Weekly Information for March 1st

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

This week we welcomed everyone back from February break, celebrated Black History month and addressed another issue of antisemitism in our community. That sentence is jarring and hard to read. As articulated in the Ten Common Principles, at Parker, we “explicitly and self-consciously stress values of un-anxious expectation, of trust and of decency.” We “honor diversity and build on the strength of its communities, deliberately and explicitly challenging all forms of inequity.” We are a strong and vibrant community that supports one another and speaks up when our norms are violated. We stand in solidarity with students, families and staff who are targeted with hate speech and intimation.

Thank you to all the students, families and staff who continue to serve as upstanders. One of the cards that we wore in honor of Black History Month quotes Toni Morrison, who challenges us to “make a difference about something other than yourselves.” We appreciate everyone in our community who positively influences those around us.

Thank you for joining us on Friday, March 15th for PLP conferences. We host PLP conferences twice a year to create personalized goals and provide feedback and coaching. The Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is an essential tool and process by which we personalize learning for all students. It helps our students define their personal goals and the support that they need to achieve those goals. It also helps us know students well as individuals and build strong, collaborative relationships with students and their families.

If you haven’t done so already, please schedule a 30-minute conference with your child’s advisor. If you have a conflict on that day, communicate directly with your child’s advisor to schedule another time.

We are also looking forward to an important professional development opportunity for our staff on Wednesday, March 27. On that day, we will dismiss students at 12:00 noon to welcome colleagues from schools across New England for several Looking at Student Work sessions. It is an essential opportunity for feedback, calibration and connection in the service of ensuring authentic, standards-based assessment at Parker. Thank you for your flexibility with this disrupted yet important day.

With respect and appreciation,

Brian

Div 2 Exhibition Night

Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM when Division Two Arts and Humanities will host families and students Parker for Division Two Civics Exhibition Night! Division Two AH students worked hard last semester to complete Civic Action Projects. For their projects, students chose a civic issue they are passionate about, researched their issue, and engaged in civic action to address their issue. This night will allow Division Two AH students to present their civic action projects, exhibit their learning, and share their actions with other Parker students, families, and staff.

We ask students to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to get ready before the event begins. We are so excited to celebrate our students' work with you. Please reach out to any of the Division Two AH teachers with questions you may have.

Spring PLPs are Coming!

Spring PLPs are on Friday, March 15th. See below for more information about how to book your appointment!

• On that day, there will be NO CLASSES for students; instead, we spend that day in conversation with families/students to check in on student goals, progress, and PLPs. Each family (with their student) will be asked to come to school for a 30-minute appointment. Your child’s advisor has been in touch with more information and details along with a LINK to sign up. These links are customized by each advisor, so you do need to use the specific link that was sent by the advisor to sign up. Email your child’s advisor if you do not have a link from them yet.
• If you are not able to make it for an appointment on March 15, please reach out directly to your child’s advisor to find another day/time that is mutually possible.
• If you can meet on March 15 but someone needs to attend remotely, please go ahead and book an appointment and then reach out to your child’s advisor to request a remote link.

Health Office Wish List

The Health Office would appreciate donations of tissues, feminine products, granola bars, and 3-4 oz. disposable cups. Thank you in advance for your support of our school!

Pennies for Players Youth Venture

The Pennies for Players venture began last spring when we had the idea to support the Nashoba Valley Unlimited Basketball League. NVUB League is a volunteer, organized basketball program for children and young adults who have special needs to feel included in sports and be able to participate at their individual level. In addition to the Bremer family of Ayer who began the program, there are numerous adult and student volunteers who join each week during the session to help make sure everyone has fun and stays safe. Skylar has been volunteering since she was in sixth grade, and Jay began volunteering this year. Last year we held a competitive fundraiser called Pennies for Players where every advisory was given a jar to donate spare change. The top three advisories earned a prize. From this fundraiser and several snack sales at Parker’s Café Wednesdays, we raised about $350! Last Sunday we brought our donation to NVUB, and they were thrilled and thankful for it (see photo above). Thank you all for your support!

Sincerely, Skylar Shannon & Jay Permatteo

Register Now for Spring Sports!

The following Parker sports teams will be offered this spring:

• Baseball
• Softball
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Girls’ Co-op Lacrosse through Bromfield

All practices begin on Monday, March 18th, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. Please register 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.

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 the basis of race, color, gender, pregnancy or pregnancy status, religion, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability, in the operation of the educational programs, activities, or employment policies.