June 12, 2026

Weekly Information for June 12, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It has been a joyful and celebratory week at Parker. 187 students successfully Gatewayed in every division and every domain. The students showcased their learning, reflected on their growth, and celebrated the demonstration of learning that defines Gateways – and as the Common Principle concludes, “the emphasis is on the students’ demonstration that they can do important things.” Congratulations to our students for doing important things at Parker, all year and this week.


We are heading towards the Big End next Thursday, June 18th. That is a long tradition of saying goodbye for the summer, signing yearbooks, and having a little fun as a community. Reminder that we have Noon dismissals on both Wednesday and Thursday next week. Junior retreat starts on Monday. Div 1 and Div 2 field trips are on Tuesday.


We are pleased to announce that Parker will be helping with the summer camp at the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg. The camp runs for six weeks for students entering grades 1-8. Parker will be running a series of science exploration sessions. See the attached flyer below for details. We value our terrific partnership with the BGCFL.


We will send the final newsletter of the school year next Thursday. Thank you for helping to make Parker a very special place.



Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Noon Dismissals
  • The BIG END
  • Yondr Recollection
  • Medication Pick-Ups
  • School Issued Laptops
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Award
  • CPR Certification Cards
  • Summer Blast at the Boys & Girls Club
  • Niños Más Necesitados
  • Loaves & Fishes Food Drive
  • Students NOT Returning
  • Contact Info Update
  • Lost & Found - FINAL CHECK
Noon Dismissals

Reminder that Reminder that next Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18, are noon dismissals. Please arrange to have your student picked up at noon, as there is no after-school coverage and the building closes.


The BIG END is THURSDAY, June 18th!

The BIG END is an event to mark the end of the school year at Parker School – a festive occasion with GATEWAY acknowledgments, the NEW ESSENTIAL QUESTION, YEARBOOKS, and food. If you forgot to order a YEARBOOK, a limited number will be available for purchase during the BIG END. Hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20. Bring cash or a check made out to the Parker School.


Yondr Recollection

We will be recollecting all Yondr pouches to store for the summer and redistribute to students in the fall. Division 1 and 2 students will be asked to turn in their Yondr pouch to their advisor at the end of the day on Wednesday, June 17. Juniors handed in their yondr pouches today in advance of the junior retreat. For Yondr pouches which are lost or damaged, there will be a replacement fee (please see Parker Technology Fees). Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping your student remember to bring these items back to school in good condition.


Medication Pick-ups

Please make arrangements to pick up your student's inhaler, EpiPen, and any other medication from the Health Office by noon on June 18th. With permission, some medications can be sent home with the student. Please email lzick@theparkerschool.org if you would like your student to take their medication home in their backpack. Thank you!


School Issued Laptops

Most students will hold on to their devices (laptop, stylus, and power cord) over the summer and continue to use their assigned devices into subsequent years. Students who are not returning or unenrolling during the summer must return their devices to the Tech Office. Seventh graders will return their laptops and will get an email with more information in the days ahead. Students who are not able to take their devices over the summer (for instance, if you are moving and worried about it getting lost) may store their laptops with Gabby. Missing equipment can be purchased online: UniPay Technology Replacement Payment


Rotary Youth Leadership Award

Congratulations to John Marble and Amber Edmondson who are Parker's 2026 recipients of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). John and Amber will attend the RYLA conference at Fitchburg State University from June 26 - June 28. Students are nominated for RYLA based on leadership, community involvement, and the positive impact they have on their community. Included in this photo is Elsa Pierpont (at right, RYLA '25) who now volunteers as a RYLA Group Facilitator. We are very proud of these outstanding students!


CPR Certification Cards

In Wellness all students have completed the final unit of the year, CPR. In this unit students are learned important lifesaving skills through the American Heart Savers course. Students are now completing a practical CPR test on a mannequin. Upon completion of this test students have the option to purchase a certification card. This card costs $10. If you are interested in purchasing a card for your student, please use Unipay. Please use the miscellaneous payments tab and write in CRP as a note. Final day for CPR card purchase is Friday, June 15th Please reach out to your students Wellness teacher if you have any questions about this.


Summer Blast at Boys & Girls Club

Registration is open for the 2026 Summer Blast program at the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. See flyer for more information: Summer Blast Flyer ENGLISH.png


Niños Más Necesitados

There will be a box in the lobby to collect donations for Niños Más Necesitados until Thursday June 18th. We’re asking for backpacks (used are welcome), pencils, and other school supplies for children in Guatemala without access to school supplies. See or email Alec with questions.


Loaves & Fishes Food Drive

Alec’s, Aliza’s, and Jo’s advisories community service project is kicking off a food drive to support Loaves & Fishes in providing summer lunches for local students! We are collecting non-perishable breakfast and lunch items, and we invite your student to participate by bringing in donations. Collection bins will be located in the school lobby through June 13. Thank you for helping us support our community and ensure all students have access to nutritious meals this summer!


Students NOT Returning to Parker in the Fall (other than Seniors)

If your students are not planning to return to Parker in the fall, we request you kindly do the following:

We wish you and your family all the best as you continue your academic journey. As always, please reach out if there are any questions!


Contact Info Update

Do we have your CURRENT email address, cell phone number, home phone number, and mailing address? If you have changed any of your contact information, please send an update to Monique (mbeganski@theparkerschool.org). We appreciate your time!


Lost & Found - FINAL Check!

You are welcome to check the LOST & FOUND at any time during these final weeks of school to see if there are any items belonging to you or your loved ones! ALL unclaimed items will be donated after the school year ends.


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-Wed - Jun 15-17 Junior Retreat
Tue - Jun 16 Divisional Trip Day
Wed - Jun 17 Noon dismissal
Thu - Jun 18 Big End - Last Day of School
Thu - Jun 18 Noon Dismissal
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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