theparker-redesign

Weekly Information for April 3, 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:39:24 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We are delighted to celebrate Parker students who were recognized for their outstanding performance at the 45th annual Elizabeth Haskins Mathematics Contest at Fitchburg State University. In the 90-minute competition, students answer 50 challenging math questions written or created by members of the Fitchburg State Mathematics Department faculty.

This year, five students from Parker participated in the competition. The high scorers in each grade level were recognized in an awards ceremony at the competition. All five students from Parker were among the top scorers!

Three Parker seniors earned Honorable Mention, placing in the top 15% of all scores:

Chrys Olsen
Dylan Stark
Oliver Gillen

Two of the three top scorers were Parker juniors.

Andrew Roberdeau earned 3 ^rd place in the 11 ^th grade division, repeating his performance from last year, when he placed 3 ^rd in the 10 ^th grade division.
Daniel Hendrickson won 1 ^st place in the 11 ^th grade division, earning the highest overall score out of all scores at the entire competition.

We appreciate the leadership and coaching of Diane Kruse, MST Domain Leader, and Nathan Soule, MST Teacher. We are very proud of our students and the adults who help them thrive.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Student Moderators
Spring Show
Prom Tickets
Senior Project Expo Night
Youth Venture
Teacher Appreciation Week
From SEPAC
Call for Gardener
MCAS Testing Schedule
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Student Moderators for 2026-2027

Congratulations to Delila Goldberg, Lana Hanyaloglu, and Audrey Bonner for being the Moderators of the Community Congress for the 2026-2027 academic year! Audrey, Lana, and Delila have done wonderful work as Moderators this year, representing the school with visitors to Parker and at outside conferences, and leading the Community Congress and its work around revising the School Handbook, expanding our composting program, increasing the amount of public art in the building, and giving grants to various student organizations who applied for them. We are so glad that the three will continue to provide their leadership and passion to Parker next year!

Spring Show

The Parker Spring Show, concisely titled "A One Act Show that Answers All Your Questions About Politics, Human Mortality, and Applying to College", will be performed on Thursday April 9, Friday April 10, and Saturday April 11 at 7pm . Tickets are $13 at the door but are also available online for $10. The shows are student-directed and we couldn't be prouder! Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketstage.com/T/PARKERTHEATER

Prom Tickets

Division 3 Families! Prom tickets will be on sale from Monday 4/6 to Friday 4/17! Watch for an invitation in your email with all the details.

Parker Senior Project Expo Night: April 15

Please join the members of the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, April 15th from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects!

One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring friends from both inside and outside the Parker community with you!

Youth Venture: Supporting Sherry

It's here! The Youth Venture group Supporting Sherry will be hosting an Advisory coin collection competition starting next week. The winning advisory will win a prize! All money raised will be donated to Sherry's House, which is a non-profit organization that provides food, financial support and short/long term housing in a non-hospital environment for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families. Check your cars, couches, purses, and pockets and send in those coins! Questions? Reach out to Emilie at eshannon@theparkerschool.org . Use this link to learn more about Sherry's House: https://whyme.org/

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8 . National Nurse's Day is the same week, on May 6. PPCC has lots of great things planned to celebrate Parker Teachers and Staff, including a luncheon, chalk the walk, massage, kitchen cleanup, gift card raffle and a wishlist from Nurse Lisa. We are seeking monetary donations and people power to support our efforts. Thanks for considering!

Questions: stephaniemmac@gmail.com

Donations: Venmo or PayPal @Stephanie-Maclary/Stephanie Maclary

To help during the week: https://signup.com/go/QjoUVwQ

Nurse Lisa's Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3856ECNQMK7C9?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_MSW63BJ6208YXAZGMCPJ

From SEPAC

On April 8th at 7pm , Cody Lukasik, an occupational therapist of Emerging Kids ( https://www.emergingkids.org/ ) who works with neurodivergent kids and teens, will present for our SEPAC on Dysgraphia and how to work with it. This is not to be missed! Please find the zoom link here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84761740680?pwd=Iq4q9Dvibn67SJsDFbS8W598wsqTac.1

Meeting ID: 847 6174 0680 - Passcode: 680359

Call for Gardener

Parker is seeking a reliable and enthusiastic part-time Gardener to maintain our school grounds and garden beds. This position requires approximately 4 hours per week, offering a flexible schedule ideal for cultivating a vibrant, welcoming outdoor environment. Primary responsibilities include routine weeding, plant replacement, watering, and general plant care to keep our campus looking pristine. Frequent bending, kneeling, and standing will be required as will lifting in excess of 50 pounds and utilizing typical gardening equipment. The position will be needed during the months of April Through October, or as determined by the weather. If you have a passion for horticulture, attention to detail, and want to make a positive impact on a school community, please send a letter of interest to Sal Monteneri, Facilities Manager at smonteneri@theparkerschool.org by April 6 ^th .

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of March, April, and May, following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

MATH: May 19 & 20

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 1 & April 8
MATH: April 29 & May 6
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 7 & 14
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 19 & 26

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ). All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. Parents/guardians and students will get grade/test specific emails with more details that will go home as each test date approaches.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

During the week of April 13, 2026 , the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review (IMR) at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school approximately every three years. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation.

Surveys: Parents/guardians of special education students will receive an online survey from the Office of Public School Monitoring via mail/email.
Interviews: During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview district staff, administrators, and other individuals. Parents/guardians or other individuals may contact Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at
( 781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview.

Parents of Athletes

Do you know how to find your way to Parker’s playing locations? We have a GREAT feature on our website with interactive Google maps - just enter your address to receive directions to any of our game and meet locations . Find this feature by clicking HERE .

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 race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability, in the operation of the educational programs, activities, or employment policies

Weekly Information for March 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:07:11 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Feedback, reflection and revision are central to everything that we do at Parker. As Nancy Sizer wrote in Keeping School, “the emphasis is on growth, on learning from one’s mistakes, cleaning up one’s prose, clearing up one’s understandings.” This requires students to work hard, to be open to feedback and to try again. We are very proud of our students for engaging meaningfully in this iterative process.

We take a similar approach to adult learning at Parker. This week, we welcomed thirty teachers from across the region to join us in professional development called Looking at Student Work. During the session, Parker teachers shared the goals and expectations for standards-based assessments in their class. Participants used protocols to make observations and build meaning, referring to Parker’s articulated Criteria for Excellence, associated rubrics, and the work itself. This represents an essential opportunity to ask for feedback, reflect and revise – just like our students.

We recognize that early dismissals can be hard for families. We take this professional development time seriously every week, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your partnership. Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Drag Ball TONIGHT
Div 1 AH Civics Fair
Senior Project Expo Night
Call for Gardener
Composting at Parker (and your home?)
Annual “Returning to Parker” Survey
MCAS Testing Schedule
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Lost & Found Pickup

Drag Ball Rescheduled to TONIGHT

TODAY is the rescheduled Drag Ball! The event will run from 6-8 PM at school tonight, and families are asked to pick their students up promptly at 8:00 . This is an annual event run by the Parker Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Thank you to all who bought tickets and supported the group to make this event happen!

Division One AH Civics Fair

Division One AH is beginning our annual Civics research project next week. Students will be learning about an issue/problem in the world and advocating ways to address/solve the problem.

On Tuesday, March 31st, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, students will be presenting their learning in a “Civics Fair.” We are looking for guests from our community — families, faculty, and alumni — to visit our classes to learn about students' projects and to ask them questions. You are welcome to come for the entire time or to drop in for part of the time.

If you are interested in and available to attend, please email Matt ( matt@theparkerschool.org ) and Adeline ( ahebert@theparkerschool.org ) with your name and connection to Parker.

Parker Senior Project Expo Night: April 15th

Please join the members of the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, April 15th from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects!

Call for Gardener

Composting at Parker (and your home?)

Attentional all! Parker’s Community Congress is encouraging community members to support Parker’s sustainability efforts by joining Black Earths composting program. Parker has been using Black Earth to compost from the kitchen and the community for over a year now. Residents of the communities that are served by Black Earth ( list of towns here ) are invited to sign up or preregister to begin composting at home, with no financial commitment required to pre‑register. By doing this, you would reduce the costs for the shared kitchen and hallway composting systems at Parker because you were referred by Parker while also increasing the community’s overall sustainability. Sign up using our referral here !

If you have any questions, you can contact Matt Smith ( Matt@theparkerschool.org ) or check out these resources from Black Earth: School_Flyer_Referral.pdf & MA_Commercial_Flyer.pdf

Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

Reminder, as a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY . Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our waitlists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 19 & 20

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 1 & April 8
MATH: April 29 & May 6
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 7 & 14
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 19 & 26

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Surveys: Parents/guardians of special education students will receive an online survey from the Office of Public School Monitoring via mail/email.
Interviews: During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview district staff, administrators, and other individuals. Parents/guardians or other individuals may contact Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at
( 781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview.

Lost & Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet will be cleared on Thursday, April 2, 2026 . You are welcome to stop by any time before that date to check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones!

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 20, 2026

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:20:10 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Happy first day of spring! My maternal grandmother was a firm believer in spring cleaning. She would, at the first sign of sunny days warm enough to put a lot of laundry outside to dry, schedule a full day to scrub and wash and clean everything in the house. This was too much to take on herself, so she organized me and my siblings, giving out assignments and supplies and promising TV time or some extra dessert when we finished our lists. Every window was washed. Every curtain came down. Every blanket and comforter went in the laundry. As you can imagine, this was a lot of work, but with dramatic results. The house looked and felt different in a relatively short period of time.

This turn of the seasons always makes me think about newness and possibility—maybe because I remember those spring cleanings so vividly and the clean slate they seemed to yield. Spring is also a time in the school year to look ahead with excitement and expectation. Our seniors are looking ahead to Senior Project Expo Night, Exhibitions, and then graduation. Many students across divisions and domains are looking ahead to June Gateways. Spring sports seasons have gotten underway. The spring show is deep in rehearsals. You name it and all around the school, the signs of spring are cropping up as they are in the outside world—and there is still a lot of work to do between here and the end results.

These moments of transition are important markers of not just where we have been but also where we are going. Sometimes looking ahead can cause a little nervousness, it can cause excitement, or often a mix of emotions. I think it is important to remember that this is what growth and moving into something new feels like—like spring cleaning, it is a lot of work, it’s easier when we don’t do it alone, and the results can be refreshing and sometimes even dramatic.

Wishing you all a bright and promising spring ahead.

Bex

This week’s topics:

Noon Dismissal
Div 1 AH Civics Fair
Annual “Returning to Parker” Survey
MCAS Testing Schedule
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Lost & Found Pickup

Noon Dismissal Next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, March 26, students will be dismissed at noon so Parker faculty can participate in a professional development workshop . They will be joined by area teachers interested in authentic, standards-based assessment to look closely at student work and teacher work. Participants will use protocols to make observations and build meaning, referring to Parker’s articulated Criteria for Excellence, associated rubrics, and the work itself. Participants will also have a chance to make connections, extend their community of practice, and learn together at this free gathering of educators!

Division One AH Civics Fair

Division One AH is beginning our annual Civics research project next week. Students will be learning about an issue/problem in the world and advocating ways to address/solve the problem.

On Tuesday, March 31st, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, students will be presenting their learning in a “Civics Fair.” We are looking for guests from our community — families, faculty, and alumni — to visit our classes to learn about students' projects and to ask them questions. You are welcome to come for the entire time or to drop in for part of the time.

If you are interested in and available to attend, please email Matt ( matt@theparkerschool.org ) and Adeline ( ahebert@theparkerschool.org ) with your name and connection to Parker.

Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

As a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY . Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our wait lists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of March, April, and May , following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

ELA: March 24 & 26
MATH: May 19 & 20
SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 1 & April 8
MATH: April 29 & May 6
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 7 & 14
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 19 & 26

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ). All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. Parents/guardians and students will get grade/test specific emails with more details that will go home as each test date approaches.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Surveys: Parents/guardians of special education students will receive an online survey from the Office of Public School Monitoring via mail/email.
Interviews: During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview district staff, administrators, and other individuals. Parents/guardians or other individuals may contact Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview.

Lost & Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet will be cleared on Thursday, April 2, 2026 . You are welcome to stop by any time before that date to check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones!

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 13, 2026

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:46:41 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It was great to see everyone at PLP conferences today. We are proud of our students for setting meaningful and challenging goals and helping to lead today’s discussion. This is one of the many ways that students drive their learning at Parker and an essential way that we partner with families. Thank you.

I want to recognize Ben Benoit, our Athletic Director and Coach, as he prepares to tackle the Appalachian Trail . As you know, Ben will be taking a sabbatical this spring and summer to hike the full length of the AT. This is a lifelong dream and personal challenge for Ben. He starts tomorrow in Georgia and plans to be home in time for the start of the school year in August. That’s 2190 miles over five months, averaging about 15 miles a day! We are excited for Ben and draw inspiration from his passion and determination. And this comes after a year in which the Boys Cross Country team and the Boys Winter Track team both won State Championship and Ben was named Coach of the Year for both seasons. That’s quite a year for our teams and our coach! We look forward to a few reports and photos from the trail.

Henry Schrader will serve as the Interim Athletic Director from now until the start of the next school year . Henry will continue as a teacher, Domain leader and Divisional Co-Coordinator in addition to this new role. We appreciate Henry’s strong leadership and the continuity that he provides. Thank you, Henry. We look forward to kicking off the Spring sports season on Tuesday, March 17th. If you haven’t yet registered and you want to play one of the many sports offered, see the details below.

Enjoy the long weekend! See you Tuesday, March 17th.

Brian

This week’s topics:

No School on Monday
Spring Sports Start Tuesday
Bromfield/Parker Girls’ Lacrosse
Ayer Shirley/Parker Baseball
Hockey Championship Game
Art & Literary Magazine
Youth Venture Update
Robotics Team Win!
Parker Giving Week
Café Wednesday
Parker’s Volleyball Club
Annual “Returning to Parker” Survey
MCAS Testing Schedule
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

No School on Monday

Reminder the school is closed on Monday.

Spring Sports Start Tuesday

All teams are still accepting registrations for the upcoming season, and practices will begin on Tuesday, March 17th ( see weekly schedule here ). Sports offered are Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. Team schedules for the season can be found on the Athletes webpage . 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 .

Bromfield/Parker Girls Lacrosse

Come join Parker and Bromfield Girls’ Lacrosse players for a fun, supportive, and exciting spring season of lax! Anyone in grades 7-12 who thinks they may be interested should sign up and try it out - no experience required! Email Coach Ali ( awicks@psharvard.org ) for more information. If cost is a prohibitive issue, please email Coach Ali. Practices start March 16 - Registration is OPEN! https://students.arbitersports.com/bromfield-school/athletic-registration-spring-2026-2

Ayer Shirley/Parker Baseball

All high school age players interested in playing on our co-op baseball team hosted by Ayer Shirley can use the following link to sign up:
https://ayershirley-ma.finalforms.com/

Hockey Championship – Sunday

Come cheer on Parker’s Jayden and Mason this Sunday! Their co-op hockey team has made the state championships! The Littleton-Bromfield Tigers will play Saint Bernard’s in the MIAA Division 4 State Championships at the TD Garden in Boston this Sunday, 3/15, at 7:30 PM. Tickets are good for the whole day and can be purchased here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01006469A3C3BF40

Parker's Art and Literary Magazine

Do you have writing or art pieces you would like to publish? You should submit your creations to the Parker Art & Literary Magazine: Paper Flowers! We will accept personal essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, comics, art (drawings, paintings, photography), and more! Students with submitted work receive a copy of the magazine once it is professionally printed. Submissions are due by FRIDAY March 20th at midnight - send your work to Sarah Leandro ( sleandro@theparkerschool.org ) or talk to her in Room 26. We look forward to seeing your work!

Youth Venture Update

The Youth Venture group Bags! Bags! Bags! extends its collection drive until Wednesday, March 18th . We are working to collect new/unused hygiene products which we will then donate to the homeless shelter we are currently partnering with, North Star Family Services . We need your help to collect new products such as: soap, hairbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, wash clothes and shower caddies/toiletry bags. Thank you to those who donate to this cause! If you have any questions, reach out to Emilie Shannon ( eshannon@theparkerschool.org ).

COMING SOON... The Youth Venture group Supporting Sherry will be hosting an Advisory coin collection competition in the beginning of April. The winning advisory will win a prize! All money raised will be donated to Sherry's House, which is a non-profit organization that provides food, financial support and short/long term housing in a non-hospital environment for children undergoing cancer treatment and their family. More information to come but start collecting and putting aside those coins!

Robotics Team Win!

Congratulations to FIRST Robotics Team 3623, the team from the Boys & Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg in partnership with Parker students, placed first in their competition this past weekend. They were chosen to be part of an alliance of three teams in the NE District Minuteman competition and worked together with their alliance partners, teams 3467 and 6328, to score the banner, pictured below. Their next event is the NE District URI Competition, coming up next week - we wish them luck and continued success!

Parker Giving Week

Celebrate Parker’s Anniversary and the moment Parker came to life! During this special week, every gift is tripled, thanks to a generous $20,000 matching gift. Join us as we honor our past, strengthen our present, and invest in our students’ futures. Every dollar raised goes directly to our students! Thank you for your support! Make your gift here: www.parker.school/giving

Café Wednesday on March 18

Do you enjoy music, dancing, and comedy? Have you been looking for a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Are you feeling… luck-ay? Well, we have the event for you! We’re hosting Café Luckay (The St. Patrick’s Day rendition of Café Wednesday) on March 18 at 6:30 PM . Friends, families, and students are all welcome to come join us for a night of entertainment and laughs. Admission is free, so come out to see the Parker community share its talents. To any interested performers—it’s not too late to sign up, so start rehearsing today! Acts should be school appropriate and maximum of 5 minutes. Sign up to perform here or by putting a form in the green box in the Parker Lobby. Questions? See Gabby or email gbrummer@theparkerschool.org .

Parker's Volleyball Club

Parker's volleyball club is starting up for its second season! Whether you are brand new to the game or an experienced player, we welcome you to join us! The club will take place on Thursday afternoons from 4:00-5:15 PM in the GYM. Our first practice will be on Thursday, March 19th! We will run 8 sessions, each including drills, skills, and game play. Please fill out the following registration link with a $25 fee to register your student: https://forms.office.com/r/XZkGKRjGZL . Feel free to reach out to coach and Spanish teacher Elly McKenna ( emckenna@theparkerschool.org ) with any questions. Looking forward to a fun season!

Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

ELA: March 24 & 26
MATH: May 19 & 20
SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 1 & April 8
MATH: April 29 & May 6
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 7 & 14
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 19 & 26

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Surveys: Parents/guardians of special education students will receive an online survey from the Office of Public School Monitoring via mail/email.
Interviews: During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview district staff, administrators, and other individuals. Parents/guardians or other individuals may contact Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 6, 2026

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:04:44 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I hope you all are safe and warm on this wintry day. As Brian shared in his last letter: this week, Parker hosted visitors from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) as part of our accreditation process. The group of 7 educators and leaders from around New England included people who have visited Parker before and others who were visiting for the first time. Their work was to get to know our school and to review and evaluate our work on the goals and priorities we as a school identified. They visited classes, they met with different groups of teachers and students, and then they told us what they saw and made recommendations for next steps in our work. It’s a bit like finishing a big assessment, turning it in, and then getting it back with feedback before you revise. They will write a full report on their visit, and when we have it, we will share it with all of you, but they did give us a preview.

In a relatively short visit, the team was able to “get” us, and they praised many improvements we have made and celebrated much of what we do well. They were impressed with a lot of what they observed and learned—and the thing they highlighted most in their reflection with the faculty was what they heard from our students, which seems perfectly right. After all, Parker was founded by families who wanted a school that would put their students at the center of their learning. Our visitors heard our students talk about what matters to us as a community (they even passed a pop quiz to name all 10 of the Common Principles!), the hard work they are asked to do, and how they have grown.

What the students conveyed was a sense of community and care that supports them to take risks in their learning and grow—and that is just what we hope each and every student will experience. With spring PLPs coming up next week, we hope you too will get a glimpse into what our visitors saw on the individual level with your student/s. We hope the spring PLP conferences will give your students an opportunity to reflect on the hard work they have been doing, what they have learned, how they have grown, and what’s next. Both as individuals and as a school, it’s important to both celebrate progress and set our sights on new challenges.

Wishing us all warmer days ahead!

Bex

This week’s topics:

Spring PLPs
Spring Sports Registration
Parker’s Volleyball Club
Reminder: Medications at School
PPCC Meeting
Bags! Bags! Bags!
Enrollment Thanks

Spring PLPs

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 13. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, teachers spend that day in conferences with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.

If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 13 (and need another day or time of day), please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If (on March 13 or any other day), you need to attend remotely, please reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link for the scheduled slot.

Spring Sports Registration

The sports being offered this season:

Softball
Track & Field
ULTIMATE Frisbee
Girls' Co-op Lacrosse (through Bromfield)

All practices begin on Tuesday, March 17th , and will be held Tuesday through Friday that week. Please see registration information below and register PRIOR to Sunday, March 15th . ALL student athletes must register by clicking on the following link:

2025-2026 Spring - Parker Sports Registration - Fill out form

Parents must provide proof of a current physical at the beginning of EVERY SEASON their student is participating in. A current physical is valid for 13 months from the day of the physical. Students with expired physicals will be ineligible to participate until a current physical form is submitted. Even if you have submitted proof of physical for a previous season, you must submit it for subsequent seasons. Upload proof of current physical to the Health Portal or send it to Nurse Lisa via email ( lzick@theparkerschool.org ) or via the Main Office (hard copy). Those without a current physical or a completed Student Emergency and Health Form and Athletic Registration will not be eligible to practice.
Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. It is preferred that the fee be paid online using an electronic check or credit card at:
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactionInfo.aspx?CustomerID=1093 .
If writing a check, make it payable to Parker School and send it to the Main Office. There will be a family cap of $1,200 for the school year. Financial support is available for those who qualify. Please contact Michelle McKenna in the Business Office at mmckenna@theparkerschool.org for more information.

Registration/documentation questions can be sent to Lisa Zick, School Nurse, at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parker sports related questions can be sent to Henry Schrader, Interim Athletic Director, at hschrader@theparkerschool.org .

Parker's Volleyball Club

Reminder: Medications at School (OTC or prescribed)

Students should not carry over-the-counter or prescription medications at school. With proper authorization from their medical provider, parents, and the school nurse, some students may carry an epi-pen, inhaler, diabetic supplies, or other emergency medicine. All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper documentation is required for all medications. Email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions. Please make sure your student isn’t carrying any medication during school, and more importantly, please speak to your student about not ever accepting any medication from other students.

PPCC Meeting – Planning Teacher Appreciation

PPCC is holding a meeting on Monday March 9 at 7PM to start planning Teacher Appreciation Week. We hope you can join us to brainstorm fun ways to celebrate Parker Teachers and Staff. Here is the link to join: (see your email for the link!)

Bags! Bags! Bags!

Hello, we are Bags! Bags! Bags! We are working to raise money to buy hygiene products such as toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, and more. We will then be donating them to homeless shelters such as the one we are partnering with currently, North Star Family Services. We need your help to collect any hygiene products you might already have at home. There will be a bin in the lobby from Tuesday, March 3rd, to Friday, March 13th. We will be taking new and unused; soap, hairbrushes, shampoos and conditioners, body wash, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tissues, wash clothes and shower caddy’s/ toiletry bags. Thank you too those who donate! Zoe, Bontu, Dashley, Avery, Norah, Thea, and Lilly!

Enrollment THANKS

MANY THANKS to everyone in the Parker Community for their support during our Annual Enrollment Period, Including our Information Sessions, Classroom Visits, Socials, and Shadow Days. A special Thank You to everyone who picked up and posted YARD SIGNS! If you still have one up, please take it down and recycle it. The waterproof coated paperboard has done its job for the season. This work is not possible without your help, and we appreciate your time and effort!

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 27, 2026

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:46:37 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who helped to spread the word about Parker. Enrollment applications for next year continue to be strong and the response from families has been very positive. We have two days left! The application deadline is this Sunday, March 1 and the student lottery is Thursday, March 5 . If you have a neighbor or friend who may be interested in Parker, please share your experiences. And remember, younger siblings need to apply to be eligible for admission. There is a sibling preference in the lottery, but you still need to apply. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll .

We welcome NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) for their Decennial Accreditation visit next week. Every ten years, we invite NEASC into our school to evaluate teaching and learning, academic achievement, school culture, facilities and more. As a result, Parker will continue to be a NEASC accredited school. They will be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3 and 4, visiting classes, meeting with students and teachers, and reviewing our self-study. We will share the results of their visit and their final report later this Spring. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this two-year process, particularly Marena and Kris who have done excellent work leading the effort!

We are thrilled to launch Parker Giving Week from March 16-20 , a new tradition celebrating the anniversary of our charter application — the milestone that opened the doors to the school our students and families know and love today. This year, your impact will be tripled! Thanks to a few incredibly generous donors who have pledged $20,000, every dollar you contribute during Parker Giving Week will be matched 2:1! That means your gift has triple the power to strengthen our programs and enrich our students’ experience.

Every penny raised during Parker Giving Week goes directly to our students, supporting:

Small class sizes that allow teachers to truly know each learner
More direct attention and academic support to help students thrive
Greater access to clubs, sports, and activities that build confidence, community, and joy

Thank you for your support.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Spring PLPs
Family in Need
Request for Food Processor
Sibling Applications for Next Year
Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night
Annual Drag Ball
PPCC Meeting
Parker’s Volleyball Club
Host a Student!
Yearbook – Quantities Limited
Spring Sports Registration

Spring PLPs

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 13 . See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, teachers spend that day in conferences with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been (or will soon be) in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 13 (and need another day or time of day), please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If (on March 13 or any other day), you need to attend remotely, please reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link for the scheduled slot.

Family in Need

There is a family in the Parker community facing significant financial hardship well beyond their control. We are doing everything that we can to support the family through this difficult moment. As a community, we would like to help by collecting gift cards in the Front Office so that they may buy essentials. Gift cards to grocery stores, retail stores, and Visa gift cards would be appreciated. We share this request out of great concern for the family. We are grateful for any assistance you can provide and your generous support of our community members.

Request for Food Processor or Baby Food Blender

Hi everyone, my name is Rayna Ferlin, and I am a senior studying algae sustainability and materials engineering for my senior project. I'm making plastic for my product and am in need of a food processor or baby food blender that is no longer being used. If you have one you’re willing to donate, please contact Gabby ( gbrummer@theparkerschool.org )! Thank you!

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2026-2027 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2026. Current students do not need to reapply. Siblings receive preference in the lottery but must complete an application here: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night

Please join us on Wednesday evening, March 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff. We ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

Annual Drag Ball

On Friday, March 6th Parker GSA will host the annual DRAG BALL from 6:00 to 8:00 PM . The Drag Ball is a dance celebrating students of all gender identities and sexualities, and is a special tradition going back 10+ years. The theme this year is CANDYLAND! Come dressed in your colorful best and ready to dance and celebrate the sweetest parts of being you. Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunch every day up until the event. Tickets sold before 3/5 will cost $5, and on 3/5 the cost will increase to $7 . Students can pay with cash or through Unipay . You can also make a donation on UniPay and indicate "Drag Ball" in the Description box. All divisions are welcome.

PPCC Meeting – Planning Teacher Appreciation

Parker’s Volleyball Club

Host a Student - from the Country of Georgia!

Do you have space in your home to host one or two students from the country of Georgia? This is a great opportunity to learn more about a different culture, show some students a piece of American culture, and make a new friend! You will host these students March 23rd through March 27th (5 days, 4 nights) after they join our Model UN team in NYC. If you are able to host, please fill out this form: Student Hosting - Georgia Trip 2026 – Fill out form - please note that we are asking for Div 2 & Div 3 families, due to the ages of the visiting students. If you have any further questions, reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ).

Limited Yearbook Quantities

Last call for a guaranteed copy of the yearbook. Order by 2/28 to ensure a copy is printed for your student. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20.

Spring Sports Registration

The sports being offered this season:

Softball
Track & Field
ULTIMATE Frisbee
Girls' Co-op Lacrosse (through Bromfield)

All practices begin on Tuesday, March 17th, and will be held Tuesday through Friday that week. Please see registration information below and register PRIOR to Sunday, March 15th . ALL student athletes must register by clicking on the following link: 2025-2026 Spring - Parker Sports Registration - Fill out form

Parents must provide proof of a current physical at the beginning of EVERY SEASON their student is participating in. A current physical is valid for 13 months from the day of the physical. Students with expired physicals will be ineligible to participate until a current physical form is submitted. Even if you have submitted proof of physical for a previous season, you must submit it for subsequent seasons. Upload proof of current physical to the Health Portal or send it to Nurse Lisa via email ( lzick@theparkerschool.org ) or via the Main Office (hard copy). Those without a current physical or a completed Student Emergency and Health Form and Athletic Registration will not be eligible to practice.
Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. It is preferred that the fee be paid online using an electronic check or credit card at:
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactionInfo.aspx?CustomerID=1093 .
If writing a check, make it payable to Parker School and send it to the Main Office. There will be a family cap of $1,200 for the school year. Financial support is available for those who qualify. Please contact Michelle McKenna in the Business Office at mmckenna@theparkerschool.org for more information.

Registration/documentation questions can be sent to Lisa Zick, School Nurse, at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parker sports related questions can be sent to Henry Schrader, Interim Athletic Director, at hschrader@theparkerschool.org .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:47:22 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Wishing you and your family wonderful break! We hope the week off is restful and rejuvenating.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, February 23.

Stay safe and warm!

Bex

This week’s topics:

Midyear Reports
Sibling Applications for Next Year
Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night
Host a Student!
Yearbooks – Quantities Limited
2026-2027 School Calendar

Midyear Reports

On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 11, you received your student’s midyear progress report via email (sent from Parker notifications). Resources to help you orient yourself and make sense of the report will be included. Students will have already seen the reports and spent time reading and reflecting on them with their Advisors on Wednesday afternoon. If you have any questions after receiving the reports, or speaking with your student about their reflection work, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s advisor or teachers directly with questions.

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2026-2027 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2026 . Current students do not need to reapply. Siblings receive preference in the lottery but must complete an application here: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night

Please join us on Wednesday evening, March 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff. We ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

Host a Student - from the Country of Georgia!

Do you have space in your home to host one or two students from the country of Georgia? This is a great opportunity to learn more about a different culture, show some students a piece of American culture, and make a new friend! You will host these students March 23rd through March 27th (5 days, 4 nights) after they join our Model UN team in NYC. If you can host, please fill out this form: Student Hosting - Georgia Trip 2026 – Fill out form - please note that we are asking for Div 2 & Div 3 families, due to the ages of the visiting students. NOTE: We still need four families! If you have any further questions, reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ).

Yearbooks – Secure Your Copy

To guarantee a copy for your student, please order by 2/28 . Copies available for purchase will be limited after this date. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20.

2026-2027 Calendar

The calendar for next school year has been approved by the Board of Trustees, and a printable version is available on the Current Families webpage below the online calendar.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 6, 2026

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:31:38 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We are a week away from February break, an opportunity to beat our winter colds and dream about warmer days ahead. For a few in our community, it is an opportunity to experience something new as they travel abroad with their Parker classmates. We are sending groups to the Bahamas and the Netherlands again this year. We hope they have a terrific trip. We appreciate the trust of our families and hard work of our staff to make experiences like this possible.

We are less than a month away from our March 1st application deadline for new students and families. Thank you to everyone who helps to spread the word and create a positive buzz around the school. If you have a neighbor or friend who may be interested in Parker, please share your experiences. And remember, younger siblings need to apply to be eligible for admission. There is a sibling preference in the lottery, but you still need to apply. We have three information sessions remaining just before and after break. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll .

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fair Funding Week this week. Of the 68 charter schools in Massachusetts, Parker had the most participants! To kick off the week, the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association shared the following video. It is worth a two-minute watch. You will see and hear Parker families and staff throughout the video.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1371197804687927

And our efforts are working! Governor Healy’s budget for next year includes a modest increase in facility funding for charter public schools. While we continue to receive significantly less facility aid than traditional public schools, we appreciate and celebrate steps towards closing that gap.

Congratulations to our students on their accomplishments this week. Four Division 1 students recently represented Parker at the Chapter Competition for Mathcounts, a national math competition for middle school students. We are proud to congratulate Nathan Warren, Julia Crighton, Stephen Tatro, and Adam Rhodin for a strong performance—their team came in 3rd place! Our high school Mock Trial Team finished their preliminary trial round this week with an impressive 3-0 win record. They will be advancing to the state tournament, which will be held at Clark University on March 1. We wish them good luck!

Thank you for showing up in all sorts of ways to support Parker. We appreciate our community! Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Join the Parker Concert Band
Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night
Host a Student!
Call for Clear Planting Containers
OneNote Links for Second Semester
Extending Winter Break?
School Report Card

Join the Parker Concert Band

Parker Concert Band is still accepting new members for the Spring semester! If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this spring! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument.

The band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The activity fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. Need an instrument? Parker has many instruments available for loan at no charge - just ask us!

If you have questions or want to join, you can email Jim Desmond jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena Cole mcole@theparkerschool.org or come by room 13 to inquire.

Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night

Host a Student - from the Country of Georgia!

Do you have space in your home to host one or two students from the country of Georgia? This is a great opportunity to learn more about a different culture, show some students a piece of American culture, and make a new friend! You will host these students March 23rd through March 27th (5 days, 4 nights) after they join our Model UN team in NYC. If you can host, please fill out this form: Student Hosting - Georgia Trip 2026 – Fill out form - please note that we are asking for Div 2 & Div 3 families, due to the ages of the visiting students. If you have any further questions, reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ).

Call for Clear Planting Containers

The Parker Citizen Science Community Elective group has been collaborating and helping with the Ayer Devens Pocket Forest Project for several years. The mission of the Ayer Devens Pocket Forest Project is to improve climate resilience and better connect people and nature. As part of the maintenance of the Devens pocket forest (located across from Parker by the P5 lot), the citizen science group constructs planters for native seeds to grow. After experiencing freeze-thaw cycles this winter, the seeds will be able to germinate and then be transplanted to the pocket forest when the plants are large enough. We are looking for clear 1-gallon milk or water jugs for our planters! Bring in and drop off your 1-gallon jugs in the box in the lobby during the week of February 9-13. Interested in knowing more about pocket forests? Visit the website: https://climateresilient.wixsite.com/ayerdevens/project-story

OneNote Links for Second Semester

This message is for you IF you, as a parent/guardian, actively use the OneNote Links that the school provides each fall AND you have a student who either Gatewayed in January or is enrolled in Div 3 classes. If both those apply to you and you would like updated OneNote Links to your student’s new second semester classes, please email Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) to request them. If your student is in Div 1 or 2 and did not gateway, the links sent in the fall are still accurate and active. A reminder that the opportunity to see your student’s assignment due dates (different from OneNote Links) is available to everyone through the Haldor app. See this section of the Parker website for more info on both these options.

Planning an extended family trip during the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day. It is important to inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. Please call and leave a single message with all the affected dates any day or time before the morning of the first affected day.

2025 School Report Card

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card, which we are required to post. All district report cards are available at
http://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/ . Click here to view our 2025 School Report Card.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for January 30, 2026

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:16:50 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We have officially started the second semester of the 2025-26 school year! This is both a measure of progress and a time of new beginnings. Here at (or really a little past) the midway point of the year, there are exciting things happening—some as small as a new unit of study in a class and maybe as big as starting new classes in a new division after a mid-year gateway.

I had my first chance to join an information session for prospective students and families this week and it was a powerful reminder to me about many of the most important and unique aspects of our school. Whether it was hearing some of our older student ambassadors talk about which of the 10 Common Principles is meaningful to them, or hearing parents share stories of their student’s learning experience at Parker, or seeing our teachers introduce new students to the kinds of learning activities and thinking we ask them to do in school, each of these highlighted an element of our school’s very intentional design. We get to know our students well, we build a caring and inclusive community, and we build on those connections and relationships to challenge and support our students to take on intellectual challenges, push themselves in their thinking and work, and to become independent thinkers and learners.

If you or your student have appreciated these (or other things) about Parker, and you would like state lawmakers to prioritize fair funding for all students in every type of public school, you have an opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for us. Next week, February 2-6, is Fair Funding Week, sponsored by the Massachusetts Public Charter School Association. See below for more information about how to register for events and advocate for fair and equitable funding for our students and school.

Wishing you all extra warmth over this cold stretch of days.

Best,

Bex

This week’s topics:

MCAS Testing 10th Grade
OneNote Links for Second Semester
Fair Funding Week
Valentines Appreciation
Restaurant Gift Cards
Yearbooks
Extending Winter Break?

MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Students in the 10th Grade will take the MCAS Biology test on Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 3rd & 4th. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. Students should try hard NOT to stress, but good test taking strategies include getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast each day. Students WILL NEED their school laptop to test and should be sure to bring those (with charging cord). Electronics/internet enabled devices are NOT allowed in testing situations. Students should be prepared to leave these at home or in their bags for the entirety of the testing periods. Students who miss any of these testing days will make up the tests in following days and will be contacted with details. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ). All tests are untimed, and most students finish in about 90 minutes (for Biology). The MCAS Schedule for SPRING will be posted as the testing dates get nearer.

OneNote Links for Second Semester

This message is for you IF you, as a parent/guardian, actively use the OneNote Links that the school provides each fall AND you have a student who either Gatewayed in January or is enrolled in Div 3 classes. If both those apply to you and you would like updated OneNote Links to your student’s new second semester classes, please email Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ) to request them. If your student is in Div 1 or 2 and did not gateway, the links sent in the fall are still accurate and active. A reminder that the opportunity to see your student’s assignment due dates (different from OneNote Links) is available to everyone through the Haldor app. See this section of the Parker website for more info on both these options.

Fair Funding Week

MA Charter Public Schools Fair Funding Week 2026 is coming up- February 2nd – 6th!

Did you know that kids attending charter public schools receive less funding for their school buildings than kids attending traditional public schools? As lawmakers get ready to build our state’s annual budget, we have an opportunity to make a difference. Fair Funding Week starts with an inspiring virtual event on Monday, February 2nd from 6-6:30 p.m. Register now to join us , along with charter public school families from all across Massachusetts! Thank you, as always, for being a champion for our children!

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event Sponsored by PPCC

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!! Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks, and it's time for the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Book Love Event! The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) invites you to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker. Gifts should be delivered before February break begins on the 14th. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete this form. Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff!

https://forms.gle/z8GNYDjJ3kpHWcaL9

Restaurant Gift Cards

As we look ahead to Parker’s End‑of‑Year Community Celebration on June 5th at Sterling Street Brewery, we’re planning a fun raffle basket filled with gift cards to local restaurants. If you have a gift card you’re willing to donate, it would be a wonderful way to support our community and add some excitement to the event. Thank you for helping make this celebration extra special! Gift cards can be put in an envelope and given to the front desk with Raffle Contribution written on it. Pease include your name, so we know who to thank!

Yearbooks – Prices Increase Soon!

Last chance before prices increase! Order your 2025-2026 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Planning an extended family trip during the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day. It is important to inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. Please call and leave a single message with all the affected dates any day or time before the morning of the first affected day.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for January 23, 2026

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:07:02 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed over the last two days. It is always a joyful and celebratory moment for our students and a testament to their hard work and perseverance. We appreciate all the friends, family and teachers who helped to make this possible. Congratulations to our whole community.

We are all bracing for a big winter storm coming this weekend. As you know, Monday is a professional development day for our faculty. We will work remotely on Monday so that we are ready for the start of second semester on Tuesday. Depending on the timing of the storm and the cleanup, Tuesday morning may be impacted as well. We will communicate by text, email and through local media outlets if so.

Given recent news about immigration enforcement across the country, I wanted to share the letter that I wrote a year ago. We follow the law and clear guidelines from the Massachusetts Attorney General, prioritizing student safety and parental rights. As I write in the letter, we are “committed to ensuring that students and families may come to school without fear and will comply with all applicable state laws to ensure the protection of our students and families.”

January 31, 2025 letter.docx

Thank you for helping to make Parker an inclusive, safe and affirming community for all our students and families. We look forward to welcoming five new students to Parker on Tuesday. We also hosted over 100 visitors at our first information session of the year last night. The energy and student questions were terrific! If you have any neighbors or friends who are considering Parker, invite them to apply for the lottery and attend one of our upcoming information sessions. See our website for more details.

Enrollment at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School

Respectfully,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Monday Faculty Planning
Fair Funding Week
SAT and ACT
Parker Concert Band
Valentine’s Appreciation
Restaurant Gift Cards
Yearbooks – Prices Increase Soon!

Monday Faculty Planning

Monday is a faculty planning day, and students should not come to school as there are no classes. Our second semester will begin on Tuesday.

Fair Funding Week

MA Charter Public Schools Fair Funding Week 2026 is coming up- February 2nd – 6th! Did you know that kids attending charter public schools receive less funding for their school buildings than kids attending traditional public schools? As lawmakers get ready to build our state’s annual budget, we have an opportunity to make a difference. Fair Funding Week starts with an inspiring virtual event on Monday, February 2nd from 6-6:30 PM. Register now to join us , along with charter public school families from all across Massachusetts! Thank you, as always, for being a champion for our children!

SAT and ACT

Attention Juniors! If you are interested in taking the school-based SAT or ACT, payment is due to Jinnee by Friday, January 30th. Details are in your email and on Jinnee's bulletin board. It is highly recommended that you take one of these exams . If you have any questions, see Jinnee.

Parker Concert Band

Parker Concert Band is accepting new members for the Spring semester! If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this spring! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument. The band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The activity fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. Need an instrument? Parker has many instruments available for loan at no charge- just ask us! If you have questions or want to join, you can email Jim Desmond jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena Cole mcole@theparkerschool.org or just show up at first rehearsal on Tuesday at 3:30 in room 13!

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event sponsored by PPCC

Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks, and it's time for the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Book Love Event! The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) invites you to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker. Gifts should be delivered before February break begins on the 14th. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete this form. Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff! https://forms.gle/z8GNYDjJ3kpHWcaL9

Restaurant Gift Cards

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

One week left until prices increase. Order your 2025-2026 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for January 16, 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:27:24 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I often find this time of year provides a reminder to me to have hope amidst the short, dark, cold winter days we endure. By mid-January, I can start to see signs of more light, and sometimes we experience an unseasonably warm day or two—and these changes, though small or temporary, remind me that little by little, every day, tangible things are changing. The Winter Solstice had 6 hours and 12 minutes less daylight than the Summer Solstice. That’s a pretty dramatic difference—but it happened a little bit at a time. Going the other direction works the same way; first we gain only a few seconds of light each day, but by early January, we are gaining a minute of light each day, and by early February, several minutes a day.

Change is funny like that—sometimes it happens so gradually we don’t see or feel its impact right away and sometimes it barrels in so we are acutely aware of it. The physical shock of greeting students at the front door this morning in much colder temperatures than yesterday morning is a fine example of the latter. This was a change not to be ignored, and even though I knew to expect it, that didn’t mitigate the jarring effects. Still, that brief respite of days edging toward 50 degrees can fuel my hope that warmer days are coming.

Learning is rarely a predictable increase like the amount of light we gain daily moving from winter to summer, but it is often an incremental shift. Sometimes the slow building of skills starts to become evident only with what feels like a lot of effort and time. If you have a student about to complete a mid-year Gateway, you will soon see this sort of change and growth in their work right before your eyes. If your student is working toward a June gateway, or even a gateway next January or June, I would encourage you to look for those small, incremental changes between here and there. Those sometimes-tiny changes are like the extra moments of light in a winter day; they are adding up to something bigger that will be well worth the wait, and I hope that can give us all a little hope this time of year.

Best wishes for a restful weekend and a meaningful celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Monday, January 19.

