January 26, 2025

Due to the two day inclement weather closure the district has moved the 100th day of instruction to January 30th. However, at Parker we will continue our planned celebrations on Tuesday, January 28th.

Students and staff are invited to join in the fun by dressing up as if they are 100 years old or wear your class 100th t-shirt (see your teacher for details). Let’s make it a day filled with creativity and laughter as we honor this milestone in our school year!

We can’t wait to see everyone’s imaginative outfits and celebrate this special day together.

We are thrilled to share that all core classrooms, along with select Music and CCR classes, have been upgraded with brand-new ViewSonic Smartboards! The previous technology, installed when our new building opened in 2018, had become outdated and was beginning to fail in some classrooms, causing challenges like dim screens and reduced visibility for students.

Currently, 85% of our teachers have received their new boards, and the remaining classrooms will be upgraded this week. To ensure everyone is ready to maximize the potential of these incredible new tools, we’ll host a full staff training on February 14th during our Professional Development Day.

Thank you for your patience and excitement as we work to enhance the learning experience for both students and teachers!

We are excited to welcome Ms. Rosy Cruz-Diaz to the Parker Family! Ms. Rosy brings with her 7 and a half years of experience in Houston ISD.. She will play a vital role in supporting our custodial staff by helping to keep our campus beautiful during lunch shifts and special school events.

As a district, custodial staffing is determined by campus square footage rather than enrollment or overall foot traffic. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a clean and welcoming environment at Parker, as well as supporting the well-being and success of our custodial team, we’ve made the decision to hire Ms. Rosy through the regular school budget.

Cleanliness is just as critical to our campus as safety and security, and we are grateful to have Ms. Rosy join our team to help ensure a clean and vibrant space for our students and staff.

Please join us in giving Ms. Rosy a warm Parker Pride welcome!

Join us for an informative session with Angelica Medrano from EDU PrepSpace!

Angelica will provide valuable insights on how to interpret your child’s academic data, ensuring you feel confident and informed during your parent-teacher conference. She will guide you on the most effective questions to ask, helping you engage in meaningful conversations that benefit your child’s education.

Most importantly, Angelica will focus on ways to strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers, offering strategies for collaboration that support your child’s growth and success.

This workshop is designed to equip you with the tools you need to make the most of your parent-teacher conference experience. We look forward to seeing you there!

Dates have changed from the January calendar- 1/30 at 6pm (before it was 1/28) and 1/31 at 8am.

Parker Families, if your child will not be riding the bus or daycare van on a particular day, please notify the driver in advance. This helps prevent unnecessary trips to the school.

With a small number of bus riders—some being the only Parker rider—your communication makes a big impact, saving time and resources. Thank you for your cooperation! 🏫✨

Houston ISD is offering Telehealth by Hazel Health. All students can access virtual physical and mental health care from home or at school at no cost to you, regardless of your student’s insurance status. Visit www.houstonisd.org/telehealth for more information and to sign up. If you wish for your child not to participate in Hazel Health, please log on and indicate that you decline consent.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Unity Dragon & Line Dance Troupe will be visiting Parker Elementary on Wednesday, January 29th for a special performance in celebration of Lunar New Year!

This cultural experience is a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to enjoy the vibrant traditions of the Lunar New Year. Get ready for an unforgettable performance filled with music, movement, and, of course, the majestic dragon dance!

Let’s celebrate together and embrace the spirit of unity and joy! 🐲🎶🎊

Parker Families, thank you for your incredible efforts in making our carpool process smoother! 🎉

We’ve seen more parents using the carpool area, which has reduced morning tardies, improved safety for our walking students, and minimized traffic hazards—your teamwork is making a big difference! 🙌

To keep things running safely and efficiently:

• Students should be ready to exit promptly: Once your car is stopped, students should open their own doors, grab their instruments and backpacks, and close the door behind them.
• Stay focused on the road: Avoid pulling forward while watching your child enter the building, and remember to keep cell phones put away to stay alert.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep Parker safe and on time! 🏫✨

Parker PTO Auction Gala: Friday, February 21st! 🎲🎲🎲

Great news! Due to popular demand and two fun snow days, we’ve extended ticket sales for our Viva Las Vegas Auction Gala until Monday, January 27! Discounted tickets are just $99—after January 27, they’ll go up to $120 regular pricing, so grab yours while you can!

Purchase here: https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/auctiongala

Could you help us with grade-level baskets? The grade with the highest monetary value basket will receive a free dress day in March! Each grade level will be asked to contribute items to a 'themed' basket displayed and available for purchase during the auction.

Items will be delivered to the school, and volunteers will help to assemble them.

Pre-K: Family Game Night 🔗https://a.co/8bjpwl3

Kinder: Legos & Puzzle Galore 🔗https://a.co/3wXiJiA

1st Grade: Sports Adventure 🔗https://a.co/bH3HKrQ

2nd Grade: Summer Fun 🔗https://a.co/0btpxG5

3rd Grade: Fiesta 🔗https://a.co/alCryV2

4th Grade- Camping 🔗https://a.co/1AUfAl2

5th Grade- Cooking Essentials 🔗https://a.co/4ERcUNl

Monetary donations can be made via Zelle. Zelle information: Cynthia Ann Parker- PTO, treasurer@parkerpto.org. Please be sure to write AUCTION and the GRADE LEVEL in the memo.

Enrichment Clubs🌟

We have a great list of clubs for the spring. Visit https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/afterschoolprograms for the complete list.

Tuesday, January 28 - Enrichment Club Sales Launch on the Parker PTO website at 7 pm (set your alarm; many clubs sell out fast)

Tuesday, February 11 - Sales Close at Noon

Week of February 24 - First Week of Clubs

January Spirit Night

Come to Cafe Piquet Cuban Cuisine for Parker PTO Spirit Night on January 29! Cafe Piquet generously donates 20% of sales from 3 - 9 pm to Parker PTO. Don't feel like going out? This includes to-go orders, too! Check out their menu, order online, and more at their website: https://www.cafepiquet.net/

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Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-987-2052 (PTO)

Congratulations to our incredible Parker band students! This year, 29 students earned a spot in the prestigious All-City Band. On Saturday, they delivered an outstanding performance in their final showcase at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!

If you paid your music contributions or made a donation to the music program last semester, you will receive your tax letter by January 31.

Note: If your company offers donation matching, they can match your music contribution to Parker Friends! It's an easy way to double your impact and support the music program.

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Julie Doyle-Madrid (She/Her/Hers)

Executive Director

Parker Friends

julie@parkerfriends.org

www.parkerfriends.org

832-724-4599

January 27th & January 28th

IRT 2 Window (Elementary Part I)

January 27th

**Birthday Alert** - Mr. Harrison (Technology Teacher)

January 27th

Math Spirit Week: Wear Jersey

January 28th

100th Day of School (at Parker)

Math Spirit Week: Dress up as 100yr old / Wear 100th Day T-Shirt

Chat & Chew w/ Principal Carter (8am & 5pm)

Title I Meeting (6pm - 7pm)

January 29th

**Birthday Alert** - Ms. Alfaro-Lopez (Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher)

Math Spirit Week: Wear Shapes

PTO: Spirit Night with Cafe Piquet

Lunar New Year Celebration (1pm - 1:30pm)

January 30th

Math Spirit Week: Twin Day

January 31st

Math Spirit Week: Favorite Era Dress Up

February 3rd - February 7th

Suzuki Strings Workshop

February 4th

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)

February 6th

Suzuki Strings Workshop Rehearsal at Westbury Baptist

February 7th

Suzuki Strings Workshop Concert (6pm - 7:30pm)