Message from Principal Blagg
Greetings Parker Community,
We had another fantastic week at Parker Middle School. While visiting classes I have observed students fully engaged, working cooperatively, and learning from one another. I hope that everyone has a great long weekend with family and friends. I hope to get out for a hike if I can dodge the raindrops!
Change for Change
I am so proud of the Parker community for raising $3212.92 for The Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This money was raised in one week with the donations of change from our students and their families. The money will go towards funding research and treatment for children afflicted with cancer. I want to give a special shout out to sixth grade teacher Marty Conley for spearheading this event. The whole staff rallied around this great cause and as a community we practiced proactive compassion.
Social Emotional Survey on October 11
The students will be taking a social emotional survey during the SEL Block on Wednesday. The results of this survey are used to determine areas of need in our community. The data will be used to provide specific supports and enrichment programming to better meet the needs of our students.
Day of Awesomeness on October 11
All students will be treated to a Day of Awesomeness on Wednesday. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, Kona Ice, a DJ, and many other fun activities. This is a celebration of our successful PTO fundraiser. The funds raised through the POP fundraiser will directly benefit the students of Parker and McCarthy. We want to thank everyone for their support of this endeavor. I know the kids will have a great time on Wednesday!
The Bionic Project and Nico Calabria
The Bionic Project will return to Parker on Friday October 13 for assemblies with the sixth grade. This empowering assembly helps to break down preconceived notions of those with disabilities while exploring themes of accessibility and privilege. After the assemblies Nico, a professional amputee soccer player and Captain of the US team will be joining some Physical Education classes to play soccer.
OCTOBER
IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday, October 9th - No School - Columbus Day
Wednesday, October 11th - Day of Awesomeness
Friday, October 13th - The Bionic Project and Nico Calabria
Thursday, October 19th - Early Release Day - dismissal @11:10 a.m.
Monday, October 23rd thru Friday October 27th - Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, October 25-Pizza, Pumpkins & Paperbacks (see PTO Message below)
Tuesday, October 31st - Costumes for a Cause - more info. to follow-Halloween
Flu Clinic
Chelmsford Public Schools is partnering with Remedium Pharmacy to offer a Flu Clinic for STUDENTS grades 5-12 on Wednesday October 18th. The flu clinic will be on site at each school. If you would like your child to receive the flu vaccine, please pre-register for the clinic using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/13574DB0FA1CEE9C0A90-chelmsford5
This clinic is provided by Remedium Pharmacy. Pharmacy staff will bill your insurance plan to ensure coverage prior to the clinic. We ask that you please enter your insurance information if asked during the registration process or provide requested information if we reach out to you for clarification. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions regarding this sign-up, please contact the pharmacy directly at 978-251-7070 and we will be happy to assist.
The access code to sign up is: CHELMSFORD (all caps). Please note, there are 3 tabs to select for the school your child attends, CHS, McCarthy and Parker. Be sure to select the school your child attends under the correct tab. The times for the signs up will be:CHS: 7:30am-9:30 am (CHS Learning Commons)
Parker: 10:00am-12:00 pm ( Parker Conference room)
McCarthy: 12:30pm-2:30 pm (McCarthy Conference Room)
The online registration for the Student Flu Clinic will close on Sunday, October 15th at 6:00 pm in order to allow time to process the registrations. Please register by 6:00 pm on Sunday October 15th! It would be helpful to inform your child that they are signed up for the Flu Clinic on October 18, and to inform them of the appointment time that has been selected. Please remind your child to wear a short sleeve shirt on the day of the clinic! Thank you for keeping our school community safe by getting a flu shot!! Please contact your school nurse for any questions.
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES AND LATE BUSES UPDATE
Our after-school programs will be starting the week of October 16th. The activity fee is $50 per student. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK My School Bucks or send in cash or check made payable to Chelmsford Public Schools and turn into your child's homeroom teacher. The fee allows students to take full advantage of any clubs they wish to attend. The after-school activities run from 2:40-3:40 on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday throughout the year. Students also have the option of taking a late bus home. Please watch for our Clubs & Activities Brochure coming out next week. Also, please see sign-up links for our Fitness Room Club and Intramurals below.
