Dear Parker students, families and staff,I hope that you stayed safe and warm today. As I wrote last evening, we wouldn’t normally cancel school the night before a storm this size, but today would have been a complicated day. We had 31 students scheduled to present their midyear Gateways with family and friends traveling in to support them. With the storm forecasted to continue through the day, I thought it would be safer for our Parker community to cancel school with advanced notice and reschedule Gateways for Tuesday, January 24th. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. Next week will be an exciting week of transition for many of our students. We have 54 students across every domain and division gatewaying at the midyear. The students who presented on Thursday did an exceptional job, showcasing their learning and answering questions from the audience. It was a terrific celebration of their growth and success. Good luck to all the students presenting on Tuesday. All the students who gatewayed will start in their new division next week. Students in Division 3 begin new classes on Wednesday (delayed one day because of the snow day Friday). All the best to our students and teachers as you settle into your new schedules. We also have fifteen new students joining Parker next week. As you know, we ran a midyear lottery for grades 7 and 9. They will join Parker 101 and 7th Seminar and jump right into advisory and classes. We are thrilled to welcome these new students to Parker. So about half of our students will either be new to Parker, new to the division or starting a new schedule next week. That’s a lot of change, which can be both exciting and stressful. As always, the Parker community will help students through the transition. Ask for help, say hi to someone new, invite students to eat with you at lunch. We are all better for it. Have a great long weekend. Monday is a professional development day for teachers as we prepare for the start of second semester. See you on Tuesday, which is now a Gateway day and the last day of the first semester. |
Brian
This week’s topics:
- No Classes Monday
- Health Advisory Council
- Faculty Valentine Appreciation
- SEPAC
- Application Deadline
- Parent Ads for Seniors
- COVID-19 Information
No Classes on Monday
Monday, January 23, is Faculty Planning Day, and there is no school for students.
Health Advisory Council
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If you’re willing to join the Health Advisory Council (HAC), the group is planning to meet at Parker on Tuesday, January 31, at 3:30 PM in Room 3A in the library. Please contact Lisa, the School Nurse and HAC Coordinator, at (978) 772-3293 x135 or [email protected] to let her know. |
The group will include Parker faculty, parents, and students and will examine health, safety and environmental issues within the Parker Community; provide recommendations to Parker’s faculty and staff, including the Board of Trustees; and organize special events within the school that assist in meeting these objectives.
Faculty Valentine Appreciation
Please complete this form if you’re willing to show some love to Parker faculty by purchasing a book or bookstore gift card for Valentine’s Day. ECO (Essential Community Organization) is sponsoring this appreciation event where you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences to guide the purchase of your gift made on behalf of the Parker community.
Parker SEPAC (Special Education Parent's Advisory Council)
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Join Us Next Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM (REMOTE) Click here to join the meeting. Presentation: Supporting Students’ Executive Functioning at Home As suggested by last month’s SEPAC participants, there will be a presentation/discussion by the Special Education teachers on Executive Functioning skills particular to Parker. The presentation will address the differences between Divisions and the best ways for parents to support their students. A Question-and-Answer session will follow the presentation. |
Please email [email protected] if you would like to join as an additional member of the SY2022-2023 SEPAC Board or would like to learn more about SEPAC.
Don't Miss the Application Deadline (February 1st)!
Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2023-2024 school year MUST complete an application and return it to Parker no later than February 1, 2023. Current students do not need to reapply. You are welcome to call our front office prior to February 1, 2023, to verify your application has been received. Click here to sign up for the final Information Session. The Lottery will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.
Parent Yearbook Ads for Seniors
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Reminder to purchase parent ads by Tuesday, January 31, at this link. Seniors should submit their baby photos and senior portraits here by Tuesday, January 31, and senior half-page info here by Tuesday, February 28. Reach out to Cordelia at [email protected] if you have any questions! |
Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens.
COVID-19 Information
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The following are positive cases in the Parker community from 1/13/23-1/20/23:
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Please click here for Current Health Office COVID-19 Protocols and Information.
Sports Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note:
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MON |
Jan 23 |
Faculty Planning (No Classes) |
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TUE |
Jan 31 |
Junior College Planning Night |
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WED |
Feb 1 |
Enrollment Deadline |
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WED |
Feb 1 |
10th Grade Biology MCAS |
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THU |
Feb 2 |
10th Grade Biology MCAS |
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TUE |
Feb 7 |
Enrollment Lottery |
Click here for the online calendar.
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Looking for help with or information concerning: |
Please contact: |
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a specific class or assignment |
the teacher of that class (see Parker email list) |
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technical support |
email: [email protected] |
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your family’s or student’s health |
email: [email protected] |
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mental health/emotional support needs |
email: [email protected] |
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food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs |
email: [email protected] |
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The Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School is committed to equal employment and educational opportunity for all members of the school community and prohibits discrimination on the basis of the basis of race, color, gender, pregnancy or pregnancy status, religion, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability, in the operation of the educational programs, activities, or employment policies.
