March 14, 2026

Weekly Information for March 13, 2026

Share Post

Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

It was great to see everyone at PLP conferences today. We are proud of our students for setting meaningful and challenging goals and helping to lead today’s discussion. This is one of the many ways that students drive their learning at Parker and an essential way that we partner with families. Thank you.


I want to recognize Ben Benoit, our Athletic Director and Coach, as he prepares to tackle the Appalachian Trail. As you know, Ben will be taking a sabbatical this spring and summer to hike the full length of the AT. This is a lifelong dream and personal challenge for Ben. He starts tomorrow in Georgia and plans to be home in time for the start of the school year in August. That’s 2190 miles over five months, averaging about 15 miles a day! We are excited for Ben and draw inspiration from his passion and determination. And this comes after a year in which the Boys Cross Country team and the Boys Winter Track team both won State Championship and Ben was named Coach of the Year for both seasons. That’s quite a year for our teams and our coach! We look forward to a few reports and photos from the trail.


Henry Schrader will serve as the Interim Athletic Director from now until the start of the next school year. Henry will continue as a teacher, Domain leader and Divisional Co-Coordinator in addition to this new role. We appreciate Henry’s strong leadership and the continuity that he provides. Thank you, Henry. We look forward to kicking off the Spring sports season on Tuesday, March 17th. If you haven’t yet registered and you want to play one of the many sports offered, see the details below.


Enjoy the long weekend! See you Tuesday, March 17th.

Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • No School on Monday
  • Spring Sports Start Tuesday
  • Bromfield/Parker Girls’ Lacrosse
  • Ayer Shirley/Parker Baseball
  • Hockey Championship Game
  • Art & Literary Magazine
  • Youth Venture Update
  • Robotics Team Win!
  • Parker Giving Week
  • Café Wednesday
  • Parker’s Volleyball Club
  • Annual “Returning to Parker” Survey
  • MCAS Testing Schedule
  • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
No School on Monday

Reminder the school is closed on Monday.


Spring Sports Start Tuesday

All teams are still accepting registrations for the upcoming season, and practices will begin on Tuesday, March 17th (see weekly schedule here). Sports offered are Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, and Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield. Team schedules for the season can be found on the Athletes webpage. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible using this form: Athlete Registration. Parents must provide proof of a current physical exam at the beginning of every season of participation. Sports User Fee of $300 and is due prior to the first game. Click here for more information.


Bromfield/Parker Girls Lacrosse

Come join Parker and Bromfield Girls’ Lacrosse players for a fun, supportive, and exciting spring season of lax! Anyone in grades 7-12 who thinks they may be interested should sign up and try it out - no experience required! Email Coach Ali (awicks@psharvard.org) for more information. If cost is a prohibitive issue, please email Coach Ali. Practices start March 16 - Registration is OPEN! https://students.arbitersports.com/bromfield-school/athletic-registration-spring-2026-2


Ayer Shirley/Parker Baseball

All high school age players interested in playing on our co-op baseball team hosted by Ayer Shirley can use the following link to sign up:
https://ayershirley-ma.finalforms.com/


Hockey Championship – Sunday

Come cheer on Parker’s Jayden and Mason this Sunday! Their co-op hockey team has made the state championships! The Littleton-Bromfield Tigers will play Saint Bernard’s in the MIAA Division 4 State Championships at the TD Garden in Boston this Sunday, 3/15, at 7:30 PM. Tickets are good for the whole day and can be purchased here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01006469A3C3BF40


Parker's Art and Literary Magazine

Do you have writing or art pieces you would like to publish? You should submit your creations to the Parker Art & Literary Magazine: Paper Flowers! We will accept personal essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, comics, art (drawings, paintings, photography), and more! Students with submitted work receive a copy of the magazine once it is professionally printed. Submissions are due by FRIDAY March 20th at midnight - send your work to Sarah Leandro (sleandro@theparkerschool.org) or talk to her in Room 26. We look forward to seeing your work!


Youth Venture Update

The Youth Venture group Bags! Bags! Bags! extends its collection drive until Wednesday, March 18th. We are working to collect new/unused hygiene products which we will then donate to the homeless shelter we are currently partnering with, North Star Family Services. We need your help to collect new products such as: soap, hairbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, wash clothes and shower caddies/toiletry bags. Thank you to those who donate to this cause! If you have any questions, reach out to Emilie Shannon (eshannon@theparkerschool.org). 


COMING SOON...The Youth Venture group Supporting Sherry will be hosting an Advisory coin collection competition in the beginning of April. The winning advisory will win a prize! All money raised will be donated to Sherry's House, which is a non-profit organization that provides food, financial support and short/long term housing in a non-hospital environment for children undergoing cancer treatment and their family. More information to come but start collecting and putting aside those coins!


Robotics Team Win!

Congratulations to FIRST Robotics Team 3623, the team from the Boys & Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg in partnership with Parker students, placed first in their competition this past weekend. They were chosen to be part of an alliance of three teams in the NE District Minuteman competition and worked together with their alliance partners, teams 3467 and 6328, to score the banner, pictured below. Their next event is the NE District URI Competition, coming up next week - we wish them luck and continued success!


