Congratulations to Parker senior, Caleb Hatlevig, on his recognition as a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Generally, the top 2%-3% of PSAT scorers receive commended student status, or about 34,000 students out of the millions that take the test.
October 20, 2023
Weekly Information for October 20th
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Dear Parker families, students and staff,
Congratulations to our varsity soccer teams on their regular seasons! Our girls finished with a 10-3-2 record and finished with the best goal differential in the Colonial Athletic League. Next Monday they travel to Tahanto for their first game in the CMass tournament. They will likely qualify for the MIAA state tournament! And good luck to our boys varsity soccer team as they head into their first round CMass playoff matchup next Tuesday at West Boylston. Our JV teams continued to emphasize skill development, fun, and playing time for all. And our participation numbers are showing an upward trend.
Our boys cross country team capped off a 9-0 regular season (now undefeated in the league since 2007) and had big wins at the Twilight Invite and the Bay State Invitational. Our girls team finished at 7-2 in the league. Both teams host the League Championships next Tuesday at Devens, and then embark on a lengthy post-season run with Middle School States (at Devens) on Nov 4, Districts at Northfield Nov 11, and the MIAA state finals Nov 18 at Devens.
Shout-out to senior Wyatt Gallant, our participant on the Ayer Shirley football team. Wyatt is a star on both offense (4 touchdowns) and defense (3 interceptions,16 pass deflections)!
We are very much looking forward to the fall show this year! The mid-December performance will be a production of the Caucasian Chalk Circle, a play by Bertolt Brecht. The play retells the biblical story of King Solomon, who once had to judge a case in which two mothers claimed to be the parent of the same child. Set in post WW2 Georgia, Brecht's version interrogates the ideas of motherhood, of the validity of the law, and of what it really means to deserve something. Between acting, set building, and production work, over thirty students are helping bring this show to life.
We are proud of all our students’ accomplishments in and out of school!
Have a great weekend!
Brian
This week’s topics:
- Last Day for Current Lottery Applications
- Parker SEPAC Invite
- Winter Sports Registration
- Ski and Snowboard Club
- Yarn Needed!
- Dental Care at Parker
- Film Club
- Senior Projects – Offer Your Ideas
- Join the Band
- Lawn Signs
- Carpool List and Student Directory
- MART Transportation
Last Day for Current Lottery Applications
Today is the last day for lottery applications for current openings in grades 7 and 9! If you know any current 7th or 9th grade students who want to come to Parker, please check with them today to make sure they’ve applied.
If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on October 23 at 4:00 PM. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of November 6, 2023. We are also accepting applications for students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 next year until Thursday, February 1st. Direct interested families to www.parker.school/enroll.
Parker SEPAC Invite
The ParkerPac (SEPAC) invites you to join a zoom presentation from Rachel Enad of Mass Advocates for Children on Basic Rights in Special Education at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 24th.
This workshop provides an overview of the special education laws of students with disabilities and the supports and services they are entitled to in order to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The workshop will address legal standards, the special education process, parent and student participation rights, and evaluation rights. Please check your email for the link and passcode to join the meeting. Contact Jesse Lowe (SEPAC Chair) with questions at (978) 618-0775 or [email protected].
Winter Sports Registration
The following Parker winter sports teams will be offered:
- Winter Track
- Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity)
- Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield
All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. Please use the following link to register your student as soon as possible for a winter sport: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics
Ski & Snowboard Club
Registration is opening soon for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details. Chaperones are needed!
YARN Needed!
Our Friday Community Electives knitting group requests donations of yarn to help them make blankets to donate to community organizations. If you have extra yarn at home (or if you can purchase some to donate), they would appreciate it. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are welcome as well. You can drop donations off in Room 22.
Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)
Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 17th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return 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 [email protected].
Parker Film Club Returns
Parker Students: Grab your mustached detective potatoes and turn off that nature documentary, because Parker Film Club is starting up again! Are you into making absurd and sometimes super serious (but not really) films with friends? Is it your passion to be in front of or behind a camera? Do you have a talent for writing crazy scripts? Well then, we certainly have the place for you. Every Wednesday, starting on the 25th, the super amazing Parker Film Club will meet in the library from 1:30-3:00 PM! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]
Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!
Thanks so much to all the members of Parker’s community who have offered ideas/suggestions to the Class of 2024 thus far. If you haven’t had a chance yet, 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 Class of 2024 Senior Projects: CLICK HERE to share ideas, resources, and contacts!
