August 31, 2025

I want to address recent conversations regarding our transition from HMH to the HISD Curriculum in ELA. As of early Friday, only two families had reached out to me directly with questions. Yet earlier in the week, a Facebook thread was brought to my attention that included several negative comments—some directed at me personally. Following a requested meeting with the PTO President Friday afternoon, I also received a few additional emails.

I care deeply about Parker—our students, staff, and community. Every decision I make is grounded in data, professional responsibility, and a genuine love for this school. I would never support a change that I believed would harm student outcomes or compromise Parker’s strong history and reputation. That said, with any transition, there is an adjustment period. It takes time to learn what works best and refine our approach along the way.

My door—and inbox—remain open for direct communication. I value your trust and partnership as we continue building on Parker’s legacy of excellence together.

I also want to emphasize that I have consistently proven I am open to feedback—both supportive and critical. In fact, I value all feedback because it is a data point that helps me make more informed decisions. What was most disheartening about this situation is that I wasn’t given the chance to explain or clarify before concerns were shared publicly. At the very least, if I had responded and clarified and then a post appeared, I could understand that. But not being given that opportunity felt unfair and deeply personal.

Over the summer, our leadership team planned diligently, but several district-level changes were given to us only days before teachers returned. That required us to pivot quickly and support staff in real-time. However, the curriculum shift for ELA was not district directed. It was a campus level decision. That is just apart of working for any company -- you take the shift and you pivot and that's ok. These past few weeks, we’ve been clarifying expectations and ensuring our teachers understand that they continue to have professional autonomy. The HISD Curriculum provides a framework, but teachers still bring their “art of teaching” and creativity into every lesson.

Here is what the Parker expectation is:

• Strong instruction is our anchor. Teachers will always open a lesson with a Do Now, provide direct instruction, guide student practice, allow students independent work time, and close with an assessment of mastery (exit ticket, DOL, short constructed response, or product).

• Small group instruction is non-negotiable. Teachers must be intentional about pulling both struggling students and advanced learners for targeted support. This ensures equity and excellence across classrooms.

• Professional autonomy remains. Tier I teachers with proven results may blend HISD resources with HMH, Scholastic, or other high-quality materials. Teachers who need more support will use HISD’s structure more closely, with coaching to grow their craft. This is not permanent, but a system of support.

• Slide decks are a resource, not a script. Both HISD and HMH provide slide decks, but teachers are not tied to them or expected to “teach from the slides.” Instead, slides should serve as a support for anchoring student learning. How one teacher chooses to use them may differ from another, and that flexibility is encouraged. We still expect teachers to use student engagement strategies, real books, and hands-on resources to drive learning.

Last year’s data highlighted a clear area of need in reading instruction. While we have many strong teachers, we also have teachers at different stages of professional growth. As principal, it would be negligent of me not to recognize that and put systems of support in place. By moving to a more structured framework that also aligned with the remainder of the campus, we can better ensure consistency across classrooms, reduce the workload and experience needed for lesson creation, and allow teachers to focus more fully on high-quality instruction. Ultimately, this protects and elevates the student experience while also building teacher capacity.

It’s important to clarify a few misconceptions:

• Parker has always used HISD curriculum. Last year, math, science and social studies were already using HISD curriculum --this was in place prior to me taking on the principalship.

1. Science of Reading materials in classrooms was a blend of either HISD curriculum, Really Great Reading, and/or HMH - this wasn't aligned campus-wide.
2. The only subject exclusively using HMH for Tier I instruction was English.

• This is not “NES" nor is there an attempt to be. NES schools follow HISD curriculum with STRICT fidelity. As a PUA campus and a Level 3 autonomous campus, Parker has autonomy to adapt and customize our curriculum. Meaning the use of Scholastic Magazine, NewsELA, HMH resources, and more.

• We are not alone. Many PUA campuses use HISD curriculum in some form, including schools like Horn, though how it looks depends on staff and student needs.

