June 7, 2025

Weekly Information for June 6, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

Congratulations to students in the Class of 2025. We are very proud of our Seniors! As I said on Wednesday night, graduation is a big deal for the graduates, their families and our school. 30 years ago, a small group of local families and educators were bold enough to imagine this little school, to draft a charter, find a building, and convince enough families and staff to give Parker a chance. From the very beginning, we put students at the center of all learning, challenged them to use their minds well in a community of decency and trust. 30 years later, we conferred diplomas to 56 exceptional young people in the Class of 2025. Congratulations to our students – to their families and their teachers – and to everyone who played a role over the last 30 years!


Best of luck to all the students participating in Gateway presentations today and next week. This can be a stressful and exhilarating moment for our students, an authentic opportunity to reflect on their learning as they progress to the next level. Our students are focused and determined to do their best work – and then we celebrate their learning and success. It is a very meaningful way to end the year. We also look forward to Junior retreat and divisional trips next week and the Big End on Monday, June 16th. Summer vacation starts at Noon on June 16th.


Thank you for your hard work, positive attitude and for supporting one another. We look forward to a strong end to a terrific year.



Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • The BIG END
  • Community Chicks Need Home
  • Your Input on Phones
  • Medication Pick-ups
  • School Issued Laptops
  • Volleyball Club Finale
  • Parker Fund Year End
  • Youth Venture Update
  • Students NOT Returning
  • Lost & Found – FINAL CHECK!
  • Contact Info Update
  • Collection for Refugees
  • Event Parking Reminder
The BIG END is MONDAY, June 16th!

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. Parents should plan to pick up their students promptly at NOON Dismissal. If you forgot to order a YEARBOOK, a limited number will be available for purchase during the BIG END. Hardcovers are $60 and Div 1 only are $20. Soft covers are sold out. Bring cash or a check made out to the Parker School.


Parker Community Chickens Need a Forever Home!

These five friendly, well-socialized chickens were hatched right here at Parker and have spent the past four weeks visiting Advisories and making friends. If you, or someone you know, are interested in having pet chickens or adding to an existing flock, please contact Tiffany at [email protected].

Please Share Your Input on Phones at Parker

Thanks to all who attended last night’s family discussion forum on phones at Parker! The event was marked by open-minded discussion and thoughtful reflection. Whether your attended or not, we are hoping all parents/guardians will take some time to read this  INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT and then fill out this SURVEY.


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 16th. With permission, some medications can be sent home with the student. Please email [email protected] if you would like your student to take their medication home in their backpack. Thank you!


School Issued Laptops

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 not returning or unenrolling during the summer must return their devices to the Tech Office. 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 Monique. Missing equipment can be purchased online: UniPay Technology Replacement Payment


Volleyball Club Finale

The volleyball club finished up its season with a fun play day! Teams were color coordinated, all students participated, and there were a lot of great rallies! Thank you all for a great season!

Help the Parker Fund Finish Strong

There are 24 days left in the fiscal year to make your Parker Fund donation for the 2024-2025 school year. Some reasons to make your donation today:

  • to celebrate Parker's 30th year
  • to celebrate the class of 2025
  • to support a school that knows students well as learners and human beings
  • to support a school where students authentically develop the knowledge and skills essential to lifelong success
  • to show appreciation of our exceptional teachers

Click here to make your end of year gift. Thank you for your support of Parker!


Youth Venture Update

The United Way held their annual Spring Showcase where students from surrounding schools who participate in Youth Venture show off their group projects. Two Parker seniors were awarded scholarships for their contributions to their communities. Milo Green, member of the "Thousands for Thespians" venture, won the Phil Grzewinski Innovation Award in the amount of $2,000 for his leadership, commitment, and ability to work through challenges. Skylar Shannon was awarded the Student Legacy Award in the amount of $1,000 for her dedication to the program for six years (even during the pandemic), her leadership, and for having been part of the most ventures since the Youth Venture program began 23 years ago.

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:

  • Complete, sign, and return a Withdrawal Form (Email to [email protected])
  • Return your school issued laptop and related items to Tech Office: Book an Appointment with IT
  • Contact the Business Office to settle any accounts or fees: [email protected]
  • Gather all Library and class issued books (AH & MST) and return them to the school
  • Check with the Main Office regarding any Gateway Binders in the closet and arrange to pick them up

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!


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.


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 Cindy in the main office ([email protected]). We appreciate your time!


Collection for Refugees

Many people from around the world have come to Massachusetts as immigrants or refugees because they are escaping from war or danger from their home country. A lot of these people coming to Massachusetts don’t have anything to start a successful life here in the U.S., but you can help. The International Institute of New England is a non-profit organization in Lowell that helps struggling immigrants and refugees have a successful life in the U.S. This organization needs donations and materials from the community. They need materials like cleaning supplies, soap and other hygiene products, blankets, sheets, kitchen supplies, and more. Daphne Croft is doing this as an extension for her research project in AH about a group of people who are suffering from a humanitarian crisis and don’t have the ability to receive help. Starting June 2nd to June 12th there will be a donation box in the lobby for you to drop off your donations. Please reach out with questions to [email protected].


