October 25, 2024

Weekly Information for October 25, 2024

Share Post

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

It has been a busy and successful fall for the 132 students playing a fall sport. We are very proud of the teamwork, sportsmanship and competitiveness of all our teams.


The Girls Varsity Soccer team begins the CMass playoffs today (4pm at home) and it resumes next Monday (6pm at Crocker Field, Fitchburg), with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament. This team continues to work hard and play until the final whistle in every game. Highlights include a spirited senior night celebration, great team culture (weekly team dinners playing a big role) and scoring 2 goals in the final 4 minutes to come back and beat Monty Tech 2-1! The JV/Middle School's team growth has been awesome and culminated with some nice late-season wins. The team has incorporated several first-time players who ventured outside their comfort zone to learn something new, with many experienced players, and the result was a solid foundational team for the program. All told, 32 girls participated in Parker soccer.


This year the Parker Charter Boys Soccer program has seen a surge in participation across the whole school. Over 50 players took part in either Varsity, JV, or Middle School laying the groundwork for a stronger program. Our younger teams were in a unique position as most players were new to Parker, and the season provided a great opportunity for them to make new friends as they got used to their new school. Season highlights ranged from a fun and competitive varsity senior night game earlier this week, a last-second 4-3 middle school win over Applewild, and more goals and highly competitive games as the season progressed. Perhaps most important is the level of participation across all levels, which resulted in the boys having fun and improving their soccer knowledge and skills.


The 44-member Cross Country team is heading into Districts and State Finals season. The boys finished undefeated in the regular season and major wins include their League Championship meet and the Twilight invitational. The boys have been undefeated in the league since 2007 which is the current longest winning streak in Massachusetts. The girls completed a near-perfect regular season, a runner-up finish at the League Championships and their highest placing at Ocean State and Twilight in many years.


Thank you to the families, peers and coaches for supporting our student athletes. Go Parker!


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • School Meal Information
  • Winter Sports Registration
  • COVID-19 Test Kits Available
  • Health Office Wish List
  • Wellness Policy Information
  • COMAP is Back
  • Call for Student Artwork
  • School Nurse Substitutes
  • Caring for Kids Program in November
School Meal Information

A REMINDER THAT SCHOOL MEALS ARE FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR:


Four different meal components are offered each morning for breakfast: Grain, fruit or vegetable, milk and a food item from the Meat and Meat Alternate component, or one additional food item from the previous components. Students must select at least a half cup of fruit or vegetables along with two other items to meet the free meal requirement.


Five components are offered daily as part of lunch service: meat/meat alternate, vegetable, grain, fruit and milk. Students need to take three with one being at least a half cup of fruit or vegetable to meet the free meal requirement.


Student accounts will be charged for any additional items selected beyond one free meal per service time. If the items selected do not qualify as a free meal (meet the requirements above) student accounts will be charged.


Winter Sports Registration

Winter Sports will include Boys and Girls Middle School and High School Basketball, Winter Track, Boys Ice Hockey (hosted by Littleton) and Girls Ice Hockey (hosted by Acton-Boxborough). The teams will start practicing on Monday, December 2nd. Registration Deadline is Sunday, December 1st.

Please click here to register: Athlete Registration


COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Families

COVID-19 Test Kits are available to students and their families. There are 5 tests in each individual box. A large box will be located in the lobby by the main office window.


Health Office Wish List

The health office would appreciate donations of tissues and menstrual products to distribute throughout the school.


Wellness Policy Information

A wellness policy is a written document that guides schools to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. Click to view Parker’s current Wellness Policy and Parker’s current WellSAT 3.0 score. As outlined in the policy, our current school meals program complies with state and federal standards and requirements. Additionally, our policy encourages all members of the school community to consider healthy and nutritious foods when they bring food into school, and alternatives to food for fundraising and other events. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition provides a tool for assessing a packaged food’s compliance with state and federal nutrition standards and a comprehensive list of approved snacks. Some examples of acceptable snacks from the list are:

  • Air Fried, Kettle Cooked Chips (Himalayan Salt)
  • Popchips (sea salt)
  • Baked Cheetos Whole Grain Rich Crunchy
  • Baked Lay's Original Potato Crisps
  • Baked Tostitos Scoops
  • Lay's Kettle Cooked 40% Less Fat Potato Chips
  • Reduced Fat Cheetos Puffs
  • Reduced Fat Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
  • Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain
  • Nature Valley Crunchy Bar, Oats 'n Honey
  • Cheez-It made with whole grain

This year’s Wellness Committee will be meeting soon. If you’re interested in attending the meeting, please email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org.


COMAP is BACK!

