PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN
Week of November 24th, 2025
Early Dismissal for Middle School Students - All middle school students should be dismissed before the end of the day only in cases of emergency. It is extremely important that students attend school for the entire school day. In cases of requests for early dismissal, it is essential that students present a note, preferably emailed to ParkerAttendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us to include the date and time for dismissal. Students will not be allowed to go to anyone's home or with anyone else without a note from their parent or guardian. Parents/Guardians who need to have students dismissed early should come to the office. All students will be dismissed directly from the office. No student is allowed to leave the building without checking out from the office first. Parent/Student Handbook, page 6. CPS Family/Student Handbook 2025/2026
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.
Why the 2:15 p.m. cutoff is crucial for safety
Minimizes disruption: A cutoff prevents a continuous stream of parents from pulling students out of class at various times, which can interrupt academic instruction and cause confusion.
Maximizes supervision: A standardized and predictable dismissal routine allows staff to focus their attention on the safety of all students leaving school. Having staff pulled away to process late requests can leave other students under-supervised.
Reduces traffic hazards: Managing traffic flow is a major safety concern at dismissal. A firm deadline helps control congestion in and around the school. Late requests force parents to navigate a heavy flow of buses and carpool traffic, which increases the risk of accidents.
Prevents unauthorized pickups: A clear policy ensures that all pickup requests are processed through the main office before the afternoon rush. Staff can verify the identity of authorized individuals without pressure, preventing any unauthorized releases of students.
Prepares for emergencies: In the event of a school emergency, a strict dismissal protocol allows for a more organized and effective response. School staff will know the exact location of all students, preventing a chaotic search.
~THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED COOPERATION WITH THIS POLICY. Please contact the office with any questions or concerns.
NOVEMBER
Wednesday, November 26th-Early Release Day-dismissal at 11:10 a.m.
Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th-No School
🦃HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
DECEMBER
Monday, December 1st-School Resumes
Sunday, December 7th-PTO CRAFT FAIR - see below for more information
Thursday, December 11th - Early Release Day dismissal at 11:10 a.m. - Parent/Teacher Conferences - Session 2Sunday, December 21st - First day of Winter
Wednesday, December 24th thru Friday, January 2nd-No School-Winter Break
Monday, January 5th-School Resumes
Student Vision Screening for All Grade 5 Students
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulation 105 CMR 200.400 mandates vision screening for all public-school students. This includes screening upon school entry, annually through grade 5, once in grades 6-8, and once in grades 9-12.
We will conduct these screenings November 24th and 25th. Students who wear corrective lenses (glasses/contacts) must bring them on the day of the screening.
If your child does not pass the initial screening, you will receive a letter requiring a follow-up with your primary care provider.
If you wish to excuse your child from this screening, please notify us by sending a note to the Nurses' Office or emailing kamenidesl@chelmsford.k12.ma.us with your child’s name and homeroom number/Teacher’s name.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Nurses' Office.
Lisa Kamenides, RN & Donna Foley, LPN
BRRR!!! Cold weather is coming. Parker students will still be going outside for recess/outside break every day, weather permitting. Please BUNDLE UP!! Remember to wear appropriate clothing, sweatshirts, warm coats, hats and gloves are recommended.
The lost and found racks are overflowing with your student's stuff! There are sweatshirts, coats, lunch boxes, water bottles galore and a lot more. Please ask your students to check for any lost or missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of over the winter break in December. ~Thank you.
DRAMA: The cast list is out and we have had a successful first rehearsal. Check schedule weekly for updates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bkuEEpcdfAKv7FGLqdZp5EKnc6IKpymJmRHEf1-cKmE/edit?tab=t.0
SELECT CHORUS:The official roster is out and we have also had a successful first rehearsal. See the Fall/Winter schedule here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a9Sa7k8JvjQ53aaZi0qA30pR6OBp4P3cG2-SuDQybTI/edit?usp=sharing
Clubs & Activities run from 2:40 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. Late buses will be provided on those days.
The Activity Fee is $50 per student. To pay PLEASE CLICK ON LINK My School Bucks preferred method of payment (SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW). The activity fee allows students to take full advantage of any clubs they wish to attend. The after-school activities run from 2:40-3:40 on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday throughout the year. Students also have the option of taking a late bus home. The routes are posted in the school and will not be posted publicly. We will work with students and the drivers to be sure students take the correct bus home. Since we only have 8 late buses, for both McCarthy and Parker the stops tend to be more spread out than the “regular” bus runs. After activities, students who are not taking a bus will exit the school into the Crooked Spring Road lot and can be picked up there.
Please SEE UPDATED BROCHURE for more details: Parker Middle School Clubs & Activities Brochure 2025-2026
Yearbooks are now on sale! Emails have been sent by our yearbook company (Walsworth) with an ordering link, but you can also order at https://yearbookforever.com/
No books will be available for sale in June...don't miss out on capturing this year's memories!