Bex

This week’s topics:

Girls’ Soccer End of Season
Sibling Applications for Next Year
SAT and ACT
Valentine’s Appreciation
Drop off and Pick Up Reminder
Boys and Girls State
Yearbooks

Girls’ Soccer End of Season

Parker’s girls’ soccer held their end of season banquet and had lots to celebrate! In addition to finishing with a 14-5 record, they secured their place as Division F Champions in the Central Mass Athletic Conference with a 7-1 record and +23 goal differential. Parker students Emma Patricca, Delaney Rezac, Keira Collins, Bontu Piazza, Amber Edmondson, and Quincy Swindle were named all-stars for both the Conference and Central Mass region. Keira Collins and Bontu Piazza were named members of the MA All-State team, the first Parker students to receive this honor. Congratulations to the girls’ teams for a great season!

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2026-2027 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2026 . Current students do not need to reapply. Click here to complete an application: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

SAT and ACT

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event sponsored by PPCC

Drop off and Pick Up Reminder

When dropping off or picking up students in front of the school, please pull all the way over to the curb for active loading and unloading of passengers. This is both to ensure physical safety as well as to maintain the flow of traffic at these busy times. Thank you!

Boys and Girls State

Attention Juniors: Are you interested in civics and democracy? Would you like to participate in a week-long immersive program where you will create and manage your own community and government? If you are interested, please attend the Boys and Girls State information session during lunch on Thursday, January 15th in Jinnee's office. You will get to hear from last year's participants and learn more about the program. See Jinnee with questions or for more information! https://www.maboysstate.org/ https://www.massgirlsstate.org/

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

Order your 2025-2026 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for January 9, 2026

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 04:36:49 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We had the rare treat of a two-week winter break this year. It was great to welcome our well-rested students back to school on Monday. We have a busy three weeks remaining of the first semester. Students are completing assessments and many are preparing for Midyear Gateways. 68 students will Gateway, in every division and domain, on January 22-23. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our students and their families, teachers and peers. Second semester brings new electives for Division 3 students, new Community Blocks for all students, and the anticipation of end-of-year activities.

We have officially kicked off student recruiting for next year. We have five information sessions scheduled in January and February, we are about to send postcards to prospective students, and we have a terrific group of student and adult Ambassadors. Thank you to everyone who helps to spread the word about Parker and welcome new students and families. Word of mouth has always been the most effective way that we introduce Parker to new families. If you have a neighbor or friend who may be interested in Parker, please share your experiences. We’d love your help boosting our school’s visibility. When you see our posts on Facebook or Instagram , please take a moment to like and share them with your networks. Your support helps us reach more families and celebrate the great things happening in our community.

Additionally, remember, younger siblings need to apply to be eligible for admission. There is a sibling preference in the lottery, but you still need to apply. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll .

We appreciate everyone who contacted their legislator and advocated for charter schools this fall. As you may know, there are multiple pieces of legislation under consideration that would lower the cap of charter-eligible students and limit funding for charter public schools. Many families are surprised to learn that students attending charter public schools receive less state funding than their peers in district schools. As lawmakers begin shaping next year’s state budget, we have a critical opportunity to make our voices heard and push for the equitable funding that our students deserve.

We are about to launch Fair Funding Week 2026 led by the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. We hope that you will join us for this virtual week of celebration, advocacy, and collective action from February 2-6, 2026. Fair Funding Week kicks off with an inspiring virtual rally on Monday, February 2nd from 6:00–6:30 PM.

Register now and stand with us

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Boys and Girls State
2026-27 Calendar
Yearbook
Parker Fund
Weather Related Text Alerts
Lost & Found Pickup
Please Don’t Idle

Boys and Girls State

https://www.maboysstate.org/ https://www.massgirlsstate.org/

2026-2027 Calendar

The calendar for next school year has been approved by the Board of Trustees and a printable version is available on the Current Families webpage under the online calendar.

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

Parker Annual Fund

Happy New Year!! Did you know that you can support The Parker Fund with a monthly gift? Start off 2026 by investing in Parker's faculty and program by making a recurring monthly gift to The Parker Fund. Recurring giving is an easy, convenient, and sustainable way to show your care and support for the teachers who nurture your students every day! Click here to make a one-time or recurring gift to Parker. Thank you for your support!

Weather Related Text Alerts

If you did not receive a text message Wednesday morning informing you of the delayed opening and would like to receive future text messages, text YES to 79041. You may have received an initial text message in September, but you must opt-in by replying YES to receive any future messages from us through BrightArrow.

Lost & Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet will be cleared on Friday, January 16, 2026. You are welcome to stop by anytime between January 2 – 16 to check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones.

Please Don’t Idle

Please be reminded that state law restricts unnecessary idling time and governs the time during which a motor vehicle can idle on school grounds in order to improve and protect school campus air quality. If not in a moving queue, a vehicle should not idle to heat or cool for more than one in fifteen minutes. Thank you for being a caring community member.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for December 19, 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:17:01 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday! We had a busy and festive week at Parker – with hard work, holiday parties, and our community coming together for those in need. Thank you to everyone who donated food, toys, or sports equipment to our campus drives. We are proud of the Parker community for always stepping up!

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Enjoy the long break with those who you love.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thanks - Warm Wishes!
Loaves and Fishes Update
EzSports Youth Venture Update
Thank You from PPCC
Yearbook
Parker Fund
Holiday Break Reminder
Resources for Those in Need
Ski and Snowboard Club
Lost & Found Pickup

Thank You from PPCC

Thanks to everyone in our community who donated in some way to the Staff Holiday Appreciation Breakfast and Supply Drive. Because of your generosity, it was a great success. Happy Holidays from the PPCC!

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

Support the Parker Fund Before Year’s End

As 2025 comes to a close, we celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and the dedication of our teachers. ✨ Before December 31, we invite you to make a year‑end, tax‑deductible gift to the Parker Fund. Your support ensures that Parker continues to thrive and that our students gain the skills they need to succeed.

�� Give to the Parker Fund today – because every gift matters, and every gift makes a difference.

Holiday Break Reminder

Classes will resume for students on Monday, January 5, 2026 . If your student will miss additional days, please leave a message on the Attendance Line (available 24 hours a day) at 978-772-3293, x1, giving the dates your child will not be in school.

Resources for Those in Need

While the holidays are generally filled with cheer, there are those for whom the holidays can be difficult. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please reach out to one of these resources:

DIAL 911/ Go to your nearest Emergency Dept for immediate needs
DIAL 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 coverage
National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) - 24/7 coverage
DIAL 211 - For food insecurity help in Massachusetts or contact Project Bread's Food Source Hotline at 800-645-8333 for expert SNAP/HIP guidance and food resource navigation
Text 741741 - Crisis Text Line - 24/ 7 coverage
Text TEEN to 839836 - Teen Line (Teens Helping Teens) – Texts are answered from 9PM-12AM EST/call 1-800-852-8336 from 9pm-1am EST. The teen line is staffed by trained volunteer teen listeners who are supervised by mental health professionals.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Youth) – 24/ 7 coverage: 1-866-488-7386 (4-U-TREVOR) – please note that you do not have to be in crisis to call this line. The Trevor Project is there to answer questions or support callers with a variety of struggles.
Text “Trevor” to 2023041200 - Monday - Friday, 3pm-10pm (LGBTQ youth)
Samaritans 24-Hour Crisis Hotline – 24/ 7 coverage: 1-212-673-3000
National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) - 24/7 coverage
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1-800-656-4673 - 24/7 coverage
SAMHSA National Helpline - 24/7 coverage: 1-800-662-4357 - confidential and free help to find substance use treatment and information.
MA Atty. General's Hate Crime Hotline: 1-800-994-3228 - Any Massachusetts resident who has witnessed or experienced incidents of bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence can call this hotline to file a report.

Ski and Snowboard Club

Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/7.

Lost & Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet will be cleared on Friday, January 16, 2026. You are welcome to stop by anytime between January 2 – 16 to check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for December 12, 2025

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:21:33 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

One of the magical things about working in schools is the chance to get to know students as whole people. Yes, of course, we can come to know our students well as learners because this is the work we spend much of our time on together, but the ways we get to see our students as leaders, as curious young adults with big questions, passionate interests, and developing understanding of themselves and their world is also an important part of knowing our students well. The process of watching someone grow and change over the course of their years in a school is both humbling and inspiring to me.

I have been appreciating the way that each milestone in the progression of the school year and each new experience I have at Parker showcases and gives me another way to get to know our students as whole people, individually and collectively. Seeing the student leaders of the Youth Venture club introduce and facilitate the Q+A with our all-school speaker, Maria Milagros, on Wednesday is just one recent example. The students who bravely asked questions in the whole group or stayed to ask an individual question also demonstrated their interest in learning about and understanding the experiences of others and their puzzling through how the experiences of others might or might not resonate with their own.

This isn’t the only example of course. I think about the Division 2 students and their Civic Action Projects. Some students shared about their work and learning in our all-school gathering last Friday—but everyone had to identify something that mattered to them, learn about the issue and the context, and then take some action to improve what they thought needed improvement. I can’t wait for you to be able to see this work from our students later this spring!

These are two examples from this week—but there are many others. What do you learn about students when you see them in the school play? (Opening Night was amazing! There are additional performances tonight and Saturday at 7pm.) What do you learn about students when you see them coaching younger students about their choices in the hallway? What do you learn about students by watching them play a basketball game? I can definitively say that all of what I learn in these moments has led to new understanding and greater appreciation of both individuals and the Parker community.

As we head into the final school week of 2025, I hope you have an opportunity to join us for at least one of the games, meets, plays, and presentations that happen at this time of year—and I hope you can see the magic of our students and your student/s as they grow and change right in front of our eyes each day.

Best wishes,

Bex

This week’s topics:

Noon Dismissal Next Friday
Fall Show
Food Drive for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
PPCC Teacher Appreciation
Café Holiday
Yearbook
Parker Fund
Gift Giving Guidelines
Call the Attendance Line
Holiday Break Reminder
Toys for Tots Thank You!
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club

Noon Dismissal Next Friday

Reminder that we will have a noon dismissal next Friday, December 19 . Please be sure to pick up your student at noon, as building will close at that time and there will be no after-school activities.

Fall Show – Tickets on Sale

The Fall Show is here! Parker Theatre is proud to present a double-header of Greek Tragedy: Governing Alice and Eurydice. The first play adapts Sophocles' Antigone and asks what happens when doing the right thing means breaking the rules. The second play adapts the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tragic story about music, words, love, and loss. There will be artwork, live music, tricycles, a house made of string, and busy, busy stones! Shows are tonight (Fri 12/12) and tomorrow (Sat 12/13), at 7 PM . Tickets are $13 at the door or $10 online beforehand: https://www.ticketstage.com/T/PARKERTHEATER

Food Drive for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry

Parker is holding a food drive through Monday, December 15th to benefit Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry located here on Devens. Loaves & Fishes provides food for over 1,000 families/3,000 individuals in Central Mass every year. Food insecurity is a growing concern, especially as we approach the holiday break when school is not in session. If you're able to donate, please bring in unexpired, non-perishable food items and place them in the donation box located in the lobby. Let's see if our school can fill an entire car with food in just two weeks! We'll be delivering the food to Loaves & Fishes on Tuesday, December 16th, so let's show our Parker spirit while helping the local community during the holiday season. Questions? Please see Sheila, Henry, or Jinnee. Many thanks to Henry/Jinnee's advisory for their support!

Most Needed Items: Coffee, Tea, Cocoa (no K cups), Snacks (such as crackers, etc.), Condiments, Flavored Rice, Hearty Soups and Condensed Soups, Albacore Tuna and Light Tuna, Mac & Cheese, Cereal, Dry Beans, Baking Mixes, Canned Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce

Holiday Items: Brownie mix/cookie mix, Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Canned Pineapple

PPCC Teacher Appreciation

The holiday season is upon us and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the teachers and staff at Parker. Please consider sending a monetary donation to support the appreciation breakfast that will be held on Monday 12/15. Donations can be sent via Venmo to @Stephanie-Maclary. An Amazon Wish List was created for supplies and already fulfilled through the generosity of our community. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie at stephaniemmac@gmail.com . Happy Holidays!

Café Holiday

Good news, Parker community! The holidays are fast approaching, so get into the spirit just in time for Café Holiday. On December 17th at 6:30 PM , we will hold our annual Holiday rendition of Café Wednesday and it’s going to be amazing! Our students are putting on their performing hats and preparing a variety of acts that you don’t want to miss. No tickets are needed, just show up ready to have a fun time.

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

Parker Fund

Whether you're an alum, parent, grandparent, or friend, you know that Parker is more than a school— it's a home where lasting connections transform lives. Advisors and faculty provide personalized instruction. Classmates become lifelong friends. These are the deep, supportive ties that bind our community, and your gift keeps them strong for every student. When you support the Parker Annual Fund , you ensure our community, rooted in decency and trust, thrives for generations to come. You're not just donating to a school; you're a vital partner, investing directly in the relationships, values, and people that make the Parker experience extraordinary. Make Your Impact Today. parker.school/giving

Gift Giving Guidelines

As the holidays approach, please be reminded of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts.

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public-school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.

A teacher may accept a gift to the classroom that is to be used for the class, and it will become the property of the school district and not the property of the teacher. Gifts from individual students, parents, classes, or other groups and entities are allowed so long as the gift is to the school. These gifts are not subject to disclosure. Parker will maintain a record of the gift. Such gifts must be in accordance with Parker’s policies.

Please Call the Attendance Line BEFORE 9 AM!

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals by using the Attendance Line at 978-772-3293 x1 BEFORE 9 AM . If it is AFTER 9 AM, please call the office directly (messages are not cleared after 9 AM). NOTE: Health details should not be shared on the Attendance Line. Please share health details ONLY with Nurse Lisa ( lzick@theparkerschool.org ) .

Holiday Break Reminder

TOYS for TOTS Thanks You!

You've proven again what an amazing and generous community we have at Parker. MANY thanks for supporting the effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need!

Winter Sports Registration

It’s not too late to sign up for a winter sport: Winter Track , Girls and Boys Basketball (Middle School and High School), Boys Ice Hockey (Co-op with Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (Co-op with Acton-Boxborough). To register your student for a winter sport, click here: 2025-2026 Winter Parker Sports Registration – Fill out form

Ski and Snowboard Club

Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/7.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for December 5, 2025

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:08:01 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Winter came very early this year. There is always something special about the first snow day of the year – a rare unscheduled day in our otherwise hectic lives. Thanks to our custodial crew of Sal, Greg and Ben for working hard through the day so that we could reopen safely on Wednesday.

Calling a snow day or delayed opening can be tricky, as it was in this case. We monitor weather forecasts and assess the conditions on Devens and our neighboring communities. There may be some cases where a storm impacts some communities more than others. Because Parker students come from over forty cities and towns, it’s important for families to exercise personal judgement, based on local conditions, when deciding whether to travel to campus during inclement weather.

If school is cancelled or delayed, we inform students and families using an automated text, email, local media, and our website. We will try to communicate by 6:00 AM. On delayed openings, school starts at 10:30 AM and all the classes are shortened. We heard that a few families received the email but not the text message announcing the cancelation early Tuesday morning. If you did not receive a text message, and you would like to receive future messages, please text YES to 79041. You must opt-in to receive these messages through BrightArrow.

Next Wednesday, December 10th, we are delighted to welcome Maria Milagros to speak with Parker students and staff in an all-school meeting. She will share her story of transformative perseverance and deliver an empowering message to our students, “Transform your story, transform your life.” For more information, visit Maria’s website at https://www.mariamilagros.net/ .

Following Maria’s presentation, advisors will lead an activity whereby students reflect on her message and express gratitude and affirmations. Thank you to Emilie Shannon and Youth Venture for sponsoring and hosting this important discussion. They have provided extraordinary leadership and voice in creating this program, one of the many ways that Youth Venture serves our community.

We can’t wait for opening night of the Fall Show. Parker Theater is proud to present a double-header of Greek Tragedy: Governing Alice and Eurydice . The first play adapts Sophocles' Antigone and asks what happens when doing the right thing means breaking the rules. The second play adapts the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tragic story about music, words, love, and loss. There will be artwork, live music, tricycles, a house made of string, and busy, busy stones! Tickets are available at TicketStage - Parker Theater Tickets . Shows are on December 11th, 12th, and 13th at 7:00 PM. See you at the theater.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Fall Show
2026 Calendar Sale
Food Drive for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Yearbook
Text Alerts
Parker Fund
Gift Giving Guidelines
Junior Planning Night
Call the Attendance Line
Holiday Break Reminder
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club
TOYS for TOTS

Fall Show – Tickets on Sale

The Fall Show is here! Parker Theatre is proud to present a double-header of Greek Tragedy: Governing Alice and Eurydice. The first play adapts Sophocles' Antigone and asks what happens when doing the right thing means breaking the rules. The second play adapts the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tragic story about music, words, love, and loss. There will be artwork, live music, tricycles, a house made of string, and busy, busy stones! Shows are on next Thursday-Saturday, December 11-13, at 7 PM . Tickets are $13 at the door or $10 online beforehand: https://www.ticketstage.com/T/PARKERTHEATER

Order 2026 Student Art Calendars

Click here by December 11th to order a fabulous 2026 wall calendar featuring Parker student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 16th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now!

Food Drive for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry

Holiday Items: Brownie mix/cookie mix, Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Canned Pineapple

Yearbooks – Discounted Price

Order your 2025-2026 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Weather Related Text Alerts

If you did not receive a text message early Tuesday morning informing you of the snow day and would like to receive future messages, text YES to 79041. You must opt-in to receive these messages from us through BrightArrow.

Parker Fund

The Parker Fund is counting on you! Every penny donated goes directly to our students – in the form of small class sizes, more direct attention and academic support, and greater access to clubs, sports, and activities. Click here to make your gift this year.

Gift Giving Guidelines

As the holidays approach, please be reminded of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts.

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public-school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.

Junior Planning Night

Attention Junior Families! Junior Planning Night is Wednesday, December 10th from 6 PM – 8 PM in the auditorium. All juniors and their adult(s) should attend. We will talk about Parker transcripts and planning for the post-Parker years.

Please Call the Attendance Line BEFORE 9 AM!

Holiday Break Reminder

Winter Sports Registration

Ski and Snowboard Club

Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/7.

TOYS for TOTS

Wednesday (December 10th) is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for November 21, 2025

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 20:17:05 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

I had this quote on the whiteboard in my office several years ago, and every time I thought about erasing it and putting up different words of wisdom, someone would ask about it, refer to it, connect it to something they were doing or seeing or working on and I would decide to keep it up, feeling anew its pervasive relevance to the life of a school and the work of teaching and learning. I think what I appreciate about these words is that they acknowledge the connection between practice and performance, between the daily work we must do behind the bigger, public moments that showcase our work. Certainly, for our students these ideas are present in their classes with Parker’s emphasis on practice, feedback, and revision as the path to demonstrating mastery, but if you have ever trained at something—academic, athletic, musical, etc.—you likely know this relationship well from your own experience too.

I admit I also find something a little unsatisfying about this quote in that it doesn’t seem to recognize the importance of celebration in this practice to performance loop. If we don’t take time to notice, acknowledge, and appreciate the work we do and the progress we make, we lose something important in the process. Research says not only should we celebrate the performances that go well, but we can stay motivated and make more progress when we pay attention to the places where our daily practice is demonstrating and contributing to growth.

The importance of the practice-to-performance loop has been really clear in the close of the fall sports season and there are some notable athletic accomplishments to celebrate! Congratulations to Senior Emma Petricca who was selected to the 2025 Central MA Senior All-Star soccer team whose game will take place this Sunday (see additional info below). Last Saturday, the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams wrapped up their seasons with impressive performances. The girls’ team finished 11th in the MIAA State Championships and the boys’ team won the MIAA State Championship! In addition to the team’s accomplishments, Parker senior Nathaniel Henshaw won the race and became the first individual champion in school history.

Please join me in celebrating these students’ accomplishments—and take a moment to think about one of your own to celebrate too.

Wishing you a restful weekend,

Bex

This week’s topics:

5K Fun Run This Saturday
Senior All Star Soccer Game
Save the Dates!
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Noon Release on Wednesday
Absences Around Thanksgiving
Pick Up and Drop Off Reminders
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club
Robotics Club
TOYS for TOTS

5K Fun Run

It’s not too late to join the fun! The run/walk will be held at Parker this Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). Register online until Friday or at the event on Saturday. Cost is $20 for students and $30 for others, and all proceeds from the race benefit the school. Thank you to our sponsors: Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running, Sterling Street Brewery, and Clover Road Brewing Company. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun .

Senior All Star Soccer Game

Come out and cheer on Parker senior Emma Petricca in the 2025 Central Mass Senior All-Star Soccer Game this Sunday, November 23 at 9 AM . The game will be held at Ayer/Shirley High School and is free to attend. It will also be available on HUDL for live stream and post-game viewing.

From the College Counselor - Save the Dates!

December 2 @ 7 PM - Navigating College Testing Workshop with Open Door (zoom link will be sent to all sophomore and junior families)
December 3 @ 6:30 PM - MEFA Financial Aid Night (link will be sent to senior families)
December 10 @ 6 PM - Junior Planning Night (in person for all juniors and their adults)

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy

Parker has made recent updates to our Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan. The current draft is available for review here: BPIP November 2025 Draft for Public Comment.pdf All community members are invited to read through the changes and offer feedback using our Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (BPIP) Public Comment Form

Noon Release on Wednesday

Reminder that we will have a noon dismissal on Wednesday, November 26 . Please be sure to pick up your student at noon, as the building will close at that time.

Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student is extending Thanksgiving break, remember to contact the main office and let us know when your student(s) will be absent . The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

Pick Up and Drop Off Reminders

Parker offers before- and after-school supervision for students during set times only. Please review our schedule below and be sure to pick up your student before our staff leave.

In the morning, the building opens at 7:30. Students arriving before 8:00 go to the library, which is supervised. After 8:00, students may access the rest of the building and pick up breakfast.
After school, students may study in the library during our set, supervised times.
On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, families should pick up no later than 4:30 PM.
On Wednesdays, families should pick up no later than 3:00 PM.
After school help with teachers occurs on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and ends at 4:15 PM. Students may wait for a ride in the library until 4:30 PM after attending after school help.
Students who participate in after school activities, such as athletics, theater, and clubs will be supervised during designated activity times and should be picked up at the end of scheduled activities.

Winter Sports Registration

Reminder to register for Winter Sports: Winter Track , Girls and Boys Basketball (Middle School and High School), Boys Ice Hockey (Co-op with Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (Co-op with Acton-Boxborough). All practices begin Monday, December 1st, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. To register your student for a winter sport, click here: 2025-2026 Winter Parker Sports Registration – Fill out form

Ski and Snowboard Club

Reminder, there will be a $30 price increase on 12/1, so be sure to sign up before then. Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/7.

Robotics Club

The Parker Robotics club is starting back up! In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, the Robomingos (FIRST team 3623) is ready to accept new members who are interested in building a robot, engaging in engineering projects, and competing on alliances of 3 robots against other teams in a to-be-announced competition. Meetings will start on Tuesday, November 25 and run from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of the off season - with pick up at the Boys & Girls Club. Questions? Want to know more? Reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ).

TOYS for TOTS

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school November 12th until December 10th . Please help us bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for November 14, 2025

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:49:54 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We have two exciting weekend events ahead of us. Please join us on Saturday, November 15 at noon for the State Championships of the Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams at Willard Field on Devens. The Girls finished fifth and the Boys finished first in District Championships last weekend, with both teams qualifying for States. The Boys have won the State Championship four of the last eight years. The Boys race starts at 12:30 pm and Girls race at 1:15 pm. Visit the Parker tent for snacks and hot chocolate. All are welcome!

Next weekend, we host the second annual Parker Fun Run on Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 am (rain date is 11/23). All ages are encouraged to run, walk, skip, or jump and there will be category-based prizes. All proceeds benefit the school. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun .

Thanks to everyone in the Parker community who advocated on behalf of Parker and charter public schools statewide. The state legislature is considering multiple bills that would limit access and cut funding to charter public schools. We appreciate Luciana Hayner, Ginny Tang, and Gayane Hanyaloglu who testified on Beacon Hill; Jen Stach, Cory Stach, and Talia Bigelow who met with their representatives; and countless others who made their voices heard. As a result of our advocacy efforts, state leaders have shelved the anti-charter components of the legislation. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the thousands of students who benefit from schools like ours. If you want to become involved, please contact Katrina at ktedstone@theparkerschool.org .

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to remind families about pickup and drop-off times:

When we have a noon dismissal, please pick up your child at noon. Faculty and staff also have a noon dismissal on these days, so the building closes at that time. We will post the sign board a few days before as a reminder.
In the morning, the building opens at 7:30 AM and students arriving before 8:00 AM go to the library, which is supervised. After 8:00 AM, students may access the rest of the building and pick up breakfast from the cafeteria.
After school, students may study in the library, which is supervised, for a short time after the end of the school day.
On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, families should pick up no later than 4:30 PM.
On Wednesdays, families should pick up no later than 3:00 PM.
After school help with teachers occurs on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and ends at 4:15 PM. Students may wait for a ride in the library until 4:30 PM after attending after school help.
The MART shuttle is available before and after school to/from Bolton, Lancaster and the Boys and Girls Club in Leominster for Parker students. Please contact MART directly to pre-register.
Students who are participating in after school activities, such as athletics, theatre, and clubs will be supervised during designated activity times and should be picked up at the end of scheduled activities.

Thank you. Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Cross Country State Championships
Winter Sports Registration
Robotics Club
Youth Venture Ez Sports
5K Fun Run
TOYS for TOTS
Absences Around Thanksgiving
Food Assistance for Families in Need
Dental Visit – Caring for Kids

Cross Country State Championships

Come cheer on our Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams tomorrow at Willard Field at NOON! Look for the Parker tent!

Winter Sports Registration

Register now for Winter Sports: Winter Track , Girls and Boys Basketball (Middle School and High School), Boys Ice Hockey (Co-op with Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (Co-op with Acton-Boxborough). All practices begin Monday, December 1st, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. To register your student for a winter sport, click here: 2025-2026 Winter Parker Sports Registration – Fill out form

Robotics Club

The Parker Robotics club is starting back up! In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, the Robomingos (FIRST team 3623) is ready to accept new members who are interested in building a robot, engaging in engineering projects, and competing on alliances of 3 robots against other teams in a to-be-announced competition. There is an open house at the Boys & Girls club on Thursday, November 20 from 4-5:30 PM. The Parker van will be taking interested students to the club and back to Parker for this event. Meetings will start on Tuesday, November 25 and run from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of the offseason - with pick up at the Boys & Girls Club. Questions? Want to know more? Reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ).

Youth Venture Ez Sports

5k Fun Run

It’s not too late to join the fun! The run/walk will be held at Parker on Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). Register online until Friday or at the event on Saturday. Cost is $20 for students and $30 for others, and all proceeds from the race benefit the school. Thank you to our sponsors: Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running, Sterling Street Brewery, and Clover Road Brewing Company. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun .

TOYS for TOTS

Absences Around Thanksgiving

Food Assistance for Families in Need

If you are in need of food assistance, please email or call Laurel Ronan ( LRonan@theparkerschool.org ), (978) 772-3293 x 111 to request gift card assistance. Additional resources for local food assistance are also available here .

Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 21st. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return them to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for November 7, 2025

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:31:44 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

As you know, the Ten Common Principles are at the heart of what we do as a school. The first of the Ten Common Principles is “Learning to use one’s mind well,” reminding us that we should prioritize fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking over teaching more “stuff.” If schools are designed to help students grow and develop their intellectual skills, it’s important that teachers have ways to talk to students not just about the final outcome or goal they are working toward, but also about their development and progress along the way.

Another of the common principles is the “Demonstration of Mastery” which prioritizes students showing that they can incorporate the skills they are learning and developing in the context of important, real-world tasks. These core beliefs and a deep commitment to engaging students in their own learning and growth inform the way we share and report student progress. We focus in these reports on both Habits of Learning and the level of mastery students demonstrate in the academic skill areas through their assessments and revisions. No one’s hard work and progress is reduced to a mathematical average. Teachers and advisors celebrate strengths and areas where they have seen growth, and they offer suggestions and next steps for continued learning.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 12, you will receive your student’s first progress report of the year via email (sent from Parker notifications). Resources to help you orient yourself and make sense of the report will be included. Students will have already seen the reports and spent time reading and reflecting on them with their Advisors on Wednesday afternoon. If you have any questions after receiving the reports, or speaking with your student about their reflection work, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s advisor or teachers directly with questions.

We appreciate your trust in us, your on-going collaboration, and the support you provide your students every day.

Thank you and have a restful weekend.

Bex

This week’s topics:

AppleFest Thank you
TOYS for TOTS
Calendar Art – Last Call
Absences Around Thanksgiving
Ayer Police Department Trainings
Food Assistance for Families in Need
Dental Visit – Caring for Kids
Parker Ski & Snowboard Club
Part-time Kitchen Help
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

TOYS for TOTS

Calendar Art – Last Call!

Reminder to submit student artwork for the 2026 Parker Calendar by November 10th . The calendar will be delivered before the holiday break and can be ordered here ! Submit your artwork online here . Contact Katrina , Monique , or Sheila with any questions!

Absences Around Thanksgiving

Ayer Police Department Trainings

The Ayer Police Department is conducting firearm training drills near the border of Ayer and Devens on the following dates:

Monday, November 10, 11 AM to 3 PM
Wednesday, November 12, 3:30 to 8:30 PM

We share this information so our community members in the area during these drills understand what they are hearing.

Food Assistance for Families in Need

We are currently collecting grocery store gift cards which can be distributed to families in our school community who are in need of food assistance. If you would like to donate a gift card, please drop it off at the main office. Additionally, a list of local organizations that provide food assistance is linked below if you wish to donate or volunteer at one of these agencies.

Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parker Ski and Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker’s Ski and Snowboard Club! Click here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/7. Chaperones are needed!

Part-time Kitchen Help

Parker’s kitchen is looking for someone to join their team. Please reach out to kitchen@theparkerschool.org if interested

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for October 31, 2025

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:58:23 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We had a joyful and spirited week at Parker, highlighted by the Division 1 Halloween party and costume contest on Wednesday. Thank you to all the teachers and Peer Leaders who host this special event every year. To all our students, have fun celebrating Halloween this evening. Be safe and make good choices.

We are looking forward to the start of postseason competition for Fall sports. Girls Varsity Soccer is headed to the state playoffs! We enter the playoffs with a 14-4 record. First round games are announced tomorrow. Most likely we play on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, with a chance to host the first round on Devens. Go Parker!

Our Middle School Cross Country Team is competing tomorrow in the MS State Championships on Devens. Our High School XC Team will compete Saturday, November 8 on Devens with the hope of finishing high and qualifying for the MIAA All-State Championship at midday on Saturday, November 15 ^th on Devens. Save the date! Good luck to all our runners!

In the next few days, you will be receiving a letter in your mailbox announcing the Annual Fund. In the letter, I profile the experiences and successes of one of our seniors, Wren Fountain. Thank you to Wren and her family for sharing her story of perseverance and love and the important role that Parker played in her progress. Thank you and congratulations to Wren!

The letter serves as a kickoff to the Annual Fund appeal, our yearly fundraiser. As you may know, the funding model for public charter schools does not cover the costs of building or maintaining our school. As a result, we divert up to 15% of our operating budget to meet our facility costs every year. We believe that our students deserve access to the same resources as students across the state.

As I write in the letter, every penny that we raise goes directly to our students – in the form of small class sizes, more direct attention and academic support, and greater access to clubs, sports and activities. We worry about our ability to maintain ratios of 8 students to every one adult. While the funding model wants us to increase class sizes, or change our hands-on, reflective and iterative approach to learning – we do more with less and we turn to our friends for help. Help us maintain our challenging and personalized model for all students. We appreciate your generosity and support!

Click Here to donate

Brian

This week’s topics:

Dental Visit – Caring for Kids
Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance
Parker’s Art & Literary Magazine
Food Assistance for Families in Need
Parker Ski & Snowboard Club
Last Call for Fun Run T-shirts
Part-time Kitchen Help
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance

The Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance will be on Friday, November 7 from 6 PM – 8 PM. Costumes are encouraged! There will be dancing, a costume contest, a photo booth, and games. Complimentary snacks and drinks will be available, but kids should eat dinner beforehand. Tickets are $5 and are available for online purchase until Wednesday, 11/5, through Unipay: unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx . For cash sales, please see Julie in room 16 or Nathan in room 22. Be sure to get your tickets in advance, as they will not be sold at the door.

Parker's Art and Literary Magazine

Do you have writing or art pieces you would like to publish? You should submit your creations to the Parker Art & Literary Magazine: Paper Flowers! We will accept personal essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, comics, art (drawings, paintings, photography), and more! Students with submitted work receive a copy of the magazine once it is professionally printed. Submissions are due by FRIDAY November 7th at midnight - send your work to Sarah Leandro ( sleandro@theparkerschool.org ) or talk to her in Room 26. We look forward to seeing your work!

Food Assistance for Families in Need

Parker Ski and Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker’s Ski and Snowboard Club! Click here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/7.

Chaperones are needed!

Last Call for Fun Run T-Shirts

Register by this Monday, November 3 , to be guaranteed a Fun Run t-shirt! Cost is $20 for students and $30 for others, and all proceeds from the race benefit the school. The run will be held at Parker on Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). Volunteers are needed for registration and to staff the course and water station. Please email Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org if you’re willing to help. Thank you to our sponsors: Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running, Sterling Street Brewery, and Clover Road Brewing Company. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun .

Part-time Kitchen Help

Parker’s kitchen is looking for someone to join their team. Please reach out to kitchen@theparkerschool.org if interested.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for October 24, 2025

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:07:43 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Have you ever heard of a root cellar? Or maybe you have one? I have found myself thinking about root cellars and how they work a lot as we head toward the late fall when the trees are bare and the days get shorter. Root cellars (and I am not an expert) are these relatively ingenious spaces that use the natural conditions of the ground below the frost line to create a stable environment that helps preserve and store food. Before we had indoor refrigeration, they were an essential tool for food storage. They helped ensure access to fresh food and healthy sustenance all year long.

Certain characteristics of this time of year can make it seem like not much new is happening—that there is no growth or change. Maybe that is why things like the first snowfall can be so exciting. I like to think of this time of the year as a little bit like a root cellar—it’s a time to store up all the excitement and growth from the fall and to use it to fuel what’s next. It might have a bit more of a “keep going” feeling to it than a “look at all these new things” feeling, and it gives us a way to savor and benefit from the abundance of the fall and to look forward to the ways it might support the new growth cycle in the spring. In terms of schoolwork, this might look like repeated practice of certain skills, or it might feel like slow progress in the assessments of academic work. It might mean being asked to rethink and redo and revise work, putting in time and energy and believing in growth we might not see or feel yet.

The fall sports seasons are headed toward their close and the girls’ varsity soccer team moved their record to 11-3, avenging an early season loss against Monty Tech, while the boys’ varsity soccer team also avenged an early season loss with a tie against Abby Kelley this week. The cross-country team performed well at Conference Championships, with boys’ varsity winning with a perfect score, girls’ varsity coming in second with many personal records, and boys’ and girls’ JV also winning their races. Whether it’s one of these athletic accomplishments, or the memories of the Mirror Lake field trip, the 4 Square tournament, Community Connections Night for Senior Projects, or the class of 2027 30 Gourd challenge, there are many different memories and experiences we can put into our root cellar at the moment to sustain us as we move toward what’s next.

Wishing you all a restful fall weekend.

Bex

This week’s topics:

Halloween Costume Expectations
Dental Visit – Caring for Kids
Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance
PPCC Parent/Caregiver Social
Parker Ski & Snowboard Club
PLP Blood Drive Thank You
Thank You from a Parker Family
5K Fun Run
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Halloween Costume Expectations

Halloween is just around the corner! Many are excited for the day and some plan to come dressed for the occasion. Please remember costumes cannot include toy weapons, masks, or depict violence in any way. Costumes must not disrupt the learning of oneself or others. While we look forward to celebrating, we must also make sure all students are able to function in class as they would on any other school day.

Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance

The Division 1 & 9th Grade Fall Dance will be on Friday, November 7 from 6 PM – 8 PM. Costumes are encouraged! There will be dancing, a costume contest, a photo booth, and games. E-Tickets will be $5 and for sale in the Cafegymatorium during lunch starting Monday, 10/27 . Parents can also pay online through Unipay: unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx . Complimentary snacks and drinks will be available, but kids should eat dinner beforehand.

PPCC Parent/Caregiver Social

PPCC will host a parent/caregiver social next Wednesday, 10/29, starting at 6:30pm in the library. This coincides with the first Cafe Wednesday of the school year (think open mic night/talent show for the kids). It’s a great way to pass the time and meet new folks. If you can join us, please consider bringing a snack to share. Hope to see you there!

Parker Ski and Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker’s Ski and Snowboard Club! Click here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/7. Chaperones are needed!

PLP Blood Drive Thank You

Thank you to everyone that donated during our PLP Blood Drive! We were able to collect 35 usable donations, which means that we helped 105 patients. We will be having another blood drive during the spring PLP Day, so we hope you can join us again then!

Thank You from a Parker Family

You might remember that earlier this fall we requested assistance for a family in the Parker community in need. Many of you provided gift cards and donations to support them and they have asked us to share this message with you:

We would once again would like to express my immense gratitude to everyone who has supported our family. We will certainly find a way to give back to the school and to all the wonderful people who have shown us such kindness. We are truly touched and grateful for the care and support you and the families at the school have shown toward our home. We deeply appreciate it.

Parker 5K Fun Run on November 22

Register now to be guaranteed a Fun Run t-shirt! This year’s 5K Fun Run will be held at Parker on Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). All ages are encouraged to run, walk, skip, or jump and there will be category-based prizes. Students cost $20 and others cost $30. All proceeds from the race benefit the school. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun . If you’re willing to help, please email Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org . Sponsors include Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running, Sterling Street Brewery, and Clover Road Brewing Company.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for October 17, 2025

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:32:07 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you for joining us for today’s PLP meetings. We appreciate the hard work that students and advisors put into the day, creating goals and strategies for the year ahead. Many of our students were both nervous and excited to lead their PLP meetings. Congratulations on this important milestone. PLPs are an essential component of our personalized education, in partnership with families, that defines Parker. Great day!

Congratulations to Seniors Elsa Achtem and Dylan Stark who were honored as Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program. This award is generally reserved for the top two percent of PSAT test takers each year. We are very proud of their success and contributions to Parker! Thank you, Elsa and Dylan.

We are nearing the end of the regular season for our Fall sports. We have had 120 student athletes participate, a record high. Congratulations to our Girls Soccer team for posting an 11-3 record. They continue to climb the state power rankings as they look forwards to the postseason tournament. Our Girls and Boys Cross Country teams continue to roll, both finishing the regular season undefeated at 10-0. The Boys team won the prestigious Twilight Invitational last week. We are looking forward to an exciting postseason. We would love to see Parker fans turn out in support!

Our Parker theatre is hard at work building sets, learning lines, rehearsing scenes for two exciting shows – Governing Alice and Eurydice – performed back-to-back on December 11-13. As profiled in our school newspaper, “The plays will be fun and tragic and silly! Please come if you enjoy catharsis!” Join us.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Model UN Information Session
Dental Visit – Caring for Kids
Parker Ski & Snowboard Club
Ayer Police Department Trainings
OneNote Links Reminder
5K Fun Run
Offer Your Ideas for Senior Projects
Updated Carpool List
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Model UN Information Session

Is your child interested in global affairs, diplomacy, or international collaboration? We encourage students in grades 9-12 who want to learn more about Parker’s newly founded Model UN team to attend an information session on Monday, October 20th during lunch in Room 47. This year, we’re preparing to compete with students from Georgia— the country not the state. It’s a unique opportunity to meet and engage with international peers, while also learning how to debate and sharpen your diplomatic skills. Whether you have done model UN before or are just curious, please feel free to stop by. Any questions, email gbrummer@theparkerschool.org .

Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

Parker Ski and Snowboard Club

Registration is now open for Parker’s Ski and Snowboard Club! Click here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/7. Chaperones are needed!

Ayer Police Department Trainings

The Ayer Police Department is conducting firearm training drills near the border of Ayer and Devens on the following dates:

Friday, 10/17/25 3:00 to approximately 9:00 PM
Monday, 10/20/25 5:00 to 9:00 PM
Tuesday, 10/21/25 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Wednesday, 10/22/25 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

We share this information so our community members in the area during these drills understand what they are hearing.

OneNote Links Reminder

Reminder that links to student OneNote pages were sent via email to parents/guardians. The email itself has more information about what these links are for and how you might use them. You can also visit this section of the Parker website for more information about how we communicate with families about academic progress. The OneNote links are NOT the way to access daily homework/project due dates. That information comes from the Haldor app/website. More info on that app is available here .

Parker 5K Fun Run on November 22

Class of 2026 Senior Projects—offer your ideas, resources, contacts!

Please help the Class of 2026 with their senior projects by suggesting ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward. The link below allows you to view short videos where they describe their topic and has space for your input.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!

Updated Carpool List

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

Parents of Athletes

Do you know how to find your way to Parker’s playing locations? We have a GREAT feature on our website with interactive Google maps - just enter your address to receive directions to any of our game and meet locations . Find this feature by clicking HERE .

Weekly Information for October 10, 2025

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:35:00 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I have been spending a lot of my time in Advisory lately—visiting sometimes with 2 or 3 advisories in a day. These visits are helping me to meet one of my goals for the fall which is to get to know all our students—yes, to learn almost 400 names (first names first—last names later…) but also to know our students as more than names and faces. During these visits, I have had the privilege of asking and answering questions about each other like “What is something you are proud of?,” drawing 10 second animals, sharing a meal, playing 4 on a couch, playing reverse charades, and sharing a rose, bud, and thorn for the week.

Earlier this year, I talked about building a strong foundation at the start of the year. In that metaphor, the advisory program is a cornerstone of our foundation at Parker, with four important purposes that include academic advising, community service, community conversations, and group dynamics/recreation. It’s a student’s advisor who checks in with them weekly about their academic work and progress. It’s the advisor who coordinates and hosts the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) conferences twice a year. It’s the advisor who supports this small group of students in building community during morning and afternoon advisory each day. Advisory is at the heart of so much of what we do as a school to get to know our students well and foster community. When we have an important issue to discuss or want to learn about something together, we will turn to community conversations and our “Super Advisories,” cross-age constellations of multiple Advisory groups. Advisory is critical not only to how we personalize the experience of school for students but also to the work of fostering a tone of decency and trust in our community, two of our 10 Common Principles.

In the last thirty years, more schools have developed and implemented advisory programs. I see this as a sign they are recognizing something we have always believed: that when students feel a sense of safety, belonging, and community, they engage more fully in their learning, and that when at least one adult knows a student well, they are more successful in school. I hope you will get your own glimpse into the special and important work our advisors do through the upcoming PLP conferences—and I hope you will build your own relationship with your student’s advisor so that we can partner in supporting our students as they learn.

Wishing you a restful long weekend ahead!

Bex

This week’s topics:

PLP Conferences on October 17th
PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
PLP Day Blood Drive
OneNote Links Sent
PPCC Meeting
5k Fun Run
Offer Your Ideas for Senior Projects
Attention Sophomores and Juniors
Lost & Found Pickup
Updated Carpool List
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

PLP Conferences on October 17th

Families should have already set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – contact your child’s advisor if you do not have an appointment. This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process! PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 17. The appointment links are advisory-specific, so be sure to use the link sent in an email by each of your child’s advisors if you have more than one student at Parker. If you cannot make any of the times on 10/17 and/or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference.

PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Parker is hosting a Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic through CVS on Friday, October 17th (PLP Day) from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Click Here to Register

Things to know:

If you are feeling sick, schedule a new appointment when you are better. Mildly ill with no fever is okay!
Bring your health insurance card.
Don't forget to wear short sleeves or layers that allow access to your upper arm.

Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions!

PLP Day Blood Drive

Attention families and Parker students 16 and older! In partnership with Mass General Hospital, Parker's future nursing students are hosting a blood drive on PLP day! Did you know that your one blood donation can save up to three lives?! In addition, all donors will receive a glow-in-the dark t-shirt and snacks. Our goal is to schedule fifty appointments and make this drive a regular part of PLP day, but we need your help to do it! To sign up for a donation appointment, use this link:

https://bit.ly/ParkerMGH

If you have any questions, contact Jinnee Strus. Thanks for donating!

OneNote Links Sent

Links to student OneNote pages were sent via email to parents/guardians today. The email itself has more information about what these links are for and how you might use them. You can also visit this section of the Parker website for more information about how we communicate with families about academic progress. The OneNote links are NOT the way to access daily homework/project due dates. That information comes from the Haldor app/website. More info on that app is available here .

PPCC Meeting on October 14

The PPCC will be holding its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, October 14 at 7 PM on Microsoft Teams. The meeting will start with an overview of PPCC and the events they host. Weekly Teacher Appreciation food donation will also be discussed. The group is seeking a co-leader, so if you are even the slightest bit interested, please consider attending. PPCC October Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Parker 5K Fun Run on November 22

Class of 2026 Senior Projects—offer your ideas, resources, contacts!

Please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year. The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!

Attention Sophomores and Juniors

If you're interested in taking the PACT, please register with Jinnee by October 17th . See your email for more details.

LOST & FOUND Pickup

Reminder that the Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Monday, October 20th . Please stop by before that date (perhaps on PLP Day) to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

Updated Carpool List

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for October 3, 2025

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:37:12 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It was a busy and exciting week at Parker. We have certainly hit our stride a month into the new school year.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Community Connections Night at Parker. Our Seniors did a terrific job describing their Senior Projects and welcoming ideas, connections, opportunities and resources as they launch. We appreciate all the families and friends who joined us. You provide invaluable guidance to our students! If you were unable to join us but still want to share your suggestions, please review the students’ topic areas in the document linked below, and then you may contact the Senior Seminar teacher.

Class of 2026 Senior Project Declarations of Interest

On Wednesday, we spent a lovely day at Mirror Lake on Devens with our Division 1 students. We do this trip every two years, providing a unique opportunity for Div 1 Advisories to work and play together. The highlight is always the cardboard boat race. After careful planning and team construction, one member of each Advisory captains their boat on a short course. Thank you to all the Division 1 students and Peer Mentors who tried something new and learned about teamwork and engineering.

Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team for winning the Ocean State Cross Country Invitational for the first time in school history. Our Boys Varsity team finished first out of 55 of the best schools from the region. We also placed 5th in the Boys JV race, 2nd in the Boys Freshman race and had three medalists in the Girls Freshman race. Outstanding showing at a very competitive meet.

Finally, this week we welcomed students from Sophianum, our sister school in the Netherlands. We are delighted to host this exchange program for the second time, hosting ten Dutch students at Parker in October and then sending ten Parker students to the Netherlands in April. We are very proud of all the students and families who stepped towards this opportunity, sharing their homes and culture with students from across the world. This is a fun and important exchange for all of us.

We look forward to seeing you in two weeks, Friday, October 17th for PLP day. Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:
School Photo Retakes
Class of 2026 Senior Projects
PLP Conferences on October 17 ^th
PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
PLP Day Blood Drive
Attention Sophomores and Juniors
Lost & Found Pickup
ParkerPac Coffee Meetup
Updated Carpool List
Parker 101 Resources
Parking Lot Etiquette
Girls Cross Country Team Fundraiser
Join our WOCOMAL Team!
From the Health Office
Wellness Policy
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

School Photo Retakes

Students who missed having their photo taken on registration day and those wishing for a redo should visit the photographers in the library next Wednesday, October 8, in the morning starting at 8 AM. These photos are used on school IDs, in Office 365, and in the yearbook, so please make sure you’ve had your photo taken this year. See Gabby with questions.

Class of 2026 Senior Projects—offer your ideas, resources, contacts!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us at the Class of 2026’s Community Connections Night. If you weren’t able to attend, please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year. The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others!

Thanks! The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

PLP Conferences on October 17th

Families will soon hear from their child's advisors to set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – expect an email from advisors early next week. This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process! PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 17. The appointment links are advisory-specific, so be sure to use the link sent in an email by each your child’s advisors if you have more than one student at Parker. If you cannot make any of the times on 10/17 and/or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference.

PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Parker is hosting a Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic through CVS on Friday, October 17th (PLP Day) from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Click Here to Register

Things to know:

If you are feeling sick, schedule a new appointment when you are better. Mildly ill with no fever is okay!
Bring your health insurance card.
Don't forget to wear short sleeves or layers that allow access to your upper arm.

Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions!

PLP Day Blood Drive

Attention Sophomores and Juniors

If you're interested in taking the PACT, please register with Jinnee by October 17th. See your email for more details.

LOST & FOUND Pickup

Reminder the Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Monday, October 20th. Please stop by before that date (perhaps on PLP Day) to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

ParkerPAC (SEPAC) Parents Informal Coffee

Please join ParkerPAC parents for coffee after morning drop off on Wednesday, October 8. This informal gathering will be an opportunity to meet other parents in the SEPAC. We will meet at Marty's Corner Cafe, 176 Jackson Road in Devens, at 8:30 AM.

Updated Carpool List

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

Parker 101 Resources and Materials

Thank you to all who attended our Parker 101 session earlier this week. Whether you were able to join us or not, we wanted to share some resources and materials from the event. These provide some important information about the academic program, how we assess student learning, and how we support students in taking responsibility for their own growth and goal setting each year.

Presentation slides

Assessment at Parker

Spanish at Parker

Parking Lot Etiquette

While waiting in the after-school pick-up line for your student, please be mindful to leave adequate space between cars for those parked in the student lots to exit. We hope to reduce blockages and backups in the student parking lots as much as possible to make the end-of-day run more smoothly.

Lady Panthers Against ED

Hi! We’re the Parker Girls Cross-Country Team! We’re currently working on a fundraising campaign for the National Eating Disorders Association to help raise money and awareness against eating disorders. As female athletes we have faced the impacts of eating disorders like the nearly 70% of female cross-country runners across the United States. We would love your support in our fight!

We are raising money on our fundraiser page and are also holding a bake sale to raise money at our Senior Night on October 7th from 4PM at Willard Park. Come support our seniors Rayna Ferlin and Nathaniel Henshaw during their final cross country race on our home course as well as our campaign. If you would like to learn more or keep up with our fundraiser follow us @parkergirlsxctf on Instagram!

Seeking Mathy Students to Represent Parker by Joining our WOCOMAL Team!

What is WOCOMAL ? WOCOMAL (The Worcester County Math League) is a series of regional math competitions on Wednesday afternoons. We are actively recruiting students interested in participating in this event. This is a great opportunity to try some challenging math problems with friendly people.

There are two levels of competition:

FRESHMAN competition: Open to students in grade 9 or below
VARSITY competition: Open to students in grade 12 or below

Students can join practice sessions after school on Thursdays or during Community Block on Fridays. There is an activity fee of $100 to cover the costs of the program. For more information, students should talk to Diane Kruse ( dkruse@theparkerschool.org ) or their MST teacher.

From the Health Office - Unauthorized Medications at School

Reminder that students should not carry over the counter OR prescription medications at school. With proper authorization from their medical provider, parents, and the school nurse, some students may carry an EpiPen, inhaler, diabetic supplies, or other emergency medicine. All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper medical documentation is required for all medications.

Please make sure your student isn’t carrying any medication during school, and more importantly, please speak to your student about not ever accepting any medication from other students. Email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions.

Wellness Policy Information

A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Wellness Policy.pdf and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score . As outlined in the policy, our current school meals program complies with state and federal standards and requirements. Additionally, our policy encourages all members of the school community to consider healthy and nutritious foods when they bring food into school, and alternatives to food for fundraising and other events. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition provides a tool for assessing a packaged food’s compliance with state and federal nutrition standards and a comprehensive list of approved snacks . Some examples of acceptable snacks from the list are:

Air Fried, Kettle Cooked Chips (Himalayan Salt)
Popchips (sea salt)
Baked Cheetos Whole Grain Rich Crunchy
Baked Lay's Original Potato Crisps
Baked Tostitos Scoops
Lay's Kettle Cooked 40% Less Fat Potato Chips
Reduced Fat Cheetos Puffs
Reduced Fat Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain
Nature Valley Crunchy Bar, Oats 'n Honey
Cheez-It made with whole grain

This year’s Wellness Committee will be meeting soon. If you’re interested in attending the meeting, please email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for September 26, 2025

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 19:51:51 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of community lately—what shapes and supports it and why it matters. I think at its core, a community is more than a mere group of people. There is a degree of shared investment in a common purpose or a common value that brings communities together—and there is a willingness and commitment to doing work aligned to our shared purpose or values collectively that both grows from and contributes to community. These traits ideally contribute to a feeling of connection or even belonging that are at the heart of true community.

There are many places where I get to see the ways that the people who inhabit Parker every day are building and shaping community. Earlier this week, for example, I spent two blocks with the senior class as they came together as a group to share their Senior Project Declarations—short summaries of what they plan to study for the year, who they will work with, and what they will create. There was a theme song. Each student took a turn sharing their work. Everyone else in the group listened respectfully and celebrated the work others shared. These students already know each other. They have worked together for years—in and out of the classroom—and still, this shared experience gave them an opportunity to learn even more about each other and to share a moment that was at once common and highly individual.

This highlights one of the aspects of community that might be easily overlooked: genuine community is not an exercise in sameness, even though it is about something shared. Real community grows from an investment in creating connection across differences, learning together, supporting each other in doing challenging things.

Next Tuesday, September 30, we are hosting several events (see details below) including Community Connections Night—which will give any member of the Parker community a chance to come learn about this year’s Senior Class Projects and offer resources and ideas to support the seniors’ ongoing work. We hope you will join us if you can and invest some of your own time and energy in both getting to know and contributing to our rich and vibrant school community.

Best wishes,

Bex

This week’s topics:

Parker 101 is September 30
Support Our Seniors Potluck
Community Connections Night
Coffee with the Principal on October 1
Girls Cross Country Team Fundraiser
Join our WOCOMAL Team!
From the Health Office
Wellness Policy
PLP Day Blood Drive
Communication Systems
Family in Need
Spring AP Exam
NEACAC College Fair
Academic Communication with Families
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Parker parents, guardians, and caretakers of students who are new (or relatively new) to Parker are invited and encouraged to join us for an orientation to academics and assessment at Parker on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:30-8PM in Room 24. If you missed this last year and want to come, please do!

In this session, we will explore and our core beliefs about assessment, how we assess student learning including the evaluation continuum we use, and the types of assessments students will be asked to work on. You will also learn about the Habits of Learning which guide how we talk with students about the skills and dispositions of being a learner, and we will preview the upcoming PLP Conferences so you are familiar with the goals of PLPs and have a better idea of what to expect. This session will be hosted by Parker students, parents, and teachers, each sharing their perspectives on these topics. We hope to see you there!

Support Our Seniors Potluck on September 30th

Seniors and their families are invited to join in conversation around the expectations, excitement, and challenges of the year ahead on Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30-7 PM in the Gym. Senior Seminar teachers/advisors will provide an overview of the senior year, Senior Project, and the graduation requirements along with this year’s installment of “Dear Diary”—a not-to-be-missed crowd favorite! Please bring a dish to share!

Community Connections Night on September 30th

We invite all members of the Parker community to meet with the Class of 2026 and learn about their Senior Projects on Tuesday, September 30th from 7-8:15 PM in the Gym! We hope you will offer suggestions for:

resources they could access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider.

PLEASE BRING GUESTS from inside and outside the Parker community—the more people who come to talk to our seniors, the better! If you are unable to attend but have ideas to share, please review the students’ topic areas in the document linked below, and then you may contact the Senior Seminar teacher for that student.

Class of 2026 Senior Project Declarations of Interest

Coffee with Bex on October 1st

Please join us on Wednesday, October 1st, at 8:30 AM in Room 40 to meet Bex and share your voice with her. What do you love about Parker? How can we improve? Join us to meet Bex and share your input.

Lady Panthers Against ED

We are raising money on our fundraiser page and are also holding a bake sale to raise money at our senior night on October 7th from 4PM at Willard Park. Come support our seniors Rayna Ferlin and Nathaniel Henshaw during their final cross country race on our home course as well as our campaign. If you would like to learn more or keep up with our fundraiser follow us @parkergirlsxctf on Instagram!

Seeking Mathy Students to Represent Parker by Joining our WOCOMAL Team!

There are two levels of competition:

FRESHMAN competition: Open to students in grade 9 or below
VARSITY competition: Open to students in grade 12 or below

From the Health Office - Unauthorized Medications at School

Students should not carry over the counter OR prescription medications at school. With proper authorization from their medical provider, parents, and the school nurse, some students may carry an EpiPen, inhaler, diabetic supplies, or other emergency medicine. All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper medical documentation is required for all medications.

Wellness Policy Information

A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Wellness Policy.pdf and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score . As outlined in the policy, our current school meals program complies with state and federal standards and requirements. Additionally, our policy encourages all members of the school community to consider healthy and nutritious foods when they bring food into school, and alternatives to food for fundraising and other events. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition provides a tool for assessing a packaged food’s compliance with state and federal nutrition standards and a comprehensive list of approved snacks . Some examples of acceptable snacks from the list are:

Air Fried, Kettle Cooked Chips (Himalayan Salt)
Popchips (sea salt)
Baked Cheetos Whole Grain Rich Crunchy
Baked Lay's Original Potato Crisps
Baked Tostitos Scoops
Lay's Kettle Cooked 40% Less Fat Potato Chips
Reduced Fat Cheetos Puffs
Reduced Fat Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain
Nature Valley Crunchy Bar, Oats 'n Honey
Cheez-It made with whole grain

This year’s Wellness Committee will be meeting soon. If you’re interested in attending the meeting, please email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

PLP Day Blood Drive

SAVE THE DATE! Attention families and Parker students 16 and older - in partnership with Mass General Hospital, Parker's future nursing students are hosting a Blood Drive on PLP day! Did you know that your one blood donation can save up to three lives? In exchange for one donation you'll receive snacks, a cool glow-in-the-dark Halloween shirt, and the great feeling of knowing that you've made a truly positive impact on somebody's life. Keep an eye out for information on how to sign up. Our goal is to schedule fifty appointments and make this drive a regular part of PLP day, but we need your help to do it! If you have any questions, contact Jinnee Strus (who is going to be the first person to make an appointment!) jstrus@theparkerschool.org

Communication Systems

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to our communication systems test. For future weather related delays and closings, the school will send out text messages and an email. We will continue to also put a banner on the website, change the school’s voicemail message, and notify local news agencies.

Family in Need

Our community has been coming together in support of a Parker family facing significant financial hardship well beyond their control. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has lent their support so far. We will continue to collect gift cards in the Front Office to assist the family through this difficult moment.

Spring AP Exam

Reminder for Div3: If you're interested in taking an AP exam in the spring, please see Jinnee before Friday, October 3rd!

NEACAC College Fair

On Thursday, fifty-five juniors and seniors attended the NEACAC College Fair at Mount Wachusett Community College. Students had the opportunity to talk to over one hundred college reps and learn more about schools from the northeast, Florida, and Canada. Click here for photos!

Academic Communication with Families

Reminder to visit this page on our website to understand more about how and when Parker communicates with families about student academic progress. This document is a good starting place, and then you can explore the other documents link on this webpage . In particular, if you would like to be able to access information about your student’s nightly homework, you can learn more here . [Note: for parents who were using the Microsoft ‘School Connection’ app, Haldor is the new software/app to use for this purpose – Microsoft stopped supporting the prior software we were using.]

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for September 19, 2025

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:54:24 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It was great to see everyone at Back-to-School night last evening. Thank you for joining us and experiencing Parker as your child does. It was a positive and affirming night for all of us. Parker was founded in 1995 by local parents who wanted to do school differently. They imagined a school where their child was challenged to use their mind well, where they would be known deeply by their teachers in a community with a culture of decency and trust. We are proud to have lived that mission, in partnership with Parker families.

We look forward to seeing you at PLP conferences on Friday, October 17th. Your child’s advisor will send details and an opportunity to sign up for a 30-minute session soon. Fall PLP conferences are an essential opportunity for the student to create their own learning goals for the year, with support from their family and advisor. These goals are often aligned to the Parker Habits of Learning including inquiry, organization, collaboration, reflection and perseverance. Students prepare their plans and prep for the meeting in Advisory across the next month. It is a productive and iterative process with meaningful results for our students. Thank you for your help.

We appreciate the leadership of the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC), founded two years ago to foster an involved and inclusive community. All families are welcome to join the Facebook group at Parker Parent and Caregiver Community | Facebook . Thank you to the PPCC for everything that they do to build and sustain our community, including the warm welcome you extended to new students and families across the spring and summer. We are all better for it.

Please join us for a coffee with Bex on Wednesday, October 1st at 8:30 AM in Room 40. As our new Principal, Bex welcomes your perspective and feedback.
Join us to say hi.

Thank you for your partnership!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Academic Communication with Families
Register for the Parker Fun Run
Upcoming Communications Test
SEPAC Meeting
Support Our Seniors Potluck
Community Connections Night
Family in Need
Spring AP Exam
2024-25 Annual Report
Call for Substitutes
Donation Request: Electric Dryer
Attendance Line Reminder
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Academic Communication with Families

Please visit this page on our website to understand more about how and when Parker communicates with families about student academic progress. This document is a good starting place, and then you can explore the other documents link on this webpage . In particular, if you would like to be able to access information about your student’s nightly homework, you can learn more here . [Note: for parents who were using the Microsoft ‘School Connection’ app, Haldor is the new software/app to use for this purpose – Microsoft stopped supporting the prior software we were using.]

Registration Open for 2025 Parker Fun Run

Registration is now open for the 2025 Parker 5K Fun Run, which will be held on Saturday, November 22 (rain date 11/23). This will be a fun community event. Come run, walk, skip, or jump the 5K—in turkey attire or not! Don’t miss out on this year’s shirt: sign up by November 1 to be guaranteed a race shirt. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun .

Communications System Test

We will be conducting a test of our communication systems on Wednesday, September 24, around 1:55 PM . The purpose of this test is to survey our community about messaging efficacy (that is, do you get the messages) and preferences regarding the various communication methods. This Wednesday, we will text, call, and then email families and staff and provide the link to a short survey soliciting your feedback. Thank you in advance for your help with this test.

Parker Pac (SEPAC) Meeting

Please join other parents for an informal meeting to ask questions and express interests/needs for SEPAC presentations this year. Join the meeting on Thursday, September 25, at 7 PM using this link:(see your Parker email for the link!)

Meeting ID: 869 6016 0314
Passcode: 704909

Support Our Seniors Potluck on September 30

Seniors and their families are invited to join in conversation around the expectations, excitement, and challenges of the year ahead on Tuesday, September 30, from 5:30-7 PM in the Gym. Senior Seminar teachers/advisors will provide an overview of the senior year, Senior Project, and the graduation requirements along with this year’s installment of “Dear Diary”—a not-to-be-missed crowd favorite! Please bring a dish to share!

Community Connections Night on September 30

We invite all members of the Parker community to meet with the Class of 2026 and learn about their Senior Projects on Tuesday, September 30, from 7-8:15 PM in the Gym! We hope you will offer suggestions for:

resources they could access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider.

PLEASE BRING GUESTS from inside and outside the Parker community—the more people who come to talk to our seniors, the better!

Family in Need

There is a Parker family facing significant financial hardship well beyond their control. We are doing everything that we can to support the students and family through this difficult moment. As a community, we would like to help by collecting gift cards in the Front Office so that they may buy essentials. Gift cards to grocery stores, retail stores and Visa gift cards would be appreciated. We share this request out of great concern for the family. We are grateful for any support you can provide to these members of our community.

Spring AP Exam

Attention Div3: If you're interested in taking an AP exam in the spring, please see Jinnee before Friday, October 3rd!

Annual Report Available

Parker’s 2024-25 Annual Report is now available: FWPCES 2024-25 Annual Report.pdf

Hourly Substitute Opportunity

Parker is currently seeking responsible, caring adults interested in working with middle and high school students as classroom substitutes and to supervise the library on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-3:00 PM. Familiarity with Parker’s mission and academic program is preferred. Substitutes will be called on an “as needed” basis based on their availability and will support students in following plans left by classroom teachers. Please contact Gabby at gbrummer@theparkerschool.org if interested.

Donation Request: Electric Dryer

Parker is in need of an electric dryer to replace an old and failing one used by Wellness, the kitchen, and facilities. If you have one you no longer use or know of one which is available for donation, please contact Michelle at mmckenna@theparkerschool.org.

Attendance Line Reminder

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals by leaving a message on the Attendance Line: 978-772-3293, x1 BEFORE 9 AM of the affected day. If it is AFTER 9 AM, please call the office directly (messages are not cleared after 9 AM). The attendance line is available 24 hours a day, and you can leave a message any day or time prior to the absence and provide all the affected dates with one call. It is important you inform THE OFFICE your child(ren) will be absent, even if you have let the teachers know.

NOTE: Details about your child’s condition should not be shared on the Attendance Line. Please share health details with Nurse Lisa ONLY (x135 or lzick@theparkerschool.org ).

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for September 12, 2025

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 21:44:01 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I love the start of a new school year—not just because the empty building comes back to life with the presence of the students, faculty, and families and not just because it is a chance for a new beginning—though I do appreciate those things. What I enjoy most about the start of the school year is the way it sets the important foundation for everything that comes next.

The thing about foundations is that they are not particularly glamorous, they are rarely the star of the show. Not many of us notice the foundations of buildings we enter or live in—unless there are problems with them. A good, solid foundation does its job without calling attention to itself, and the foundational ideas and beliefs at the core of what we do and believe at Parker is what I am noticing and appreciating in the foundation building I see happening every day.

Here at Parker, the Common Principles are the ideas that matter most to our foundation and the most important work in our classrooms, hallways, clubs, and teams is teaching, practicing, and holding ourselves accountable to the ways we live those out in the day to day work. What does that look like? It looks like extra time in advisory and divisional gatherings in these first few weeks, fostering relationship building with new teachers and new classmates. It looks like learning about the advisory routines for Academic Advising and Academic Block. It looks like reviewing and learning about divisional norms and expectations.

When I think about how this translates to classrooms, I am struck by the foundation building in the classes that book-end a student’s academic experience at Parker—7th Seminar which introduces key concepts like the Habits of Learning* , self-advocacy, and the process of revision, and Senior Seminar which challenges students to apply all their Habits and Skills to a year-long independent project they design. Some of what we work really intentionally to build with our students across their years with us is the willingness to try hard things, the perseverance to keep going, and the ability to reflect and revise based on feedback. We intentionally revisit these foundations every year. We intentionally ask our students to apply them to new and more challenging tasks as they progress from division to division. We intentionally shift more and more of the work involved in these tasks to students so that they each build their own solid foundation.

Like all good foundations, these might not feel like the most exciting or glamorous work we do. Certainly, big demonstrations of learning like Gateways and Senior Exhibitions get more fanfare—but what I want to celebrate and call to your attention is how every little thing we do now enables those “bigger” things later. So, as we wrap up our first five-day week of the school year, I invite you all to notice and appreciate the foundations you might see being built for the year ahead.

Happy Friday and happy weekend!

Bex

*The eight habits of learning at Parker are Inquiry, Expression, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Organization, Attentiveness, Involvement and Reflection.

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night on September 18th
Parker Concert Band Starts Tuesday!
Call for Substitutes
Donation Request: Electric Dryer
Attendance Line Reminder
Event Parking Reminder
Technology Repair/Replacement Fees Reminder
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Back to School Night is Thursday, September 18

Please plan to join us for Back to School Night activities, as listed below:

6:15—6:45: Divisional Information Sessions:

Div 1: Introduction to Division 1 (meet in the Gym).
Div 2: Introduction to Division 2 (meet in the Auditorium).
Div 3: Program and Graduation Requirements for Division 3 (meet in Room 48).

7:00—9:00: Visit your students’ classes and meet their teachers!

Parents/Guardians will receive their schedule for the evening at 7:00 PM in their child's advisory room.

Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always with you under your supervision. Thank you!

Parker Concert Band to start Tuesday after school!

This Tuesday 9/16, the Parker Concert band will begin rehearsals! We rehearse Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 in Room 13. Bring your instrument and be ready to play! For students who might have missed the info meeting, no worries — just come on Tuesday and we'll get you set up!

Parker Concert Band is seeking specific donations of percussion instruments for our ensemble! Our wish list includes a concert bass drum and stand, auxiliary percussion (cymbals, triangles, castanets, etc.), and mallets and/or mallet instruments (marimba, xylophone, etc.) We also hope to teach keyboard on full-sized-keys keyboards. If you have one lying around your house, we could use them! Please reach out to Jim and Marena ( jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or mcole@theparkerschool.org ) if you have anything you might be willing to donate.

Hourly Substitute Opportunity

Donation Request: Electric Dryer

Attendance Line Reminder

NOTE: Details about your child’s condition should not be shared on the Attendance Line. Please share health details with Nurse Lisa ONLY (x135 or lzick@theparkerschool.org ) .

Event Parking Reminder

During school events, our on-campus parking is insufficient for our whole school community. Please remember and join in our community norms by parking in the Museum Lot (P-5), located across Jackson Road, and allowing guests with limited mobility to use the available spaces on campus. Thank you!

Reminder Technology Repair/Replacement Fees

Parker provides a variety of items (such as laptops and related technology, phone pouches, and IDs) to students each year. Students are responsible for maintaining and protecting these items. Loss or damage results in a fee being charged. Please see the Parker Technology Fee Schedule for more information about replacement and repair fees, should they become relevant for your child.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for September 5, 2025

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 02:23:04 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It is with great pride that I reflect on the first two weeks of our new school year. We all started new routines, embraced our new classes, and made new friends. Congratulations on a terrific launch!

Parker was founded on the belief we could do school differently, challenging students to use their minds well in a culture of decency and trust. It starts with knowing our students well, as learners and human beings. We believe that all students can succeed and thrive – and we provide the personalized support and encouragement that students need. Our students and staff work incredibly hard to meet these high standards.

As our founders Ted and Nancy Sizer wrote in The Students Are Watching, “What we need to consider and then to create is the kind of environment [that convinces young people that they] are in a place which believes in them – and from which they can, therefore, learn well and deeply.” Through the 10 Common Principles and their leadership as co-principals, Ted and Nancy set the standards for academic rigor, student engagement and community that define Parker today.

We are proud of all the ways that our students embrace and live these values every day at Parker. For example, our student Ambassadors and Peer Leaders came in over the summer to welcome and support new students and families. Their kindness and positive energy created a welcoming environment for our newest students. Many of these same students are serving as Peer Mentors to Division 1 advisories. They serve as role models, leading different games and facilitating discussions about school culture. They also run the Halloween party, Mirror Lake trip, Film Festival, and Field Day for Division 1.

Our Teaching Assistants (TAs) provide similar support within our academic classes. TAs in 7th Seminar, Spanish, Wellness, and MST provide wisdom, small group facilitation, and one-on-one support. They help set the tone for the class, model appropriate participation and collaboration skills, and make connections with individual students. For example, this week in 7th Seminar, our TAs helped students learn some of the technology that we use to communicate while reflecting on the importance of connecting with their teachers.

Finally, our Division 3 students served as leaders and role models during the first Super Advisory yesterday, leading their cross-divisional groups in activities to help build community and connection. They modeled taking risks and the importance of building community.

Thank you to everyone who makes Parker a special place to learn and grow up. Together, we are off to a great start!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night on September 18th
Join Community Congress!
Join the Parker Concert Band!
Surplus Furniture Available
Middle School Art Program in Groton
Technology Repair/Replacement Fees
Reminders for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors!
Phone Free Reminders
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
MART Shuttle
Meal Information
Updated Carpool List
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Save the Date!

Back to School Night is Thursday, September 18th! Please plan to attend as you are able! Divisional orientations start at 6 PM and “classes” start at 7 PM! More details will be provided next week. Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always with you under your supervision. Thank you!

Join Community Congress!

Are you excited to influence the Parker community this year? Are you interested in student government? Do you want to have a voice in developing policies for the Student Handbook and deciding how to spend student funds? If so, you should join the Community Congress (CC)! The CC is the legislative branch of student government, and it meets during Community Block Electives on Fridays. Each Division elects 6 individuals to represent them – these 18 individuals (plus the 3 Moderators) are the ones who vote on policy/handbook proposals (such as updating how elections are run) and fund grant proposals (such as buying new furniture for the lobby, equipment for the volleyball club, and storage shed for theater materials). If you want to run for one of the 6 positions for your Division , you need to send an email or chat to Matt Smith ( matt@theparkerschool.org ) by Wednesday, September 10th . Speeches and elections for CC will happen before Friday, September 19th (the first meeting of Community Block Electives. If you want to be a part of the CC and be a part of conversations/debates, but not have voting power, you can still sign up for the Community Block Elective. If you have any questions about the CC, how to run, elections, etc., please contact Matt, Molly ( mmcgillicuddy@theparkerschool.org ) or one of the Moderators (Audrey Bonner, Delilah Goldberg, and Lana Hanyaloglu)!

Join the Parker Concert Band (a call to all brass, woodwind, and percussion players)!

Parker invites band instrument players from all grades, 7-12, to join our concert band. We hold band rehearsals after school on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The band runs for the semester, culminating with a performance at Parker’s student-led coffeehouse, “Café Wednesday”. The activity fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this fall! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument. Need an instrument? Parker has the following instruments available for loan at no charge: trumpet, trombone, baritone (euphonium), French horn, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, and clarinet. We also have concert drums for percussion players. Students who are interested should plan to come by our informational lunch meeting on Tuesday, September 9 in room 13 to learn more and sign up. If you can’t make the meeting, stop in to chat with Jim Desmond in room 13 or Marena Cole in room 43. Get your lunch first and then come join us! If you don’t know how to play a band instrument but still want to make music, consider joining the Parker Singers during community elective block. We meet about every other Friday to sing fun songs together. Signups will happen in the coming weeks.

Surplus Furniture Available

Parker received a generous donation of furniture over the summer from Penguin Solutions in Maynard. We are thrilled to have some updated office spaces. The result of this donation is a number of surplus desks. We would like to offer the desks to family and friends of Parker. The desks are outside on the left side of the building. Please feel free to stop by and take a look: ( photos ). If you think you or someone you know could use them, please feel free to take one (or two, even) and give it a new home. We will be looking into other donation options next week. Contact Michelle McKenna mmckenna@theparkerschool.org with questions.

Middle School Art Program in Groton

In partnership with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, the Prescott Community Center in Groton is excited to offer a unique program for middle school students: Me, Myself, and Art: Exploring One's Identity Through Art. Click here to find out more Me, Myself & Art - Prescott Program.pdf

Technology Repair/Replacement Fees

Reminders for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

PSAT will be Wednesday, October 22nd. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details. (November PACT info coming soon.)
You are invited to come to the NEACAC College Fair on Thursday, September 25th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board to sign up. The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 12th.
SATs will be Wednesday, October 22nd. ACTs will be October 28th. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details.

Phone Free Reminders

The following documents were shared in mid-August providing information about Parker’s phone free school day and are provided here as reminders:

Parker Life Reminders

Reminder School Begins at 8:30 AM . Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1. In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves unless 18 years of age. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.

Students should be in a supervised space with an adult after school. Students who are not working with a teacher, participating in an adult-supervised after-school activity, or with a coach should go to the library or lobby. Students should be picked up no later than 4:30 PM on M, Tu, Th, F and 3:00 on Wed. There is no after-school supervision on noon dismissal days although some sports may have practice or games.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

Reminder the following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

MART Shuttle

Reminder MART offers shuttle service from select towns (currently Bolton, Lancaster, and Leominster) for $5 per ride or $150 per month. Students must be registered and prepaid with MART to ride, as cash-paid walk-ons are no longer permitted. To register, call 978-345-7711 and select Option 3. For questions, contact maria.maldonado@mrta.us .

Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year. Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status . Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website.

Updated Carpool List

An updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for August 29, 2025

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:54:08 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Welcome Back! We are delighted to be back to school, to welcome almost 100 new students and families, and to begin another school year together. Thank you to our Peer Leaders, PPCC and everyone on staff who helped to welcome new students and families to Parker. Everyone at Parker experienced changes this year, as we walked through the renovated walkway, welcomed our new Principal, Bex Wilucz, and adjusted to new schedules and routines. We are so proud of all our students for embracing these changes, for doing your best work and for being supportive of your classmates. Parker is an extraordinary place because of you! Thank you and congratulations for a terrific first week.

We are all looking forward to another great year at Parker. Enjoy the long weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Notices for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors!
Phone Free Reminders
Asbestos Notice
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
MART Shuttle
Meal Information
Directory and Carpool List
Classroom Wish List
Health Office Wish List
Thank You!
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Attention Sophomores and Juniors!

PSAT will be Wednesday, October 22nd. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details. (November PACT info coming soon.)

Attention Juniors and Seniors!

You are invited to come to the NEACAC College Fair on Thursday, September 25th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board to sign up . The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 12th.

Attention Seniors!

SATs will be Wednesday, October 22nd. ACTs will be October 28th. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th . See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details.

Phone Free Reminders

The following documents were shared in mid-August providing information about Parker’s phone free school day and are provided here as reminders:

Asbestos Notice

Please see the required annual notification regarding our Asbestos Management Plan .

Parker Life Reminders

School Begins at 8:30 AM . Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

MART Shuttle

MART currently offers shuttle service from select towns (currently Bolton, Lancaster, and Leominster) for $5 per ride or $150 per month. Students must be registered and prepaid with MART to ride, as cash-paid walk-ons are no longer permitted. To register, call 978-345-7711 and select Option 3. For questions, contact maria.maldonado@mrta.us .

Meal Information

Updated Carpool List

An updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.

Classroom Wish List

If you would like to donate these items for Div 1 MST, we will use them:

Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers)
Paper (graph paper, lined paper)
Pencils
Zip-top quart or gallon bags

Health Office Wish List

Throughout the year, the Health Office appreciates donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes but not antibacterial, please), cough drops, and menstrual products as these particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for June 13, 2025

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 17:46:56 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you for a great year! We are so proud of our students for your hard work and tremendous growth all year. Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed over the past two weeks. Gateways are a public exhibition and celebration of learning for our students and our whole community. It is also a terrific way to end the year.

We look forward to our last day of school – the Big End – on Monday. We welcome the Juniors back from their retreat and unveil the Essential Question for next year. It is a fun and aspirational way to transition. We also start the front walkway construction project later that day, to be finished in time for the start of school in August. The Main Office will be in Room 28 all summer.

Have a great summer. Take advantage of the break to try something new, read a good book, work a summer job. We will be back together soon enough.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Annual Parent Survey
The BIG END
Your Input on Phones
Medication Pick-ups
School Issued Laptops
Students NOT Returning
Lost & Found – FINAL CHECK!
Contact Info Update
Communication this Summer
Parker Students in Performance
Our Gratitude

Annual Parent Survey

We NEED your input! Each year, we ask parents/guardians to complete our Annual Parent/Guardian Survey. It will take about 15 minutes of your time, and your feedback is actively used! Please follow THIS LINK to take the survey. Your feedback is critical to our program – please make time to complete this survey at your earliest convenience.

The BIG END is MONDAY, June 16th!

The BIG END is an event to mark the end of the school year at Parker School – a festive occasion with GATEWAY acknowledgments, the NEW ESSENTIAL QUESTION, YEARBOOKS, and food. Parents should plan to pick up their students promptly at NOON Dismissal. If you forgot to order a YEARBOOK, a limited number will be available for purchase during the BIG END. Hardcovers are $60 and Div 1 only are $20 . Soft covers are sold out. Bring cash or a check made out to the Parker School.

Please Share Your Input on Phones at Parker

Reminder we are hoping all parents/guardians will take some time to read this INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT and then fill out this SURVEY .

Medication Pick-ups

Please make arrangements to pick up your student's inhaler, EpiPen, and any other medication from the Health Office by noon on June 16th . With permission, some medications can be sent home with the student. Please email lzick@theparkerschool.org if you would like your student to take their medication home in their backpack. Thank you!

School Issued Laptops

Students will hold on to their devices (laptop, stylus, and power cord) over the summer and continue to use their assigned devices into subsequent years. Students not returning or unenrolling during the summer must return their devices to the Tech Office . Students who are not able to take their devices over the summer (for instance, if you are moving and worried about it getting lost) may store their laptops with Monique . Missing equipment can be purchased online: UniPay Technology Replacement Payment

Students NOT Returning to Parker in the Fall (other than Seniors)

If your students are not planning to return to Parker in the fall, we request you kindly do the following:

Complete, sign, and return a Withdrawal Form (Email to cjohnson@theparkerschool.org )
Return your school issued laptop and related items to Tech Office: Book an Appointment with IT
Contact the Business Office to settle any accounts or fees: lronan@theparkerschool.org
Gather all Library and class issued books (AH & MST) and return them to the school
Check with the Main Office regarding any Gateway Binders in the closet and arrange to pick them up

We wish you and your family all the best as you continue your academic journey. As always, please reach out if there are any questions!

Lost & Found – FINAL Check!

You are welcome to check the LOST & FOUND to see if there are any items belonging to you or your loved ones! ALL unclaimed items will be donated after the school year ends.

Communications Coming This Summer

Final Narratives: Next week you will receive an email with your student’s final narratives (“report cards”) for the semester/year. Please be sure to read them!

Summer “Mailing”: In early July, we will send (via email) the Summer “Mailing” (actually a website) which will contain important information about next year. We try to be clear about what items require action versus are “for your information,” so please be sure to pay attention to the details which require action on your part before the new school year. This communication also includes information about summer assignments for students, as well as the survey you would use to make student placement requests for next year (different from the parent survey linked above that we ask you to do as soon as you can!).

Registration: On the Monday before Registration Day (Wednesday, 8/27) you will receive an email with a link to make an appointment for your visit to campus. Parent/guardians should plan to be on campus with their student for about an hour sometime that day, so please put a hold in your calendar on the morning or afternoon of 8/27 for this visit.

Our Gratitude

A HUGE Thank you to all the parents, guardians, alumni, friends, and other volunteers who contributed to Parker’s ongoing program in ANY way this year. We could not have reached the finish line without your support, good humor, and enthusiasm. Many than

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for June 6, 2025

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:49:29 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Congratulations to students in the Class of 2025. We are very proud of our Seniors! As I said on Wednesday night, graduation is a big deal for the graduates, their families and our school. 30 years ago, a small group of local families and educators were bold enough to imagine this little school, to draft a charter, find a building, and convince enough families and staff to give Parker a chance. From the very beginning, we put students at the center of all learning, challenged them to use their minds well in a community of decency and trust. 30 years later, we conferred diplomas to 56 exceptional young people in the Class of 2025. Congratulations to our students – to their families and their teachers – and to everyone who played a role over the last 30 years!

Best of luck to all the students participating in Gateway presentations today and next week. This can be a stressful and exhilarating moment for our students, an authentic opportunity to reflect on their learning as they progress to the next level. Our students are focused and determined to do their best work – and then we celebrate their learning and success. It is a very meaningful way to end the year. We also look forward to Junior retreat and divisional trips next week and the Big End on Monday, June 16th. Summer vacation starts at Noon on June 16th.

Thank you for your hard work, positive attitude and for supporting one another. We look forward to a strong end to a terrific year.

Brian

This week’s topics:

The BIG END
Community Chicks Need Home
Your Input on Phones
Medication Pick-ups
School Issued Laptops
Volleyball Club Finale
Parker Fund Year End
Youth Venture Update
Students NOT Returning
Lost & Found – FINAL CHECK!
Contact Info Update
Collection for Refugees
Event Parking Reminder

The BIG END is MONDAY, June 16th!

Parker Community Chickens Need a Forever Home!

These five friendly, well-socialized chickens were hatched right here at Parker and have spent the past four weeks visiting Advisories and making friends. If you, or someone you know, are interested in having pet chickens or adding to an existing flock, please contact Tiffany at ttesta@theparkerschool.org .

Please Share Your Input on Phones at Parker

Thanks to all who attended last night’s family discussion forum on phones at Parker! The event was marked by open-minded discussion and thoughtful reflection. Whether your attended or not, we are hoping all parents/guardians will take some time to read this INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT and then fill out this SURVEY .

Medication Pick-ups

Please make arrangements to pick up your student's inhaler, EpiPen, and any other medication from the Health Office by noon on June 16th. With permission, some medications can be sent home with the student. Please email lzick@theparkerschool.org if you would like your student to take their medication home in their backpack. Thank you!

School Issued Laptops

Students will hold on to their devices (laptop, stylus, and power cord) over the summer and continue to use their assigned devices into subsequent years. Students not returning or unenrolling during the summer must return their devices to the Tech Office . Students who are not able to take their devices over the summer (for instance, if you are moving and worried about it getting lost) may store their laptops with Monique . Missing equipment can be purchased online: UniPay Technology Replacement Payment

Volleyball Club Finale

The volleyball club finished up its season with a fun play day! Teams were color coordinated, all students participated, and there were a lot of great rallies! Thank you all for a great season!

Help the Parker Fund Finish Strong

There are 24 days left in the fiscal year to make your Parker Fund donation for the 2024-2025 school year. Some reasons to make your donation today:

to celebrate Parker's 30th year
to celebrate the class of 2025
to support a school that knows students well as learners and human beings
to support a school where students authentically develop the knowledge and skills essential to lifelong success
to show appreciation of our exceptional teachers

Click here to make your end of year gift. Thank you for your support of Parker!

Youth Venture Update

The United Way held their annual Spring Showcase where students from surrounding schools who participate in Youth Venture show off their group projects. Two Parker seniors were awarded scholarships for their contributions to their communities . Milo Green, member of the "Thousands for Thespians" venture, won the Phil Grzewinski Innovation Award in the amount of $2,000 for his leadership, commitment, and ability to work through challenges. Skylar Shannon was awarded the Student Legacy Award in the amount of $1,000 for her dedication to the program for six years (even during the pandemic), her leadership, and for having been part of the most ventures since the Youth Venture program began 23 years ago.

Students NOT Returning to Parker in the Fall (other than Seniors)

If your students are not planning to return to Parker in the fall, we request you kindly do the following:

Complete, sign, and return a Withdrawal Form (Email to cjohnson@theparkerschool.org )
Return your school issued laptop and related items to Tech Office: Book an Appointment with IT
Contact the Business Office to settle any accounts or fees: lronan@theparkerschool.org
Gather all Library and class issued books (AH & MST) and return them to the school
Check with the Main Office regarding any Gateway Binders in the closet and arrange to pick them up

We wish you and your family all the best as you continue your academic journey. As always, please reach out if there are any questions!

Lost & Found – FINAL Check!

You are welcome to check the LOST & FOUND at any time during these final weeks of school to see if there are any items belonging to you or your loved ones! ALL unclaimed items will be donated after the school year ends.

Contact Info Update

Do we have your CURRENT email address, cell phone number, home phone number, and mailing address? If you have changed any of your contact information, please send an update to Cindy in the main office ( cjohnson@theparkerschool.org ). We appreciate your time!

Collection for Refugees

Many people from around the world have come to Massachusetts as immigrants or refugees because they are escaping from war or danger from their home country. A lot of these people coming to Massachusetts don’t have anything to start a successful life here in the U.S., but you can help. The International Institute of New England is a non-profit organization in Lowell that helps struggling immigrants and refugees have a successful life in the U.S. This organization needs donations and materials from the community. They need materials like cleaning supplies, soap and other hygiene products, blankets, sheets, kitchen supplies, and more. Daphne Croft is doing this as an extension for her research project in AH about a group of people who are suffering from a humanitarian crisis and don’t have the ability to receive help. Starting June 2nd to June 12th there will be a donation box in the lobby for you to drop off your donations. Please reach out with questions to Daphne.Croft@theparkerschool.org .

