April 19, 2026

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we have just seven more weeks, and every single one of them matters. Our focus remains strong on ensuring students finish the year with confidence and growth.

This week marks an important milestone as our 3rd–5th grade students begin STAAR testing. On Tuesday, April 21, our 5th graders will take their Science STAAR, followed by the Math STAAR for all 3rd–5th graders on Thursday, April 23. Please note that our campus will be closed to visitors on testing days to ensure a focused and secure testing environment.

At the same time, our youngest learners are also demonstrating their growth. The assessment window for CIRCLE (Pre-K) and DIBELS (Kinder–2nd) begins this week. These assessments are critical in helping us monitor early literacy progress and ensure strong foundations for all students.

Report cards for Cycle V will be sent home on Friday, April 24. This is a great opportunity to review your child’s progress and continue supporting them through the final weeks of school.

Looking ahead, Parker Elementary will serve as a host campus for Summer School from June 10 through July 17. We will welcome students from Anderson ES, Bell ES, Elrod ES, Foerster ES, Halpin ECC, Gross ES, Red ES, and Tinsley ES.

Letters for students who are required or recommended to attend will be sent out soon. Please see the flyer below for general Summer School information.

I also want to take a moment to recognize Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day on April 22.

Ms. Heather Rowe, our Administrative Assistant to the Principal and Office Manager, does an exceptional job leading our front office operations, supporting campus finance and budgeting, and ensuring our systems run smoothly.

In addition, we are fortunate to have an incredible clerical team that supports our campus daily: Ms. Sanchez (Special Education and Student Support Services), Ms. Gibson (Magnet Clerk), Ms. Cook (Kinder and 3rd Grade), Mr. Pales (1st and 2nd Grade), and Ms. Cuellar (4th and 5th Grade).

These team members work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our teachers and students. Their impact is felt across the entire campus, and I encourage you to join me in celebrating and appreciating their dedication.

Finally, as we plan ahead for next school year, we are excited to introduce a New to Parker Parent Orientation. We recognize that families joining our campus have a wide range of questions, and we want to be intentional about supporting that transition.

During our recent Chat & Chew, we gathered input from parents on what would be most helpful for new families, as well as some general wonderings you may have. We invite you to continue sharing your ideas and questions here:

I will also address many of these questions at our final (morning only) Chat & Chew in May.

Just 7 more weeks to go! Let’s stay focused, finish strong, and continue doing what Parker does best.

- Principal Carter

We were excited to welcome the Brain Buzzed STEAM Bus to Parker Elementary as part of our continued commitment to strengthening student achievement in science. Our 5th grade students engaged in three hands-on, TEKS-aligned learning experiences specifically designed to target high-impact concepts and skills they have been working to master in preparation for the upcoming Science STAAR assessment. The energy, curiosity, and problem-solving we saw from students reinforced the power of interactive, real-world learning.

In partnership with this experience, we also hosted a parent workshop, with Ms. Quiocho, to provide families with a deeper understanding of the science STAAR expectations and the types of thinking and skills students are required to demonstrate. This collaboration ensures that our students are supported both at school and at home as they continue to grow.

Increasing science achievement remains a key priority for our campus, particularly on the STAAR assessment and NWEA. Experiences like the Brain Buzzed STEAM Bus are just one of the intentional steps we are taking to move this work forward. Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding science instruction in grades 3–5 next school year, ensuring students have more consistent exposure to critical science concepts and skills well before they reach 5th grade.

A special thank you to Ms. Grosso for bringing this vision to life and leading the organization of this experience for our 5th grade students.

We are proud of the momentum our students are building and remain steadfast in our mission to elevate science learning at Parker Elementary.

I had the pleasure of hosting a presentation to the 2nd Grade Girl Scout Troop for their "Best Self' Badge April 8 at Westbury Baptist Church. One of the requirements was to meet a health helper.

I Loved it!!

- Laurie Buchsbaum, School Nurse

The Parker Lions came out in force for the Houston Kids Triathlon last weekend. The triathletes swam in the lazy river, biked around the Katy Mills Mall parking lot and ran their hearts out through the finish line. Almost 1700 kids raced over Saturday and Sunday making this the largest kids' triathlon in the country.

With 51 Lions strong, our Pride gave our friends, family, and school an immense amount of pride as our team placed 1st in the Short Course Triathlon on Saturday. We even had Lions win individual medals and other placing in the Top 10 in their age group. Don't mess these 8- and 11-year-olds...they are something fierce.

