January 30, 2026

Weekly Information for January 30, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

We have officially started the second semester of the 2025-26 school year! This is both a measure of progress and a time of new beginnings. Here at (or really a little past) the midway point of the year, there are exciting things happening—some as small as a new unit of study in a class and maybe as big as starting new classes in a new division after a mid-year gateway.


I had my first chance to join an information session for prospective students and families this week and it was a powerful reminder to me about many of the most important and unique aspects of our school. Whether it was hearing some of our older student ambassadors talk about which of the 10 Common Principles is meaningful to them, or hearing parents share stories of their student’s learning experience at Parker, or seeing our teachers introduce new students to the kinds of learning activities and thinking we ask them to do in school, each of these highlighted an element of our school’s very intentional design. We get to know our students well, we build a caring and inclusive community, and we build on those connections and relationships to challenge and support our students to take on intellectual challenges, push themselves in their thinking and work, and to become independent thinkers and learners.


If you or your student have appreciated these (or other things) about Parker, and you would like state lawmakers to prioritize fair funding for all students in every type of public school, you have an opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for us. Next week, February 2-6, is Fair Funding Week, sponsored by the Massachusetts Public Charter School Association. See below for more information about how to register for events and advocate for fair and equitable funding for our students and school.

Wishing you all extra warmth over this cold stretch of days.


Best,

Bex

This week’s topics: 
  • MCAS Testing 10th Grade
  • OneNote Links for Second Semester
  • Fair Funding Week
  • Valentines Appreciation
  • Restaurant Gift Cards
  • Yearbooks
  • Extending Winter Break?
MCAS Testing 10th Grade Biology

Students in the 10th Grade will take the MCAS Biology test on Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 3rd & 4th. 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 make up the tests in following days and will be contacted with details. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org). All tests are untimed, and most students finish in about 90 minutes (for Biology). The MCAS Schedule for SPRING will be posted as the testing dates get nearer.


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.


Fair Funding Week

MA Charter Public Schools Fair Funding Week 2026 is coming up- February 2nd – 6th!

Did you know that kids attending charter public schools receive less funding for their school buildings than kids attending traditional public schools? As lawmakers get ready to build our state’s annual budget, we have an opportunity to make a difference.  Fair Funding Week starts with an inspiring virtual event on Monday, February 2nd from 6-6:30 p.m. Register now to join us, along with charter public school families from all across Massachusetts! Thank you, as always, for being a champion for our children!


Faculty and Staff Valentine Appreciation Event Sponsored by PPCC

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!! Valentine’s Day is in a few weeks, and it's time for the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Book Love Event! The Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) invites you 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 book 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. Gifts should be delivered before February break begins on the 14th. If you're ready to sign up or have questions, please complete this form. Thank you for helping to celebrate and appreciate Parker’s stellar staff!

https://forms.gle/z8GNYDjJ3kpHWcaL9

Restaurant Gift Cards

As we look ahead to Parker’s End‑of‑Year Community Celebration on June 5th at Sterling Street Brewery, we’re planning a fun raffle basket filled with gift cards to local restaurants. If you have a gift card you’re willing to donate, it would be a wonderful way to support our community and add some excitement to the event. Thank you for helping make this celebration extra special! Gift cards can be put in an envelope and given to the front desk with Raffle Contribution written on it. Pease include your name, so we know who to thank!


Yearbooks – Prices Increase Soon!

Last chance before prices increase! Order your 2025-2026 yearbook by January 31st for $5 off regular prices. 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 $55, soft cover books are $35, and Division 1 books are $15.


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.

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 3-4 10th Grade Biology MCAS
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 • June 12, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • June 5, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 29, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 22, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • May 15, 2026
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