PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker Families:

We had a busy week at Parker after returning from February vacation. The staff and students dove right back into their units of study. As I visit classrooms I am struck with the high level of engagement, curiosity, and joy present in so many classrooms. It is a credit to our fantastic staff who work so hard to create a nurturing and stimulating classroom learning environment.

ALICE Drill

Our school conducted our district safety protocol drill known as an ALICE Drill today. We worked in conjunction with the Chelmsford Police and Fire Departments who were on hand to observe our drill. The students and staff responded quickly and decisively using our options-based protocol . I know that practicing these drills can raise anxiety in our students but it is vital to be prepared to act in the unlikely event the need should arise. I am proud of our students and staff for how seriously they conducted themselves.

Second Step - Social Emotional Learning

We continued our units on Emotion Management in Grade 5 and Developing a Positive Sense of Self in Grade 6. Please find a brief summary of next week's lesson along with a conversation prompt that may open the door to some great dialogue with your child.

Grade 5: Making a Change

Summary

In this week’s lesson, your child will practice identifying two changes they could make in a recurring personal situation to manage their strong emotions.

Try This at Home

Ask your child to tell you about a situation at home that causes them to feel strong emotions, like anger or stress. Ask them what they could change about the situation to better manage their emotions. Talk about what you can do to help them implement the change.

Grade 6: Making Decisions

Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to use guiding principles when making a decision. This can help your child make decisions they feel good about.

Question: Tell your child about a tough decision you’ve made. Share what you think about when you’re making decisions. Ask your child to describe a tough decision they’ve made.

STEM Fair - March 27

We are excited to announce Parker's first STEM Fair (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) on March 27. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to embrace inquiry and investigation in a fun and supportive setting. Students are encouraged to work in teams, pairs, or individually. The registration deadline to enter the fair is March 14. Please have your child sign up soon so they don't miss out on this great opportunity. More information can be found below.

Have a great week everyone. Please reach out if you need support.

Warm regards,

Josh

Grade 6 - Grace Gonzales, Wade Jones, Zoey Lopez, Daniel Morales

Grade 5 - Vivienne Longo, Brooks McNamara, Xavier Ortiz, Jack Reid

Important Dates:

Until MARCH 31st - SNOWMAN CONTEST see details below

March 3rd through March 7th - Community Read-In

Thursday, March 6th-DISTRICT WIDE PAJAMA DAY & BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH DAY-SEE NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK

Wednesday, March 12th - Early Release Day - dismissal at 11:10

Thursday, March 27th - STEM FAIR

March 3rd through March 7th is National School Breakfast Week. We are having a district wide Pajama Day and celebrating “Breakfast for Lunch” on Thursday, March 6th.

March is also National Nutrition Month, and we are eating through the alphabet. You will see tastings of different fruits/vegetables daily at your school for students to try!

Attached is the March Menu and an information sheet on the importance of school breakfast.

Order your Yearbook Soon!

Don't miss out on the chance to remember this year in photos. Our Yearbook Club has been working hard to make this the best yearbook ever.

We only have about 25 yearbooks left and they are selling fast! No yearbooks will be available for purchase in June. Online pre-orders are the only way to purchase your book.

Please visit Yearbook Forever to order.

Congratulations and so very proud of the exceptional artwork of Ms. Annunziata's 5th and 6th grade artists:

Grace Camire

Sophie Chen

Connor Chiu

Nate Howarth

Ezrah Kostanski

Carson Kim

Ryan Oliveira

Ava Novaco

Alex Provencher

Emma Souza

Whose artwork was submitted in this year's MAEA 2025 Youth Art Month Virtual State Exhibit. See link below:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1usE8WN1AJIVnCWs5Dwrb96btLYLUjSfshNdtVRCLYAg/edit?usp=sharing

Parker students are invited to create a STEM project for the 1st Annual Parker STEM Fair! This is a fun event intended to nurture the children’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math. There is no judging, but a STEM fair official will visit every project and talk to each child about their topic.

Please see attachment below for more information and details. STEM Fair Registration Form

The Lost and Found racks are chock-full of your students stuff! Coats, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, water bottles and much more. Please ask your students to check it out for any lost or missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated over the April break. ~ Thank you

Yoga Club will be held on Thursdays for the rest of the school year. If you're student is interested, please sign up here, https://forms.gle/dUfVGoBazZFnFg8Q8. The first 20 students will be notified through google classroom. ~Thank you.

Our after-school programs will start on Tuesday, October 15th. The Activity Fee is $50 per student. To pay PLEASE CLICK ON LINK My School Bucks or send in cash or checks 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.

