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May 3, 2026

May 3, 2026
May 3, 2026
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This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible educators who make Parker what it is.


I truly love and appreciate our teaching staff. They are some of the hardest working and most driven individuals I have had the privilege to lead. At Parker, we hold very high expectations for our campus and for student success, and our teachers rise to meet those expectations every single day. They do so not out of obligation, but from a deep-rooted passion and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for children.


One of the things we are most often complimented on is the joy within our building. That joy does not happen by chance. It is created, nurtured, and sustained by teachers who genuinely love their students and are committed to making a difference in their lives.


Teaching is not easy. It is often demanding and, at times, undervalued. Here at Parker, within HISD, the work is even more rigorous as we continuously push ourselves to grow and improve, striving to be just 1 percent better each day. This level of excellence requires resilience, dedication, and heart

.

The work is hard, but it is necessary. And it would not be possible without the daily commitment of our teachers, the ones doing the real work in classrooms, building relationships, delivering strong instruction, and shaping the future.


They are the true heroes of Parker.


To all of our Parker teachers, thank you. I know those words will never fully capture the depth of my gratitude, but they reflect the appreciation I carry as we celebrate your dedication, your effort, and the difference you make in the lives of our students every single day.


-Principal Carter

Celebrating Our Parker Lunch Heroes Celebrating Our Parker Lunch Heroes

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While School Lunch Hero Day was officially recognized on May 1, Parker had quite the full day with heavy rains, our PE Expo, and National Principalโ€™s Day all coming together at once. Because of that, we are excited to intentionally celebrate our incredible cafeteria team on Tuesday, May 5.


Our lunch heroes are the heartbeat of our daily operations. They serve our students with consistency, care, and pride, ensuring that every child is fed and ready to learn. What I appreciate most is how seamlessly they do this work. From the moment students enter the cafeteria, they are greeted with smiling faces, warm interactions, and a sense of familiarity that contributes to the positive culture we are so proud of at Parker.


You will often find our cafeteria team coordinated in their Parker t-shirts and jeans, a small detail that speaks volumes about their unity, pride, and commitment to being part of our school community. That consistency and presence matter, and our students feel it every single day.


Their work is not easy, and it often goes unseen, but it is essential to the success of our campus. On May 5, we will take a moment to shine a well-deserved spotlight on this outstanding team.


To our Parker cafeteria staff, thank you for the care, dedication, and pride you bring to our campus each day. We appreciate you more than words can express.


-Principal Carter

PE Expo 2026: Resilience, Joy, and Teamwork in Action PE Expo 2026: Resilience, Joy, and Teamwork in Action

What a day at Parker!!!


While the rain had other plans for us, our PE Expo 2026 still delivered an unforgettable experience for students. As Parkerโ€™s enhanced, TEKS-aligned version of Field Day, the PE Expo is designed with purpose, ensuring students are actively applying the skills theyโ€™ve been building all year while having fun. And despite the weather forcing us indoors, the energy, excitement, and engagement never missed a beat.


Our students had an incredible time, and that is a direct reflection of the commitment and flexibility of our staff. Thank you to every team member who embraced the unexpected, adjusted on the fly, and ensured that the day remained seamless for students. Your ability to pivot in real time is what makes Parker special.


A special thank you to our CCR and music teachers, who opened their spaces and supported multiple event stations throughout the building. Your flexibility and willingness to jump in wherever needed made a huge difference.


To our cafeteria team, thank you for your quick turnaround in preparing and serving boxed lunches. That level of responsiveness helped keep the day moving smoothly and ensured our students were well taken care of.


We are also incredibly grateful to our PE Expo Day volunteers. Your presence, support, and adaptability did not go unnoticed. Whether you were assisting at a station, helping with transitions, or simply stepping in where needed, you played a vital role in the success of the day. We truly could not do this without you.

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And finally, a well-deserved shoutout to Coach Chili. Much of what makes the PE Expo so successful happens behind the scenes. From thoughtfully designing games that align to student learning, to organizing equipment, building schedules, and assigning station leaders, Coach Chili approaches this work with intention and care.


This year, she took on the added challenge of completely reworking the event to an indoor format due to the weather (the day before the event) and still ensured a high-quality experience for our students. That level of preparation, creativity, and dedication does not go unnoticed. Outstanding work.


To everyone who contributed in ways big and small, thank you. It takes a full team effort to bring an event like this to life, and Parker showed once again what is possible when we work together with purpose.


- Principal Carter

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BAND FESTIVAL ๐ŸŽบ๐Ÿฅ๐ŸŽถ BAND FESTIVAL ๐ŸŽบ๐Ÿฅ๐ŸŽถ

Congratulations to our Advanced Band students who participated in the Kidz in the Park music festival on Friday in Humble. The judges were impressed with the skills shown by our young musicians, and they received praise along with valuable feedback.


Many were surprised and impressed to hear that these are 4th and 5th graders! They received a trophy for their outstanding performance.


Special thanks to our parent volunteers who braved the rain with us, and to Ms. Berry and Mr. Jackson for their tireless work as directors of our bands.


Also, many thanks to Parker Friends for their support in making this trip a possibility for our students!


-Ashley Kolb, Magnet Coordinator

Parker Spirit Week: T-Shirts & Throwback Thursday!๐Ÿ‘• Parker Spirit Week: T-Shirts & Throwback Thursday!๐Ÿ‘•

All week long, students are invited to join the staff to show their Parker pride for Teacher Appreciation Week by wearing their favorite Parker t-shirt with jeans! We love seeing our school spirit shine across the building.