Fitness Room
Want to stay active after school? Join us for fitness club! Some of the activities include an intro to fitness with a focus on proper technique and form, an intro to yoga/mindfulness/ stretching, time with the cardio equipment, fitness related games and more! If interested, please complete each section of the form for your child to be considered for joining. If registering more than 1 child, please complete an additional form. We have a max capacity of 20 students at a time in the fitness room. We will try to accommodate as many students as possible by offering 2 days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) for half a year.
We will break into 4 groups- Group A-D.
Group A will attend on Wednesdays October-January.
Group B will attend on Thursday October- January.
Group C will attend Wednesday February- May.
Group D will attend Thursday February-May.
Assigned groups will be posted in the cafe the week before clubs start!
Please complete the form by October 13th!
INTRAMURALS SIGN-UP FORM
Intramurals is one our Clubs & Activities that will be offered. Please click on the link below to sign your student up for Intramurals. This will help our Advisors organize teams so that all students will have the opportunity to attend this very popular club.
ANNIE KIDS VIDEO AUDITIONS!!
Reminder: Auditions are due no later than this Tuesday October 10th!
Due to the overwhelming amount of interest in the musical this year, we have decided to make all auditions virtual. There will be no in person audition slots, even if you have signed up prior.
Parents/Guardians, please use the google form here to give permission for your child's video audition and help them submit a video by this Tuesday October 10: ANNIE KIDS Revised Audition SignUp and Submission
Guidelines for recording and submitting a video audition can be found here: Annie KIDS Audition Guidelines
Please use this document to get a better idea of the characters: ANNIE KIDS Character List
All auditions must be recorded and uploaded to the google form. There are NO in person auditions. A small amount of students may receive a callback the week of October 16th.
There will be a Parker Drama family meeting at Parker Middle School on Thursday October 26th at 6pm.
Thank you and happy auditioning!
Select Chorus Auditions on Tuesday, October 17th
Come audition for Select Chorus on Tuesday October 17th after school in Rm 230! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/XraczDZhdixYgYsSA
Select Chorus is an auditioned ensemble that will meet before school on Friday mornings at 7:20am in which ALL students from grades 5 and 6 are encouraged to audition. Students sing more challenging repertoire, take on a greater leadership role, and get to take their singing to the next level all the while learning better to express themselves through their voice. Select Chorus also practices for District & All State Choruses and performs publicly at least three times a year.
Here is the graphic: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-V0MsPdel_UExR5_HzmyDm5AM3oAuKkiyilDfwXNaXg/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks!
FROM PARKER PTO
Parker PTO has some exciting activities during the month of October! We will be looking for LOTS of parent volunteers to help with our some amazing school events, coordinating volunteers and promoting all of our PTO happenings. Please save the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 11th: Day of Awesomeness! Students will be participating in a one of a kind obstacle course with their classmates. This event will occur during the school day. Thank you to all that have volunteered to make this day extra special. We still have slots available: https://signup.com/go/DDiRYtj
- Wednesday, October 11th: Parker/McCarthy PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. at McCarthy library. Join our meeting to hear about upcoming events, share ideas and understand how funds are being used to support our students, teachers and school community. Light refreshments will be served.
- Thursday, October 12th: An evening performance of Rob Surette, Hero Art Thursday, October 12th 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Chelmsford Performing Arts Center. You won't want to miss this opportunity to see speed painter Rob Surette create a masterpiece right before your eyes! This event is being offered for FREE to families. Reserve your seats here: https://signup.com/go/GvXSPjm
- October 23rd-27th: Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Parker. This traditional book fair will be held during school hours for students. Sign up here to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/YyLtQTH
- October 25th: Pizza, Paperbacks and Pumpkins 5:00-7:00pm. Spend the evening shopping at our Scholastic Book Fair, eating pizza in the cafeteria or viewing pumpkins aglow in the courtyard. You won't want to miss this Parker Middle School tradition. Sign up to volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/ptutNGf
ATTENDANCE
To report a Student Absent:
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.
Thank you for your understanding.
Parker Middle School
Email: robinsond@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road
Phone: 978-251-5133
