November 22, 2024

Weekly Information for November 15, 2024

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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

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.


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

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.

Upcoming Dates of Note:
Wed - Nov 27 NOON Dismissal
Thu-Fri; Nov 28-29 Thanksgiving Break
Thu - Dec 12 Board of Trustees
Thu-Sat; Dec 12-14 Fall Show!
Fri - Dec 20 NOON Dismissal
Mon-Tue; Dec 23-31 Holiday Break
Wed - Jan 1 New Year's Day (NO SCHOOL)
Thu - Jan 2 Faculty Planning (NO CLASSES)
Fri - Jan 3 Classes Resume
Looking for help with or concerning: Please contact:
a specific class or assignment the teacher of that class (see Parker email list)
technical support email: helpdesk@theparkerschool.org
your family's or student's health email: lzick@theparkerschool.org
mental health/emotional support needs email: skelly@theparkerschool.org
food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs email: mmckenna@theparkerschool.org

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.

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By Cindy Johnson • January 30, 2026
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By Cindy Johnson • January 24, 2026
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By Cindy Johnson • January 16, 2026
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By Cindy Johnson • January 10, 2026
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