Congratulations to Parker senior, Caleb Hatlevig, on his recognition as a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Generally, the top 2%-3% of PSAT scorers receive commended student status, or about 34,000 students out of the millions that take the test.
Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
49 Antietam St, Devens, MA 01434, United States of America
(978) 772-3293
49 Antietam St, Devens, MA 01434 Phone: (978) 772-3293
October 20, 2023
Weekly Information for October 20th
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Dear Parker families, students and staff,
Congratulations to our varsity soccer teams on their regular seasons! Our girls finished with a 10-3-2 record and finished with the best goal differential in the Colonial Athletic League. Next Monday they travel to Tahanto for their first game in the CMass tournament. They will likely qualify for the MIAA state tournament! And good luck to our boys varsity soccer team as they head into their first round CMass playoff matchup next Tuesday at West Boylston. Our JV teams continued to emphasize skill development, fun, and playing time for all. And our participation numbers are showing an upward trend.
Our boys cross country team capped off a 9-0 regular season (now undefeated in the league since 2007) and had big wins at the Twilight Invite and the Bay State Invitational. Our girls team finished at 7-2 in the league. Both teams host the League Championships next Tuesday at Devens, and then embark on a lengthy post-season run with Middle School States (at Devens) on Nov 4, Districts at Northfield Nov 11, and the MIAA state finals Nov 18 at Devens.
Shout-out to senior Wyatt Gallant, our participant on the Ayer Shirley football team. Wyatt is a star on both offense (4 touchdowns) and defense (3 interceptions,16 pass deflections)!
We are very much looking forward to the fall show this year! The mid-December performance will be a production of the Caucasian Chalk Circle, a play by Bertolt Brecht. The play retells the biblical story of King Solomon, who once had to judge a case in which two mothers claimed to be the parent of the same child. Set in post WW2 Georgia, Brecht's version interrogates the ideas of motherhood, of the validity of the law, and of what it really means to deserve something. Between acting, set building, and production work, over thirty students are helping bring this show to life.
We are proud of all our students’ accomplishments in and out of school!
Have a great weekend!
Brian
This week’s topics:
- Last Day for Current Lottery Applications
- Parker SEPAC Invite
- Winter Sports Registration
- Ski and Snowboard Club
- Yarn Needed!
- Dental Care at Parker
- Film Club
- Senior Projects – Offer Your Ideas
- Join the Band
- Lawn Signs
- Carpool List and Student Directory
- MART Transportation
Last Day for Current Lottery Applications
Today is the last day for lottery applications for current openings in grades 7 and 9! If you know any current 7th or 9th grade students who want to come to Parker, please check with them today to make sure they’ve applied.
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.
Parker SEPAC Invite
The ParkerPac (SEPAC) invites you to join a zoom presentation from Rachel Enad of Mass Advocates for Children on Basic Rights in Special Education at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 24th.
This workshop provides an overview of the special education laws of students with disabilities and the supports and services they are entitled to in order to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The workshop will address legal standards, the special education process, parent and student participation rights, and evaluation rights. Please check your email for the link and passcode to join the meeting. Contact Jesse Lowe (SEPAC Chair) with questions at (978) 618-0775 or [email protected].
Winter Sports Registration
The following Parker winter sports teams will be offered:
- Winter Track
- Basketball (Middle School, JV, and Varsity)
- Boys High School Hockey Co-op with Littleton and Bromfield
All practices begin on Monday, November 27th, and will be held on Monday through Friday that week. Please use the following link to register your student as soon as possible for a winter sport: https://forms.office.com/r/szqjERZksc For more information click here: https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/athletics
Ski & Snowboard Club
Registration is opening soon for Parker Ski and Snowboard Club! Check here for details. Chaperones are needed!
YARN Needed!
Our Friday Community Electives knitting group requests donations of yarn to help them make blankets to donate to community organizations. If you have extra yarn at home (or if you can purchase some to donate), they would appreciate it. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are welcome as well. You can drop donations off in Room 22.
Dental Care at Parker (Caring for Kids)
Students have an opportunity to receive dental care here at Parker School through the Caring for Kids program on Friday, November 17th. Please read about Caring for Kids HERE and complete the documents by clicking HERE and return to Nurse Lisa as soon as possible. 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].
Parker Film Club Returns
Parker Students: Grab your mustached detective potatoes and turn off that nature documentary, because Parker Film Club is starting up again! Are you into making absurd and sometimes super serious (but not really) films with friends? Is it your passion to be in front of or behind a camera? Do you have a talent for writing crazy scripts? Well then, we certainly have the place for you. Every Wednesday, starting on the 25th, the super amazing Parker Film Club will meet in the library from 1:30-3:00 PM! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]
Class of 2024 Senior Projects - Offer Your Ideas!
Thanks so much to all the members of Parker’s community who have offered ideas/suggestions to the Class of 2024 thus far. If you haven’t had a chance yet, 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! (Senior Seminar Teachers: Debbie, Jim, Ryan, & Henry)
Join the Band
Reminder the band will continue accepting new members, so if you have another activity ending and want to join, please contact Jim (room 13 or [email protected]) or Marena (room 43 or [email protected]). Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM in room 13, and there are instruments available if you don’t have your own but have basic playing skills. Participation fee is $100 per semester.