Respond with ideas for a few seniors or all! Remember to click submit at the bottom of the form when you are done! Thanks! (Senior Seminar Teachers: Debbie, Jim, Ryan, & Henry)
Join the Band
Reminder the band will continue accepting new members, so if you have another activity ending and want to join, please contact Jim (room 13 or [email protected]) or Marena (room 43 or [email protected]). Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM in room 13, and there are instruments available if you don’t have your own but have basic playing skills. Participation fee is $100 per semester.
Lawn Signs
Reminder we appreciate your help spreading the word about Parker to people in our sending towns during this current enrollment season. These signs are made of waterproof coated biodegradable paperboard and do not need to be returned. Signs can be picked up in the foyer or from the front sidewalk.
Updated Carpool List & Student Directory
Reminder a copy of the updated Carpool List may be picked up at the front office (hard copy only). Also, 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.
MART Transportation
Reminder to click here for more information about a potential shuttle from Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton or Stow. MART currently provides taxi/livery service from these towns but are willing to start shuttles with enough participation. Contact Keary Connors at [email protected] if interested.
Click here to learn more about taxi/livery service from Bolton, Boxborough, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Sterling, or Stow.
MART also offers shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. Pickup is at 7:45 AM and drop off is at 4:15 PM at BGCFL. Cost is $4/ride or $80/month. Call MART directly at 800-922-5636 Option 3 by at least 4:30 PM the day before the ride is needed. Ask for the Devens Workforce Ride Program – Parker Charter and Boys and Girls Club.
Sports Schedule
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 under “Students & Parents>Athletics>Directions to Athletic Venues” or just click HERE.
| Upcoming Dates of Note: | |
|---|---|
| Wed - Oct 25 | PSATs |
| Wed - Oct 25 | Café Wednesday |
| Thu - Oct 26 | Board of Trustees |
| Fri - Nov 10 | Veterans Day - No School |
| 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: [email protected] |
| your family's or student's health | email: [email protected] |
| mental health/emotional support needs | email: [email protected] |
| food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs | email: [email protected] |
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.
Recent Posts
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, The next few weeks will be very busy and meaningful for our school. Students, work hard, ask for help and finish strong. As we approach Graduation, Gateways, Junior Retreat and much more, take a moment to thank all your teachers, family and friends who have supported you and contributed to your success. We don’t do it alone. We are looking forward to tonight’s prom at Wachusett. We appreciate the Parker teachers and families who help to make prom a safe and fun evening for our students. It is one of the many ways that we come together to celebrate and build memories as a community. Next Wednesday, May 28th, we welcome Rabbi Josh Breindel as our guest speaker for a community conversation on antisemitism and hate speech. The community conversation will focus on the history and impact of the Nazi swastika, its unique impact on the Jewish community with its association to antisemitism, and its use in the normalization of hate speech more broadly towards other groups. We explore what steps young people can take to stand up and bring hope. Thank you to the Multicultural Connections student group for hosting this important discussion. We end the day with Advisory reflections and an activity. Thank you to the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) for hosting yesterday’s Ice Cream Social for new students and families. We had over 100 attendees. We will be hosting a series of events over the spring and summer to welcome new students and families, including a potluck dinner the night before registration day on Tuesday, August 26th. Details to come. I hope that you enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends. On Monday, May 26th we observe Memorial Day, a solemn remembrance of the 1.3 million Americans in the military who died serving our country. We appreciate the men and women in uniform for their service and ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. We pause on this day in remembrance and gratitude. Brian
Dear Parker Families, Students, and Staff, I’m writing to invite your participation in an ongoing conversation in the Parker community about the presence and impacts – both positive and negative – of phones and other “smart” devices in school. As you may be aware, the Massachusetts State Legislature is considering a bill – co-sponsored by State Attorney General Andrea Campbell – in its current legislative session that would require public schools in the state to restrict student phone use during school hours. You may also be aware New York recently passed a similar bill, joining dozens of states who have either already passed or, like Massachusetts, are in the process of considering new legislation regarding phones in schools. They are doing this in response to the growing rate of concern about the impact phones can and do have on learning. In conversations at school over the last month, teachers and students agree: phones are distracting, and they impact class. Students appreciate the connection phones provide to their families, and faculty understand phones are an important logistical tool in everyone’s lives, so it feels like a dilemma our current practices do not acknowledge. This should not seem surprising if one knows our current phone/device practice, as described in the Community Handbook, was last revised in 2012. The capabilities, applications of, and cultural embeddedness of phone and other smart technology have evolved immensely in the United States since then. So this is an