October 26, 2025

Our staff went head-to-head in the most epic battle of strategy, speed, and sheer school spirit! From collecting bracelets like champions to losing them in the heat of the moment—everyone brought the FUN.

Last year, Ms. Chen ruled the rock-paper-scissors universe, but this year Ms. Benton emerged victorious and claimed the coveted prize 👑✂️🪨📄!

Thank you to EVERYONE who jumped in with laughter, friendly competition, and big Parker energy. Can’t wait to see who rises to the top next year! 💪😄✨

Get ready, Parker Lions! Our annual APEX fundraiser is beginning on Monday, November 3rd! This year, we will be Leveling Up! Each day, students will learn a new lesson to help them to Keep Improving, Keep Climbing, Keep Leveling Up!

Monday, November 3rd

APEX Pep Rally

Students will join the APEX team on the carpool lane to learn about the theme this year, meet the APEX team, and check out all the prizes. There will be games, music, and lots of fun to get us ready for the program.

Pre-K: 10:30-11:00am

2nd / 3rd grade: 12:30-1:00pm

4th/ 5th garde: 1:30-2:00pm

Kinder/1st grade: 2:15pm- 2:45pm

**Due to the Pep Rally, the carpool lane gate will be opened at 3 pm on Monday, November 3rd.

Friday, November 14th

APEX Obstacle Course Day

Students will run their way through 6 different blow-up obstacles over 25 minutes to try to reach the goal of completing 42 obstacles.

Where: Parker track and field

When: During specified time block, CCR and music will happen as regularly scheduled

Who: All Parker Lions PreK-5! Families and friends are welcome to come cheer on our students as well!

PreK-Kinder: 8:00-8:40am

2nd grade: 8:45- 9:25am

3rd grade: 9:30- 10:10am

4th grade: 10:15- 10:55am

5th grade: 11:00-11:40am

1st grade: 11:45-12:30pm

** ENCORE: Cancelled that day to allow for instructional block to be made up while grade level is at the APEX run

All funds raised this year will be going to instructional materials and curriculum for our teachers and students to have the best resources and materials available.

Let's Level Up, Lions!

-Coach Chili, Physical Education Teacher

Congratulations to October’s Lions of the Month! Students will hear their name LOUD AND PROUD in Monday morning's announcements. They don't know they've won yet, so please keep it a secret until then! If you are the proud parent of one of these students, you are invited to join us to hear the morning announcements at 7:30!

After announcements, your child will receive a goody bag and Lions of the Month t-shirt (designed by two of our very own students!). Please send your child to school on Tuesday in this shirt. IF YOUR CHILD HAS EVER WON LIONS OF THE MONTH, PLESE SEND THEM TO SCHOOL TUESDAY IN THEIR SHIRT! We are all going to wear them to honor September's winners!

Congratulations, parents! For the whole month of October, your child's poster will be featured on our bulletin board. At the end of the month, I will send it home, so you can show it off to everyone!

-Gina Garcia, Assistant Principal

For the second year in a row, our incredible Parker Performing Strings were invited to showcase their talents at the Houston Christian University School of Music Annual Orchestra Invitational!

Although this prestigious event is designed to highlight top high school string programs across Greater Houston, Parker continues to stand out as a favorite feature as the only elementary school—demonstrating the remarkable work happening right here at our school.

Our students performed on the historic Dunham Theatre stage as part of a full day celebrating musical excellence. This special opportunity also allowed students to experience the HCU campus and be inspired by the next steps in their musical journey.

We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with HCU, which helps make world-class performance experiences like this accessible for our Parker musicians. We couldn’t be more proud—Parker Strings truly made us #ParkerProud! 🧡🎶

What an unforgettable Friday evening! Our amazing Parker Band joined forces with the Westbury High School band for their annual Westbury Band Night — and they absolutely crushed it! 🔥 From the first booming beat to the final note, our Parker musicians brought the energy, the pride, and the Panther spirit all the way to the field!

A huge thank-you to the Westbury Band for the invitation and for giving our students a glimpse into what lies ahead in their musical journey. We are Parker Proud and already excited for next year’s encore! 💙🥁

Thank you to all the families who joined us for last week’s Chat & Chew and engaged in such meaningful conversation. During our time together, we discussed:

• Strengthening writing in grades 3–5 through clear prompts, purposeful feedback, and our upcoming Writer’s Workshop Bootcamp
• How intervention & extension work on our campus through student tiering and targeted skill support
• Ways families can reinforce learning at home with quick strategies that build reading comprehension and writing strength

For anyone who was unable to attend — or for those who would like to revisit the information — the PDF of the presentation is linked below.

Over the past few weeks, our teachers have been deeply engaged in ensuring every student receives the right level of academic support:

• Two weeks ago – Teachers focused on reinforcing routines and instructional systems (like student tiering and small group implementation) that help students thrive during daily learning.
• Last week – Teachers reviewed student performance to identify specific skill deficits where support is needed.
• This week – We are completing Intervention Plans for all students receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 services, outlining targeted strategies to accelerate their growth.