Event Parking Remi nder

During school events (e.g., Graduation, Gateways), our on-campus parking is insufficient for our whole school community. Please remember and join in our community norms by parking in the Museum Lot (P-5), located across Jackson Road, allowing guests with limited mobility to use the available spaces on campus. Thank you!

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for May 30, 2025

Sat, 31 May 2025 16:54:05 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

This week we were joined by Rabbi Josh Breindel for a conversation about antisemitism and hate speech. It was a powerful discussion about the Nazi swastika, its impact on the Jewish community and what young people can do as upstanders. The Multicultural Connection student group did an extraordinary job framing and facilitating the discussion. We thank the students for their outstanding leadership and vision. We ended the day with Advisory discussions and a project that asked us to affirm, as a Parker community, what we stand for. Here are a few of the responses:

At Parker, we…

Value individual voice
Are a community
Value “we” over “me”
Stand up for others
Are kind
Strive to be inclusive
Make room for everyone
Support each other

In that spirit, we honor our Seniors who celebrated their last day of classes today. Thank you to the Class of 2025 for welcoming us to school today! They continued the joyful tradition of their senior prank, a dinosaur themed party to start the school day.

Parker’s 26th Commencement Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM on the Parker front lawn. All are welcome. There will also be a live video feed of the ceremony available on the Parker website on Wednesday.

We are very proud of students in the Class of 2025 for helping to make our school and our world a better place. We appreciate your hard work and authentic contribution to Parker every day for the past 4-6 years. High school graduation is a big deal for you and those who helped you along the way. This week, show some gratitude for your family, friends and teachers who contributed to your success. Your successes are theirs too!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Lost & Found – FINAL CHECK!
Noon Dismissals
Contact Info Update
Collection for Refugees
Event Parking Reminder
Yearbook Last Call

Lost & Found – FINAL Check!

Noon Dismissals

Reminder, Wednesday, June 4, is graduation and Monday, June 16, is the Big End and last day of school. Both are noon dismissals. Please arrange to have your student picked up at noon, as there is no after-school coverage and the building closes.

Contact Info Update

Collection for Refugees

Event Parking Reminder

Yearbook Last Call

Yearbooks will be distributed on the last day of school during the Big End (June 16, noon dismissal). Only a limited number of yearbooks remain available for purchase. Hard cover books are $60 and Division 1 books are $20. Soft cover books are sold out. Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for May 23, 2025

Fri, 23 May 2025 15:50:28 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

The next few weeks will be very busy and meaningful for our school. Students, work hard, ask for help and finish strong. As we approach Graduation, Gateways, Junior Retreat and much more, take a moment to thank all your teachers, family and friends who have supported you and contributed to your success. We don’t do it alone.

We are looking forward to tonight’s prom at Wachusett. We appreciate the Parker teachers and families who help to make prom a safe and fun evening for our students. It is one of the many ways that we come together to celebrate and build memories as a community.

Next Wednesday, May 28th, we welcome Rabbi Josh Breindel as our guest speaker for a community conversation on antisemitism and hate speech. The community conversation will focus on the history and impact of the Nazi swastika, its unique impact on the Jewish community with its association to antisemitism, and its use in the normalization of hate speech more broadly towards other groups. We explore what steps young people can take to stand up and bring hope. Thank you to the Multicultural Connections student group for hosting this important discussion. We end the day with Advisory reflections and an activity.

Thank you to the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) for hosting yesterday’s Ice Cream Social for new students and families. We had over 100 attendees. We will be hosting a series of events over the spring and summer to welcome new students and families, including a potluck dinner the night before registration day on Tuesday, August 26th. Details to come.

I hope that you enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends. On Monday, May 26th we observe Memorial Day, a solemn remembrance of the 1.3 million Americans in the military who died serving our country. We appreciate the men and women in uniform for their service and ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. We pause on this day in remembrance and gratitude.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Launching Our Seniors
D3 Spanish Field Trip
Lost & Found – FINAL CHECK!
Event Parking Reminder
SEPAC Meeting
30 Gifts Participation Drive
5K Volunteers Needed
MCAS Testing

Launching Our Seniors

Members of the Class of 2025 are looking forward to their last day of classes on Friday, May 30th, and to their Graduation ceremonies the following week! Seniors are also planning to continue the tradition of a “Senior Prank” on Friday morning, May 30th. Every year, Seniors welcome students and staff with a unique theme on the morning of their last day. Previous themes have included “Beach Party” and “Pirates v. Ninjas.” This year’s theme is still a secret! But the theme is likely to involve performance/engagement during morning drop-off. That could involve costumes, squirt guns, and music. We’ve asked the seniors to be safe, respectful and fun-loving during morning drop-off. We will be outside to ensure everyone’s safety.

In the past, some parents have voiced concerns about squirt guns hitting their vehicles during drop-off. If you and your child want to avoid the scene, please consider alternatives to on-campus drop-off for your student next Friday morning. Antietam Street or P5 are the best options. Students may enter the building through the back doors if they wish.

Spanish Field Trip

Division 3 Spanish students went on a field trip to the El Punto Urban Art Museum in Salem, MA. The Punto Urban Art Museum features about 50 murals across four city blocks, many created by world-famous street artists. During this field trip we explored cultural connections through the murals and learned about the neighborhood traditionally home to numerous immigrant groups in Salem. This museum is recognized as a National Historic District located in a predominantly Latino-influenced barrio known as El Punto.

Lost & Found – FINAL Check!

Event Parking Reminder

SEPAC Meeting

ParkerPac will be holding an online meeting from 7-8:30 PM Thursday, 5/29, via zoom. Part of our time will be dedicated to hearing from families about what SEPAC presentations they would like to have next year. Here is the zoom link:

Topic: PARKERPAC Zoom Meeting
Time: May 29, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84097696327?pwd=MDOMDdApzqmvGWDW5eshxZCN4gAk34.1
Meeting ID: 840 9769 6327
Passcode: 156030

Contact Jesse Lowe with questions at jesselowe7@mac.com .

30 Gifts in the Month of May!

This month, it’s all about participation. Whether you give $30, $130, $300 or $3,000, your gift brings us one step closer to our goal and helps keep Parker thriving.

Click here to make your gift today ! THANK YOU!

Parker 5K Fun Run Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for ways to get more involved at Parker? We need to form a committee to start planning our 2nd Parker 5K Fun Run! The event date has been set for Sunday, October 12, 2025! Please reach out to Katrina at ktedstone@theparkerschool.org to learn more.

MCAS Spring Testing

MCAS testing wraps up with 8th grade Civics MCAS on May 27 . A small number of 10th graders will take the Bio test in early June.

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for May 16, 2025

Sat, 17 May 2025 02:15:15 GMT

Dear Parker Families, Students, and Staff,

I’m writing to invite your participation in an ongoing conversation in the Parker community about the presence and impacts – both positive and negative – of phones and other “smart” devices in school. As you may be aware, the Massachusetts State Legislature is considering a bill – co-sponsored by State Attorney General Andrea Campbell – in its current legislative session that would require public schools in the state to restrict student phone use during school hours. You may also be aware New York recently passed a similar bill, joining dozens of states who have either already passed or, like Massachusetts, are in the process of considering new legislation regarding phones in schools. They are doing this in response to the growing rate of concern about the impact phones can and do have on learning.

In conversations at school over the last month, teachers and students agree: phones are distracting, and they impact class. Students appreciate the connection phones provide to their families, and faculty understand phones are an important logistical tool in everyone’s lives, so it feels like a dilemma our current practices do not acknowledge. This should not seem surprising if one knows our current phone/device practice, as described in the Community Handbook, was last revised in 2012. The capabilities, applications of, and cultural embeddedness of phone and other smart technology have evolved immensely in the United States since then.

So this is an important and perhaps overdue conversation for the Parker community to be having. Since its founding, Parker has been committed both in mission and in daily practice to moving students to the center of the learning process with Ted Sizer’s 10 Common Principles as our guiding philosophy, and over the last thirty years, students and adults have consistently cited strength of community as the strongest, most positive indicator of that mission in action. Students will have continued opportunity in the coming weeks to engage in conversation about how the presence of personal devices factors into the strength of our community, and we want to hear the voices of parents, guardians, and caregivers as well. To that end, we will be holding a discussion forum on Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 for adults to hear about the discussions going on at school this spring and contribute their own thoughts and questions to the dialogue. As a kicking off point and shared experience, part of our discussion will be reacting to two articles we encourage you to read in advance:

If you can’t access the above links, pick up a hard copy in the front office. Reading the articles is not necessary for attendance! Please RSVP - we very much hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Carter

What: Adult discussion about phones in school
When: Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:30-7:30 PM
Where: In-person at Parker
RSVP HERE

This week’s topics:

30 Gifts Participation Drive
Noon Dismissals
Attention Juniors!
Congratulations
LAST CALL for Prom Tickets !
From the Health Office
MCAS Schedule

30 Gifts in the Month of May!

Donor participation matters, so we’ve set a goal of 30 gifts in the month of May to show we have many donors who stand up for Parker students and teachers with their donation! We still need your help! Current and new donors are encouraged to participate! EVERY donor is APPRECIATED and ESSENTIAL to Parker! This month, it’s all about participation. Whether you give $30, $130, $300 or $3,000, your gift brings us one step closer to our goal and helps keep Parker thriving. Click here to make your gift today ! THANK YOU!

Noon Dismissals

Reminder the following dates are noon dismissals: Friday, May 23; Wednesday, June 4; and Monday, June 16. Please arrange to have your student picked up at noon, as there is no after-school coverage and the building closes. The Big End (last day of school) is scheduled for Monday, June 16.

Attention Juniors!

If you're interested in attending Boys or Girls State, please make sure you see Jinnee ASAP. This is a great opportunity to build your experience! Information is due to Jinnee by May 21st, but she needs to know if you're interested well before then. There will also be an informational meeting on Monday during the academic block in Room 40. See your email or Jinnee for more information.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Spanish teachers Elly McKenna and Henry Ramirez on earning their Master’s degree from Fitchburg State University!

Prom Tickets - LAST CALL!

Today is the deadline for Division 3 Families to buy prom tickets and complete health forms ! Email questions to Julie: jcarr@theparkerschool.org .

From the Health Office

Now that the nice weather is upon us, we are seeing seasonal allergies, ticks, mosquitos, and sunburns!

Seasonal Allergies: If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, please be proactive and give your student allergy medication/allergy eye drops to help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms. If needed, seek assistance from your child's primary care physician. The pollen count can be monitored at Pollen.com at National Allergy Forecast & Info About Allergies | Pollen.com

Sunburn per the CDC : Sun Exposure | Travelers' Health | CDC

Tick season in Massachusetts typically lasts from April to November. Please see tick information HERE .

Prevent Mosquito Bites: Simple steps to protect you and your family from mosquito bites can be found HERE .

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the month of May, following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for May 9, 2025

Sat, 10 May 2025 21:19:39 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you to the entire Parker faculty for sharing your time, expertise and passion. Our students are very lucky! We are nearing the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. We have been treated to gifts and goodies all week from members of the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC). Thank you for the generosity and thoughtfulness of Parker families.

This weekend, we celebrate and thank our moms. To all the moms who provide selfless love and support, in ways that only a mother can provide, we appreciate you! We turn our attention and affection towards our moms this weekend. Have a very Happy Mother’s Day.

Finally, congratulations to all the Seniors who presented their Senior Exhibitions this week, with two final days next week. Senior Exhibitions have always been a celebration of our Seniors and our whole program. Visitors from the Utah Board of Education joined us this week to serve as panelists, visit classes and meet with students. At the end of their visit, they reflected that Parker strikes an appropriate balance between personalization and transferable skills with academic rigor. They were beyond impressed by our school and our students!

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thank You!
Gateways – Last Call for Schedule Requests
Bristol Myers Squibb Visit
Tickets for the PROM
5K Volunteers Needed
MART Connects Expands Service
From the Health Office
From the Library
MCAS Schedule

PPCC Thank You!

The PPCC wishes to thank everyone who contributed in some way to a successful Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. Your donations of time, gift certificates, money and food were positively impactful. Teachers and staff were grateful for the efforts put forth this week. Thank you for helping us support the people who change our children's lives for the better!

Gateways – Last Call for Schedule Requests

Gateways for all divisions will be on Fri, June 6; Mon, June 9; and Tue, June 10. Gateways will continue for all except Juniors (who will be on the Junior Retreat) on Thu, June 12 and Fri, June 13. If your child is Gatewaying this June, you will receive more specific information about your child’s Gateway day/time via email next week. We appreciate your flexibility as we schedule more than 250 gateways over these days! If you know that you have a tight schedule during this time period and must request (or block out) a specific day/time of day for your student’s gateway, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ) by early next week with your restrictions/requests. Otherwise, everyone will get notification of their slot(s) in a couple of weeks, and we appreciate your efforts to make that slot work!

Bristol Myers Squibb Visit

Thank you to Parker parent Claudia Posadas for welcoming our students to the Bristol Myers Squibb facility on Devens last week. Fifteen students toured the facility, learned about gene therapy and drug manufacturing and explored careers in STEM. The students asked outstanding questions and walked away with a new appreciation of what’s possible in science, math and engineering. Thank you to Diane and Jinnee for leading the visit.

Tickets for the PROM

Division 3 Families: Please buy prom tickets and complete health forms by Friday, May 16! Email questions to Julie: jcarr@theparkerschool.org .

Parker 5K Fun Run volunteers needed

Are you looking for ways to get more involved at Parker? We need to form a committee to start planning our 2nd Parker 5K Fun Run ! The event date has been set for Sunday, October 12, 2025! Please reach out to Katrina at ktedstone@theparkerschool.org to learn more.

MART Connects Expands Service

From the Health Office

Now that the nice weather is upon us, we are seeing seasonal allergies, ticks, mosquitos, and sunburns!

Sunburn per the CDC : Sun Exposure | Travelers' Health | CDC

Tick season in Massachusetts typically lasts from April to November. Please see tick information HERE .

Prevent Mosquito Bites: Simple steps to protect you and your family from mosquito bites can be found HERE .

From the Library

Seniors, please remember to return all books that were borrowed for your senior exhibitions!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for May 2, 2025

Sun, 04 May 2025 01:07:15 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Starting this spring, students in the Multicultural Connections Community Block will host a series of community conversations around issues of importance to our school. The Multicultural Connections Community Block was created earlier this year in response to the multiple instances of antisemitic hate speech that we found on campus. The group provides a safe space for students of different races, cultures and religions to come together for reflection and celebration. We appreciate their proactive leadership and support of one another.

To engage their classmates, students in Multicultural Connections are piloting a series of community conversations, by division. We are planning to invite guest speakers to visit Parker once or twice a year, engage in a discussion facilitated by students, followed by Advisory reflections.

The first community conversation will focus on antisemitism and hate speech. We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Josh Breindel from Congregation Beth El in Sudbury as our guest speaker. We have been working closely with Rabbi Josh for the past two years. Rabbi Josh has provided invaluable guidance and perspective as we condemned antisemitism and hate speech, supported Jewish students and promoted the physical and emotional safety of all students and staff. Rabbi Josh comes to Parker as a friend, partner and educator.

The community conversation will focus on the history and impact of the Nazi swastika, its unique impact on the Jewish community with its association to antisemitism, and its use in the normalization of hate speech more broadly towards other groups. We explore what steps young people can take to stand up and bring hope. The community conversation takes place on Wednesday, May 28. Each division will participate in the discussion and Advisory reflection. We will share additional details and the schedule to come.

Next year, we will follow a similar format for community conversations on issues of importance to our diverse student body. We are proud of our students for serving as upstanders and providing leadership to live our values as a loving and inclusive community.

With respect,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Exhibition Jurors Needed
Health Office Wish List
Yearbook–Limited Quantities Available
Gateways are coming!
MCAS Schedule

Senior Project Exhibition Jurors Needed

Exhibitions will occur on May 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13. This schedule lists the date, time, and Essential Question for the seniors’ exhibitions which are still in need of a community panelist. Jury panels include community members, a faculty member, and a current junior and work together to assess the presentation using a rubric. More information on what to expect and the rubric can be found in this document . A two-hour time commitment is required, but no experience with subject matter is necessary. Please note: Immediate family members of this year’s seniors may not serve on jury panels. To sign up for a jury spot, please email Monique ( mbeganski@theparkerschool.org ). You can let her know specific exhibitions you are interested in or specific days/times you are available. Thank you for supporting the Class of 2025!

Health Office Wish List

The health office is currently in need of tissues for distribution throughout the school. Thank you in advance for helping fill this need!

Yearbook–Limited Quantities Available

Yearbooks will be distributed on the last day of school during the Big End (June 16). Only a limited number of yearbooks remain available for purchase. Hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20. The Division 1 book contains everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. If you have not purchased a yearbook yet, now is the time to do so.

Gateways are coming!

Gateways for all divisions will be on Fri, June 6; Mon, June 9; and Tue, June 10. Gateways will continue for all except Juniors (who will be on the Junior Retreat) on Thu, June 12 and Fri, June 13. If your child is Gatewaying this June, you will receive more specific information about your child’s Gateway day/time in a couple of weeks via email. In the meantime, here is some general information about Gateway season this June.

We appreciate your flexibility as we schedule more than 250 gateways over these days! If you know that you have a tight schedule during this time period and must request (or block out) a specific day/time of day for your student’s gateway, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ) by early next week with your restrictions/requests. Otherwise, everyone will get notification of their slot(s) in a couple of weeks, and we appreciate your efforts to make that slot work!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for April 18, 2025

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:52:14 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I hope that you have a terrific April break with those who you love. Get outside, read a book, take a nap, dig in the garden, play a game, take a trip – these are some of the plans our students have for the week ahead. Whatever your plans, come back ready for a rigorous and celebratory end of the year at Parker.

Have a great break!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Exhibition Jurors Needed
Teacher Appreciation
Café Wednesday
Netherlands Exchange
Parker ECO-Travel
From the Health Office
MCAS Schedule

Senior Project Exhibition Jurors Needed

Current Parker parents are encouraged to sign up to join jury panels for Senior Project Exhibitions . Exhibitions will occur on May 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 . Jury panels include community members, a faculty member, and a current junior and work together to assess the presentation using a rubric. This schedule lists each senior’s Essential Question along with the date and time of their exhibition. Please check back as we update the schedule. More information on what to expect and the rubric can be found in this document . A two-hour time commitment is required, but no experience with subject matter is necessary. Please Note: Immediate family members of this year’s seniors may not serve on jury panels . To sign up for a jury spot, please email Monique ( mbeganski@theparkerschool.org ). You can let her know specific exhibitions you are interested in or specific days/times you are available. Thank you for supporting the Class of 2025!

Teacher Appreciation by PPCC

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up! The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community group (PPCC) is asking for help celebrating the teachers and staff at Parker during the week of 5/5-5/9 . The week will kick off with a luncheon and be followed by various ways of saying thanks throughout the week. PPCC asks you to consider donating your time, talents or money to support their effort using the SignUp link below. Monetary donation info is under the April 30, 2025 Spot in the SignUp platform. Thanks for considering! https://signup.com/go/KsnEyQf

Café Wednesday

Cafe Wednesday has a special invitation for you that you won't want to miss - Café Finalé , our grand final event of the year! On April 30th from 6:30 to 8 PM in the Cafégymtorium, we will be hosting our last Café Wednesday of the year, with music, comedy, skits, and more! Students are encouraged to sign up using the QR code on the posters in the hallway, using the link on our Instagram page (@thecafewednesday), or talk to Ella H or Romi C. We'll see you there!

Netherlands Exchange Happening Next Year!

Have you ever wanted to host an international student in your home and help show them the ins and outs of American life? Have you/your child wanted to travel to the Netherlands to stay with the same student for a week and learn the ways of Dutch life? The Netherlands Exchange trip is happening again next year for current 9th and 10th graders (next year’s 10th and 11th graders)! Applications are available physically in Room 61 and are due Thursday, May 1st. If you are interested or have any questions, you can reach out to Anna ( asolon@theparkerschool.org ) or Jinnee ( jstrus@theparkerschool.org ).

Parker Eco-Travel is Back!

Join us for an exciting Marine Biology trip to Andros Island, Bahamas in February 2026. This adventure is open to Div 2 and 3 students who want to snorkel at the world’s third-largest barrier reef and explore the beautiful Cayes of Andros Island. Experience the wonder of oceanic and freshwater blue holes, meet the friendly locals, and learn about the island’s culture, ecology, and tropical lifestyle. You'll stay in cozy beach cabins just steps from the water. Have any questions? Reach out to Tiffany Testa

( ttesta@theparkerschool.org ) or Alec Hudson ( ahudson@theparkerschool.org )

From the Health Office

COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Tick season in Massachusetts typically lasts from April to November. Please see tick information HERE .

Prevent Mosquito Bites: Simple steps to protect you and your family from mosquito bites can be found HERE .

Tissues Needed! The Health Office supplies the entire school with tissues. Any donations are appreciated!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of April, and May, following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

MATH: April 30 & May 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for April 11, 2025

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:39:14 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We had an extraordinary 30th Anniversary Gala last weekend. We shared the following 30th Anniversary video that evening, showcasing the growth of Parker from 1995 to today. It is an incredible story of innovation, community and putting students first. Take a look:

https://youtu.be/tecvqBwFNtA

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the celebration. We raised over $45,000 at the Gala, every penny of which went directly to our students. We would be unable to keep class sizes small and provide individual attention to our students without the generosity of our community. Charter schools receive significantly less funding than neighborhood public schools, even though we are all public schools. We appreciate your support in addressing this inequity.

Donate to Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School

We were delighted to welcome our two Principal finalists, Bex and Hannah, to Parker this week. Thank you to all the students and families who joined us, asking terrific questions and sharing your feedback. We have one final interview, today at 6:00 PM virtually with Hannah. See the link below. We will review all the feedback and announce our new Principal later this month.

Hannah Kehn Family/Community Q&A, Friday, April 11, 6-7 PM

Join the meeting now

Finally, please join us on Wednesday, April 16th for an evening of student exhibitions , including Noche Sabrosa , Division 2 Exhibitions, and Senior Exhibitions . As you know, Parker students demonstrate mastery and learn from your feedback through public exhibitions. This year, we are hosting the three events on the same evening to increase the community support for our students. While visiting with our Seniors, consider serving on a panel for their Senior Exhibitions the end of the year. Please see sign-up information below.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Exhibition Jurors Needed
Clothing Swap
Parker Lit Mag
Extending Spring Break?
Immigration Info Session
Final Performances
Parker Expo Night
Netherlands Exchange!
Parker ECO-Travel
Junior College Fair Opportunity
MCAS Schedule

Senior Project Exhibition Jurors Needed

Current Parker parents are encouraged to sign up to join jury panels for Senior Project Exhibitions. Exhibitions will occur on May 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13. Jury panels include

community members, a faculty member, and a current junior and work together to assess the presentation using a rubric. This schedule lists each senior’s Essential Question along with the date and time of their exhibition. More information on what to expect and the rubric can be found in this document . A two-hour time commitment is required, but no experience with subject matter is necessary. Please note: Immediate family members of this year’s seniors may not serve on jury panels. To sign up for a jury spot, please email Monique ( mbeganski@theparkerschool.org ). You can let her know specific exhibitions you are interested in or specific days/times you are available. Thank you for supporting the Class of 2025!

Another Clothing Swap

After requests for another clothing swap, a second event will be held in the front circle – or in the lobby in case of rain – directly after school on Wednesday, April 16th. Come to support a senior project, shop for spring styles, and connect with the rest of the Parker community while learning more about sustainable fashion and reducing the amount of clothing waste in landfills. Bring in lightly used clothing to swap for other garments. Any excess will be donated. Thank you in advance for your support of this event! Email Cece with questions at cecelia.rowan@theparkerschool.org .

Parker Lit Mag

Do you have writing or art pieces you would like to publish? You should submit your creations to the Parker Art & Literary Magazine: Paper Flowers! We will accept personal essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, comics, art (drawings, paintings, photography), and more! Students with submitted work receive a copy of the magazine once it is professionally printed. Submissions are due by FRIDAY April 18th at midnight - send your work to Sarah Leandro ( sleandro@theparkerschool.org ) or talk to her in Room 26. We look forward to seeing your work! Parker Lit Mag & Creative Writing Community Block.

Extending Your Spring Break?

Remember to inform the front office of any absences by leaving a message on the Attendance Line: 978-772-3293, x1 (available 24 hours a day). You can leave this message any day or time prior to the absence and provide all the affected dates with one call. It is important you inform THE OFFICE your child(ren) will be absent, even if you have let the teachers know.

Know Your Rights – Free Immigration Info Session

Lexikeet will host a Know Your Rights Info Session on Tuesday, May 13th at 6:00 PM EDT . In partnership with Ana Raquel Reis, Esq. —an experienced immigration attorney and immigrant herself—this event is designed to help families understand their rights and be prepared in the event of an immigration-related emergency. The event will take place on the Lexikeet platform, ensuring confidentiality. Lexikeet does not collect any identifying information so families can feel comfortable asking questions in a safe and supportive environment. Families will hear updates on current immigration policies, explain what families should and should not do, and answer frequently asked legal questions. Click here for more information. Join the session at this link: https://stream.lexikeet.com/lk

Spring Shows - Final Performances!

The final performance of Everybody! is tonight at 7 pm (16+) and of The Grumpiest Boy in the World is tomorrow at noon. Click here for more information. Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $10 or for $12 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now . All shows will be general seating.

Parker Expo Night: April 16

Join us next week to attend three different events spread across the evening of April 16:

Noche Sabrosa: Please join Division 1 Spanish students for Noche Sabrosa from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Spanish hallway as they showcase their speaking and cooking skills! Our talented students are bringing the heat with an evening of vibrant flavors, lively music, and great company. Expect a celebration packed with delicious cuisine prepared by our Div 1A Spanish students. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come support this event. See you there!
Division 2 Exhibition Night: Please join Division 2 students from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Div 2 MST rooms for an inspiring evening of Engineering! Division 2 students have been hard at work engineering creative solutions for a sustainable future, designing, testing, and refining their wind turbine prototypes. We invite you to join us as students showcase their designs and share the innovative processes they've used to develop prototypes that generate the highest voltage. It’s sure to be an exciting night celebrating the remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving skills of Parker students!
Senior Project Exhibition Night: Please join the members of the Class of 2025 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects! One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring a friend with you!

Netherlands Exchange Happening Next Year!

Parker Eco-Travel is Back!

( ttesta@theparkerschool.org ) or Alec Hudson ( ahudson@theparkerschool.org )

Attention Juniors!

Do you want to come to Keene State and visit with over a hundred different college reps? Sign up for the College Fair field trip that is taking place on May 20th. The deadline to sign up is April 18th. See your email or Jinnee's bulletin board for more information.

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

MATH: April 30 & May 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for April 4, 2025

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 16:22:10 GMT

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We have a busy and exciting week ahead at Parker. It kicks off with our 30th Anniversary Gala on Saturday night. Thank you to Katrina Tedstone and everyone on the Development Committee who have worked incredibly hard for 18 months to plan and host this celebration. It will be a fitting and joyous tribute to our school and the thousands of students, families and staff who have been positively impacted by Parker.

Thank you to everyone who is joining the sold-out event. If you are unable to attend but want to contribute, please use the link below. Every penny that we raise goes directly to our students – in the form of smaller class sizes, more direct attention from teachers and counselors, and greater access to clubs, sports and activities. We appreciate your support.

Donate to Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School

Next week, we are excited to welcome the two Principal finalists to Parker, Bex Wilusz and Hannah Kehn . Both love working with students and have been principals at other schools similar to Parker. As you know, we created the new Principal position as Brian and Deb assume new leadership roles to expand our external partnerships, document the success of our students and help us grow and thrive.

Parents/guardians/families and other community members are invited to attend a virtual Q&A session with each candidate at 6:00 PM on the evening indicated below. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback on each candidate at the end of the session.

Rebecca (Bex) Wilusz [ Bex Wilusz Resume.pdf ] will be available for a virtual evening session with Parker family/community members on
Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 PM.
Bex Wilusz Family/Community Q&A, Tuesday, April 8, 6-7pm
Join the meeting now
Hannah Kehn [ Hannah Kehn Resume.pdf ] will be available for a virtual evening session with Parker family/community members on Friday, April 11 at 6:00 PM.
Hannah Kehn Family/Community Q&A, Friday, April 11, 6-7pm
Join the meeting now

We appreciate your partnership and support, this and every week.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Spring Shows
Parker Expo Night
Junior College Fair Opportunity
MCAS Schedule

Spring Shows!

Parker is happy to present Everybody! by Brandon Jacobs Jenkins and The Grumpiest Boy in the World , by Finegan Kruckemeyer.

Everybody! is a modern adaptation of the 15th Century morality play Everyman . It deals with eternal themes of life and death, sin, love, friendship, family, God, and the eternal mysteries of life. You know, the stuff that happens to everybody. It’s tragic, it’s funny, and it’s also got some singing in it. This show also contains strong language and themes and is recommended for those at least 16 years old . Performances are Wednesday, April 9, at 7 PM and Friday, April 11, at 7 PM.

The Grumpiest Boy in the World is a play by Finegan Kruckemeyer, who writes delightful plays for young audiences. In this one, a young boy realizes that he is not particularly unusual and this makes him grouchy. On a quest to find someone who will think he’s interesting or at least kind of weird, he meets monsters, lions, and a lot of very grumpy people. Will he find his destiny? Will he make it home in time for his mom’s red duck curry? The only way to find out is to come to show! Performances are Thursday, April 10, at 7 PM and Saturday, April 12, at 12 PM.

Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $10 or for $12 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now . All shows will be general seating.

Parker Expo Night: April 16

Mark your calendars to attend three different events spread across the evening of April 16:

Noche Sabrosa: Please join Division 1 Spanish students for Noche Sabrosa from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Spanish hallway as they showcase their speaking and cooking skills! Our talented students are bringing the heat with an evening of vibrant flavors, lively music, and great company. Expect a celebration packed with delicious cuisine prepared by our Div 1A Spanish students. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come support this event. See you there!
Division 2 Exhibition Night: Please join Division 2 students from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Div 2 MST rooms for an inspiring evening of Engineering! Division 2 students have been hard at work engineering creative solutions for a sustainable future, designing, testing, and refining their wind turbine prototypes. We invite you to join us as students showcase their designs and share the innovative processes they've used to develop prototypes that generate the highest voltage. It’s sure to be an exciting night celebrating the remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving skills of Parker students!
Senior Project Exhibition Night: Please join the members of the Class of 2025 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects! One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring a friend with you!

Attention Juniors!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 9
MATH: April 30 & May 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 28, 2025

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 19:50:49 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

Congratulations to our Seniors for their continued progress and success on their Senior Projects. We are very proud of our Seniors. I want to highlight three students among a class of outstanding projects:

Cake Lem ’s essential question is what goes into pitching and producing an animated show? Cake created the pitch, drafted the screenplay and drew the storyboard for an animated pilot. Using hand-drawn digital animation, Cake created 28 separate background designs and 6800 frames, with feedback and collaboration from a Netflix producer. We can’t wait to see Cake’s six-minute film and the process of making it.

Danny Kaldestad ’s essential question is what is the process of writing a fantasy novel? Danny has been working on his novel since last June, with the support of a professional writer. Danny explores the life and experiences of Felix, a young man held in captivity against his will. It is a story of an individual finding his way in the world amidst hardship. Thank you to Danny for sharing his passion and talent for writing through the world of Felix.

Harriet Cullon ’s essential question is what is Western jewelry and how do you make it? Through twelve weeks of study at the Worcester Center for the Crafts, Harriet learned how to apply authentic western and indigenous styles into the creation of jewelry. Her handmade collection includes rings, necklaces and beaded bracelets. Her favorite piece is a necklace that she cast in silver on the backbone of a cuttlefish.

We invite students, families, and alums to join us for Senior Exhibition night on April 16th when Cake, Danny, Harriet and their peers share their projects and gather feedback in the style of a Science Fair. That same night we welcome you to join us for Noche Sabrosa and Division 2 Exhibitions. Thank you for sharing your feedback and supporting our students. See the details below. Finally, we invite you to serve on panels for their Senior Exhibitions in early May. Thank you for showing up!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Theater Benefit Concert
SEPAC Meeting
Dental Visit
Spring Shows
Parker Exhibition Evening
MCAS Schedule

Theater Benefit Concert

Thousands for Thespians will host a THEATER BENEFIT PIANO CONCERT in partnership with Parker Senior Ian MacLeod on Wednesday, April 2nd from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Parker Auditorium, followed immediately by a WAFFLE DINNER! Attendees will be served fresh waffles with REAL maple syrup, as well as beverages and milkshakes! The program will include an exciting selection of popular music. Admission is $10 at the door and all proceeds will go towards the theater shed fundraiser. Hope to see you there!

Parker SEPAC (Special Education Parent’s Advisory Council) Meeting

Parents are invited to join SEPAC for a remote meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM .

Use this link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87466832167?pwd=vlvOtchsbl1GlEQOBBqE2ltaqt0VO3.1
Meeting ID: 874 6683 2167
Passcode: 121291

Please email Jesse Lowe, SEPAC Chair, at jesselowe7@mac.com if you are interested in joining the SEPAC Board or would like to learn more about SEPAC.

Dental Visit – Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, April 4th . Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Spring Shows!

Parker is happy to present Everybody! by Brandon Jacobs Jenkins and The Grumpiest Boy in the World , by Finegan Kruckemeyer.

Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $10 or for $12 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now . All shows will be general seating.

Parker Exhibition Evening: April 16

Mark your calendars to attend three different events spread across the evening of April 16:

Noche Sabrosa: Please join Division 1 Spanish students for Noche Sabrosa from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Spanish hallway as they showcase their speaking and cooking skills! Our talented students are bringing the heat with an evening of vibrant flavors, lively music, and great company. Expect a celebration packed with delicious cuisine prepared by our Div 1A Spanish students. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come support this event. See you there!
Division 2 Exhibition Night: Please join Division 2 students from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Div 2 MST rooms for an inspiring evening of Engineering! Division 2 students have been hard at work engineering creative solutions for a sustainable future, designing, testing, and refining their wind turbine prototypes. We invite you to join us as students showcase their designs and share the innovative processes they've used to develop prototypes that generate the highest voltage. It’s sure to be an exciting night celebrating the remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving skills of Parker students!
Senior Project Exhibition Night: Please join the members of the Class of 2025 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects! One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring a friend with you!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 2 & April 9
MATH: April 30 & May 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 21, 2025

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:19:36 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

Feedback, reflection and revision are central to everything that we do at Parker. As Nancy Sizer wrote in Keeping School, the emphasis is on growth, on learning from one’s mistakes, cleaning up one’s prose, clearing up one’s understandings . This requires students to work hard, to be open to feedback and to try again. We are very proud of our students for engaging meaningfully in this iterative process.

We take a similar approach to adult learning at Parker. Next Wednesday, March 26th, we dismiss at 12:00 NOON to welcome teachers from across the state to join us in professional development called Looking at Student Work. We engage in a protocol-based discussion of various assessments and the degree to which an individual met expectations. Teachers attend sessions from other domains and divisions, gaining and sharing perspectives as an outsider. For example, AH teachers review the Gateway portfolio in MST, Div 1 teachers discuss a research project in Div 3, and Spanish teachers review a Wellness project on social emotional learning. In each case, teachers deeply analyze student work and share their expectations of what students should be able to do at each level. By shining a light on the work in this way, we dramatically enhance our ability to define what “meeting standards” means for our students.

We recognize that early dismissals can be hard for working families. We take this professional development time seriously every week, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your partnership.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Noon Dismissal on 3/26
Spring Shows
Parker Exhibition Evening
Youth Venture: Sherry’s House
Annual “Returning to Parker?” Survey
MCAS Schedule

Noon Dismissal Next Wednesday

Spring Shows!

Parker is happy to present Everybody! by Brandon Jacobs Jenkins and The Grumpiest Boy in the World , by Finegan Kruckemeyer.

Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $10 or for $12 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now . All shows will be general seating.

Parker Exhibition Evening: April 16

Mark your calendars to attend three different events spread across the evening of April 16:

Noche Sabrosa: Please join Division 1 Spanish students for Noche Sabrosa from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Spanish hallway as they showcase their speaking and cooking skills! Our talented students are bringing the heat with an evening of vibrant flavors, lively music, and great company. Expect a celebration packed with delicious cuisine prepared by our Div 1A Spanish students. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come support this event. See you there!
Division 2 Exhibition Night: Please join Division 2 students from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Div 2 MST rooms for an inspiring evening of Engineering! Division 2 students have been hard at work engineering creative solutions for a sustainable future, designing, testing, and refining their wind turbine prototypes. We invite you to join us as students showcase their designs and share the innovative processes they've used to develop prototypes that generate the highest voltage. It’s sure to be an exciting night celebrating the remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving skills of Parker students!
Senior Project Exhibition Night: Please join the members of the Class of 2025 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects! One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring a friend with you!

Youth Venture and Sherry's House

Youth Venture members Skylar Shannon and Helene Gailliard made another donation to Sherry's House in Worcester. Through fundraising, they were able to purchase toys, cleaning supplies, food, and paper products for the facility. Sherry's House is a place where kids and their families can go and receive the support and encouragement they need to fight childhood cancer, together. Skylar and Helene found out about Sherry's House when they were in seventh grade. Over the years, they have made several donations to this facility. They hope to make one more donation before they graduate this year. Sherry's House runs on donations and volunteers. If you would like to learn more or donate, please visit the Why Me & Sherry's House website. https://whyme.org/

Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

Reminder, as a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY . Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our waitlists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!

MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

10th Grade:

ELA: March 25 & 27
MATH: May 20 & 21
SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 2 & April 9
MATH: April 30 & May 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 14, 2025

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 19:20:41 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

It was great to see everyone at PLP meetings today. Parker was founded by area parents who wanted to do school differently and take a hands-on approach in their child’s education. There are obviously many ways that families do that, none as important to the learning process as PLPs. Now we look ahead to Spring Gateways and the end of a very successful year at Parker.

You may have seen the blacksmithing demonstration on the front lawn led by Henry Matchett. For his Senior Project, Henry studied the art of blacksmithing and asked to teach his peers and members of the community the essentials. Together, they shaped metal into nails and hooks using a coal-fired forge, anvil and hammer. Thank you to everyone who stopped by.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 16th for an evening of student exhibitions , including Noche Sabrosa , Division 2 Exhibitions and Senior Exhibitions . As you know, Parker students demonstrate mastery and learn from your feedback through public exhibitions. This year, we are hosting the three events on the same evening to increase the community support for our students. Please join us!

Have a great long weekend. See you Tuesday.

Brian

This week’s topics:

No School on Monday
Substance Misuse vs Substance Use Disorder Presentation
Spring Sports Start Tuesday
Annual “Returning to Parker?” Survey
MCAS Schedule
Measles Information
Volleyball Club

No School on Monday

Reminder the school is closed on Monday.

Substance Misuse vs Substance Use Disorder Presentation

The District Attorney’s Office will present on the differences between substance misuse and substance use disorder. The presenters will cover the science behind addiction, common substances, risk factors and identifying if your child may be using. They will share resources for how and where to get help for families struggling with substance misuse.

WHEN: Tuesday 3/18/25, 6 PM
WHERE: Virtual- over Zoom
Link: Launch Meeting - Zoom
Flyer: Substance Misuse vs Substance Use Disorder Presentation

Spring Sports Start Tuesday

All teams are still accepting registrations for the upcoming season, and practices will begin on Tuesday, March 18th ( see weekly schedule here ). Sports offered are Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. Team schedules for the season can be found on the Athletes webpage . 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 .

Annual “Returning to Parker?” Survey

As a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY . Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our waitlists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!

MCAS Schedule

10th Grade:

ELA: March 25 & 27
MATH: May 20 & 21
SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

ELA: April 2 & April 9
MATH: May 30 & June 2
SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

Measles Information

Due to a measles outbreak in the United States, please read about measles here: Measles | Mass.gov

Please see the CDC Health Advisory here:

Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00522 | Expanding Measles Outbreak in the United States and Guidance for the Upcoming Travel Season

Reach out to Nurse Lisa with any questions you may have.

Volleyball Club

Reminder Parker’s BRAND-NEW volleyball club is open for signups! We will be having our first practice on Thursday, March 20th, from 4:00-5:15 PM after school. The season will last for 8 Thursday's and involve a variety of skill drills and scrimmage playing. Everyone is welcome to join, no matter their level of experience playing volleyball or division. The fee for joining will be $25, and we ask you to fill out permission forms and the fee as soon as possible to claim your spot! Thank you, and we’ll see you on the court soon! Register here at: https://forms.office.com/r/3XRb6gUSpw .

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for March 7, 2025

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 02:05:41 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

We are looking forward to Spring and the longer days ahead, aided of course by the start of daylight savings this Sunday.

We also start looking forward to an exciting and busy end to the school year. That kicks off with Spring PLPs next Friday, March 14 . This is an important opportunity to review PLP goals and the successes and challenges experienced by our students. Many students will create a Gateway plan, detailing portfolio pieces and competencies needed to Gateway at the end of the year. Finally, we will review attendance and tardies, emphasizing the importance of classroom time to student learning and growth. Thank you for joining us.

Reminder that we have a March holiday on Monday, March 17. Spring Sports start the following day on Tuesday, March 18 , including Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. All students are welcome to participate. Please contact Lisa Zick with registration questions and Ben Benoit with sports-related questions.

Finally, we want to thank everyone who helped spread the word about Parker . We hosted the enrollment lottery yesterday for the largest class of applicants in the last ten years. There is a ton of excitement and positive energy around Parker! We will be hosting a series of Shadow Days and social opportunities for our new students and families to get to know Parker. Thank you for helping make Parker a welcoming and affirming community.

Have a great weekend. See you at PLPs next week.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Spring PLPs
Blacksmithing Demo on PLP Day
We Still Need Your Help
Spring Sports Registration
Volleyball Club
Lost and Found Pickup
Medications at School
Donations Needed
Enrollment Thanks

Spring PLPs

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 14. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, teachers spend that day in conferences with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 14 (and need another day or time of day), please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If (on March 14 or any other day), you need to attend remotely, please reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link for the scheduled slot.

Blacksmithing Demo on PLP Day

Do you like fire? Hot metal? Learning about an almost forgotten craft? Then stop by the front circle on PLP day, March 14th from 10 AM-3 PM! Come see a blacksmithing demonstration, hear the ring of an anvil, and maybe even experience a bit of it yourself! Drop by or reach out to Henry Matchett with questions!

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!

Gifts from our current families are an essential foundation to our fundraising efforts and are a show of support for Parker’s extraordinary faculty, staff, and program.

It is our goal to have 100% participation among our current families. EVERY gift matters and makes a difference!

To make your 2024-2025 school year gift, click here .

Spring Sports Registration

The sports being offered this season:

Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls' Lacrosse - Co-op by Bromfield
Softball

The season will start on Tuesday, March 18th. Register by Monday, March 17th using this link: Spring Sports Registration

Proof of Physical REQUIREMENT for Student Athletes: Parents must provide proof of a current physical at the beginning of EVERY SEASON their student is participating in. A current physical is valid for 13 months from the day of the physical. Students with expired physicals will be ineligible to participate until a current physical form is submitted. Even if you have submitted proof of physical for a previous season, you must submit it for subsequent seasons. Upload proof of current physical to the Health Portal .

Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. It is preferred that the fee be paid online using an electronic check or credit card at: https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactionInfo.aspx?CustomerID=1093 . If writing a check, make it payable to Parker School and send it to the Main Office. There will be a family cap of $1,200 for the school year. Financial support is available for those who qualify. Please contact Michelle McKenna in the Business Office at mmckenna@theparkerschool.org for more information.

