April 17, 2026

Weekly Information for April 17, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,


Wishing you a wonderful spring break with those who you love! We hope the week off is restful and rejuvenating. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, April 27, for a rigorous and celebratory end of the year at Parker.


Have a great break!


Bex


This week’s topics: 
  • Prom Tickets – Last Chance
  • Gateway Days are Coming
  • Jurors Needed for Senior Exhibitions
  • Earth Day Festival
  • Devens Community Resilience
  • SUN Bucks Applications Open
  • Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Special Education Progress Reports
  • Extending Spring Break?
  • Yearbooks
  • MCAS Testing Schedule
Prom Tickets

Division 3 Families! Today is the deadline to purchase prom tickets! An invitation is in your email with all the details you need. 


Gateway Days are Coming...

If your student is anticipating a June Gateway, be aware that June Gateway days will run from Tuesday, June 9 through Monday, June 15. Since we are generally trying to schedule between 250 and 300 Gateways on these days, we greatly appreciate your flexibility; we hope to get families an anticipated slot for the June gateways to your email by early May so you can reserve the day/time. If you already know your child is headed towards a June gateway AND you already know you have significant restrictions to your schedule on the June days listed above (such as a scheduled surgery or work trip, etc.), please email Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) with your scheduling needs/restrictions so they can be factored into the schedule proactively. No need to reach out if you can be relatively flexible – we will be in touch with you in a few weeks so you can hold the spot. Thanks! 


Be a Juror on a Senior Project Exhibition!

Senior Project Exhibitions will take place on May 7, 8, 11 and 12.

Jury members from the broader Parker Community play a critical role in assessing seniors’ presentations using the Senior Project Exhibition Rubric. That rubric and more details on the format of Exhibitions and on the juror’s role can be found in this document. A 2-hour time commitment is required. Please note: immediate family members of this year’s seniors may not serve on jury panels. Refer to the Senior Exhibition Schedule to see specific dates/times and the Essential Questions of the Class of 2026. 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 specifics days/time when you are available.


Earth Day Festival

Celebrate Earth Day with the Devens community! On Wednesday, April 22, from 2-6pm, there will be an Earth Day Open Street Festival on MacPherson Road, complete with an environmental fair and offering activities for all ages such as crafts, scavenger hunts, and a guided nature walk. For additional information, see 2026 Earth Day.pdf


Devens Community Resilience

The Devens Enterprise Commission has launched a community resiliency project. As part of this project, they are looking to hear from community members about your top concerns and priorities related to community resilience and planning for extreme weather events. To share your feedback, please complete the survey here or for more information see: Survey-EarthDayFlyer_4_1.pdf


SUN Bucks Applications Open

SUN Bucks, the federal food benefit program once known as Summer EBT, is returning for summer 2026. SUN Bucks provides a $120 lump-sum summer benefit per school-aged child for income-eligible families. The income eligibility standards for SUN Bucks are the same as those for the National School Lunch Program, meaning all enrolled students who meet the standards for free or reduced-price lunch during the 2025-26 school year are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. For more information about how to apply, see here or visit the SUN Bucks website


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


Special Education Progress Reports

Special Education progress reports have been emailed through Frontline Education. Please contact Kristin Bakke at kbakke@theparkerschool.org if you did not receive that email as your account may need to be refreshed. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kristin if you have any questions or need assistance.


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.


Yearbooks

Have you ordered your yearbook? Now is the time! We have limited quantities available, so reserve yours while supplies last. There are three versions available: hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20


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 19 & 20

7th & 8th Grade:

  • 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.


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:
Mon-Fri - Apr 20-24 Spring Break
Wed - Apr 29 7/8th Grade Math MCAS
Fri - May 1 Prom
Wed - May 6 7/8th Grade Math MCAS
Thu - May 7 8th Grade Science MCAS
Thu-Tue - May 7-12 Senior Exhibitions
Thu - May 14 8th Grade Science MCAS
Thu - May 14 Board of Trustees
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 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

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By Gabby Brummer • June 12, 2026
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Weekly Information for June 5, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • June 5, 2026
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Weekly Information for May 29, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • May 29, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 22, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 15, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 8, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, I did a little internet digging into the etymology of the word appreciation, having been inspired by the Teacher Appreciation surrounding us at school this week. There’s the meaning I think of as somewhat economic—when something goes up in value—and there’s the meaning I think of as more emotional—when you feel gratitude and recognize the worth of someone or something. This week and every week I am deeply appreciative of the incredibly challenging, time-consuming, and critically important work our teachers do in and out of classrooms. Parker teachers put their time and energy into getting to know students well, supporting and challenging students to develop critical thinking skills and good habits of learning, communicating with families, and working with and supporting each other in their daily work and professional learning. While there might be questions about whether our society understands or appreciates the valuable work of teachers, I am grateful to work at a school where our community recognizes the incredible depth, complexity, and importance of what teachers do. As Brian mentioned last week, Senior Project exhibitions are underway now and these incredible projects and demonstrations of learning are just one beautiful representation of the incredibly powerful work our teachers do and how it supports the important work and learning our students do. Thank you to the PPCC for organizing and coordinating this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week activities. Thank you to all the students and family members who have volunteered their time, ideas, messages of appreciation, and other resources to that project. Thank you to all of the educators and teachers in our community—those of you who work at Parker and those of you who work in other schools. Thank you to our Senior Advisors, the class of 2026, and all the community members who have been Senior Project mentors and who are participating as jurors. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and commitment our teachers bring to their daily work and to our community for the appreciation and support you show our teachers regularly. With appreciation,  Bex