Weekly Information for October 11, 2024

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

As we approach the November elections, we are committed to supporting our students and one another. At Parker, we are well prepared for moments like these.

Facing History and Ourselves, a non-partisan authority on issues impacting students, schools and their communities, recently published the following guide to Teaching about Voting and Elections. They encourage schools to build democratic classrooms, to deepen students’ media and literacy skills, to foster civil discourse, and to help students develop social and emotional skills. We are proud of all the ways that we do this within our classrooms and across the school.

As with everything we do, the Ten Common Principles guide our work. We challenge students to use their minds well and to engage in democratic and equitable practices, all with a tone of decency and trust. In our classrooms, we study social and political protest, civil rights movements and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. We challenge students to critically evaluate information and use their voices to make a positive impact in their community.

Thank you to Milo Green, Class of 2025, for doing just that. Milo is hosting a voter registration drive on Friday, October 18th, PLP Day. Milo has been trained and sponsored by the Civics Center; a nonpartisan organization dedicated to registering high school students to vote. Milo will be in the front lobby at Parker with information and registration forms. Students ages 16-18 may pre-register to vote. Those 18 and older may register and be eligible to vote in the November election.



Regardless of the outcome of the election, we will support our students through this moment. We spent faculty time this week planning Advisory discussions about our values and norms around election-related discussions and behavior. For example, we prioritize respect, inclusion and community – values on which we all agree. We will follow the lead of our students, engaging in age-appropriate discussions as needed. Thank you for your partnership as you will undoubtedly do the same at home.

Brian

Parent Support Using School Connection or OneNote Links

If you would benefit from support with installing, using or understanding some of the parent/guardian communication tools we use (specifically, School Connection and OneNote Links), please feel free to stop by the table that will be in the front lobby on PLP day. We will have information about these two communication tools and can help folks get them set up or navigate them. No appointment needed; just stop by before or after your PLP!

OneNote Links Sent (reminder)

Emails were sent to parents/guardians earlier this week (10/1) with OneNote Links to student classes. These links allow parents/guardians to access class/project information as well as your own student’s rubrics. More information about what these are and how you might use them is in the email itself. We will have several drop-in sessions to help parents who want support in learning how to use this resource. The first one will be on PLP day, when help will be available all day. Plan to stop by the lobby before or after your PLP if you want a mini-lesson on how to use this resource (or the School Connection resource we gave information about in the last two Friday letters)! You can also access these two documents, which share more information about assessment at Parker (Assessment at Parker for Parents.pdf) and how Parker communicates with families about academics across the school year (Family Academic Communication.pdf).

5k Fun Run

It’s not too late to register for the 5K Fun Run happening 10/13 at 11am or virtually! There are about a dozen shirts left- register now to make sure you get one! www.parker.school/run

PLP Conferences on October 18th

Families should set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans) – you should have received an email from advisor(s) at this point with signup information. 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 18. 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 10/18 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.

Class of 2025 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us at the Class of 2025’s Community Connections Night. If you weren’t able to attend, 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!

The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)

Looking for School Nurse Substitutes

Nurse Lisa is looking for nurses who are willing to substitute for field trips, help with state mandated screenings, and substitute so that Lisa can attend school nurse regional meetings. If interested, please email Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org.

Plea for Plants

Do you have unwanted, dead, or dying plants? A senior will make them into something beautiful! For her senior project, Margarethe is going to make paint using local ingredients and nothing artificial. Please leave plants or plant trimmings in the bin in the lobby by 10/31! Any plant works, but berries, flowers, or leaves would be most helpful. Thank you!

Updated Carpool List & Student Directory

A copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only). A printed Student Directory can be purchased at the front office for $3. If you would prefer to have a directory mailed to you, you can send $5 to Parker School or pay $5 online via UniPay under Misc, Fees, Other.

Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

Our Flu AND COVID-19 (Moderna) vaccine clinic has been confirmed for Friday, October 18th, on PLP Day. This clinic is for staff, students, and family members (ages 5 and up). Please schedule your appointment from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM by clicking this link.

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program in November. The date is to be determined. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. Hard copies were also sent home with students. 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. 

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 the basis of race, color, gender, pregnancy or pregnancy status, religion, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability, in the operation of the educational programs, activities, or employment policies.