January 28, 2024

Weekly Information for January 26th

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Dear Parker families, students and staff,


Every year we reach out to the Parker community for your help and advocacy on Beacon Hill. It is important to recognize the value of charter public schools to students across the state. We are pushing for more funding, student diversity, alternative pathways to recruit staff of color and more. Please join us for Advocacy Week (February 12 – 16, 2024) hosted by the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA).


Advocacy Week is designed to bring together charter public school families, educators, and supporters from across the state to celebrate the impact of our schools, and through the power of our stories and our voices, to continue the work to ensure that every child in Massachusetts has access to the education and resources they need to succeed. Advocacy Week will include multiple ways to get involved and to ensure our state legislators understand the importance of schools like Parker.


We will kick off the week with a livestream Zoom event on Monday, February 12th from 6-6:30 PM. Charter public school families from all across the state will be tuning in, and I hope you will all join me to proudly represent our Parker community. Register for the event here.


Even if you are unable to attend the virtual kick-off rally, there will be other ways to participate, such as sending emails to your legislators. During Advocacy Week, we will share more information about easy and impactful ways to get involved. No matter how you choose to join us, your action will make a big difference in ensuring your children, and all children in our state, have the resources they need to be successful.


Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support of Parker.  


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Valentine Appreciation Event
  • SEPAC Support Meeting
  • Junior Planning Night
  • MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology
  • Yearbooks
  • Don’t Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!
  • Winter Driving Reminder
Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event sponsored by the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC)

Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks and the PPCC is sponsoring a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event to show our Parker staff a little love. The idea is simple - we are hoping to gift a book or gift card to every staff member. If you would like to participate, you will be assigned a staff member and given information on their preferences. You would then purchase a book or gift card as a gift from the Parker community for that staff member and drop it off or have it mailed to Parker by February 14th. If you would like to participate or have questions, please complete this form. Thank you for being part of celebrating and appreciating Parker’s stellar staff!


SEPAC Support Meeting

Members of Parker’s SEPAC will hold a meeting at Marty’s Corner Café on Tuesday, January 30, at 1:30 pm. All are welcome. Contact Jesse at jesselowe7@mac.com with questions.

 

Junior Planning Night (coming soon!)

Juniors and their parents are encouraged to join us as we discuss Parker transcripts and the college application process:

  • Tuesday, February 6, 2024
  • 6:30 - 8:30 PM
  • Parker Auditorium (snow date: Thursday, February 8)

In person attendance is strongly encouraged, but we will also be streaming the presentation on Teams.


MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Students in the 10th Grade will take the MCAS Biology test on Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 6th & 7th. [Students/families of these students will soon receive an email with more information.] Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. Students should try hard NOT to stress, but good test taking strategies include getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast each day. Students WILL NEED their school laptop to test and should be sure to bring those (with charging cord). Electronics/internet enabled devices are NOT allowed in testing situations. Students should be prepared to leave these at home or in their bags for the entirety of the testing periods. Students who miss any of these testing days will need to make up the tests at a later time. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org). All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. The MCAS Schedule for SPRING will be posted as the testing dates get nearer.


Yearbooks

Reminder that yearbook prices will increase by $5 after January 31st. Click here to order your yearbook from Jostens. Make sure to scroll the page to find the correct version of the book you’d like to order. Yearbook ($55) is the hard cover book, while the soft cover ($35) and Division 1 ($15) books are listed lower on the page as Exclusive Offer. Division 1 books contain everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages.  Seniors: Don’t forget to submit your baby photo and senior portrait by January 31st!

 

Don't Miss the Application Deadline (March 1st)!

Parker is currently accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9. Siblings of current students planning to attend the Parker School for the 2024-2025 school year MUST complete an application and return it to Parker no later than March 1, 2024. Current students do not need to reapply. You are welcome to call our front office prior to March 1, 2024, to verify your application has been received. You may click here to sign up any of the remaining Information Sessions. The Lottery will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 4 PM. Please send interested friends to parker.school/enroll for more information.


Winter Driving Reminder

Now that we are in the midst of winter and have the potential of snowbanks that narrow the driveways and parking lots at Parker, for the safety of all, please keep in mind the following student drop-off and pick-up norms: When entering Parker’s lot, please pickup or discharge passengers at the curb in front of the school. Please do not stop, idle, or discharge passengers along the “inner ring” (e.g. between curbside cars and the flagpole lawn). Please reduce driveway and parking lot speed even further during winter months. Thank you!

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:
Tue-Wed; Feb 6-7 10th Grade Biology MCAS
Fri - Feb 9th Div 2 & 3 Dance
Tue - Feb 13th Board of Trustees
Tue - Feb 13th Div 2 Exhibition Night
Fri - Feb 16th NOON Dismissal
Mon-Fri; Feb 19-23 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 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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