Weekly Bulletin

Greetings Parker Families:

What a fantastic week we had at Parker! The students are working hard and finishing the second term well. Grades close for Term 2 next Friday January 19 and report cards will be published on January 26. The students are working on gaining skills and developing more independence and we are so proud of their efforts. We have no school on Monday as the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. I encourage you to have conversations with your child about his legacy of equality, tolerance, and nonviolence. His words echo through time and teach us all fundamental truths: "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." MLK Jr.

Second Step

We will continue out social emotional curriculum with 5th grade focusing on Empathy and Kindness and 6th grade exploring Thoughts and Emotions.

Grade 5

Lesson 15: Your Solution

Summary

In this lesson, your child will choose a solution to a problem in their school community and explain how it meets the wants and needs of the people who are affected by the problem.

Try This at Home

Point out a change that has happened in your neighborhood recently that was intended to solve a problem. Ask your child if that change was a good solution, and how they know.

Grade 6

Lesson 16: How Emotions Affect Your Decisions

Summary

In this week’s lesson, your child will analyze how strong emotions can influence their decision-making abilities, as well as how those decisions can affect their relationships.

Question

Ask your child what sorts of things trigger strong emotions in them. Ask them how you can show support when those things happen.

5th Grade Social

The 5th grade social was a great success today! The kids had fun dancing, playing games, eating snacks, and just having fun being kids. It was awesome to see so many of our kids having so much fun! We look forward to the 6th grade social next Friday! Please see a few pictures from today's event!

Have a great ;long weekend and reach out if you need any support!

Warm Regards,

Josh

IMPORTANT DATES:

Monday, January 15th - No School - MLK Day

Friday, January 19th - 6th Grade Social 2:40-4:00 p.m.

Friday, January 19th - Term 2 Ends

Winter Break - February 19th through February 23rd

Permission slips were sent home with your student today. See attachment for details.

6th Grade Social Permission Slip

Order your 2024 Parker School Yearbook before January 24th, 2024 to lock in the lowest price! Help your student remember the year forever—don't miss out! For ordering information click on link: www.yearbookforever.com

Dear Parent/ Guardian:

Massachusetts General Law c. 71, s. 57 requires all publicly enrolled students in grades 5 through 9 to receive annual postural screening for scoliosis. Postural screening is essential as your child is going through his/her most rapid rate of growth during 5th- 9th grade. During this time, early detection of a spinal curvature can create opportunities for the easiest treatment to correct the growth of the spine. Not recognizing the problem until the child is fully grown can lead to serious complications as an adult, such as pain and even difficulty breathing, which may only be corrected by surgery.

Generally, these screens are part of your child’s annual physical examination with their pediatrician. However, if you would like for our school nurse to complete this important examination, please notify your school nurse in writing no later than February 2nd.

Please call your school nurse¹s office with any questions.

Sincerely,

Chelmsford Public School Nurses

Our after-school programs will start on Tuesday, October 17th. The Activity Fee is $50 per student. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK My School Bucks or send in cash or check made payable to Chelmsford Public Schools and turn into your child's homeroom teacher. The activity fee allows students to take full advantage of any clubs they wish to attend. The after-school activities run from 2:40-3:40 on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday throughout the year. Students also have the option of taking a late bus home. The routes are posted in the school and will not be posted publicly. We will work with students and the drivers to be sure students take the correct bus home. Since we only have 8 late buses, for both McCarthy and Parker the stops tend to be more spread out than the “regular” bus runs. After activities, students who are not taking a bus will exit the school into the Crooked Spring Road lot and can be picked up there.

Tuesday - January 16th

NO CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES TODAY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Wednesday - January 17th

Fitness Room (Health & Wellness)-Ms. Wilson-in the Fitness Room

INTRAMURALS GYM-Mr. Sullivan/Ms. Clark/Mr. McCarthy-Check Google Classroom

Homework Club-Ms. Larrabee/Ms. Morse - Library

Jewelry Making Club - Ms. Annunziata - Room 4

Yoga Club/Mindfulness-Ms. MacAllister-Room 123

Thursday - January 18th

Art Club - Ms. Annunziata-Room 4 - Grade 5 today

Drama Club-Ms. Robertson/Mr. Chase/Ms. Sparks - Room 230

Festival Band - Mr. Linsner - Band Room

Festival Orchestra - Ms. Tiano - Room 8

Fitness Room (Health & Wellness)-Ms. Wilson-in the Fitness Room

Game Club - Ms. Baker - Library

Intramurals-GYM-Mr. Sullivan/Ms. Clark/Mr. McCarthy-Check Google Classroom

Parker PTO has some exciting activities coming up! Check out the important dates below:

UML River Hawks Hockey Game: UML Riverhawks will be hosting Chelmsford Middle School night Friday, February 9th. Puck drop is at 7:15 P.M. Meet all your middle school friends at the Tsongas for a great night of hockey. Tickets are $10 each. Click link to purchase tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Parkermiddle4

Harlem Globetrotters: Join Middle School families as we watch the Harlem Globetrotters at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on Monday, February 12th at 7 p.m.! Be prepared to see amazing basketball talent mixed in with crazy comedy, great choreography, and audience participation - great family friendly entertainment! Tickets can be purchased via the following link:

Reminder to Parker Families - BRRR!!! Cold weather is rolling in....Parker students will still be going outside for recess/outside break. Please remember to BUNDLE UP, warm coats, hats and gloves are recommended.

To report a Student Absent:

Email: ParkerAttendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Please Send Email: Prior to 9am on the day of the absence. Please Include: Child’s name, Grade, and Reason for absence. We encourage you to use the email option when reporting an absence, dismissal, etc. for efficiency.

**PLEASE READ**

We will continue to send automated emails home when students are absent. You will receive the email whether you notified the school or not. In order for an absence to be marked as "Excused", families will need to provide medical documentation.

Thank you for your understanding.

Email: robinsond@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road
Phone: 978-251-5133