The reality is, Parker serves a more complex student body than many of our peer schools. Over 30% of our students are Emergent Bilinguals, nearly 150 receive SPED services, and about 70 are dyslexia-identified. These numbers are significantly higher than many campuses often compared to us, and they must guide our decisions.

The data below shows our starting point this fall for several student groups in Reading (NWEA BOY). We must close these achievement gaps while maintaining growth for our highest-performing students. That’s the balance we are working to achieve.

I also want to clarify Parker’s stance on DOLs (Demonstrations of Learning):

• A DOL is not new—teachers have always assessed the effectiveness of their lesson.

• At Parker, a DOL can take many forms: exit tickets, short responses, sets of problems, or student-created products.

• Teachers are not required to assign a daily grade for DOLs. In fact, they are graded weekly through either a pure average or an upward-trend model (reflecting growth over the week). This ensures fairness and celebrates progress.

Finally, about grading:

• Grades must reflect mastery of TEKS—not effort, behavior, or participation.

• Weekly grading expectations remain almost identical to last year. The only change is a district adjustment to the weighting of formative vs. summative grades.

Families, I know this is a lot of change all at once. The staff and I are still adjusting too, and I ask for your patience and trust as we continue to refine. Parker’s legacy is one of excellence, and I am committed to protecting that.

I also want to acknowledge some feedback I’ve received about Open House. The reality is that teachers had just received new clarifying information the Tuesday prior, and many were still making sense of it themselves while also trying to communicate with families. That understandably resulted in varying levels of confidence across grade levels. But that is part of the process—building understanding and building confidence. For example, our 5th grade team was able to internalize the updates quickly and share them with families, and the same clarity and expectations are being reinforced across the campus. What you heard in 5th grade is what every grade level is moving toward. Teachers will receive additional training on September 2nd during the professional development on what our campus expectations are.

Because I know not every question may have been answered that evening—or even through this communication or my emails—as I shared with the PTO President I am open to hosting a Chat & Chew earlier than originally planned. To give families an open forum to bring any additional wonderings, hear consistent updates directly, and partner with me in moving Parker forward together. There is a poll below.

What I ask in return is this: when concerns arise, please reach out directly to me or the leadership team. Social media debates rarely offer the full picture and can unintentionally harm our school’s reputation. My inbox is always open. I would say my door, but I’m more than likely not in my office—and if I am, you’ll have to make it past Ms. Rowe 🤣 to get to me. Jokes aside, I will always welcome your feedback (whether supportive or critical) and your partnership.

I show up every day not because I have to, but because I want to. Parker is my heart, and I will never stop working for our students. Thank you for trusting me to lead this community. Together, we will continue to grow and thrive.

- Principal Carter

I know how much our families want to see the incredible learning that happens every day in our classrooms. That’s why we’re launching In the Work Wednesday—a new way to bring you into the heart of our school and showcase instruction in action!

✨ What to Expect:

• Each Wednesday, we’ll post campus highlights on ParentSquare so you can get a glimpse of students engaged in their learning.

• Each week, select classrooms will be spotlighted during the school day to show you what teaching and learning look like in real time.

• Our goal is to celebrate the many unique strengths of our teachers and students, and to show the hard work, joy, and creativity that make Parker truly special.

We know everyone would love to see their child’s classroom featured, but highlights will be chosen by our admin team each week. Think of it as a chance to experience the many different approaches, styles, and successes happening across our building.

We’ll kick things off in September and try it out for the month to see how our community responds. If the excitement and engagement are there (and we think they will be!), we’ll keep it going all year long.

Below is the first example of "In the Work Wednesday" but it was from Friday 😆

-Principal Carter

Thanks to everyone who made it out for our Mercado meeting! Be on the lookout for a chance to volunteer! Details coming soon!

-Assistant Principal Garcia

We are proud to share a huge milestone—Parker Elementary is officially fully staffed! One of our biggest accomplishments this year is being able to secure an outstanding team of teachers before the first day of school.

Last year, we set a clear goal: ensure that all Parker teachers hired hold teaching certifications and have at least two years of classroom experience. We are proud to say we have met that commitment. While a small number of teachers are still completing their certification requirements, each has already demonstrated strong skill, knowledge, and passion for teaching.

