September 27, 2025

Weekly Information for September 26, 2025

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Dear Parker Students, Families and Staff,

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of community lately—what shapes and supports it and why it matters. I think at its core, a community is more than a mere group of people. There is a degree of shared investment in a common purpose or a common value that brings communities together—and there is a willingness and commitment to doing work aligned to our shared purpose or values collectively that both grows from and contributes to community. These traits ideally contribute to a feeling of connection or even belonging that are at the heart of true community.

 

There are many places where I get to see the ways that the people who inhabit Parker every day are building and shaping community. Earlier this week, for example, I spent two blocks with the senior class as they came together as a group to share their Senior Project Declarations—short summaries of what they plan to study for the year, who they will work with, and what they will create. There was a theme song. Each student took a turn sharing their work. Everyone else in the group listened respectfully and celebrated the work others shared. These students already know each other. They have worked together for years—in and out of the classroom—and still, this shared experience gave them an opportunity to learn even more about each other and to share a moment that was at once common and highly individual.


This highlights one of the aspects of community that might be easily overlooked: genuine community is not an exercise in sameness, even though it is about something shared. Real community grows from an investment in creating connection across differences, learning together, supporting each other in doing challenging things.


Next Tuesday, September 30, we are hosting several events (see details below) including Community Connections Night—which will give any member of the Parker community a chance to come learn about this year’s Senior Class Projects and offer resources and ideas to support the seniors’ ongoing work. We hope you will join us if you can and invest some of your own time and energy in both getting to know and contributing to our rich and vibrant school community.


Best wishes,

Bex

This week’s topics: 

  • Parker 101 is September 30
  • Support Our Seniors Potluck
  • Community Connections Night
  • Coffee with the Principal on October 1
  • Girls Cross Country Team Fundraiser
  • Join our WOCOMAL Team!
  • From the Health Office
  • Wellness Policy
  • PLP Day Blood Drive
  • Communication Systems
  • Family in Need
  • Spring AP Exam
  • NEACAC College Fair
  • Academic Communication with Families
  • Athletics Schedule
  • Upcoming Dates of Note
Parker 101 for Parents/Guardians

Parker parents, guardians, and caretakers of students who are new (or relatively new) to Parker are invited and encouraged to join us for an orientation to academics and assessment at Parker on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:30-8PM in Room 24. If you missed this last year and want to come, please do!


In this session, we will explore and our core beliefs about assessment, how we assess student learning including the evaluation continuum we use, and the types of assessments students will be asked to work on. You will also learn about the Habits of Learning which guide how we talk with students about the skills and dispositions of being a learner, and we will preview the upcoming PLP Conferences so you are familiar with the goals of PLPs and have a better idea of what to expect. This session will be hosted by Parker students, parents, and teachers, each sharing their perspectives on these topics. We hope to see you there!


Support Our Seniors Potluck on September 30th

Seniors and their families are invited to join in conversation around the expectations, excitement, and challenges of the year ahead on Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30-7 PM in the Gym. Senior Seminar teachers/advisors will provide an overview of the senior year, Senior Project, and the graduation requirements along with this year’s installment of “Dear Diary”—a not-to-be-missed crowd favorite! Please bring a dish to share!

 

Community Connections Night on September 30th

We invite all members of the Parker community to meet with the Class of 2026 and learn about their Senior Projects on Tuesday, September 30th from 7-8:15 PM in the Gym! We hope you will offer suggestions for:

  • resources they could access
  • people/organizations with whom they might collaborate
  • experiential opportunities they could pursue
  • product ideas they might consider.

PLEASE BRING GUESTS from inside and outside the Parker community—the more people who come to talk to our seniors, the better! If you are unable to attend but have ideas to share, please review the students’ topic areas in the document linked below, and then you may contact the Senior Seminar teacher for that student.

Class of 2026 Senior Project Declarations of Interest


Coffee with Bex on October 1st

Please join us on Wednesday, October 1st, at 8:30 AM in Room 40 to meet Bex and share your voice with her. What do you love about Parker? How can we improve? Join us to meet Bex and share your input.


