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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Weekly Information for April 10, 2026

By Monique Benganski • April 10, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, There is a classic cartoon that I have been thinking about quite a lot lately. The image has two different drawings under the heading “success.” The first image has a straight arrow moving up to the right at a 45 degree angle which is labeled “what people think it looks like.” The second image has an arrow that also moves up to the right that quickly turns from a straight line into a massive, messy tangle before straightening out for the last little bit. This image is labeled “what it really looks like.” I have a longstanding love-hate relationship with this image. Sometimes I look at it and find it a useful reminder that mistakes, wrong turns, and feeling like I might be going in circles is completely normal and to be expected. Sometimes I look at it and yearn for the clean, clear, simple straight line of accomplishing something as and when I planned. At this point in the school year, I often need the reminder of this image. As a student, this was when at least one of my teachers might realize we were “behind” and then speed through the remaining curriculum. This can also be the time of year when students wonder if they are making progress or when they become convinced they are not making progress. Either of these feelings can make it hard to sustain the energy and attention necessary to get out of the tangled mess. This can be a time when we are sitting in that tangle, on the way to some success, that we can’t quite see yet. It’s a time when we have to really focus, work hard to get through the complex challenges, and be willing to revise our original plans. No matter which image resonates with your current experience, I encourage you to remember that what we think about how things will go, and how they actually go, don’t always line up perfectly. I believe that if we pay attention to those points of discrepancy, that just might be where we can find our richest learning. Best wishes for a restful weekend. Bex

Weekly Information for April 3, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • April 3, 2026
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

Weekly Information for March 27, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • March 27, 2026
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

Weekly Information for March 20, 2026

By Monique Benganski • March 22, 2026
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 

Weekly Information for March 13, 2026

By Cindy Johnson • March 14, 2026
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

Weekly Information for March 6, 2026

By Cindy Johnson • March 7, 2026
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