Registration/documentation questions can be sent to Lisa Zick, School Nurse, at lzick@theparkerschool.org .
Parker sports related questions can be sent to Ben Benoit, Athletic Director, at bbenoit@theparkerschool.org .

Volleyball Club

Reminder Parker’s BRAND-NEW volleyball club is open for signups! We will be having our first practice on Thursday, March 20th, from 4:00-5:15 PM after school. The season will last for eight Thursdays and involve a variety of skill drills and scrimmage playing. Everyone is welcome to join, no matter their level of experience playing volleyball or division. The fee for joining will be $25, and we ask you to fill out permission forms and the fee as soon as possible to claim your spot! Thank you, and we’ll see you on the court soon! Register here at: https://forms.office.com/r/3XRb6gUSpw .

Lost & Found Pickup

The next pickup of lost & found items will be on Tuesday, March 18th . You may stop by any time to see if there is anything that belongs to your loved ones. Spring PLP Day (March 14) would also be the perfect time to check and claim any items left behind.

Donations Needed

The Health Office is in need and would appreciate donations of new or gently used t-shirts with no design or logos, gym shorts, and lounge pants/sweatpants. All sizes are needed. Thank you!

Medications at School

Students should not carry over-the-counter or prescription medications at school. With proper authorization from their medical provider, parents, and the school nurse, some students may carry an EpiPen, inhaler, diabetic supplies, or other emergency medicine. All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper documentation is required for all medications. Email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions.

Please make sure your student isn’t carrying any medication during school, and more importantly, please speak to your student about not ever accepting any medication from other students.

Enrollment THANKS

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 28, 2025

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 23:42:02 GMT

Dear Parker community:

I want to recognize and thank Anaïs Delfeld, Chrys Olsen, Rory Pierce, Marz Rawlinson, Sheila Kelly and Anna Solon for their incredible work representing Parker at the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Conference, " Creating Safe and Supportive Environments for LGBTQ Students ," earlier this week. They were speakers at a full-day conference attended by almost 300 educators from around the state. They described Parker and shared how we promote a safe and inclusive school community for LGBTQ students. The students reflected on their experiences and shared their advice on how other schools may promote an inclusive culture, such as gender-neutral bathrooms, an active and fun GSA, and commitment to using students’ names and pronouns.

One of the central themes that came from their discussion was the intentionality of our approach. It is not any ONE thing that makes Parker a safe community, but rather the combination of many things, embraced by all of us, that makes our community inclusive. Thank you to everyone who makes it so. We are so proud of our students and appreciate the outstanding leadership of Sheila and Anna. Thank you!

We have almost reached the application deadline for admission next year. If you know a family that is considering Parker, or if you have a sibling who wants to come, they need to apply by March 1st. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed new students and families to Parker. Here is the link: Enrollment at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School

Please join us on Tuesday, March 4th at 6:30 PM for a discussion about the qualities, skills, experiences and dispositions that we want in our new Principal. As I wrote just before break , we are hiring a Principal to serve as the primary instructional leader for Parker and lead the day-to-day life of the school. I will become the Executive Director to focus externally on the growth and long-term viability of Parker. We invite you to share your thoughts next Tuesday and then join us again in April to meet the candidates.

Principal Discussion - March 4th, 6:30-7:30 PM, Hybrid (In-person and Online)
Remote: Microsoft Teams Link
In-person: Room 40

Finally, we are very pleased to report that Parker has just earned our 5-year Unconditional Charter Renewal from the Massachusetts Department of Education. That means we continue to provide an outstanding education for Parker students without additional requirements from the state. This is the sixth time we have received such a designation in our 30-year history. For context, there were 18 schools that sought their five-year charter renewal this year. We were the only school rated “exemplary” in multiple categories. We appreciate the continued support and recognition of exemplary performance from the state.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Clothing Swap
Spring PLPs
Medications at School
Spring Sports Registration
Lost and Found Pickup
Donations Needed
Principal Discussion
Limited Yearbook Quantities
Sibling Lottery Applications
Volleyball Club

Clothing Swap

As part of a current senior project, there will be a clothing swap in the gym after school on Wednesday, March 5th. Bring lightly used clothing to swap for fresh styles and ask any questions you have about sustainability and the fashion industry. Clothing swaps are an excellent way to refresh your wardrobe for free while reducing the amount of textile waste in landfills. Thank you in advance for your support of this event! Email Cece with questions at Cecelia.Rowan@theparkerschool.org .

Spring PLPs

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 14. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, teachers spend that day in conferences with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 14 (and need another day or time of day), please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If (on March 14 or any other day), you need to attend remotely, please reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link for the scheduled slot.

Medications at School

All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper documentation is required for all medications. Email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions.

Please make sure your student isn’t carrying any medication during school, and more importantly, please speak to your student about not ever accepting any medication from other students.

Spring Sports Registration

The sports being offered this season:

Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls' Lacrosse - Co-op by Bromfield
Softball

The season will start on Tuesday, March 18th. Register by Monday, March 17th using this link: Spring Sports Registration

Proof of Physical REQUIRMENT for Student Athletes: Parents must provide proof of a current physical at the beginning of EVERY SEASON their student is participating in. A current physical is valid for 13 months from the day of the physical. Students with expired physicals will be ineligible to participate until a current physical form is submitted. Even if you have submitted proof of physical for a previous season, you must submit it for subsequent seasons. Upload proof of current physical to the Health Portal .

Registration/documentation questions can be sent to Lisa Zick, School Nurse, at lzick@theparkerschool.org .
Parker sports related questions can be sent to Ben Benoit, Athletic Director, at bbenoit@theparkerschool.org .

Lost & Found Pickup

Donations Needed

The Health Office is in need and would appreciate donations of new or gently used t-shirts with no design or logos, gym shorts, and lounge pants/sweatpants. All sizes are needed. Thank you!

Principal Discussion

Reminder to join us on Tuesday, March 4th, for a discussion about the ideal qualities and characteristics of the new Principal and the evolution of leadership at Parker. The session will be hybrid from 6:30-7:30 pm. Join in-person in Room 40 or remotely on Teams at this link: Meeting Link , Meeting ID: (see weekly email), Passcode: (see weekly email).

Limited Yearbook Quantities

Last call for a guaranteed copy of the yearbook! Order now to ensure a copy is printed for your student. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20.

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Siblings of current students who would like to come to Parker next year MUST complete an application by March 1, 2025 . Current students do not need to reapply . Siblings receive preference in the lottery but must complete an application here: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Volleyball Club

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 14, 2025

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 00:05:38 GMT

Dear Parker Community:

I am writing to introduce changes to the leadership structure at Parker, changes designed to ensure that we continue to provide an exceptional education for every student who is lucky enough to attend Parker. Please know that the Board of Trustees, school leadership, faculty and staff have all weighed in on the decision with their own perspectives. We generally agree on the need to invest in our long-term sustainability and growth. We look forward with excitement and confidence.

Parker was founded 30 years ago on the belief that students need to be known, valued and challenged as learners and human beings. Students need to use their mind well, mastering a limited number of essential skills and areas of knowledge, in a culture of decency and trust. These Common Principles are as important today as ever.

Looking forward to our next 30 years and beyond, we ask ourselves “who do we want to become.” We appreciate the Senior Class for crafting such an important and timely Essential Question this year. The preface to our Strategic Plan envisions the future of Parker this way…

With students at the center of everything that we do - Parker will share its voice, partner with others, and grow as a celebrated leader in progressive education.

To meet these lofty goals, the Parker Board of Trustees voted last night to approve the creation of a new leadership structure, with two major changes for the 2025-2026 school year.

First, we are changing my role from Head of School to Executive Director, a leadership model employed by most charter public schools in the state. As the Executive Director, I will focus externally on the growth and long-term viability of Parker. I will establish partnerships to ensure healthy enrollment, philanthropic support, and business opportunities in progressive education. I will continue to lead the organization and be a regular presence on campus.

Second, we are hiring a Principal to serve as the primary instructional leader for Parker and lead the day-to-day life of the school. The Principal will serve as the main contact for students, families and staff. While Deb Merriam already provides outstanding leadership and would be an excellent Principal, she is not interested in the new role. Deb will continue to serve as the Academic Dean and will mentor the new Principal.

We imagine the new Principal will be someone with personal experience learning and/or working at Parker or a school like ours. We plan to post the position this week and start interviewing candidates in March. Please join us on Tuesday, March 4th for a discussion about the ideal qualities and characteristics of the new Principal and the evolution of leadership at Parker. The session will be hybrid, in-person and online, from 6:30-7:30 PM in Room 40. Please see the login information below. By the end of March, we hope to invite 2-3 finalists to visit Parker to meet students, families and staff. We welcome your feedback and appreciate your support throughout the process.

Principal Discussion

March 4 ^th , 6:30-7:30 PM, Hybrid, In-person and Online
Remote: (see weekly email for link)
Meeting ID: (see weekly email)
Passcode: (see weekly email)
In-person: Room 40

Brian

This week’s topics:

Limited Yearbook Quantities
2025-2026 Calendar
Sibling Lottery Applications
School Report Card
Help with a Senior Project!
¡Se venden Pulseras! Pulseras for Sale!
NEW Volleyball Club
Seeking Creative Donations

Limited Yearbook Quantities

Yearbook order numbers are due to the printer on February 28, so please order your student’s yearbook now to ensure there is a copy for them. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20.

2025-2026 Calendar

The calendar for next school year has been approved by the Board of Trustees and a printable version is available on the Current Families webpage under the online calendar.

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2025-2026 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2025 . Current students do not need to reapply . Siblings receive preference in the lottery but must complete an application here: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

2024 School Report Card

Help with a Senior Project!

Hi, my name is Will Dawes, and I am doing my senior project on small engine repair. I am looking for chainsaws and leaf blowers that don’t run that I could fix for you. If you have anything like this, please reach out to me at william.dawes@theparkerschool.org . Thank You!

¡Se venden Pulseras! Pulseras for Sale!

From February 24th through the 28th, Division 1a Spanish students will be selling bracelets or Pulseras during lunch (12:30-12:50 PM) in the Cafégymatorium. Each Pulsera costs only $5.00 dollars and comes tagged with a photo and signature of the artist who made it. The money raised will help sustain employment and other empowerment programs that benefit artists and communities throughout Central America. Thank you for your support!

NEW Volleyball Club

Hello Parker families! We have very exciting news for you…. Parker’s BRAND-NEW volleyball club is open for signups! We will be having our first practice on Thursday March 20th from 4:00-5:15 PM after school. The season will last for 8 Thursday's and involve a variety of skill drills and scrimmage playing. Everyone is welcome to join, no matter their level of experience playing volleyball or division. The fee for joining will be $25, and we ask you to fill out permission forms and the fee as soon as possible to claim your spot! Thank you, and we’ll see you on the court soon! Register here at: https://forms.office.com/r/3XRb6gUSpw .

Seeking Creative Donations

As part of Parker's 30th celebration at the Bull Run restaurant on April 5th, we're seeking community-sourced items for the live auction and raffle baskets. Donation ideas are only limited by your imagination! Some ideas: insider access to a special venue—tickets to sports, arts, or music events—vacation home weeks/weekends—chat about your favorite topic over lunch—handmade jewelry, crafts, or art—favorite books—a day out sailing or fishing—lessons or sessions in your “thing” (massage, yodeling, golf, making jelly, writing, knitting - it’s all great!)—power-washing, carpentry, plumbing, etc. Please email your idea with a detailed description to: Dawn Van Patten ( hellodawnvp@gmail.com )

Parents of Athletes

Weekly Information for February 7, 2025

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:30:48 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and members of the Parker community,

I hope you enjoyed our first snow day of the year. With our busy lives and fast pace, snow days give us an unscheduled day off to hopefully unplug and enjoy time with family. I hope you went outside and played in the snow!

Thank you to our custodians John, Greg and Ben for their hard work all year, particularly on snow events. We appreciate their early mornings to ensure a safe return to school. When there is snow in the forecast, John and I connect throughout the night and early morning to determine if it is safe to open. While we were able to make the call the evening before, that will not always be the case. We will try to communicate no later than 6:00 am. Closings and delays will be posted on the website, shared with local news outlets and communicated by an automated phone call. With students coming from 40 towns and cities, we recognize that your local conditions may vary. Please make the best decision for you and your family, including if that means staying home on a snowy day that we have school.

We are very proud to be celebrating our 30th Anniversary this year. We are among the first five charter schools in the state to reach this milestone. It is a testament to hard work, community support and thousands of students, families and staff who wanted to do school differently and better. A lot has changed in the world over the last thirty years, but Parker’s commitment to putting students first, challenging them to use their minds well and supporting one another with a tone of decency and trust has not wavered. We all share this accomplishment. Please join us for our 30th Anniversary Gala and fundraiser on Saturday, April 5 ^th , at the Bull Run in Shirley. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.parker.school/gala . We are expecting over 200 attendees, with half of the tickets already sold. Thank you for joining us.

Respectfully,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Math Counts!
Help with a Senior Project!
¡Se venden Pulseras! Pulseras for Sale!
PROM Date Set
Seeking Creative Donations
Join the Dance Team!
Norovirus Information
Substitute Nurses Needed
Extending Winter Break?

Math Counts!

Congratulations to the students who competed in the Central MA Chapter Competition of MATHCOUNTS at Westborough High School on Wednesday. MATHCOUNTS is a national math competition for middle school students in grades 6-8. The competition is designed to help students build confidence and appreciate math. We appreciate their representation of Parker and look forward to competing again next year!

Help with a Senior Project!

¡Se venden Pulseras! Pulseras for Sale!

From February 10th through February 14th and AGAIN from February 24th through the 28th, Division 1a Spanish students will be selling bracelets or Pulseras during lunch (12:30-12:50 PM) in the Cafégymatorium. Each Pulsera costs only $5.00 dollars and comes tagged with a photo and signature of the artist who made it. The money raised will help sustain employment and other empowerment programs that benefit artists and communities throughout Central America. Thank you for your support!

Prom Date Set

This year’s Prom will be on May 23, 2025, from 6-10 PM at Mt. Wachusett Ski Area. Look for more information in April!

Seeking Creative Donations

Join the Dance Team!

Join Parker’s new dance team! All experience and grade levels are welcome! The season will run through June and the team will develop routines to perform at various school functions. Practices are on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00 and Saturdays from 9-12. (Saturday practices start on 2/8.) The cost to participate is $100 for the season (need-based assistance is available). Students must register and provide proof of physical prior to the first practice.
Please click here to register: https://forms.office.com/r/w9iNsHZbNs . Contact Laurel with questions at lronan@theparkerschool.org .

Norovirus Information

Click here for information about norovirus from Nurse Lisa .

Substitute Nurses Needed

We are looking for substitute nurses to help in the Health Office and to go on occasional field trips with the students. If you are an LPN or RN, please email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org if you are interested.

Planning an extended family trip during the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day. It is important you inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. Please call and leave a single message with all the affected dates any day or time before the morning of the first affected day.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 31, 2025

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 21:49:12 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and members of the Parker community,

Parker is a safe and affirming school community for all students. We have a moral and legal obligation to provide equal access to free public education and a safe and supportive school environment for all students. Today, we restate these values in support of our immigrant students and families, many of whom are feeling threatened in the current climate.

The Parker School’s Ten Common Principles set forth clear and simple goals that apply to all students. Primary among them is the belief that the tone of the school should explicitly stress the values of trust, decency and fairness, with families serving as “key collaborators and vital members of the school community.” We also believe that the school should honor diversity, demonstrate inclusive practices, and explicitly challenge all forms of inequity. These values are summarized as the Tone of Decency and Trust and Democracy and Equity.

In response to concerns expressed by members of our school community, I want to clarify how we protect and support Parker students and families. In short, we will follow the law and the clear guidelines of the Massachusetts Attorney General.

All children have the right to attend public schools regardless of their national origin or immigration status. Any requests from Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) authorities regarding our students or families will be directed to me as the Superintendent. Although we consider it to be unlikely, if immigration officials appear at the school and seek access to a student, both Parker’s legal counsel and the student’s family will be immediately notified. Immigration officials will not be provided with access to students without parental consent or a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Similarly, we will not share personally identifiable information relative to students, which includes information regarding national origin or immigration status, except with parental consent or in response to a lawfully issued court order or subpoena.

In summary, we at Parker are committed to ensuring that students and families may come to school without fear and will comply with all applicable state laws to ensure the protection of our students and families. We will continue to maintain open and timely communication with our students and families. We are in this together and we are determined to ensure a safe and welcoming school environment for our students and families.

Respectfully,

Brian

This week’s topics:

MCAS Testing 10th Grade
Kitchen Assistant Opening
Norovirus Information
Advocacy Week Kick-off Rally
Parker Annual Fund
Seeking Creative Donations
Join the Dance Team!
Substitute Nurses Needed
Extending Winter Break?

MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Students in the 10th Grade will take the MCAS Biology test on Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 4th & 5th. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. Students should try hard NOT to stress, but good test taking strategies include getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast each day. Students WILL NEED their school laptop to test and should be sure to bring those (with charging cord). Electronics/internet enabled devices are NOT allowed in testing situations. Students should be prepared to leave these at home or in their bags for the entirety of the testing periods. Students who miss any of these testing days will make up the tests in following days and will be contacted with details. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ). All tests are untimed, and most students finish in about 90 minutes (for Biology). The MCAS Schedule for SPRING will be posted as the testing dates get nearer.

Kitchen Assistant Opening

Parker is currently seeking part-time help in our kitchen. Click here for more information.

Norovirus Information

Click here for information about norovirus from Nurse Lisa.

Parker will be featured in Monday’s Advocacy Week Virtual Rally!

Next week is MA Charter Public School Advocacy Week! Lianna Condon, Parker alum (’02) and current Parker parent (’27), will be speaking at the kick-off event. Let’s show our support for Parker—and Lianna—by joining Monday’s 30-minute virtual kick-off rally! If you haven’t registered yet, you can register now . Thank you in advance for your support of Parker as we advocate on behalf of our students and Charter Public Schools across the commonwealth!

Parker Annual Fund

We need your help to meet our $225,000 Parker Fund goal! One of the things the Parker Fund supports is student engagement- removing barriers to participation in clubs, activities, sports and field trips. Show your support for Parker with a gift to The Parker Fund today .

Words from current Parker Families:

We give to Parker out of gratitude for what the staff and administration do for our daughter. The educational experience, personal relationships, and community culture are what make the school special. We are happy to support Parker in any way we can.
Parker teachers have engaged and inspired our kids from day one because they take the time to know their students both as learners and as individual people. Our kids see Parker as a place where they will grow into people with interesting and important things to contribute to the world.

Seeking Creative Donations

Join the Dance Team!

Join Parker’s new dance team! All experience and grade levels are welcome! The season will run through June and the team will develop routines to perform at various school functions. Practices are on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00 and Saturdays from 9-12. (Saturday practices start on 2/8.) The cost to participate is $100 for the season (need-based assistance is available). Students must register and provide proof of physical prior to the first practice. Please click here to register: https://forms.office.com/r/w9iNsHZbNs . Contact Laurel with questions at lronan@theparkerschool.org .

Substitute Nurses Needed

Planning an extended family trip during the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day. It is important you inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. Please call and leave a single message with all the affected dates any day or time before the morning of the first affected day.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 24, 2025

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 03:04:00 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed the past two days. It has been a joyful and celebratory week at Parker. We are proud of the hard work, perseverance and accomplishment of our students! Second semester begins on Tuesday, January 28th. Reminder that Monday is professional development day for Parker staff, so no school for students. Best of luck to the many students with new classes starting on Tuesday. That includes all Division 3 students, those who recently Gatewayed and a few new 7th graders joining Parker.

As you may know, we celebrate our 30th Anniversary this year. Parker opened the doors in 1995 on the idea that we could put students at the center of all learning, challenge students to use their minds well, prioritize depth over coverage, demonstrate mastery and support one another with a tone of decency and trust. Thirty years of student success proves that the idea works. To celebrate, we are hosting a 30th Anniversary Gala and fundraiser on Saturday, April 5th at the Bull Run in Shirley. Please join us as we honor three decades of excellence and look forward to a bright future together! For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.parker.school/gala .

Finally, the Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Association (MCPSA) hosts Advocacy Week starting Monday, February 3rd at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Join us! Every year the MCPSA brings families, teachers, leaders and trustees together to speak with one voice in support of charter public schools on Beacon Hill. The experiences of families and students are particularly meaningful. This work has led to significant increases in facility aid, educator diversity, charter expansion and more. We are proud to support the effort and celebrate the tremendously positive impact of charter schools like Parker. To sign up, please visit MA Charter Public School Advocacy Week Kick Off Rally — Massachusetts Charter Public School Association .

Brian

This week’s topics:

Monday Faculty Planning
Yearbooks – Prices Increase Soon
Join the Dance Team!
Try the Bus, Fare Free!
Substitute Nurses Needed
Valentines Appreciation
Join Parker Concert Band this Spring!

Monday Faculty Planning

Monday is a faculty planning day, and students should not come to school as there are no classes. Our second semester will begin on Tuesday.

Yearbooks

One week left until prices increase. Order your 2024-2025 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Join the Dance Team!

Please click here to register: https://forms.office.com/r/w9iNsHZbNs . Contact Laurel with questions at lronan@theparkerschool.org .

Try the Bus, Fare Free!

MART (Montachusett Regional Transit Authority) buses and shuttles are fare free until at least June 2025. MART buses are open to all members of the public and a safe, reliable, greener form of transportation in the Northern Central Massachusetts region. The majority of our bus routes are in Leominster, Fitchburg, and Gardner, with many shuttles reaching other towns. Please click this link to learn more about riding the bus.

Substitute Nurses Needed

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Book Love Event Organized by PPCC

The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) invites you to show our Parker staff a little love by helping gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will randomly be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker. Gifts should be delivered before the February break begins on the 14th. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete the form at this link before January 31st: https://forms.gle/t4FekkQ8tvYUUGSp6 . Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff!

Parker Concert Band is accepting new members for the Spring Semester!

Parker’s Concert Band is rehearsing for our next concert. We had a rousing performance at Café Holiday last month, and we plan TWO more concerts this coming semester. Even though the second semester hasn’t started, new students can join us now to get a head-start on our next program. The band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The Activity Fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. Need an instrument? Parker has many instruments available for loan at no charge - just ask us! If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this spring! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument. Students who are interested should Teams chat, email, or visit Jim Desmond (Room 13) or Marena Cole (Room 43

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 17, 2025

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:01:21 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

We are looking forward to Midyear Gateways next Thursday and Friday, January 23-24, 2025. This is an exciting time for our students to share their learning and celebrate a very significant accomplishment. We have over 60 students scheduled to gateway across every domain and division.

Gateway Exhibitions provide students an opportunity to showcase their learning and document the process of feedback, reflection and revision towards meeting standards. Students present their portfolio before a small audience that includes their advisor, teachers, family, peers, and members of the community. It is a moment of reflection and celebration for the students and everyone who played a role. Upon the successful completion of this exhibition, students gateway into the next division. Good luck to all our students!

This also marks the end of first semester and the half-way point in the year. Please note that Monday, January 27th is a professional development day for teachers and staff. Students return on Tuesday, January 28th for the start of second semester.

This Monday, January 20th we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a federal holiday and national day of service. Dr. King wrote and spoke powerfully about the importance of education and service…

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”

We are proud of our students for thinking intensively and critically, for doing what is right and for serving others.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Don’t Miss the Application Deadline!
Dance Team Registration
Planting Pot Donations
Penny Wars Fundraiser
Valentines Appreciation
Join Parker Concert Band this Spring!
Attention Juniors!
Call the Attendance Line BEFORE 9 AM
Yearbooks
COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2025-2026 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2025 . Current students do not need to reapply. Click here to complete an application: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Gardening Community Block is Looking for Unwanted Containers!

Winter is in full swing, so outdoor gardening has stopped until spring starts again. While in winter, the gardening community block is taking the opportunity to grow some houseplants! We do not have enough containers to put all the baby plants into, so we're accepting donations of small containers you and your family do not want anymore. These containers can be mugs, cans, mason jars, glass bottles, vases, and actual plant pots. Really anything that can hold a plant is welcome! Bring them by and drop them in the donation bin found in the lobby . We'll work to repurpose the unwanted containers by decorating and jazzing them up, so they are suitable for our plants at a future plant sale. This collection will run from Tuesday, Jan 21st through Friday, Jan 24th. Any donations are greatly appreciated and will benefit the community block and the future plant sale.

Penny Wars Fundraiser

Hello Families & Advisories of Parker! As many of you have seen on the news, there have been very devastating wildfires in LA County over the past week, leaving more than 10,000 families without homes and belongings. We are hoping to raise money for World Central Kitchen , which is a non-profit organization that collects funds to help provide meals to people who have experienced natural disasters and humanitarian crises. They currently have teams helping U.S. communities, both in the South from hurricanes this fall and now in California. This is a PENNY WARS fundraiser! Each Advisory has been given a JAR in which you can collect coins and cash. Pennies and cash are POSITIVE POINTS towards your advisory's total, and silver coins SUBTRACT from your total points (Hint: put bills/pennies in YOUR advisory's jar, and silver coins in ANOTHER advisory's jar.) The advisory that has the most points by January 24th will get CUPCAKES! Thank you in advance for your donations. ~Sarah's advisory

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Book Love Event Organized by PPCC

Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks, and it's time for the annual Faculty and Staff Book Love Appreciation Event! The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) invites you to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will randomly be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker. Gifts should be delivered before the February break begins on the 14th. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete the form at this link: https://forms.gle/t4FekkQ8tvYUUGSp6 . Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff!

Parker Concert Band is accepting new members for the Spring Semester!

Parker’s Concert Band is beginning to rehearse for our next concert. We had a rousing performance at Café Holiday last month, and we plan TWO more concerts this coming semester. Even though the second semester hasn’t started, new students can join us now to get a head-start on our next program. The band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM . The Activity Fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. Need an instrument? Parker has many instruments available for loan at no charge - just ask us! If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this spring! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument. Students who are interested should Teams chat, email, or visit Jim Desmond (Room 13) or Marena Cole (Room 43).

Attention Juniors!

We are offering school-based SAT and ACT in April. See your email for more details . To register, see Jinnee before the end of the month .

Please Call the Attendance Line BEFORE 9 AM!

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know by using the Attendance Line at 978-772-3293 x1 BEFORE 9 AM . If it is AFTER 9 AM, please call the office directly (messages are not cleared after 9 AM). NOTE: Health details should not be shared on the Attendance Line. Please share health details with Nurse Lisa ONLY (x135 or lzick@theparkerschool.org ) .

Yearbooks

Remember to order your 2024-2025 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books have all the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Reminder: COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 10, 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:28:03 GMT

Dear Parker students, families and staff,

It has been a cold and productive week at Parker. We have settled back into the swing of a full week of school and are excited about Midyear Gateways and the start of the new semester at the end of this month. There is anxious anticipation of changing classes, new community electives and new schedules for many students.

We are also excited to start meeting students and families who are considering Parker for next year. Please join us in spreading the word and welcoming new students to our school. Word of mouth is always the most effective way to recruit new students. How can you help?

Join us as a Parker Ambassador – email Brian or Monique if you are interested or want to learn more
Grab a lawn sign and display it at your home
Follow us on our Facebook page and share our messages
Join us for an information session or parent coffee to share your story
Tell your friends about Parker

Reminder that younger siblings need to apply to be admitted to Parker . The charter law allows for sibling preference, but they need to apply like all other applicants. The deadline for applying for next year is March 1, 2025.

Parker is a strong and vibrant community, made better every year with the addition of new students and families. Thanks to Parker Ambassadors, the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) and everyone who helps welcome newcomers.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Attention Juniors!
Join Parker Concert Band this Spring!
Idling Vehicles
Yearbooks
COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Attention Juniors!

We are offering school-based SAT and ACT in April. See your email for more details. To register, see Jinnee before the end of the month.

Parker Concert Band is accepting new members for the Spring Semester!

Please Don’t Idle

Please be reminded state law restricts unnecessary idling time and governs the time during which a motor vehicle can idle on school grounds in order to improve and protect school campus air quality. If not in a moving queue, a vehicle should not idle to heat or cool for more than one in fifteen minutes. Thank you for being a caring community member.

Yearbooks

COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Reminder: COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 3, 2025

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 20:24:50 GMT

This week’s topics:

Parker Annual Fund
Sibling Applications
Yearbooks
COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Parker Annual Fund

Happy New Year!! Did you know that you can support The Parker Fund with a monthly gift? Start off 2025 by investing in Parker's faculty and program by making a recurring monthly gift to The Parker Fund. Recurring giving is an easy, convenient, and sustainable way to show your care and support for the teachers who nurture your students every day! Click here to make a one-time or recurring gift to Parker. Thank you for your support!

Sibling Applications for Next Year

Yearbooks

COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Reminder: COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 20, 2024

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 21:29:21 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Wishing you and your family very happy holidays! Enjoy some holiday treats and spend quality time with those who you love. We are grateful to learn, grow and connect in our extraordinary community of Parker. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thanks, and Warm Wishes!
Holiday Break Reminder
Rose Bowl Parade
Parker Annual Fund
Spirit Wear
Yearbooks
COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Thanks and Warm Wishes!

How thoughtful you were to think of us!

All the goodies and treats; you made such a fuss!

Our thanks for your kindness and we wish you the best.

Have a wonderful break and enjoy an earned rest!

~

Parker extends the warmest wishes of the season to you and your loved ones.
Enjoy the break - see you in 2025! Happy New Year!

Holiday Break Reminder

Classes will resume for students on Friday, January 3, 2025 . If your student will miss additional days, please leave a message on the Attendance Line (available 24 hours a day) at 978-772-3293, x1, any day/time before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

Tournament of Roses Parade

If you happen to watch the parade on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, keep an eye out for current junior Anneliese Carlson who will be marching in the color guard with other members of the New England Honor Band . While there, the band will help with the parade float construction, visit Universal City Walk and Santa Monica Beach, and march down Main Street in the Disneyland parade on New Year's Eve. Congratulations, Anneliese! Learn more about this event here:

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2024/09/15/fitchburg-leominster-high-musicians-to-march-in-rose-parade/

Parker Annual Fund

This week saw the holiday season of giving continue—as of December 20th, we have received over $95,000 from Parker's Board of Trustees’ members, staff, current families, ALUMNI, parents of graduates, and friends of Parker. Thank you! During this last busy week of the holiday season, please consider a year-end, tax deductible gift to Parker by clicking here - EVERY GIFT OF ANY AMOUNT MATTERS AND MAKES AN IMPACT!

Spirit Wear

If you’re interested in purchasing Parker gear for the new year, use promo code PSAS15 until January 2nd for 15% off. A portion of sales goes to Parker’s Community Congress student group. https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/parker-charter-1576254

Yearbooks

COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Reminder: COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 13, 2024

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 21:32:09 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Curtains opened last night on Parker Theater’s presentation of Romeo and Juliet. The cast, crew and directors of the show have worked hard all fall to put the show together. Congratulations on an exceptional performance. Join us tonight or Saturday, December 13 or 14 at 7:00 pm in the Parker auditorium. This timeless tale of love and tragedy will thrill you, make you laugh, and break your heart. There will be dancing, romance, poetry, and lots of swordfights! See you there. To buy tickets in advance… Purchase Tickets

You may have seen our new lawn signs encouraging students and families to apply for the lottery for next year. Thank you to the students whose photos appear on the signs. We are very proud of our students and wanted to profile them. If you would like to put a lawn sign or two in your front yard, please grab a sign at pickup next week. This is one of the many ways that we welcome new students and families to Parker. Please spread the word.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thank you!
Lost & Found Pickup
Grade 7 Lottery
Gift Giving Guidelines
Yearbooks
COVID-19 Test Kits Available

TOYS for TOTS

You've proven again what an amazing and generous community we have at Parker. MANY thanks for supporting the effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need.

Lost and Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Wednesday, December 18th . Please check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones!

Grade 7 Lottery

After midyear gateways this January, we will have room for a few more 7th grade students. If you know a current 7th grade student who would like to enroll in Parker beginning second semester, please have them apply for our current year lottery by January 13th at Parker Admissions .

Gift Giving Guidelines

As the holidays approach, please be reminded of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts:

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.
A teacher may accept a gift to the classroom that is to be used for the class and it will become the property of the school district and not the property of the teacher. Gifts from individual students, parents, classes, or other groups and entities are allowed so long as the gift is to the school. These gifts are not subject to disclosure. Parker will maintain a record of the gift. Such gifts must be in accordance with Parker’s policies.

Yearbooks

COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Reminder: COVID-19 Test Kits are free and available to students, staff, and families. They are in the main lobby to the right of the office window.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 6, 2024

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 21:34:17 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Our first snowfall came early this year. I was pleased that it did not disrupt the school day on Thursday. Based on the chatter walking into school, however, many students would have preferred a snow day. That will come, just not this week. Thank you to the Devens DPW and our custodial team of John, Greg and Ben for keeping the driveways and walkways clear around Parker. We appreciate their hard work this week and every time it snows.

I want to provide a little context on how decisions on cancellations and delays are made. We try to assess the conditions around Devens as well as our neighboring communities. We communicate with DPW and area superintendents in the evening and early morning. If school is cancelled or delayed, we inform students and families using an automated phone service, local media, and our website. We try to communicate by 6:00 am. On delayed openings, school starts at 10:30 am and all the classes are shortened.

There may be some cases where a storm impacts some communities more than others. Because Parker students come from over forty cities and towns throughout central Massachusetts, it’s important for families to exercise personal judgement, based on local conditions, when deciding whether to travel to campus during inclement weather.

Stay safe and warm this winter. Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thank You
Fall Show
PPCC Holiday Appreciation
2025 Student Art Calendars
TOYS for TOTS
Ski and Snowboard Club
Gift Giving Guidelines
Yearbooks
Winter Sports Registration

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who supported Parker on GivingTuesday this week! Our goal was for 30 current families to give on Tuesday—and we had over 40—which brings us to 21% participation. Our hope is to have at least 50% of families give before the end of the school year. We are grateful for your support. Thank you!

Fall Show

Parker Theater is proud to present Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . This timeless tale of love and tragedy will thrill you, make you laugh, and break your heart. There will be dancing, romance, poetry, and lots of swordfights! The show will be performed three times in the Parker Auditorium:

Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7 PM
Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7 PM
Saturday December 14, 2024, at 7 PM

Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $12.50 (including $2.25 fee) or for $15 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now . All shows will be general seating.

PPCC Holiday Appreciation

The holidays are the perfect time to show appreciation to the dedicated teachers and staff at Parker! The PPCC is hosting two initiatives to support teachers and staff this holiday season. The first is a supply drive for the staff lounge and Nurse Lisa's office. The second is a breakfast for the staff that will be held on Wednesday, 12/18.

We can't do this without the support of our amazing community! Monetary contributions can be sent via Venmo (see contact below). A limited Amazon wish list was created for direct ordering, with specific requests from the school. Through your generosity, the list has already been fulfilled. Items will be delivered to the school on the morning of the staff breakfast. Lastly, we are looking for a few volunteers to assist with breakfast setup and cleanup, signup link below.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to spread some holiday cheer at Parker this year. The PPCC wishes all Parker community members a joyous holiday season!

Venmo- @Stephanie-Maclary
SignUp to help with breakfast - https://signup.com/go/HNTDCzU
Questions - parkercaregivers@gmail.com

Student Artwork Calendars

Last Call to order 2025 wall calendars featuring Parker student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 18th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now! Click here to order.

TOYS for TOTS

MONDAY is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration closes next Friday, 12/13. Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/8.

Gift Giving Guidelines

As the holidays approach, please be reminded of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts:

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.
A teacher may accept a gift to the classroom that is to be used for the class and it will become the property of the school district and not the property of the teacher. Gifts from individual students, parents, classes, or other groups and entities are allowed so long as the gift is to the school. These gifts are not subject to disclosure. Parker will maintain a record of the gift. Such gifts must be in accordance with Parker’s policies.

Yearbooks

Order your 2024-2025 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. Hard cover and soft cover books have all the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $55,

soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.

Winter Sports Registration

The Winter Sports season has started, but it's not too late to join a team! Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for November 15, 2024

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:34:59 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are honored to have been invited to speak at the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC) conference in Boston today. Our talk was entitled, “Performance Based Promotion – Putting Students at the Center of All Learning.” We asked… what would it look like if you replaced tests and letter grades with projects, portfolios and public exhibitions? What if students moved on to the next level, not based on age or time, but when they demonstrated proficiency on essential skills?

Thank you to teachers Dawn Crane and Marena Cole and students Charlotte Churchill, Helene Gailliard, Taitum Christanski, Adelina Stamm, Kai St. Laurent and Jaiya Valentin Chase for leading the session. They explained how we design and complete projects, share feedback, make revisions and progress through the program. The students shared portfolio pieces and reflected on the role of hard work, reflection and revision on their success. It was a fantastic opportunity to introduce Parker and what authentic learning and mastery looks like at our school. Great job team!

We will not publish a newsletter next week as we head off for break Wednesday at Noon. So, we would like to wish all students, families and staff a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. We are grateful to learn and work in such a welcoming, challenging and loving environment. We are grateful for everyone in our community who makes it so. Happy Thanksgiving.

Brian

This week’s topics:

2025 Calendars
Fall Show
Absences Around Thanksgiving
TOYS for TOTS
Ski and Snowboard Club
Winter Sports Registration

Student Artwork Calendars

Click here by December 9th to order a fabulous 2025 wall calendar featuring Parker student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 18th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now!

Fall Show

Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7 PM
Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7 PM
Saturday December 14, 2024, at 7 PM

Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student will be absent additional days, remember to contact the main office and let us know. The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

TOYS for TOTS

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school beginning November 12th until December 6th . Please help our effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Ski & Snowboard Club

Reminder, there will be a $30 price increase on 12/1, so be sure to sign up before then. Check here for details and to register . Program begins 1/8.

Winter Sports Registration

Reminder to sign up for Winter sports by Sunday, December 1st . Winter Sports will include Boys and Girls Middle School and High School Basketball, Winter Track, Boys Ice Hockey (hosted by Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (hosted by Acton-Boxborough). The teams will start practicing on Monday, December 2nd.

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for November 15, 2024

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:29:40 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are thrilled to celebrate 30 years of putting students first! Thank you for being an integral part of that mission. We are proud of our students for their hard work, support for one another and tremendous success – attributes that are on display every day at Parker.

Keep an eye out for a card in the mail announcing our Annual Fund. It is a joyful celebration of our community! As you may know, the funding model for public charter schools does not cover the costs of building or maintaining our school. As a result, we are forced to divert up to 15% of our operating budget to meet our facility costs every year. We believe that our students deserve access to the same resources as students all across the state. So, we turn to our community for help.

Resources from the Annual Fund go directly to our students, specifically...

Student Diversity – recruiting and supporting BIPOC students and low-income students
Student Engagement – removing barriers to participation in clubs, activities, sports & field trips
Outstanding Faculty – recruiting and retaining the best teachers in Massachusetts
Staff Diversity – ensuring that our faculty and staff reflect the diversity of our students

Thank you for your support. Visit parker.school/giving to contribute as you are able. Also, please join us on April 5, 2025 for our 30 ^th Celebration evening at the Bull Run. We can’t wait to look back on our 30 years of success and look forward to our next 30 and beyond.

Brian

This week’s topics:

November Progress Reports
Cross Country State Finals
2025 Calendars
Seeking Donations
Caring for Kids Dental Care
Absences Around Thanksgiving
TOYS for TOTS
Ski and Snowboard Club
Winter Sports Registration

November Progress Reports

Parents/guardians, please note that November progress reports were sent to you via email (with attached pdf) on Thursday this week. Please take the time to review these reports! More details are in the email. If you have questions about how to interpret the reports, you can access several resources linked here and in the email that was sent: Progress Report "Key" ; Parker Assessment Continuum , and Home-School Academic Communication . You can also always reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with questions.

Cross Country State Finals

Congrats to the Cross Country Team! Parker boys won divisional states last weekend and the girls qualified for all-states for the first time since 2018! They will compete in the MIAA State Finals this Saturday at Willard Park, Devens . Girls race at 2:00 PM and Boys race at 2:45 PM. Go Parker!

Student Artwork Calendars

Click here by December 9th to order a fabulous 2025 wall calendar featuring Parker student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 18th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now!

Seeking Creative Donations

Did you know this year marks Parker’s 30th anniversary? Plans (big plans) are underway to celebrate! Mark your calendar for an evening at the Bull Run restaurant on April 5th and stay tuned for more information.

To highlight all that makes the Parker community special and unique, we're looking for community-sourced items for the live auction and raffle baskets . Donation ideas are only limited by your imagination! Some ideas: insider access to a special venue - power-washing, carpentry, plumbing, etc. Tickets to sports, arts, or music events - vacation home weeks/weekends - chat about your favorite topic over lunch - handmade jewelry, crafts, or art - favorite books - a day out sailing or fishing - lessons in your “thing” (yodeling, golf, making jelly, writing, knitting - it’s all great!).

Please email your idea with a detailed description to: Dawn Van Patten ( hellodawnvp@gmail.com ).

Caring for Kids Dental Care

Last Call for the opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Tuesday, November 19th . Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. Hard copies were also sent home with students. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Absences Around Thanksgiving

TOYS for TOTS

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/8. Chaperones are needed!

Winter Sports Registration

Winter Sports will include Boys and Girls Middle School and High School Basketball, Winter Track, Boys Ice Hockey (hosted by Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (hosted by Acton-Boxborough). The teams will start practicing on Monday, December 2nd. Registration Deadline is Sunday, December 1st.

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for November 8, 2024

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 20:50:58 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

The events of the past few weeks point to the importance of community, decency and respect that defines Parker. The rhetoric and outcome of the presidential election highlight profound areas of disagreement and division in our country. Our students need the space to process these issues, ask hard questions and rely on trusted adults as they struggle. We respond by coming together, in support of one another, to reflect on this moment.

Many advisories read Maya Angelou’s poem, Human Family . After noting “the obvious differences in the human family,” the poem ends with the repeated refrain, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” We discussed the meaning of that last line, punctuated with the phrase, “my friends,” in the context of our Parker community. The students engaged in a beautiful reflection of friendship and our shared humanity.

We immediately put that into practice with our Division 1 trip to Nature’s Classroom. Thank you to families for sharing your children with us for three days, an opportunity to build community in nature. This was the first time away for many of our students. We are proud of you for taking a risk. Thank you to the Division 1 teachers and Nurse Lisa, as well as Division 3 mentors, who helped to make this tradition possible.

I also want to thank and extend an invitation to Parker families to join the Ambassador program. Ambassadors help welcome new students and families to Parker and spread the word online, in person and through events at Parker. We appreciate the camaraderie and commitment of Parker families through the PPCC, the Ambassador program and so much more. The first meeting will be Tuesday, November 19th from 6:30-7:30 pm virtually on Teams. Please let us know if you would like to join us.

To all our students, families and staff, thank you for being part of and contributing to the Parker community. Thank you for your friendship. We are lucky to have one another.

Brian

This week’s topics:

TOYS for TOTS
Absences Around Thanksgiving
Nature’s Classroom Reflection
Wellness Committee Meeting
Junior Planning Night
Last Call for Student Artwork
Caring for Kids Program in November
Ski and Snowboard Club
Winter Sports Registration

TOYS for TOTS

Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student is extending Thanksgiving break, remember to contact the main office and let us know when your student(s) will be absent. The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

Nature's Classroom Reflection

Division 1 students, faculty, and our Division 3 peer mentors are finishing up two and a half days in the woods with surprisingly warm weather, and we did it with a smile!

