PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker Families:

It was a wonderful week at Parker as we embraced a Kindness Spirit Week compete with Spirit Dress Up days and students were "caught" by staff performing acts of kindness to others. We were also thrilled to welcome back the Bionic Project, an inspiring organization that promotes inclusion, accessibility, and the celebration of individual abilities. Our fifth-grade students embraced their message, asked thoughtful questions, and added their own perspectives to the discussion. Our sixth graders enjoyed workshops where they were asked to plan a new stadium that would be accessible for all. It was powerful to hear our students see the obstacles many buildings present to those with disabilities, propose solutions, and understand how a universal design benefits us all. Some of our students also were able to use assistive technology and play amputee soccer with the athletes from the Bionic Project. It was a truly a fantastic experience for our students.

Social Emotional Learning

Students had restorative discussions in our SEL Block this week where they shared their strengths, challenges, and how to be inclusive and kind to those who are different from them. It was heartening to hear our students share some of their personal challenges which in turn allowed their peers to gain an understanding and empathy for their experience.

Discuss at Home

I encourage you to share with your child a personal challenge and strength from your experience. Perhaps ask your child to share how they may be more inclusive to those in your family's life.

Open House

There was a fantastic turnout for our fifth grade Open House last night. It is our goal to build and maintain strong ties with home so as to support and empower our students to gain skills, build independence, and thrive! I am very proud of the excellent staff we have here at Parker. They are committed, passionate, skilled, and empathetic. Please be sure to reach out to your child's teacher with any questions or concerns. The sixth grade open house will take place on Thursday, September 25.

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

Warm Regards,

Josh

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Tuesday, September 16th - School Picture Day

Wednesday, September 17th - Early Release Day dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Thursday, September 25th - Open House for Grade 6 Curriculum Night 6-7:30 p.m.

SMILE! School Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th. Picture form envelopes were sent home with your student last week. Please check in with your student and follow instructions to fill out form. Students should bring the form to school on picture day. Please call the office with any questions.

Our first early release day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th, dismissal is at 11:10 a.m. This is a great time to review our Transportation Protocol, especially related to buses. Please read important information in the document below. If you have any questions regarding transportation or buses, please contact CPS Transportation Liaison, Peter Brekalis at 978-251-5100 or email him at brekalisp@chelmsford.k12.ma.us ~ Thank you.

Bus Registration 2026

Parker Middle School has water filling stations throughout the building. We also have cups in the office for students to use. ~Thank you.

The Box Tops for Education app allows you to earn cash for schools by purchasing participating Box Tops products and scanning your store receipts or digital receipts. You can download the free app for iOS and Android devices, select your school, scan the receipt, and the app automatically identifies and credits your school for the products. Earnings are posted to the school's account and checks are sent to the schools twice a year.

1. Download the App: Get the Box Tops for Education app from your device's app store.
2. Select Your School: Choose a school to support, or find a school in need.
3. Shop: Purchase Box Tops products that have the Box Tops icon.
4. Scan Receipts: Open the app, tap "Scan," and take a clear, well-lit photo of your store receipt to earn cash for your school.
5. Earn: The app automatically identifies the Box Tops products and adds the earnings to your school's account.
6. Receive Funds: Eligible schools receive checks twice a year based on the earnings credited to their accounts.

WAYS TO EARN:

Connected Accounts:
Connect your account to participating retailers, like Walmart, to automatically earn when you buy eligible products.

Bonus Box Tops:

Participate in special promotions and sweepstakes to earn extra earnings for your school.

Dear Parents,

Please see link below for the Chelmsford Public Schools 2025-2026 Family/Student Handbook for your reference. https://chelmsfordschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Family-and-Student-Handbook-2025-2026-FINAL.pdf

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.

Happy Friday Parker Families! Parker PTO has some exciting activities planned for the 2025/2026 school year! We will be looking for parent volunteers to help throughout the school year. Be on the lookout for more information and volunteer sign ups in the upcoming weeks! A few upcoming activities below:

📆 PTO Meeting Thursday, October 9th @ 6:30 in McCarthy ElementaryLibrary: Join us for the first PTO meeting of the school year! Parker & McCarthy PTOs work collaboratively to provide community building activities, provide enrichment programs for our students and families and support our teachers. We encourage any middle school parent/guardian to join us.

📚 Scholastic Book Fair The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to Parker library in October 2025. Students will have the ability to shop during school hours. Families will have the opportunity to shop online or during our annual Pizza, Paperbacks and Pumpkins event. You won't want to miss this Parker favorite! Each year we ask parents to help staff the fair during school hours so students can shop. Volunteer responsibilities include running cash registers, stocking shelves and helping students purchase items. More details to follow including date for Pizza, Paperbacks and Pumpkins, online shopping link, and volunteer sign ups.

💻 Check out our website for a list of PTO meetings and other information.

If you have any questions and/or want to get involved, please reach out to Parker PTO at PTOParker@gmail.com. As always, thank you for your continued support of our school!

It is a FREE art initiative open to artists of all ages in the Chelmsford community and beyond. All mediums are welcome, including drawing, watercolor, and collage. Participants are encouraged to explore prompts in their sketchbooks, but the prompts can also inspire free-standing artwork. Developed by Parker Middle School artist-educator Ashley Norman, this project is perfect for starting or maintaining an art practice throughout the year. A new calendar of prompts will be shared each month via school email and on Instagram@chelmsford_middle_school_art and @artedgeek.

Want to Share Your Work?

Email your art to normana@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Directions to set up your account and order:

1. URL Link: https://family.onlineordering.linq.com/
2. Sign up now: Email, create password.
3. School District: Chelmsford Public Schools
4. Student ID: This can be found on X2-Student's ID Number
5. Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, student's name should appear on page

1. School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)
2. Scroll to week of half day/early release date (top right of page)
3. Find date, select meal option
4. Add item to cart/Select add to order
5. Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page
6. Click check-out
7. Select pick-up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom. Middle/High school pick up location cafeteria.
8. Place order

Early Release Dates:

Wednesday, September 17th

Thursday, October 23rd

Wednesday, November 19th

Thursday, December 11th

Tuesday, January 13th

Thursday, February 5th

Wednesday, March 11th

Tuesday, April 7th

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