June 7, 2025

Weekly Information for June 6, 2025

Share Post

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

Recent Posts

Weekly Information for September 25, 2026

By Monique Benganski • September 25, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, We are committed to ensuring that Parker is a safe and supportive environment for all students. Not only does this align with our common principles of democracy and equity and establishing a tone of decency and trust, we believe it is critical to support student learning and growth. We believe that Parker should honor diversity, demonstrate inclusive practices, and explicitly challenge all forms of inequity. We believe that families are key collaborators and vital members of our school community. Today, we reaffirm these values in support of immigrant students and families, many of whom feel unsafe in the current climate. On August 5, 2026, Governor Healey signed the PROTECT Act, a law that prohibits civil law enforcement, including federal immigration enforcement, on school grounds without a Judicial Warrant or Judicial Order. This law applies during school hours, student drop off and pick up windows, before and after-school programming and school-sponsored events, on and off campus. If you would like to read the full policy, please see the Parker Community Handbook… COMMUNITY HANDBOOK All children have the right to attend public schools regardless of their national origin or immigration status. We are committed to ensuring that students and families may come to school without fear and will comply with all applicable state laws to ensure protection. We continue to maintain open and timely communication with our students and families. We work together to support and live our core values. Please reach out with questions or concerns. Respectfully, Brian

Weekly Information for September 18, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • September 18, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, The first month of the school year is when we start to frame the year ahead. I sometimes think about a picture or piece of art and the difference a frame can make for it. The frame I choose can add definition, it can add substance, it can connect to and expand a smaller object into a larger one; the frame establishes the outline, it directs our eye and attention to whatever is in the middle. As I see it, the frames we start to define in September help us to focus our attention on the year ahead—and all of the challenges, learning, and excitement it will hold. Last night we hosted our annual Back to School Night for families—a chance for parents and caregivers of our students to learn about their student’s division, to meet their student’s teachers, to experience an activity their students have engaged in, and to preview the year ahead. It is one of the ways that we frame the academic work of the year ahead for families and I am always impressed at how much energy we build by coming together for this event. People left here excited and engaged with each other even as we passed 9 PM! We have also been doing important work this month building connections and engaging students in thinking about our essential question. This work and the conversations we’ve had set a frame for our collaboration and how we work together to build community. We have been doing this work through Super Advisory groups: small advisory clusters of students from across different divisions. These initial conversations were led by advisors and then Division 3 students. As we move through the year, students in Division 2 and then 1 will have their own chance to facilitate some activities in Super Advisory, with each session contributing to the evolving picture that will fill the community frame we are establishing together. Please join us for some upcoming events to continue to add your contributions. We hope to see you at Parker 101 if your student is new to the school, or for Community Connections Night to learn about and share resources with the Class of 2027 for their Senior Projects. (Additional information on both events are below.) All of what we do from here will continue to paint the pictures of this year—and it is always an honor to see what the particular community members who are here in this moment contribute to that process. With appreciation for what each of you contributes to our school, Bex

Information for September 11, 2026

By Xalli Gordon-Chavez • September 11, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, As you may know, Parker was started 32 years ago by local parents who wanted to play an active role in a new kind of school. Our partnership with families is essential to the success of our students. There are many ways to get involved. First and most importantly, we appreciate that 100% of our families actively participate in Registration Day on August 26 th and PLP days on October 9 th and March 12 th . Helping students develop personalized goals and learning plans, and building a strong relationship with their advisors, provides a strong foundation for the year. We also welcome you to attend Back to School night next Thursday, September 17 th . Families will experience Parker as their child does, following an abbreviated schedule to meet their teachers and get a feel for a typical day. Back to School night begins with Divisional orientations at 6:15 pm and classes start at 7:00 pm. This is a great night to learn about your child’s classes, but not their individual performance. If you have specific questions about your child, please reach out to their Advisors. We invite families to join the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). To get involved in the PPCC please send them an email at parkercaregivers@gmail.com and join their Facebook page . To get involved in SEPAC email them at parkerpac7@gmail.com . We thank the PPCC and SEPAC for their voice, support, and leadership. Families are also welcome to join one of the many committees, boards, working groups, or advocacy efforts of the school. If you are intrigued and want to learn more, see Brian or one of our staff members at Back to School Night. We are also looking for substitute teachers and some assistance in the library if you have time in your schedule. If you have questions or are interested, please reach out to Gabby ( gbrummer@theparkerschool.org or Bex ( bwilusz@theparkerschool.org . We always need families to help with key elements of the curriculum. For example, Math, Science and Technology (MST) is hoping to schedule up to six field trips for small groups of high-school aged students in the Spring to STEM-related businesses or non-profits in our region. One of our parents hosted students at Bristol Myers Squibb two years ago. Our students had an incredible experience exploring biotechnology research and development. If you may be interested in hosting a small group of Parker students and teachers, please let Brian or Diane ( dkruse@theparkerschool.org ) know. Finally, our Seniors need your help with their year-long Senior projects. On Tuesday, September 29 th at 7:00 pm we are hosting Community Connections Night, an opportunity for students to share their essential questions and ask for feedback, research ideas, and connections from Parker families. That same night, we host Parker 101 at 6:30 pm for new families to learn more about our program. Many families attend both events that evening.  I hope this is received as it was intended – an open invitation to get involved in ways that work for you and your family. We appreciate and value your partnership! We look forward to seeing you at Parker. Brian

