September 28, 2025

This week, Parker had our IRT visit. These visits are an important part of ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across HISD, and Parker truly made us proud!

The IRT team shared glowing feedback about what they saw in our classrooms:

• Excitement for Learning: In every classroom they visited, teachers were energized to teach, and students were excited to learn. They noted how naturally our students engaged in learning.

• Preparation and Expertise: They were impressed with how thoroughly our teachers had prepared. Every lesson showed clear evidence of strong planning and internalization—our staff knew exactly where they were taking students and how to get them there.

• Model Practices: One IRT member, who is also a sitting principal at another elementary school, even mentioned he saw systems and practices at Parker that he plans to take back to his own campus. Parker is not only meeting the bar—we’re setting the bar.

The team also gave us one area to grow in: making sure we “stamp” the key learning points when students give answers, so that all students walk away with the “why,” not just the “what.” This is encouraging feedback because it aligns directly with the work we are already focused on this year.

We are incredibly proud of how our teachers and students represented Parker. The best part? The day felt like business as usual—this is who we are every day, not just when visitors are on campus.

I am so proud of our team. The entire Parker team is aligned to continuing to build a culture where students love learning, teachers love teaching, and Parker continues to shine.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Chat & Chew with the Principal session on September 22nd. I truly appreciate your time, engagement, and questions as we discussed important updates around literacy in K–2, writing in grades 3–5, and our shared work in supporting student success.

For those who weren’t able to make it, I’ve included a PDF below of the short updates we reviewed together for your reference.

Our next Chat & Chew will be held on Monday, October 20th. I look forward to seeing many of you there as we continue these important conversations.

We need your urgent help in completing the annual student forms. At this time, we still have a very high number of forms that have not been submitted. These forms are critical because they directly affect our campus funding and resources—without them, we risk losing important support for our students.

We are aware that some parents have shared they completed forms online, yet they are not showing as complete on our dashboard. We sincerely apologize for the issues caused by the district’s new platform, including broken links and information not syncing correctly.

To ensure your child’s records are accurate, please:

• Work with your child’s homeroom teacher to confirm which forms are still outstanding.

• Complete and return hard copies of the forms if needed.

• Respond promptly if you receive a note in your child’s Tuesday folder or a direct call from staff this week.

Our team will be reaching out individually to families missing specific forms. All documents must be submitted and updated before the end of October.

Congratulations to September's Lions of the Month! Students will hear their name LOUD AND PROUD in Monday morning's announcements. They don't know they've won yet, so please keep it a secret until then! If you are the proud parent of one of these students, you are invited to join us to hear the morning announcements at 7:30!

After announcements, your child will receive a goody bag and Lions of the Month t-shirt (designed by two of our very own students!). Please send your child to school on Tuesday in this shirt.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS EVER WON LIONS OF THE MONTH, PLESE SEND THEM TO SCHOOL TUESDAY IN THEIR SHIRT! We are all going to wear them to honor September's winners!

Congratulations, parents! For the whole month of September, your child's poster will be featured on our bulletin board. At the end of the month, I will send it home, so you can show it off to everyone!

I want to give a HUGE shout out to Ms. Graf, who volunteered her time and creativity to create our bulletin board this year! She did an amazing job, and I appreciate her for all of it!

-Assistant Principal Garcia

Mark your calendars for Parker’s Curriculum & Community Carnival—an evening where learning meets fun! Families will have the chance to tour classrooms, see student work, and experience the exciting ways our curriculum comes alive. The night will also feature a health fair hosted by our nurse, a community book trade with the Librarian, and opportunities to get support with tools like ParentSquare. Plus, there will be games, prizes, and plenty of family fun. We can’t wait to see you there as we celebrate learning and community together!

Each month your child will have up to four opportunities to complete a reading log to be entered into a drawing for a free LEGO set! They can read short books or break a longer book up over multiple days. It is suggested that students read for 20 minutes each day that they fill in on the form.

Students who are interested can pick up a blank reading log from their teacher or download the one below. Then, whenever they’re finished (and you can read the book with them), they can turn it into the LEGO Literacy Box in their hallway or to their teacher. But reading logs must be signed by the student, their parent, and their teacher before they can be turned in.

When students turn in their completed reading log, their names will automatically be entered into the drawing! Then, at the end of each month, winners’ names will be drawn, and those students will be awarded their free LEGOs!

Since the main goal here is to give our students one more reason to be reading, students who win the drawing will still be eligible to continue in the program throughout the school year.

