Parker Family Update-Welcome Back!

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer! Once again, Mr. Souza and I balanced our time in and out of Parker as we prepared to start our twelfth school year as an administrative team. I am looking forward to having students and staff back in the building as we kick-off the 2022-2023 school year. Please join me in welcoming the new students and families who will be joining our Parker community! As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Best wishes for a terrific end to the summer and I will see you again soon.

Regards,

Jeff Parks, Principal

Twitter & Instagram @ParkerPrincipal

The faculty and staff at Parker will continue to support and promote our PRIDE program aimed at recognizing students for their ongoing positive behavior and achievement. Our school's core values reinforce pro-social behaviors and teach students about the importance of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication & Empathy.

This important initiative started 12 years ago at Parker and continues to guide our school in a positive direction. By creating student leadership opportunities and fostering strong student/staff collaboration, we will continue to focus on our PRIDE values as we work toward common goals.

School begins for all students on Tuesday, August 30th. School hours are 8:19-2:40. Students being dropped off can enter the building beginning at 8:00AM (see below for drop-off/pick-up info).

Over the first few days, we will have a modified schedule (extended homeroom periods etc.) to allow students and staff to acclimate to the new school year.

I look forward to seeing all of our students at the grade level assemblies that will be held during the first few days of school.

I have included a link to the 2022-2023 CPS calendar for your convenience and planning.

The school day runs from 8:19AM - 2:40PM.

• Students can be dropped off beginning at 8:00 using the lot off of Crooked Spring Road.
• Students taking the bus to school will enter through the main lobby.
• At the 2:40 dismissal, students taking a bus will exit through the main lobby.
• All student pick-ups will take place in the rear lot off of Crooked Spring Road.
• Students who walk or ride bikes, etc., can exit through the main lobby or exit to Crooked Spring.

*The morning drop off and after-school pick up procedures tend to be very busy. Please be patient and understand that it will take some time to develop the routine that people are familiar and comfortable with.

Please see the attached image showing the drop-off traffic pattern.

Due to a few retirements and some other changes, I am excited to welcome several new professionals to our Parker team! The majority of the summer was filled with interviews and meeting potential candidates. We are still actively working to fill a few positions and I will keep you informed along the way.

I will share additional staffing details in an upcoming Parker Parent Update.

Grades 5 & 6: Thursday, September 22, 2022, 6:00-7:30pm

Grades 7 & 8: Thursday, September 29, 2022, 6:00-7:30pm

I lieu of a meeting in the cafe before the event, I will send an introduction video that week providing an overview of Open House, along with some updates for the school year. I am confident that this will ensure that all families have the same information whether they are able to attend or not.

Each Friday, the office will send the "Weekly Bulletin" to all Parker families. This bulletin will feature a look at the week ahead so that you and your student(s) will be prepared. I also encourage you to follow me on Twitter & Instagram @ ParkerPrincipal for ongoing information updates on all-things-Parker.

I will send "Parker Family Updates" throughout the year as well highlighting different aspects of the school year.

The federal lunch program will continue this year providing free options for a CPS students. Please see the attached letter from Food Services Director, Nancy Antolini, for more information.

If your child is going to be absent from school, you can either email or call to let us know.

Email: ParkerAttendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Please Send Email: Prior to 9am on the day of the absence (same as current voicemail option)

Please Include:

Child’s name

Grade

Reason for absence

I encourage you to use the email option when reporting an absence, dismissal, etc. Parents are still free to use the phone system to report absences, but you are encouraged to use email for greater office efficiency.

If you prefer, you can certainly call the attendance line prior to 9:00am, at 978-251-5133, extension #4100.

NEW THIS YEAR

We will continue to send automated calls home when students are absent. You will receive the call whether you called/emailed or not. The reason is that we do not have the ability to review every email or phone call, and then manually remove each contact prior to the calls going out at 10:00AM.

In order for an absence to be marked as "Excused", families will need to provide medical documentation.

Thank you for your understanding.

Our after school clubs and activities program will get started around mid-October. These are a fantastic way for students to interact with their peers while meeting people with similar interests. We will offer a wide-range of programs again this year. I will send more information once the school year begins and I work with staff to determine what we will run and who will serve as the advisor(s).

Activities run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 2:40-3:40. The activity fee gives students the ability to attend all 3 days and gives them access to the late bus. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Email: parksj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5133
Twitter: @parkerprincipal