Students seeking challenges in Math and Science should consider trying COMAP's Middle School/Level Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM) and High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM), international contests designed to provide students with the opportunity to work as team members to engage in and improve their math modeling, problem solving, and writing skills. Each team of up to four people submits a team paper that will be judged by a diverse group of educators and professionals from fields including mathematics, education, science, and industry.


Students who are interested in being on a team of students engaged in solving a complex, open-ended problem together should talk with Diane or their MST teacher to learn more! You can also contact Diane at dkruse@theparkerschool.org for more information and a registration form. The cost to register is $25 per student, and Diane will help students form a team if they are interested! The deadline to sign up with Diane is Wednesday, October 30. 

   

Call for Student Artwork!

We are excited to be creating a 2025 wall calendar featuring student artwork. Artwork submitted by students will be selected by a jury and included in the calendar which will be available for purchase before the new year! For more information, see this flyer. Submit your artwork online here by November 6th. Contact Katrina, Marena or Sheila with any questions!


Looking for School Nurse Substitutes

Reminder 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. Please have interested individuals email Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org.



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. 

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:
Wed - Oct 30 Café Wednesday
Fri - Nov 1 Div 1 & 9th Grade Dance
Wed-Fri; Nov 6-8 Div 1 Nature's Classroom Trip
Mon - Nov 11 Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
Thu - Nov 14 Board of Trustees
Wed - Nov 27 NOON Dismissal
Thu-Fri; Nov 28-29 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 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

Weekly Information for September 19, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • September 19, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, It was great to see everyone at Back-to-School night last evening. Thank you for joining us and experiencing Parker as your child does. It was a positive and affirming night for all of us. Parker was founded in 1995 by local parents who wanted to do school differently. They imagined a school where their child was challenged to use their mind well, where they would be known deeply by their teachers in a community with a culture of decency and trust. We are proud to have lived that mission, in partnership with Parker families. We look forward to seeing you at PLP conferences on Friday, October 17th. Your child’s advisor will send details and an opportunity to sign up for a 30-minute session soon. Fall PLP conferences are an essential opportunity for the student to create their own learning goals for the year, with support from their family and advisor. These goals are often aligned to the Parker Habits of Learning including inquiry, organization, collaboration, reflection and perseverance. Students prepare their plans and prep for the meeting in Advisory across the next month. It is a productive and iterative process with meaningful results for our students. Thank you for your help. We appreciate the leadership of the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC), founded two years ago to foster an involved and inclusive community. All families are welcome to join the Facebook group at Parker Parent and Caregiver Community | Facebook . Thank you to the PPCC for everything that they do to build and sustain our community, including the warm welcome you extended to new students and families across the spring and summer. We are all better for it. Please join us for a coffee with Bex on Wednesday, October 1st at 8:30 AM in Room 40. As our new Principal, Bex welcomes your perspective and feedback. Join us to say hi. Thank you for your partnership! Brian

Weekly Information for September 12, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • September 13, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, I love the start of a new school year—not just because the empty building comes back to life with the presence of the students, faculty, and families and not just because it is a chance for a new beginning—though I do appreciate those things. What I enjoy most about the start of the school year is the way it sets the important foundation for everything that comes next. The thing about foundations is that they are not particularly glamorous, they are rarely the star of the show. Not many of us notice the foundations of buildings we enter or live in—unless there are problems with them. A good, solid foundation does its job without calling attention to itself, and the foundational ideas and beliefs at the core of what we do and believe at Parker is what I am noticing and appreciating in the foundation building I see happening every day. Here at Parker, the Common Principles are the ideas that matter most to our foundation and the most important work in our classrooms, hallways, clubs, and teams is teaching, practicing, and holding ourselves accountable to the ways we live those out in the day to day work. What does that look like? It looks like extra time in advisory and divisional gatherings in these first few weeks, fostering relationship building with new teachers and new classmates. It looks like learning about the advisory routines for Academic Advising and Academic Block. It looks like reviewing and learning about divisional norms and expectations. When I think about how this translates to classrooms, I am struck by the foundation building in the classes that book-end a student’s academic experience at Parker—7th Seminar which introduces key concepts like the Habits of Learning* , self-advocacy, and the process of revision, and Senior Seminar which challenges students to apply all their Habits and Skills to a year-long independent project they design. Some of what we work really intentionally to build with our students across their years with us is the willingness to try hard things, the perseverance to keep going, and the ability to reflect and revise based on feedback. We intentionally revisit these foundations every year. We intentionally ask our students to apply them to new and more challenging tasks as they progress from division to division. We intentionally shift more and more of the work involved in these tasks to students so that they each build their own solid foundation. Like all good foundations, these might not feel like the most exciting or glamorous work we do. Certainly, big demonstrations of learning like Gateways and Senior Exhibitions get more fanfare—but what I want to celebrate and call to your attention is how every little thing we do now enables those “bigger” things later. So, as we wrap up our first five-day week of the school year, I invite you all to notice and appreciate the foundations you might see being built for the year ahead. Happy Friday and happy weekend! Bex *The eight habits of learning at Parker are Inquiry, Expression, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Organization, Attentiveness, Involvement and Reflection.

