PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker community,

We had a fantastic week at Parker! The students have started to acclimate to the new routines and engage with their classes by jumping into the content. It has been heartening to see the students meet and create new friendships. Transitions can be tough and I am proud of how well the kids have met this moment. If, however, your child is struggling with the transition please let me know so that we can offer support. We have a busy week ahead of us at Parker.

Kindness/Inclusion Spirit Week September 9-13

Our school will run our first Spirit Week to foster school community and pride. The theme next week will be Kindness. Students are encouraged to practice acts of kindness both in and out of school. These acts could include including someone who doesn't have a partner, giving a sincere compliment, volunteering to help with a "job", or apologizing for a mistake to name a few. Each day of the week we will also have a Kindness theme dress up day as well:

Monday - Powered by Kindness - Dress Like a Superhero (no masks that cover the face)

Tuesday - Crazy for Kindness - Wear Crazy Socks and Hats

Wednesday - Dress to Impress with Kindness - Wear your best picture outfit!

Thursday - Workout Problems with Kindness - Wear workout/sports gear

Friday - Peace, Love, and Kindness - Wear Tye Dye or Colorful clothing

Bionic Project

The Bionic Project is an amazing organization dedicated to dismantling disability bias through education, story, and sport. The Bionic Project will be returning this year to Parker but with a slightly different approach. This fantastic organization promotes inclusion and accessibility for all while highlighting the abilities that every individual possesses. On September 10 and 12 they will be visiting two person teams to conduct small group workshops with our sixth grade. On September 13 they will hold assemblies similar to last year with the fifth grade. In the afternoon they will conduct soccer clinics where students will have the ability to use the adaptive gear used by Nico Calabria and his fellow amputees. This experience helps to foster understanding, appreciation, and empathy for one another.

Grade 5 Open House - Thursday September 12

We are excited to welcome our 5th grade parents and guardians on Thursday September 12 from 6-7:30 pm for our Curriculum Night and Open House. This will be a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers and hear about the curriculum offered as well as the classroom expectations. There will not be time for individual questions about your child's progress but feel free to contact the teacher with any questions or concerns and they will be certain to get back to you.

There is limited parking in the lot especially with Pop Warner Football practice occurring at the same time. Please allow extra time to find parking. (You may have to park across the street at CHS if the lot fills up). As you arrive you will go to your child's homeroom. We will have lists posted if you need help finding it. Please find the schedule for the night below:

Schedule 9/12 Grade 5

The Schedule for the night is as follows:

6:00 - 6:30 Core Classes

Team 5A The Explorers - Merrill, Conley, DeVito, Baillargeon

Room - 204, 202, 210, 208

Team 5B The Voyagers - Bain, Leonard, Ottman, Sullivan

Room - 226, 224, 222, 220

Team 5C The Navigators - Murray, McPhee, Eastman, Engel

Room - PC6, PC8, PC2, PC4

Team 5D The Innovators - Beaudoin, MArino, McAllister, Clark

Room - 125, 124, 123, 122

6:35 - 7:00 Special Education, Literacy Support, ELL

Special Ed Ms. Stutz Room 107

Special Ed. Ms. Athanas Room 233

Special Ed. Ms. Butler Room 212A

Special Ed. Ms. Cranney Room 110

Special Ed. Ms. Giordano Room 20

Special Ed. Ms. Hansbury Room 231

Special Ed. Ms. Komperda Room 108

Special Ed. Ms. Myllmaki Room 225

Special Ed. Ms. Rochwarg Room107

Special Ed Ms. Wolf/Berges Room 212B

Speech Ms. Flanagan Room 233

Lit. Support Ms. Piazza Room 104

ELL Ms. Ghali Room 250

6:35 - 7:15 Specialists/Performance Arts

Health, PE, Computer, Library - Gymnasium

Art, Chorus, General Music, Band, Orchestra - Gymnasium

Visiting Parker Middle School - Important

The Chelmsford Public School District has implemented a new visitor management and screening service at every school building. The system is called Visitor Aware, and it is designed to ensure that only safe visitors are allowed access to our buildings. Visitor Aware provides an additional layer of security for your children by validating the identities of anyone entering the premises, determining if they are a potential threat, and keeping accurate records of all school visits.

