As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, we want to keep our Parker community informed about the updated master schedule. The new schedule has been drafted and is currently in final revisions. To ensure accuracy and address any questions or concerns, we are presenting the schedule to staff in grade-level and department cohorts for feedback before it is finalized. When we return from Spring Break, we will meet with the last few cohorts, but so far, the response from staff—especially our Music and SPED departments—has been overwhelmingly positive.
We know that change can bring uncertainty, but we want to reassure everyone that this schedule was built with both the needs of our students and the integrity of our Music Magnet program at the forefront. There were several non-negotiables guiding the development of this schedule, including:
✅ Extended teacher planning time – Increasing from 45 minutes to 1 hour to better support instructional preparation.
✅ Equitable and structured instructional blocks – Ensuring all students receive high-quality, uninterrupted learning time.
Additionally, we were able to incorporate a “nice-to-have” feature: integrating Magnet time into the school day without sacrificing instructional time or student support services. This means that our Music Magnet program remains not only intact but enhanced, with slightly more time allocated to support our young musicians.
We have also taken steps to streamline meetings that require teacher involvement, such as ARDs and IAT meetings, to protect teacher planning time and morale, while still meeting all compliance requirements.
Next Steps in the Process
The final phase of the master schedule review will include:
1️⃣ SDMC Review – Engaging our Shared Decision-Making Committee for final input.
2️⃣ Open Forum at the Principal’s Chat & Chew – Providing an opportunity for parent and community feedback.
3️⃣ Test Run – Shortly after STAAR testing, we plan to pilot the new schedule to identify any final adjustments needed before full implementation.
A Challenge to Our Parker Families
We understand that change can be unsettling, and with any adjustment, it’s impossible to meet every individual preference. However, this new schedule is a step forward—not a departure from what makes Parker special. We encourage you to talk to our teachers about the schedule, especially our Music Department, to hear firsthand how they feel about it. There have been concerns that changes to the schedule might impact our beloved Music Magnet program, but in reality, we are investing more time into it—not taking away from it.
This schedule was built with our students, our traditions, and our future in mind. Change is never easy, but it is necessary for growth. We are evolving—not at the detriment of our school, culture, or student success, but for the betterment of our Parker community.
We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks and appreciate your trust and support as we continue to make Parker the best place for our students to learn, grow, and thrive!
-Principal Carter