important and perhaps overdue conversation for the Parker community to be having. Since its founding, Parker has been committed both in mission and in daily practice to moving students to the center of the learning process with Ted Sizer’s 10 Common Principles as our guiding philosophy, and over the last thirty years, students and adults have consistently cited strength of community as the strongest, most positive indicator of that mission in action. Students will have continued opportunity in the coming weeks to engage in conversation about how the presence of personal devices factors into the strength of our community, and we want to hear the voices of parents, guardians, and caregivers as well. To that end, we will be holding a discussion forum on Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 for adults to hear about the discussions going on at school this spring and contribute their own thoughts and questions to the dialogue. As a kicking off point and shared experience, part of our discussion will be reacting to two articles we encourage you to read in advance: Jonathan Haidt’s article from 2023 in The Atlantic, “Phones in School Are a Disaster” Natasha Singer’s article from 2024 in The New York Times, “Why Schools are Racing to Ban Cell Phones” If you can’t access the above links, pick up a hard copy in the front office. Reading the articles is not necessary for attendance! Please RSVP - we very much hope to see you there. Sincerely, Carter What: Adult discussion about phones in school When: Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:30-7:30 PM Where: In-person at Parker RSVP HERE
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
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Starting this spring, students in the Multicultural Connections Community Block will host a series of community conversations around issues of importance to our school. The Multicultural Connections Community Block was created earlier this year in response to the multiple instances of antisemitic hate speech that we found on campus. The group provides a safe space for students of different races, cultures and religions to come together for reflection and celebration. We appreciate their proactive leadership and support of one another. To engage their classmates, students in Multicultural Connections are piloting a series of community conversations, by division. We are planning to invite guest speakers to visit Parker once or twice a year, engage in a discussion facilitated by students, followed by Advisory reflections. The first community conversation will focus on antisemitism and hate speech. We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Josh Breindel from Congregation Beth El in Sudbury as our guest speaker. We have been working closely with Rabbi Josh for the past two years. Rabbi Josh has provided invaluable guidance and perspective as we condemned antisemitism and hate speech, supported Jewish students and promoted the physical and emotional safety of all students and staff. Rabbi Josh comes to Parker as a friend, partner and educator. The community conversation will focus on the history and impact of the Nazi swastika, its unique impact on the Jewish community with its association to antisemitism, and its use in the normalization of hate speech more broadly towards other groups. We explore what steps young people can take to stand up and bring hope. The community conversation takes place on Wednesday, May 28. Each division will participate in the discussion and Advisory reflection. We will share additional details and the schedule to come. Next year, we will follow a similar format for community conversations on issues of importance to our diverse student body. We are proud of our students for serving as upstanders and providing leadership to live our values as a loving and inclusive community. With respect, Brian
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, I hope that you have a terrific April break with those who you love. Get outside, read a book, take a nap, dig in the garden, play a game, take a trip – these are some of the plans our students have for the week ahead. Whatever your plans, come back ready for a rigorous and celebratory end of the year at Parker. Have a great break! Brian
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, We had an extraordinary 30th Anniversary Gala last weekend. We shared the following 30th Anniversary video that evening, showcasing the growth of Parker from 1995 to today. It is an incredible story of innovation, community and putting students first. Take a look: https://youtu.be/tecvqBwFNtA Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the celebration. We raised over $45,000 at the Gala, every penny of which went directly to our students. We would be unable to keep class sizes small and provide individual attention to our students without the generosity of our community. Charter schools receive significantly less funding than neighborhood public schools, even though we are all public schools. We appreciate your support in addressing this inequity. Donate to Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School We were delighted to welcome our two Principal finalists, Bex and Hannah, to Parker this week. Thank you to all the students and families who joined us, asking terrific questions and sharing your feedback. We have one final interview, today at 6:00 PM virtually with Hannah. See the link below. We will review all the feedback and announce our new Principal later this month. Hannah Kehn Family/Community Q&A, Friday, April 11, 6-7 PM Join the meeting now Finally, please join us on Wednesday, April 16th for an evening of student exhibitions , including Noche Sabrosa , Division 2 Exhibitions, and Senior Exhibitions . As you know, Parker students demonstrate mastery and learn from your feedback through public exhibitions. This year, we are hosting the three events on the same evening to increase the community support for our students. While visiting with our Seniors, consider serving on a panel for their Senior Exhibitions the end of the year. Please see sign-up information below. Brian
