Weekly Information for November 8, 2024

Dear Parker families, students and staff,

The events of the past few weeks point to the importance of community, decency and respect that defines Parker. The rhetoric and outcome of the presidential election highlight profound areas of disagreement and division in our country. Our students need the space to process these issues, ask hard questions and rely on trusted adults as they struggle. We respond by coming together, in support of one another, to reflect on this moment.

Many advisories read Maya Angelou’s poem, Human Family. After noting “the obvious differences in the human family,” the poem ends with the repeated refrain, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” We discussed the meaning of that last line, punctuated with the phrase, “my friends,” in the context of our Parker community. The students engaged in a beautiful reflection of friendship and our shared humanity.

We immediately put that into practice with our Division 1 trip to Nature’s Classroom. Thank you to families for sharing your children with us for three days, an opportunity to build community in nature. This was the first time away for many of our students. We are proud of you for taking a risk. Thank you to the Division 1 teachers and Nurse Lisa, as well as Division 3 mentors, who helped to make this tradition possible.

I also want to thank and extend an invitation to Parker families to join the Ambassador program. Ambassadors help welcome new students and families to Parker and spread the word online, in person and through events at Parker. We appreciate the camaraderie and commitment of Parker families through the PPCC, the Ambassador program and so much more. The first meeting will be Tuesday, November 19th from 6:30-7:30 pm virtually on Teams. Please let us know if you would like to join us.

To all our students, families and staff, thank you for being part of and contributing to the Parker community. Thank you for your friendship. We are lucky to have one another.

Brian

TOYS for TOTS

Help Parker support this great cause by dropping off new, unwrapped toys in the TOYS for TOTS donation bin located in the Front Lobby of our school beginning November 12th until December 6th. Please help our effort to bring a ray of holiday joy to a child in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers to disadvantaged children offer them recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Absences Around Thanksgiving

If your student is extending Thanksgiving break, remember to contact the main office and let us know when your student(s) will be absent. The attendance line (978-772-3293, ext. 1) is available 24 hours a day and can be called any day/time which is before 9 AM of the affected day(s).

Nature's Classroom Reflection

Division 1 students, faculty, and our Division 3 peer mentors are finishing up two and a half days in the woods with surprisingly warm weather, and we did it with a smile!

The goals of our every-other-year trip to Nature’s Classroom include Division 1 community building, advisory bonding, and “challenge by choice” risk taking. To do this, students participated in low ropes courses, exploration and discovery of flora and fauna, and the ever popular night hike and Thursday Night Live skits. Students learned new things, both about the world around them and what they are capable of.

Throughout all of these activities, the Division 3 peer mentors were exactly that- mentors. They provided guidance, wisdom, maturity, and empathy to the younger kids, from helping Div. 1 students write letters to their future selves, to helping the group come together as a team, to performing a skit during last night’s Thursday Night Live in which they impersonated Div. 1 teachers with hilarious accuracy.

We will return home in a few hours a little tired, a little fragrant, and excited to tell you stories. (Ask about the night hike, what classes your student took, and living in the dorms!) We are ready to return to school on Tuesday with new and deepened friendships, next steps as a closer advisory, and as our emerging and evolving Division 1 community.

Have a great weekend; be sure to rest up!

Kalista and Matt

Wellness Committee Meeting

The Wellness Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 12th, at 3:30 PM, in conference room 3A (in the library). We will meet to evaluate the current Wellness Policy and make changes as necessary. 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. If you would like to be part of the Wellness Committee, please reach out to Lisa Zick at [email protected].

Junior Planning Night

Junior Planning Night is Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 PM in the Auditorium. Juniors and their parents/guardians should attend to learn more about transcripts, the college application process, and things to keep in mind during junior year. Students should check their email for more information.

Last Call for Student Artwork!

Reminder to submit student artwork for the 2025 Parker Calendar by November 12th. Artwork will be selected by a jury for inclusion in the calendar, and the calendar will be available for purchase beginning in November and delivered before the holiday break! For more information, see this flyer. Submit your artwork online here. Contact Katrina, Marena or Sheila with any questions!

Coming in November – Caring for Kids

Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Tuesday, November 19th. 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 [email protected].   

Ski & Snowboard Club

Registration is open for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details and to register. Price increases after 12/1. Program begins 1/8. Chaperones are needed!

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

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.