Parker Giving Week

Celebrate Parker’s Anniversary and the moment Parker came to life! During this special week, every gift is tripled, thanks to a generous $20,000 matching gift. Join us as we honor our past, strengthen our present, and invest in our students’ futures. Every dollar raised goes directly to our students! Thank you for your support! Make your gift here: www.parker.school/giving


Café Wednesday on March 18

Do you enjoy music, dancing, and comedy? Have you been looking for a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Are you feeling… luck-ay? Well, we have the event for you! We’re hosting Café Luckay (The St. Patrick’s Day rendition of Café Wednesday) on March 18 at 6:30 PM. Friends, families, and students are all welcome to come join us for a night of entertainment and laughs. Admission is free, so come out to see the Parker community share its talents. To any interested performers—it’s not too late to sign up, so start rehearsing today! Acts should be school appropriate and maximum of 5 minutes. Sign up to perform here or by putting a form in the green box in the Parker Lobby. Questions? See Gabby or email gbrummer@theparkerschool.org.            


Parker's Volleyball Club

Parker's volleyball club is starting up for its second season! Whether you are brand new to the game or an experienced player, we welcome you to join us! The club will take place on Thursday afternoons from 4:00-5:15 PM in the GYM. Our first practice will be on Thursday, March 19th! We will run 8 sessions, each including drills, skills, and game play. Please fill out the following registration link with a $25 fee to register your student: https://forms.office.com/r/XZkGKRjGZL. Feel free to reach out to coach and Spanish teacher Elly McKenna (emckenna@theparkerschool.org) with any questions. Looking forward to a fun season!


Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

As a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY. Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our wait lists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!


MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of March, April, and May, following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

  • ELA: March 24 & 26
  • MATH: May 19 & 20
  • SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

  • ELA: April 1 & April 8
  • MATH: April 29 & May 6
  • SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 7 & 14
  • CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 19 & 26

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org). All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. Parents/guardians and students will get grade/test specific emails with more details that will go home as each test date approaches.


Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

During the week of April 13, 2026, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review (IMR) at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school approximately every three years. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation.

  • Surveys: Parents/guardians of special education students will receive an online survey from the Office of Public School Monitoring via mail/email.
  • Interviews: During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview district staff, administrators, and other individuals. Parents/guardians or other individuals may contact Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview.
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 - Mar 16 March Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Wed - Mar 18 Café Wednesday
Thu - Mar 19 Board of Trustees
Tue - Mar 24 10th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed - Mar 25 NOON Dismissal
Thu - Mar 26 10th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed - Apr 1 7th/8th Grade MCAS
Wed - Apr 8 7th/8th Grade MCAS
Thu - Apr 9 Board of Trustees
Thu - Sat; Apr 9-11 SPRING SHOW
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 April 3, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • April 3, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, We are delighted to celebrate Parker students who were recognized for their outstanding performance at the 45th annual Elizabeth Haskins Mathematics Contest at Fitchburg State University. In the 90-minute competition, students answer 50 challenging math questions written or created by members of the Fitchburg State Mathematics Department faculty. This year, five students from Parker participated in the competition. The high scorers in each grade level were recognized in an awards ceremony at the competition. All five students from Parker were among the top scorers! Three Parker seniors earned Honorable Mention, placing in the top 15% of all scores: Chrys Olsen Dylan Stark Oliver Gillen Two of the three top scorers were Parker juniors. Andrew Roberdeau earned 3 rd place in the 11 th grade division, repeating his performance from last year, when he placed 3 rd in the 10 th grade division. Daniel Hendrickson won 1 st place in the 11 th grade division, earning the highest overall score out of all scores at the entire competition. We appreciate the leadership and coaching of Diane Kruse, MST Domain Leader, and Nathan Soule, MST Teacher. We are very proud of our students and the adults who help them thrive.  Have a great weekend. Brian

Weekly Information for March 27, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • March 27, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Feedback, reflection and revision are central to everything that we do at Parker. As Nancy Sizer wrote in Keeping School, “the emphasis is on growth, on learning from one’s mistakes, cleaning up one’s prose, clearing up one’s understandings.” This requires students to work hard, to be open to feedback and to try again. We are very proud of our students for engaging meaningfully in this iterative process.  We take a similar approach to adult learning at Parker. This week, we welcomed thirty teachers from across the region to join us in professional development called Looking at Student Work. During the session, Parker teachers shared the goals and expectations for standards-based assessments in their class. Participants used protocols to make observations and build meaning, referring to Parker’s articulated Criteria for Excellence, associated rubrics, and the work itself. This represents an essential opportunity to ask for feedback, reflect and revise – just like our students. We recognize that early dismissals can be hard for families. We take this professional development time seriously every week, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your partnership. Have a great weekend. Brian

