PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker Families:

It was a very busy week at Parker! We started the week with Math MCAS for our fifth-grade students and ended it with Math MCAS for the sixth graders. We celebrated completing MCAS for the year by hosting a fabulous Spring Fling social for our sixth-grade students. We have another busy week ahead of us and some exciting events with which to look forward.

MCAS Make Up for Math

Any students who missed sessions of Math MCAS will be taking the test on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Please encourage your child to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast so that they are primed to do their very best.

6th Grade Social - May 15 - 2:45-4:00 PM

Our amazing PTO sponsored our Sixth grade Spring Socials today. It was so fun watching the kids enjoy one another, dance, play games, eat some fun snacks, and revel in being kids!

Parker PRIDE Run - We are excited to host our annual Parker Pride run this Sunday May 18 at 9am. This is a fun and family friendly event sponsored by our awesome PTO. We hope to see you all there. More details below.

WE ARE PARKER - Thursday, June 4 - 5-8 PM - SAVE THE DATE!!!!!

We are excited to announce a wide school community celebration to culminate our year at Parker Middle School on Thursday June 4 from 5-8 PM. Working in conjunction with our Parker School Council made up of parents and staff members, we have planned a fun and family friendly event that will celebrate all of the wonderful strengths, interests, and personalities present in our community. There will be a variety of great activities that appeal to the diverse interests inherent in our school community including:

• A variety of food trucks representing multiple ethnic foods

• A cabaret show highlighting our talented actors and performers

• A badminton tournament

• An art exhibit and interactive maker space for children to create art

• Outside yard games and activities

There is no charge for the event except for any food purchased at the food trucks. This is a new tradition here at Parker and we hope to see you all there. Families are encouraged to drop in when they are able over the three hours. More information and a flyer can be seen below.

Social Emotional Learning - Second Step

We will continue or social emotional curriculum next week with our fifth grade students continuing the unit on Empathy and Kindness while our sixth-grade students will continue their unit on Managing relationships and Social Conflict.

Grade 5 - What’s the Problem?

Summary: In this lesson, your child will use empathy to identify problems in their school community and think about how these problems might affect other people. This is an important first step toward making positive change in the community.

Try This at Home: Ask your child what problems they see in your neighborhood that affect other people. Point out how empathy helped them notice those problems.

Grade 6: What Works Best for You? Resolving Challenging Conflicts

Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will think through different ways to resolve a conflict and choose the one they think is best.

Question: Ask your child why they think different conflicts need different solutions. Tell your child about a time when you had to think about the best way to solve a conflict. What did you think about? Did it work out in the end?

Have a great week everyone. Please reach out if you need support.

Warm regards,

Josh

Tuesday-May 19th

Art Club–Ms. Annunziata–Room 4–Grade 6 Today

ASL-Ms. Hamilton-Room 117

Festival Orchestra - Ms. Tiano - Room 8

Intramurals-Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Hardock-GYM-GRADE 5

Mindfulness & Crafts-Ms. Marino–Room 124

SPRING TRACK-Ms. Baker/Mr. Felzani-Practice at Parker-Meet in the Cafeteria (2:40-3:40)

Wednesday - May 20th

Book Club - Ms. Beaudoin - Room 125

Homework Club - Ms. Hamilton -Room 117

Fitness Club - Mr. Lee - Fitness Room

Intramurals - Mr. McCarthy-Grade 6-GYM

Power Hour – Ms. Panneton - Room 213B

Seasonal Crafts & No Bake Club - Ms. Stutz-Room 107

Thursday - May 21st - LAST DAY FOR CLUBS

Art Club - Ms. Annunziata - Room 4 - Group 5B

Festival Band - Mr. Linsner-Band Room

Game Club - Ms. Baillargeon-Library

Spring Track - Ms. Baker/Mr. Felzani - TRACK MEET at INNOVATION ACADEMY, 72 Tyng Road, Tyngsboro (start time 3:30) *All students need their own transportation to and from the meet.