Visitors are required to have a valid state issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, to check in to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Valid identification is also used to ensure that the person checking in is the same as the ID holder. The identification card must be non-expired and contain a picture of the visitor.

The following information is collected during a check in:

Your name, date of birth, state, and gender are used to ensure you are not on any sexual offender registry across all 50 states, as well as ensuring you are not a national or international watch list such as FBI watch lists, OFAC blocked persons, DTC debarred parties, etc.

Your visitor profile may only be viewed by users specifically granted access by school administration and is not available outside the Visitor Aware administration area. Your information is never sold, transferred, or accessible to any person outside Visitor Aware, and all access to your visitor profile from within the Visitor Aware administration area is recorded.

Visitor Aware is a great addition to our already well secured buildings, and will further assist us in keeping all schools as safe as possible.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone and reach out if you need support.

Warm Regards,

Josh

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Wednesday, September 11th - School Picture Day

Thursday, September 12th - Open House for Grade 5 Curriculum Night 6-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 18th - Open House for Grade 6 Curriculum Night 6-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 18th - Early Release Day dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Dear Parents,

Please see link below for the Chelmsford Public Schools 2024-2025 Family/Student Handbook for your reference.

https://chelmsfordschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/English2024-2025-FamilyandStudentHandbook-FINAL.pdf

Parker Parent Update:

Happy September Parker Families! Parker PTO has some exciting activities planned for the 2024/2025 school year! We will be looking for parent volunteers to help with some amazing school events throughout the school year. Be on the lookout for more information and volunteer sign ups in the upcoming weeks! Check out a few upcoming activities below:

📆 PTO Meeting Thursday, September 19th @ 6:30 in McCarthy Library: 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.

🏈 ⚽️ ⚾️ i9Sports: Looking for fun, instructional, and convenient youth sports options for the kids this fall? We’ve teamed up again with i9 Sports on a deal to help save Parker & McCarthy families big this season AND help support the Parker & McCarthy PTOs! i9 Sports is offering weekend flag football, soccer, t-ball/baseball, & youth "multi-sports" discovery programs for kids ages 3-14 at Nashoba Valley Technical HS in Westford (open to families from anywhere to register for!) beginning Saturday, September 21st. Sign up using the promo code “MSLions!” at checkout and not only will you save $15 OFF the season registration price for any upcoming fall or winter season program, but i9 Sports will also donate $5 back to the Parker & McCarthy PTOs for every registration received using promo code “MSLions!”!

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!

The Chelmsford Middle School PTOs are offering families a FREE evening of entertainment on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th at 6PM in the CHS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (PAC).

We will be screening the Broadway musical Come From Away and will welcome, Connor Farry, as a special guest speaker after the film.

This award-winning musical is based on actual events that took place on September 11, 2001 when the FAA shut down airspace following the terrorist attacks and diverted 38 planes to Gander, Newfoundland stranding 7,000 passengers and crew. This show focuses on the experiences of both the passengers and the people of Gander, who welcomed them into their town in the spirit of collaboration and kindness.

Following the film, we will hear from one of the passengers stranded in Gander as a child. He will explain how we can all Pay It Forward with kindness.

Join us for this amazing feel-good time and reserve your seat(s) with this link: https://signup.com/go/SGDpOpO.

NOTE: Concessions will NOT be sold at this event.

If you have any questions, please reach out to: PTOParker@gmail.com or PTO.McCarthy@gmail.com

Thank you!

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

● 9/18/24

● 10/24/24

● 11/20/24 (Elem & MS Only)

● 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 September Lunch Menu:

https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/webmenus2/#/view?id=66bb7cdae96f1e3b974947e0&siteCode=3370

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