The goals of our every-other-year trip to Nature’s Classroom include Division 1 community building, advisory bonding, and “challenge by choice” risk taking. To do this, students participated in low ropes courses, exploration and discovery of flora and fauna, and the ever popular night hike and Thursday Night Live skits. Students learned new things, both about the world around them and what they are capable of.

Throughout all of these activities, the Division 3 peer mentors were exactly that- mentors. They provided guidance, wisdom, maturity, and empathy to the younger kids, from helping Div. 1 students write letters to their future selves, to helping the group come together as a team, to performing a skit during last night’s Thursday Night Live in which they impersonated Div. 1 teachers with hilarious accuracy.

We will return home in a few hours a little tired, a little fragrant, and excited to tell you stories. (Ask about the night hike, what classes your student took, and living in the dorms!) We are ready to return to school on Tuesday with new and deepened friendships, next steps as a closer advisory, and as our emerging and evolving Division 1 community.

Have a great weekend; be sure to rest up!

Kalista and Matt

Wellness Committee Meeting

The Wellness Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 12th, at 3:30 PM , in conference room 3A (in the library). We will meet to evaluate the current Wellness Policy and make changes as necessary. A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Parker’s current Wellness Policy and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score . If you would like to be part of the Wellness Committee, please reach out to Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Junior Planning Night

Junior Planning Night is Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 PM in the Auditorium . Juniors and their parents/guardians should attend to learn more about transcripts, the college application process, and things to keep in mind during junior year. Students should check their email for more information.

Last Call for Student Artwork!

Reminder to submit student artwork for the 2025 Parker Calendar by November 12th . Artwork will be selected by a jury for inclusion in the calendar, and the calendar will be available for purchase beginning in November and delivered before the holiday break! For more information, see this flyer . Submit your artwork online here . Contact Katrina, Marena or Sheila with any questions!

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Tuesday, November 19th . Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. Hard copies were also sent home with students. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/8. Chaperones are needed!

Winter Sports Registration

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for November 1, 2024

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 21:25:53 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

At Parker, we are all committed to fostering a challenging and affirming school culture where students work very hard, take academic risks and come together as one community. As you saw in my email from earlier this week, we unite in condemnation of antisemitic hate speech on campus once again. We are committed to calling out hatred and cowardice in our community, serving as upstanders and friends to Jewish students and everyone who feels targeted. This comes on the eve of the 2024 election. No matter the outcome, we provide a safe space for students to process events near and far, ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all students.

We appreciate the leadership and inclusiveness of our Seniors this week and all year. They serve as Peer Mentors, sports captains, stage managers, club leaders and Teaching Assistants. They provide strong student leadership in the Justice Committee and Community Congress. Thank you to the Senior class for living the values that you imagined when drafting the Essential Question for this year: Who do we want to become? We want to become a community that speaks up and stands up for one another.

Thank you to our seniors for hosting AppleFest today, a not-so-secret tradition with homemade apple crisp and a community gathering. We appreciate the Hatlevig family and Shelburne Farm in Stow for contributing the apples again this year! Thank you for bringing our community together as one.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Wellness Committee Meeting
Junior Planning Night
Ski and Snowboard Club
Winter Sports Registration
Call for Student Artwork
Caring for Kids Program in November

Wellness Committee Meeting

The Wellness Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 12th, at 3:30 PM , in conference room 3A (in the library). We will meet to evaluate the current Wellness Policy and make changes as necessary. A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Parker’s current Wellness Policy and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score . If you would like to be part of the Wellness Committee, please reach out to Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Junior Planning Night

Junior Planning Night is Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 PM in the Auditorium . Juniors and their parents/guardians should attend to learn more about transcripts, the college application process, and things to keep in mind during junior year. Students should check their email for more information.

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/8. Chaperones are needed!

Winter Sports Registration

Winter Sports will include Boys and Girls Middle School and High School Basketball, Winter Track, Boys Ice Hockey (hosted by Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (hosted by Acton-Boxborough). The teams will start practicing on Monday, December 2nd. Registration Deadline is Sunday, December 1st.

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

Call for Student Artwork!

We are excited to be creating a 2025 wall calendar featuring student artwork . Artwork submitted by students will be selected by a jury and included in the calendar which will be available for purchase before the new year! For more information, see this flyer . Submit your artwork online here by November 6th . Contact Katrina , Marena or Sheila with any questions!

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program in November. The date is to be determined. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. Hard copies were also sent home with students. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for October 25, 2024

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:55:16 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

It has been a busy and successful fall for the 132 students playing a fall sport. We are very proud of the teamwork, sportsmanship and competitiveness of all our teams.

The Girls Varsity Soccer team begins the CMass playoffs today (4pm at home) and it resumes next Monday (6pm at Crocker Field, Fitchburg), with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament. This team continues to work hard and play until the final whistle in every game. Highlights include a spirited senior night celebration, great team culture (weekly team dinners playing a big role) and scoring 2 goals in the final 4 minutes to come back and beat Monty Tech 2-1! The JV/Middle School's team growth has been awesome and culminated with some nice late-season wins. The team has incorporated several first-time players who ventured outside their comfort zone to learn something new, with many experienced players, and the result was a solid foundational team for the program. All told, 32 girls participated in Parker soccer.

This year the Parker Charter Boys Soccer program has seen a surge in participation across the whole school. Over 50 players took part in either Varsity, JV, or Middle School laying the groundwork for a stronger program. Our younger teams were in a unique position as most players were new to Parker, and the season provided a great opportunity for them to make new friends as they got used to their new school. Season highlights ranged from a fun and competitive varsity senior night game earlier this week, a last-second 4-3 middle school win over Applewild, and more goals and highly competitive games as the season progressed. Perhaps most important is the level of participation across all levels, which resulted in the boys having fun and improving their soccer knowledge and skills.

The 44-member Cross Country team is heading into Districts and State Finals season. The boys finished undefeated in the regular season and major wins include their League Championship meet and the Twilight invitational. The boys have been undefeated in the league since 2007 which is the current longest winning streak in Massachusetts. The girls completed a near-perfect regular season, a runner-up finish at the League Championships and their highest placing at Ocean State and Twilight in many years.

Thank you to the families, peers and coaches for supporting our student athletes. Go Parker!

Brian

This week’s topics:

School Meal Information
Winter Sports Registration
COVID-19 Test Kits Available
Health Office Wish List
Wellness Policy Information
COMAP is Back
Call for Student Artwork
School Nurse Substitutes
Caring for Kids Program in November

School Meal Information

A REMINDER THAT SCHOOL MEALS ARE FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR:

Four different meal components are offered each morning for breakfast: Grain, fruit or vegetable, milk and a food item from the Meat and Meat Alternate component, or one additional food item from the previous components. Students must select at least a half cup of fruit or vegetables along with two other items to meet the free meal requirement.

Five components are offered daily as part of lunch service: meat/meat alternate, vegetable, grain, fruit and milk. Students need to take three with one being at least a half cup of fruit or vegetable to meet the free meal requirement.

Student accounts will be charged for any additional items selected beyond one free meal per service time. If the items selected do not qualify as a free meal (meet the requirements above) student accounts will be charged.

Winter Sports Registration

Winter Sports will include Boys and Girls Middle School and High School Basketball, Winter Track, Boys Ice Hockey (hosted by Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (hosted by Acton-Boxborough). The teams will start practicing on Monday, December 2nd. Registration Deadline is Sunday, December 1st.

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration

COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Families

COVID-19 Test Kits are available to students and their families. There are 5 tests in each individual box. A large box will be located in the lobby by the main office window.

Health Office Wish List

The health office would appreciate donations of tissues and menstrual products to distribute throughout the school.

Wellness Policy Information

A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Parker’s current Wellness Policy and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score . As outlined in the policy, our current school meals program complies with state and federal standards and requirements. Additionally, our policy encourages all members of the school community to consider healthy and nutritious foods when they bring food into school, and alternatives to food for fundraising and other events. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition provides a tool for assessing a packaged food’s compliance with state and federal nutrition standards and a comprehensive list of approved snacks . Some examples of acceptable snacks from the list are:

Air Fried, Kettle Cooked Chips (Himalayan Salt)
Popchips (sea salt)
Baked Cheetos Whole Grain Rich Crunchy
Baked Lay's Original Potato Crisps
Baked Tostitos Scoops
Lay's Kettle Cooked 40% Less Fat Potato Chips
Reduced Fat Cheetos Puffs
Reduced Fat Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain
Nature Valley Crunchy Bar, Oats 'n Honey
Cheez-It made with whole grain

This year’s Wellness Committee will be meeting soon. If you’re interested in attending the meeting, please email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

COMAP is BACK!

Students seeking challenges in Math and Science should consider trying COMAP's Middle School/Level Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM) and High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) , international contests designed to provide students with the opportunity to work as team members to engage in and improve their math modeling, problem solving, and writing skills. Each team of up to four people submits a team paper that will be judged by a diverse group of educators and professionals from fields including mathematics, education, science, and industry.

Students who are interested in being on a team of students engaged in solving a complex, open-ended problem together should talk with Diane or their MST teacher to learn more! You can also contact Diane at dkruse@theparkerschool.org for more information and a registration form. The cost to register is $25 per student , and Diane will help students form a team if they are interested! The deadline to sign up with Diane is Wednesday, October 30 .

Call for Student Artwork!

Looking for School Nurse Substitutes

Reminder Nurse Lisa is looking for nurses who are willing to substitute for field trips, help with state mandated screenings, and substitute so that Lisa can attend school nurse regional meetings. Please have interested individuals email Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for October 18, 2024

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 18:56:13 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Thank you to everyone who participated in and volunteered during last Sunday’s 5K Fun Run! The day might have been damp, but spirits were high, and everyone had fun while raising over $5,000 dollars towards the Parker Fund. A special thank you to Ruby Hatlevig for designing the run t-shirt and cheering on runners dressed as the Panther.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Anytime Fitness
Catania Oils
City Music
Clover Road Brewery
Endeavor Films
Forsake Shoes
Gourmet Donuts
Play it Again Sports
Sterling Street Brewery

Have a great weekend!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Call for Student Artwork
Class of 2025 Senior Projects
School Nurse Substitutes
Updated Carpool List and Student Directory
Caring for Kids Program in November

Call for Student Artwork!

Class of 2025 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

If you weren’t able to attend the Community Connections Night for the Class of 2025, please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year. The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!

The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

Looking for School Nurse Substitutes

Nurse Lisa is looking for nurses who are willing to substitute for field trips, help with state mandated screenings, and substitute so that Lisa can attend school nurse regional meetings. If interested, please email Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only). A printed Student Directory can be purchased at the front office for $3. If you would prefer to have a directory mailed to you, you can send $5 to Parker School or pay $5 online via UniPay under Misc, Fees, Other.

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for October 11, 2024

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:30:16 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

As we approach the November elections, we are committed to supporting our students and one another. At Parker, we are well prepared for moments like these.

Facing History and Ourselves, a non-partisan authority on issues impacting students, schools and their communities, recently published the following guide to Teaching about Voting and Elections. They encourage schools to build democratic classrooms, to deepen students’ media and literacy skills, to foster civil discourse, and to help students develop social and emotional skills. We are proud of all the ways that we do this within our classrooms and across the school.

As with everything we do, the Ten Common Principles guide our work. We challenge students to use their minds well and to engage in democratic and equitable practices, all with a tone of decency and trust. In our classrooms, we study social and political protest, civil rights movements and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. We challenge students to critically evaluate information and use their voices to make a positive impact in their community.

Thank you to Milo Green, Class of 2025, for doing just that. Milo is hosting a voter registration drive on Friday, October 18th, PLP Day. Milo has been trained and sponsored by the Civics Center; a nonpartisan organization dedicated to registering high school students to vote. Milo will be in the front lobby at Parker with information and registration forms. Students ages 16-18 may pre-register to vote. Those 18 and older may register and be eligible to vote in the November election.

Regardless of the outcome of the election, we will support our students through this moment. We spent faculty time this week planning Advisory discussions about our values and norms around election-related discussions and behavior. For example, we prioritize respect, inclusion and community – values on which we all agree. We will follow the lead of our students, engaging in age-appropriate discussions as needed. Thank you for your partnership as you will undoubtedly do the same at home.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parent Support Using School Connection or OneNote Links
OneNote Links Sent
5K Fun Run
PLP Conferences
Class of 2025 Senior Projects
School Nurse Substitutes
Plea for Plants
Updated Carpool List and Student Directory
Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic
Caring for Kids Program in November

Parent Support Using School Connection or OneNote Links

If you would benefit from support with installing, using or understanding some of the parent/guardian communication tools we use (specifically, School Connection and OneNote Links), please feel free to stop by the table that will be in the front lobby on PLP day. We will have information about these two communication tools and can help folks get them set up or navigate them. No appointment needed; just stop by before or after your PLP!

OneNote Links Sent (reminder)

Emails were sent to parents/guardians earlier this week (10/1) with OneNote Links to student classes. These links allow parents/guardians to access class/project information as well as your own student’s rubrics. More information about what these are and how you might use them is in the email itself . We will have several drop-in sessions to help parents who want support in learning how to use this resource. The first one will be on PLP day, when help will be available all day. Plan to stop by the lobby before or after your PLP if you want a mini-lesson on how to use this resource (or the School Connection resource we gave information about in the last two Friday letters)! You can also access these two documents, which share more information about assessment at Parker ( Assessment at Parker for Parents.pdf ) and how Parker communicates with families about academics across the school year ( Family Academic Communication.pdf ) .

5k Fun Run

It’s not too late to register for the 5K Fun Run happening 10/13 at 11am or virtually! There are about a dozen shirts left- register now to make sure you get one! www.parker.school/run

PLP Conferences on October 18th

Families should set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – you should have received an email from advisor(s) at this point with signup information. This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process! PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 18 . The appointment links are advisory-specific, so be sure to use the link sent in an email by each of your child’s advisors if you have more than one student at Parker. If you cannot make any of the times on 10/18 and/or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference .

Class of 2025 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us at the Class of 2025’s Community Connections Night. If you weren’t able to attend, please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year. The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!

The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

Looking for School Nurse Substitutes

Plea for Plants

Do you have unwanted, dead, or dying plants? A senior will make them into something beautiful! For her senior project, Margarethe is going to make paint using local ingredients and nothing artificial. Please leave plants or plant trimmings in the bin in the lobby by 10/31! Any plant works, but berries, flowers, or leaves would be most helpful. Thank you!

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Our Flu AND COVID-19 (Moderna) vaccine clinic has been confirmed for Friday, October 18th, on PLP Day . This clinic is for staff, students, and family members (ages 5 and up). Please schedule your appointment from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM by clicking this link .

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for October 4, 2024

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 20:02:23 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 18th for fall PLP conferences. You should have received an email with a link to register for a 30-minute in-person conference with your child’s advisor. If you are unable to attend on October 18th, please contact the advisor to reschedule. If you are available but unable to attend in person, we are happy to host the meeting online.

Why do Parker students write Personal Learning Plans (PLP) and why do we dedicate one day in October and another in March to review PLPs with families? First, it is central to the Common Principle of Personalization whereby the needs and goals of each student informs our daily work. Second, PLPs provide a structured opportunity for students to develop the Habits of Learning – skills such as perseverance, organization and reflection – that anchor student learning. Third, PLPs help students develop agency in their own learning, authoring their own goals and strategies that they personally embrace. Finally, PLPs serve as a powerful tool for teachers, students and families to work together. It is one of the many ways that we partner with families.

The Parker School's mission is “to move the child to the center of the education process and to interrelate the several subjects of the curriculum in such a way as to enhance their meaning for the child” (Charter, October 1994). Thank you for helping us to do just that. See you in two weeks!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parker in the Spotlight
OneNote Links Sent
Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians
PSAT & SAT Reminder
Class of 2025 Senior Projects
5K Fun Run
Wellness Committee
PLP Conferences
Plea for Plants
Devens Mural Opening Celebration
LOST & FOUND Pickup
Updated Carpool List and Student Directory
Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parker in the Spotlight

Parker was recently highlighted in an article about innovative high schools by Greg Toppo for The 74. The 74 is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to examining the issues impacting the education of America’s 74 million children — and the effectiveness of the system that delivers it. The article is Competency-Based Parker Essential School Succeeds by Doing More With Less .

OneNote Links Sent

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Please join us for the second session of orientation to Parker especially for parents/guardians who are new (or relatively new) to the school on Tuesday, October 8th, 7-8:30 PM in Room 27 . This session will focus on "everything else" about the school, including the advisory program and PLPs, home-school communication, "discipline", extracurriculars & athletics, food programs, library and technology, and other important family and cultural aspects of the Parker experience. These sessions are live and in person with no virtual link, but we will make the slideshow and handouts available once both sessions are concluded.

PSAT & SAT Reminder

Division 2 and 3 Students: PSATs and SATs are Wednesday, October 9th! Remember to be on time on Wednesday, get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and bring your FULLY CHARGED laptop. You can also bring a small snack, and you should have something to write with for scratch work. Keep an eye on your email for logistical details!

Class of 2025 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!

The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

5k Fun Run

It’s not too late to register for the 5K Fun Run happening 10/13 at 11am or virtually! There are about a dozen shirts left- register now to make sure you get one! www.parker.school/run

Wellness Committee

Parker Charter School is committed to providing wellness practices according to the Massachusetts State Regulation 105.CMR.215. The Wellness Committee, comprised of stake holders such as food services, teachers, administration, health services, students, and parents/guardians, will promote lifelong health by focusing on educating students and staff regarding healthy choices through the curriculum, after school activities, and community activities by focusing on nutrition education, school meals, nutrition standards, employee wellness, and physical education. The committee will meet at least four times per school year to evaluate the wellness policy and make changes as necessary. If you would like to be part of the Wellness Committee, please reach out to Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

PLP Conferences on October 18th

Plea for Plants

Devens Mural Opening Celebration

The Devens Enterprise Commission, MassDevelopment, and Artist Shara Osgood are pleased to announce the opening celebration of the Devens mural, entitled Intersections of Communities and Cultures . The event will take place on Tuesday, October 8th, at 4 PM (rain date is 10/9 @ 4 PM) at the location of the mural on Willard Field near the corner of Antietam St. and Sherman Ave. All ages are welcome, and refreshments will be served. More information on the project may be found at https://www.devensec.com/news/news.pdf . Shara has worked with Parker students in the past, providing them a guided tour of the murals in downtown Fitchburg, where she lives and has her studio.

LOST & FOUND Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Friday, October 11th . Please stop by before that date to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes), and menstrual products. These supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis and are currently low. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for September 27, 2024

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 18:55:48 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

This week, our Seniors officially declared their areas of interest for their Senior Projects. This is an exciting and important first step in the year-long Senior Project completed by all Parker graduates. The Senior Project is designed to be the culmination of a student’s academic experience, highlighting the skills that they have learned and the process of research, reflection and self-discovery that defines a Parker education. Students are encouraged to pick a topic that merges their interests, passions and curiosities – and something that sparks authentic engagement all year.

Here are a few of areas of interest in the Class of 2025:

Pitching and producing an animated show
Custom furniture building
Marine biology and oceanography
Using photography and interviews to capture the stories of the elderly
Upcycling and sustainable fashion

As our students prepare to launch their Senior Projects, we need your help. Please join us for Community Connections on Tuesday, October 1 ^st from 7:00 - 8:15 pm in the Parker Gymnasium. All Seniors will be available for brief discussions of their declared interest, and they welcome your feedback, resources, connections and ideas. This is always a collaborative and joyful night for our Seniors and the whole community. It is an essential first step to a successful launch of their Senior Projects. And of course, we will invite you again towards the end of the year to see where their ideas took them.

We hope to see you Tuesday night. All Parker families are welcome.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians
Support Our Seniors Potluck
Community Connections for Senior Projects
AP Exams for Seniors
Wellness Committee
PLP Conferences
Parent/Guardian Access to Homework
LOST & FOUND Pickup
Attendance Line Reminder
Updated Carpool List and Student Directory
Hourly Substitute Opportunity
Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Support Our Seniors Potluck on October 1st

Seniors and their families are invited to join in conversation around the expectations, excitement, and challenges of the year ahead on Tuesday, October 1st from 5:30-7 PM in the Gym . Senior Seminar teachers/advisors will provide an overview of the senior year, Senior Project, and the graduation requirements along with this year’s installment of “Dear Diary”—a not-to-be-missed crowd favorite! Please bring a dish to share!

Community Connections Night on October 1st

We invite ALL members of the Parker community to meet with the Class of 2025 and learn about their Senior Projects on Tuesday, October 1st from 7-8:15 PM in the Gym! We hope you will offer suggestions for…

resources they could access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider

Please feel free to bring guests from inside and outside the Parker community! If you are unable to attend but have ideas to share, please review the students’ topic areas in the document linked below, and then you may contact the Senior Seminar teacher for that student: Class of 2025 Senior Project Declarations

AP Exam

Attention Div 3 students! While Parker does not offer traditional AP classes, any student interested in taking an AP exam should see Jinnee by October 1st.

Wellness Committee

PLP Conferences on October 18th

Families will soon hear from their child's advisors to set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – expect an email from advisors early next week. This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process! PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 18 . The appointment links are advisory-specific, so be sure to use the link sent in an email by each your child’s advisors if you have more than one student at Parker. If you cannot make any of the times on 10/18 and/or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference.

Parent/Guardian Access to Homework: School Connection app

Parker offers parental access to student class information through several mechanisms. Over the next few weeks, we will share more about those avenues of information here. Today, we are highlighting ‘School Connection’ which is a phone app (part of Microsoft Teams) you can download and then link to your student’s “Teams Assignments” account . This allows you as a parent/guardian to see nightly homework assignments, if that is information that would be helpful to you as you support your student’s success. Please follow the Parker instructions available here: School Connection Create Account.pdf . Note that you will need your student’s Parker email to link the account – the format for those is firstname.lastname@theparkerschool.org . We will offer some parent “help sessions” to learn more about these resources later this fall, so stay tuned!

LOST & FOUND Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Friday, October 11th . Please stop by before that date to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

Attendance Line Reminder

Please notify the school’s Front Office when your student will be absent, tardy, or dismissed by leaving a message on the Attendance Line any time BEFORE 9:00 AM of the affected day [978-772-3293, ext. 1]. If calling after 9 AM (on the day of the event), please dial ext. 0 and speak with a person . A parent or guardian must call (students cannot call themselves out absent or in late until they are the age of 18). Be sure to leave student name and reason for absence from class.

Going on a trip, extending a school break, or observing a religious holiday? Remember to contact the Front Office to let us know the date(s) your student(s) will be absent any time before the event occurs.

IMPORTANT: You must contact the Front Office even if you have let the teachers know . The attendance line is available 24 hours a day: 978-772-3293 ext. 1

Hourly Substitute Opportunity

Parker is currently seeking responsible, caring adults interested in working with middle and high school students as classroom substitutes. Familiarity with Parker’s mission and academic program is preferred. Substitutes will be called on an “as needed” basis based on their availability and will support students in following plans left by classroom teachers. Please contact Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org if interested.

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for September 20, 2024

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 17:51:03 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

It was great to see everyone at Back to School Night last evening. I hope that you experienced Parker as your child does. Thank you for jumping in as if you were back in school. It made for a fun and meaningful evening for all of us. We look forward to seeing you again for PLP conferences on Friday, October 18th. Your child’s advisor will send details and an opportunity to sign up soon.

As you may know, this year we are celebrating Parker’s 30th Anniversary. We were founded in 1995 on the promise that we could get to know students well, to challenge and support students to use their mind well, prioritize depth over coverage, demonstrate mastery and support one another with a tone of decency and trust. We are proud of the tremendous success of our current students and 25 graduating classes!

We have a series of events and celebrations planned across the year. The goal is to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and prepare for a tremendously successful 30 years and beyond. We do all of this in the spirit of Parker – inclusive, welcoming and with students at the center. Please join us!

The first event is a Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, October 13th at 11:00 AM here on Devens. You can walk, run, hop, or skip the 5K – in-person or virtually – in costume or typical 5K attire. During and after the event, there will be family lawn games, a food truck, music, and more! Everyone who registers by next week will be guaranteed a Parker t-shirt designed by a talented graduate - and they are pretty cool shirts! Running, walking or cheering, we hope to see you there.

www.parker.school/run

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians
Parker Concert Band Begins!
School Photo Retakes
Financial Aid Night
AP Exams for Seniors
Support Our Seniors Potluck
Community Connections Night
Parent/Guardian Access to Homework
Hourly Substitute Opportunity
Parker 5K Fun Run Volunteers Needed
Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Please join us for an orientation to Parker especially for parents/guardians who are new (or relatively new) to the school. These are intended to be companion sessions; you are welcome to attend just one, though we hope you can join us at both. Please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ) or Matt Smith ( matt@theparkerschool.org ) with questions.

Part 1: Academics, Thursday, September 26th, 7-8:30 PM
This session will focus primarily on the classroom experience and academic structures/expectations at Parker.

Part 2: School Culture and Communication, Tuesday, October 8th, 7-8:30 PM
This session will focus on "everything else" about the school, including the advisory program, home-school communication, "discipline", extracurriculars & athletics, food programs, library and technology, and other important family and cultural aspects of the Parker experience.

Parker Concert Band rehearsals begin next week!

Parker’s Concert Band is starting soon! You can still join us provided you know the basics of playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. We even have 14 instruments in our collection that we can loan to you at no cost as well. Our rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 24th in Room 13 . Rehearsals are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM . We will perform at Café Wednesday in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The activity fee for each semester is $100, and need-based assistance is available.

The details for signing up are:

If you missed the informational meeting on Sept. 10, please fill out this sign-up form .
To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay page, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list. You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it. Checks should be made out to FW Parker Charter Essential School.

Students can drop your instrument off in room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days. Please contact us with instrument requests, need-based assistance requests, or any questions you may have: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org .

School Photo Retakes

Students who missed having their photo taken on registration day and those wishing for a redo should visit the photographers in the morning next Wednesday, September 25, between 8 AM and 10 AM . These photos are used on school IDs, in Office 365, and in the yearbook, so please make sure you’ve had your photo taken this year. See Monique with questions .

Financial Aid Night

Attention Senior Families! Financial Aid night is Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30 PM . During this virtual event, Kevin Fudge from MEFA will be explaining the college financial aid process. Keep an eye out for an email from Jinnee that will include the meeting links for the event.

AP Exam

Attention Div 3 students! While Parker does not offer traditional AP classes, any student interested in taking an AP exam should see Jinnee by October 1st.

Support Our Seniors Potluck on October 1st

Community Connections Night on October 1st

resources they could access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider

Please feel free to bring guests from inside and outside the Parker community!

Parent/Guardian Access to Homework: School Connection app

Hourly Substitute Opportunity

Last Call for 5K T-shirts

Register for the Parker 5K Fun Run by 9/25 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! www.parker.school/run . This will be a fun community event- come run, walk, skip, or jump the 5K in a Halloween costume or not! If you can’t make it to the run, signup to run virtually and still receive a t-shirt! T-shirts can be sent if not local.

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for September 13, 2024

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 22:02:54 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We just ended our first full week of the school year. We are off to a great start. Thanks to our students for working hard, making new friends and engaging fully in school. There is positive energy and joy in the building every day.

We look forward to welcoming families to Parker next Thursday, September 19 ^th for Open House. It is one of the many ways that we partner with families in support of your children. Come meet your child’s teachers and experience their schedule. See the details below. Note that Division 1 families are encouraged to join us at 6:15 pm in the Gymnasium to learn about the upcoming trip to Nature’s Classroom.

As you may know, Parker was founded 30 years ago by local families who thought we could do school differently and better. Families were intimately involved in the creation and growth of the school. We embrace those values, appreciate your trust and welcome your partnership in support of your children.

Thank you,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night on September 19th
Event Parking Reminder
College Fair Field Trip
Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians
Thank You from Anita
Parker 5K Fun Run Volunteers Needed
Faculty Appreciation
Register for the Parker Band!
Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Back to School Night is Thursday, September 19th

Please plan to join us for Back-to-School Night activities, as listed below:

5:45—6:15: Special Education Meet & Greet: Drop-in to Room 9

6:15—6:45: Divisional Information Sessions

Div 1: Nature’s Classroom trip info (meet in the Gym ).
Div 2: Introduction to Division 2 (meet in the Auditorium ).
Div 3: Program and Graduation Requirements for Division 3 (meet in Room 48 ).

7:00—9:00: Visit your students’ classes and meet their teachers!

Parents/Guardians will receive their schedule for the evening at 7:00 PM in their child's advisory room.

Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always under your supervision (e.g., they should not be wandering the halls). Thank you!

Event Parking Reminder

Attention Seniors!

Do you want to learn more about colleges? Jinnee is bringing seniors on a College Fair Field trip on Wednesday, September 25th . If you would like to attend, see your email or Jinnee for more details. Sign-ups are due Tuesday.

Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Part 1: Academics, Thursday, September 26th, 7-8:30 PM

This session will focus primarily on the classroom experience and academic structures/expectations at Parker.

Part 2: School Culture and Communication, Tuesday, October 8th, 7-8:30 PM

This session will focus on "everything else" about the school, including the advisory program, home-school communication, "discipline", extracurriculars & athletics, food programs, library and technology, and other important family and cultural aspects of the Parker experience.

Thank You from Director of Special Education

My sincere thank you to all parents and family members who were able to attend a greeting time with Brian Harrigan, Deb Westaway, and myself last Thursday evening! I was moved by the stories shared, the thoughtful questions, and the interest so many expressed in potentially joining SEPAC this year. Thank you all! I am also looking forward to meeting others throughout this school year in my first year of service as Director of Special Education here at Parker School.

I wish to share for those who may not have been able to attend last Thursday evening, that I have served as a Director of Special Education/Student Services in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and that my roots in the field began in an Essential School! I am also a former homeschool parent.

Please feel free to reach out to introduce yourself. My email is: amcdowell@theparkerschool.org , and my direct phone number is 978-722-3293, ext. 123.

Thank you, again, for such a meaningful welcome to Parker!

Warm regards,
Anita

Parker 5K Fun Run – Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed on Sunday, October 13th, from around 10 AM – 2 PM for a variety of jobs including directing folks to parking and handing out water. Would you like to be part of the fun? Anyone interested in volunteering, please email Dawn at hellodawnvp@gmail.com .

For those interested in running, register for the Parker 5K Fun Run by 9/25 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! www.parker.school/run . This will be a fun community event- come run, walk, skip, or jump the 5K in a Halloween costume or not!

Faculty Appreciation from PPCC

Our teachers and staff go above and beyond to support our kids and families! One way we show them our appreciation for all they do is to provide weekly snacks to sustain them during their Wednesday staff meetings. You can find out more details and sign up to contribute here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA4A829A1FA7-parker2

Register for the Parker Band: Rehearsals Begin Next Week!

Parker’s Concert Band is starting soon! We had a fine showing at our informational session earlier this week, but even if you missed it, you could still join us provided you know the basics of playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.

Our rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 24th in Room 13 . Rehearsals are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM . We will perform at Café Wednesday in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The activity fee for each semester is $100, and need-based assistance is available.

The details for signing up are:

If you filled out a survey at our meeting, we have your information, so no further info is required. Skip to step 3.
If you missed the meeting, please fill out this sign-up form .
To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay page, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list.

You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it. Checks should be made out to FW Parker Charter Essential School. Students can drop your instrument off in Room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days if you’d like.

If you would like to borrow one of Parker’s instruments, you are more than welcome to do so at no cost. Please contact us with instrument requests, need-based assistance requests, or any questions you may have: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for September 6, 2024

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 20:04:23 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are off to a great start to the school year. We are proud of all our students for engaging so meaningfully and joyfully in Parker. We want to recognize all the new students who have joined us this year. Attending a new school can be very stressful and hard, particularly in the beginning. It can also be incredibly rewarding and transformative. We are very proud of you for coming to Parker, for working hard in your classes, for meeting new people and showing resilience when you face obstacles. We are a better school and a better community because of you!

I also want to thank our older students for their outstanding leadership over the first two weeks. Division 3 students are serving as teaching assistants, mentors, captains and ambassadors. They have embodied the tone of decency and trust. That was on display yesterday in our first Super Advisory of the year. Through fun name games and ice breaker activities, we are starting to get to know one another across divisions. We meet again next week to begin unpacking the Essential Question (EQ) of the year: “Who do we want to become?” Thanks for being you and making a positive contribution to your community!

This Wednesday, September 11, 2024, we mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attack. We remember family and friends we lost on that day, honor those who serve in the military and as first responders, and reflect on the humanity that unites us all.

We look forward to seeing parents and caregivers at Open House on Thursday, September 19th. We will share the full schedule and details next week. Thank you for joining us and experiencing Parker as your child does.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night on September 19th
Parker 5K Fun Run
Parker Parent/Caregiver Community
Faculty Appreciation
Parker Concert Band
Harvard Pavilion Grand Opening
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
MART Shuttle
Meal Information
Directory and Carpool List

Save the Date!

Back to School Night is Thursday, September 19th! Details will be provided next week. Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always with you under your supervision. Thank you!

Parker Parent/Caregiver Community (PPCC)

Welcome to the 2024/2025 school year at Parker!

The PPCC is a parent/caregiver led group with a mission to create a space where parents/caregivers from different towns can get to know one another, both online and in person, to support one another and our families, as well as the teachers and school. We are a resource for new-to-Parker families and returning families alike. We foster community by organizing events related to teacher appreciation and parent/caregiver socializing, by maintaining our own Facebook page, and by communicating with the administration, parents and caregivers about their needs and volunteer opportunities as they arise.

If you have questions for or about PPCC, want to join our email list, or are interested in a leadership role within the organization, send us an email at parkercaregivers@gmail.com .

Our Facebook page is a great place to get your questions answered and connect with other families! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/Dtmu843m6YcJM2rv/?mibextid=K35XfP

Want to get involved? We will be holding our first planning meeting of the year virtually on September 11th at 7:00 PM. Please join us by clicking the link found in your weekly email!

Faculty Appreciation from PPCC

Join the Parker Concert Band (a call to all brass, woodwind, and percussion players)!

If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this fall! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument.

Need an instrument? Parker has the following instruments available for loan at no charge: trumpet, trombone, baritone (euphonium), French horn, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, and clarinet. We also have concert drums for percussion players.

Students who are interested should plan to come by our informational lunch meeting on Tuesday, September 10 in room 13 to learn more and sign up. If you can’t make the meeting, stop in to chat with Jim Desmond in room 13 or Marena Cole in room 43. Get your lunch first and then come join us!

ALSO: We are always accepting donations and loans of band instruments that may be lurking in closets! If you have instruments, please email Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org .

If you don’t know how to play a band instrument but still want to make music , consider joining the Parker Singers during community elective block . We meet about every other Friday to sing fun songs together. Signups will happen in the coming weeks.

Parker Life Reminders

School Begins at 8:30 AM. Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1 . In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.

Students should be in a supervised space with an adult after school. Students who are not working with a teacher, participating in an adult-supervised after-school activity, or with a coach should go to the library or lobby. Students should be picked up no later than 4:30 PM on M, Tu, Th, F and 3:00 on Wed. There is no after-school supervision on noon dismissal days although some sports may have practice or games.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

MART Shuttle

MART currently offers shuttle service with stops in Bolton at the Country Cupboard, Lancaster at the Library, and Leominster at the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster.

Students pay $4 per ride or $120 per month. Students are welcome to use the service every day, one or both directions, or as needed. To schedule, call 978-345-7711 and select Option 3. For questions, contact keary.connors@mrta.us .

To participate in the after-school Teen Program at the Boys and Girls Club, students will need to join the club for $30 per month. For additional details, see their website at Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster . We will also be running our co-op Robotics program with the BGCFL again this year.

Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year . Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status . Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website. https://www.theparkerschool.org/news#Cafeteria

Student Directories and Updated Carpool List

The student directory and an updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for August 29, 2024

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 23:02:53 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

The Essential Question this year is “Who do we want to become?” Thank you to our Seniors for posing this thoughtful question. It asks us to consider who we are right now and where we want to go. As I shared with students in our kickoff to the year, my hope is that we all become the fullest and truest versions of ourselves. You be you. We are all better when everyone has the courage to be their authentic self.

Looking forward to another great year at Parker. Enjoy the long weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parker 5K Fun Run
Meet and Greet with Anita McDowell
Asbestos Notice
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
MART Shuttle
Meal Information
Directory and Carpool List
Health Office Wish List
Thank You!
School Store
Calendar
Athletics Schedule

Meet and Greet with Anita McDowell

Please help us welcome our new Special Education Director, Anita McDowell, on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM in-person or online. Anita is a committed and passionate special educator and director, serving in these capacities for many years. Anita looks forward to building authentic relationships, providing rigorous support and helping students thrive at Parker. Anita has joined us after just recently earning her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University.

Meet Anita McDowell, new Special Education Director
Thursday, September 5, 2024
6:00-7:00 PM
Room 40 and online (see your weekly email for the link and Meeting ID)

Asbestos Notice

Please see the required annual notification regarding our Asbestos Management Plan .

Parker Life Reminders

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

MART Shuttle

MART currently offers shuttle service with stops in Bolton at the Country Cupboard, Lancaster at the Library, and Leominster at the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster.

Meal Information

Student Directories and Updated Carpool List

The student directory and an updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.

Classroom Wish List

If you would like to donate these items for Div. 1 MST, we will use them:

Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers)
Paper (graph paper, lined paper)
Pencils
Zip-top quart or gallon bags

Health Office Wish List

Throughout the year, the Health Office appreciates donations of tissues, cough drops, fabric bandages (all sizes), and feminine products as these particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for March 8th

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 02:43:26 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are looking forward to Spring and the longer days ahead, aided of course by the start of daylight savings this Sunday. We had a brief taste of Spring today. We are excited to welcome ten student visitors from the country of Georgia this week, one of two student exchanges that we are hosting this year. Thank you to the families who are hosting. We look forward to seeing all students and families at PLP conferences next Friday, March 15 ^th . This is an important opportunity to check in on PLP goals, successes, and challenges. We will also check in on attendance and tardies, emphasizing the importance of classroom time to student learning and growth. Thank you for joining us as always.

Reminder that we have a March holiday on Monday, March 18. That is also the first day of Spring sports including Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. All students are welcome to participate in one of these sports. Please contact Lisa Zick with registration questions and Ben Benoit with sports-related questions.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Support Our Seniors #2
Spring PLPs
Enrollment Thanks
IEP Research Volunteers
Free Trees
Parker Fund
Community Congress School Store
Register Now for Spring Sports!

Class of 2024 Support Our Seniors (SOS) #2 on March 13th

Seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to Support Our Seniors #2 on Wednesday, March 13th, from 7-8:30 PM in the Parker gym. SOS #2 is an evening designed to help our seniors and their families talk about the transitions that come with graduation. Please bring a dessert to share. Thanks!

Spring PLP Conferences

Spring PLP Conferences will be held on Friday, March 15 . Each Division leads the Spring Conference a little differently. For some it is a time to reflect on the 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 on 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 15th.

You should have made an appointment for each child you have in the school. If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 15, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If you can meet on March 15 but someone needs to attend remotely, please go ahead and book an appointment using the link provided by the advisor and then reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote meeting link.

NOTE: Monday, March 18, there is no school and the school is closed for a long weekend.

Enrollment THANKS

IEP Research Volunteers

Parker Parent Jennifer Stach is conducting her doctoral research with families of students who have been on an educational plan (an IEP or a 504), examining ways to inform parents how their student will access accommodations in college. She is looking for volunteers to take part in a working group which will consider what steps SEPAC might take to assist parents in this area. Participants will be asked to review several documents related to the research topic before participating in 2 Zoom meetings being held on March 11 and March 20 from 7-830PM. If you do not have a Zoom account, you will be given access to a web-based login. The total time commitment is expected to be approximately 3.5 hours. The working group will ultimately be creating a program or information source to help Parker Parents have better information about how to support their child in college.

If you are interested in participating, please complete this form: Link to sign up . Your support is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jen at jstach2101@baypath.edu

Free Trees

Sign up to Order FREE Native Trees for your yard or Parker’s Pocket Forest Project. Deadline is March 15th . Please sign up to receive a free tree from Neighborhood Forest! Please use the link below and they will ship them to the Hazen Memorial Library (Shirley) during Earth week (April 22nd-26th). If you don’t have space to plant the tree at home, your child can plant it at the Devens Pocket Forest near the Devens playground. More information on the Pocket Forest Project will be shared in the coming month. https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=48673

Parker Fund

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP! Gifts from our current families are an essential foundation to our fundraising efforts and are a show of support for Parker’s extraordinary faculty, staff, and program. It is our goal to have 100% participation among our current families. EVERY gift matters and makes a difference!

To make your 2023-2024 school year gift, click here.

Community Congress School Store

Parker school store is back! The Community Congress (CC), which is a collection of students in all divisions, has worked hard for a few months to create a new school store which will raise funds for our group. The CC found a new vendor, sent out a survey trying to pick the best products, worked on color and design, all to return Parker’s beloved merchandise. Ten percent (10%) of the profit will be returned to the CC as we work hard to raise money to put back into the school.

A few weeks ago, we approved Composting! The people who work hard to serve lunch now will compost any extra compostable material! This was due to the idea, hard work, and money raised by the CC members! The link below will bring you to this store, not only do you support the school, but you also get some awesome clothes!

Click here to view the Community Congress School Store

Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, March 18th , and will be held Monday through Friday that week. Please register 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 .

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for March 1st

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 18:40:23 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

This week we welcomed everyone back from February break, celebrated Black History month and addressed another issue of antisemitism in our community. That sentence is jarring and hard to read. As articulated in the Ten Common Principles, at Parker, we “explicitly and self-consciously stress values of un-anxious expectation, of trust and of decency.” We “honor diversity and build on the strength of its communities, deliberately and explicitly challenging all forms of inequity.” We are a strong and vibrant community that supports one another and speaks up when our norms are violated. We stand in solidarity with students, families and staff who are targeted with hate speech and intimation.

Thank you to all the students, families and staff who continue to serve as upstanders. One of the cards that we wore in honor of Black History Month quotes Toni Morrison, who challenges us to “make a difference about something other than yourselves.” We appreciate everyone in our community who positively influences those around us.

Thank you for joining us on Friday, March 15th for PLP conferences. We host PLP conferences twice a year to create personalized goals and provide feedback and coaching. 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.

We are also looking forward to an important professional development opportunity for our staff on Wednesday, March 27. 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.

With respect and appreciation,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Div 2 Exhibition Night
Spring PLPs
Health Office Wish List
Pennies for Players Youth Venture
Register Now for Spring Sports!

Div 2 Exhibition Night

Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Division Two Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff.

We ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

Spring PLPs are Coming!

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 15th . See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, we spend that day in conversation with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 15, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible.
If you can meet on March 15 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.

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of tissues, feminine products, granola bars, and 3-4 oz. disposable cups. Thank you in advance for your support of our school!

Pennies for Players Youth Venture

The Pennies for Players venture began last spring when we had the idea to support the Nashoba Valley Unlimited Basketball League. NVUB League is a volunteer, organized basketball program for children and young adults who have special needs to feel included in sports and be able to participate at their individual level. In addition to the Bremer family of Ayer who began the program, there are numerous adult and student volunteers who join each week during the session to help make sure everyone has fun and stays safe. Skylar has been volunteering since she was in sixth grade, and Jay began volunteering this year. Last year we held a competitive fundraiser called Pennies for Players where every advisory was given a jar to donate spare change. The top three advisories earned a prize. From this fundraiser and several snack sales at Parker’s Café Wednesdays, we raised about $350! Last Sunday we brought our donation to NVUB, and they were thrilled and thankful for it (see photo above). Thank you all for your support!

Sincerely, Skylar Shannon & Jay Permatteo

Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for February 16th

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 05:06:50 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

I hope that you and your family have a terrific February break. We look forward to the Division 2 Exhibition, March PLPs, the start of Spring sports and more when we get back.