Happy reading!

- Assistant Principal Berry

Program Details

• Student Selection: Modeled after our Jazz Band, this inaugural group will be open only to students currently in Advanced Band, Piano, Chorus, Violin, Guitar, or Cello. This ensures participants already have the advanced skill level needed for success.
• Instruments: Mariachi will feature violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón. Students with experience on these instruments (or the advanced ability to quickly learn them) will be prioritized.
• Schedule: Rehearsals will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
• Launch Date: Rehearsals begin Monday, October 6th.
• Performances: We already have two performances on the calendar—December and May—with the possibility of more as students progress.
• Group Size: We are starting with a group of 9–10 students, but expansion is possible based on interest and commitment.

Commitment & Next Steps

1. Interest Form Due: Monday, September 29th
2. Student Selection Announced: Wednesday, October 1st

After thoughtful review with our full Parker leadership team—including administrators, grade-level leads, and department leads—we are in agreement that the current structure best prioritizes student safety while still welcoming family involvement.

• Visitor Days & Times remain the same:
  • Tuesday – PreK, 2nd, 5th
  • Wednesday – Kindergarten, 4th
  • Thursday – 1st, 3rd
  (See campus website for grade-level lunch times.)

• No Visits on Mondays/Fridays – to keep operations smooth and focused on students.

• New Birthday Pass – Families may now join their child for lunch on any day of the week (Monday–Friday) during their child’s birthday week (Sunday–Saturday). This will be verified through PowerSchool. More details will be shared soon as we finalize systems.

Our goal is to balance safety, community, and a positive lunch experience for all students. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

This month, we’re celebrating School Spirit Month at Parker! Every Wednesday in September, we encourage all students and staff to show their pride by wearing their Parker t-shirts. Let’s fill the halls with Parker blue and red!

Throughout September, we’ll also be learning what it truly means to be a Parker PROUD student. Parker PROUD students show strength of character and the courage to do what is right. Each week, we’ll focus on a different way to shine:

• Week 1: LEAD by example by following all school and classroom rules.

• Week 2: TAKE responsibility for your actions. If you make a mistake, reflect, apologize if needed, and do your best to make things better next time.

• Week 3: HELP others—show you care by lending a helping hand.

• Week 4: Show a POSITIVE attitude toward yourself, your classmates, your school, and the community.

Let’s come together to show our Parker spirit and practice being Parker PROUD all month long!

-Susan Carlock, Counselor

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, we are inviting students and staff to dress in Latin attire, every Friday (September 19-October 10). We are also having our Annual Mercado!

More information on volunteer opportunities can be found on the PTO website at https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/mercado

-Gina Garcia, Assistant Principal

📌Did you know that each class has a room parent? You will soon start receiving emails from your room parent. If you haven't received anything from them by October 19th, please email volunteervp@parkerpto.org.

👕Class Shirts – Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order! If you haven’t ordered yet, there’s still time, but please do so as soon as possible so we can make sure your student is included. Shirts are expected to arrive in mid-October.

Before you order, make sure to update your student’s homeroom teacher and grade level so we can get the right shirt to the right class. Head to https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/gradelevelshirts for all the details and to place your order.

📢Sign up to host a Fall/Winter Social EXTENDED to Monday, September 29th. You will be able to purchase socials on Tuesday, October 7th, at 8:00 p.m.

• A social is a great way to raise funds for Parker PTO and a fun opportunity for our community to get together. 100% of the proceeds go back to PTO. Parker families host socials and can be for adults, kids, or both.
• The hosts set the date, price, and number of attendees and cover the cost of the event. Events can be open to all or specific grade levels.
• Fall Socials are held in October, November, December, January, and February.
• Sign up here, https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/socials

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Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-987-2052 (PTO)

Music Fees
76.2% of families still have not paid their music fees. Your support is vital—please make your payment today

Still need to pay? You have a few options:

• Complete the form and pay online

· Online Form: Fill it out online and bring your payment in person. Drop it in the blue Parker Friends box in the front office.

· Paper Form: Pick one up in the front office or download one here.

Checks payable to Parker Friends.

Employer Matching Gifts
Does your company offer a matching gift program, or do you need an employer match letter? Email Julie@parkerfriends.org

Instrument Check-Out
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete the Instrument Checkout Contact Form.

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Julie Doyle-Madrid (She/Her/Hers)

Executive Director

Parker Friends

julie@parkerfriends.org

www.parkerfriends.org

832-910-7761