August 30, 2025

Weekly Information for August 29, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Welcome Back! We are delighted to be back to school, to welcome almost 100 new students and families, and to begin another school year together. Thank you to our Peer Leaders, PPCC and everyone on staff who helped to welcome new students and families to Parker. Everyone at Parker experienced changes this year, as we walked through the renovated walkway, welcomed our new Principal, Bex Wilucz, and adjusted to new schedules and routines. We are so proud of all our students for embracing these changes, for doing your best work and for being supportive of your classmates. Parker is an extraordinary place because of you! Thank you and congratulations for a terrific first week.


We are all looking forward to another great year at Parker. Enjoy the long weekend.


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Notices for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors!
  • Phone Free Reminders
  • Asbestos Notice
  • Parker Life Reminders
  • Drop-off and Pick-up
  • MART Shuttle
  • Meal Information
  • Directory and Carpool List
  • Classroom Wish List
  • Health Office Wish List
  • Thank You!
  • Athletics Schedule
  • Upcoming Dates of Note
Attention Sophomores and Juniors!

PSAT will be Wednesday, October 22nd. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details. (November PACT info coming soon.)


Attention Juniors and Seniors!

You are invited to come to the NEACAC College Fair on Thursday, September 25th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board to sign up. The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 12th.


Attention Seniors!

SATs will be Wednesday, October 22nd. ACTs will be October 28th. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, September 12th. See your email and Jinnee's bulletin board for more details.


Phone Free Reminders

The following documents were shared in mid-August providing information about Parker’s phone free school day and are provided here as reminders:


Asbestos Notice

Please see the required annual notification regarding our Asbestos Management Plan.


Parker Life Reminders

School Begins at 8:30 AM. Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.


Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1. In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves unless 18 years of age. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.


Students should be in a supervised space with an adult after school. Students who are not working with a teacher, participating in an adult-supervised after-school activity, or with a coach should go to the library or lobby. Students should be picked up no later than 4:30 PM on M, Tu, Th, F and 3:00 on Wed. There is no after-school supervision on noon dismissal days although some sports may have practice or games.


Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms

The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:

  1. Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
  2. Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
  3. Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
  4. Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there

Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan.


MART Shuttle

MART currently offers shuttle service from select towns (currently Bolton, Lancaster, and Leominster) for $5 per ride or $150 per month. Students must be registered and prepaid with MART to ride, as cash-paid walk-ons are no longer permitted. To register, call 978-345-7711 and select Option 3. For questions, contact maria.maldonado@mrta.us.


Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year. Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status. Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website.


Updated Carpool List

An updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.


Classroom Wish List

If you would like to donate these items for Div 1 MST, we will use them:

  • Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers)
  • Paper (graph paper, lined paper)
  • Pencils
  • Zip-top quart or gallon bags


Health Office Wish List

Throughout the year, the Health Office appreciates donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes but not antibacterial, please), cough drops, and menstrual products as these particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!


THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

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 - Sep 1 LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL
Tue - Sep 12 Board of Trustees Retreat
Thu - Sep 18 Back to School Night
Tue - Sep 30 Support Our Seniors Potluck
Tue - Sep 30 Community Connections Night
Wed - Oct 8 School Photo Retakes
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 Cindy Johnson • May 23, 2025
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By Cindy Johnson • May 17, 2025
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By Cindy Johnson • May 10, 2025
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