Parker JHS Newsletter

Hello Parker Families!

Greetings Parker Students and Families,

Please see the important information and dates below.

Key Dates & Schedules

School Hours: 7:45 am - 2:33 pm

Drop-Off: Doors open at 7:33 AM. Scholars that arrive before this time must assemble at the Grade Level Entrance

6th Grade Scholars - Door B
7th Grade Scholars - Door G
8th Grade Scholars - Door J

School Entrance & Arrival Procedures

To ensure student safety and a smooth traffic flow, please use the designated entrances based on how your child arrives at school:

Bus Riders: Drop-off at the Bus Loop - Parking Lot.
Car Riders: Drop-off on School Street. Drivers must remain in their vehicles at all times and scholars must be dropped off only on the curb. Please do not drop off scholars from the passing lane.
Walkers and Bikers: Enter through the Parking Lot and assemble at the Grade Level Entrance

Save the Date: Open House

We invite you to join us for our annual Open House to meet your child's teachers, tour the classrooms, and learn more about our curriculum and goals for the year.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: North Gym and Individual Classrooms

We value your partnership and look forward to working closely with you to support your child's education. Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Educationally Yours,

Ursula Parris, Principal

Parker Junior High School

Important Dates

8.31.26

XCountry Tryouts - 3:05 p.m. - Parker Parking Lot
Boys Baseball Game vs CHMS - 4:15 p.m. - Mustang Field

9.1.26

XCountry Tryouts - 3:05 p.m. - Parker Parking Lot
Golf Practice - 3:15 p.m. - Coyote Run Golf Course
Girls Softball Game vs CHMS - 4:00 p.m. - Mustang Field
Boys Baseball Game vs CHMS - 4:15 p.m. - Mustang Field

9.2.26

Picture Day
Fall Play Audition - 3:05 p.m. - Room 12
Golf Practice - 3:15 p.m. - Coyote Run Golf Course
Girls Softball Game vs Crete - 4:00 p.m. - Mustang Field
Boys Baseball Game vs Crete - 4:15 p.m. - Mustang Field

9.3.26

Fall Play Audition - 3:05 p.m. - Room 12
Golf Practice - 3:15 p.m. - Coyote Run Golf Course
Girls Softball Game vs Memorial - 4:00 p.m. - Mustang Field

Meet Our Team

Falcon Feature of the Week

Welcome Dr. Sanders, Superintendent - Flossmoor SD 161

Dr. Sanders, Superintendent and Principal Parris

Dr. Sanders, Superintendent and Ms. Maclin, 6th Grade Social Worker

Dr. Sanders, Superintendent and Ms. Hussein, 7th Grade ELA Teacher

6th Grade Teachers and Grade Level Team Warmly Welcomed our 6th Grade Scholars

Picture Day - Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Arrival and Dismissal

Entrance and Exit - Parker Staff will be available to escort scholars to Grade Level Entrance
- 6th Grade Scholars - Door B
- 7th Grade Scholars - Door G
- 8th Grade Scholars - Door J
School Street is one way for Arrival and Dismissal
- Braemar Street to School Street to Douglass (Optional right or left turn)
- No Parking on School Street. Please maintain traffic flow and drop off scholars from Braemar Street!
Transportation

Bus information is available in Skyward for families. If you have any transportation questions, please contact Ms. Alma Gonzalez at 708-546-7072.
Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled pick up time on the first day of school.

Fall Play Auditions

Welcome back, Parker Jr High families!

The Theater Department is thrilled to announce our upcoming Fall Play, and it is going to be of epic proportions.

Get ready for Myth-Understood!

Overview: Two teens writing a report on Greek mythology are startled when they get a visit from Hermes, winged helmet and all! The messenger whisks them away to Mount Olympus, where various gods and goddesses retell their myths to the students in a more favorable light. In a quest to get people to worship them once again, Zeus and the other gods and goddesses want to put a more positive (and hilarious!) spin on their version of events.

Whether your student loves being in the spotlight or prefers working their magic behind the scenes, there is a place for them in the PJHS theater family.

Audition and crew packets will be available on the very first day of school in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Hallways.

Auditions: Mark your calendars! Official auditions will be held on September 1st and 2nd.

Please encourage your students to grab a packet if they are interested in acting, set design, lighting, costumes, or stage crew! We cannot wait to get started on this mythical adventure.

PBIS Stations

Parker Scholar leaders met with Teacher leaders and Administrative Team to discuss and collaborate on PBIS Stations. On the first two days of school, our scholars participated in PBIS Stations and Campus Tours to help them feel confident, safe, and ready for a successful year. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, which is our school-wide framework for creating a kind, predictable, and supportive learning environment.

What Are PBIS Stations and Campus Tours?

Instead of diving straight into academic schoolwork, the first 48 hours of school focus on community-building and navigating the campus.

Campus Tours: Students will walk the building with their teachers to locate essential areas like the cafeteria, main office, nurse's station, restrooms, and counselors' offices.
PBIS Stations: At different locations around the school, staff members and scholar leaders will host brief, interactive sessions. At these stations, students learn exactly what our school values (Respect, Responsibility, and Ready to Learn) look and sound like in that specific space.

What Did Scholars Learn at Each Station?

We explicitly teach expectations so that every scholar knows how to navigate the school day with confidence.

The Cafeteria (MUR): How to line up, where to sit, how to dispose of trash, and the process for exiting the MUR
The Hallways: Walking traffic patterns, appropriate voice levels, and how to use lockers efficiently.
The Restrooms: Expectations for privacy, cleanliness, and returning to class quickly.
The Bus Loop & Pick-Up Zones: Safe loading and unloading procedures, and where to wait after the dismissal bell.

Why We Do This?

Reduces Anxiety: Knowing exactly where to go and what to do eliminates the first-week jitters.
Creates Fairness: When rules are explicitly taught to everyone, every scholar knows exactly what is expected of them.
Boosts Instructional Time: Investing time in teaching routines now prevents disruptions later, allowing for more uninterrupted learning the rest of the year.

Student Council

The Student Council is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on our school. Throughout the year, we'll plan fun events, organize fundraisers, support service projects, and work together to make Parker an even better place for everyone.

This is a reminder that Student Council permission slips are due by Friday, September 11th. Please make sure your permission slip is signed and turned in by the deadline.

We're looking forward to a great year!

YONDR

Parker Junior High School will be a phone-free space. Scholars will be required to use the Yondr Pouch while in school. 6th , 7th and 8th Grade scholars will receive a Yondr pouch the 1st week of school. Scholars new to FSD 161 and PJHS will receive a Yondr pouch.