Check out the below upcoming PTO activities. You can always reach us at ptoParker@gmail.com. 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.
🍬🥣🧑🍳 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Sign up to join the fun at the Parker Craft Fair for our 2nd Annual Middle School Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. This contest is FREE to enter and open to all. Four fabulous prizes will be awarded (1st-3rd place and "Fan Favorite"). Gingerbread creations will be on display during the craft fair and winners will be announced at 12 pm on Sunday, December 7th. You do not need to be present to win. Click link for more information and to enter the contest: 2025 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Good luck and happy decorating!
❄️☃️Parker Craft Fair- Sunday, December 7th 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Parker PTO is proud to present our 5th Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, December 7th. Stop by our school and shop local vendors. This is a GREAT opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping and support local businesses. All adult and all student vendors are welcome to join the fun. Table spaces are $30 + one raffle donation for adult vendors and $10 + one raffle donation for student vendors. Click link to sign up: 2025 Parker Middle School Craft Fair Vendor registration closes on November 29th.
🍪🎁 Cookie Stroll
Calling all bakers! (and shoppers) Parker PTO will be putting together a cookie stroll for our December staff appreciation. The conference room will be transformed into a cookie shop with delicious treats from our families Each staff member will take home cookies to their families. The PTO is looking for donations of 1 to 2 dozen homemade or store bought cookies or treats. Our volunteers will help decorate and set up the cookies. This tradition is a true favorite of our staff and teachers. Don't miss this opportunity to thank those amazing staff members! Click to sign up
🏒 Riverhawks Hockey:
UML Riverhawks will be hosting Chelmsford Middle Schools. Meet all your middle school friends at the Tsongas for two great nights of hockey!
- Sunday, December 28th @ 3:30 PM Click link to order tickets
- Saturday, February 21st @ 6:05 PM Click link to order tickets
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team founded in 1996 in Harlem, New York, known for their combination of elite athleticism, entertainment, and comedic showmanship. Support the PTO as $5 of each ticket will be donated back to the Middle Schools PTO.
- Saturday, February 14th @ 2:00 PM Click link to order tickets
❄️⛄🎶 Winter Socials
Every January we have a social for each of the two grades. There is music, games, snacks, and activities in the gym. The kids LOVE it and have a blast. We are looking for some help planning entertainment, logistics and staffing. Contact Sarah at sayholland@gmail.com with interest and ideas. Save the below dates!
- Grade 5 Social - Friday, January 16th - 2:40 to 4:00 PM
- Grade 6 Social - Friday, January 23rd - 2:40 to 4:00 PM
📆 Virtual PTO Meeting - Thursday, December 11th @ 6:30
We encourage any middle school parent/guardian to join us to learn about upcoming events and activities throughout the school year. PTO meetings will be virtual until May 2026.
Thank you!
Hi Everyone,
The November Sketchbook Spectacular calendars are attached! This month’s prompts celebrate the spirit of the season and are designed to spark warmth, gratitude, and reflection as we head into the colder weather and shorter days.
You’ll find English, Spanish, and Portuguese versions included again. As always, you can interpret the prompts however you and your students wish: sketching, collage, painting, writing, or even mixed media. The goal is simply to keep the creative habit alive, especially as the days grow shorter.
If you try any of these with your classes (or in your own sketchbook!), I’d love to see or hear how it goes.
Wishing you a month of creativity, reflection, and gratitude. Sending you all lots of light.
With gratitude,
Ashley
IT'S AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3!
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.
- Download the App: Get the Box Tops for Education app from your device's app store.
- Select Your School: Choose a school to support, or find a school in need.
- Shop: Purchase Box Tops products that have the Box Tops icon.
- Scan Receipts: Open the app, tap "Scan," and take a clear, well-lit photo of your store receipt to earn cash for your school.
- Earn: The app automatically identifies the Box Tops products and adds the earnings to your school's account.
- 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.
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.
Ordering Student Lunches on Early Release Days
Directions to set up your account and order:
- URL Link: https://family.onlineordering.linq.com/
- Sign up now: Email, create password.
- School District: Chelmsford Public Schools
- Student ID: This can be found on X2-Student's ID Number
- 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
- School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)
- Scroll to week of half day/early release date (top right of page)
- Find date, select meal option
- Add item to cart/Select add to order
- Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page
- Click check-out
- Select pick-up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom. Middle/High school pick up location cafeteria.
- Place order
Early Release Dates:
Thursday, December 11th
Tuesday, January 13th
Thursday, February 5th
Wednesday, March 11th
Tuesday, April 7th
Parker Middle School
Email: robinsond@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road
Phone: 978-251-5133