PARKER WEEKLY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Parker Families:

It was another busy week at Parker. Longer days and warmer temperatures are finally here, and the students seemed to really embrace the hints of Spring in the air. I saw many wearing shorts -now that is optimistic! There are just a couple of weeks remaining in Term 3 which seems hard to believe! The students continue to work hard as they continue to grow and learn. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have concerns in regard to their academic progress. The first round of MCAS testing will begin in early April with our ELA assessment. It is recommended that students continue to faithfully complete their 45 minutes of both reading and math iReady lessons as they continue to build skills at their current mastery level. These drill sessions along with continued homework completion and outside reading will help prepare the students for the MCAS. MCAS is a good tool to assess where the strengths and areas of growth lie in each student. It is one source of data to help inform instruction to best meet the needs of each student. Encourage your child to do their best while stressing that this is not something to be stressed about. Students perform their best when they feel supported and calm.

MCAS Testing Dates

Thursday & Friday - April 9th and 10th -Grade 6 ELA

Tuesday & WednEsday -April 13th and 14th - Grade 5 ELA

Monday & Tuesday - May 4th and 5th - Grade 5 Science

Monday & Tuesday - May 11th and 12th - Grade 5 Math

Thursday & Friday -May 14th and 15th - Grade 6 Math

March Artists of the Month

Huge congratulations are in order for our March Artists of the Month Nathan Flaherty and Aden Osgood. Each of these students have thrived under the direction of Ms. Norman. Their artwork is both imaginative and thought provoking. We are so very proud of them!

STEM Fair - March 26

We are excited to announce Parker's second annual 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. The registration deadline to enter the fair is today-March 13. Please have your child sign up soon so they don't miss out on this great opportunity. More information can be found below.

https://out.smore.com/e/hmx4j/_lzK7y?__$u__

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

Warm Regards,

Josh

CONGRATULATIONS TO ADEN OSGOOD, GRADE 6 AND MATTHEW FLAHERTY, GRADE 5

Tickets are now on sale for Parker Drama Club's Practically Perfect production of Mary Poppins Jr.!

There are four chances to catch this amazing show!

*All shows feature mixed grade ensembles*

• Thursday, 3/12 at 6pm (5th grade leads)

• Friday, 3/13 at 6pm (5th grade leads)

• Saturday, 3/14 at 2pm (6th grade leads)

• Saturday, 3/14 at 6pm (6th grade leads)

Get your tickets today and Step in Time to see our hard working cast and crew in action! https://our.show/parkerpoppins

Dear Parker Families,

We are excited to share that the fifth grade Innovator Team here at Parker, will be organizing a donation drive to support the Lowell Humane Society. As part of our commitment to service learning and community involvement, students are working together to make a positive impact on animals in need.

The Lowell Humane Society provides shelter, medical care, and loving homes for animals in our community. To help support their efforts, we will be collecting donations of much-needed items such as pet food (unopened), treats, new or gently used towels and blankets, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and pet toys. The Lowell Humane Society Wish List is also included below for more ideas.

The drive will run from March 16, 2026 to March 30, 2026. Donations can be sent in with your child and placed in the designated collection area in our school.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to practice empathy, responsibility, and community service while supporting an important local organization. Participation is completely voluntary, but any contribution—big or small—will make a difference.

Thank you for helping us support the Lowell Humane Society and for encouraging your child to be an active, caring member of our community.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to one of the Innovator Teachers.

Sincerely,

Innovator Team

Jennifer Clark

Marybeth Macallister

Melissa Beaudoin

Colleen Marino

Sophia Lupoli

Abigail Rappoport

.

In order to provide a positive and engaging learning environment it is important that students are freed from unnecessary distractions. Cell phones and smart watches have proven to be a major distraction and source of anxiety and social drama for students.

If students need to contact home, they should see their teacher/administrator to receive permission to use the phone in the classroom or office. Conversely, if a parent needs to speak with a student, the parent should call the school office. All cell phones and/or smart watches should be off while in school. Any student using a cell phone and or smart watch while school is in session will have that cell phone and/or smart watch confiscated by administration. A first offense will lead to a warning and the administrator will return the phone to the student at the end of the day. Second and subsequent offenses will result in the phone being returned only to the parent and/or further disciplinary actions.

We would prefer that all cell phones and smart watches remain at home. If the cell phone and/or smart watch accompanies your child to school then please reinforce the expectation that they BOTH will be stored in their backpacks and powered down. Any communication with your child should be conducted through the main office or will be accessed after school has ended for the day. We appreciate your support for this policy. It is our experience that when freed from the pull of their phones and social media students are able to concentrate, be fully present, and be active participants in their education.

Tuesday - March 17th

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

Jazz Band - Mr. Linsner - Band Room

Mindfulness & Crafts-Ms. Marino–Room 124

PLEASE NOTE RUNNING CLUB will NOT be meeting until the SPRING.

Wednesday - March 18th

Thursday - March 19th

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

Festival Band - Mr. Linsner-Band Room

Game Club - Ms. Baillargeon-Library- GRADE 5 TODAY

Green Club - Ms. Engel and Ms. Merrill - Room PC4

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, April 7th-Early Release Day-dismissal at 11:10 a.m.

Monday, April 20th thru Friday, April 24th - April Vacation Week

Monday, April 27th-School Resumes

Thursday, April 9th & Friday, April 10th - Grade 6 ELA-Session I and II

Monday, April 13th & Tuesday, April 14th - Grade 5 ELA-Sessions I and II

Monday, May 4th & Tuesday, May 5th - Grade 5 Science-Sessions I and II

Monday, May 11th & Tuesday, May 12th - Grade 5 Math-Sessions I and II

Thursday, May 14th & Friday, May 15th - Grade 6 Math-Sessions I and II

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.

We only have about 30 yearbooks left for sale! Order yours before they sell out 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!

Don't forget to get your raffles! Purchase and see the prizes here. Tickets are $10 each. Please share 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! They could win one of these - apple airpods, cozy UGG blanket or a $200 Amazon gift card. Fundraisers like this help us to provide fun and interesting enrichment and activities for students and teachers.

🦁🎤🎶 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.

⚾🧢Lowell Spinners are BAAACK: Get your tickets here!

Please enjoy this exclusive discount offer as the Lowell Spinners return to LeLacheur Park for their first season since 2019 and defend home turf against the Vermont Lake Monsters!

🗓️Sunday, June 7th @ 5:00 PM

📍Edward A. LeLacheur Park

⚾Lowell Spinners vs. Vermont Lake Monsters

Come support the Parker & McCarthy Middle schools and have a fun night at the ballpark with classmates & friends!! Click here to purchase tickets.

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

Tuesday, April 7th

Email: robinsond@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road
Phone: 978-251-5133