PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon,

It was a great week at Parker! I had the pleasure of visiting many classes this week and it was fantastic seeing the high levels of engagement, interesting lessons, and genuine curiosity demonstrated by the students. Many parents had the opportunity to attend teacher conferences this past Wednesday. It is vital that we keep open lines of communication between school and home so that we can best meet the needs of every student. There will be one more day of scheduled parent conferences on December 12, but please know that you can always request a meeting with the teacher when questions or concerns arise.

PRIDE PAW Winners

Congratulations to the following students for being recognized as PAW winners for the month of November. Every month we randomly choose names from those students who have been recognized by a staff member for demonstrating our PRIDE values.

Grade 5 - Jacob Comeau, McKenna Murray, Carter Richardson, and Grace Watroba

Grade 6 - Amy Banerjee, Adelina Doran, Wade Jones, and Ryder Sicely

Reading Suggestions

Having your child read 20 minutes a day can exponentially increase their literacy skills, broaden their perspectives, and open their minds. Please find below suggested reading for 5th and 6th grade students. Given a structured routine even reluctant readers can learn to love to read. Start with preferred topics of interest and go from there!

Grade 5

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff

Birthdays by Wendy Mass

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Indigo's Star by Hilary McKay

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Found by Margaret Pearson Haddix

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

Shakespeare's Secret by Ellen Broach

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica

Grade 6

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Pax by Sarah Pennypacker

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Save Me a Seat by Sara Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea

Travel team by Mike Lupica

Into the Wild (warrior series book 1) by Erin Hunter

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend. Please reach out if you need support!

Wednesday, November 20th-Early Release Day, dismissal at 11:10 Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 27th-Early Release Day, dismissal at 11:10

Thursday & Friday, November 28th & 29th-No School-Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out our talented young artists here at Parker Middle School. Click here: www.instagram.com/chelmsford_middle_school_art

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 - November 26th

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

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

Drama-Check google classroom for specific details

Festival Orchestra – Ms. Tiano-Room 8

Homework Club-Ms. Larrabee-Library

Jazz Band – Mr. Linsner – Band Room

Intramurals- Mr. McCarthy-GYM- GRADE 5 TODAY

Livesmart – Ms. Lyons – Room 102

NO MINDFULNESS & CRAFTS TODAY- will resume next week

NO RUNNING CLUB- Due to inclement weather - will resume next week

Yoga-Ms. Macallister-Fitness Room

Wednesday - November 27th

No Clubs & Activities Today - Early Release Day-dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Thursday - November 28th & Friday - November 29th - No SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving!

Notice to All Grade 5 Families:

In accordance with the MDPH regulation 105 CMR 200.400, the vision of each student in the public schools is to be screened in the year of school entry, annually through grade 5, once in grades 6 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12. If your student wears eyeglasses or contact lenses, please make sure that they bring them to school. Vision screenings will be done in December and January.

If your child does not pass the initial vision screening, a letter will be sent home alerting you to the need for a follow-up with your primary doctor.

You have the option to excuse your child from this screening. Please send an email to kamenidesl@chelmsford.k12.ma.us asking that they be excused or send in a note with your child and ask that they drop it off at the nurses’ office.

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Lisa Kamenides, RN & Donna Foley, LPN

Yearbooks are on sale! Please visit Yearbook Forever to purchase your yearbook now! No books will be available for sale in June...don't miss out on capturing this year's memories! Side note: Walsworth also sends emails to Parker families with order information . They are legitimate emails.

ENJOY 10% OFF your order!

CODE: F202410OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2025

Redeem Now

Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card! More about the Smilesafe program here.

Dear Parker Families,

Please send in non-glass, non-breakable storage containers and/or water bottles with your students. We've had several instances of broken glass, creating a safety issue. Plastic or aluminum is preferred.

~Thank you for your help.

Happy Friday Parker Families!

Parker PTO is working on creating community building events for our students and families. Check out a few upcoming activities below:

🎁 Gift of Giving Annual Charity Event- November 25th - December 1st

The Chelmsford Council of Schools has partnered once again with the Paper Store at Drumhill for the Annual Gift of Giving Event. Purchase a Gift of Giving snowman ornament and $1 of the sale will be donated to the Chelmsford Council of Schools or make a $3.99 donation and you will receive 20% off your entire purchase. Proceeds raised will go towards scholarship programs.

❄️☃️ Parker Craft Fair- Sunday, December 8th 10:00 am-2:00 pm:

Parker PTO is proud to present our 4th Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, December 8th 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM. Stop by Parker and shop local vendors. This is a GREAT opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping and support local businesses. We have over 30 vendors signed up including some Parker & McCarthy student vendors! Adult and student vendors are welcome to join the fun. Table spaces are $30 + one raffle donation for adult vendors and $10 + one raffle donation for student vendors. Click link to sign up: 2024 Parker Middle School Craft Fair

🍬🥣🧑‍🍳 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Sign up to join the fun at the Parker Craft Fair for our 1st Annual Middle School Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. This contest is FREE to enter and open to all. Four fabulous prizes will be awarded (1st-3rd place and "Fan Favorite"). Gingerbread creations will be on display during the craft fair and winners will be announced at 12 pm on Sunday, December 8th. You do not need to be present to win. Click link for more information and to enter the contest: 2024 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Good luck and happy decorating!

🗓️ PTO Meeting Thursday, December 12th @ 6:30 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.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Parker PTO at ptoparker@gmail.com. As always, thank you for your continued support of our school!

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

● 11/27/24

● 12/12/24

● 1/14/25

● 2/6/25

● 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 November Lunch Menu:

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