August 24, 2025
BOY NWEA Map Testing was a success!
We successfully completed our Beginning-of-Year (BOY) NWEA MAP testing in Reading, Math, and Science during our second week of school. This was no small feat, and I want to thank our teachers, students, and families for making sure our Lions were ready to show what they know.
For our new Parker families, here’s what you should know:
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Students are assessed three times a year with the NWEA Map test—
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BOY (Beginning-of-Year) – August
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MOY (Middle-of-Year) – January
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EOY (End-of-Year) – May
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HISD expects 1.6 years of academic growth by the end of the school year. This is ambitious, especially for a campus like Parker where our students already begin in the 70th percentile range across subjects—but we are ready for the challenge.
We are leaning into two powerful components of our instructional model:
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EXTEND (2nd Teach) Time – Designed to deepen learning, target misconceptions, and push students into higher levels of mastery.
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ENCORE Time – Our daily block for enrichment and intervention. These are sacred, protected blocks of time that must remain intentional, purposeful, and focused on student growth.
Our BOY MAP results highlight both strengths and areas of focus:
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Science: Median = 75th percentile; 41% of students scored above the 80th percentile.
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Math: Median = 71st percentile; Grades 3–4 showed especially strong performance in the high 70s.
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Reading: Median = 73rd percentile; 40% of students scored in the 80th percentile.
These results show we are starting from a position of strength, but growth will not come easily. That’s why daily consistency, strategic instruction, and protected learning time are critical this year.
Together, we will ensure Parker students not only meet but exceed expectations.
Math K-12 NWEA Map Data
Reading 2nd - 5th NWEA Map Data
Science 2nd-5th NWEA Map Data
Special Shout-Out 🎉
A huge thank you to Ms. Ashley Kolb, our Testing Coordinator who also serves as Magnet Coordinator and CCR program administrator.
In the first weeks of school, her plate was overflowing—coordinating BOY MAP testing, managing magnet communications, and launching CCR logistics—all in her first year in this role. Ashley kept every detail tight, every schedule on time, and every team supported. Parker is better because of her diligence, calm under pressure, and service-first leadership. Thank you, Ms. Kolb!
Open House 2025 😃
Open House is an important evening for parents to connect more deeply with their child’s classroom experience. Unlike Meet the Teacher Night, which served as a quick introduction to teachers and classrooms, Open House provides a more informative opportunity to learn about the daily learning environment, instructional updates, and classroom expectations.
The evening will begin with a brief opening session in the Performance Hall hosted by school admin, Parker Friends, and PTO. Afterwards, parents will rotate through classrooms to hear directly from teachers. Please keep in mind that each teacher supports both their homeroom (23–28 students) and a partner teacher’s group, meaning close to 50 families may be present. To respect everyone’s time, we ask that questions remain general during sessions. For individual concerns, please schedule a parent conference by phone or in person.
Throughout the building, families can also:
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Visit Parker Friends to submit music fees
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Stop by PTO tables for Parker Gear sizing and sample materials
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Connect with the Wraparound Specialist for student support services
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Speak with additional staff available for questions and guidance
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Meet CCR teachers (available during the Wednesday Open House only)
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing more about the incredible teaching and learning happening every day at Parker!
Grandparent's Day 2025 🧓👵
Welcome Our Newest Staff Members
Welcome - Ms. Martha Julissa Navarro to our front office team!
Ms. Navarro began her career with HISD in 2004 as a Registrar Clerk Assistant at Robert E. Lee High School. Since then, she has continued to grow her skills while serving at schools in both the Heights and the southwest area of Houston.
With a lifelong love and respect for the arts, Ms. Navarro is excited to join Parker Elementary and be part of a team that is helping this generation discover the beauty of the arts. She is eager to support our students, families, and staff in the year ahead.
Welcome - Ms. Dominique James to our team as our new SLC Teaching Assistant!
Ms. James brings a rich background in education and the arts. She has served as a dance teacher and dance team director at Key Middle School and as the assistant dance team coach at Lamar University. In addition, she continues her commitment to supporting students by working with Stafford ISD’s summer program.
Her passion for serving children and building strong connections with the community makes her a wonderful addition to Parker. Ms. James is excited to begin this new chapter and looks forward to supporting our students in the SLC program.
Welcome - Laurie Buchsbaum, better known around campus as "Nurse B"!
Nurse B is a proud third-generation Houstonian who has served as a school nurse in HISD for more than ten years. In that time, she has supported campuses across the district by stepping in for nurses on long-term leave, a role that also allowed her flexibility while raising her two children, Sara and Adam—both now thriving in college. With her children grown, Nurse B is eager to dedicate her heart and full attention to one school community, and we are thrilled that she has chosen Parker.
Although she most recently spent last semester at MPVA, her true passion has always been elementary schools. Outside of work, she enjoys reading with her book club of 18 years, watching movies, and playing Mah Jongg.
Interested In Gifted & Talented Programs?
Join us for a Gifted and Talented Parent Info Session to learn about the identification process, available services, and how to request testing.
- View the flyer for more information and registration here!
Testing Request Form: Click the link to request a GT assessment for your child. Requests must be submitted by August 25th.
Please contact Mrs. Jennifer Mills for any questions or concerns regarding Parker GT programming.
-Jennifer Mills, Assistant Principal
(GT Coordinator)
🚗 Carpool Safety Reminder
Carpool & Safety Reminders
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No cell phones in the school zone or carpool lane. For the safety of our students, drivers must remain off their phones at all times while in these areas.
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Hazard lights must be on while waiting in the street leading into the carpool lane during drop-off and pick-up. Once your child is safely dropped off or picked up, please turn them off to help keep traffic moving smoothly.
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No left turns into the carpool lane. All vehicles must enter using the designated route to ensure traffic flow and student safety.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and our carpool line running efficiently!
- Assistant Principal Garcia
PTO & PAKER FRIENDS UPDATES
PTO NEWSLETTER
Our first newsletter was sent out this morning! Be sure to check it out and read about all our upcoming events, sales, and volunteer opportunities. Did you not get one? Make sure to visit the PTO website and enroll.
Afterschool Enrichment Clubs go on sale Monday, August 25 at 8pm. Click here to see the complete list of available clubs and descriptions.
Friday, August 29: Sales close at 3:00 pm
Week of September 8: First week of clubs
Week of December 1st: Last week of clubs
Week of December 8: Clubs Make-Up Days (if a club has to be canceled during the regular schedule)
No clubs on the following dates: October 2 and the week of November 24-28
Grandparent's Day Lunch Volunteers
We need your help with setting up, checking people in, and more! Click here to volunteer.
More information can be found on our website, https://parkerpto.membershiptoolkit.com/grandparentsday
Jeanette Mueller
President, Parker Elementary PTO
832-987-2052 (PTO)
Parker Friends is excited to kick off another great year of music at Parker!
The Music Program has been thriving since 1975, and with your support we continue to ensure that every student has access to instruments, workshops, and opportunities to shine. Families are asked to pay a music fee for their child(ren), which helps cover the costs of sheet music, instrument maintenance, and other essentials that keep our program running smoothly.
The Music Fee Form will open this Tuesday—just in time for our Magnet Open House. We look forward to welcoming returning families and meeting new ones as we work together to keep Parker’s music program strong and sustainable.
Julie Doyle-Madrid (She/Her/Hers)
Executive Director
Parker Friends
832-910-7761