Stand-Up Parker-Mr. Lee - Conference Room 240A

Sunday, May 17th - Parker Pride Run - See details under PTO

Thursday, May 21st - Last day of Clubs and Late Buses

Monday, May 25th - No School - Memorial Day

Thursday, June 4th - We Are Parker & Cabaret

Monday, June 15th - Last day of school-Early release-dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

REMINDER - PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS SET A 2:15 p.m. CUT-OFF TIME FOR ALL STUDENT DISMISSALS AS IT IS A CRITICAL SAFETY MEASURE THAT ENSURES A SECURE AND ORDERLY END TO THE SCHOOL DAY.

~THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THIS POLICY. Please contact the office with any questions or concerns.

In order to provide a positive and engaging learning environment it is important that students are freed from unnecessary distractions. Cell phones and smart watches have proven to be a major distraction and source of anxiety and social drama for students.

If students need to contact home, they should see their teacher/administrator to receive permission to use the phone in the classroom or office. Conversely, if a parent needs to speak with a student, the parent should call the school office. All cell phones and/or smart watches should be off while in school. Any student using a cell phone and or smart watch while school is in session will have that cell phone and/or smart watch confiscated by administration. A first offense will lead to a warning and the administrator will return the phone to the student at the end of the day. Second and subsequent offenses will result in the phone being returned only to the parent and/or further disciplinary actions.

We would prefer that all cell phones and smart watches remain at home. If the cell phone and/or smart watch accompanies your child to school then please reinforce the expectation that they BOTH will be stored in their backpacks and powered down. Any communication with your child should be conducted through the main office or will be accessed after school has ended for the day. We appreciate your support for this policy. It is our experience that when freed from the pull of their phones and social media students are able to concentrate, be fully present, and be active participants in their education.

Registration is NOW OPEN for Nik Sperounis All Sports!!!

July 21 - 23

9am - 12pm (check in begins at 8:30am)

Boys and Girls ages 7-13

Chelmsford High School

All proceeds benefit the Nikolas Sperounis Memorial Scholarship

SIGN UP - www.ns21.net (http://www.ns21.net/)

🦁🎤🎶 Lions' Middle School Showboat - THIS WEEKEND

You won't want to miss this amazing talent show starring our very own middle school students grades 5-8! The Chelmsford Middle School Showboat talent show is happening on Saturday, May 16th at the CHS Performing Arts Center (PAC), with two shows. Fifth and sixth grade will take the stage from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and seventh and eighth grade will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets available here!

🎽🏃👟 Parker Pride Run - THIS Sunday, May 17th at 9:00 AM - Still need volunteers!

Lace up those sneakers! The 2026 Parker Pride Run is set for Sunday, May 17th at 9:00 AM, and we can’t wait to see our community come together for this fun and exciting event. Students, families, friends, and staff are all welcome to join! 👉 Register here (registration will also be available at the event). Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, this is a great way to support our school and have a fantastic time together. We hope to see you there! 💙 Volunteers are needed to make this event a success! If you’re able to help out, we’d love your support, Sign up here.

🌸 Parker Staff Appreciation Week | May 18–22 🌸

The Parker PTO is excited to celebrate our incredible staff during Staff Appreciation Week, May 18–22! Throughout the week, staff members will enjoy special treats and activities including a Flower Bar, Summer Street Lunch, Grab & Go Breakfast, 5-Minute Massages, and a visit from the Frozen Pedal Ice Cream Bike. We would love your help in making this week extra special! If you are interested in volunteering or contributing, please 👉 Sign Up here

✏️📓 In person PTO Meeting -Thursday, June 11th @ 6:30 pm

Join us at our meeting to discuss activities for next year. Parker & McCarthy PTOs work collaboratively to provide community building activities, provide enrichment programs for our students and families and support our teachers. Upcoming events, activities and additional information can also be found on our new website. We still need volunteers for board and chair positions. Please reach out to us with any interest.

⚾🧢Lowell Spinners are BAAACK:

Enjoy this exclusive discount offer as the Lowell Spinners return to LeLacheur Park for their first season since 2019 and defend home turf against the Vermont Lake Monsters! Come support the Parker & McCarthy Middle schools and have a fun night at the ballpark with classmates & friends!! Click here to purchase tickets.

If your student is going to be absent, tardy or dismissed please:

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. Please call the office if you have any questions or need clarification. ~ Thank you for your understanding.

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