Lawn Signs
Reminder we appreciate your help spreading the word about Parker to people in our sending towns during this current enrollment season. These signs are made of waterproof coated biodegradable paperboard and do not need to be returned. Signs can be picked up in the foyer or from the front sidewalk.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
Sports Schedule
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: | |
|---|---|
| Wed - Oct 25 | PSATs |
| Wed - Oct 25 | Café Wednesday |
| Thu - Oct 26 | Board of Trustees |
| Fri - Nov 10 | Veterans Day - No School |
| 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: [email protected] |
| your family's or student's health | email: [email protected] |
| mental health/emotional support needs | email: [email protected] |
| food insecurity/free and reduced school lunch needs | email: [email protected] |
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.
Recent Posts
Dear Parker Community: I am writing to introduce changes to the leadership structure at Parker, changes designed to ensure that we continue to provide an exceptional education for every student who is lucky enough to attend Parker. Please know that the Board of Trustees, school leadership, faculty and staff have all weighed in on the decision with their own perspectives. We generally agree on the need to invest in our long-term sustainability and growth. We look forward with excitement and confidence. Parker was founded 30 years ago on the belief that students need to be known, valued and challenged as learners and human beings. Students need to use their mind well, mastering a limited number of essential skills and areas of knowledge, in a culture of decency and trust. These Common Principles are as important today as ever. Looking forward to our next 30 years and beyond, we ask ourselves “who do we want to become.” We appreciate the Senior Class for crafting such an important and timely Essential Question this year. The preface to our Strategic Plan envisions the future of Parker this way… With students at the center of everything that we do - Parker will share its voice, partner with others, and grow as a celebrated leader in progressive education. To meet these lofty goals, the Parker Board of Trustees voted last night to approve the creation of a new leadership structure, with two major changes for the 2025-2026 school year. First, we are changing my role from Head of School to Executive Director, a leadership model employed by most charter public schools in the state. As the Executive Director, I will focus externally on the growth and long-term viability of Parker. I will establish partnerships to ensure healthy enrollment, philanthropic support, and business opportunities in progressive education. I will continue to lead the organization and be a regular presence on campus. Second, we are hiring a Principal to serve as the primary instructional leader for Parker and lead the day-to-day life of the school. The Principal will serve as the main contact for students, families and staff. While Deb Merriam already provides outstanding leadership and would be an excellent Principal, she is not interested in the new role. Deb will continue to serve as the Academic Dean and will mentor the new Principal. We imagine the new Principal will be someone with personal experience learning and/or working at Parker or a school like ours. We plan to post the position this week and start interviewing candidates in March. Please join us on Tuesday, March 4th for a discussion about the ideal qualities and characteristics of the new Principal and the evolution of leadership at Parker. The session will be hybrid, in-person and online, from 6:30-7:30 PM in Room 40. Please see the login information below. By the end of March, we hope to invite 2-3 finalists to visit Parker to meet students, families and staff. We welcome your feedback and appreciate your support throughout the process. Principal Discussion March 4 th , 6:30-7:30 PM, Hybrid, In-person and Online Remote: (see weekly email for link) Meeting ID: (see weekly email) Passcode: (see weekly email) In-person: Room 40 Brian
Dear Parker students, families and members of the Parker community, I hope you enjoyed our first snow day of the year. With our busy lives and fast pace, snow days give us an unscheduled day off to hopefully unplug and enjoy time with family. I hope you went outside and played in the snow! Thank you to our custodians John, Greg and Ben for their hard work all year, particularly on snow events. We appreciate their early mornings to ensure a safe return to school. When there is snow in the forecast, John and I connect throughout the night and early morning to determine if it is safe to open. While we were able to make the call the evening before, that will not always be the case. We will try to communicate no later than 6:00 am. Closings and delays will be posted on the website, shared with local news outlets and communicated by an automated phone call. With students coming from 40 towns and cities, we recognize that your local conditions may vary. Please make the best decision for you and your family, including if that means staying home on a snowy day that we have school. We are very proud to be celebrating our 30th Anniversary this year. We are among the first five charter schools in the state to reach this milestone. It is a testament to hard work, community support and thousands of students, families and staff who wanted to do school differently and better. A lot has changed in the world over the last thirty years, but Parker’s commitment to putting students first, challenging them to use their minds well and supporting one another with a tone of decency and trust has not wavered. We all share this accomplishment. Please join us for our 30th Anniversary Gala and fundraiser on Saturday, April 5 th , at the Bull Run in Shirley. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.parker.school/gala . We are expecting over 200 attendees, with half of the tickets already sold. Thank you for joining us. Respectfully, Brian
