October 25, 2024

Weekly Information for October 25, 2024

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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.

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