While Tier 1 students do not receive intervention plans, they do participate in purposeful extension activities that keep them growing above grade level.

As shared during our Chat & Chew, families can always stay informed by asking teachers three key questions:
✅ What tier is my child currently in?
✅ What specific skill are they working to strengthen?
✅ How can I help reinforce this skill at home?
(Reference the PDF from our Chat & Chew for additional details.)

This past week, teachers also gathered updated assessment data to get a snapshot of each student’s progress from the beginning of the school year to now. We will continue this important work during our Professional Development Day on November 7th to ensure our plans remain focused and responsive.

The HISD Sunrise Center at West Orem would like to extend a special invitation to Parker Elementary families to join us for a Nutrition Presentation hosted by Harris Health. Families will learn about making nutritious choices, healthy eating tips, and ways to support overall wellness.

Following the presentation, parents will also have the opportunity to receive items from our food pantry and school supplies.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 5801 W. Orem Dr., Houston, TX 77085

We’re excited to host two upcoming parent workshops for families with students currently in Kindergarten–2nd grade bilingual classes, as well as those with 3rd–5th graders who were previously in bilingual classes.

• October 28th: Mrs. Bascom will meet with parents of 3rd–5th grade students who have transitioned out of bilingual classes. She’ll share practical strategies to support your child’s continued success in English.
• October 30th: Ms. Monita will lead a session for parents of current bilingual students, focusing on ways to strengthen your child’s Spanish reading development at home.

Join us for tacos, coffee, and raffles. We’d love to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Grosso or Evelyn Olivares.

This month, we’re talking about Responsibility — because being responsible is like being your own superhero! You can always count on yourself to do the right thing.

Each week in October, we’ll focus on different ways to show responsibility at home, at school, and within ourselves.

October 7–10: Be Responsible at Home
Come prepared to class, bring your homework, practice your instrument, and be a helper.
Show your parents and teachers they can rely on you to do the right thing!

October 13–17: Be Responsible in Class
Keep your area clean, pay attention, and complete your assignments.
Show your teachers they can count on you to stay focused and ready to learn.

October 20–24: Be Responsible in Common Areas
Make good choices in the restrooms, cafeteria, and playground.
Keep areas clean, walk quietly and orderly in the hallways, and be kind to others.
Show everyone you can be trusted to do the right thing—everywhere you go!

October 27–31: 💫 Be Responsible by Being Self-Aware
Accept responsibility for your actions, recognize your part, and take steps to make it right.
Say sorry and try to do better next time. You can be your own superhero—
show yourself that you can rely on you!

🚗🍬 Trunk-or-Treat

Join us for one of Parker’s favorite free community events on November 1 at 5:00 pm! We need your help to make this spooky celebration a success. Visit https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/story/297162 to see how you can get involved! We need folks to help host a trunk, prizes for the best trunks!

👻 Boo Bags Extended!

Surprise a friend and support the PTO! Boo Bags are now available through October 30. 🎃

Pick up your bag on October 28 at 7 AM, 3 PM, or 5 PM — please note, bags won’t be delivered to classrooms.

Learn more and order here: parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/treatbags

Need a different pickup time? Email businessdevelopment@parkerpto.org to arrange one.

🎉APEX Fun Run Kicks Off November 3rd!

Get ready, Parker Lions! — Apex is back! From November 3–14, students will learn leadership and fitness skills, fundraise with family and friends, and cap it all off with the Fun Run obstacle course on November 14!

💡 Goal: Raise funds for essential curriculum needs, plus classroom projects chosen by each grade.

It’s one of our favorite school events of the year — full of energy, teamwork, and Panther pride! Stay tuned for volunteer info and ways to cheer on your runners!

🎟️ Socials

There’s still time to join the fun! A few Socials have sold out, but many are still available. Visit the website to grab your spot and enjoy these awesome community get-togethers! https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/socials

---

Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-987-2052 (PTO)

Guitar Workshop is right around the corner!

If you’d like to make a donation to help cover workshop costs or pre-purchase additional workshop t-shirts, please use this link. Note: You do not need to purchase a t-shirt for your guitar student—each student will receive one workshop t-shirt. T-shirt orders are due October 29!

Music Fees
Thank you to the families who have already paid.

Still need to pay? You have a few options.

• Complete the form and pay online: https://bit.ly/parkermusicfees
• Online Form: Fill it out online and bring your payment in person. Drop it in the blue Parker Friends box in the front office.
• Paper Form: Pick one up in the front office or download it here
• Checks payable to Parker Friends.

Instrument Check-Out
If your child has or will be checking out an instrument this year, please fill out the contact form (if you haven’t already): https://bit.ly/parkercheckout

--

Julie Doyle-Madrid (She/Her/Hers)

Executive Director

Parker Friends

julie@parkerfriends.org

www.parkerfriends.org

832-910-7761