Weekly Information for September 4, 2026

By Xalli Gordon-Chavez • September 8, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Essential questions are rich, complex questions that don’t have single or simple answers. They invite us to wonder about big ideas, to be curious, to seek to understand our own experience in the context of the broader human experience over time and across similarities and differences with others. Good essential questions (which we often call EQs) have a way of calling us to seek out answers and every “answer” raises new questions or illuminates different perspectives, propelling deeper inquiry. Every year, our students help us choose the essential question we will focus on as a school. In the spring, the junior class works in their advisories and as a class to develop themes and rough drafts of questions before debating and discussing and narrowing the many compelling possibilities down to two. On the last day of school, our students vote and at the Big End we share the EQ for the next year. This year’s question is: How can we grow by taking accountability? When I first heard our EQ, my attention went almost exclusively to the end—to the idea of accountability. How do we foster a sense of accountability? Is accountability internally generated or externally enforced—or always both? How does being accountable help foster growth and development? But as I sat with this question and talked about it with colleagues, the richness of the question unfolded and the complexity of what our students have asked us to think about this year came into fuller view. This question focuses on community—on we, not I. This prompts us to think about what holds us together when we aren’t all the same, if we don’t agree or share a common perspective, if we feel pulled by different priorities. It compels us to look around us and generate agreements, foster collaboration, develop alliances, and even to trust. This question asks us to grow—to stretch ourselves, to change, to develop, to move from where we are to a different, hopefully improved, perhaps more complex version of ourselves as a school community. And, finally, this question asks us to consider what we are responsible for, what we might have some ownership of, how we identify and take pride in the quality of our choices, actions, and work. At the start of this year, I am appreciating the way that our students have chosen a question for us that will cause us to dig deep into the way that we both take accountability for and hold each other accountable to our values which the 10 Common Principles outline. I am confident that this EQ will push us to grow and develop together this year and I look forward to all our work together supporting the growth of our students and our school community. Best wishes for a restful holiday weekend.  Bex

Weekly Information for August 28, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • August 28, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Welcome back to school. We are off to a terrific start! Huge welcome to the 81 new students and eight new staff members who joined us this year. As I said the everyone yesterday morning at the Big Beginning – we all made a choice to come to Parker. We chose a school that challenges students to use their mind well, sets high expectations for all students, and supports one another with a tone of decency and trust. Thank you for choosing Parker. We are all better for it. We want to recognize all the ways that students provide leadership at Parker. Our students serve as elected leaders of the JC and CC, sports captains and theatre leaders, Teaching Assistants and Student Ambassadors. These students and more make up the Parker Peer Leaders program. They played an essential role in welcoming our new students and setting the tone for a positive year ahead. It was great to see 84 students proudly wearing their Peer Leaders shirts at the Big Beginning. We appreciate all our student leaders! Please join us next Wednesday for the third annual Potluck Dinner hosted by the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC). The dinner is next Wednesday, September 2 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Parker auditorium. New and returning students and families are welcome. Please bring a dish and join us. It is a terrific way to kick off the school year, share a meal, and make a new friend. Thank you to the PPCC and the Parker Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for their voice and leadership. We are looking forward to a great year. We hope to see you next Wednesday. Brian

Weekly Information for June 18, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • June 18, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Today we hosted the Big End for the 2025-2026 school year. We gathered in the gym for the final time, and we put a punctuation mark on who we have been and what we have done this school year. It’s important that we mark the ending of each year and that we pause to celebrate what we have accomplished, to notice how we have grown, and to reflect on what we have learned. Congratulations to the 214 Parker students who completed 329 gateways this year! Completing a gateway takes a tremendous amount of dedication, commitment and time and these students deserve to be celebrated for their accomplishments. Soon enough, we will find ourselves at the next Big Beginning—and we will focus on a new essential question and set new goals and take on new challenges as a community. In the meantime, it feels important that we take the time to celebrate and appreciate this year’s accomplishments for just a little longer. We will be here over the summer if you need anything, but please note that the main office has different hours than during the school year. Those are listed below for your reference and will be on the school website as well. I wish each of you a restful, restorative summer filled with what you hope for. We look forward to seeing you in August for Registration.  Best, Bex