Summer

Information


We will be updating this page throughout the summer to include links to paperwork that needs to be completed in advance of the new school year, along with other information we share with families each summer.

To Our Incoming New Parker Students

We are so glad you will be joining us! We know that you might be feeling a lot of different emotions about starting a new school: excited, but maybe also nervous and curious, but maybe also unsure. We want to assure you that it is totally normal to have mixed emotions about starting a new school – and we want to make sure you know that your new teachers have many, many years of experience helping new students feel welcome at Parker! Your teachers are hard at work making plans to help you understand Parker, get to know new friends, and learn all about how we will do school together this year.


We are so excited to meet you!

To Do List

Please complete the following items before school begins (as indicated):

  • (a) Summer Orientation for All New Students

    We hope all new students will join us for a Summer Orientation event! We will hold four sessions in August (dates/times below), and we hope that each new student will join us for one of these sessions. At each session, students will have a chance to get to know some other new students, tour the school, learn more about how a Parker school day runs, meet some teachers and returning students, and have some fun!


    While attending one of these sessions is not required, it is highly recommended. Students should plan to attend for the whole three-hour session; there will be an opportunity for parents/guardians/caretakers to talk with other adults at the start or end of each session. Check your email for additional details.

    • Tues, August 5, 2-5 PM
    • Sun, August 10, 3-6 PM
    • Wed, August 13, 9 AM-NOON
    • Thurs, August 21, 4:30-7:30 PM
    RSVP Here
  • (b) Mark Your Calendar

    Please mark Wednesday, August 27th on your calendar. That is registration day (first day of school), and we will be asking parent and student to make an appointment in the morning or afternoon on that day to come to campus to complete registration tasks and have a brief meeting with your student’s advisor. More details to come in August, but for now, please save some time on that day to come to school with your student. In addition to the appointment, new students (without parent) will spend the morning in orientation. There are no regular classes scheduled this day.

  • (c) New Student Survey

    As you know, all Parker students are placed into small advisory groupings (as well as their academic classes), all of which are heterogeneously grouped to create a rich, diverse, and broad range of students and student needs. We do this placement with thought and care, not through a computer program. You are invited to share any thoughts or insights about your child (academic, social-emotional, work habits, etc.) that may help us place him/her/them well. Please take a few minutes and share some information with us about your student via this form no later than August 1st

    New Student Survey
  • (d) Registration Form (new students only!)

    Please complete and submit a registration form for each child entering the Parker School by August 15th.

    Registration Form
  • (e) Student Emergency and Health Form - REQUIRED of all students

    All students are REQUIRED to complete a Student Emergency and Health Form prior to the start of school. Please complete the Student Emergency and Health Form by August 15th. (NOTE: The Athletic Registration section is OPTIONAL unless your student is registering for sports.)

    Emergency & Health Form
  • (f) Physicals and Vaccinations

    Every student must have a current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations upon entering Parker School. Please refer to the Health Office information about Physicals and Vaccinations. Please contact the school nurse, Lisa Zick, at [email protected] with any questions.

  • (g) Summer Reading

    Our goal for Summer Reading it that you read! Anything! There is no specific summer reading book, and there is no required summer reading assignment. However, it is our hope that you will read at least TWO books (of your choice) this summer. The links below bring you to some book recommendations from Parker teachers and some web-based summer reading lists compiled by other knowledgeable folks. Go to your library and see what they recommend! Ask a friend! Just read!

  • (h) Summer Math Skills Boost

    Division 1 MST wants to provide students with an opportunity to practice and boost their math skills over the summer.


    Returning students started this work during Gateway week using their existing IXL accounts, and their teachers have asked them to return to school with the challenge completed. Students new to Parker are strongly encouraged to participate, and they can reach out to Diane Kruse ([email protected]) to request a new Parker IXL account so that they can track their progress. Please note that progress does not get tracked if you are not logged in! You can DO the math without a log in, but it will NOT track your completion. Again, please reach out to Diane to get a Parker account to track your data. Enjoy!


    If you are new to Division 1 MST, use this link:


    If you are new to Division 2 MST, use the links in this document:

  • Health Portal

    After July 22nd, you should receive an email from www.studentEHR.com with a temporary password.  Please use it to access the Health Portal and provide contact information, allergies, and/or conditions for your student.  Email Nurse Lisa at [email protected] with questions.


    All incoming students are required to have a physical dated after August 31, 2024.  The following immunizations are also required to be completed before the start of school:

    • Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine
    • One Tetanus booster (within the past 5 years)
    • Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
    • A physician documented history of chickenpox OR two doses of the varicella vaccine
    • One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)

    To upload a copy of immunizations and current physical to the Health Portal:

    • Go to www.studentehr.com
    • “Screenings”
    • “Proof physical” in the upper right-hand corner
    • Upload documents
    Health Portal
  • Meal Information

    All students will have a school nutrition account. Additional information about how the program functions will be emailed to you before the start of school, together with your child's ID number, which will be used to access their account. Meanwhile, parents should review the meal information on our Current Families page, including the Q&A.