A big congratulations goes out to....

Girls Awards in their Individual Age Groups
Beatrice M. - 6th
Margaret K. - 8th

Ellen K. - 2nd silver medal

Eloise H. - 9th
Anna Lee D. (Lion alum) - 6th
Teagan M. (Lion alum)- 4th

Boys Awards in their Individual Age Groups
Ezra H. - 2nd silver medal
Niko T. - 3rd bronze medal
River K. - 8th
Warren S. - 10th
Wesley C. - 4th
Harold T. - 5th
Hans B. (long course)- 6th Another
Wyatt S. - 8th
Rafael M. - 9th

A massive THANK YOU goes out to Katie Rutherford for being my partner in Strides and Tris. We could not have done the Parker Pride Striders running series or the Parker Tri team without her time, energy, and support.

Until next year, keep moving Lions!

- Coach Chili, Physical Education Instructor

PTO has purchased STAAR shirts for the entire grade level! If your child has not received their shirt, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Here’s when students can wear them:

• STAAR Testing Days:
• April 14: Reading
• April 21: Science (3rd & 4th Grade: You can also wear your shirt on April 21 to cheer on and support our testing 5th graders 💙)
• April 23: Math

Thank you, PTO, for providing these shirts at no cost! If you would like to support, donations are always appreciated.

--

Heather Grosso, Intervention Specialist

hgrosso@houstonisd.org

Hi Parker team, the annual PE Expo is just 3 weeks away!

On Friday, May 1st, all Parker students will participate in stations spread across the Parker field and inside the gym to demonstrate the skills, strength, and speed they have learned in Physical Education. Each class and/or grade level will wear a theme or color of their choosing, along with their tennis shoes, as they work together and have some fun.

Please be on the lookout for an email from our amazing PTO if you would like to volunteer for the event. Volunteer opportunities include set-up, clean-up, station leaders, station support, and classroom volunteers.

Unlike APEX, this is not an open event. If you want to see the students in action, you can volunteer to help.

Let's have some fun, Lions!

-- Coach Chili, Physical Education Instructor

Week 1 - Honesty: Being honest means telling the truth and not pretending. It’s saying what really happened even if it’s hard. This week, try to be honest in your words and actions.

Week 2 - Reliability: Being reliable is being true to your word. It means doing what you say you will do. This week, try to keep your promises, show up for yourself and others and be a reliable student and friend.

Week 3 - Punctuality: Punctuality is being on time. It’s showing up on time, so others can depend on you. This week, be on time for your school and other activities.

Week 4 - Loyalty: Loyalty is sticking by your friends and family, especially when they need support. This week, show loyalty by being there for your friends and family, sticking by their side and helping them through tough times.

Week 5 - Being Trustworthy: A trustworthy person tells the truth, keeps promises and makes safe and good choices. This week, be trustworthy by showing your friends they can count on you to do the right thing-even when no one is watching.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but due to inclement weather on April 10th, our World Cup Soccer Social is rescheduled.

The new date will be Friday, April 24th, and it will take place at the same time and location as originally planned.

⚽ Don’t miss out! Grab your World Cup Soccer Social spot by clicking the link below!

https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/socials

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you there for a fun and exciting event!

Thank you for your continued support.

- Evelyn Olivares, Wraparound Specialist / FACE Campus Coordinator

Kinder Round Up – April 28

We’re excited to welcome our incoming kinder families to Parker! 🎉 We need a few volunteers to help make it a great experience.

👉 Sign up here https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/167184

PE Expo Day – May 1
Most spots are filled (thank you!), but there are still a few openings if you’d like to jump in and help.

https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/peexpoday

5th Grade Families
Be sure to check the website for important dates and ways to support all the end-of-year events.
👉 https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/5thgrade

Looking Ahead to 2026–2027
Next year will be here before we know it, and we need chairs and board members to keep all the events and programs our kids love running strong.

Interested or just curious? Reach out to Crystal Laurie at present-elect@parkerpto.org. We’ll help find a role that fits your time and interests!

---

Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-978-2052 (PTO)

Thank you to everyone who has paid, we are up to 41% of music fees paid!!! If you still need to pay, you can pay online here or download a paper form here!

If you received a music fee reminder letter and have any questions about your payment status, please email me at julie@parkerfriends.org.

Thank you for supporting Parker’s music program! 🎶

---

Julie Doyle-Madrid

Executive Director, Parker Friends