Dear Parker Families,

It’s difficult to decide which was more spectacular—the Capulet’s Ball held last Friday in the courtyard or the preparation process our Division 1 students undertook in order to ensure its success. The sight of our central square, festooned with streamers and flooded with lute songs and early renaissance music and filled to the edges with costumed students and their teachers, all in character, was downright amazing. For two class blocks, each two hours long, two distinct gala parties here staged in order to provide a fuller sense of the time and place in which …"a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life…"

As our Division 1 students explore Romeo and Juliet and begin to express their understanding of the characters and action of the play, they are called upon to demonstrate what they know. And while the idea of dressing up and suspending their disbelief that the courtyard isn’t really a palace may not inspire all students equally, their understanding was evident in the small conversations in different corners, in the hurling of stunningly accurate Shakespearean insults, and in the beautifully executed Pavanne, danced so capably by many of the guests. And still, as lovely as the result was, I’m not sure it compared with the sight of these students in the Auditorium ten days ago, actually studying the Pavanne. Guided by the expertise of Parker parent Judy Erickson and the growing skills and audacious boldness of their Arts and Humanities teachers, students learned a variety of authentic early English dances that were popular during the Elizabethan era. I had the opportunity to linger a little while as one such class practiced these moves with determination and the particular joy that can only come from unselfconscious dancing. Learning the history of curtseying, of showing courtesy, and practicing the proper moves for ladies and gentlemen, our students entered history, literature, and art by allowing these disciplines to enfold them.

Our school seems especially alive with rich, un-tidy learning opportunities that are deliberately designed to open our students’ worlds bit by bit. Division 2 students arrived home, later the same day as the Capulet’s Ball, exhausted and exhilarated by their rafting adventure. As I write this letter, their teachers are gathered around a lab table planning the next series of adventures, to see authentic Mexican murals in preparation for their artistic expression unit in A/H, and for fieldwork involving collecting water samples for MST. (Would you like to come along and assist in one of these special activities? Contact a Div 2 A/H or MST teacher to sign on.)

We are a lucky bunch. Our students go willingly into these messy situations. Our teachers don’t easily tire of our students. And so, we have these incredible experiences that ultimately lead to the increasingly mature and potentially solitary adventures of our Division 3 students, whose experiences sustain and support their growth as individuals about to move beyond our immediate school community.

November promises to be another month of expansive activity in Parker classrooms and beyond. We will close the school for November 15, to dedicate the day to professional development. Thanks to the over two hundred affirmative responses that provided a chorus of support for Parker staff and makes possible this change in our calendar. We will have opportunities for parents wishing to spend some time in classrooms the afternoon of November 14, as teachers heading to the Fall Forum will catch a plane.

There is music coming through the hallway outside this office, and the rhythms of a ball bouncing with serious intent come from the gym. Teachers are clustered all over the school, planning like crazy the next series of un-tidy lessons.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Teri Schrader

Principal

Wednesday, 10/30 - PLP Conference Day (no classes)

Student Directories are now available at $2.00 a copy. Please pick your copy up in the front office.

Thank you to the families of Emily Browning , Beth Campbell, and David Mullen for the recent donations to the nurse’s office of snacks for hungry students. Your generosity is appreciated!

We are most grateful to all the Parker parents who have been so much better at calling early in the morning to tell us that their child or children will be out for the day or will be arriving late. It makes a big difference to Cathy and the volunteers who help in the office when we get your telephone call before 9:00 a.m. Thank you very much.

For my senior project, I am planning on writing a novella. In my search for a mentor to guide me, I hope to find a editor and peer to help me revise and improve my work. I was hoping that there would be a community member who was either an experienced writer who could help me, or could connect me to such a person. Any help anyone could provide me in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Brian Whalley

Stilts choice block would love donations of the following: old sheets, foam padding (the spongy kind you find in pillows - see the lobby for an example), bike inner tubes, 2x4 boards (at least 14in in length). We would also love to borrow any helmets or wrist guards (small or large) that you have outgrown or don't use so often this time of year. Please leave donations in room 28 - if you would like a helmet or wrist guard returned be sure to leave your name, phone # and email taped to the item!