Weekly Information for March 20, 2026

By Monique Benganski • March 22, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Happy first day of spring! My maternal grandmother was a firm believer in spring cleaning. She would, at the first sign of sunny days warm enough to put a lot of laundry outside to dry, schedule a full day to scrub and wash and clean everything in the house. This was too much to take on herself, so she organized me and my siblings, giving out assignments and supplies and promising TV time or some extra dessert when we finished our lists. Every window was washed. Every curtain came down. Every blanket and comforter went in the laundry. As you can imagine, this was a lot of work, but with dramatic results. The house looked and felt different in a relatively short period of time. This turn of the seasons always makes me think about newness and possibility—maybe because I remember those spring cleanings so vividly and the clean slate they seemed to yield. Spring is also a time in the school year to look ahead with excitement and expectation. Our seniors are looking ahead to Senior Project Expo Night, Exhibitions, and then graduation. Many students across divisions and domains are looking ahead to June Gateways. Spring sports seasons have gotten underway. The spring show is deep in rehearsals. You name it and all around the school, the signs of spring are cropping up as they are in the outside world—and there is still a lot of work to do between here and the end results. These moments of transition are important markers of not just where we have been but also where we are going. Sometimes looking ahead can cause a little nervousness, it can cause excitement, or often a mix of emotions. I think it is important to remember that this is what growth and moving into something new feels like—like spring cleaning, it is a lot of work, it’s easier when we don’t do it alone, and the results can be refreshing and sometimes even dramatic. Wishing you all a bright and promising spring ahead. Bex 

Weekly Information for March 6, 2026

By Cindy Johnson • March 7, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, I hope you all are safe and warm on this wintry day. As Brian shared in his last letter: this week, Parker hosted visitors from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) as part of our accreditation process. The group of 7 educators and leaders from around New England included people who have visited Parker before and others who were visiting for the first time. Their work was to get to know our school and to review and evaluate our work on the goals and priorities we as a school identified. They visited classes, they met with different groups of teachers and students, and then they told us what they saw and made recommendations for next steps in our work. It’s a bit like finishing a big assessment, turning it in, and then getting it back with feedback before you revise. They will write a full report on their visit, and when we have it, we will share it with all of you, but they did give us a preview. In a relatively short visit, the team was able to “get” us, and they praised many improvements we have made and celebrated much of what we do well. They were impressed with a lot of what they observed and learned—and the thing they highlighted most in their reflection with the faculty was what they heard from our students, which seems perfectly right. After all, Parker was founded by families who wanted a school that would put their students at the center of their learning. Our visitors heard our students talk about what matters to us as a community (they even passed a pop quiz to name all 10 of the Common Principles!), the hard work they are asked to do, and how they have grown. What the students conveyed was a sense of community and care that supports them to take risks in their learning and grow—and that is just what we hope each and every student will experience. With spring PLPs coming up next week, we hope you too will get a glimpse into what our visitors saw on the individual level with your student/s. We hope the spring PLP conferences will give your students an opportunity to reflect on the hard work they have been doing, what they have learned, how they have grown, and what’s next. Both as individuals and as a school, it’s important to both celebrate progress and set our sights on new challenges. Wishing us all warmer days ahead! Bex

Weekly Information for February 27, 2026

By Cindy Johnson • February 28, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Thank you to everyone who helped to spread the word about Parker. Enrollment applications for next year continue to be strong and the response from families has been very positive. We have two days left! The application deadline is this Sunday, March 1 and the student lottery is Thursday, March 5 . If you have a neighbor or friend who may be interested in Parker, please share your experiences. And remember, younger siblings need to apply to be eligible for admission. There is a sibling preference in the lottery, but you still need to apply. For additional details and a link to the application visit parker.school/enroll . We welcome NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) for their Decennial Accreditation visit next week. Every ten years, we invite NEASC into our school to evaluate teaching and learning, academic achievement, school culture, facilities and more. As a result, Parker will continue to be a NEASC accredited school. They will be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3 and 4, visiting classes, meeting with students and teachers, and reviewing our self-study. We will share the results of their visit and their final report later this Spring. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this two-year process, particularly Marena and Kris who have done excellent work leading the effort! We are thrilled to launch Parker Giving Week from March 16-20 , a new tradition celebrating the anniversary of our charter application — the milestone that opened the doors to the school our students and families know and love today. This year, your impact will be tripled! Thanks to a few incredibly generous donors who have pledged $20,000, every dollar you contribute during Parker Giving Week will be matched 2:1! That means your gift has triple the power to strengthen our programs and enrich our students’ experience. Every penny raised during Parker Giving Week goes directly to our students, supporting: Small class sizes that allow teachers to truly know each learner More direct attention and academic support to help students thrive Greater access to clubs, sports, and activities that build confidence, community, and joy Thank you for your support. Brian

Weekly Information for February 13, 2026

By Cindy Johnson • February 13, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Wishing you and your family wonderful break! We hope the week off is restful and rejuvenating. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, February 23.  Stay safe and warm! Bex