PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker Families:

We had another very busy week at Parker. Our Sixth-Grade students were treated to a fabulous assembly by Paulette Morin, an Egyptologist, who gave an interactive and fascinating presentation on Ancient Egypt complete with artifacts. The show was entertaining and fun but also reinforced and extended the learning in our social studies unit. The days are finally starting to lengthen with more sunlight. Now we just need the mercury to rise!

SOUPER Bowl - February 2nd through 6th

We have had a successful return of our annual Souper Bowl food drive that directly benefits families in need in our community. All food donations will go directly to the Chelmsford Food Pantry. Many in our community are struggling with food insecurity and the help that we, as a school community, provided is tremendously appreciated. This drive continues Parker's commitment to service learning and empowering our students to realize the positive difference they can make in their community. Some members of our Student Council will help deliver the food to the food pantry next week and learn more about their mission.

Parker Artists of the Month

We are proud to announce the Parker Artists of the Month: Dua Iqbal for Grade 5 and Alexandra Provencher for Grade 6. Both students have impressed Ms. Annunziata with their creativity, passion, and skill. We are so proud of you!

STEM Fair - March 26

We are excited to announce Parker's first STEM Fair (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) on March 26. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to embrace inquiry and investigation in a fun and supportive setting. Students are encouraged to work in teams, pairs, or individually. Register your child below!

STEM Fair Registration Form

Second Step - Social Emotional Learning Curriculum

Our students continued with our SEL Curriculum with Grade five continuing their unit on Bullying and Harassment and our sixth graders ran Restorative Circles focusing on Friendship and Bullying. Please see a summary of the lesson as well as a conversation starter to continue the learning at home.

Grade 5: Responding to Online Bullying

Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will use what they know about in-person bullying to compare it to online bullying. They’ll learn and apply different strategies for responding to online bullying in a safe and healthy way.

Question: Tell your child your thoughts on how social media has changed since you were in school. Ask your child about their thoughts on the benefits and disadvantages of social media in the world today.

Grade 6: Restorative Circles

This week students were involved in Restorative Circles discussing friendship and bullying. Each student was given the opportunity to respond to a related prompt. In doing so students learn from one another in a safe and supportive setting.

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

Josh

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY ARTISTS OF THE MONTH!

DUA IQBAL-GRADE 5 and ALEX PROVENCHER-GRADE 6

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Massachusetts General Law c. 71, s. 57 requires all publicly enrolled students in grades 5 through 9 to receive annual postural screening for scoliosis. Postural screening is essential as your child is going through his/her most rapid growth rate during 5th-9th grade. During this time, early detection of spinal curvature can create opportunities for the easiest treatment to correct the growth of the spine. These screenings are generally part of your child’s annual physical examination with their primary care provider. However, we will conduct scoliosis screenings at school to ensure all students meet this requirement.

Postural screenings will occur during all PE classes Monday, February 9th through the 13th. I will screen the girls, and Mr. McCarthy will screen the boys. All screenings are done individually, and student privacy is provided for. We ask that female students wear or bring a bathing suit top on the day of the screening; sports bras may cover the scapula and obscure the visualization of the spine and therefore are not optimal. Males will be asked to remove their shirt to ensure appropriate visualization of the bare back to properly see the curves of the spine. If your child is not comfortable participating in this screening during the school day, you may decline the screening by emailing the school nurse with your child’s name and homeroom teacher.

We recommend, in this case, contacting your health care provider to ensure they have been screened at their annual physical.

If your child has recently had a scoliosis screening by their primary care physician, and you would like to excuse them from this screening, please email the school nurse. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school nurse at kamenidesl@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. Please put Postural Screening in the subject line of the email.

Lisa Kamenides, MSN, RN, NCSN

School Nurse

Tuesday - February 10th

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

ASL-American Sign Language - Ms. Hamilton - Room 117

Festival Orchestra - Ms. Tiano - Room 8

Intramurals-Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Hardock, Ms. Olsson-GYM-GRADE 5-GROUP 5A check Google Classroom

Jazz Band - Mr. Linsner - Band Room

Mindfulness & Crafts-Ms. Marino–Room 124

PLEASE NOTE RUNNING CLUB will NOT be meeting until the Spring. Watch the bulletin for updates~Thank you.

Wednesday - February 11th

Book Club - Ms. Beaudoin - Room 125

Homework Club - Ms. Hamilton - Room 117

Fitness Club - Mr. Lee - Fitness Room

FITNESS CLUB IS OPEN FOR SIGN-UPS for the rest of the school year. Please fill out google form here: Term 3/4 Fitness Club Sign Up Link Please only sign up if your student is not already busy with other commitments. Thank you! The new grouping will be starting on the Wednesday after February Vacation.

Intramurals - Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Hardock, Ms. Olsson- Grade 6 - GYM-Check Google Classroom

Parker Cares - Ms. Rappaport - Room 109

Power Hour – Ms. Panneton - Room 213B

Seasonal Crafts/No Bake Club-Ms. Stuz - Room 107

Thursday - February 12th

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

Festival Band - Mr. Linsner-Band Room

Game Club - Ms. Baillargeon-Library- GRADE 6 TODAY

Intramurals - Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Hardock, Ms. Olsson-Grade 5-Group 5B-GYM

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

STUDENT COUNCIL-Ms. Engel & Ms. Merrill-Room 204

BEST BUDDIES, DRAMA CLUB, INTRAMURALS & YEARBOOK CLUB-Please check google classroom for schedule. ~THANK YOU

Monday, February 2nd thru Friday, February 6th-19th Annual "Souper Bowl" see flyer below

Thursday, February 5th-Early Release day-dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Monday, February 9th thru Friday, February 13th-PRIDE WEEK

Monday, February 16th thru Friday February 20th-No School VACATION Week

Monday, February 23rd-School Resumes

Monday, March 2nd thru Friday, March 6th - Spirit Week, see flyer below for themes

Wednesday, March 11th - Early Release day - dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Thursday, March 26th - STEM Fair 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. see file below for more details

BRRR!!! It's cold outside!! 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.

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.

DRAMA: Check schedule weekly for updates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bkuEEpcdfAKv7FGLqdZp5EKnc6IKpymJmRHEf1-cKmE/edit?tab=t.0

SELECT CHORUS: See the Fall/Winter schedule here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a9Sa7k8JvjQ53aaZi0qA30pR6OBp4P3cG2-SuDQybTI/edit?usp=sharing

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.

🎟️ Calendar Raffle: More Teen Time, Less Screen Time!

We are asking families to virtually sell raffle tickets to win awesome daily prizes. See the calendar of daily prizes here. The tickets are $10 per ticket and can be purchased online or by scanning the below QR code. Share the link and code via social media or email with family and friends. For every 10 raffle tickets sold your student’s name will be entered into a drawing to win a student participation GRAND PRIZE! Online sales end on Saturday, February 28th.

🏒 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!

• Saturday, February 21st @ 6:05 PM Click link to order tickets

🏀 Harlem Globetrotters - STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE

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

🦁🎤🎶 Chelmsford Middle Schools' Showboat - May 16th 2026

All middle school students are invited to audition and attend! This is our version of a talent show. email for more information.

• Auditions take place between 3/30 and 4/10
• Groups acts encouraged
• Emcees needed
• See the attached flyer for more information.

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.

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.

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

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