Dear Parker students, families and members of the Parker community, Parker is a safe and affirming school community for all students. We have a moral and legal obligation to provide equal access to free public education and a safe and supportive school environment for all students. Today, we restate these values in support of our immigrant students and families, many of whom are feeling threatened in the current climate. The Parker School’s Ten Common Principles set forth clear and simple goals that apply to all students. Primary among them is the belief that the tone of the school should explicitly stress the values of trust, decency and fairness, with families serving as “key collaborators and vital members of the school community.” We also believe that the school should honor diversity, demonstrate inclusive practices, and explicitly challenge all forms of inequity. These values are summarized as the Tone of Decency and Trust and Democracy and Equity. In response to concerns expressed by members of our school community, I want to clarify how we protect and support Parker students and families. In short, we will follow the law and the clear guidelines of the Massachusetts Attorney General. All children have the right to attend public schools regardless of their national origin or immigration status. Any requests from Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) authorities regarding our students or families will be directed to me as the Superintendent. Although we consider it to be unlikely, if immigration officials appear at the school and seek access to a student, both Parker’s legal counsel and the student’s family will be immediately notified. Immigration officials will not be provided with access to students without parental consent or a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Similarly, we will not share personally identifiable information relative to students, which includes information regarding national origin or immigration status, except with parental consent or in response to a lawfully issued court order or subpoena. In summary, we at Parker are committed to ensuring that students and families may come to school without fear and will comply with all applicable state laws to ensure the protection of our students and families. We will continue to maintain open and timely communication with our students and families. We are in this together and we are determined to ensure a safe and welcoming school environment for our students and families. Respectfully, Brian
Dear Parker students, families and staff, Congratulations to all the students who Gatewayed the past two days. It has been a joyful and celebratory week at Parker. We are proud of the hard work, perseverance and accomplishment of our students! Second semester begins on Tuesday, January 28th. Reminder that Monday is professional development day for Parker staff, so no school for students. Best of luck to the many students with new classes starting on Tuesday. That includes all Division 3 students, those who recently Gatewayed and a few new 7th graders joining Parker. As you may know, we celebrate our 30th Anniversary this year. Parker opened the doors in 1995 on the idea that we could put students at the center of all learning, challenge students to use their minds well, prioritize depth over coverage, demonstrate mastery and support one another with a tone of decency and trust. Thirty years of student success proves that the idea works. To celebrate, we are hosting a 30th Anniversary Gala and fundraiser on Saturday, April 5th at the Bull Run in Shirley. Please join us as we honor three decades of excellence and look forward to a bright future together! For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.parker.school/gala . Finally, the Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Association (MCPSA) hosts Advocacy Week starting Monday, February 3rd at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Join us! Every year the MCPSA brings families, teachers, leaders and trustees together to speak with one voice in support of charter public schools on Beacon Hill. The experiences of families and students are particularly meaningful. This work has led to significant increases in facility aid, educator diversity, charter expansion and more. We are proud to support the effort and celebrate the tremendously positive impact of charter schools like Parker. To sign up, please visit MA Charter Public School Advocacy Week Kick Off Rally — Massachusetts Charter Public School Association . Brian
Dear Parker students, families and staff, We are looking forward to Midyear Gateways next Thursday and Friday, January 23-24, 2025. This is an exciting time for our students to share their learning and celebrate a very significant accomplishment. We have over 60 students scheduled to gateway across every domain and division. Gateway Exhibitions provide students an opportunity to showcase their learning and document the process of feedback, reflection and revision towards meeting standards. Students present their portfolio before a small audience that includes their advisor, teachers, family, peers, and members of the community. It is a moment of reflection and celebration for the students and everyone who played a role. Upon the successful completion of this exhibition, students gateway into the next division. Good luck to all our students! This also marks the end of first semester and the half-way point in the year. Please note that Monday, January 27th is a professional development day for teachers and staff. Students return on Tuesday, January 28th for the start of second semester. This Monday, January 20th we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a federal holiday and national day of service. Dr. King wrote and spoke powerfully about the importance of education and service… “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” “The time is always right to do what is right.” We are proud of our students for thinking intensively and critically, for doing what is right and for serving others. Have a great weekend, Brian
Dear Parker students, families and staff, It has been a cold and productive week at Parker. We have settled back into the swing of a full week of school and are excited about Midyear Gateways and the start of the new semester at the end of this month. There is anxious anticipation of changing classes, new community electives and new schedules for many students. We are also excited to start meeting students and families who are considering Parker for next year. Please join us in spreading the word and welcoming new students to our school. Word of mouth is always the most effective way to recruit new students. How can you help? Join us as a Parker Ambassador – email Brian or Monique if you are interested or want to learn more Grab a lawn sign and display it at your home Follow us on our Facebook page and share our messages Join us for an information session or parent coffee to share your story Tell your friends about Parker Reminder that younger siblings need to apply to be admitted to Parker . The charter law allows for sibling preference, but they need to apply like all other applicants. The deadline for applying for next year is March 1, 2025. Parker is a strong and vibrant community, made better every year with the addition of new students and families. Thanks to Parker Ambassadors, the Parker Parent and Caregiver Community (PPCC) and everyone who helps welcome newcomers. Brian
49 Antietam St, Devens, MA 01434, United States of America
(978) 772-3293
Fax: 978-772-3295
