May 1, 2026

Weekly Information for May 1, 2026

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,


This is an exciting time of year for our Seniors and their team of supporters. Clearly none of our students do it alone. Thanks to their families, teachers, and friends who shaped the values and aspirations of our students – we share in their success. Tonight is a fitting way to kick off the next few weeks as we head up the street for Junior and Senior Prom. We look forward to seeing our students all decked out, celebrating and enjoying one another.


Next Thursday, we host the first of four days of Senior Exhibitions, during which every senior shares their senior project in front of a juried panel. This final OP provides every student an opportunity to “demonstrate mastery and exhibit their expertise before family and community.” It serves as the culmination of six years of authentic engagement, hard work, and exhibitions of learning at Parker.


This is also a moment of pride for the institution and our approach to learning. Last year, voters in the state of Massachusetts decided that MCAS would no longer serve as a graduation requirement. That prompted state leaders to engage in a year-long process of considering alternatives that could be used to determine a student’s knowledge, skills and dispositions for graduation. Two of the top three competency determinations come directly from our work - student portfolios and capstone projects. We have increasingly shared our approach and welcomed visitors from around the world who want to see our Senior Exhibitions. I was one of those visitors 15 years ago, my first exposure to Parker. What makes our approach unique is the school-wide commitment to academic rigor, personalization and public exhibition – for all students.


We are thrilled to celebrate the success and growth of our students in this public way. It is a celebration for our whole school community!



Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Gateway Days are Coming
  • Seeking Presenters for Immigration Panel
  • Kitchen Assistant Opening
  • Youth Venture – Art Spark
  • Jurors Needed for Senior Exhibitions
  • SEPAC Meeting
  • STEM Career Night
  • Geek Squad Academy
  • SUN Bucks Applications Open
  • Yearbooks
  • MCAS Testing Schedule
Gateway Days are Coming...

If your student is anticipating a June Gateway, be aware that June Gateway days will run from Tuesday, June 9 through Monday, June 15. Since we are generally trying to schedule between 250 and 300 Gateways on these days, we greatly appreciate your flexibility; we hope to get families an anticipated slot for the June gateways to your email by early May so you can reserve the day/time. If you already know your child is headed towards a June gateway AND you already know you have significant restrictions to your schedule on the June days listed above (such as a scheduled surgery or work trip, etc.), please email Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) with your scheduling needs/restrictions so they can be factored into the schedule proactively. No need to reach out if you can be relatively flexible – we will be in touch with you in a few weeks so you can hold the spot. Thanks! 


Seeking Presenters for Immigration Panel

Every other year, Division 1 Arts and Humanities studies the history of immigration in the United States in response to the essential question “what stories are told and why”? Historically, one important experience that students have gotten to engage with has been attending a live panel with presenters who have experienced immigration or have been impacted by it. We will host two panel sessions on Tuesday, May 12th--the first during block D (11:50-12:45), and the second during block E (1:15-2:10). We are looking for community members who are interested in the opportunity to speak on the panel or who know someone who might be interested. We would love to have panelists for both sessions but would welcome volunteers who can only participate in one. If interested, please reach out to Division 1 AH Teacher, Lindsay Goodwin at lgoodwin@theparkerschool.org.


Kitchen Assistant Opening

Parker is currently seeking part-time help in our kitchen. Click here for more information.


Youth Venture - Art Spark

Hello Parker families. Do you love art? Do you make art? Would you like to enter a piece or two of your art into a contest for a chance to win a prize? The Youth Venture group Art Spark will be hosting a friendly art competition at the last Café Wednesday of the year, May 20th. Though encouraged, you do not need to attend Café Wednesday to enter or win a prize. You can enter a painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, photograph, installation art…anything you have made! Please bring your submissions to room 6 by May 15th. Talk to Emilie Shannon (eshannon@theparkerschool.org) if you have any questions. Thank you!


Be a Juror on a Senior Project Exhibition!

Senior Project Exhibitions will take place on May 7, 8, 11 and 12.

Jury members from the broader Parker Community play a critical role in assessing seniors’ presentations using the Senior Project Exhibition Rubric. That rubric and more details on the format of Exhibitions and on the juror’s role can be found in this document. A 2-hour time commitment is required. Please note: immediate family members of this year’s seniors may not serve on jury panels. Refer to the Senior Exhibition Schedule to see specific dates/times and the Essential Questions of the Class of 2026. To sign up for a jury spot, please email Monique (mbeganski@theparkerschool.org). You can let her know specific Exhibitions you are interested in or specifics days/time when you are available.


SEPAC Meeting

ParkerPAC (Parker Sepac) has scheduled a zoom meeting on May 4th at 8pm, in which we will formalize goals for the year to come, and elect members to open board positions. Whether or not you have attended any of our meetings this year, if you have any interest in joining us going forward, please attend. We want to incorporate your ideas and concerns! Here’s the link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86851462439?pwd=YlP0kbqJvooFz8IgcIjFGY9cjjcagF.1 Passcode: 167266


STEM Career Night

The Acton Discovery Museum is hosting their 3rd annual STEM Career Night at the Museum on May 21 at 6:30pm. This free event will feature 16 accomplished STEM professionals representing all disciplines, so students can learn about diverse career paths within STEM fields. Students will have the opportunity to meet experts, ask questions, and make connections in their field of interest. For more information, see here: STEM Career Night 2026 8x11.pdf


Geek Squad Academy

The Spanish American Center and Fitchburg State University are partnering to offer Geek Squad Academy at FSU on June 24th and 25th. This program lets students work with Geek Squad Agents and Best Buy Employees to become Junior Agents and learn about future careers in technology. For more information, check out Academy Flyer - Spanish American Center-Sp.pdf or Academy Flyer - Spanish American Center-En.pdf


SUN Bucks Applications Open

SUN Bucks, the federal food benefit program once known as Summer EBT, is returning for summer 2026. SUN Bucks provides a $120 lump-sum summer benefit per school-aged child for income-eligible families. The income eligibility standards for SUN Bucks are the same as those for the National School Lunch Program, meaning all enrolled students who meet the standards for free or reduced-price lunch during the 2025-26 school year are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. For more information about how to apply, see here or visit the SUN Bucks website


Yearbooks

Yearbooks will be distributed on the last day of school during the Big End (June 16). Only a limited number of yearbooks remain available for purchase. There are three versions available: hard cover books are $60, soft cover books are $40, and Division 1 books are $20. The Division 1 book contains everything but sections for Division 2, Juniors, Seniors, and senior parent ad pages. If you have not purchased a yearbook yet, now is the time to do so.


MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of 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: (already happened in March)
  • MATH: May 19 & 20
  • SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

  • ELA: (already happened in April)
  • MATH: 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.


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 - May 6 7/8th Grade Math MCAS
Thu - May 7 8th Grade Science MCAS
Thu-Tue - May 7-12 Senior Exhibitions
Thu - May 14 8th Grade Science MCAS
Thu - May 14 Board of Trustees
Fri - May 15 Div1 and 9th Grade Dance
Tue - May 19 10th Grade Math MCAS
Tue - May 19 8th Grade Civics MCAS
Wed - May 20 10th Grade Math MCAS
Wed - May 20 Noche Sabrosa
Wed - May 20 Cafe Wednesday
Fri - May 22 Caring for Kids Dental Visit
Fri - May 22 Noon Dismissal
Mon - May 25 Memorial Day - No School
Tue - May 26 8th Grade Civics MCAS
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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