DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS T-SHIRT!
Register for the Parker 5K Fun Run by 9/25 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! www.parker.school/run
This will be a fun community event- come run, walk, skip, or jump the 5K- in a Halloween costume or not!
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
September 8, 2024
Weekly Information for September 6, 2024
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Dear Parker families, students and staff,
We are off to a great start to the school year. We are proud of all our students for engaging so meaningfully and joyfully in Parker. We want to recognize all the new students who have joined us this year. Attending a new school can be very stressful and hard, particularly in the beginning. It can also be incredibly rewarding and transformative. We are very proud of you for coming to Parker, for working hard in your classes, for meeting new people and showing resilience when you face obstacles. We are a better school and a better community because of you!
I also want to thank our older students for their outstanding leadership over the first two weeks. Division 3 students are serving as teaching assistants, mentors, captains and ambassadors. They have embodied the tone of decency and trust. That was on display yesterday in our first Super Advisory of the year. Through fun name games and ice breaker activities, we are starting to get to know one another across divisions. We meet again next week to begin unpacking the Essential Question (EQ) of the year: “Who do we want to become?” Thanks for being you and making a positive contribution to your community!
This Wednesday, September 11, 2024, we mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attack. We remember family and friends we lost on that day, honor those who serve in the military and as first responders, and reflect on the humanity that unites us all.
We look forward to seeing parents and caregivers at Open House on Thursday, September 19th. We will share the full schedule and details next week. Thank you for joining us and experiencing Parker as your child does.
Have a great weekend,
Brian
This week’s topics:
- Back to School Night on September 19th
- Parker 5K Fun Run
- Parker Parent/Caregiver Community
- Faculty Appreciation
- Parker Concert Band
- Harvard Pavilion Grand Opening
- Parker Life Reminders
- Drop-off and Pick-up
- MART Shuttle
- Meal Information
- Directory and Carpool List
Save the Date!
Back to School Night is Thursday, September 19th! Details will be provided next week. Please Note: This event is for parents/guardians—not for students. We ask students to stay at home. If your child or children must join you, they must be always with you under your supervision. Thank you!
Parker Parent/Caregiver Community (PPCC)
Welcome to the 2024/2025 school year at Parker!
The PPCC is a parent/caregiver led group with a mission to create a space where parents/caregivers from different towns can get to know one another, both online and in person, to support one another and our families, as well as the teachers and school. We are a resource for new-to-Parker families and returning families alike. We foster community by organizing events related to teacher appreciation and parent/caregiver socializing, by maintaining our own Facebook page, and by communicating with the administration, parents and caregivers about their needs and volunteer opportunities as they arise.
If you have questions for or about PPCC, want to join our email list, or are interested in a leadership role within the organization, send us an email at [email protected].
Our Facebook page is a great place to get your questions answered and connect with other families! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/Dtmu843m6YcJM2rv/?mibextid=K35XfP
Want to get involved? We will be holding our first planning meeting of the year virtually on September 11th at 7:00 PM. Please join us by clicking the link found in your weekly email!
Faculty Appreciation from PPCC
Our teachers and staff go above and beyond to support our kids and families! One way we show them our appreciation for all they do is to provide weekly snacks to sustain them during their Wednesday staff meetings. You can find out more details and sign up to contribute here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA4A829A1FA7-parker2
Join the Parker Concert Band (a call to all brass, woodwind, and percussion players)!
Parker invites band instrument players from all grades, 7-12, to join our concert band. We hold band rehearsals after school on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The band runs for the semester, culminating with a performance at Parker’s student-led coffeehouse, “Café Wednesday”. The activity fee for each semester is $100, and need-based assistance is available.
If you have learned the basics of any band instrument, please join us this fall! No auditions are necessary: you just need to have learned the basics of playing your instrument.
Need an instrument? Parker has the following instruments available for loan at no charge: trumpet, trombone, baritone (euphonium), French horn, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, and clarinet. We also have concert drums for percussion players.
Students who are interested should plan to come by our informational lunch meeting on Tuesday, September 10 in room 13 to learn more and sign up. If you can’t make the meeting, stop in to chat with Jim Desmond in room 13 or Marena Cole in room 43. Get your lunch first and then come join us!
ALSO: We are always accepting donations and loans of band instruments that may be lurking in closets! If you have instruments, please email Jim [email protected] or Marena [email protected].
If you don’t know how to play a band instrument but still want to make music, consider joining the Parker Singers during community elective block. We meet about every other Friday to sing fun songs together. Signups will happen in the coming weeks.
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. 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:
- Only TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot during peak traffic times
- Consider an off-peak pickup time with your student: 3:45 instead of 3:30, for example
- Drop-off and Pick-up students on Antietam Street and have students use stairs to access school
- 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
MART currently offers shuttle service with stops in Bolton at the Country Cupboard, Lancaster at the Library, and Leominster at the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster.
Students pay $4 per ride or $120 per month. Students are welcome to use the service every day, one or both directions, or as needed. To schedule, call 978-345-7711 and select Option 3. For questions, contact [email protected].
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/news#Cafeteria
Student Directories and Updated Carpool List
The student directory and an updated carpool list will be available towards the beginning of October.
Lunch Menu
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 by clicking HERE.
| Upcoming Dates of Note: | |
|---|---|
| Thu - Sep 13th | Board of Trustees |
| Tue - Sep 19th | Back to School Night |
| Wed - Sep 25th | School Photo Retakes (morning) |
| 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