Weekly Information for September 5, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • September 7, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, It is with great pride that I reflect on the first two weeks of our new school year. We all started new routines, embraced our new classes, and made new friends. Congratulations on a terrific launch! Parker was founded on the belief we could do school differently, challenging students to use their minds well in a culture of decency and trust. It starts with knowing our students well, as learners and human beings. We believe that all students can succeed and thrive – and we provide the personalized support and encouragement that students need. Our students and staff work incredibly hard to meet these high standards. As our founders Ted and Nancy Sizer wrote in The Students Are Watching, “What we need to consider and then to create is the kind of environment [that convinces young people that they] are in a place which believes in them – and from which they can, therefore, learn well and deeply.” Through the 10 Common Principles and their leadership as co-principals, Ted and Nancy set the standards for academic rigor, student engagement and community that define Parker today. We are proud of all the ways that our students embrace and live these values every day at Parker. For example, our student Ambassadors and Peer Leaders came in over the summer to welcome and support new students and families. Their kindness and positive energy created a welcoming environment for our newest students. Many of these same students are serving as Peer Mentors to Division 1 advisories. They serve as role models, leading different games and facilitating discussions about school culture. They also run the Halloween party, Mirror Lake trip, Film Festival, and Field Day for Division 1. Our Teaching Assistants (TAs) provide similar support within our academic classes. TAs in 7th Seminar, Spanish, Wellness, and MST provide wisdom, small group facilitation, and one-on-one support. They help set the tone for the class, model appropriate participation and collaboration skills, and make connections with individual students. For example, this week in 7th Seminar, our TAs helped students learn some of the technology that we use to communicate while reflecting on the importance of connecting with their teachers. Finally, our Division 3 students served as leaders and role models during the first Super Advisory yesterday, leading their cross-divisional groups in activities to help build community and connection. They modeled taking risks and the importance of building community. Thank you to everyone who makes Parker a special place to learn and grow up. Together, we are off to a great start!  Brian

Weekly Information for August 29, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • August 30, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Welcome Back! We are delighted to be back to school, to welcome almost 100 new students and families, and to begin another school year together. Thank you to our Peer Leaders, PPCC and everyone on staff who helped to welcome new students and families to Parker. Everyone at Parker experienced changes this year, as we walked through the renovated walkway, welcomed our new Principal, Bex Wilucz, and adjusted to new schedules and routines. We are so proud of all our students for embracing these changes, for doing your best work and for being supportive of your classmates. Parker is an extraordinary place because of you! Thank you and congratulations for a terrific first week. We are all looking forward to another great year at Parker. Enjoy the long weekend. Brian

Weekly Information for June 13, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • June 14, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Thank you for a great year! We are so proud of our students for your hard work and tremendous growth all year. Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed over the past two weeks. Gateways are a public exhibition and celebration of learning for our students and our whole community. It is also a terrific way to end the year. We look forward to our last day of school – the Big End – on Monday. We welcome the Juniors back from their retreat and unveil the Essential Question for next year. It is a fun and aspirational way to transition. We also start the front walkway construction project later that day, to be finished in time for the start of school in August. The Main Office will be in Room 28 all summer. Have a great summer. Take advantage of the break to try something new, read a good book, work a summer job. We will be back together soon enough. Brian

Weekly Information for June 6, 2025

By Cindy Johnson • June 7, 2025
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, Congratulations to students in the Class of 2025. We are very proud of our Seniors! As I said on Wednesday night, graduation is a big deal for the graduates, their families and our school. 30 years ago, a small group of local families and educators were bold enough to imagine this little school, to draft a charter, find a building, and convince enough families and staff to give Parker a chance. From the very beginning, we put students at the center of all learning, challenged them to use their minds well in a community of decency and trust. 30 years later, we conferred diplomas to 56 exceptional young people in the Class of 2025. Congratulations to our students – to their families and their teachers – and to everyone who played a role over the last 30 years! Best of luck to all the students participating in Gateway presentations today and next week. This can be a stressful and exhilarating moment for our students, an authentic opportunity to reflect on their learning as they progress to the next level. Our students are focused and determined to do their best work – and then we celebrate their learning and success. It is a very meaningful way to end the year. We also look forward to Junior retreat and divisional trips next week and the Big End on Monday, June 16th. Summer vacation starts at Noon on June 16th. Thank you for your hard work, positive attitude and for supporting one another. We look forward to a strong end to a terrific year.  Brian