March 21, 2025

Weekly Information for March 21, 2025

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Dear Parker students, families and staff,


Feedback, reflection and revision are central to everything that we do at Parker. As Nancy Sizer wrote in Keeping School, the emphasis is on growth, on learning from one’s mistakes, cleaning up one’s prose, clearing up one’s understandings. This requires students to work hard, to be open to feedback and to try again. We are very proud of our students for engaging meaningfully in this iterative process.


We take a similar approach to adult learning at Parker. Next Wednesday, March 26th, we dismiss at 12:00 NOON to welcome teachers from across the state to join us in professional development called Looking at Student Work. We engage in a protocol-based discussion of various assessments and the degree to which an individual met expectations. Teachers attend sessions from other domains and divisions, gaining and sharing perspectives as an outsider. For example, AH teachers review the Gateway portfolio in MST, Div 1 teachers discuss a research project in Div 3, and Spanish teachers review a Wellness project on social emotional learning. In each case, teachers deeply analyze student work and share their expectations of what students should be able to do at each level. By shining a light on the work in this way, we dramatically enhance our ability to define what “meeting standards” means for our students.


We recognize that early dismissals can be hard for working families. We take this professional development time seriously every week, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your partnership.


Brian

This week’s topics: 
  • Noon Dismissal on 3/26
  • Spring Shows
  • Parker Exhibition Evening
  • Youth Venture: Sherry’s House
  • Annual “Returning to Parker?” Survey
  • MCAS Schedule
Noon Dismissal Next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, March 26, students will be dismissed at noon so Parker faculty can participate in a professional development workshop. They will be joined by area teachers interested in authentic, standards-based assessment to look closely at student work and teacher work. Participants will use protocols to make observations and build meaning, referring to Parker’s articulated Criteria for Excellence, associated rubrics, and the work itself. Participants will also have a chance to make connections, extend their community of practice, and learn together at this free gathering of educators!


Spring Shows!

Parker is happy to present Everybody! by Brandon Jacobs Jenkins and The Grumpiest Boy in the World, by Finegan Kruckemeyer.

 

Everybody! is a modern adaptation of the 15th Century morality play Everyman. It deals with eternal themes of life and death, sin, love, friendship, family, God, and the eternal mysteries of life. You know, the stuff that happens to everybody. It’s tragic, it’s funny, and it’s also got some singing in it. This show also contains strong language and themes and is recommended for those at least 16 years old. Performances are Wednesday, April 9, at 7 PM and Friday, April 11, at 7 PM.


The Grumpiest Boy in the World is a play by Finegan Kruckemeyer, who writes delightful plays for young audiences. In this one, a young boy realizes that he is not particularly unusual and this makes him grouchy. On a quest to find someone who will think he’s interesting or at least kind of weird, he meets monsters, lions, and a lot of very grumpy people. Will he find his destiny? Will he make it home in time for his mom’s red duck curry? The only way to find out is to come to show! Performances are Thursday, April 10, at 7 PM and Saturday, April 12, at 12 PM.


Tickets can be purchased online before the show for a discounted price of $10 or for $12 cash at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets now. All shows will be general seating.


Parker Exhibition Evening: April 16
Mark your calendars to attend three different events spread across the evening of April 16:
  • Noche Sabrosa: Please join Division 1 Spanish students for Noche Sabrosa from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Spanish hallway as they showcase their speaking and cooking skills! Our talented students are bringing the heat with an evening of vibrant flavors, lively music, and great company. Expect a celebration packed with delicious cuisine prepared by our Div 1A Spanish students. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and come support this event. See you there!

  • Division 2 Exhibition Night: Please join Division 2 students from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Div 2 MST rooms for an inspiring evening of Engineering! Division 2 students have been hard at work engineering creative solutions for a sustainable future, designing, testing, and refining their wind turbine prototypes. We invite you to join us as students showcase their designs and share the innovative processes they've used to develop prototypes that generate the highest voltage. It’s sure to be an exciting night celebrating the remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving skills of Parker students!

  • Senior Project Exhibition Night: Please join the members of the Class of 2025 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parker Gym as they showcase their Senior Projects! One of the most defining experiences at Parker is the Senior Project—a culminating capstone project in which seniors pursue a passion through genuine inquiry and authentic learning that results in both intellectual and personal growth. Come talk with them about the learning they have done, the experiences they have had, and the products they have created in this science-fair style event. Arrive any time and bring a friend with you!
Youth Venture and Sherry's House

Youth Venture members Skylar Shannon and Helene Gailliard made another donation to Sherry's House  in Worcester. Through fundraising, they were able to purchase toys, cleaning supplies, food, and paper products for the facility. Sherry's House is a place where kids and their families can go and receive the support and encouragement they need to fight childhood cancer, together. Skylar and Helene found out about Sherry's House when they were in seventh grade. Over the years, they have made several donations to this facility. They hope to make one more donation before they graduate this year. Sherry's House  runs on donations and volunteers. If you would like to learn more or donate, please visit the Why Me & Sherry's House website. https://whyme.org/


Annual “Returning to Parker” (Super-Quick) Survey!

Reminder, as a school of choice, we ask families each year about their plans to return to Parker for the following school year. You may have seen and completed this information already at your PLP on Friday. If not, please take one minute and complete THIS SURVEY. Each year, we ask families to indicate their plans for each of their enrolled students for the next school year. Most Parker students return to Parker, and every enrolled student has a secured and continuing spot at the school unless/until they withdraw or enroll with another program. However, as a school of choice, it helps with our planning (including setting expectations for students on our waitlists) to know how many students are considering not returning for next year. Please indicate which of the choices on this survey best fits your child for next year. Please do this survey once for each enrolled student. For obvious reasons, you do not need to do this survey for a current senior!


MCAS Spring Testing Schedule

Reminder Division 1 and 2 students will be testing on various days during the months of March, April, and May, following the schedule listed below. Please make every effort to have students in school and on time for these testing days. All students should eat a good breakfast each day and get a good night’s rest the night before – those two things are the best “test-prep” we can recommend! Students who miss any of these testing days will make-up the tests on days following the dates listed here. Students and families will receive more details in an email about ten days before each testing session.

10th Grade:

  • ELA: March 25 & 27
  • MATH: May 20 & 21
  • SCIENCE: (already happened in February)

7th & 8th Grade:

  • ELA: April 2 & April 9
  • MATH: April 30 & May 2
  • SCIENCE (8th Grade Only): May 8 & 15
  • CIVICS (8th Grade Only): May 20 & 27

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Merriam (deb@theparkerschool.org).  All tests are untimed, and most students finish by mid to late morning. Parents/guardians and students will get grade/test specific emails with more details that will go home as each test date approaches. 

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 - Mar 25 10th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed - Mar 26 NOON Dismissal - Faculty Planning
Thu - Mar 27 10th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed - Apr 2 7th & 8th Grade ELA MCAS
Sat - Apr 5 Parker 30th Anniversary GALA
Wed - Apr 9 7th & 8th Grade ELA MCAS
Wed-Sat; Apr 9-12 SPRING SHOWS!
Thu - Apr 10 Board of Trustees
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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