August 23, 2026
TWO WEEKS IN THE BOOKS!!!
We had a successful Week 2 at Parker, with much of the week focused on our Beginning-of-Year assessments. BOY NWEA MAP gives us our first real baseline of where students are starting the year, and overall, we have a lot to build on.
Our campus median is currently at the 71st percentile in Reading, 74th percentile in Math, and 75th percentile in Science. That is a strong starting point, but now the work is to move every student forward. For some students, that means closing gaps and providing additional support. For others, it means making sure we continue to push, challenge, and grow them from an already strong starting point.
I also want to highlight 5th Grade Science. Our 5th graders are entering the year at the 79th percentile, with nearly half already performing above the 80th percentile. That is important as we begin preparing for Science STAAR. We are not starting from scratch. We have a strong group of students, and our job is to build on that foundation while being very intentional about supporting the students who are not there yet.
Much of this work will happen right in the classroom through strong, grade-level Tier I instruction and then targeted support during 2nd Teach and Academic ENCORE. What students show us each day should drive what happens next.
We are also continuing to strengthen our plans around the student groups identified in our Campus Action Plan. Last Friday, we began more targeted planning around supports for our students receiving Special Education services. This week, our leadership team will take that same intentional approach as we look at our Emergent Bilingual students and the specific supports they need to be successful.
We have a strong foundation. Now it is about being intentional with the data, responding to what our students need, and making sure every Parker Lion grows.
-Principal Carter
What will my child learn in August?
🏷️ LABEL IT, PLEASE!
With just over 950 students on campus, items are misplaced every day, especially jackets, sweaters, water bottles, lunch kits, and backpacks.
Please help us get lost items back to their rightful owners by labeling EVERYTHING your child brings to school with their first and last name. This includes clothing items, especially jackets and sweaters that are easily left behind as the day warms up.
Our PTO does a great job supporting our campus Lost & Found, but each year we unfortunately donate a large amount of unclaimed and unlabeled student belongings simply because we have no way to identify who they belong to.
A quick label makes a BIG difference! If your child's name is on it, we have a much better chance of getting it back to them and back to you.
While you were out: Dr. Shannon Walker Visits Parker During Pre-Service!!
Parker Alumni and NASA astronaut, Shannon Walker visited our campus during Staff Pre-Service!
Since retiring recently, Dr. Walker decided to donate her French Horn back to the school where she learned to play. She requested a tour of the building, which was constructed in 2018. While our updated school is very different from the Parker she remembers, the band rooms and library brought back fond memories.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Walker as a member of the Parker family!
Parker Friends Celebrates with 50th Year Gala for Parker's Music Magnet Program
Parker is celebrating 50 years of being Houston's Original Music Magnet school with a concert and gala! J
oin our nonprofit, Parker Friends, on August 29 at El Dorado Ballroom for an amazing lineup of performers who all got their start at Parker Elementary. Proceeds go to Parker Friends, who in turn directly supports our music programs.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://parkerfriends.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/parkerfriends/event.jsp?event=3
PTO Membership Toolkit
Make sure to visit the PTO website and enroll. Please update your student's homeroom teacher and any additional information that may have changed.
Afterschool Enrichment Clubs on sale currently! Click here to see the complete list of available clubs and descriptions.
Classes will begin the week of September 8th and end the week November 30
We Heart Parker This is our annual giving campaign that was created in lieu of membership fees. Let’s make a difference and earn some extra fun! If we raise $7K ➡ Universal Free Dress Day on April 15. If we raise $10K ➡ Universal Free Dress Days on April 15 & May 20! Your donation will help move us towards our goal of all students participating in free dress in April and May!
Volunteering with the PTO!
We would love to get as many families involved with our volunteer program as possible this year! The first step to becoming a Parker volunteer, it to get HISD VIPS certified. It is any easy and quick application to process. Click this link to do so: https://www.houstonisd.org/community-partnerships/volunteer-with-hisd
After getting approved for VIPS, please visit our website (https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer) for volunteer opportunities. Our first big opportunity is coming up next month-Grandparents Day Lunch! We have opportunities that range from decorating to checking in our very special guests!
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Crystal Laurie
President, Parker Elementary PTO
832-987-2052 (PTO)
