October 6, 2023

Weekly Information for October 6th

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Dear Parker families, students and staff,


Thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday evening for Community Connections and Parker 101. Community Connections is a terrific kickoff to the senior year where we celebrate our seniors as they launch their senior projects. Students shared their terrific project ideas and solicited feedback and connections. Parker 101 is an opportunity for families new to Parker to learn about our program and how best to support their child. Thanks to everyone who supported our newest and our oldest students.



As I wrote previously, this is an important year of reflection and revision, something that we do well at Parker. We invite you to share your voice and perspective across the year in a variety of ways, including interviews, surveys, focus groups and working groups. Our intent is to listen, learn and improve.


Strategic Plan


We are embarking on a strategic plan to position ourselves for long-term sustainability and growth. The result will be a five-year Strategic Plan that tells a compelling story of who we are and who we want to become, stays true to the Ten Common Principles, names our challenges and their root causes, and clearly articulates our priorities.


NEASC Self-Study


We are also launching a self-study under the guidance of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Every ten years schools undergo a self-study and NEASC accreditation process. We look closely at the elements of our educational program, including the culture, support and practice of student learning at Parker. We welcome NEASC into our school this March. Together we will highlight areas of transformative practice as well as 2-3 priorities for improvement. This is an invaluable opportunity to analyze our practice, all from a position of strength.


As part of this effort, we will be asking students to share their feedback in a survey to be administered in advisories. We are also seeking parent feedback. Please take a few moments and complete the following survey. We ask about the learning and growth opportunities for your child at Parker.


NEASC PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY


Finally, we are looking for a few parents and students to join the NEASC self-study committee this year, participating in 1-2 meetings per month at Parker. We generally meet on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. We welcome parent and student voices to this effort. If you are interested, please complete this form by Thursday, October 12th.


NEASC Self-Study Committee


Thank you for lending your voice across the year. Enjoy the long weekend. See you on Tuesday.


Brian

This week’s topics:
  • PLP Conferences
  • T-shirts for Sale during PLPs
  • Senior Projects—offer your ideas!
  • Parker 101 Slides Available
  • Current Lottery Applications
  • OneNote Links Sent
  • Parker Band
  • Carpool List and Student Directory
  • Flu Vaccine Clinic
  • Optional COVID Testing
  • MART Transportation
OneNote Links Sent


Emails were sent to parents/guardians today 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. 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!


School Photo Retakes


Photographers will be in the lobby NEXT Monday morning, October 2nd, from 7:45-9:45 AM to take photos of anyone who missed having their photo taken on registration day or anyone who would like a retake.


PLP Conferences on October 13th


Families should have heard from their child's advisors to set up a meeting time for PLP Conferences (Personal Learning Plans). 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 13. If you have not yet received an email/booking link from your child’s advisor, you can reach out to mbeganski@theparkerschool.org and she can send the link to you (it is advisory-specific). If you cannot make any of the times on 10/13 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.


T-Shirts for Sale During PLPs


Are you a fan of this year’s hot pink Parker Faculty shirts? If yes, then you’re in luck! A limited number of hot pink Parker Community t-shirts will be on sale during PLPs for $15 each. They have a slight twist on the faculty design but follow the same theme. There will also be more green Parker EST 1995 shirts available for $10 each. Look for them in the lobby during PLPs.


Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!


Thanks to everyone who was able to join us at the Class of 2024’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 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! The Senior Seminar Teachers (Debbie, Jim, Ryan and Henry)


Parker 101 Slides Available


To new (and new-ish) Parker families: Thanks to all of you who were able to join us for one or both of the Parker 101 sessions in the last two weeks. If you were not able to join us (or if you were there but want to look more closely at the material), you can access the powerpoint slides we used in both sessions HERE to see the headlines on the topics we discussed. If you have questions, Deb Merriam will be in the lobby most of the day on PLP Friday and she would be happy to answer your questions about the program.


Current Lottery Applications


Reminder lottery applications are being accepted for current openings in grades 7 and 9 until Friday, October 20th. There are no current openings in grade 8 at this time. 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.


OneNote Links Sent


Reminder emails were sent to parents/guardians last week 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. 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!


Parker Band Update


Reminder if you missed the informational meeting, you are still welcome to sign up provided you know the basics of playing your woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Our rehearsals began on Tuesday, October 3rd in Room 13. Students can plan to come to rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM. We will run through our concert in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The details for signing up are:


  1. If you filled out a survey at our meeting, we have your information, so no further info is required. Skip to step 3.
  2. If you missed the meeting, please fill out this sign-up form and then continue to step 3.
  3. To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay webpage, clicking the “band” and “fall” options from the list. You can also bring a check or cash to the office in an envelope with your name and “Band fee” written on it.

Students can drop your instrument off in Room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days if you’d like. Please contact us with any questions: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org


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.


Flu Vaccine Clinic


Reminder a flu vaccine clinic will be held during PLP Day on Friday, October 13th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM. Please CLICK HERE to register!


Please register now so enough vaccines are brought for everyone. The COVID vaccine won’t be available until October. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.


Optional COVID-19 Testing


Reminder optional symptomatic testing is available for staff and students while they are at school. Please click the link below to consent to symptomatic rapid antigen testing: https://forms.office.com/r/c1wSd55c7X


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


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 keary.connors@mrta.us 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.

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:
Mon - Oct 9 Fall Holiday - No School
Fri - Oct 13 Fall PLPs - No Classes
Wed - Oct 25 PSATs
Wed - Oct 25 Café Wednesday
Thu - Oct 26 Board of Trustees
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PARKER FUND!
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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