Based on the enthusiastic response to Clare’s call for volunteer gardeners to clean up the courtyard, I began to wonder if anyone would be interested in developing a renewal and maintenance program for all of the outdoor spaces in and around the building. If so, please contact me, Wendy Johnson at (978) 952-6849 or schobrothers@aol.com

We are looking for help in the office on Monday afternoon, October 21, all day on Tuesday, October 22 and probably the morning of Wednesday, October 23. If you can only come for a couple of hours at a time that is all right, too! We will be photocopying progress reports, stuffing envelopes and then sending them home. We would like to have a person to answer telephones and do any odd jobs that might come up during the day. If you are interested please call us and let us know. Thank you.

Our goal is to revise this document and provide a useful reference tool. We need your input!

Senior Project proposals were due today (Friday, 10/11)! We will be meeting over them next week and then students will be able to revise as necessary.

We are preparing for our oral presentations for COW #3 on microbial growth. Next week we will be covering linear functions and will be starting a composting project.

How do parameters affect the possibilities? This is the essential question guiding our study for the next month. Students have begun studying the parameters affecting water quality, as well as the parameters affecting exponential growth and decay. As part of their exponential study, students are choosing an exponential scenario which they we present through an oral presentation to the class in upcoming weeks. Remember, MST teachers are available after school for extra help on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Take advantage of these opportunities!

Students continue to read and practice Romeo and Juliet in different ways. This week, students have been working on stage fighting. Journals were collected this week. Reading questions are due on Tuesday.

On Tuesday there will be a Fishbowl on textual analysis. Students will be discussing tragedy and tragic flaws as well as true love. Students are starting to think about topics for research; take some time to ask your child about this process.

We continue to read and study the play. We have spent some time examining subtext and acting out scenes from act four this week. Journals were collected earlier this week and have been returned to your child with comments.

This week in Division 2 Arts and Humanities we made our way back to the novel, Like Water For Chocolate, after a brief hiatus in the wilds of Maine. Discussions this week centered around the characters in the story and how traditions affects their lives. If you have a chance to ask your son or daughter about the book, ask about Mama Elena and her policy on marriage. Poor Mama Elena, no one seems to agree with her.

This week we also handed back the listening assessments which we began at the start of the year. Encourage your child to revise the assessment so that they can get better acquainted with the revision process.

Just a quick heads up…We are planning on taking a trip to see the murals of Dartmouth on November 7 and 8. This will coincide with our artistic expression project at the end of the Mexico unit. Two years ago, students loved the trip and learned more than they thought possible about murals in an old New England town.

In Alan's classes, students made connections between popular music and gender stereotypes, as well as, considering examples of groups who have power and privilege. We continue to do the one minute run and this past week touch football was introduced with passing, catching and game play.

This week in Deborah’s Wellness classes we gave a try at Wheel week. This was an opportunity for students to bring in roller blades, skateboards, or bikes and ride away! This was not very successful…but a good try at something different! In our Health classes we listened to and watched rap and pop artists looking at what gives artists status, what sells their records, what their images are and how gender is portrayed in both lyrics and videos. Next week we will continue our look at pop music, lyrics and videos!

Last but not least, in this week's activity classes we enjoyed the fall weather playing soccer and will be starting "wheel week" on next Thursday. Students will have the opportunity to bring their bikes, skateboards, and roller-blades to Wellness class. All students "on wheels" need to be wearing proper safety equipment -- which at the minimum is comprised of a helmet. Skateboarders must have their skateboarding permission slip filled out. It can be picked up at the office. Those students who do not wish to strap on wheels will have a choice of activities ranging from floor hockey to four-square.

PLP (Personal Learning Plan) conferences are around the corner, Wednesday, October 30th. If you haven't already been contacted by your child's advisor, you will be shortly to set up a time to meet. The conference is a wonderful opportunity for students, parents, and advisors to talk about the year so far and to discuss strengths, areas of need and goals for the year. Please take time before the conference to prepare (most advisors send home a parent prep sheet) so the conference time can be most productive.

