October 10, 2025

Weekly Information for October 10, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I have been spending a lot of my time in Advisory lately—visiting sometimes with 2 or 3 advisories in a day. These visits are helping me to meet one of my goals for the fall which is to get to know all our students—yes, to learn almost 400 names (first names first—last names later…) but also to know our students as more than names and faces. During these visits, I have had the privilege of asking and answering questions about each other like “What is something you are proud of?,” drawing 10 second animals, sharing a meal, playing 4 on a couch, playing reverse charades, and sharing a rose, bud, and thorn for the week. 


Earlier this year, I talked about building a strong foundation at the start of the year. In that metaphor, the advisory program is a cornerstone of our foundation at Parker, with four important purposes that include academic advising, community service, community conversations, and group dynamics/recreation. It’s a student’s advisor who checks in with them weekly about their academic work and progress. It’s the advisor who coordinates and hosts the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) conferences twice a year. It’s the advisor who supports this small group of students in building community during morning and afternoon advisory each day. Advisory is at the heart of so much of what we do as a school to get to know our students well and foster community. When we have an important issue to discuss or want to learn about something together, we will turn to community conversations and our “Super Advisories,” cross-age constellations of multiple Advisory groups. Advisory is critical not only to how we personalize the experience of school for students but also to the work of fostering a tone of decency and trust in our community, two of our 10 Common Principles.

 

In the last thirty years, more schools have developed and implemented advisory programs. I see this as a sign they are recognizing something we have always believed: that when students feel a sense of safety, belonging, and community, they engage more fully in their learning, and that when at least one adult knows a student well, they are more successful in school. I hope you will get your own glimpse into the special and important work our advisors do through the upcoming PLP conferences—and I hope you will build your own relationship with your student’s advisor so that we can partner in supporting our students as they learn. 

Wishing you a restful long weekend ahead!

 

Bex

This week’s topics: 
  • PLP Conferences on October 17th
  • PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
  • PLP Day Blood Drive
  • OneNote Links Sent
  • PPCC Meeting
  • 5k Fun Run
  • Offer Your Ideas for Senior Projects
  • Attention Sophomores and Juniors
  • Lost & Found Pickup
  • Updated Carpool List
  • Athletics Schedule
  • Upcoming Dates of Note
PLP Conferences on October 17th

Families should have already set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – contact your child’s advisor if you do not have an appointment. This is a student/family/advisor conference – if you are new to Parker, your child’s advisor will give you a longer introduction to the process! PLP Conferences are one of the traditions that help us to know our students well and support them in being at the center of their own education by setting their own goals for the year. Please look for the email with a booking link from your child’s advisor and select an appointment time on Oct 17. The appointment links are advisory-specific, so be sure to use the link sent in an email by each of your child’s advisors if you have more than one student at Parker. If you cannot make any of the times on 10/17 and/or if you need to attend remotely, please email your child’s advisor to set that up. There are no regular classes scheduled on PLP day and your student’s attendance is based on attending the conference.


PLP Day Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Parker is hosting a Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic through CVS on Friday, October 17th (PLP Day) from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Click Here to Register


Things to know:

  • If you are feeling sick, schedule a new appointment when you are better. Mildly ill with no fever is okay!
  • Bring your health insurance card.
  • Don't forget to wear short sleeves or layers that allow access to your upper arm.

Please reach out to Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions!


PLP Day Blood Drive

Attention families and Parker students 16 and older! In partnership with Mass General Hospital, Parker's future nursing students are hosting a blood drive on PLP day! Did you know that your one blood donation can save up to three lives?! In addition, all donors will receive a glow-in-the dark t-shirt and snacks. Our goal is to schedule fifty appointments and make this drive a regular part of PLP day, but we need your help to do it! To sign up for a donation appointment, use this link:

https://bit.ly/ParkerMGH

If you have any questions, contact Jinnee Strus. Thanks for donating!


OneNote Links Sent

Links to student OneNote pages were sent via email to parents/guardians today. The email itself has more information about what these links are for and how you might use them. You can also visit this section of the Parker website for more information about how we communicate with families about academic progress. The OneNote links are NOT the way to access daily homework/project due dates. That information comes from the Haldor app/website. More info on that app is available here.


PPCC Meeting on October 14

The PPCC will be holding its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, October 14 at 7 PM on Microsoft Teams. The meeting will start with an overview of PPCC and the events they host. Weekly Teacher Appreciation food donation will also be discussed. The group is seeking a co-leader, so if you are even the slightest bit interested, please consider attending. PPCC October Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams


Parker 5K Fun Run on November 22

Register now to be guaranteed a Fun Run t-shirt! This year’s 5K Fun Run will be held at Parker on Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM (rain date is 11/23). All ages are encouraged to run, walk, skip, or jump and there will be category-based prizes. Students cost $20 and others cost $30. All proceeds from the race benefit the school. To register or find out more, visit http://www.parker.school/funrun. If you’re willing to help, please email Monique at mbeganski@theparkerschool.org. Sponsors include Gourmet Donuts, City Music, Anytime Fitness, Endeavor Films, Play It Again Sports, Catania Cares, and Marx Running.


Class of 2026 Senior Projects—offer your ideas, resources, contacts!

Please spend a few minutes listening to the Senior Project topics that students plan to pursue this year. The link below will give you access to each senior’s “elevator speech” and provide a space for you to offer ideas, resources, contacts or other helpful information that can push their projects forward.

Parker Senior Project Community Connections: Share your ideas, resources, contacts!

Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all. Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done. And share the link with others! Thanks!


Attention Sophomores and Juniors

If you're interested in taking the PACT, please register with Jinnee by October 17th. See your email for more details.


LOST & FOUND Pickup

Reminder that the Lost & Found Closet (across from Room 28) will be CLEARED OUT on Monday, October 20th. Please stop by before that date (perhaps on PLP Day) to check for and claim any items that belong to your loved ones!


Updated Carpool List

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only). 

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 - Oct 13 Fall Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Tue - Oct 14 PPCC Meeting
Fri - Oct 17 PLP Conferences - NO Classes
Wed - Oct 22 SATs
Wed - Oct 22 PSATs
Tue - Oct 28 ACTs
Wed - Oct 29 Café Wednesday
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 • October 3, 2025
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By Cindy Johnson • September 27, 2025
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