November 14, 2025

Weekly Information for November 14, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,


We have two exciting weekend events ahead of us. Please join us on Saturday, November 15 at noon for the State Championships of the Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams at Willard Field on Devens. The Girls finished fifth and the Boys finished first in District Championships last weekend, with both teams qualifying for States. The Boys have won the State Championship four of the last eight years. The Boys race starts at 12:30 pm and Girls race at 1:15 pm. Visit the Parker tent for snacks and hot chocolate. All are welcome!


Next weekend, we host the second annual Parker Fun Run on Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 am (rain date is 11/23). All ages are encouraged to run, walk, skip, or jump and there will be category-based prizes. All proceeds benefit the school. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun.


Thanks to everyone in the Parker community who advocated on behalf of Parker and charter public schools statewide. The state legislature is considering multiple bills that would limit access and cut funding to charter public schools. We appreciate Luciana Hayner, Ginny Tang, and Gayane Hanyaloglu who testified on Beacon Hill; Jen Stach, Cory Stach, and Talia Bigelow who met with their representatives; and countless others who made their voices heard. As a result of our advocacy efforts, state leaders have shelved the anti-charter components of the legislation. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the thousands of students who benefit from schools like ours. If you want to become involved, please contact Katrina at ktedstone@theparkerschool.org.


As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to remind families about pickup and drop-off times:

  • When we have a noon dismissal, please pick up your child at noon. Faculty and staff also have a noon dismissal on these days, so the building closes at that time. We will post the sign board a few days before as a reminder.
  • In the morning, the building opens at 7:30 AM and students arriving before 8:00 AM go to the library, which is supervised. After 8:00 AM, students may access the rest of the building and pick up breakfast from the cafeteria.
  • After school, students may study in the library, which is supervised, for a short time after the end of the school day.
  • On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, families should pick up no later than 4:30 PM.
  • On Wednesdays, families should pick up no later than 3:00 PM.
  • After school help with teachers occurs on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and ends at 4:15 PM. Students may wait for a ride in the library until 4:30 PM after attending after school help.
  • The MART shuttle is available before and after school to/from Bolton, Lancaster and the Boys and Girls Club in Leominster for Parker students. Please contact MART directly to pre-register.
  • Students who are participating in after school activities, such as athletics, theatre, and clubs will be supervised during designated activity times and should be picked up at the end of scheduled activities.


Thank you. Have a great weekend.

Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Cross Country State Championships
  • Winter Sports Registration
  • Robotics Club
  • Youth Venture Ez Sports
  • 5K Fun Run
  • TOYS for TOTS
  • Absences Around Thanksgiving
  • Food Assistance for Families in Need
  • Dental Visit – Caring for Kids
Cross Country State Championships

Come cheer on our Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams tomorrow at Willard Field at NOON! Look for the Parker tent!


Winter Sports Registration

Register now for Winter Sports: Winter Track, Girls and Boys 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, December 1st, and will be held Monday through Friday that week. To register your student for a winter sport, click here: 2025-2026 Winter Parker Sports Registration – Fill out form


Robotics Club

The Parker Robotics club is starting back up! In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, the Robomingos (FIRST team 3623) is ready to accept new members who are interested in building a robot, engaging in engineering projects, and competing on alliances of 3 robots against other teams in a to-be-announced competition. There is an open house at the Boys & Girls club on Thursday, November 20 from 4-5:30 PM. The Parker van will be taking interested students to the club and back to Parker for this event. Meetings will start on Tuesday, November 25 and run from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of the offseason - with pick up at the Boys & Girls Club. Questions? Want to know more? Reach out to Anna (asolon@theparkerschool.org). 


Youth Venture Ez Sports

Hello Parker families! We are a new and upcoming Youth Venture group known as “Ez Sports.” Our current members are Preston Wentrup, Hudson Wheeler, Emery Berkhout, and AJ Pietrovito. We are working on our first project which will be donating new and gently used sports equipment and school supplies to the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. We have decided to donate to this place of business as we know many students that come to Parker also go to the Boys and Girls Club after school. What are we collecting? All kinds of sports equipment that is still in decent condition. They also need school supplies such as paper towels, tissues, cleaning supplies, disinfectant spray, cleaning wipes, writing utensils (colored pencils, pens, etc.) and other general school supplies. There will be a box in the front lobby next week to drop off donations. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. Cash donations should be brought directly to Emilie Shannon. At the end of the week, we will be dropping off the supplies at the Boys and Girls Club. Please reach out to Emilie Shannon, Youth Venture leader, at eshannon@theparkerschool.org if you have questions. Thank you!
5k Fun Run

It’s not too late to join the fun! The run/walk will be held at Parker on Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). Register online until Friday or at the event on Saturday. Cost is $20 for students and $30 for others, and all proceeds from the race benefit the school. Thank you to our sponsors: Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running, Sterling Street Brewery, and Clover Road Brewing Company. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun.


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 10th. 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.


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).


Food Assistance for Families in Need

If you are in need of food assistance, please email or call Laurel Ronan (LRonan@theparkerschool.org), (978) 772-3293 x 111 to request gift card assistance. Additional resources for local food assistance are also available here.


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 21st. 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.

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:
Sat - Nov 15th Cross Country State Championships
Fri - Nov 21st Caring for Kids Dental Visit
Sat - Nov 22nd Parker 5k FUN RUN
Wed - Nov 26th NOON Dismissal
Thu-Fri; Nov 27-28 Thanksgiving Break
Thu-Sat; Dec 11-13 FALL 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

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