On Thursday, weโ€™re taking it back with Throwback Thursday T-Shirt Day! Students are encouraged to wear their oldest Parker shirtโ€”the more vintage, the better.


We canโ€™t wait to celebrate the legacy, pride, and spirit that make Parker so special. ๐Ÿ’™

Library Books Are Due - May 8th!๐Ÿ“š Library Books Are Due - May 8th!๐Ÿ“š

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Thank you so much for all your support and library love this school year! This school year was a success with 21,594 books checked out! I will be sending out my summer reading recommendations in the following weeks, so keep an eye out for those. Most importantly, please keep your kiddos reading this summer. Audiobooks in the car, bedtime stories, the same book that they've read one million times already... it's all literacy, and it all helps prevent that summer slide. โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ“–


All library books are due by this Friday, May 8. Please ask your child if they have any books checked out. I will be printing out overdue notices to go home in Tuesday folders, so if you are unsure whether or not your child is missing any books, make sure to check their Tuesday folder for a red overdue slip.

If books are lost or damaged beyond repair, we ask that you replace the book. The standard fee is $20/book. If you are not able to replace the copy, please reach out and let me know.

https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Library-Books-LostDamage-Fee-/SbpH7dc


-Ms. Hokanson, Librarian

Leslie.hokanson@houstonisd.org

HISD Gifted & Talented Expo - May 7th ๐Ÿ”ฌ HISD Gifted & Talented Expo - May 7th ๐Ÿ”ฌ

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HISD Day at The Children's Museum HISD Day at The Children's Museum

HISDโ€™s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team is inviting the HISD families to HISD Day at Childrenโ€™s Museum on Monday, June 8. HISD Day will be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a day filled with hands-on exhibits, interactive play zones, and endless fun for both children and adults from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your HISD student to play, learn, and be with their friends to kick off the summer.


FACE asks families to register and attend during one of the following time slots:

  • 10 a.m. to noon
  • Noon to 2 p.m.
  • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

    Families must Sign up for your preferred time slot Children's Museum Houston (blackbaudhosting.com). Space is limited, so donโ€™t delay! Families who register will receive a digital ticket and should bring it with them for entry to the museum.
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May-June Character Education Theme: Integrity


May 4-8 - Having Integrity is about telling the truth, even when no one is watching. This week, be honest with yourself and others. When you have integrity, people trust you, because they know you are truthful and honest.


May 11-15 - Having Integrity is doing the right thing, even when it's hard. This week, choose to do what is right. When you have integrity, people trust you, because they can rely on you to do what is right.


May 18-22 - Having Integrity means keeping your promises. This week, keep the promises you make.


May 25-29 - Having Integrity is taking responsibility. Itโ€™s about owning up to your mistakes and making things right. It's being brave and fixing what went wrong. This week, take responsibility for your actions and use what you learned to do better next time.


June 1-4 - Having Integrity is being fair. It is treating everyone the same, no matter how they look or where they come from. It's like wearing fairness as a superhero cape. This summer, make it a goal to be fair and kind to everyone you meet. Whether you're playing games, spending time with friends, or meeting new people, aim to treat everyone equally and create a positive and friendly environment at home, in your school and in your community.


-Susan Carlock, School Counselor

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PTO & PARKER FRIENDS UPDATES PTO & PARKER FRIENDS UPDATES

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๐Ÿ“Œ PTO To Do This Week:

A HUGE thank you to all of our PE Expo Day volunteers! ๐Ÿ™Œ We are so grateful for everyone who jumped in, adjusted to the new schedule, and helped wherever needed. We truly could not do this without you.


๐Ÿ“ฌ Missed the latest newsletter? Catch up here:
https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/newsletter/00884-NL20260426091435-034904800-1365311513?from=2405


๐ŸŽ Teacher Appreciation Week is here!
Letโ€™s show our amazing staff how much they mean to us. If youโ€™re looking for gift ideas, check out their favorites list:
https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/facultyandstaff

A simple note of appreciation also goes a long way ๐Ÿ’Œ


๐ŸŽ“ 5th Grade Families
Donโ€™t forget to pay your 5th grade fee to help support all of the fun Friday events planned for our students:


https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/5thgrade


๐Ÿ“… Upcoming Events
Stay in the loop and see whatโ€™s coming up:
https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/events


---

Jeanette Mueller

President, Parker Elementary PTO

www.parkerpto.org

832-978-2052 (PTO)

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๐ŸŽต It takes all of us to keep the music playing.

Thank you to everyone who has paid, we are up to 41% of music fees paid!!! If you still need to pay, you can pay online here or download a paper form here!


If you received a music fee reminder letter and have any questions about your payment status, please email me at julie@parkerfriends.org.


Thank you for supporting Parkerโ€™s music program! ๐ŸŽถ



---

Julie Doyle-Madrid

Executive Director, Parker Friends

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๐Ÿ”— Click Here for the Full 25-26 Calendar ๐Ÿ”— Click Here for the Full 25-26 Calendar

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MAY STAFF BIRTHDAYS MAY STAFF BIRTHDAYS

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Important Links ๐Ÿ”— Important Links ๐Ÿ”—

Parker Pulse Newsletters
Parker Website
Parker Friends Website
PTO Website
SDMC
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