Principal's Corner

Welcome Back to School!

We had a great first week together!

Thank you to all our students, staff, and families that helped with our dismissal on Friday. That type of weather, during dismissal, was a first for many of us and we truly appreciate all of the additional help in keeping everyone safe.

Thank you to all of our families for your overwhelming generosity by providing our classrooms with additional supplies.

Message from Ms. McDonnell

Hello Parker Community. 

Welcome back to the Parker Library!  

We’re so excited to have students back in the library checking out books, reading and learning new things. This year we’ll explore old and new books, complete Project-Based Learning modules on endangered animals, the importance of clean drinking water, and increase our computer programming skills. Students will also learn how to navigate the Google Education Suite through Google Classroom, Slides, Docs and Drawings.

Parent Volunteers Sign-ups are NOW OPEN!! We need help reshelving books, keeping the library clean, and making a difference at the Parker. Please consider volunteering on a weekly, biweekly, and/or monthly basis. All are welcome. Volunteers may begin as early as Monday, September 18, 2023.

Please follow this link to volunteer:

https://forms.gle/Hjb1LCeRqEaSMLsG6 

Please also feel free to reach out with any questions and/or concerns and continue reading books with your children. They enjoy it and it fosters a lifelong reading habit.

Best,

Donna McDonnell

Parker Librarian

dmcdonnell@billericak12.com 

School Picture Day

School Picture Day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13. Student's individual and class picture will be taken.

Last week, O'Connor Studio sent an email to parents/guardians with order information. We also sent home paper picture order forms on Friday.

If you would like to purchase your child's photograph, please complete either the online form or the paper form and return it to school on Wednesday. You do not need to complete both forms.

Billerica Public Schools Calendar

To view our 2023-2024 Academic Calendar please click this link.

Upcoming dates:

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

• PTO Meeting at 6:30pm

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

• School Picture Day

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

• Early Release - dismissal at 12:45pm

Thursday, September 21, 2023

• Back to School Night 6:00pm-8:00pm

Friday, September 22, 2023

• Ice Cream Social at 6:00pm

Saturday, September 23, 2023

• Yankee Doodle Homecoming Weekend

Friday, September 29, 2023

• Fun Run kick-off

Breakfast/Lunch Updates



In August, we learned that breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students. This was made possible through funding provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. However, our school nutrition office is required to follow federal guidelines. We are asking that all families complete a Household Application Form.

Our pin machines are currently not working. We are hopeful that they will be repaired shortly. Once they are, we will notify our families.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Students Participating in the Early Morning Program or Breakfast:

• Early Morning Program drop off begins at 7:25am. For registration, please contact Ms. Butler.
• If your child is not participating in the Early Morning Program, the front doors will open at 8:20am for students who are planning to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. 
• Students receiving breakfast will be let off buses at 8:20am or upon their arrival.
• All other students, will enter the school through the main doors at 8:25am.  

Car Drop off Procedures for Students: (8:25am)

• Car drop off procedure will begin at 8:25am. Cars will enter the parking lot through the Parker St. entrance only and proceed to the front ball field. Children should exit cars on the passenger side, closest to the curb, where staff will greet them. 
• To keep traffic flowing, adults should not exit their cars. Parker staff can assist as needed. Please note that this is a rolling car drop-off line - do not pass vehicles in front of you.
• Parents who wish to walk students towards the school should park in the lowest level of the parking lot, in a designated spot, cross the driveway at the crossing guard, and stop at designated guardian drop off spots. Students will continue into school alone from that point with Parker staff supervision. 
• When parking your car, please take an available spot and leave the passing lane open. If all spots are taken, please park on the right side of the lane, when facing the building.
• Car riding students are not allowed to be dropped off on Pages Court or in the church parking lot. These areas are not school property and are not supervised by school staff. Walkers may use our Pages Court entrance. 

Please help us to be good neighbors and to keep all students safe!

Dismissal Procedures: (2:45pm)

• Dismissal begins at 2:45pm. Students enrolled in the Fun Club program will be dismissed to the cafeteria first, followed by students riding the bus and then students that are parent/guardian pick-up.  
• If your child is a walker/pick-up student, we ask that all parent/guardians wait to approach the building until after our buses have been released.
• Walkers/Pick-up students will be dismissed at approximately 2:50pm. Teachers will lead students out through the front doors once the last bus has left the circle area. Parents/Guardians are asked to wait at the designated areas to allow the students and teachers to walk to you. Please look for a sign with your child’s grade level printed on it. Older children will look for parents in the grade level area of their youngest sibling. 

Dismissal Notes/Emergency changes in dismissal: 

• Written letters regarding dismissal need to be given to the teacher on or before the day of a dismissal. Emails to the classroom teacher on the day of the dismissal are not always reliable since the teacher may not have a chance to open email until later in the school day.   
• Only emergency changes in dismissal will be accepted by phone after 1:00pm. This will ensure that communication to each party involved can be completed in the limited time available.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these important procedures to ensure the safety of all Parker students.

Save the Date

Yankee Doodle Homecoming Parade

Saturday, September 23, 2023

We need your help. Do you own a flatbed trailer? If so, would you consider loaning it to us for the parade? Please contact our PTO at parkerelementaryPTO@gmail.com.

Fun Run Save the Date and Update

We are excited to kick off our Parker Fun Run on Friday, September 22, just three weeks away! Our goal is to raise $20,000 for field trips, playground updates, and to strengthen our school community. 

Key dates to remember: 

• Registration Opens - September 9, 2023
• Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
• Parker Fun Run Kick Off - September 22, 2023
• Event Day - October 11, 2023

Donations will go toward supporting our school and can be given throughout the entire experience. There is no pressure to give, but we invite you to help our school by sharing our fundraiser with your family and friends! Please consider sharing our fundraiser with friends and extended family online at mybooster.com.

Thank you for supporting Parker through the Parker Fun Run.

We are grateful for our Parker family and are thankful for your support.