September 15, 2024

Weekly Information for September 13, 2024

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Dear Parker families, students and staff,


We just ended our first full week of the school year. We are off to a great start. Thanks to our students for working hard, making new friends and engaging fully in school. There is positive energy and joy in the building every day.

 

We look forward to welcoming families to Parker next Thursday, September 19th for Open House. It is one of the many ways that we partner with families in support of your children. Come meet your child’s teachers and experience their schedule. See the details below. Note that Division 1 families are encouraged to join us at 6:15 pm in the Gymnasium to learn about the upcoming trip to Nature’s Classroom.


As you may know, Parker was founded 30 years ago by local families who thought we could do school differently and better. Families were intimately involved in the creation and growth of the school. We embrace those values, appreciate your trust and welcome your partnership in support of your children.


Thank you,

Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Back to School Night on September 19th
  • Event Parking Reminder
  • College Fair Field Trip
  • Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians
  • Thank You from Anita
  • Parker 5K Fun Run Volunteers Needed
  • Faculty Appreciation
  • Register for the Parker Band!
  • Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic
Back to School Night is Thursday, September 19th

Please plan to join us for Back-to-School Night activities, as listed below:

5:45—6:15: Special Education Meet & Greet: Drop-in to Room 9

6:15—6:45: Divisional Information Sessions

  • Div 1: Nature’s Classroom trip info (meet in the Gym).
  • Div 2: Introduction to Division 2 (meet in the Auditorium).
  • Div 3: Program and Graduation Requirements for Division 3 (meet in Room 48).

7:00—9:00: Visit your students’ classes and meet their teachers!

Parents/Guardians will receive their schedule for the evening at 7:00 PM in their child's advisory room.

Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always under your supervision (e.g., they should not be wandering the halls). Thank you!

Event Parking Reminder

During school events, our on-campus parking is insufficient for our whole school community. Please remember and join in our community norms by parking in the Museum Lot (P-5), located across Jackson Road, and allowing guests with limited mobility to use the available spaces on campus. Thank you!


Attention Seniors!

Do you want to learn more about colleges? Jinnee is bringing seniors on a College Fair Field trip on Wednesday, September 25th. If you would like to attend, see your email or Jinnee for more details. Sign-ups are due Tuesday.


Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Please join us for an orientation to Parker especially for parents/guardians who are new (or relatively new) to the school. These are intended to be companion sessions; you are welcome to attend just one, though we hope you can join us at both. Please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org) or Matt Smith (matt@theparkerschool.org) with questions.


Part 1: Academics, Thursday, September 26th, 7-8:30 PM

This session will focus primarily on the classroom experience and academic structures/expectations at Parker.


Part 2: School Culture and Communication, Tuesday, October 8th, 7-8:30 PM

This session will focus on "everything else" about the school, including the advisory program, home-school communication, "discipline", extracurriculars & athletics, food programs, library and technology, and other important family and cultural aspects of the Parker experience.


Thank You from Director of Special Education

My sincere thank you to all parents and family members who were able to attend a greeting time with Brian Harrigan, Deb Westaway, and myself last Thursday evening! I was moved by the stories shared, the thoughtful questions, and the interest so many expressed in potentially joining SEPAC this year. Thank you all! I am also looking forward to meeting others throughout this school year in my first year of service as Director of Special Education here at Parker School.


I wish to share for those who may not have been able to attend last Thursday evening, that I have served as a Director of Special Education/Student Services in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and that my roots in the field began in an Essential School! I am also a former homeschool parent.

 

Please feel free to reach out to introduce yourself. My email is: amcdowell@theparkerschool.org, and my direct phone number is 978-722-3293, ext. 123.

Thank you, again, for such a meaningful welcome to Parker!


Warm regards,
Anita


Parker 5K Fun Run – Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed on Sunday, October 13th, from around 10 AM – 2 PM for a variety of jobs including directing folks to parking and handing out water. Would you like to be part of the fun? Anyone interested in volunteering, please email Dawn at hellodawnvp@gmail.com.


For those interested in running, register for the Parker 5K Fun Run by 9/25 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! www.parker.school/run. This will be a fun community event- come run, walk, skip, or jump the 5K in a Halloween costume or not!


Faculty Appreciation from PPCC

Our teachers and staff go above and beyond to support our kids and families! One way we show them our appreciation for all they do is to provide weekly snacks to sustain them during their Wednesday staff meetings. You can find out more details and sign up to contribute here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA4A829A1FA7-parker2


Register for the Parker Band: Rehearsals Begin Next Week!

Parker’s Concert Band is starting soon! We had a fine showing at our informational session earlier this week, but even if you missed it, you could still join us provided you know the basics of playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.

 

Our rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 24th in Room 13. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM. We will perform at Café Wednesday in mid-January, and we plan to offer another term starting in the spring semester. The activity fee for each semester is $100, and need-based assistance is available.


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.
  3. To pay the $100 activity fee for the semester, just complete your payment through Parker’s Unipay page, 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. Checks should be made out to FW Parker Charter Essential School. Students can drop your instrument off in Room 13 before advisory on rehearsal days if you’d like.

 

If you would like to borrow one of Parker’s instruments, you are more than welcome to do so at no cost. Please contact us with instrument requests, need-based assistance requests, or any questions you may have: Jim jdesmond@theparkerschool.org or Marena mcole@theparkerschool.org


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.

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:
Thu - Sep 13th Board of Trustees
Tue - Sep 19th Back to School Night
Wed - Sep 25th School Photo Retakes (morning)
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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Weekly Information for September 18, 2026

By Gabby Brummer • September 18, 2026
Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff, The first month of the school year is when we start to frame the year ahead. I sometimes think about a picture or piece of art and the difference a frame can make for it. The frame I choose can add definition, it can add substance, it can connect to and expand a smaller object into a larger one; the frame establishes the outline, it directs our eye and attention to whatever is in the middle. As I see it, the frames we start to define in September help us to focus our attention on the year ahead—and all of the challenges, learning, and excitement it will hold. Last night we hosted our annual Back to School Night for families—a chance for parents and caregivers of our students to learn about their student’s division, to meet their student’s teachers, to experience an activity their students have engaged in, and to preview the year ahead. It is one of the ways that we frame the academic work of the year ahead for families and I am always impressed at how much energy we build by coming together for this event. People left here excited and engaged with each other even as we passed 9 PM! We have also been doing important work this month building connections and engaging students in thinking about our essential question. This work and the conversations we’ve had set a frame for our collaboration and how we work together to build community. We have been doing this work through Super Advisory groups: small advisory clusters of students from across different divisions. These initial conversations were led by advisors and then Division 3 students. As we move through the year, students in Division 2 and then 1 will have their own chance to facilitate some activities in Super Advisory, with each session contributing to the evolving picture that will fill the community frame we are establishing together. Please join us for some upcoming events to continue to add your contributions. We hope to see you at Parker 101 if your student is new to the school, or for Community Connections Night to learn about and share resources with the Class of 2027 for their Senior Projects. (Additional information on both events are below.) All of what we do from here will continue to paint the pictures of this year—and it is always an honor to see what the particular community members who are here in this moment contribute to that process. With appreciation for what each of you contributes to our school, Bex

Information for September 11, 2026

By Xalli Gordon-Chavez • September 11, 2026
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By Xalli Gordon-Chavez • September 8, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • August 28, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • June 18, 2026
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By Gabby Brummer • June 12, 2026
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