April 5, 2025

Weekly Information for April 4, 2025

Share Post

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!

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

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:

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

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam ([email protected]). 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:
Sat - Apr 5 Parker 30th Anniversary Gala
Tue - Apr 8 ACT Testing
Wed - Apr 9 7th & 8th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed-Sat; Apr 9-12 Spring Shows!
Thu - Apr 10 Board of Trustees
Wed - Apr 16 SAT Testing
Wed - Apr 16 Parker Expo Night
Fri - Apr 18 NOON Dismissal
Mon-Fri; Apr 21-15 Spring Break
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: [email protected]
your family's or student's health email: [email protected]
mental health/emotional support needs email: [email protected]
food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs email: [email protected]

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

Recent Posts

Weekly Information for June 6, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • June 7, 2025
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

Weekly Information for May 30, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 31, 2025
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

Weekly Information for May 23, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 23, 2025
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

Weekly Information for May 16, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 17, 2025
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: Jonathan Haidt’s article from 2023 in The Atlantic, “Phones in School Are a Disaster” Natasha Singer’s article from 2024 in The New York Times, “Why Schools are Racing to Ban Cell Phones” 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

Weekly Information for May 9, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 10, 2025
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

Weekly Information for May 2, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 4, 2025
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