May 10, 2025

Weekly Information for May 9, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,


Thank you to the entire Parker faculty for sharing your time, expertise and passion. Our students are very lucky! We are nearing the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. We have been treated to gifts and goodies all week from members of the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC). Thank you for the generosity and thoughtfulness of Parker families.


This weekend, we celebrate and thank our moms. To all the moms who provide selfless love and support, in ways that only a mother can provide, we appreciate you! We turn our attention and affection towards our moms this weekend. Have a very Happy Mother’s Day.


Finally, congratulations to all the Seniors who presented their Senior Exhibitions this week, with two final days next week. Senior Exhibitions have always been a celebration of our Seniors and our whole program. Visitors from the Utah Board of Education joined us this week to serve as panelists, visit classes and meet with students. At the end of their visit, they reflected that Parker strikes an appropriate balance between personalization and transferable skills with academic rigor. They were beyond impressed by our school and our students!


Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Thank You!
  • Gateways – Last Call for Schedule Requests
  • Bristol Myers Squibb Visit
  • Tickets for the PROM
  • 5K Volunteers Needed
  • MART Connects Expands Service
  • From the Health Office
  • From the Library
  • MCAS Schedule
PPCC Thank You!

The PPCC wishes to thank everyone who contributed in some way to a successful Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. Your donations of time, gift certificates, money and food were positively impactful. Teachers and staff were grateful for the efforts put forth this week. Thank you for helping us support the people who change our children's lives for the better!


Gateways – Last Call for Schedule Requests

Gateways for all divisions will be on Fri, June 6; Mon, June 9; and Tue, June 10. Gateways will continue for all except Juniors (who will be on the Junior Retreat) on Thu, June 12 and Fri, June 13. If your child is Gatewaying this June, you will receive more specific information about your child’s Gateway day/time via email next week. We appreciate your flexibility as we schedule more than 250 gateways over these days! If you know that you have a tight schedule during this time period and must request (or block out) a specific day/time of day for your student’s gateway, please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) by early next week with your restrictions/requests. Otherwise, everyone will get notification of their slot(s) in a couple of weeks, and we appreciate your efforts to make that slot work!


Bristol Myers Squibb Visit

Thank you to Parker parent Claudia Posadas for welcoming our students to the Bristol Myers Squibb facility on Devens last week. Fifteen students toured the facility, learned about gene therapy and drug manufacturing and explored careers in STEM. The students asked outstanding questions and walked away with a new appreciation of what’s possible in science, math and engineering. Thank you to Diane and Jinnee for leading the visit.


Tickets for the PROM

Division 3 Families: Please buy prom tickets and complete health forms by Friday, May 16! Email questions to Julie: jcarr@theparkerschool.org.


Parker 5K Fun Run volunteers needed

Are you looking for ways to get more involved at Parker? We need to form a committee to start planning our 2nd Parker 5K Fun Run! The event date has been set for Sunday, October 12, 2025! Please reach out to Katrina at ktedstone@theparkerschool.org to learn more.


MART Connects Expands Service

MART Connects has now been expanded to include Devens, as well as Ayer and Shirley, in addition to Bolton, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling and Stow. This curb-to-curb service allows riders to schedule on-demand public transit rides, up to 20 miles in each direction, as long as the pick-up or drop-off points are in one of the participating towns. These rides need to be scheduled by someone 18 or older, but individuals 13 and older are allowed to ride alone. These rides can be used for any trip purpose and are not restricted to certain activities. Rides are provided from 5:30am until 10pm, 7 days a week, and cost $4 for up to 10 miles. Book rides by 2 pm at least one day in advance by calling 978-345-7711 Option 3, Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
From the Health Office

Now that the nice weather is upon us, we are seeing seasonal allergies, ticks, mosquitos, and sunburns!

Seasonal Allergies: If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, please be proactive and give your student allergy medication/allergy eye drops to help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms. If needed, seek assistance from your child's primary care physician. The pollen count can be monitored at Pollen.com at National Allergy Forecast & Info About Allergies | Pollen.com

Sunburn per the CDC: Sun Exposure | Travelers' Health | CDC

Tick season in Massachusetts typically lasts from April to November. Please see tick information HERE.

Prevent Mosquito Bites: Simple steps to protect you and your family from mosquito bites can be found HERE.


From the Library

Seniors, please remember to return all books that were borrowed for your senior exhibitions!


MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the month of 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:

  • MATH: May 20 & 21

7th & 8th Grade:

  • SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 15
  • CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

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:
Mon-Tue; May 12-13 Senior Exhibitions
Wed - May 14 Division 1 Field Day
Thu - May 15 8th Grade Science MCAS
Tue - May 20 10th Grade Math MCAS
Tue - May 20 8th Grade Civics MCAS
Wed - May 21 10th Grade Math MCAS
Fri - May 23 NOON Dismissal
Fri - May 23 PROM
Mon - May 26 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
Tue - May 27 8th Grade Civics MCAS
Fri - May 30 Last Day for Seniors
Wed - Jun 4 NOON Dismssal
Wed - Jun 4 Graduation
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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