Please see the approved 2024-2025 school calendar linked below. The Board of Trustees approved the calendar last evening. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Charter Public School Advocacy Week. We appreciate your participation in the virtual kick-off rally and for sending emails to your legislators to advocate for our schools and our students. Our voices – and our powerful stories of student success in charter public schools – have certainly been heard.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership. Have a great break.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Siblings of Parker Students
Spring PLPs
SATs for Juniors at Parker
Practice ACTs at Parker
Parker Fund
2024-2025 Calendar
School Report Card
Yearbook Numbers Due
Register Now for Spring Sports!
Div 2 Exhibition Night

Siblings of Parker Students

If your Parker student has a sibling who would like to come to Parker for the first time next year, they must complete the lottery application by March 1 . Siblings receive preference in the lottery but need to apply in order to receive an offer or waitlist number.

Parker is accepting lottery applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until March 1. Current students do not need to reapply. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Spring PLPs are Coming!

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 15. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, we spend that day in conversation with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor will be in touch with more information and details (or may already have emailed!) along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need them to send it to you before you can sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 15, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible.
If you can meet on March 15 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.

Attention Juniors!

School day SATs are being offered at Parker on Wednesday, April 10th. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, March 1st. See your email for more details.

Attention Juniors and Sophomores!

A practice ACT is being offered at Parker on Saturday, March 23rd. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, March 1st. See your email for more details.

Parker Fund

As of this week, the 2023-2024 Parker Fund is 60% of the way to our $200,000 goal. We still need your help! Our goal is to have all families give every year. No gift is too big or too small‑ we receive donations ranging from $10 to $50,000 each 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. Make your gift today.

2024-2025 Calendar

The calendar for next school year has been approved by the Board of Trustees and is available at https://www.theparkerschool.org/calendar .

2023 School Report Card

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card, which we are required to post. All district report cards are available at http://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/ .

Click here to view our 2023 school report card.

Yearbook Numbers Due

Yearbook order numbers are due to the printer on February 28, so please order your student’s yearbook now to ensure there is a copy for them. Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Yearbook ($60 – Buy Now) is the hard cover book. Lower on the page are the soft cover book (Exclusive Offer - $40 - Customize) and the Division 1 book (Exclusive Offer - $20 - Customize). The Division 1 book contains everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.

Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, March 18th, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. Please register 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 .

Div 2 Exhibition Night

RESCHEDULED: Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Division Two Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff.

We will ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for February 9th

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 19:40:03 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

I hope that you had a great week and you are looking forward to February break. We spent time in Extended Advisory this week reviewing midyear Progress Reports with all our students. Please take time at home to do the same. We asked our students to reflect on areas of strengths and next steps in each of their classes. This is an essential moment for reflection and growth for our students.

Thank you to everyone who helps to spread the word about Parker this time every year. The application deadline for next year’s lottery is three weeks from today, March 1, 2024. We have two information sessions remaining on February 15th and February 27th. Please encourage your friends to attend.

( Enrollment at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School (theparkerschool.org)

Thank you to all the families who help to make transportation a little easier with carpools and the new MART shuttle. With your help, we have started running MART shuttles to and from Leominster and Bolton every day. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Keary Connors at 978-665-2274.

Please join us on Monday night for the start of Advocacy Week led by the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. We celebrate the impact of charter public schools and advocate for equitable funding, particularly for facilities. Thank you to everyone who registered to attend the virtual kick-off rally on Monday, February 12 ^th from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. If you would like to attend but have not yet registered, please register using this link .

Brian

This week’s topics:

Hourly Substitute Opportunity
Div 2 Exhibition Night
Pulseras for Sale!
Call for Clear Planting Containers
Café Wednesday
Register Now for Spring Sports!
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!
Extending Your Winter Break?

Hourly Substitute Opportunity

Div 2 Exhibition Night

Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, February 13th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Division Two Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff.

¡Se venden Pulseras! Pulseras for Sale!

Until February 16, Division 1a Spanish students will be selling bracelets or pulseras before school (8:05-8:25) in the lobby and during lunch (12:30-12:50) in the Cafégymatorium.

The Pulsera Project is a fair-trade nonprofit organization that works with artisans in Nicaragua and Guatemala and provides a market for their handmade bracelets or pulseras in schools across the US. Each pulsera costs only $5.00 dollars and comes tagged with a photo and signature of the artist who made it. The money raised from Parker's pulsera sale will sustain employment for nearly 200 artisans and will also fund housing, healthcare, scholarships, social enterprises, and other empowerment programs that benefit artists and communities throughout Central America. Thank you for your support and have a wonderful time coloring the world with The Pulsera Project here at Parker!

Click on the link to watch a short video (1:03 mins) to see what The Pulsera Project is all about: The Pulsera Project in 60 Seconds

Call for Clear Planting Containers

The Parker Citizen Science Community Elective group is collaborating with a Devens initiative to plant a pocket forest this spring in P5. A pocket forest is a small area of densely planted native trees, shrubs and ground cover plants, to create a woodland ecosystem in urban areas. As part of this, the group is hoping to do some indoor winter planting that we transplant to the pocket forest site in a few months. We are looking for clear 1-gallon milk or water jugs for our plantings! Bring in and drop off your 1-gallon jugs in the box in the lobby during the week of February 12-16 . Interested in learning more about pocket forests? Visit the website: https://climateresilient.wixsite.com/ayerdevens .

Café Wednesday

Come to Café Amore! There will be entertainment, concessions, and maybe even a game or two! It will be held Wednesday, February 14th, from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Cafegymatorium. We can't wait to see you there! Please Note: After-school supervision ends at 3:00 PM on Wednesdays, and students must vacate the building until 6:30 PM. Please plan accordingly.

Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, March 18th, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. Please register 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 .

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 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 2024-2025 school year MUST complete an application and return it to Parker no later than March 1, 2024 . Current students do not need to reapply . You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1, 2024, to verify your application has been received. You may click here to sign up any of the remaining Information Sessions. The Lottery will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 4 PM . Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.

Planning an Extended Family Trip During the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day . It is important you inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. You can call and leave one message with all the affected dates any day/time before the morning of the first affected day.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for February 2nd

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 21:47:35 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Congratulations to our Seniors for crossing an important milestone this week on your Senior Project. Great job! All seniors presented their Project Plans, detailing their essential question and background research for their projects. They are now transitioning into the experiential and product creation components.

I want to highlight two exceptional projects that I saw up close. Thank you to Kennedy Gustafson and Gretchen Langhoff for their permission to be recognized in this way. Kennedy is studying the history and creative art of portraiture. She enrolled in a ten-week class at the Museum of Fine Arts, traveling to Boston once a week to immerse herself in the creative arts. She is practicing with different subjects and media and learning from professional portrait artists. Kennedy will share her many pieces in the Spring, the first public viewing of her art. Thank you for sharing your art and talents with all of us.

Gretchen is also focusing on art from a very different perspective. She is intrigued by the process of conserving and restoring art, bringing the artist’s vision back to life in damaged works. Gretchen has been interning at the Carmichael Art Conservation working with the materials and experts who restore art professionally. She will showcase two of her restored paintings this Spring, detailing the steps that she undertook and before/after images of the works. It is a fascinating and thoughtful study of artistic expression.

We invite students, families, and alums to join us for Senior Exhibition night on April 10th when students share their projects and gather feedback in the style of a Science Fair. We also invite you to serve on panels for their Senior Exhibitions on May 2-7, 2024 . Thank you for your support. Good luck to all our Seniors. Keep up the great work!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Panelists Needed
Div 2 Exhibition Night
COVID Cases and Tests
Call for Clear Planting Containers
Health Office Wish List
PPCC Meeting
Junior Planning Night
MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology
Café Wednesday
Parker Fund
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!
Extending Your Winter Break?

Panelists Needed

Every other year, Division 1 Arts and Humanities studies the history of immigration in the United States in response to the essential question “what stories are told and why”? Historically, one important experience that students have gotten to engage with has been attending a live panel with presenters who have experienced immigration or have been impacted by it. We will host this panel Friday, February 9th during D and E block . We are looking for community members who are interested in the opportunity to speak on the panel or who know someone who might be interested. If interested, please reach out to Division 1 AH Teacher, Lindsay Goodwin at lgoodwin@theparkerschool.org .

Div 2 Exhibition Night

Uptick in COVID Cases/Free Test Kits Available

The Parker community has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org if your student tests positive so we can create a return to school plan. Please click HERE for the COVID-19 protocols. Also, reach out to Nurse Lisa if you need free COVID-19 antigen test kits.

Call for Clear Planting Containers

Health Office Wish List

The health office would appreciate donations of tissues, peanut butter crackers, nut free snacks, and granola bars. Thank you!

PPCC Meeting

Parker Parents and Caregivers Community, we will be having a meeting at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 5th , to discuss and plan social events for parents/caregivers, and the spring staff appreciation week. Please join us if you'd like to! You do not have to have a Google account to use the link. Please email Beth Kurth at hughzhoney@gmail.com with any questions.

Parker Parent and Caregiver Community Feb Meeting
Monday, February 5, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: ( use link in email sent on Friday )

Junior Planning Night (coming soon!)

Juniors and their parents are encouraged to join us as we discuss Parker transcripts and the college application process:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Parker Auditorium (snow date: Thursday, February 8)

In person attendance is strongly encouraged, but we will also be streaming the presentation on Teams .

MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Students in the 10th Grade will take the MCAS Biology test on Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 6th & 7th. [Students/families of these students will soon receive an email with more information.] Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. Students should try hard NOT to stress, but good test taking strategies include getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast each day . Students WILL NEED their school laptop to test and should be sure to bring those (with charging cord). Electronics/internet enabled devices are NOT allowed in testing situations. Students should be prepared to leave these at home or in their bags for the entirety of the testing periods. Students who miss any of these testing days will need to make up the tests at a later time. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ( deb@theparkerschool.org ) . All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. The MCAS Schedule for SPRING will be posted as the testing dates get nearer.

Café Wednesday

Parker Fund

We need your help to meet our $200,000 Parker Fund goal! The Parker Fund is dedicated to sustaining our investment in our faculty and staff- show your appreciation for Parker’s faculty with a gift to The Parker Fund today .

Words from current Parker Families:

We give to Parker out of gratitude for what the staff and administration do for our daughter. The educational experience, personal relationships and community culture are what make the school special. We are happy to support Parker in any way we can.

Parker teachers have engaged and inspired our kids from day one because they take the time to know their students both as learners and as individual people. Our kids see Parker as a place where they will grow into people with interesting and important things to contribute to the world.

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Planning an Extended Family Trip During the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day . It is important you inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. You can call and leave one message with all the affected dates any day/time before the morning of the first affected day.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 26th

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:58:20 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Every year we reach out to the Parker community for your help and advocacy on Beacon Hill. It is important to recognize the value of charter public schools to students across the state. We are pushing for more funding, student diversity, alternative pathways to recruit staff of color and more. Please join us for Advocacy Week (February 12 – 16, 2024) hosted by the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) .

Advocacy Week is designed to bring together charter public school families, educators, and supporters from across the state to celebrate the impact of our schools, and through the power of our stories and our voices, to continue the work to ensure that every child in Massachusetts has access to the education and resources they need to succeed. Advocacy Week will include multiple ways to get involved and to ensure our state legislators understand the importance of schools like Parker.

We will kick off the week with a livestream Zoom event on Monday, February 12th from 6-6:30 PM . Charter public school families from all across the state will be tuning in, and I hope you will all join me to proudly represent our Parker community. Register for the event here .

Even if you are unable to attend the virtual kick-off rally, there will be other ways to participate, such as sending emails to your legislators. During Advocacy Week , we will share more information about easy and impactful ways to get involved. No matter how you choose to join us, your action will make a big difference in ensuring your children, and all children in our state, have the resources they need to be successful.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support of Parker.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Valentine Appreciation Event
SEPAC Support Meeting
Junior Planning Night
MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology
Yearbooks
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!
Winter Driving Reminder

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event sponsored by the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC)

Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks and the PPCC is sponsoring a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker by February 14th. If you would like to participate or have questions, please complete this form . Thank you for being part of celebrating and appreciating Parker’s stellar staff!

SEPAC Support Meeting

Members of Parker’s SEPAC will hold a meeting at Marty’s Corner Café on Tuesday, January 30, at 1:30 pm. All are welcome. Contact Jesse at jesselowe7@mac.com with questions.

Junior Planning Night (coming soon!)

Juniors and their parents are encouraged to join us as we discuss Parker transcripts and the college application process:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Parker Auditorium (snow date: Thursday, February 8)

In person attendance is strongly encouraged, but we will also be streaming the presentation on Teams .

MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Yearbooks

Reminder that yearbook prices will increase by $5 after January 31st. Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Make sure to scroll the page to find the correct version of the book you’d like to order. Yearbook ($55) is the hard cover book, while the soft cover ($35) and Division 1 ($15) books are listed lower on the page as Exclusive Offer . Division 1 books contain everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Seniors: Don’t forget to submit your baby photo and senior portrait by January 31st!

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Winter Driving Reminder

Now that we are in the midst of winter and have the potential of snowbanks that narrow the driveways and parking lots at Parker, for the safety of all, please keep in mind the following student drop-off and pick-up norms: When entering Parker’s lot, please pickup or discharge passengers at the curb in front of the school. Please do not stop, idle, or discharge passengers along the “inner ring” (e.g. between curbside cars and the flagpole lawn). Please reduce driveway and parking lot speed even further during winter months. Thank you!

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 19th

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 20:39:41 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Congratulations to the 52 students from every division and domain who gatewayed over the past two days. The students did an outstanding job, showcasing their learning, answering questions and welcoming feedback from the audience. Thanks to the peers, teachers and families who supported the students along the way and attended their gateway. It was a terrific celebration of their growth and success.

Next week will be an exciting week of transition for many students. All the students who gatewayed will start in their new division next week. Students in Division 3 begin new classes on Tuesday. We also have six new students in grades 7 and 9 joining Parker next week. 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 many 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 all on Tuesday.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Faculty Planning on Monday
Parker Parent Group
Valentine Appreciation Event
Parker Annual Fund
Coach of the Year
Yearbooks
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1 ^st )!

Faculty Planning on Monday

There will be no school for students on Monday, January 22. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 23, for the first day of the second semester .

Newly Formed Parent Group

Reminder that parents are welcome to join the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community group (PPCC0. The goal of this informal group is to foster communication and explore ideas for future events related to teacher appreciation and parent/caregiver socializing. We hope to be a resource for families new to Parker and a space where parents/caregivers from different towns can get to know each other, both online and in person, to support one another, the teachers and school.

Join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3718239368409629

Save the date: the PPCC will hold a remote meeting on Monday, February 5th, at 11:00 AM . Meeting link provided beforehand.

Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event Sponsored by Parker Families

Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks and it's time for the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their book preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete this form . Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff!

Parker Annual Fund

What makes Parker, Parker?

Authentic student teacher relationships. How does that happen? Small class sizes, advisory, low student teacher ratios, and adults that care!

Make a gift today to support the extraordinary things that happen at Parker. We need everyone’s help to reach our $200,00 goal!

Coach of the Year

We congratulated Athletic Director Ben Benoit earlier for being recognized as the Boys' Cross-country Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross-country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Now we are congratulating him for being named as the MA State Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year for Boys Division 3 Cross Country 2023 ! Ben’s coaching peers voted him as the recipient of this honor, and he will be presented with the award at a conference in March. Congratulations, Ben!

Yearbooks

Reminder that yearbook prices will increase by $5 after January 31st. Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens.

Make sure to scroll the page to find the correct version of the book you’d like to order. Yearbook ($55) is the hard cover book, while the soft cover ($35) and Division 1 ($15) books are listed lower on the page as Exclusive Offer. Division 1 books contain everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.

Seniors: Don’t forget to submit your baby photo and senior portrait by January 31st!

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 12th

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:43:04 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are looking forward to Midyear Gateways next Thursday and Friday, January 18-19, 2024. This is an exciting time for our students to share their learning and celebrate a very significant accomplishment. There are 52 students scheduled to gateway across every domain and division. Good luck to all our students!

As we explain on our website…

Students demonstrate mastery of curricular standards in each Division through "Gateway Exhibitions" in which they present and defend their academic portfolios. They carefully examine past assignments and consider their performance on past assessments, review teacher comments, and rate themselves as to whether they meet the expectations for their division. They select a number of pieces that show progress over their time in the division to put in their portfolio, which serves as the permanent record of their learning.

Students present their Gateway Portfolio in a Public Exhibition, before a small audience made up of their advisor, teachers, their parents, other students, and members of the community. The students answer questions about their work and talk about what matters most in their learning, their progress, their struggles, and their goals in the next division. Students' ability to reflect on their work and respond to audience questions is an important element of their demonstrating readiness for promotion.

The Gateway Exhibition is a moment of celebration. Parents often bring food or flowers to make the occasion personal and special. Upon the successful completion of this exhibition, students gateway into the next division.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Newly Formed Parent Group
Youth Venture Update
Advocacy Week
COVID-19 Reminder
Yearbooks
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1 ^st )!

Newly Formed Parent Group

Hello Parker Families! We want to share with you the exciting news of the creation of a new group for Parker families: The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) . The goal of this informal group is to foster communication and explore ideas for future events related to teacher appreciation and parent/caregiver socializing. We hope to be a resource for new to Parker families as well as a space where parents/caregivers from different towns can get to know one another, both online and in person, to support one another as well as the teachers and school.

The PPCC will hold monthly meetings to discuss and plan different events for families and teachers. Our next meeting will be via Zoom on Monday, February 5th, at 11:00 am. We'd love to have you join us! Future meetings will happen at different times of day so if this time doesn't work there will be other opportunities. Attending a meeting doesn't mean a big commitment, just an interest in building community with Parker families. We’ll post a link closer to the date, but please feel free to contact any of us if you have questions. And keep an eye out for news of upcoming events!

Want to connect with other Parker families and caregivers now? Are you new to Parker and have questions, like what’s a COW or what is a gateway? If so, please consider joining the newly created Parker Parent and Caregiver Community Facebook group. Parents and caregivers across all divisions are welcome to join. Please note the group is not intended for student participation.

The Parker Parent/Caregiver Community FB group is private. To request group membership, please use the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/puHLCESpQtXhRKhC/?mibextid=K35XfP . There are a few questions to answer for membership approval and all member requests will be cross referenced to verify current Parker attendance.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Beth Kurth Div 2 Parent ( hughzhoney@gmail.com )
Emily Classon Div 1 Parent ( emweb2@gmail.com )
Stephanie Maclary Div 1 Parent ( stephaniemmac@gmail.com )
Beth Vause Div 2+3 Parent ( Bethvause22@gmail.com )
Dawn Van Patten Div 3 Parent ( DawnVP@Comcast.com )

Youth Venture Update

The newest Youth Venture group, Shelter Helpers , recently launched their first venture (see photo above). The group consists of Stellan Ogilvie, Zephyr Schermerhorn, Cormac Hildreth, Jaxon Liles, and Gabby Briggs. They will hold a drive in the form of an advisory competition in the spring to collect donations for the Worcester Animal Rescue League. They were awarded more seed money than they requested to help launch their project. Congratulations to the group!

Advocacy Week

On Monday, February 12th from 6-6:30 p.m., the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) will host a virtual kick-off rally via Zoom to usher in the start of its annual Charter Public School Advocacy Week! Advocacy Week is an opportunity for charter public school families from all across the state to come together to raise their voices to ensure every child in Massachusetts has access to the education and resources they need to succeed.

All Parker families are invited to join this event and represent our school! The event will feature charter public school alumni and families from across the state, and it promises to be an inspiring evening! Register now and tune in on February 12th to learn more about how you can get involved throughout the week.

COVID-19 Reminder

Reminder COVID-19 Symptomatic testing is no longer available at Parker. As with other illnesses, if your student has a fever, they must stay home until they are without fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. If they are presenting with symptoms that make it difficult for them to be in school, please keep your student home. If your student is presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, please test them before sending them to school. Two boxes of free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test kits labeled with the student’s name were distributed to each student to bring home this week. Lastly, we are requesting that staff, students, and families wear masks to protect others while they are ill at Parker. Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with any questions.

Yearbooks

Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Prices will increase by $5 after January 31st. Make sure to scroll the page to find the correct version of the book you’d like to order . Yearbook ($55) is the hard cover book, while the soft cover ($35) and Division 1 ($15) books are listed lower on the page as Exclusive Offer . Division 1 books contain everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.

Seniors: Don’t forget to submit your baby photo and senior portrait by January 31st!

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for January 5th

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:08:53 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

I hope that you had a great first week of the new year. Welcome back. We are all getting ready for the first meaningful snowstorm of the year. With the snow coming Saturday night and Sunday, we do not think it will impact school on Monday. We anticipate opening on time on Monday. Thank you to the Devens DPW and our custodial team of John, Greg and James for keeping the driveways and walkways clear around Parker. We appreciate their hard work this Sunday and every time it snows.

I wanted to provide a little context on how decisions on cancelations and delays are made. We try to assess the conditions around Devens as well as our neighboring communities. We communicate with DPW and area superintendents in the evening and early morning. If school is cancelled or delayed, Parker uses an automated phone calling service, the school’s website and voicemail, and local media outlets to inform families. We try to communicate by 6:00 am. On delayed openings, school starts at 10:30 am and all the classes are shortened.

There may be some cases where a storm impacts some communities more than others. Because Parker students come from over forty cities and towns throughout Central Massachusetts, it’s important for families to exercise independent critical judgement, based on observed local conditions, when deciding whether to travel to campus during inclement weather.

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Café (Wednesday) New Year
COVID-19 Update
Yearbooks
Parker Annual Fund
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1 ^st )!

Café (Wednesday) New Year

Happy New Year Parker Family! You’ll never guess what is happening on January 10th from 6:30-8:00 PM - that’s right, it’s Café (Wednesday) New Year ! Whether it’s playing a musical instrument or singing baby shark over and over again, we are so excited to bring in the New Year with our talented community. Please join us for Café New Year! Questions? Contact rose.marble@theparkerschool.org

Please Note: After-school supervision ends at 3:00 PM on Wednesdays, and students must vacate the building until 6:30 PM. Please plan accordingly

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Symptomatic testing will no longer be available at Parker as of today, January 5, 2024. As with other illnesses, if your student has a fever, they must stay home until they are without fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. If they are presenting with symptoms that make it difficult for them to be in school, please keep your student home. If your student is presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, please test them before sending them to school. To help assist with COVID-19 testing, Parker was able to procure COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test kits through The Department of Education. These free kits will be distributed to each student to bring home in the next coming weeks. Lastly, we are requesting that staff, students, and families wear masks to protect others while they are ill at Parker. Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with any questions.

Yearbooks

Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Prices will increase by $5 after January 31st.

Make sure to scroll the page to find the correct version of the book you’d like to order . Yearbook ($55) is the hard cover book, while the soft cover ($35) and Division 1 ($15) books are listed lower on the page as Exclusive Offer . Division 1 books contain everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.

Parker Annual Fund

Happy New Year! Did you know that you can support The Parker Fund with a monthly gift? Start off 2024 by investing in Parker's faculty and program by making a recurring monthly gift to The Parker Fund. Recurring giving is an easy, convenient, and sustainable way to show your care and support for the teachers who nurture your students every day! Click here to make a one-time or recurring gift to Parker. Thank you for your support!

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 22nd

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:33:17 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday. Enjoy some quality time and holiday treats with those who you love. We are grateful to learn, grow and connect in our extraordinary community of Parker. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Thanks, and Warm Wishes!
Holiday Break Reminder
Order your Yearbook
Parent Thank You
Parker Annual Fund
Calendars are Ready!
Reminder for Families of Div2 AH
From the Library

Thanks, and Warm Wishes!

How thoughtful you were to think of us!

All the goodies and treats; you made such a fuss!

Our thanks for your kindness and we wish you the best.

Have a wonderful break and enjoy an earned rest!

Parker extends the warmest wishes of the season to you and your loved ones.
Enjoy the break - see you in 2024! Happy New Year!

Holiday Break Reminder

Classes will resume for students on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 . If your student will miss additional days, please leave a message on the Attendance Line (available 24 hours a day) at 978-772-3293, x1.

Yearbooks

Parent Organized Appreciation Thank You

Thank you to everyone who contributed in some way to the Parker Staff Appreciation Breakfast and Break Room Supply Drive. Your generosity is amazing! We were able to provide an amazing continental breakfast and supply lots of goodies for the staff lounge. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday break and Happy New Year!

Parker Annual Fund

This week saw the holiday season of giving continue— as of December 20th, we have received over $80,000 from Parker's Board of Trustees’ members, staff, current families, ALUMNI, parents of graduates, and friends of Parker. Thank you! During this last busy week of the holiday season, please consider a year-end, tax deductible gift to Parker by clicking here - ALL GIFTS MATTER AND MAKE AN IMPACT! For more information on The Parker Fund, click here .

Calendars are Ready!

Reminder if you ordered a 2024 Parker Student Art Calendar, you can stop by Monique’s office to pick it up. Thank you for supporting Parker student art!

Reminder for Families of Division 2 AH

Reminder: Save The Date – Tuesday, February 13, 2023 – 6:30-7:30 PM. Division 2 AH students have worked hard this semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. On the evening of Thursday, February 13th, we would like to invite families and students to Parker for Division 2 Exhibition Night! This night will allow Division 2 AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff. If you have questions, please contact your student’s Division 2 AH teacher.

From the Library

Reminder you can get free eBooks and audiobooks from our school library. It’s easy! Just download the free Sora app and borrow digital books with your Parker email and Student ID. You can enjoy them on all major devices and tablets. The collection has books like Heartstopper and Throne of Glass . Bonus: You can add a public library name to browse and checkout titles from their collection too! Come visit your friendly, neighborhood Parker librarian for more information or access the site 24/7 in the Sora app.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 15th

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:41:36 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Bravo to the cast, crew and director of The Caucasian Chalk Circle for an incredible opening performance. We have an extremely talented group of students who should be very proud of the performance. The show is funny and creative, demanding versatility and stamina with 20 actors playing over 70 roles. As Ryan writes in his Director’s Note about the students,

I am in awe of how much of themselves they gave to bring you this performance. They are so funny, so brave, and so talented.

Thank you to the families, friends and staff who support Parker Theatre. The show runs tonight and tomorrow, December 15-16th at 7:00 PM in the Parker Auditorium. Please join us. Click the link to visit our web site for additional information and to purchase online tickets. https://our.show/parkerchalkcircle

Thank you to everyone who helped to spread the word about enrolling in Parker. The deadline for applying for January admission is today, December 15th. For additional information to share with families who may be interested in this year or next, please see Enrollment at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School (theparkerschool.org)

Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season. Happy Hanukkah to all students and families celebrating the last night of the Festival of Lights this evening. We have a full week of school next week, with a Noon dismissal on Friday, December 22nd.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Calendars are Ready!
Parker Annual Fund
Reminder for Families of Div2 AH
TOYS for TOTS Thanks You!
Lost and Found Pickup
From the Library
Parent Organized Faculty Appreciation
Gift Giving Guidelines

Calendars are Ready!

If you ordered a 2024 Parker Student Art Calendar , you can stop by Monique’s office to pick it up. Thank you for supporting Parker student art!

Parker Annual Fund

The Parker Annual Fund supports our teachers and programs which empower our students to innovate, explore, build, and create. Your donation will help us reach our $200,000 goal ensuring our students’ continuing opportunities to exceed expectations! Click here to donate.

Reminder for Families of Division 2 AH

Save The Date – Tuesday, February 13, 2023 – 6:30-7:30 PM . Division 2 AH students have worked hard this semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. On the evening of Thursday, February 13th, we would like to invite families and students to Parker for Division 2 Exhibition Night! This night will allow Division 2 AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff. If you have questions, please contact your student’s Division 2 AH teacher.

TOYS for TOTS Thanks You!

You've proven again what an amazing and generous community we have at Parker. MANY thanks for supporting the effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need.

Lost and Found Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Wednesday, December 20th . Please check for and claim any items belonging to your loved ones!

From the Library

Did you know that you can get free eBooks and audiobooks from our school library? It’s easy! Just download the free Sora app and borrow digital books with your Parker email and Student ID. You can enjoy them on all major devices and tablets. The collection has books like Heartstopper and Throne of Glass . Bonus: You can add a public library name to browse and checkout titles from their collection too! Come visit your friendly, neighborhood Parker librarian for more information or access the site 24/7 in the Sora app.

Parent Organized Faculty Appreciation

Reminder there are two efforts underway to celebrate the wonderful staff this holiday season.

A supply drive to stock the staff break room will start on Monday 12/11 and run throughout the week. We are seeking donations such as K cups, hot chocolate, tea, snacks, etc. You can send these things in with your student, and they can be placed in the bin in the lobby. No time to shop? Feel free to Venmo (info below) a donation and supplies will be purchased and delivered to the break room.
There will be a continental breakfast provided to teachers and staff on Wednesday 12/20 . Monetary donations to support this breakfast can also be sent via Venmo.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Maclary at stephaniemmac@gmail.com . Thank you for considering this opportunity to add some cheer to the Parker Community. Happy Holidays! https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2997385634512896271

Gift Giving Guidelines

Reminder of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts:

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law, but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.

A teacher may accept a gift to the classroom that is to be used for the class and it will become the property of the school district and not the property of the teacher. Gifts from individual students, parents, classes, or other groups and entities are allowed so long as the gift is to the school. These gifts are not subject to disclosure. Parker will maintain a record of the gift. Such gifts must be in accordance with Parker’s policies.

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 8th

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 23:03:50 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We often reflect on the strength of the Parker community and our shared commitment to live our values. This week, we engage in deep and meaningful conversations about hate speech and antisemitism discovered on campus. We stand with our Jewish classmates and colleagues for whom this is painful and present. When one of us is assaulted, we all are. We condemn this cowardly act and explore the important role that we all play as upstanders. We are proud of our students for defending our values and one another.

Parker is committed to creating and nurturing a culture of inclusivity and equity. Common Principal #10: Democracy and Equity reads…

The school should demonstrate non-discriminatory and inclusive policies, practices and pedagogies. It should model democratic practices that involve all who are directly affected by the school. The school should honor diversity and build on the strength of its communities, deliberately and explicitly challenging all forms of inequity.

We are also a school that makes time and space for community service. Whether serving as a mentor or performing service hours, our students give back every day. One of the four pillars of Advisory is Community Service. By dedicating some portion of our day to community service, we look beyond ourselves to promote kindness, generosity and connection. Our world needs more of that.

This was also on display this week as we concluded the Toys for Tots campaign. Thank you to our Parker families for your extraordinary generosity. The donation box was overflowing with new toys for less fortunate children.

Reminder that we are running a midyear lottery for a small number of seats in grades 7 and 9. The deadline for applying for January admission is next Friday, December 16th . Please spread the word. We are also accepting applications for next year. The deadline for applying for August admission is March 1, 2024 . Please share the following link with families who may be interested in learning more about Parker.

Enrollment at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School (theparkerschool.org)

Thank you for making a positive contribution to Parker and beyond.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Fall Show is Next Week
Last Call for 2024 Student Art Calendars
Coach of the Year
Ski and Snowboard Club
Attention Families of Div2 AH!
Health Office Wish List
Parent Organized Faculty Appreciation
Gift Giving Guidelines
Last Week for Current Year Lottery Applications

Fall Show is Next Week

The Fall Show, The Caucasian Chalk Circle , is next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 PM ! The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a comedically revolutionary tale about justice, motherhood, and the importance of good cheese. All are welcome! Click here to ticket purchases and for more information!

Last Call for the 2024 Parker Student Art Calendar

Don’t miss out! Click here by Monday (12/11) to order a fabulous 2024 wall calendar featuring student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 16th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Shown is an image that will be in the calendar. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now!

Coach of the Year

Congratulations to Coach Ben Benoit for being recognized as the Boys' Cross-country Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross-country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Ben started Parker’s Cross Country team 25 years ago and has led the team to numerous victories including this year’s Division III MIAA State Championship. Congratulations to Caleb Hatlevig and Henry Jacobsen for earning all-state honors at the championship meet.

Ski & Snowboard Club

Only one week left to register for Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register . Registration Closes on December 15th, and six-week program begins Wednesday, January 3rd.

Attention Families of Division 2 AH!

Save The Date – Tuesday, February 13, 2023 – 6:30-7:30 PM. Division 2 AH students have worked hard this semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. On the evening of Thursday, February 13th, we would like to invite families and students to Parker for Division 2 Exhibition Night! This night will allow Division 2 AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff. If you have questions, please contact your student’s Division 2 AH teacher.

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of tissues, fabric Band-Aids (all sizes), cough drops and healthy snacks. These particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donation that helps care for our Parker students and staff!

Parent Organized Faculty Appreciation

'Tis the season to show appreciation for the Parker teachers and staff. There are two efforts underway to celebrate the wonderful staff this holiday season.

A supply drive to stock the staff break room will start on Monday 12/11 and run throughout the week. We are seeking donations such as K cups, hot chocolate, tea, snacks, etc. You can send these things in with your student, and they can be placed in the bin in the lobby. No time to shop? Feel free to Venmo (info below) a donation and supplies will be purchased and delivered to the break room.
There will be a continental breakfast provided to teachers and staff on Wednesday 12/20 . Monetary donations to support this breakfast can also be sent via Venmo.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Maclary at stephaniemmac@gmail.com . Thank you for considering this opportunity to add some cheer to the Parker Community. Happy Holidays!

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2997385634512896271

Gift Giving Guidelines

As the holidays approach, please be reminded of the following guidelines on gift giving from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission that apply to all public employees in Massachusetts:

Gifts where the combined value is $50 or more may not be accepted. Whether gifts are given for the holidays, end of year, or other occasion, a public school employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a current student or a parent over the course of an entire year (365 days) with the combined value of $50 or more.
Gifts which have a value under $50 are permitted under the law, but may be subject to reporting to the State Ethics Commission on a disclosure form to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Generally, any item of monetary value gifted during the year, including the holiday period, is subject to disclosure.
A teacher may accept a gift to the classroom that is to be used for the class and it will become the property of the school district and not the property of the teacher. Gifts from individual students, parents, classes, or other groups and entities are allowed so long as the gift is to the school. These gifts are not subject to disclosure. Parker will maintain a record of the gift. Such gifts must be in accordance with Parker’s policies.

Last Week for Current Year Applications

Reminder lottery applications are being accepted for current openings in grades 7 and 9 until Friday, December 16th. There are no current openings in grade 8 at this time . If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on December 19 at 4:00 PM. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of January 23, 2024 (second semester). We are also accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until Friday, March 1st . Please direct interested families to www.parker.school/enroll .

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for December 1st

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 02:40:08 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are often asked to describe a typical day at Parker. That is a hard question, because no two days are ever the same. But the values and principles that define the education and community of Parker are the same every day. Our students solve problems, think creatively, work together and persevere in the face of challenge. We use our minds well, we take risks and we foster a community where students are known and valued. We know all that. What does it look like in our classrooms?

AH students are developing research, writing, listening and media analysis skills through units on Native American nations in Division 1 and institutional racism in Division 2. Students are connecting Jim Crow-era policies to issues that we face today. The Common Principle “student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach” defines many of these lessons as students engage as researchers and writers. They approach their work with intellectual curiosity and rigor.

MST students are adding integers and combining like terms in Division 1, working in small groups facilitated by their co-teachers. In Division 2, students are gathering and analyzing evidence of the evolution of skin color, prompting authentic discussions about the biology and social construct of race. Throughout MST, students engage as serious mathematicians and scientists challenged to engage real problems.

In Wellness, movement classes have moved to indoor activities such as badminton and basketball and health classes are focused on nutrition. Students are designing and analyzing the nutritional elements of a three-course meal. Wellness students are challenged to explore health and fitness in meaningful and engaging units for lifelong impact.

Spanish classes are fully immersive and proficiency-based as students engage with the language and one another. Classes are fun, collaborative and hands-on as students grapple with their new language in authentic ways.

Parker students work very hard – mostly joyfully – as they engage in their work. Our classes are fun, loud, collaborative and real. Thank you to our students and teachers for making that typical every day.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Cross Country in the News
Ski and Snowboard Club
Fall Show Tickets on Sale
Parker Annual Fund
2024 Student Art Calendars for Sale
Parker Lit Mag
Looking for Substitute Nurses
Current Year Lottery Open
Toys for Tots – Final Week!
Winter Sports Registration

Cross Country in the News

Parker Charter Boys’ Cruise to State D3 Cross Country Title

Ski & Snowboard Club

Only two weeks left to register for Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register. Registration Closes on December 15th, and six-week program begins Wednesday, January 3rd.

Fall Show Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the Fall Show, The Caucasian Chalk Circle , are now on sale! The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a comedically revolutionary tale about justice, motherhood, and the importance of good cheese. All are welcome! Shows are on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of December at 7 PM. Click here to visit the show website for ticket purchases and more information!

Parker Annual Fund

Earlier this week, on GivingTuesday, Parker's Alumni stepped up and showed their dedication to Parker! One alumnus said she gave because “I have so much genuine love for Parker! Thank you for building my strong foundation. I credit all of my success as an adult to Parker…and my mom!”

We are grateful for her and others’ generosity. If you would like to join our alumni in showing support, you can make your 2023-2024 donation by donating here .

2024 Parker Student Art Calendar

Click here by December 7th to order a fab ulous 2024 wall calendar featuring student artwork! Calendars will be available for pick up by December 18th. Proceeds support The Parker Fund. Shown is an image that will be in the calendar. Don’t miss out and order your calendar now!

Parker Lit Mag

Do you have writing or art pieces you would like to publish? You should submit your creations to the Parker Art & Literary Magazine: Paper Flowers! We will accept personal essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, comics, art (drawings, paintings, photography), and more! Students with submitted work receive a copy of the magazine once it is professionally printed. S ubmissions are due by WEDNESDAY December 6th at midnight - send your work to Sarah Leandro ( sleandro@theparkerschool.org ), or talk to her in Room 26. We look forward to seeing your work! – Parker Lit Mag & Creative Writing Community Block.

Looking for Substitute Nurses

Are you a registered nurse who might be willing to help out in the Health Office or on a field trip with students? Please reach out to Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org if you would like to apply or if you have any questions!

Current Year Lottery Open

Lottery applications are being accepted for current openings in grades 7 and 9 until Friday, December 16th. There are no current openings in grade 8 at this time. If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on December 19 at 4:00 PM. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of January 23, 2024 (second semester). We are also accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until Thursday, February 1st. Please direct interested families to www.parker.school/enroll .

TOYS for TOTS - Final Week!

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school until December 8th . Please help our effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Winter Sports Registration

Winter sports practices have started, but it’s not too late to join a team! Register now for winter sports: Winter Track, Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity), or Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc

For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Parents of Athletes

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.

Weekly Information for November 17th

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:25:47 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

I hope that you have a terrific Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. There is anxious anticipation and excitement for the break and the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. We are grateful.

Thank you for your help welcoming new students and families to Parker. We just announced a limited lottery for students currently in 7th and 9th grade to enroll this January. We are also accepting applications for next year through our annual February lottery. Most students and families learn about Parker through word of mouth. Thank you for spreading the word.

In the next few days, Parker families, friends and alums will receive a card in the mail announcing our Annual Fund. I wanted to provide additional context as we celebrate and thank our teachers.

Whether your child has been at Parker for two months or six years, they have built strong relationships with their teachers. Who is the teacher who believed in your student, set high expectations and helped them grow? Who is the advisor who welcomed them to school every day and taught your student how to persevere through challenge? Who is the teacher who changed your student’s life?

We thank Parker teachers for their passionate commitment to our students. Parker teachers are exceptional. Parker teachers set high standards, build strong relationships with their students and provide consistent coaching and support. Niche rates Parker teachers #1 in the Boston area and #3 among 355 public schools statewide. We agree!

Yet our faculty and staff earn far less than they would elsewhere. Why?

When the state authorized the creation of charter schools in 1993, they created a funding stream that included the per pupil expenditure from the sending towns, but provided no funding for building maintenance, construction and repair. Unlike traditional public schools, Parker must spend per pupil money on our facility.
Parker prioritizes small ratios, low teacher loads and team teaching. As we all know, our students are known deeply and learn to use their mind well. To do that, we hire more teachers than traditional public schools. This is central to who we are.

We are working hard to increase teacher salaries, pursuing grants and state aid. We continue to recruit new students to maximize enrollment. We turn to the Parker community for additional help through the Parker Fund. Your donation is an essential investment in our students. Please contribute to the extent that you are able. Thank you!

Brian

Click Here to Donate

This week’s topics:

November Progress Reports
College/Transition Counselor
2024 Student Art Calendars for Sale
Vote for Henry!
Looking for Substitute Nurses
Current Year Lottery Open
Signs and Magnets
Parker SEPAC
Absences Around Thanksgiving
Toys for Tots
Annual Report
Dental Care at Parker
Winter Sports Registration

November Progress Reports

Parents/guardians, please note that November progress reports were sent to you via email (with attached pdf) on Wednesday this week. Please take the time to review these reports! More details are in the email. There are two drop-in sessions for parents/guardians who would benefit from a “guided tour” of OneNote, School Connections, and/or an explanation of progress reports: Tues, 11/21 from 8:15-9:00am or Tues, 11/28 from 3:30-4pm. No RSVP required. If you have questions about how to interpret the reports, you can also access several resources linked here and in the email that was sent: Progress Report "Key" ; Parker Assessment Continuum .

College/Transition Counselor

We are happy to share with the community that we have filled the College/Transition counselor position. Jinnee Strus will be joining Parker in this capacity in early December. Jinnee has worked as a guidance counselor at all school levels over the past twenty years. Most recently, she has been at Gardner Middle School; in her career, she has worked at the high school level (and doing college readiness work with juniors and seniors) at districts such as Shrewsbury, Fitchburg, and Wachusett. Jinnee’s strengths include building relationships with students and strong organizational skills, both of which will be important in her work as the College/Transition Counselor! We are excited to welcome her to Parker and will create opportunities for Division 3 students to meet her in her first week. Until early December, juniors and seniors (and their parents/guardians) can continue to reach out to Deb Merriam and/or Monique Beganski for support in the college/transition process.

2024 Parker Student Art Calendar

Vote for Henry!

Vote for Henry Jacobsen for Athlete of the Week! Henry is a senior on the Parker boys' cross-country team and won the Division 3C individual title with a time of 16:28.09 and led Parker to the team championship. Click the following link to cast your vote: https://www.telegram.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/11/14/cast-your-vote-for-the-storm-works-roofing-restoration-athlete-of-the-week/71569242007/

Looking for Substitute Nurses

Current Year Lottery Open

Signs and Magnets

We have a few lawn signs left and would appreciate you hosting one in your yard for a couple of months. Please feel free to grab one from near the school front door. Also, if you’d like a Parker car magnet, ask Monique for one!

Parker SEPAC (Special Education Parent's Advisory Council)

Please join SEPAC for a presentation on the "New IEP" facilitated by Angela Greiner, the Special Education Director at Parker, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. A Question-and-Answer session will follow the presentation. If you would like to join remotely, please us this link . Please email Jesse Lowe, SEPAC Chair, at jesselowe7@mac.com , or SEPAC@theparkerschool.org if you would like to join as an additional member of the SY2023-2024 SEPAC Board or would like to learn more about SEPAC.

Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student is extending Thanksgiving break, remember to contact the main office and let us know when your student(s) will be absent. The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

TOYS for TOTS

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school beginning November 13th until December 8th . Please help our effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org .

Annual Report Available

The Annual Report for 2022-23 is available to download HERE .

Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)

Reminder students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Wednesday, November 29th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Winter Sports Registration

Reminder to register now for winter sports: Winter Track , Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity), or Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for November 10th

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:48:33 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

As we head into the Veterans Day holiday, we recognize those in the Parker community who serve in the military, past and present. We appreciate all our veterans and their families. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

We welcomed five new students to Parker this week from the October lottery. These new students make our community stronger, more vibrant and more diverse. Thank you for joining us! We just started recruiting students for next year. We accept applications for incoming 7th, 8th and 9th graders through February 1, 2024. It is our top priority to attract and retain a diverse and engaged student body ready to do rigorous academic work.

