February 28, 2026

Weekly Information for February 27, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who helped to spread the word about Parker. Enrollment applications for next year continue to be strong and the response from families has been very positive. We have two days left! The application deadline is this Sunday, March 1 and the student lottery is Thursday, March 5. If you have a neighbor or friend who may be interested in Parker, please share your experiences. And remember, younger siblings need to apply to be eligible for admission. There is a sibling preference in the lottery, but you still need to apply. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll.


We welcome NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) for their Decennial Accreditation visit next week. Every ten years, we invite NEASC into our school to evaluate teaching and learning, academic achievement, school culture, facilities and more. As a result, Parker will continue to be a NEASC accredited school. They will be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3 and 4, visiting classes, meeting with students and teachers, and reviewing our self-study. We will share the results of their visit and their final report later this Spring. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this two-year process, particularly Marena and Kris who have done excellent work leading the effort!


We are thrilled to launch Parker Giving Week from March 16-20, a new tradition celebrating the anniversary of our charter application — the milestone that opened the doors to the school our students and families know and love today. This year, your impact will be tripled! Thanks to a few incredibly generous donors who have pledged $20,000, every dollar you contribute during Parker Giving Week will be matched 2:1! That means your gift has triple the power to strengthen our programs and enrich our students’ experience.


Every penny raised during Parker Giving Week goes directly to our students, supporting:

  • Small class sizes that allow teachers to truly know each learner
  • More direct attention and academic support to help students thrive
  • Greater access to clubs, sports, and activities that build confidence, community, and joy

Thank you for your support.


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Spring PLPs
  • Family in Need
  • Request for Food Processor
  • Sibling Applications for Next Year
  • Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night
  • Annual Drag Ball
  • PPCC Meeting
  • Parker’s Volleyball Club
  • Host a Student!
  • Yearbook – Quantities Limited
  • Spring Sports Registration
Spring PLPs

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 13. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

  • On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, teachers spend that day in conferences 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 has been (or will soon be) in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to 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 13 (and need another day or time of day), please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible. If (on March 13 or any other day), you need to attend remotely, please reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link for the scheduled slot.


Family in Need

There is a family in the Parker community facing significant financial hardship well beyond their control. We are doing everything that we can to support the family through this difficult moment. As a community, we would like to help by collecting gift cards in the Front Office so that they may buy essentials. Gift cards to grocery stores, retail stores, and Visa gift cards would be appreciated. We share this request out of great concern for the family. We are grateful for any assistance you can provide and your generous support of our community members.


Request for Food Processor or Baby Food Blender

Hi everyone, my name is Rayna Ferlin, and I am a senior studying algae sustainability and materials engineering for my senior project. I'm making plastic for my product and am in need of a food processor or baby food blender that is no longer being used. If you have one you’re willing to donate, please contact Gabby (gbrummer@theparkerschool.org)! Thank you!


Sibling Applications for Next Year

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2026-2027 school year MUST complete an application no later than March 1, 2026. Current students do not need to reapply. Siblings receive preference in the lottery but must complete an application here: https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES. You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1 to verify your application has been received. The lottery will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.


Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night

Please join us on Wednesday evening, March 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for 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 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.


Annual Drag Ball

On Friday, March 6th Parker GSA will host the annual DRAG BALL from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The Drag Ball is a dance celebrating students of all gender identities and sexualities, and is a special tradition going back 10+ years. The theme this year is CANDYLAND! Come dressed in your colorful best and ready to dance and celebrate the sweetest parts of being you. Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunch every day up until the event. Tickets sold before 3/5 will cost $5, and on 3/5 the cost will increase to $7. Students can pay with cash or through Unipay. You can also make a donation on UniPay and indicate "Drag Ball" in the Description box. All divisions are welcome.


PPCC Meeting – Planning Teacher Appreciation

PPCC is holding a meeting on Monday March 9 at 7PM to start planning Teacher Appreciation Week. We hope you can join us to brainstorm fun ways to celebrate Parker Teachers and Staff. Please see the weekly email for the link to join.


Parker’s Volleyball Club

Parker's volleyball club is starting up for its second season! Whether you are brand new to the game or an experienced player, we welcome you to join us! The club will take place on Thursday afternoons from 4:00-5:15 PM in the GYM. Our first practice will be on Thursday, March 19th! We will run 8 sessions, each including drills, skills, and game play. Please fill out the following registration link with a $25 fee to register your student: https://forms.office.com/r/XZkGKRjGZL. Feel free to reach out to coach and Spanish teacher Elly McKenna (emckenna@theparkerschool.org) with any questions. Looking forward to a fun season!


Host a Student - from the Country of Georgia!

Do you have space in your home to host one or two students from the country of Georgia? This is a great opportunity to learn more about a different culture, show some students a piece of American culture, and make a new friend! You will host these students March 23rd through March 27th (5 days, 4 nights) after they join our Model UN team in NYC. If you are able to host, please fill out this form: Student Hosting - Georgia Trip 2026 – Fill out form - please note that we are asking for Div 2 & Div 3 families, due to the ages of the visiting students. If you have any further questions, reach out to Anna (asolon@theparkerschool.org).


Limited Yearbook Quantities

Last call for a guaranteed copy of the yearbook. Order by 2/28 to ensure a copy is printed for your student. Hard cover and soft cover books all have the same content while the Division 1 books contain the same whole school and Division 1 sections but not the sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. Currently, hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20.


Spring Sports Registration

The sports being offered this season:

  • Softball
  • Track & Field
  • ULTIMATE Frisbee
  • Girls' Co-op Lacrosse (through Bromfield)


All practices begin on Tuesday, March 17th, and will be held Tuesday through Friday that week. Please see registration information below and register PRIOR to Sunday, March 15th. ALL student athletes must register by clicking on the following link: 2025-2026 Spring - Parker Sports Registration - Fill out form


  • Parents must provide proof of a current physical at the beginning of EVERY SEASON their student is participating in. A current physical is valid for 13 months from the day of the physical. Students with expired physicals will be ineligible to participate until a current physical form is submitted. Even if you have submitted proof of physical for a previous season, you must submit it for subsequent seasons. Upload proof of current physical to the Health Portal or send it to Nurse Lisa via email (lzick@theparkerschool.org) or via the Main Office (hard copy). Those without a current physical or a completed Student Emergency and Health Form and Athletic Registration will not be eligible to practice.
  • Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. It is preferred that the fee be paid online using an electronic check or credit card at:
    https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactionInfo.aspx?CustomerID=1093    .
    If writing a check, make it payable to Parker School and send it to the Main Office. There will be a family cap of $1,200 for the school year. Financial support is available for those who qualify. Please contact Michelle McKenna in the Business Office at mmckenna@theparkerschool.org for more information.


Registration/documentation questions can be sent to Lisa Zick, School Nurse, at lzick@theparkerschool.org.

Parker sports related questions can be sent to Henry Schrader, Interim Athletic Director, at   hschrader@theparkerschool.org.

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:
Sun - Mar 1 Lottery Application Deadline
Wed - Mar 11 Support Our Seniors Dessert POTLUCK
Fri - Mar 13 Spring PLPs - No Classes
Mon - Mar 16 March Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Wed - Mar 18 Café Wednesday
Thu - Mar 19 Board of Trustees
Tue - Mar 24 10th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed - Mar 25 NOON Dismissal
Thu - Mar 26 10 Grade ELA MCAS
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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