Weekly Bulletin

Hello Parker Families,

I hope that this note finds you and the family healthy and happy. I have been able to visit many classrooms and have been so impressed with the level of engagement and enthusiasm of our students. Students are working hard, collaborating, and making meaning of the new concepts and skills presented to them. There will be homework for students to complete which is used to reinforce the concepts and skills presented in class. It is important that our students build routines and habits that allow them to be prepared for class. It is always good practice to designate a specific place and time for homework to be completed so that it can be adopted into a routine. Students thrive with structure and consistency. It is also essential that outside distractions like TV's, videogames, and cell phones are out of sight during this time. We know that students are often involved in a myriad of activities after school, so we try to minimize the length of the assignments. Your support and reinforcement of these expectations at home is much appreciated!

Change for Change

Parker had a very successful drive to benefit pediatric cancer this week. All the teams collected spare change with all proceeds going directly to the Jimmy Fund. The final donation amount will be shared once we finish counting all these coins! We are working to develop empathetic and compassionate citizens who actively work to improve the lives of those around them. Thank you for supporting this endeavor!

Second Step

We have continued our Social Emotional Learning work during our SEL Blocks on Wednesdays. Below please find the topics covered this week along with some prompts to discuss with your child at home.

Grade 5

Goal Setting

Summary

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to reflect on their experience working toward a goal.

Try This at Home

Ask your child to tell you about their goal-setting journey, including what worked, what didn’t work, and what they could do next time. Tell your child about a goal that you set and worked toward. What worked, what didn’t work, and what did you learn?

Grade 6

Lesson 3: Trying New Strategies

Summary

In this week’s lesson, your child will brainstorm different strategies they can try when they’re having trouble learning something new.

Question

Tell your child about a time you needed to change your approach in order to learn something new. Ask your child to tell you about something they’re working hard to learn and how you can help

Lesson 4: Making Goals Specific

Summary

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to identify and set achievable goals by making them specific.

Question

Ask your child to tell you about a specific goal they’re interested in working toward and what makes it specific.

PARKER ARTISTS OF THE MONTH

We are excited to announce a new Parker Middle School tradition. We will be featuring one fifth grade and one sixth grade student artist each month. Their art work will be proudly displayed in front of the Main office. This month's featured artists are: Carson Kim and Tanvi Devarasetty.

I hope that you and your family have a fantastic weekend!We had another great week at Parker Middle School!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Monday, October 9th - No School - Columbus Day

Wednesday, October 11th - Day of Awesomeness

Thursday, October 19th - Early Release Day - dismissal @11:10 a.m.

Monday, October 23rd thru Friday October 27th - Scholastic Book Fair

Wednesday, October 25-Pizza, Pumpkins & Paperbacks (see PTO Message below)

Tuesday, October 31st - Costumes for a Cause - more info. to follow

LAST WEEK TO ORDER YOUR PARKER PRIDE T-SHIRTS

We would like to offer Parker Pride T-shirts for students and their families for a minimal cost. We are working with the Lions Locker which is based out of CHS and is produced by the CHS Business Department and our high school students. The T-Shirts are produced at cost, selling for $10. Please find the link to order and purchase the tickets below. These shirts are completely optional but have all the team names on them and our theme for the year "Dream big, work hard, Make it Happen!" The design is included in the link below.

https://lionslockerchelmsford.com/product/parker-pride-student-t-shirt/

Our after-school programs will be starting soon. The activity fee is $50 per student. The 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. Please watch for our Clubs & Activities Brochure with payment information coming out next week.

Intramurals is one our Clubs & Activities that will be offered. Please click on the link below to sign your student up for Intramurals. This will help our Advisors organize teams so that all students will have the opportunity to attend this very popular club.

Come audition for Select Chorus on Tuesday October 17th after school in Rm 230! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/XraczDZhdixYgYsSA

Select Chorus is an auditioned ensemble that will meet before school on Friday mornings at 7:20am in which ALL students from grades 5 and 6 are encouraged to audition. Students sing more challenging repertoire, take on a greater leadership role, and get to take their singing to the next level all the while learning better to express themselves through their voice. Select Chorus also practices for District & All State Choruses and performs publicly at least three times a year.

Here is the graphic: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-V0MsPdel_UExR5_HzmyDm5AM3oAuKkiyilDfwXNaXg/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks!

Dear Parker Families,

We currently have a very small Parker PTO board and are looking for more parents/guardians to join us! We especially need help coordinating volunteers for all events and promoting all of our PTO happenings.

This year, we're joining forces with the McCarthy PTO and holding one joint meeting each month at 7:00pm in the McCarthy Library. We hope to see you there!

• Wednesday, 10/11
• Monday, 11/13
• Wednesday, 1/10
• Monday, 2/12
• Monday, 3/11
• Monday, 4/8
• Monday, 5/13
• Monday, 6/10 (if needed)

Together, we will join forces for some events and fundraisers while also maintaining some school-specific activities as well. To pull this off, we'll need LOTS of volunteers! Mark your calendars for our upcoming events and please consider volunteering, please see sign up information below.

POWER of PURPOSE DAY OF AWESOMENESS - Wednesday, October 11th, 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. at Parker on Field-sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/DDiRYtj

Rob Surette Hero Art - Thursday, October 12th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the CHS PAC

sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/GvXSPjm

SET UP SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR - Friday, October 20th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Parker Library - sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/aZnsQqw

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR - Monday October 23rd through Friday, October 27th 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. in the Parker Library -sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/YyLtQTH

SET UP PUMPKINS IN COURTYARD - Wednesday, October 25th, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Parker Courtyard - sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/ptutNGf

PIZZA, PUMPKINS & PAPERBACKS - Wednesday, October 25th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Parker Cafe', Courtyard & Library - sign up here to volunteer https://signup.com/go/ptutNGf

*Additionally, Harrington is holding its annual Battle of the Boos and Parker has been invited to participate in this Trunk-or-Treat event on Sunday, October 29.

Did you know that we have a Council of Chelmsford Schools too?

These meetings are held quarterly on Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the McCarthy Library. Here all the PTOs for each of our 8 schools get together to learn what each school is doing for enrichment programs, events, fundraisers, etc. Everyone is welcome:

• October 18
• January 17
• March 20
• May 15

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

Thank you!

Parker PTO has some exciting activities coming up during the month of October! We will be looking for LOTS of parent volunteers to help with our some amazing school events, coordinating volunteers and promoting all of our PTO happenings. Be on the lookout for PTO emails and volunteer sign up in the upcoming weeks! If you are interested in volunteering for events this school year, don't forget to stop by CPS central office to complete or update your CORI form. Please save the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 11th: Day of Awesomeness! Students will be participating in a one of a kind obstacle course with their classmates. This event will occur during the school day. We will need LOTS of volunteers to make this day awesome for all. More details to follow along with volunteer opportunities the week of September 25th.

• Thursday, October 12th: An evening performance of Rob Surette, Hero Art. You won't want to miss this opportunity to see speed painter Rob Surrette create a masterpiece right before your eyes! This event will be offered for FREE to Parker and McCarthy families. Be on the lookout for a PTO email detailing this event.

• October 23rd-27th: Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Parker. This traditional book fair will be held during school hours for students. More information and volunteer opportunities to follow in the upcoming weeks.

• October 25th: Pizza, Paperbacks and Pumpkins 5:00-7:00pm. Spend the evening shopping at our Scholastic Book Fair, eating pizza in the cafeteria or view pumpkins aglow in the courtyard. You won't want to miss this Parker Middle School tradition.

If you have any questions, please reach out to: PTOParker@gmail.com As always, thank you for your continued support of our school!

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