Word of mouth is our most effective way of introducing Parker to prospective students and families. Thank you for your help spreading the word. Encourage your friends, neighbors and colleagues to check us out and attend an upcoming information session. Follow us on Facebook and share digital content. Grab a lawn sign to post in your community. Invite us to speak to your social, community or religious groups. We are excited to introduce Parker to new families with your help.

Click here for an information packet to share.

Next week, students and families will receive Progress Reports from the first quarter of the fall semester. These will come your way midweek as PDFs attached to an email. We will review Progress Reports with students in Advisory, asking them to focus on their strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you for reviewing Progress Reports with your student as an important tool for communication and reflection.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Absences Around Thanksgiving
Weather Related Delays and Closings
Toys for Tots
Information Sessions
Dental Care at Parker
Winter Sports Registration

Absences Around Thanksgiving

Weather Related Delays and Closings

Reminder when school is cancelled or delayed because of inclement weather, Parker uses an automated phone calling service, the school’s website and voicemail, and local media outlets to inform families of the closing or delay. Because Parkers students come from over forty cities and towns throughout Central Massachusetts, it’s important for Parker families to exercise independent critical judgement, based on observed local conditions, when deciding whether to travel to campus during inclement weather .

TOYS for TOTS

Information Sessions

Please encourage families interested in Parker to sign up for an upcoming information session and to apply at this short link: www.parker.school/enroll

Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)

Winter Sports Registration

All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for November 3rd

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:08:17 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

At Parker, we are all committed to fostering a challenging and affirming school culture where students work very hard, take academic risks and come together as one community to celebrate. As I wrote last week, this is an important time of year to find that balance, as we approach the end of a rigorous first quarter.

It is in that spirit that our seniors hosted AppleFest today, a not-so-secret tradition with homemade apple crisp, music and celebration for the whole school. Thank you to the Hatlevig family and Shelburne Farm in Stow for contributing the apples again this year! It was a perfect fall celebration.

We appreciate the leadership and inclusiveness of our Seniors today and all year. They serve as Peer Mentors, sports captains, stage managers, club leaders and Teaching Assistants. They provide strong student leadership in the Justice Committee and Community Congress. And they serve as passionate advocates for their school as Ambassadors to visitors and prospective students and families. Thank you to the Senior class for living the values that you imagined when drafting the Essential Question for this year: How do you influence those around you? The Senior class influences the culture of Parker in uniquely positive ways, modeling what it looks like to engage deeply in their learning while creating a welcoming space for all. Thank you!

Brian

This week’s topics:

AppleFest 2023!
Last Call for Student Artwork!
Health Office Wish List
Dental Care at Parker
Join the Parker Band!
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club
MART Transportation

AppleFest 2023!

Our deepest thanks go out to the Hatlevig family and Shelburne Farm in Stow for the donation of apples for this year’s senior class for AppleFest. Apple crisp was enjoyed by all!

Last Call for Student Artwork!

Please submit student artwork for the Parker 2024 wall calendar featuring student artwork! Calendars will be available for purchase before the new year! For more information, see this flyer . Submit your artwork online here by November 6th. Contact Katrina , Marena or Sheila with any questions!

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes), cough drops and granola bars. These particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!

Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)

NEW DATE: Reminder students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Wednesday, November 29th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Join the Parker Band!

The Band will continue accepting new members, so if you have another activity ending and want to join, please contact Jim (Room 13 or jdesmond@theparkerschool.org ) or Marena (Room 43 or mcole@theparkerschool.org ). Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM in Room 13 , and there are instruments available if you don’t have your own but have basic playing skills. Participation fee is $100 per semester.

Winter Sports Registration

All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Ski & Snowboard Club

Reminder registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register . Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/3. Chaperones are needed!

MART Transportation

Reminder MART offers shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster . Pickup is at 7:45 AM and drop off is at 4:15 PM at BGCFL. Cost is $4/ride or $80/month. Call MART directly at 800-922-5636 Option 3 by at least 4:30 PM the day before the ride is needed. Ask for the Devens Workforce Ride Program – Parker Charter and Boys and Girls Club.

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow. Click here for more information about a potential shuttle from Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton or Stow. MART currently provides taxi/livery service from these towns but is willing to start shuttles with enough participation. Contact Keary Connors at keary.connors@mrta.us if interested.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for October 27th

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 19:14:50 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

As we approach the end of our first academic quarter, we pause to reflect on the hard work, intellectual rigor and sense of community that defines Parker. It has been a great kickoff to the year. Our students are completing assessments, making revisions and engaging in their classes. This requires hard work – often emotional and frustrating yet deeply meaningful and rewarding for our students. We hosted PSATs on Wednesday and PLP conferences last week. Progress Reports come out in mid-November. Seniors just completed their Letters of Intent defining the essential question and goals for their year-long Senior Projects. Many of our Seniors have also submitted their first round of applications to colleges. Our students are busy, and their work is important.

At the same time, we create opportunities to celebrate our community and come together as one. This week we hosted the Cup Cup Challenge in Division 2, Junior Gourd Challenge, Senior Trivia, and Café Wednesday. Next week we host a Halloween party in Division 1. And of course, advisories across the school celebrated the fall season with art projects, activities and games that help develop and nurture the culture of the group. Finally, today marked the conclusion of a week-long Four-Square Tournament sponsored by the Wellness domain. The Outback was packed and boisterous with music playing and play-by-play announcing as students rallied around their peers and teachers. Congratulations to Four-Square Champion Sarah Rogers!

These opportunities to have fun help to foster a culture of hard work, community and common purpose at Parker. Thank you for engaging in all aspects of Parker.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Call for Student Artwork!
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club
Teacher Appreciation
Dental Care at Parker
Carpool List and Student Directory
MART Transportation

Call for Student Artwork!

This year, we are excited to be creating a 2024 wall calendar featuring student artwork . Artwork submitted by students will be selected by a jury and included in the calendar which will be available for purchase before the new year! For more information, see this flyer . Submit your artwork online here by November 6th. Contact Katrina , Marena or Sheila with any questions!

Winter Sports Registration

Register now for winter sports: Winter Track , Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity), or Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc

All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week.

For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register. Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/3. Chaperones are needed!

Teacher Appreciation

Families who would like to show their appreciation of Parker teachers can sign up to drop off goodies for them. The faculty are always very grateful for these treats! Please click here to learn more and sign up.

Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)

Reminder students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 17th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

Reminder a copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only). Also, a printed Student Directory can be purchased at the front office for $3. If you would prefer to have a directory mailed to you, you can send $5 to Parker School or pay $5 online via UniPay under Misc, Fees, Other.

MART Transportation

Reminder to click here for more information about a potential shuttle from Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton or Stow. MART currently provides taxi/livery service from these towns but are willing to start shuttles with enough participation. Contact Keary Connors at keary.connors@mrta.us if interested.

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

MART also offers shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. Pickup is at 7:45 AM and drop off is at 4:15 PM at BGCFL. Cost is $4/ride or $80/month. Call MART directly at 800-922-5636 Option 3 by at least 4:30 PM the day before the ride is needed. Ask for the Devens Workforce Ride Program – Parker Charter and Boys and Girls Club.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for October 20th

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 18:29:29 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

We are proud of all our students’ accomplishments in and out of school!
Have a great weekend!

Brian

This week’s topics:

Last Day for Current Lottery Applications
Parker SEPAC Invite
Winter Sports Registration
Ski and Snowboard Club
Yarn Needed!
Dental Care at Parker
Film Club
Senior Projects – Offer Your Ideas
Join the Band
Lawn Signs
Carpool List and Student Directory
MART Transportation

Last Day for Current Lottery Applications

Today is the last day for lottery applications for current openings in grades 7 and 9! If you know any current 7th or 9th grade students who want to come to Parker, please check with them today to make sure they’ve applied.

If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on October 23 at 4:00 PM. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of November 6, 2023. We are also accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until Thursday, February 1st. Direct interested families to www.parker.school/enroll .

Parker SEPAC Invite

The ParkerPac (SEPAC) invites you to join a zoom presentation from Rachel Enad of Mass Advocates for Children on Basic Rights in Special Education at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 24th.

This workshop provides an overview of the special education laws of students with disabilities and the supports and services they are entitled to in order to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The workshop will address legal standards, the special education process, parent and student participation rights, and evaluation rights. Please check your email for the link and passcode to join the meeting. Contact Jesse Lowe (SEPAC Chair) with questions at (978) 618-0775 or jesselowe7@mac.com .

Winter Sports Registration

The following Parker winter sports teams will be offered:

Winter Track
Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity)
Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. Please use the following link to register your student as soon as possible for a winter sport: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is opening soon for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details . Chaperones are needed!

YARN Needed!

Our Friday Community Electives knitting group requests donations of yarn to help them make blankets to donate to community organizations. If you have extra yarn at home (or if you can purchase some to donate), they would appreciate it. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are welcome as well. You can drop donations off in Room 22.

Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 17th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Parker Film Club Returns

Parker Students: Grab your mustached detective potatoes and turn off that nature documentary, because Parker Film Club is starting up again! Are you into making absurd and sometimes super serious (but not really) films with friends? Is it your passion to be in front of or behind a camera? Do you have a talent for writing crazy scripts? Well then, we certainly have the place for you. Every Wednesday, starting on the 25th, the super amazing Parker Film Club will meet in the library from 1:30-3:00 PM! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to lindsay.wolfson@theparkerschool.org or abigail.landsman@theparkerschool.org

Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Thanks so much to all the members of Parker’s community who have offered ideas/suggestions to the Class of 2024 thus far. If you haven’t had a chance yet, please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year! The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward!

Parker Class of 2024 Senior Projects: CLICK HERE to share ideas, resources, and contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all! Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done! Thanks! (Senior Seminar Teachers: Debbie, Jim, Ryan, & Henry)

Join the Band

Reminder the band will continue accepting new members, so if you have another activity ending and want to join, please contact Jim (room 13 or jdesmond@theparkerschool.org ) or Marena (room 43 or mcole@theparkerschool.org ). Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM in room 13, and there are instruments available if you don’t have your own but have basic playing skills. Participation fee is $100 per semester.

Lawn Signs

Reminder we appreciate your help spreading the word about Parker to people in our sending towns during this current enrollment season. These signs are made of waterproof coated biodegradable paperboard and do not need to be returned. Signs can be picked up in the foyer or from the front sidewalk.

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

MART Transportation

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for October 13th

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:30:48 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

This week we watched in horror as Hamas launched a terrorist attack against the Jewish people of Israel. We condemn violence, terrorism and hatred in every form. We stand with our students, staff and families who are experiencing this as a deeply personal attack on their families and their faith. We support Muslims in our community for whom these terrorist attacks do not represent their views. We are a loving and supportive community that looks out for one another.

We support all Parker students through this scary and confusing time. Many students have sought to better understand the history and implications of the war in Gaza. Many students have seen or heard about atrocities and ongoing threats of violence in the region. We will continue to support our students through all of this, in class and advisory discussions with trusted and caring adults. We lean on the Parker community to provide the space, structure and human connection to process these issues together.

Out of respect and care,

Brian

This week’s topics:

Lawn Signs
College Counselor Transition
Microsoft App to See Student Assignments Available
Join the Band
Senior Projects—offer your ideas!
Film Club
Current Lottery Applications
Carpool List and Student Directory
MART Transportation

Lawn Signs

Do you live on a well-traveled road? Are you willing to host a lawn sign? We appreciate your help spreading the word about Parker to people in our sending towns during this current enrollment season. These signs are made of waterproof coated biodegradable paperboard and do not need to be returned. Signs can be picked up in the foyer or from the front sidewalk.

College Counselor Transition

Division Three students and parents are already aware that Missy Rizkalla, the College and Transition Counselor, recently accepted a position at another school. She will support Parker seniors through the November 1 application deadline, and then Deb Merriam and Monique Beganski will support students until we hire a new counselor. Deb and Monique have worked closely with Missy for years and are well prepared to provide this support. We have already posted the open position and begun the process of filling it, which we hope to do as soon as we can. If you would like to provide input into the qualities and experiences most important to the role of college, career and guidance counseling, any parent/guardian is welcome to share thoughts at a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 PM . Please use this link to join the meeting: College Counselor Virtual Input Session . We will all work together to ensure a smooth transition. If you have questions about this transition, please contact Brian Harrigan ( bharrigan@theparkerschool.org ).

Microsoft App to See Student Assignments Now Available

On Thursday, we sent out an email to all parent/guardian contacts introducing a new tool that you MAY be interested in using to know about daily and weekly assignments that your student has. Parker is participating in beta-testing a new Microsoft Application called School Connection that lets parents/guardians see the “Assignments” section of their student’s Microsoft Account. If having access to your student’s daily and weekly assignments is of interest to you, please be sure to consult that email for more details.

Join the Band

The band will continue accepting new members, so if you have another activity ending and want to join, please contact Jim (room 13 or jdesmond@theparkerschool.org ) or Marena (room 43 or mcole@theparkerschool.org ). Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM in room 13, and there are instruments available if you don’t have your own but have basic playing skills. Participation fee is $100 per semester.

Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Parker Class of 2024 Senior Projects: CLICK HERE to share ideas, resources, and contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all! Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done! Thanks! (Senior Seminar Teachers: Debbie, Jim, Ryan, & Henry)

Parker Film Club Returns

Current Lottery Applications

Reminder lottery applications are being accepted for current openings in grades 7 and 9 until Friday, October 20th. There are no current openings in grade 8 at this time. If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on October 23 at 4:00 PM. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of November 6, 2023. We are also accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until Thursday, February 1st. Direct interested families to www.parker.school/enroll .

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

Reminder a copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

Also, a printed Student Directory can be purchased at the front office for $3. If you would prefer to have a directory mailed to you, you can send $5 to Parker School or pay $5 online via UniPay under Misc, Fees, Other.

MART Transportation

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for October 6th

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:36:30 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday evening for Community Connections and Parker 101. Community Connections is a terrific kickoff to the senior year where we celebrate our seniors as they launch their senior projects. Students shared their terrific project ideas and solicited feedback and connections. Parker 101 is an opportunity for families new to Parker to learn about our program and how best to support their child. Thanks to everyone who supported our newest and our oldest students.

As I wrote previously, this is an important year of reflection and revision, something that we do well at Parker. We invite you to share your voice and perspective across the year in a variety of ways, including interviews, surveys, focus groups and working groups. Our intent is to listen, learn and improve.

Strategic Plan

We are embarking on a strategic plan to position ourselves for long-term sustainability and growth. The result will be a five-year Strategic Plan that tells a compelling story of who we are and who we want to become, stays true to the Ten Common Principles, names our challenges and their root causes, and clearly articulates our priorities.

NEASC Self-Study

We are also launching a self-study under the guidance of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Every ten years schools undergo a self-study and NEASC accreditation process. We look closely at the elements of our educational program, including the culture, support and practice of student learning at Parker. We welcome NEASC into our school this March. Together we will highlight areas of transformative practice as well as 2-3 priorities for improvement. This is an invaluable opportunity to analyze our practice, all from a position of strength.

As part of this effort, we will be asking students to share their feedback in a survey to be administered in advisories. We are also seeking parent feedback. Please take a few moments and complete the following survey. We ask about the learning and growth opportunities for your child at Parker.

NEASC PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY

Finally, we are looking for a few parents and students to join the NEASC self-study committee this year, participating in 1-2 meetings per month at Parker. We generally meet on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. We welcome parent and student voices to this effort. If you are interested, please complete this form by Thursday, October 12th.

NEASC Self-Study Committee

Thank you for lending your voice across the year. Enjoy the long weekend. See you on Tuesday.

Brian

This week’s topics:

PLP Conferences
T-shirts for Sale during PLPs
Senior Projects—offer your ideas!
Parker 101 Slides Available
Current Lottery Applications
OneNote Links Sent
Parker Band
Carpool List and Student Directory
Flu Vaccine Clinic
Optional COVID Testing
MART Transportation

OneNote Links Sent

Emails were sent to parents/guardians today with OneNote Links to student classes. These links allow parents/guardians to access class/project information as well as your own student’s rubrics. More information about what these are and how you might use them is in the email. We will have several drop-in sessions to help parents who want support in learning how to use this resource. The first one will be on PLP day, when help will be available all day. Plan to stop by the lobby before or after your PLP if you want a mini-lesson on how to use this resource!

School Photo Retakes

Photographers will be in the lobby NEXT Monday morning, October 2nd, from 7:45-9:45 AM to take photos of anyone who missed having their photo taken on registration day or anyone who would like a retake.

PLP Conferences on October 13th

Families should have heard from their child's advisors to set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans). This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process!

PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 13. If you have not yet received an email/booking link from your child’s advisor, you can reach out to mbeganski@theparkerschool.org and she can send the link to you (it is advisory-specific). If you cannot make any of the times on 10/13 or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference.

T-Shirts for Sale During PLPs

Are you a fan of this year’s hot pink Parker Faculty shirts? If yes, then you’re in luck! A limited number of hot pink Parker Community t-shirts will be on sale during PLPs for $15 each. They have a slight twist on the faculty design but follow the same theme. There will also be more green Parker EST 1995 shirts available for $10 each. Look for them in the lobby during PLPs.

Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us at the Class of 2024’s Community Connections Night. If you weren’t able to attend, please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year! The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward!

Parker Class of 2024 Senior Projects: CLICK HERE to share ideas, resources, and contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all! Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done! Thanks! The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

Parker 101 Slides Available

To new (and new-ish) Parker families: Thanks to all of you who were able to join us for one or both of the Parker 101 sessions in the last two weeks. If you were not able to join us (or if you were there but want to look more closely at the material), you can access the powerpoint slides we used in both sessions HERE to see the headlines on the topics we discussed. If you have questions, Deb Merriam will be in the lobby most of the day on PLP Friday and she would be happy to answer your questions about the program.

Current Lottery Applications

OneNote Links Sent

Reminder emails were sent to parents/guardians last week with OneNote Links to student classes. These links allow parents/guardians to access class/project information as well as your own student’s rubrics. More information about what these are and how you might use them is in the email. We will have several drop-in sessions to help parents who want support in learning how to use this resource. The first one will be on PLP day, when help will be available all day. Plan to stop by the lobby before or after your PLP if you want a mini-lesson on how to use this resource!

Parker Band Update

Reminder if you missed the informational meeting, you are still welcome to sign up provided you know the basics of playing your woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Our rehearsals began on Tuesday, October 3rd in Room 13 . Students can plan to come to rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM. We will run through our concert in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The details for signing up are:

If you filled out a survey at our meeting, we have your information, so no further info is required. Skip to step 3.
If you missed the meeting, please fill out this sign-up form and then continue to step 3.
To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay webpage, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list. You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it.

Students can drop your instrument off in Room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days if you’d like. Please contact us with any questions: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

Reminder a copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Reminder a flu vaccine clinic will be held during PLP Day on Friday, October 13th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM. Please CLICK HERE to register!

Please register now so enough vaccines are brought for everyone. The COVID vaccine won’t be available until October. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.

Optional COVID-19 Testing

Reminder optional symptomatic testing is available for staff and students while they are at school. Please click the link below to consent to symptomatic rapid antigen testing: https://forms.office.com/r/c1wSd55c7X

Please reach out to Nurse Lisa with any questions at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

MART Transportation

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for September 29th

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 19:36:44 GMT

Dear Parker families, students, and staff,

I’m jumping into the Friday letter rotation this week to share with you about PLPs, which are coming up on Friday, October 13th – two weeks from today. I’ll share a bit of logistics below, but before I do, I would like to talk about the big picture.

Most Parker familiars, when asked about the school’s mission, understandably cite the Ten Common Principles , a document written by Ted Sizer articulating ten, well, principles meant to serve as lodestars for creating and maintaining an authentic, rich, and meaningful school community. It’s understandable that the 10CPs should be one’s answer to the question of Parker’s mission because the 10CPs are very concretely and actively present in everything about the school. From curriculum to culture to facilities and human resources, the 10CPs are truly the how of Parker’s day-to-day operations and philosophical expression. They are how we aim to do the what, which is our, well, mission:

The Parker School's mission is “to move the child to the center of the education process and to interrelate the several subjects of the curriculum in such a way as to enhance their meaning for the child” (Charter, October 1994). As a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, the Parker School will realize this mission through educational practice guided by the Ten Common Principles of Essential Schools.

I thought I should share this because, as we look ahead to PLPs in the next two weeks, there’s arguably no more concrete way we live our mission at Parker than when we ask students to tell we others at the meetings – their families and teachers – what their Personal Learning Plans for the year are. PLPs are not, to put a finer point on it, our plans for our students; PLPs are our students’ plans for themselves. They are the authors, they are in charge, and they are, as the mission says, at the center of their education because no one can learn for them, and no one can live their lives for them.

So let’s all use these next two weeks well. Students, it is time to begin drafting and revising (and then maybe revising a little bit more) your goals for this year and your plans for how you want to pursue said goals. Families and staff, let’s get our meetings scheduled! Emails should be out or coming shortly from advisors; families should find a link for scheduling their PLP time slot on the 13th as well as information about the meeting itself. Meanwhile, it is time for we adults to begin listening, formulating questions, and – ever so gingerly, however deeply and firmly full of love – offering up suggestions. Those are some of the ways we influence those around us! When I have facilitated PLP meetings in the past, I have often begun by pointing out the obvious, but very important and sometime easy to forget, truth: we, the people at the table, are a team.

It’s nearly October, and another year is officially off the ground. Let’s work on it together.

Carter

This week’s topics:

OneNote Links Sent
School Photo Retakes
Parker 101 for Parents
Support our Seniors Potluck
Senior Project Community Connections
PLP Conferences
Parker Band
Lost & Found Pickup
Attendance
Carpool List and Student Directory
Optional COVID Testing
Flu Vaccine Clinic
MART Transportation

OneNote Links Sent

School Photo Retakes

Parker 101 for Parents

Please join us for an orientation to Parker especially for parents/guardians who are new (or relatively new) to the school. These are intended to be companion sessions; you are welcome to attend just one, though we hope you can join us at both. Please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) or Matt Smith (matt@theparkerschool.org) with questions.

Part 1: Academics, Wednesday, September 27, 7-8:30 PM. This session will focus primarily on the classroom experience and academic structures/expectations at Parker.

Part 2: School Culture and Communication, Thursday, October 5, 7-8:30 PM. This session will focus on "everything else" about the school, including the advisory program, home-school communication, "discipline", extracurriculars & athletics, food programs, library and technology, and other important family and cultural aspects of the Parker experience.

Support Our Seniors Potluck on October 5th

Seniors and their families are invited to join in conversation around the expectations, excitement, and challenges of the year ahead on Thursday, October 5th from 5:30-7 PM in the Gym . Senior Seminar teachers/advisors will provide an overview of the senior year, Senior Project, and the graduation requirements along with this year’s installment of “Dear Diary”—a not-to-be-missed crowd favorite! Please bring a dish to share!

Community Connections Night on October 5th

We invite all members of the Parker community to meet with the Class of 2023 and learn about their Senior Projects on Thursday, October 5th from 7-8:15 PM in the Gym ! We hope you will offer suggestions for…

resources they should access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider

PLP Conferences on October 13th

Parker Band Update!

The Parker Band had a good turnout at our first informational meeting! If students missed that meeting, they are still welcome to sign up provided they know the basics of playing their woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Our rehearsals begin Tuesday, October 3rd in Room 13 . Students can plan to come to rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM. We will run through our concert in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The details for signing up are:

If students filled out a survey at our meeting, we have your information, so no further info is required. Skip to step 3.
If students missed the meeting, please fill out this sign-up form and then continue to step 3.
To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay webpage, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list. You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it. Checks should be made out to FW Parker Charter Essential School.

Students may drop off their instruments in Room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days if desired. Please contact us with any questions: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org .

LOST & FOUND Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Tuesday, October 3rd . Please stop by before that date to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

Attendance

Please notify the school’s Front Office when your student will be absent, tardy, or dismissed by leaving a message on the Attendance Line any time BEFORE 9:00 AM of the affected day [978-772-3293, ext. 1]. If calling after 9 AM (on the day of the event), please dial ext. 0 and speak with a person. A parent or guardian must call (students cannot call themselves out absent or in late until they are the age of 18). Be sure to leave student name and reason for absence from class.

IMPORTANT: You must contact the Front Office even if you have let the teachers know . The attendance line is available 24 hours a day: 978-772-3293 ext. 1

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only).

A printed Student Directory can be purchased at the front office for $3. If you would prefer to have a directory mailed to you, you can send $5 to Parker School or pay $5 online via UniPay under Misc, Fees, Other.

COVID-19 Cases and Optional Testing

In the past few weeks, we have seen a small uptick in COVID-19 cases. We would like to do optional symptomatic testing for staff and students while they are at school. Please click the link below to consent to symptomatic rapid antigen testing: https://forms.office.com/r/c1wSd55c7X . Please reach out to Nurse Lisa with any questions at lzick@theparkerschool.org .

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Reminder a flu vaccine clinic will be held during PLP Day on Friday, October 13th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM. Please CLICK HERE to register! Please register now so enough vaccines are brought for everyone. The COVID vaccine won’t be available until October. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.

MART Transportation

Reminder if you’re interested in shuttle service from Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton or Stow, please call MART at the number below. They currently provide taxi/livery service but are willing to start shuttles from these towns. Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for September 22nd

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:24:19 GMT

Dear Parker families, students, and staff,

It was great to see everyone at Back to School night last evening. I hope that you experienced Parker as your child does. Thank you jumping in as if you were back in school. It made for a fun and meaningful evening for all of us. We look forward to seeing you again for PLP conferences on Friday, October 13th. Your child’s advisor will send details and an opportunity to sign up in the near future.

We kicked off enrollment season this week and have already generated considerable interest. We currently have a few spots available in 7th grade and 9th grade for THIS YEAR . We will accept applications through October 20, 2023, for November enrollment. Like most charter schools in our region, we are conducting a small mid-year lottery. Enrollment at traditional public and charter schools across the region has been down since the pandemic. We are delighted to welcome a few more students to Parker this fall.

Please note that our enrollment season is ALSO open for NEXT school year (2024-25). We will accept applications through Feb 1, 2024. Families may submit applications for both school years. Click here to learn more and see the schedule of information sessions . Applications may be submitted online or downloaded from the website .

Word-of-mouth is our most effective tool for recruiting new students and families. We appreciate and need your help spreading the word about Parker. We invite you to join the Parker Ambassadors program to promote Parker and serve as a resource. We meet this Thursday, September 28th, at 6:30 pm virtually and in-person. We welcome families from all 40 of our sending towns to join us. If you would like to join us, please let me or Monique know.

We are hopeful that our partnership with MART makes Parker more accessible to current and prospective students and families. We run a daily shuttle to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg. MART is also available to provide transportation from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling and Stow. See the details below.

Thank you for sharing this information with your friends and neighbors.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Parker 101 for Parents
Support our Seniors Potluck
Community Connections Night
Lost & Found Pickup
COVID Cases and Optional Testing
Lunch Program Important UPDATE
Parker SEPAC
Health Office Wish List
Parker Band Update!
Strategic Planning Committee
Instruments Sought
Flu Vaccine Clinic
Community Handbook
MART Transportation

Support Our Seniors Potluck on October 5th

Community Connections Night on October 5th

resources they should access
people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
experiential opportunities they could pursue
product ideas they might consider

Please feel free to bring guests from inside and outside the Parker community!

LOST & FOUND Pickup

The Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Tuesday, October 3rd . Please stop by before that date to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!

COVID-19 Cases and Optional Testing

Lunch Program Important UPDATE

Please click HERE to review an Important Update regarding state requirements that need to be met for every free lunch and breakfast provided.

Parker SEPAC

The ParkerPac, Parker’s SEPAC (Special Education Advisory Council), is a parent-led group providing support to parents & guardians of children who have an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan. SEPAC membership is open to everyone in the Parker Community. Thank you to all who turned out for the SEPAC Meet and Greet at Back to School Night! It was wonderful to meet everyone and a great start to our year! We have several upcoming opportunities to meet, connect, and learn about the 504 and IEP process. Please join us for:

A casual parent support gathering at Marty’s Cafe in Devens at 1:30 PM on Monday, September 25th.
A zoom training from Rachel Enad of Mass Advocates for Children on Basic Rights in Special Education at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 24th (link to follow).
A hybrid meeting with our new Special Education Director, Angela Greiner, discussing the new IEP, and Parker’s exciting opportunity in piloting it, on Tuesday, November 28th (time TBD).

Feel free to contact Jesse Lowe (SEPAC Chair) with any questions at (978) 618-0775 or jesselowe7@mac.com .

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of healthy snacks, tissues, Band-Aids (fabric), 4 oz. paper cups, and new or lightly used boys and girls athletics shorts or girls leggings (Medium or Large).

Parker Band Update!

If students filled out a survey at our meeting, we have your information, so no further info is required. Skip to step 3.
If students missed the meeting, please fill out this sign-up form and then continue to step 3.
To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay webpage, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list. You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it. Checks should be made out to FW Parker Charter Essential School.

Strategic Planning Committee

Reminder we are looking for a few parents/guardians and students to join a Strategic Planning Committee to help facilitate discussions, review feedback and draft the plan. The group will kick off in early October and meet twice a month, virtually in the afternoon through early Spring. Committee members should anticipate 4-8 hours of time per month. If you are interested in being considered for the Strategic Planning Committee, please reply to this form . We will review and select the committee by the end of the month. Thank you very much for your support and interest.

Instruments Sought

Reminder we are looking for playable brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments to loan to students that would like to play in the band but don’t own their own instrument. Please email Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org about loaning or donating unused instruments! Thank you for your support!

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Reminder a flu vaccine clinic will be held during PLP Day on Friday, October 13th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM.

Please CLICK HERE to register! Please register now so enough vaccines are brought for everyone. The COVID vaccine won’t be available until October. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.

Community Handbook

Reminder a copy of the Community Handbook can be found on the school website under Students & Parents.

MART Transportation

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for September 15th

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:55:04 GMT

Dear Parker families, students, and staff,

We just ended our first full week of the school year at Parker. Students are settling into their classes, working hard, making new friends and establishing routines. They are also tired and ready for a break this weekend. All very normal for what has been a great start to the year. It was a very tough week for Parker families who live in Leominster. We had several students and families directly impacted by the flooding. We offer our support to students and families affected.

As you may know, Ted and Nancy Sizer served as co-principals in 1999, the fourth year of the school. Towards the end of the year, Ted reflected:

What is Parker? It is a secondary school that is inventing itself. The common principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools provide a base, but the practical expression of those ideas arises from an often cumbersome process that involves trustees, teachers, students, and families. Every year this expression has been adjusted, both because the school is growing and because we did not get it quite right the first time. The ambiguity inherent in this process is awkward, but it the necessary price of having a place that secures its legitimacy by engaging everyone in its creation and evolution.

Now in our 29th year, we continue to ask these questions. What is Parker? What is the practical expression of those ideas today? What is our vision for the future?

This year will explore these questions as part of a Strategic Planning process. We welcome the input of students, families, teachers, trustees and those who love Parker. The result will be a five-year Strategic Plan that tells a compelling story of who we are and who we want to become, stays true to the Ten Common Principles, names our challenges and their root causes, and clearly articulates our priorities. This is an important exercise of reflection, something that we do well at Parker.

You will be invited to share your thoughts in surveys and public forums across the year. We are also looking for a few parents/guardians and students to join a Strategic Planning Committee to help facilitate discussions, review feedback and draft the plan. We have partnered with professionals skilled at leading schools through this process. We kick off in early October and will meet twice a month, virtually in the afternoon through early Spring. We anticipate 4-8 hours of time per month. If you are interested in being considered for the Strategic Planning Committee, please reply to this form . We will review and select the committee by the end of the month. Thank you very much for your support and interest.

https://forms.office.com/r/HQSWiThnP8

Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night
SEPAC Meet & Greet
Event Parking Reminder
Flu Vaccine Clinic
Afterschool Concert Band
Instruments Sought
Community Handbook
Netherlands Exchange Trip
MART Transportation

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meet & Greet

Come Join the Parker SEPAC (ParkerPAC ) for a Meet & Greet before Back to School Night begins in Room 9 on Thursday, September 21, between 5:45 and 6:15 PM!

The F.W. Parker Charter Essential School’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a parent-led group providing support to parents & guardians of children who have an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan. SEPAC membership is open to everyone in the Parker Community.

The Parker SEPAC is actively seeking members for the 2023-2024 school year. Please stop by to learn more!

Event Parking Reminder

During school events, our on-campus parking is insufficient for our whole school community. Please use the Museum Lot (P-5), located across Jackson Road on Antietam Street, and allow guests with limited mobility to use the available spaces on campus. Thank you!

Flu Vaccine Clinic

A flu vaccine clinic will be held during PLP Day on Friday, October 13th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM. Please CLICK HERE to register!

Please register now so enough vaccines are brought for everyone. The COVID vaccine won’t be available until October. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.

Afterschool Concert Band

Come brass, woodwind, and percussion players, and join the band! Parker is starting up an afterschool concert band this fall! If your student plays any band instrument, please encourage them to join us. No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument. The band will rehearse every week Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 PM, and run for the semester. The activity fee for the semester is $100. Students can come by for an informational lunch meeting on Tuesday, September 19 in Room 13 to learn more. If they can’t make the meeting, they should stop in to chat with Jim Desmond in Room 13 or Marena Cole in Room 43. Also, if your student doesn’t play a band instrument but still wants to make music, they should consider joining Parker Music Makers during Community Block : a flexible group that meets once a week to play songs, strum ukuleles, write songs, and make music however we decide to. Signups will happen next week.

Instruments Sought

Is there a clarinet, flute, or trombone gathering dust in your attic, closet, or basement? We are looking for playable brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments to loan to students that would like to play in the band but don’t own their own instrument. Please email Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org about loaning or donating unused instruments! Thank you for your support!

Community Handbook

A copy of the Community Handbook can be found on the school website under Students & Parents.

MART Transportation

NEW: If you’re interested in shuttle service from Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton or Stow, please call MART at the number below. They currently provide taxi/livery service but are willing to start shuttles from these towns.

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow. MART also offers shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. Pickup is at 7:45 AM and drop off is at 4:15 PM at BGCFL. Cost is $4/ride or $80/month. Call MART directly at 800-922-5636 Option 3 by at least 4:30 PM the day before the ride is needed . Ask for the Devens Workforce Ride Program – Parker Charter and Boys and Girls Club.

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for September 8th

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:23:19 GMT

Dear Parker families, students, and staff,

Thank you to all our students for engaging meaningfully in your classes, clubs, sports and social activities that make up a school day. We are off to a terrific start to the school year.

I wanted to recognize and thank our older students for their outstanding leadership over the first two weeks. Division 3 students are serving as teaching assistants, mentors, captains and moderators in service to Parker and their younger peers. Thank you for establishing a tone of decency and trust, one of the Ten Common Principles essential to building a welcoming and affirming school culture. That was on display yesterday in Super Advisory, an opportunity for students across the three divisions to come together in small groups. We played games, got to know one another and built a strong foundation for future community conversations. Thank you to the Division 3 students for helping to lead those sessions.

We ended the week with our first Community Meeting of the year, a monthly gathering of the whole school to showcase student work, review what’s happening in our community and reflect on our Essential Question (EQ). We began the work of unpacking and discussing, “How do we influence those around us?” Deb Merriam taught us the etymology of the word “influence” from the root “flu” which means to flow. In the context of our work this year, we discussed how our ideas, words and actions flow towards other people and make an impact. We asked students to reflect on something positive in our community that we could work towards, such as fostering a school culture where all students could be themselves. Finally, we asked students to reflect on what they could do – what actions they could take – to promote towards that goal. Our students challenged themselves and others to take action to intentionally and positively influence those around us. You will see the results of today’s work in the public art posted around Parker. Great discussion today!

This Monday, September 11th, we mark the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attacks in our nation’s history. We remember family and friends who died that day, honor those who serve in the military and as first responders, and reflect on the humanity that unites us all.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Back to School Night
SEPAC Meet & Greet
Join Community Congress
Netherlands Exchange Trip
MART Transportation
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
Meal Information
ECO-Travel to Costa Rica
Directory and Carpool List
Classroom Wish List
Health Office Wish List
Thank You!
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Back to School Night is September 21st

Please plan to join us for Back-to-School Night activities, as listed below!

5:45—6:15: SEPAC Meet & Greet

SEPAC: (Special Education Parent Advisory Council): Drop-in to Room 9 .

6:15—6:45: Divisional Information Sessions

Div 1: Introduction to Division 1 (meet in the Gym ).
Div 2: Introduction to Division 2 (meet in the Auditorium ).
Div 3: Program and Graduation Requirements for Division 3 (meet in Room 48 ).

7:00—9:00: Visit your students’ classes and meet their teachers!

Parents/Guardians will receive their schedule for the evening at 7:00 PM in their child's advisory room.

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meet & Greet

Come Join the Parker SEPAC (ParkerPAC ) for a Meet & Greet before Back to School Night begins in Room 9 on Thursday, September 21, between 5:45 and 6:15 PM! The F.W. Parker Charter Essential School’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a parent-led group providing support to parents & guardians of children who have an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan. SEPAC membership is open to everyone in the Parker Community.

The Parker SEPAC is actively seeking members for the 2023-2024 school year. Please stop by to learn more!

Join Community Congress!

Are you as a Parker student excited to influence the Parker community this year? Are you interested in student government? Do you want to have a voice in developing policies for the Student Handbook and deciding how to spend student funds? If so, you should join the Community Congress (CC)! The CC is the legislative branch of student government, and it meets during Community Block on Fridays. Each Division elects six (6) individuals to represent them – these 18 individuals (plus the three Moderators) are the ones who vote on policy/handbook proposals (such as updating the after school policy) and fund grant proposals (such as buying power stations for the library and new furniture for the lobby). Students interested in running for one of the six positions for their Division need to send an email to Matt Smith ( matt@theparkerschool.org ) by Thursday, September 14th. Speeches and elections for CC will happen at the beginning of the week on Monday, September 18th. If you want to be a part of the CC and be a part of conversations/debates, but not have voting power, you can still sign up for the Community Block. If you have any questions about the CC, how to run, elections, etc., please contact Matt or one of the Moderators (Trisuli Mitchell, Melissa Adams and Andrew Permatteo)!

Netherlands Exchange Trip - April & May 2024

Open to Sophomores and Juniors , this is a full immersion program where students spend a week in their exchange family’s home as well as in activities. Experience the life of a Dutch teenager, attending school and local sightseeing. Then, host your new friend here for a week, showing them the American way of life.

There will be an Info Meeting for Students during lunch on Thursday, September 14th in Room 20.
There will be an informational Teams Meeting for PARENTS on Monday, September 18th at 7 PM. Interested families should email Anna for the link.

Contact for more information : Anna – asolon@theparkerschool.org or Piña – pmadera@theparkerschool.org

MART Transportation

Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.

Parker Life Reminders

School Begins at 8:30 AM . Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1. In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves unless 18 years of age. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.

Drop-Off & Pick-up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year. Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status . Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website. https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/parker-cafeteria

ECO-Travel to Costa Rica - April Vacation 2024

Open to students in Divisions 2 & 3. Students will spend nine days visiting waterfalls and sustainable coffee plantations, helping research crocs and mammals at Playa Tortuga Research Station, volunteer at a local school, kayak at Marino Ballena National Marine Park on the South Pacific coast, see monkeys and sloths and so much biodiversity.

Applications will be given out during the Info Meeting and are due Thursday, Sept 14th
Questions or more information, please contact: Tiffany - ttesta@theparkerschool.org or Alec – ahudson@theparkerschool.org

Classroom Wish List

If you would like to donate these items for Div 1 MST, we will use them: Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers), Paper (graph paper, lined paper), Pencils, and Zip-top quart or gallon bags.

Health Office Wish List

Throughout the year, the Health Office appreciates donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes), and healthy snacks as these particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.

Weekly Information for September 1st

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 17:49:13 GMT

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

Welcome back! Thank you to everyone who helped to make our first week a success. We are delighted to welcome new students, families and staff who have chosen to join us at Parker. We are a strong and vibrant community, made all the better with the addition of our newest members. We hope that you already feel included, respected and known at Parker.

The Essential Question for the year is “How do we influence those around us?” Thank you to the Senior class for posing such a thoughtful and complex question. It calls on all of us to reflect on the impact that we have on others and on our larger community. We influence those around us by what we say, how we behave and how we treat one another. Thank you for being kind, working hard, supporting one another and making a positive influence.

We will explore the question of influence through multiple voices and lenses across the year. We engage students directly in advisory and their classes, rooted in the Ten Common Principles on which Parker is founded. This starts by knowing our students deeply and well, as learners and human beings. Parker students are at the center of all learning, challenged to use their mind well, engage deeply in their learning and support one another with a tone of decency and trust.

Questions drive learning at Parker. In The Students are Watching, Ted and Nancy Sizer write about the process of grappling with good questions, presuming that students have their own stories and insights to add. “The difference between grappling and other forms of learning is that when questions become the students own, so do the answers.”

We look forward to reflecting on these important questions, and making them your own, in the months to come. Until then, have a great weekend. See you out front on Tuesday.

Brian

This week’s topics:

Asbestos Notice
Parker Life Reminders
Drop-off and Pick-up
MART Shuttle to/from BGCFL
Meal Information
ECO-Travel to Costa Rica
Directory and Carpool List
Classroom Wish List
Health Office Wish List
Thank You!
Athletics Schedule
Upcoming Dates of Note

Asbestos Notice

Please see required annual notification regarding our Asbestos Management Plan .

Parker Life Reminders

School Begins at 8:30 AM . Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.

Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1. In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves unless 18 years of age. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times.
Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example.
Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school.
Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there.

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan .

MART Shuttle to/from BGCFL

MART offers a shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster.

Before school, the MART shuttle will pick up students at 7:45 am in front of the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg at 365 Lindell Ave., Leominster, MA 01453. The BGCFL facility is not open at that time, so students will have to wait outside or in their car. The shuttle will drop students at Parker by 8:15 am.
After school, the MART shuttle will pick up students at Parker at 3:45 pm (1:45 pm on Wednesdays). The shuttle will drop students at the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg by 4:15 pm (2:15 pm on Wednesdays). Parker students may be picked up in front then or are welcome to join the BGCFL to participate in the Teen Program that runs from 2:00-6:00 pm daily.

Students pay $4 per ride or $80 per month. To register for a monthly pass or to schedule daily rides, please call MART directly at 800-922-5636 Option 3 by at least 4:30 PM the day before the ride is needed. Ask for the Devens Workforce Ride Program – Parker Charter and Boys and Girls Club. Students and families may pay with a credit card when scheduling or pay cash in person to the driver before the ride. If a last-minute ride is needed, it can likely be accommodated, but calling at least the day before is preferred. Students are welcome to use the service every day, one or both directions, or as needed. For questions, contact keary.connors@mrta.us or visit their website at the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority .

Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year. Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status . Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website. https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/parker-cafeteria

ECO-Travel to Costa Rica - April Vacation 2024

There will be an Info Meeting for Students during lunch on Thursday, Sept 7th in Room 66.
Applications will be given out during the Info Meeting and are due Thursday, Sept 14th

Questions or more information, please contact: Tiffany - ttesta@theparkerschool.org or Alec – ahudson@theparkerschool.org

Student Directories and Update Carpool List

The Student Directory and an updated Carpool List will be available towards the beginning of October.

Classroom Wish List

If you would like to donate these items for Div 1 MST, we will use them:

Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers)
Paper (graph paper, lined paper)
Pencils
Zip-top quart or gallon bags

Health Office Wish List

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

Parents of Athletes

Click here for the online calendar.

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.