT-Basketball
We are also having an ice cream social on Thursday, February 15th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. More details are coming soon.
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. You must have a valid CORI on file to volunteer at school. Please see the minutes from our last meeting. Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 PM in the Locke Library. Please see the attached dates for all of the PTO meetings during the year.
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Solve, Solve, Solve
For the first six days of the week, Zoe solved 3 math problems each day. How many does she need to solve on the seventh day to have an average of four problems solved per day for the whole week?
Show all work. Submit your answers to Mr. Garas for chance at a Dunkin gift card and the highly coveted math certificate!
Last Week’s Answer: 14684 Days
RIDDLE/JOKE OF THE WEEK
Last week’s answers: Where do snowmen check the weather forecast? – The winter-net!!
This week – What happened to the person who stole a calendar in January?
FROM THE BILLERICA SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Billerica Businesses and Families,
Come out and support the Scholarship Foundation with a fun night of trivia! Please see the attached flyer and registration form for more information.
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
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.
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
- Wednesday, January 24th – Quarter 2 Unified arts classes last day
- Thursday, January 25th – Quarter 3 Unified Arts classes begin
- Monday, January 29th – Winter After School Activities Begin
- January 29th through February 2nd – Penny Wars!
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