We are excited about the wealth of experience and expertise our team brings to the classroom and campus can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on our students this year.

Parker is stronger than ever!

We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Michelle Cuellar as Parker’s Staff Member of the Month for August!

Ms. Cuellar joined Parker midyear last school year, and from day one, she has been an incredible force on our campus. She currently serves as the Grade Level Clerk for 4th and 5th grades and as Administrative Assistant to Assistant Principal Berry. In her role, she not only supports teachers by removing obstacles—making copies, managing deliveries, and handling classroom clerical needs—but she also rolls up her sleeves to assist with instructional supports in classrooms.

As Parker’s LPAC Clerk, Ms. Cuellar plays a vital role in ensuring our Emergent Bilingual students receive the services and support they need. Her attention to detail and commitment to student success have made a real difference in this important work.

You can always find Ms. Cuellar in the middle of the action—working hard, lending a hand, and moving with purpose. If you need help, her answer is always, “Okay, I’ll be right there.” And she always follows through, getting the job done efficiently and with a smile.

Many of you may also recognize her from morning arrival, where she helps direct traffic at Atwell and Stillbrooke. If you haven’t yet, be sure to roll down your window, give her a wave, and say hello—she’ll brighten your morning!

Before joining Parker, Ms. Cuellar brought with her a wealth of HISD experience, serving as a cafeteria manager and later as an administrative assistant at HISD's On Time Grad Academy. With her background, her energy, and her heart, she truly is the definition of Parker Proud.

Thank you, Ms. Cuellar, for everything you do for our students, staff, and families. You are a rockstar, and we are so lucky to have you on our team!

Direct Link: https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/grandparentsday

A big thank you to our amazing PTO for creating and printing student ID badges for every Parker student this year! 🎉 This year’s badges now include a barcode on the back so students can easily scan in the lunch line when receiving their school meals.

Teachers will keep badges in the classroom to ensure they’re always ready when needed. If a badge makes its way home, please be sure to send it back with your child the next school day.

Families, we kindly remind you that dogs are not permitted on Parker Elementary’s campus grounds (including arrival, dismissal, playgrounds, and hallways) - this is also an HISD policy. Last school year and recently, we’ve had issues with pet waste not being picked up, which resulted in fecal material being tracked inside our building. This is a serious health concern, as our students frequently sit and learn on carpets and floors.

In addition, even the most well-behaved pets can unintentionally cause fear or anxiety for students and adults who are uncomfortable around dogs. Our goal is to ensure that Parker remains a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for every member of our community.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our campus healthy and safe. 🦁

Thank you to the families who shared feedback during the PTO meeting regarding the afternoon carpool line. We ask all families to follow the full line of cars as it extends down Mullins and avoid cutting in from side streets or nearby intersections. While some drivers may be unaware of where the line continues, cutting in creates unsafe conditions and adds stress to dismissal. -- also remember turn on your flashers!

Volunteers Needed: Numerous volunteer opportunities are available, both upcoming and ongoing. Be sure to visit https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer and find out how to get involved. Be sure you are VIPS approved.

Class Shirts: All class shirt orders are due October 1st. Visit the PTO website for links that pertain to your grade level. Please ensure that you update your grade level and home room teacher.

Available Forms: Here , you will find a list of all the items you can purchase, including performance shirts from the school store, fundraising items, and more.

Visit the PTO calendar for a list of all our upcoming events:

https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/events

Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-987-2052 (PTO)

It was wonderful to see both old and new Parker families at Open House this week! We look forward to providing more information about Parker Friends and sharing a more comprehensive update at the PTO meeting on August 25.

A big thank you to everyone who has already paid their student music fees—we’re off to a great start!🎶

If you still need to submit your music fees, you can do so here.

Julie Doyle-Madrid (She/Her/Hers)

Executive Director

Parker Friends

julie@parkerfriends.org

www.parkerfriends.org

832-910-7761