Event Parking Reminder

During school events (e.g., Graduation, Gateways), our on-campus parking is insufficient for our whole school community. Please remember and join in our community norms by parking in the Museum Lot (P-5), located across Jackson Road, allowing guests with limited mobility to use the available spaces on campus. 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:
Wed - Jun 11 Divisional Trips Day
Thu - Jun 12 Board of Trustees
Mon - Jun 16 THE BIG END - Last Day of School
Mon - Jun 16 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: [email protected]
your family's or student's health email: [email protected]
mental health/emotional support needs email: [email protected]
food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs email: [email protected]

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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Weekly Information for June 13, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • June 14, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Thank you for a great year! We are so proud of our students for your hard work and tremendous growth all year. Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed over the past two weeks. Gateways are a public exhibition and celebration of learning for our students and our whole community. It is also a terrific way to end the year. We look forward to our last day of school – the Big End – on Monday. We welcome the Juniors back from their retreat and unveil the Essential Question for next year. It is a fun and aspirational way to transition. We also start the front walkway construction project later that day, to be finished in time for the start of school in August. The Main Office will be in Room 28 all summer. Have a great summer. Take advantage of the break to try something new, read a good book, work a summer job. We will be back together soon enough. Brian

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By Cindy Johnson • May 31, 2025
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By Cindy Johnson • May 23, 2025
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Weekly Information for May 16, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 17, 2025
Dear Parker Families, Students, and Staff, I’m writing to invite your participation in an ongoing conversation in the Parker community about the presence and impacts – both positive and negative – of phones and other “smart” devices in school. As you may be aware, the Massachusetts State Legislature is considering a bill – co-sponsored by State Attorney General Andrea Campbell – in its current legislative session that would require public schools in the state to restrict student phone use during school hours. You may also be aware New York recently passed a similar bill, joining dozens of states who have either already passed or, like Massachusetts, are in the process of considering new legislation regarding phones in schools. They are doing this in response to the growing rate of concern about the impact phones can and do have on learning. In conversations at school over the last month, teachers and students agree: phones are distracting, and they impact class. Students appreciate the connection phones provide to their families, and faculty understand phones are an important logistical tool in everyone’s lives, so it feels like a dilemma our current practices do not acknowledge. This should not seem surprising if one knows our current phone/device practice, as described in the Community Handbook, was last revised in 2012. The capabilities, applications of, and cultural embeddedness of phone and other smart technology have evolved immensely in the United States since then. So this is an important and perhaps overdue conversation for the Parker community to be having. Since its founding, Parker has been committed both in mission and in daily practice to moving students to the center of the learning process with Ted Sizer’s 10 Common Principles as our guiding philosophy, and over the last thirty years, students and adults have consistently cited strength of community as the strongest, most positive indicator of that mission in action. Students will have continued opportunity in the coming weeks to engage in conversation about how the presence of personal devices factors into the strength of our community, and we want to hear the voices of parents, guardians, and caregivers as well. To that end, we will be holding a discussion forum on Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 for adults to hear about the discussions going on at school this spring and contribute their own thoughts and questions to the dialogue. As a kicking off point and shared experience, part of our discussion will be reacting to two articles we encourage you to read in advance: Jonathan Haidt’s article from 2023 in The Atlantic, “Phones in School Are a Disaster” Natasha Singer’s article from 2024 in The New York Times, “Why Schools are Racing to Ban Cell Phones” If you can’t access the above links, pick up a hard copy in the front office. Reading the articles is not necessary for attendance! Please RSVP - we very much hope to see you there. Sincerely, Carter What: Adult discussion about phones in school When: Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:30-7:30 PM Where: In-person at Parker RSVP HERE

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By Cindy Johnson • May 10, 2025
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Weekly Information for May 2, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • May 4, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Starting this spring, students in the Multicultural Connections Community Block will host a series of community conversations around issues of importance to our school. The Multicultural Connections Community Block was created earlier this year in response to the multiple instances of antisemitic hate speech that we found on campus. The group provides a safe space for students of different races, cultures and religions to come together for reflection and celebration. We appreciate their proactive leadership and support of one another. To engage their classmates, students in Multicultural Connections are piloting a series of community conversations, by division. We are planning to invite guest speakers to visit Parker once or twice a year, engage in a discussion facilitated by students, followed by Advisory reflections. The first community conversation will focus on antisemitism and hate speech. We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Josh Breindel from Congregation Beth El in Sudbury as our guest speaker. We have been working closely with Rabbi Josh for the past two years. Rabbi Josh has provided invaluable guidance and perspective as we condemned antisemitism and hate speech, supported Jewish students and promoted the physical and emotional safety of all students and staff. Rabbi Josh comes to Parker as a friend, partner and educator. The community conversation will focus on the history and impact of the Nazi swastika, its unique impact on the Jewish community with its association to antisemitism, and its use in the normalization of hate speech more broadly towards other groups. We explore what steps young people can take to stand up and bring hope. The community conversation takes place on Wednesday, May 28. Each division will participate in the discussion and Advisory reflection. We will share additional details and the schedule to come. Next year, we will follow a similar format for community conversations on issues of importance to our diverse student body. We are proud of our students for serving as upstanders and providing leadership to live our values as a loving and inclusive community. With respect, Brian