September 1, 2023

Weekly Information for September 1st

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Dear Parker families, students and staff,


Welcome back! Thank you to everyone who helped to make our first week a success. We are delighted to welcome new students, families and staff who have chosen to join us at Parker. We are a strong and vibrant community, made all the better with the addition of our newest members. We hope that you already feel included, respected and known at Parker.


The Essential Question for the year is “How do we influence those around us?” Thank you to the Senior class for posing such a thoughtful and complex question. It calls on all of us to reflect on the impact that we have on others and on our larger community. We influence those around us by what we say, how we behave and how we treat one another. Thank you for being kind, working hard, supporting one another and making a positive influence.


We will explore the question of influence through multiple voices and lenses across the year. We engage students directly in advisory and their classes, rooted in the Ten Common Principles on which Parker is founded. This starts by knowing our students deeply and well, as learners and human beings. Parker students are at the center of all learning, challenged to use their mind well, engage deeply in their learning and support one another with a tone of decency and trust.


Questions drive learning at Parker. In The Students are Watching, Ted and Nancy Sizer write about the process of grappling with good questions, presuming that students have their own stories and insights to add. “The difference between grappling and other forms of learning is that when questions become the students own, so do the answers.”


We look forward to reflecting on these important questions, and making them your own, in the months to come. Until then, have a great weekend. See you out front on Tuesday.


Brian

This week’s topics:
  • Asbestos Notice
  • Parker Life Reminders
  • Drop-off and Pick-up
  • MART Shuttle to/from BGCFL
  • Meal Information
  • ECO-Travel to Costa Rica
  • Directory and Carpool List
  • Classroom Wish List
  • Health Office Wish List
  • Thank You!
  • Athletics Schedule
  • Upcoming Dates of Note
Asbestos Notice


Please see required annual notification regarding our Asbestos Management Plan.


Parker Life Reminders


School Begins at 8:30 AM. Please plan to get your children to school by 8:15 AM so they may be present in their advisories by 8:30 AM. Breakfast can be picked up in the cafeteria and taken to advisory. Students arriving between 7:30-8:00 AM should go to the library.


Parents/Guardians must notify the school office daily of any Late Arrivals, Absences, or Early Dismissals. Please let the office know of an absence before school starts using the Attendance Line, which is available 24 hours a day at 978-772-3293 x1. In the case of a prolonged absence, the student’s parents/guardians should notify the principal or designee in a timely manner. It is not acceptable for students to call themselves in late, absent, or dismiss themselves unless 18 years of age. Parents are notified when their child is not in attendance without any prior notification regarding the absence. Teachers take attendance in every class and notify the school office if any student is missing.


Students should be in a supervised space with an adult after school. Students who are not working with a teacher, participating in an adult-supervised after-school activity, or with a coach should go to the library or lobby. Students should be picked up no later than 4:30 PM on M, Tu, Th, F and 3:00 on Wed. There is no after-school supervision on noon dismissal days although some sports may have practice or games.


Drop-Off and Pick-Up Norms


The following practices will help reduce congestion and make drop-off and pick-up times flow more smoothly:


  1. Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times.
  2. Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example.
  3. Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school.
  4. Use the lot at P-5 across Jackson Road as a “cell phone lot” to standby until your student is ready or have them walk to you there.


Please refer to this page for our Traffic Flow Plan.


MART Shuttle to/from BGCFL


MART offers a shuttle service to and from the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster.


  • Before school, the MART shuttle will pick up students at 7:45 am in front of the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg at 365 Lindell Ave., Leominster, MA 01453. The BGCFL facility is not open at that time, so students will have to wait outside or in their car. The shuttle will drop students at Parker by 8:15 am.
  • After school, the MART shuttle will pick up students at Parker at 3:45 pm (1:45 pm on Wednesdays). The shuttle will drop students at the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg by 4:15 pm (2:15 pm on Wednesdays). Parker students may be picked up in front then or are welcome to join the BGCFL to participate in the Teen Program that runs from 2:00-6:00 pm daily.


Students pay $4 per ride or $80 per month. To register for a monthly pass or to schedule daily rides, please 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. Students and families may pay with a credit card when scheduling or pay cash in person to the driver before the ride. If a last-minute ride is needed, it can likely be accommodated, but calling at least the day before is preferred. Students are welcome to use the service every day, one or both directions, or as needed. For questions, contact keary.connors@mrta.us or visit their website at the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority.


To participate in the after-school Teen Program at the Boys and Girls Club, students will need to join the club for $30 per month. For additional details, see their website at Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. We will also be running our co-op Robotics program with the BGCFL again this year.


Meal Information

Reminder one free breakfast and one free lunch per day are available to all students this year. Children enrolled at Parker are eligible for these free meals regardless of free and reduced status. Additional information and the current menu are available on the cafeteria page of our website.  https://www.theparkerschool.org/students-parents/parker-cafeteria

ECO-Travel to Costa Rica - April Vacation 2024


Open to students in Divisions 2 & 3. Students will spend nine days visiting waterfalls and sustainable coffee plantations, helping research crocs and mammals at Playa Tortuga Research Station, volunteer at a local school, kayak at Marino Ballena National Marine Park on the South Pacific coast, see monkeys and sloths and so much biodiversity.


  • There will be an Info Meeting for Students during lunch on Thursday, Sept 7th in Room 66.

  • Applications will be given out during the Info Meeting and are due Thursday, Sept 14th


Questions or more information, please contact: Tiffany - ttesta@theparkerschool.org or Alec – ahudson@theparkerschool.org

Student Directories and Update Carpool List


The Student Directory and an updated Carpool List will be available towards the beginning of October.


Classroom Wish List


If you would like to donate these items for Div 1 MST, we will use them:

  • Tape (duct tape, blue painter’s tape, clear tape in individual dispensers)
  • Paper (graph paper, lined paper)
  • Pencils
  • Zip-top quart or gallon bags


Health Office Wish List


Throughout the year, the Health Office appreciates donations of tissues, fabric bandages (all sizes), and healthy snacks as these particular supplies are distributed throughout the school on a regular basis. Thank you in advance for your donations that help care for our Parker students and staff!


THANK YOU!


Thank you to everyone who donated various supplies at the start of this school year. We appreciate our generous community!

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:
Fri - Nov 10 Veterans Day - No School
Tue - Nov 14 Board of Trustees
Wed - Nov 22 Noon Dismissal
Thu-Fri - Nov 23-24 Thanksgiving Break
Mon - Nov 27 Winter Sports Begin
Fri - Dec 1 Div 1 & 9th Grade Dance
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PARKER FUND!
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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