November 13, 2026

Weekly Information for November 13th, 2026

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Dear Parker students, families, and staff,


Recently, we completed the first quarter of the year. It’s not uncommon to think or talk about the proportion of time we will spend engaged in an activity. Certainly, clocks and calendars help make that especially concrete as we can count and mark off the time passed and the time that remains. To help capture and explain what that passage of time means in terms of the work and learning students have done as well as what still lies ahead is more complex work. In order to review both the learning and work that has happened and the learning and the work that lie ahead, we create and share quarterly progress reports with students and families.


In line with our Common Principles of helping students learn to use their minds well and to demonstrate mastery, we challenge ourselves and our students to stretch themselves as learners and to apply the skills and habits to a range of topics and a variety of projects and tasks. The progress reports you and your students receive demonstrate these core beliefs of our school and a deep commitment to engaging students in their own learning and growth. We focus in these reports on both Habits of Learning and the level of mastery students demonstrate in the academic skill areas through their assessments and revisions. No one’s hard work and progress is reduced to a mathematical average. Teachers review and summarize the work attempted and completed by each student as well as the growth students have made so far. Advisors lead students through a process of reading and reflecting on what teachers have said, connecting that to their own goals and hopes, and planning for their next steps and areas of growth.


We always share these reports with families via email and encourage you to review them and discuss them with your student/s as well. Though our sharing has been delayed a day by the nationwide Microsoft Outlook issues, you should have received your student’s first progress report of the year via email (sent from Parker notifications) earlier today. Resources to help you orient yourself and make sense of the report will be included in that message. Students will have already seen the reports and spent time reading and reflecting on them with their Advisors on Thursday afternoon. If you have any questions after receiving the reports, or speaking with your student about their reflection work, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s advisor or teachers directly.


We appreciate your collaboration and the support you provide your students every day.


Thank you and enjoy the weekend.



Bex

This week’s topics: 
  • November Progress Reports
  • Building Access this Weekend
  • Dental Visit - Caring for Kids
  • Parker Ski and Snowboard Club
  • Winter Sports Registration
  • Toys for TOTS
  • Attention: Students Looking for Service Hours
  • Join the Fun (Run or Walk)
  • SEPAC Meeting Reminder
  • Absences Around Thanksgiving
  • Special Education Progress Reports
  • Current 9th Grade Lottery
  • Student Cello Performance
  • Kitchen Assistant Opening
November Progress Reports

Parents/guardians, please note that November progress reports were sent to you via email (with attached pdf) on Friday morning (slightly delayed by the global email outage issues!). Please take the time to review these reports. More details are in the email. If you have questions about how to interpret the reports, you can access several resources linked here and in the email that was sent, all of which are also linked on this part of the Parker website: Progress Report "Key"; Parker Assessment Continuum, and Home-School Academic Communication. You can also always reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with questions.


Building Access this Weekend

The driveway to campus will not be accessible for most of the day on Saturday due to continued tree removal. The building will be accessible, but you will have to park in the DPW / Junior lot and walk down to campus. The cross-country team will also have to park at the DPW lot and walk to meet the bus for the meet on Saturday. Ben Benoit, our Athletic Director, will share more detailed instructions with the team. 


Dental Visit - Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 20th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE  and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return them to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible.

The dental program provides a dental examination, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, and teeth cleaning. There is no direct cost to the patient. However, if the child has insurance, the insurance will be billed. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Zick at lzick@theparkerschool.org.


Parker Ski and Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker’s Ski and Snowboard Club! Click here for details and to register. Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/6. Chaperones are needed!


Winter Sports Registration

The following Winter Sports Teams will be offered:

Winter Track, Girls' and Boy's Basketball (Middle School and High School), Boys' Ice Hockey (Co-op with Littleton) and Girls' Ice Hockey (Co-op with Acton-Boxborough). All practices begin Monday, November 30th, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. To register your student for a winter sport, click here: 2026-2027 Winter Parker Sports Registration


Toys for TOTS

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school November 12th until December 4th. Please help us bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.


Attention: Students Looking for Service Hours

Groton Community Dinners is looking for volunteers. They are a donation only, volunteer driven dinner that takes place nine times a year. Currently they have food preparation and service volunteers from Lawrence Academy, Groton School & Groton Business Association. These dinners offer students the chance to support building community through the experience of dining together and they would love to add Parker to their volunteer base. The next dinner event is November 20th, with volunteer hours from 4:30 to 8 pm. If you are interested, email Jinnee.


Join the Fun (Run or Walk)

Virtual participants are welcome in addition to in-person runners or walkers! Register now and join in on the fun! The Parker Fun Run will be held next Sunday, November 22, at 10 AM. Prizes awarded in multiple categories but all levels are welcome. Register now and help support your school! Visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/140332/parker-fun-run. Interested in volunteering? Please email Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org.


SEPAC Meeting Reminder

Meet us for coffee after morning drop-off around 8:30am Marty’s Corner Café (176 Jackson Rd, Devens) near the school. These informal gatherings offer friendship, support, and community, typically held the third Wednesday of the month. Next coffee meet up is November 18th at 8:30am.

Join us for regular Zoom meetings, typically held on the first Monday or Tuesday evenings of the month. At these meetings we discuss SEPAC business and sometimes welcome special guests. Next Zoom meeting is December 1st at 8pm. 


Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student is extending Thanksgiving break, remember to contact the main office and let us know when your student(s) will be absent. The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).


Special Education Progress Reports

Special Education progress reports will be emailed through Frontline Education on Tuesday. If you do not receive your report, your account may need to be refreshed—please contact Kristin Bakke at kbakke@theparkerschool.org for assistance. As always, don't hesitate to reach out to Kristin with any questions.


Current 9th Grade Lottery

Spread the word: We’re now accepting applications to our grade 9 lottery for the current school year. Applications for this lottery will close on Monday, December 7, 2026, and applicants will be notified of the results following the lottery drawing on December 8. Students who receive an enrollment offer will have an intended start date of Monday, January 25, which marks the first day of our second semester; however, it may also be possible to arrange an alternative start date. Have interested families visit https://forms.rediker.com/FPCES and select Year 2026-27 and Grade 9 to complete Current Year Grade 9 January Enrollment Lottery Application. Please reach out to Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org with questions!


Student Cello Performance

At last Friday’s All School Gathering, we enjoyed a live cello performance from Parker student Gabe Jojatu. To watch a video clip of the performance, please click here


Kitchen Assistant Opening

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

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:
Thur - Nov 19 Board of Trustees
Fri - Nov 20 Caring for Kids dental Visit
Wed - Nov 25 Noon Dismissal
Thur-Fri - Nov 26-27 Thanksgiving Break
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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