    Should you have any questions regarding the lunch program, please contact:


    Michelle McKenna

    Business Manager

    978-772-3293 x113

    [email protected]

Information

For New Students


The following items may not apply to all families, are optional, are for your information, or may not require a response, though we recommend that you review them all:

  • (i) Athletics

    All Soccer teams and Cross Country will start practicing on Monday, August 18. To learn more about sports and registration requirements, click here.

  • Essential Question for 2025-2026

    How Can We Fuel Curiosity?

    The Essential Question is a broad question around which a large part of a year's work is organized; a question that helps to focus work across the domains.

    Learn more about the Essential Question

  • Laptops

    Each Parker student will be provided a school-issued laptop for use at home and at school. Students/families do NOT need to purchase their own devices as prep for the coming year.

  • Opt-Out Forms

    The following forms should be completed only if you choose to opt-out of:

    More information is included on each form. You only need to complete the form if you choose to opt-out. NOTE: Must be completed each year - selections do not carry over.

  • User Fee Discount and Waiver Policy

    In order to have user fees automatically waived, families must meet Federal Eligibility Guidelines for free or reduced price meals. An application for the free or reduced price meals program is provided all families in the annual registration packet, as is a copy of the Federal Eligibility Income Chart for the current school year. Qualifying families will automatically have the user fee waived by the business office. Families who do not meet the Federal Eligibility Guidelines may seek relief from user fees by filling out the free and reduced price meals application (new form available in AUGUST) and submitting it to Parker’s business office with an attached explanation of why a reduction or waiver is requested. All information provided will be handled discretely by business office staff.

  • Supply List
  • Medication Administration

    Some over-the-counter medications can be administered by the nurse with a completed Medication Administration Permission section of the Student Emergency Health form. The Medication Order and Parent/Guardian Consent form must be completed if your child requires administration of any other medication while at school or emergency medication treatment (i.e., EpiPen). Click here for more information.

  • Resources
  • Carpool List & MART Options

    Information supporting the formation of carpools will be sent via postal mail to homes in July. Click here to learn about transportation options from MART.

  • Drop-off & Pick-up

    Students may arrive as early as 7:30 am and should go to the library until 8:00 where there is before school coverage. After 8:00 they may go to their advisory, pick-up breakfast, and move throughout the building. Students should try to arrive to the school by 8:15 so they can be in advisory by 8:30 when it starts. On Wednesdays, there is after school coverage in the library from 1:30-3:00 pm, and on the other days, from 3:30-4:30. There is no after school coverage on noon release days. Click here for the campus traffic flow plan.

  • School Store
  • School Photos

    Student Photos for use on school IDs, in the yearbook, and by school computer systems will be taken during registration on Wednesday, August 27th. Retake photos will be taken on the morning of October 8th.

  • Connect with the Parker Parent/Caregiver Community (PPCC)

    This 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.

  • Potluck Social

    Join other new and returning Parker families for a Potluck Social on Tuesday, August 26th, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Parker School. Please use the survey to let us know how many people are coming and what you are bringing. This event is hosted by the PPCC.

    RSVP Here

Welcome Back Returning Students

We look forward to seeing you back this fall!

To Do List

Please complete the following items before school begins (as indicated):

  • (a) Mark Your Calendar

    Please mark Wednesday, August 27th on your calendar. That is registration day (first day of school), and we will be asking parent and student to make an appointment in the morning or afternoon on that day to come to campus to complete registration tasks and have a brief meeting with your student’s advisor. More details to come in August, but for now, please save some time on that day to come to school with your student.

  • (b) Student Emergency and Health Form - REQUIRED of all students

    All students are REQUIRED to complete a Student Emergency and Health Form prior to the start of school. Please complete the Student Emergency and Health Form by August 15th. (NOTE: The Athletic Registration section is OPTIONAL unless your student is registering for sports.)

    Emergency & Health Form
  • (c) Physicals and Vaccinations

    Every student must have a current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations upon entering Parker School. Please refer to the Health Office information about Physicals and Vaccinations. Please contact the school nurse, Lisa Zick, at [email protected] with any questions.

  • (d) Summer Reading

    Our goal for Summer Reading it that you read! Anything! There is no specific summer reading book, and there is no required summer reading assignment. However, it is our hope that you will read at least TWO books (of your choice) this summer. The links below bring you to some book recommendations from Parker teachers and some web-based summer reading lists compiled by other knowledgeable folks. Go to your library and see what they recommend! Ask a friend! Just read!

  • (e) Summer Math Skills Boost for Division 1 and 2

    Divisions 1 and 2 MST want to provide students with an opportunity to practice and boost their math skills over the summer. Continuing students received emails from their teachers about this work - for which they will use their existing IXL accounts. Teachers have asked Div 1 and 2 MST students to return to school with the challenge completed. Please note that progress does not get tracked if you are not logged in, so be sure to use your account. Enjoy!


