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 ttesta@theparkerschool.org.

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 lzick@theparkerschool.org 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:

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 (cjohnson@theparkerschool.org). 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 Daphne.Croft@theparkerschool.org.


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: 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 Cindy Johnson • February 28, 2026
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