Advisory Parent Representatives have been confirmed for all but a few advisories. You should expect to receive a "Communication Chain" soon from the Advisory Parent Representative for your child's advisory. The Communication Chain is used to inform Parker families of important announcements and upcoming events. Please keep it in a handy place.

In November, advisories will be asked to write up their Community Service plans for the year. If you have any ideas for projects that would be suitable for an advisory group, please e-mail Debbie Osofsky, Advisory Coordinator, at debbieo@parker.org

Did you sign up to volunteer in the library? We need you! Four identical training sessions are being set up for all new parent volunteers (see the dates below). It is important that you attend one of these sessions. Please register by calling the main office or send an email to me at Laurie@Parker.org . Please come prepared to tell me what days & times during the week you can work. I'll be interested in learning about areas of subject interests or expertise you can share.

I look forward to meeting you! Thank you!

Thurs. Oct. 24 8:30 - 10:00 AM

Thurs. Oct. 24 2:00 - 3:15 PM

Mon. Oct. 28 8:30 - 10:00 AM

Mon. Oct. 28 2:00 - 3:15 PM

I have about 15 oak shelves that need to be cut down, sanded and poly-urethaned. If you can help, please call or email me at school - Laurie@parker.org . Thank you!

Laurie Nehring, Librarian

"They do the mash....they do the monster mash!" Join your friends for a fun evening of costumes and dancing. The Div II/Div III Halloween Dance will be on Friday, October 25th. There will be many halloween-y activities, including a costume contest for those daring spirits who show their true colors (no face masks please). Tickets will be on sale the week of the dance, starting Monday 10/21.

Homework Clinic will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and will begin the week of September 16. It is a quiet, supervised setting for those students who have been identified as needing extra support. If you are interested in enrolling a student once or twice a week, please contact Lee, Terry or Laura in Student Services.

We are pleased to continue the Parker / Wachusett Mountain, Thursday evening ski program. This year’s program is scheduled to run six consecutive Thursdays starting January 9th, 2003.

As last year, two buses have been contracted and we expect to fill both, so participation will be on a first come, first serve basis and is limited to available bus space. Please return your completed applications, along with payments, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Applications will be accepted until November 8th or until the buses are full.

I look forward to seeing you on the slopes!

Jim DiGiorgio

The P5 practice field is on Antietam Street between MacArthur Avenue and Sherman Avenue.

Colored mouthguards must be worn by all soccer players at every practice and every game – this is an MIAA rule and will be strictly enforced. There are likely to be some scheduling changes during the season from the Game Schedules handed out, please stay tuned to the coaches and Friday Announcements for any changes.

A Brief Description of the Project: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If funded, I (we) agree to carry out the goals of this project in accordance with the description and budget contained in this application or in accordance with any adjustment which is subsequently approved by the PEF. In the event that we do not carry out this project for whatever reason, we agree to account for and return all unused funds to the PEF forthwith.

_________________________ _________________________ ______________________

=========================================================================

Thank you for your generous donation! See you on Saturday, November 2^nd.

Wednesday, 1 - New Year’s Day – no school

Thursday/Friday, 2,3 - Faculty Work Days

Monday, 6 - Classes Resume

Sunday, 12 - Enrollment Information Session (1-4 pm)

Tuesday, 14 - Trustees Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

Monday, 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday - no school

Sunday, 26 - Enrollment Information Session (1-4 pm)

(Snow date: Sunday, February 2)

14 - Early Release (1:30 dismissal)

17 - President’s Day - no school

18 - 21 - Winter Recess

11 - Trustees Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

12 - Spring PLP Conference Day (no classes)

18 - Early Release (noon dismissal)

21 - 25 - Spring Recess

29 - Trustees Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

23 - Early Release (noon dismissal)

26 - Memorial Day - no school

17 - Trustees Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

24 - Last Day of Classes (or earlier)

25 - 27 - Faculty Work Days (or earlier)