February 7, 2026

Weekly Information for February 6, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We are a week away from February break, an opportunity to beat our winter colds and dream about warmer days ahead. For a few in our community, it is an opportunity to experience something new as they travel abroad with their Parker classmates. We are sending groups to the Bahamas and the Netherlands again this year. We hope they have a terrific trip. We appreciate the trust of our families and hard work of our staff to make experiences like this possible.


We are less than a month away from our March 1st application deadline for new students and families. Thank you to everyone who helps to spread the word and create a positive buzz around the school. 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. We have three information sessions remaining just before and after break. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll.


Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fair Funding Week this week. Of the 68 charter schools in Massachusetts, Parker had the most participants! To kick off the week, the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association shared the following video. It is worth a two-minute watch. You will see and hear Parker families and staff throughout the video.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1371197804687927


And our efforts are working! Governor Healy’s budget for next year includes a modest increase in facility funding for charter public schools. While we continue to receive significantly less facility aid than traditional public schools, we appreciate and celebrate steps towards closing that gap.


Congratulations to our students on their accomplishments this week. Four Division 1 students recently represented Parker at the Chapter Competition for Mathcounts, a national math competition for middle school students. We are proud to congratulate Nathan Warren, Julia Crighton, Stephen Tatro, and Adam Rhodin for a strong performance—their team came in 3rd place! Our high school Mock Trial Team finished their preliminary trial round this week with an impressive 3-0 win record. They will be advancing to the state tournament, which will be held at Clark University on March 1. We wish them good luck!


Thank you for showing up in all sorts of ways to support Parker. We appreciate our community! Have a great weekend.


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Join the Parker Concert Band
  • Div 2 AH Civics Exhibition Night
  • Host a Student!
  • Call for Clear Planting Containers
  • OneNote Links for Second Semester
  • Extending Winter Break?
  • School Report Card
Join the Parker Concert Band

Parker Concert Band is still accepting new members for the Spring semester! If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this spring! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument.


The band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The activity fee for each semester is $100 and need-based assistance is available. Need an instrument? Parker has many instruments available for loan at no charge - just ask us!


If you have questions or want to join, you can email Jim Desmond jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena Cole mcole@theparkerschool.org or come by room 13 to inquire.


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.


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 can 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).


Call for Clear Planting Containers

The Parker Citizen Science Community Elective group has been collaborating and helping with the Ayer Devens Pocket Forest Project for several years. The mission of the Ayer Devens Pocket Forest Project is to improve climate resilience and better connect people and nature.  As part of the maintenance of the Devens pocket forest (located across from Parker by the P5 lot), the citizen science group constructs planters for native seeds to grow. After experiencing freeze-thaw cycles this winter, the seeds will be able to germinate and then be transplanted to the pocket forest when the plants are large enough. We are looking for clear 1-gallon milk or water jugs for our planters! Bring in and drop off your 1-gallon jugs in the box in the lobby during the week of February 9-13. Interested in knowing more about pocket forests? Visit the website: https://climateresilient.wixsite.com/ayerdevens/project-story


OneNote Links for Second Semester

This message is for you IF you, as a parent/guardian, actively use the OneNote Links that the school provides each fall AND you have a student who either Gatewayed in January or is enrolled in Div 3 classes. If both those apply to you and you would like updated OneNote Links to your student’s new second semester classes, please email Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) to request them. If your student is in Div 1 or 2 and did not gateway, the links sent in the fall are still accurate and active. A reminder that the opportunity to see your student’s assignment due dates (different from OneNote Links) is available to everyone through the Haldor app. See this section of the Parker website for more info on both these options.


Planning an extended family trip during the WINTER BREAK in FEBRUARY?

Please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the ATTENDANCE LINE: 978-772-3293, x1 - available 24 hours a day. It is important to inform THE OFFICE that your child(ren) will miss additional days, even if you have let the teachers know. Please call and leave a single message with all the affected dates any day or time before the morning of the first affected day.


2025 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 2025 School Report Card.

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:
Thu - Feb 12 Board of Trustees
Fri - Feb 13 NOON Dismissal
Mon-Fri; Feb 16-20 Winter 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: 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 Gabby Brummer • April 17, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • April 3, 2026
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