Lady Panthers Against ED

Hi! We’re the Parker Girls Cross-Country Team! We’re currently working on a fundraising campaign for the National Eating Disorders Association to help raise money and awareness against eating disorders. As female athletes we have faced the impacts of eating disorders like the nearly 70% of female cross-country runners across the United States. We would love your support in our fight!

 

We are raising money on our fundraiser page and are also holding a bake sale to raise money at our senior night on October 7th from 4PM at Willard Park. Come support our seniors Rayna Ferlin and Nathaniel Henshaw during their final cross country race on our home course as well as our campaign. If you would like to learn more or keep up with our fundraiser follow us @parkergirlsxctf on Instagram!


Seeking Mathy Students to Represent Parker by Joining our WOCOMAL Team!

What is WOCOMAL? WOCOMAL (The Worcester County Math League) is a series of regional math competitions on Wednesday afternoons. We are actively recruiting students interested in participating in this event. This is a great opportunity to try some challenging math problems with friendly people.

There are two levels of competition:

  • FRESHMAN competition: Open to students in grade 9 or below
  • VARSITY competition: Open to students in grade 12 or below

Students can join practice sessions after school on Thursdays or during Community Block on Fridays. There is an activity fee of $100 to cover the costs of the program. For more information, students should talk to Diane Kruse (dkruse@theparkerschool.org) or their MST teacher.


From the Health Office - Unauthorized Medications at School

Students should not carry over the counter OR prescription medications at school. With proper authorization from their medical provider, parents, and the school nurse, some students may carry an EpiPen, inhaler, diabetic supplies, or other emergency medicine. All other medications should be kept and administered by the school nurse. Proper medical documentation is required for all medications.

Please make sure your student isn’t carrying any medication during school, and more importantly, please speak to your student about not ever accepting any medication from other students. Email Nurse Lisa at lzick@theparkerschool.org with questions.


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  Wellness Policy.pdf 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.


PLP Day Blood Drive

SAVE THE DATE! Attention families and Parker students 16 and older - in partnership with Mass General Hospital, Parker's future nursing students are hosting a Blood Drive on PLP day! Did you know that your one blood donation can save up to three lives? In exchange for one donation you'll receive snacks, a cool glow-in-the-dark Halloween shirt, and the great feeling of knowing that you've made a truly positive impact on somebody's life. Keep an eye out for information on how to sign up. Our goal is to schedule fifty appointments and make this drive a regular part of PLP day, but we need your help to do it! If you have any questions, contact Jinnee Strus (who is going to be the first person to make an appointment!) jstrus@theparkerschool.org


Communication Systems

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to our communication systems test. For future weather related delays and closings, the school will send out text messages and an email. We will continue to also put a banner on the website, change the school’s voicemail message, and notify local news agencies.


Family in Need

Our community has been coming together in support of a Parker family facing significant financial hardship well beyond their control. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has lent their support so far. We will continue to collect gift cards in the Front Office to assist the family through this difficult moment.


Spring AP Exam

Reminder for Div3: If you're interested in taking an AP exam in the spring, please see Jinnee before Friday, October 3rd!


NEACAC College Fair

On Thursday, fifty-five juniors and seniors attended the NEACAC College Fair at Mount Wachusett Community College. Students had the opportunity to talk to over one hundred college reps and learn more about schools from the northeast, Florida, and Canada. Click here for photos!


Academic Communication with Families

Reminder to visit this page on our website to understand more about how and when Parker communicates with families about student academic progress.  This document is a good starting place, and then you can explore the other documents link on this webpage. In particular, if you would like to be able to access information about your student’s nightly homework, you can learn more here. [Note: for parents who were using the Microsoft ‘School Connection’ app, Haldor is the new software/app to use for this purpose – Microsoft stopped supporting the prior software we were using.]

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:
Tue - Sep 30 Support Our Seniors Potluck
Tue - Sep 30 Community Connections Night
Tue - Sep 30 Parker 101
Wed - Oct 1 Coffee with Bex
Wed - Oct 8 School Photo Retakes
Thu - Oct 9 Board of Trustees
Mon - Oct 13 Fall Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Fri - Oct 17 PLP Conferences - No Classes
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 race, color, sex, pregnancy, 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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By Xalli Gordon-Chavez • September 11, 2026
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