    If you are a continuing Div 1 MST student, use the links in this document:


    If you are a rising or continuing Div 2 MST student, use the links in this document:

  • Health Portal

    By August 15th, please log on to the Health Portal and verify contact information, allergies, and/or conditions for your student.  Email Nurse Lisa at [email protected] if any corrections are needed.

     

    Access the health portal and your student’s electronic health record at www.studentehr.com using the email address you shared with the main office. If you don’t have your password, click on “forgot password” and a temporary password will be emailed to you.


    Students entering 11th grade are required to have:

    • A current physical prior to entering 11th grade (dated after 8/31 from the previous school year)
    • 1 booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men ACWY) received on or after 16 years of age. (One or more doses of MenACWY vaccine are acceptable as long as one dose was received on or after 16 years of age)

    To upload a copy of immunizations and current physical to the Health Portal:

    •  Go to www.studentehr.com
    • “Screenings”
    • “Proof physical” in the upper right-hand corner
    • Upload documents

    Health Portal
  • Meal Information

    All students have a school nutrition account. Additional information about how the program functions will be emailed to you, together with your child's ID number, which is used to access their account. Meanwhile, parents should review the meal information on our Current Families page, including the Q&A.


    Should you have any questions regarding the lunch program, please contact:


    Michelle McKenna

    Business Manager

    978-772-3293 x113

    [email protected]

Information

For Returning Students


The following items may not apply to all families, are optional, are for your information, or may not require a response, though we recommend that you review them all:

  • (f) Athletics

    All Soccer teams and Cross Country will start practicing on Monday, August 18. To learn more about sports and registration requirements, click here.

  • Continuing Student Placement Information

    Every summer, we invite families to share with us information about who their student is as a learner and as an individual. Along with observations and feedback from their current advisors and teachers, we use this information to thoughtfully place each student and to create dynamic and diverse advisory groupings and classrooms. If you would like to share specific information with us for placement purposes, please complete this form no later than August 1st. There is a longer explanation of the criteria we use to group students and how this process differs by Division at the beginning of the survey, so please be sure to read that as well.

    Returning Student Survey
  • Essential Question for 2025-2026

    How Can We Fuel Curiosity?

    The Essential Question is a broad question around which a large part of a year's work is organized; a question that helps to focus work across the domains.

    Learn more about the Essential Question

  • Update Your Contact Information

    If there are any changes in your contact information (address, telephone, email), please make sure to email Cindy Johnson at [email protected]. We appreciate your time!

  • Opt-Out Forms

    The following forms should be completed only if you choose to opt-out of:

    More information is included on each form. You only need to complete the form if you choose to opt-out. NOTE: Must be completed each year - selections do not carry over.

  • User Fee Discount and Waiver Policy

    In order to have user fees automatically waived, families must meet Federal Eligibility Guidelines for free or reduced price meals. An application for the free or reduced price meals program is provided all families in the annual registration packet, as is a copy of the Federal Eligibility Income Chart for the current school year. Qualifying families will automatically have the user fee waived by the business office. Families who do not meet the Federal Eligibility Guidelines may seek relief from user fees by filling out the free and reduced price meals application (new form available in AUGUST) and submitting it to Parker’s business office with an attached explanation of why a reduction or waiver is requested. All information provided will be handled discretely by business office staff.

  • Supply List
  • Medication Administration

    Some over-the-counter medications can be administered by the nurse with a completed Medication Administration Permission section of the Student Emergency Health form. The Medication Order and Parent/Guardian Consent form must be completed if your child requires administration of any other medication while at school or emergency medication treatment (i.e., EpiPen). Click here for more information.

  • Resources
  • Carpool List & MART Options

    Information supporting the formation of carpools will be sent via postal mail to homes in July. Click here to learn about transportation options from MART.

  • Drop-off and Pick-up

    Students may arrive as early as 7:30 am and should go to the library until 8:00 where there is before school coverage. After 8:00 they may go to their advisory, pick-up breakfast, and move throughout the building. Students should try to arrive to the school by 8:15 so they can be in advisory by 8:30 when it starts. On Wednesdays, there is after school coverage in the library from 1:30-3:00 pm, and on the other days, from 3:30-4:30. There is no after school coverage on noon release days. Click here for the campus traffic flow plan.

  • School Store
  • School Photos

    Student Photos for use on school IDs, in the yearbook, and by school computer systems will be taken during registration on Wednesday, August 27th. Retake photos will be taken on the morning of October 8th.

  • Connect with the Parker Parent/Caregiver Community (PPCC)

    This 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.

  • Potluck Social

    Join other new and returning Parker families for a Potluck Social on Tuesday, August 26th, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Parker School. Please use this survey to let us know how many people are coming and what you are bringing. This event is hosted by the PPCC.

    RSVP Here