Weekly Information for March 3rd

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

We look forward to welcoming students and families to Parker on Friday, March 17th for PLP conferences. We host PLP conferences twice a year to create personalized goals and provide feedback and coaching. Thank you for engaging with your advisor.

The Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is an essential tool and process by which we personalize learning for all students. It helps our students define their personal goals and the support that they need to achieve those goals. It also helps us know students well as individuals and build strong, collaborative relationships with students and their families.

If you haven’t done so already, please schedule a 30-minute conference with your child’s advisor. If you have a conflict on that day, communicate directly with your child’s advisor to schedule another time. Click on March 17, then your child’s division and advisor to sign up for one of the available times. Thank you. PLP Schedule Signup – March 17, 2023

We are also looking forward to an important professional development opportunity for our staff on Wednesday, March 22. On that day, we will dismiss students at 12:00 noon to welcome colleagues from schools across New England for several Looking at Student Work sessions. It is an essential opportunity for feedback, calibration and connection in the service of ensuring authentic, standards-based assessment at Parker. Thank you for your flexibility with this disrupted yet important day.

Brian

This week’s topics:

•   Spring PLP Conferences
•   Senior Project Help Needed
•   Parker Fund
•   Postural Screening Reminder
•   Health Advisory Council Reminder
•   Health Office Donations
•   Sign-up for Spring Sports
•   COVID-19 Information

Spring PLP Conferences

Spring PLP Conferences will be held on Friday, March 17th. Each Division leads the Spring Conference a little differently. For some it is a time to reflect on progress students have made toward their PLP goals. For others it is also a time to check in on the status of portfolios and/or academic standing.

Please remember there are no classes this day and it is specifically set aside to have these important conversations. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment, and families should make every effort to schedule their conferences on the 17th.

Click HERE to access the booking page for Spring PLPs. [Please note that you have to SELECT March 17, then your child’s DIVISION, and then your child’s ADVISOR to successfully make an appointment!] You should make an appointment for each child you have in the school. If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 17, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If you can meet on March 17 but someone needs to attend remotely, please go ahead and book an appointment and then reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link.

Interviewees Needed

Help me (Heather Falk) with my senior project! Have you ever learned about nutrition in health class at any time and place in your life? Come talk to me about it! I'm looking to interview anybody and everybody (students, faculty, alumni, parents, etc!) about their personal experience in nutrition units in health classes. Everything you say can be as anonymous as you would like, and there are no right or wrong answers or experiences. My goal is to interview people during academic blocks, free blocks during the day, or whenever you can make it work! Please email [email protected] if you are at all interested or know somebody who is! Thank you so much!

The Parker Fund

We are proud to announce that 100% of Parker’s Board of Trustees have given a gift to the 2022-2023 Parker Fund. Our goal is to have all board members and families give every year. Participation demonstrates the strength of our community and shows support for the faculty and staff who put their heart and souls into making Parker the exceptional place that it is. Parker teachers are central to our success, yet they earn far less than teachers elsewhere. Read why here. Your donations bring us closer to changing that. Make your gift today.

Postural Screening Reminder

Postural screening will take place for students in grades 7-9 starting March 6th. Students who are already being treated or monitored for scoliosis or other spinal curvatures do not need to be screened. Students in grades 7-9 are growing rapidly and it is during this period of rapid growth that curvatures of the spine can present. Early detection can minimize the need for complex treatments later. Students will be screened during Wellness class. Boys will be given the option of group or individual screening, but girls will be screened individually. Those who wish to be screened in private with Nurse Lisa can email her at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

Health Advisory Council Reminder

You’re invited to join the Health Advisory Council (HAC). The group is planning to meet at Parker on Thursday, March 30, 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.

Health Office Donations

If you are willing to donate items to the health office, we are currently in need of tissues, cough drops, and Gatorade zero (small bottles). To those parents who have generously donated to the Health Office, I can’t thank you enough. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and allows me to better care for students and staff at Parker.

Sign-up Now for Spring Sports!

Reminder all practices will begin on Monday, March 20th, and will be held Mon-Fri that week. Sports offered are Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible using this form: Athlete Registration. Parents must provide proof of a current physical exam at the beginning of every season of participation. Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. Click here for more information.

COVID-19 Information

The following are positive cases in the Parker community from 2/27/23-3/3/23:

Staff – 0
Students – 1

Please click here for Current Health Office COVID-19 Protocols and Information.

Upcoming Dates of Note

SAT	Mar 11	Drag Ball
TUE	Mar 14	Board of Trustees
WED	Mar 15	Support our Seniors Potluck
FRI	Mar 17	Spring PLPs (No Classes)
WED	Mar 22	Noon Dismissal – Faculty Planning
TUE	Mar 28	10^th Grade ELA MCAS
WED	Mar 29	10^th Grade ELA MCAS

Click here for the online calendar.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to support Parker teachers today!

An illustration of a rock with the words

Looking for help with or information concerning:	Please contact:
a specific class or assignment	the teacher of that class (see Parker email list)
technical support	email: [email protected]
your family’s or student’s health	email: [email protected]
mental health/emotional support needs	email: [email protected]
food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs	email: [email protected]

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.