See Clubs & Activities BROCHURE here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10fSdKRgUuamin-mEgMJbeLrUcsHo7dLMiSVEMC6RtLU/edit?usp=sharing

Tuesday - March 4th

Art Club-Ms. Annunziata - Room 4 - GRADE 6 TODAY

ASL-Ms. Fitzgibbons-VIRTUAL- join google classroom from home code:yqtuwha

Drama - ALL CALL Grade 6 Cast - at McCarthy Auditorium (carpooling)2:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Festival Orchestra – Ms. Tiano-Room 8

Fitness Room - Ms. Currier - Fitness Room

Homework Club-Ms. Larrabee-Library

Intramurals- Mr. McCarthy-GYM- GRADE 5 TODAY

Jazz Band - Mr. Linsner - Band Room

Mindfulness & Crafts- Ms. Marino - Room 124

RUNNING CLUB is back!- Ms. Baker & Mr. Suleski-meet in the Band Hallway

Wednesday - March 5th

Book Club - Ms. Beaudoin - Room 125

Drama - ALL CALL Grade 5 Cast - at McCarthy Auditorium (carpooling)2:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Dungeons & Dragons - Ms. Engel - Library - Grade 5 Today

Fitness Club - Ms. Fitzgerald - Fitness Room

Game Club - Ms. Baker - Library - Grade 5 Today

Power Hour - Ms. Panneton - Room 213B

Thursday - March 6th

Art Club–Ms. Annunziata–Room 4 GRADE 5 - GROUP 5A TODAY ONLY

Drama - ALL CALL Grade 6 Cast - at McCarthy Auditorium (carpooling)2:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Intramurals-Mr. McCarthy-GYM-GRADE 6 TODAY

Stand-Up Parker – Ms. Mikk – Conf. Room 5

Yoga- Ms.Macallister-Fitness Room

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. Please call the office if you have any questions or need clarification. ~ Thank you for your understanding.

The Parker and McCarthy Middle Schools Present the "ShowBoat" Talent Show on Saturday, May 10th, 2025! To sign up for auditions, scan barcode below.

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

Parker PTO is working hard to provide and promote community building activities for our students and families. Check out a few highlights below:

📅 Parker Calendar Raffle: Thank you to all that sold calendar raffles! Any student that forgot to send in their raffle envelope should bring it down directly to the main office as soon as possible. Winners will be announced March 1st - March 31st via Facebook posts and prizes will be sent home with students. Best of luck to all!

🏃🏽‍♀️ Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole: Registration is now open for the Spring Season of Girls on the Run (GOTR) and Heart & Sole! Girls on the Run (Grades 3-5) and Heart & Sole (Grades 6-8) are more than just running programs—they empower girls through engaging lessons that blend physical activity with essential life skills. Each season builds confidence, fosters friendships, and culminates in an exciting 5K celebration! Practice begins on March 31st @ Center School. Grades 3-5 practice on Monday & Wednesday. Grades 6-8 practice on Monday. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity for your child to grow, run, and have fun! Click the link to secure your spot today. https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/SPRING25Reg?sid=7b561ffc46b547d5b051322c761588e1

🗓️ PTO Meeting Thursday, March 13th @ 6:30 pm in McCarthy Library:

Join us for our monthly PTO meeting! Parker & McCarthy PTOs work collaboratively to provide community building activities, provide enrichment programs for our students and families and support our teachers. We encourage any middle school parent/guardian to join us to learn about upcoming events and activities throughout the school year.

⚽ 🏈 ⚾ i9 Sports Spring Season Programs: i9 Sports is offering weekend outdoor flag football, soccer, t-ball/baseball, & multi-sports programs for kids ages 3-14 at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford (open to families from anywhere to register for!) beginning Saturday, April 5th. Sign up using the promo code “MSLions!” at checkout and not only will you save $10 OFF the season registration price but you will also be supporting our school. For more information, see attached flyer or visit i9Sports.com.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to PARKER PTO at PTOPARKER@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support of our school!

Best,

Parker PTO

Dear Parents and Families --

To better estimate the demand for lunches on half days, CPS Nutrition utilizes online lunch ordering for HALF DAYS ONLY.

For the upcoming half day Wednesday 9/18/24 orders must be received by Friday 9/13/24.

2024-2025 CPS Upcoming Half Day/Early Release dates

● 3/12/25

● 4/1/25

If you would like your child to have lunch on future half days, the online ordering is open for you to go ahead and select those dates. Set Up Your Account Now

Directions to set up your account and order: 1. URL Link: family.onlineordering.linq.com

2. Sign up now: Email, create password.

3. School District: Chelmsford Public Schools

4. Student ID: This can be found on x2- Child’s student ID number

5. Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, the student's name should appear on the page.

How to order meals

1. School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)

2. Scroll to week of half day/early release date (top right of page)

3. Find date, select meal option

4. Add item to cart/Select Add to order

5. Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page

6. Click Check out

7. Select pick up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom. Middle/high school pick up location cafeteria.

8. Place order

Click on the link below to view the MARCH Lunch Menu:

https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/webmenus2/#/view?id=6798fac3c73df342cb17ea4f&siteCode=3370

Email: robinsond@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road
Phone: 978-251-5133