February 17, 2024

Weekly Information for February 16th

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Dear Parker families, students and staff,


I hope that you and your family have a terrific February break. We look forward to the Division 2 Exhibition, March PLPs, the start of Spring sports and more when we get back.


Please see the approved 2024-2025 school calendar linked below. The Board of Trustees approved the calendar last evening. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Charter Public School Advocacy Week. We appreciate your participation in the virtual kick-off rally and for sending emails to your legislators to advocate for our schools and our students. Our voices – and our powerful stories of student success in charter public schools – have certainly been heard.


Thank you, as always, for your partnership. Have a great break.


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Siblings of Parker Students
  • Spring PLPs
  • SATs for Juniors at Parker
  • Practice ACTs at Parker
  • Parker Fund
  • 2024-2025 Calendar
  • School Report Card
  • Yearbook Numbers Due
  • Register Now for Spring Sports!
  • Div 2 Exhibition Night
Siblings of Parker Students

If your Parker student has a sibling who would like to come to Parker for the first time next year, they must complete the lottery application by March 1. Siblings receive preference in the lottery but need to apply in order to receive an offer or waitlist number.


Parker is accepting lottery applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until March 1. Current students do not need to reapply. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.


Spring PLPs are Coming!

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 15. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

  • On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, we spend that day in conversation with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor will be in touch with more information and details (or may already have emailed!) along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need them to send it to you before you can sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
  • If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 15, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible.
  • If you can meet on March 15 but someone needs to attend remotely, please go ahead and book an appointment and then reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link.


Attention Juniors!

School day SATs are being offered at Parker on Wednesday, April 10th. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, March 1st. See your email for more details.


Attention Juniors and Sophomores!

A practice ACT is being offered at Parker on Saturday, March 23rd. Sign up with Jinnee by Friday, March 1st. See your email for more details.

Parker Fund

As of this week, the 2023-2024 Parker Fund is 60% of the way to our $200,000 goal. We still need your help! Our goal is to have all families give every year. No gift is too big or too small‑ we receive donations ranging from $10 to $50,000 each year. Participation demonstrates the strength of our community and shows support for the faculty and staff who put their heart and souls into making Parker the exceptional place that it is. Make your gift today.

2024-2025 Calendar

The calendar for next school year has been approved by the Board of Trustees and is available at https://www.theparkerschool.org/calendar.


2023 School Report Card

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card, which we are required to post. All district report cards are available at http://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/.

Click here to view our 2023 school report card.


Yearbook Numbers Due

Yearbook order numbers are due to the printer on February 28, so please order your student’s yearbook now to ensure there is a copy for them. Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Yearbook ($60 – Buy Now) is the hard cover book. Lower on the page are the soft cover book (Exclusive Offer - $40 - Customize) and the Division 1 book (Exclusive Offer - $20 - Customize). The Division 1 book contains everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.


Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Track & Field
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, March 18th, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. Please register as soon as possible using this form: Athlete Registration. Parents must provide proof of a current physical exam at the beginning of every season of participation. Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. Click here for more information.


Div 2 Exhibition Night

RESCHEDULED: Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Division Two Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff.


We will ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

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; Feb 19-23 Winter Break
Mon - Feb 26 Classes Resume
Tue - Mar 5 Div 2 Exhibition Night
Tue - Mar 12 Board of Trustees
Wed - Mar 13 Support Our Seniors Dessert Potluck
Fri - Mar 15 Spring PLPs - No Classes
Mon - Mar 18 March Holiday - No School
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 the basis of race, color, gender, pregnancy or pregnancy status, 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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