Friday Announcement November 22nd, 2002

A couple of weeks ago, a group of school principals and colleagues from like-minded, determined schools visited Parker as part of a Critical Friends Group session. Our work centered on dilemmas and challenges we face in our schools. Before the meeting began however, we had a little time to tour the school and to talk informally about the kinds of schools we are all trying to develop and sustain. Everyone remarked on the level of energy and the “feel” of the school. Three hours later, when we closed our session and chatted as we cleaned up our papers, one member remarked that the school felt essentially the same at 5:30 as it did at 2:30. There was still the same level of light inside the place, students everywhere you looked, and the kind of noise and hum that was in evidence when school was in session. It was true. Our school had a kind of “open 24 hours” feel about it. The Costa Rica Travel group was simmering pasta sauce in the kitchen, the girls basketball team was beginning early practice sessions, there were cross country teammates inside, outside, and everywhere, and another three or four dozen students scattered throughout the school in work sessions, meetings, and activities. It as a little like the best kind of diner: a small bright place exuding the particular warmth of busy-ness and an unselfconscious welcome. There with my colleagues, I felt extraordinarily proud of our school, so alive with the efforts of its inhabitants.

This past week has felt just this way again. Or is it still?

On Tuesday night of this week, we had all the lights on once again. As the Board of Trustees met to approve the school’s curriculum for the year, to discuss its role and responsibilities and consider the focused work of the year, the members of the Class of 2003, their teachers, parents, and friends gathered in classrooms around the notion of providing help, support, and direct feedback to the students who are about to embark upon their Senior Projects. Roundtables designed to set in motion the essential questions that will drive research and develop into internships and apprenticeships and different kinds of learning through different relationships provided a structure for seniors to connect with potential mentors and resources. Each of our 46 seniors had an opportunity to present their evolving essential question for feedback and benefit from focused discussion of the scope, scale and intent of the proposed project. In conversation yesterday with students and senior seminar teachers, the overall sense is that the evening’s work will make a difference to the projects. Many students whose work was vaguely defined now have an increased sense of direction, others carried away names of potential contacts or organizations that will help in the research, and still others have actual resources to lend greater credibility and specificity to their work.

At last week’s Fall Forum, the essential question that framed all the work was, “What School Should Be”. An eighty -page catalogue described hundreds of sessions that grappled with the complexities of creating schools that serve students more fully, that function as true democratic learning communities. These are lofty goals and huge assertions about what “good schools” strive for and seek. It’s striking to return home and see so many of the characteristics of a true learning community alive within our school.

While we probably don’t actually wish for a school that’s “open all night”, there are some ways in which a school that seems productive and joyful and vibrant resembles a terrific diner. The lights are on, there’s interesting stuff on the walls, and somewhere, someone is probably thinking about a new offering, a different way of doing something, or today’s “special”.

Reflections

Last week’s professional development activities are still very much on the minds of the teachers and students who attended them. Here is a sampling of what some had to say about the Fall Forum.

“One of the most exciting workshops I attended this past weekend at Fall Forum was about conceptions and misconceptions of adulthood. The workshop was led by Herb Childress, an author and professor at Duke University. The workshop opened with a simple question, "What are the attributes of a successful adult?" The responses ranged from someone who is law-abiding to someone who is capable of thinking and acting on the behalf of others. When we had established a list, Herb asked the rhetorical question, "In what ways do we teach these attributes in our schools or classrooms?" It's a big question. I am still grappling with it and many other questions raised in the workshop. It is a dialogue I have enjoyed continuing with my colleagues back here at school. Without a doubt, there is a lot to talk and think about as we prepare, watch, and attend to our students' passage from adolescence to adulthood.”

“Some of the workshops at the forum were really eye-opening! For instance, I went to a workshop and they were talking about how textbooks in most American schools barely go over the issue of gay rights. Because of this workshop, I'm planning to look at the textbooks my hometown uses to see what they are teaching the kids about gay rights……a lot of the workshops I went to were showing people how to do activities that we've already done in our classes…

…our workshop on Dress Codes went really, really well. I never realized that there are soooo many schools that don't know what to do about dress codes and I saw how our school handled it so well!”

“It was really cool to get to know the Parker teachers outside of school! I was cracking up for more than half of the trip because some of the teachers were such a riot!”

“Participating in the Fall Forum is an affirming experience. Gathering with other professionals and colleagues to present best practices, new areas of research and program development supports my belief that the Parker School is truly one of the best schools in the country. Without sounding boastful, it is obvious that the work that is done here is "cutting-edge" to educational reform. It's also evident that we truly care for our students, their families and communities in our work. I'm rewarded to know that my children attend one of the finest schools in the country, and that I have the honor to practice and learn at that same school!”

“Our workshop went really well. I was incredibly impressed with how articulate our kids were! One, a composed young woman (there was no way that anyone would have guessed that she is 13 years old!) and one doing a fantastic job despite being very nervous beforehand. And it helped having (the other Parker students) to add their thoughts as well. I have always said that whenever we want to show off our school, we just need to have out students talk. They never cease to amaze me with how thoughtful and reflective and articulate they are. I think it connects to the fact that the more responsibility we give kids, the better they respond – and having them present to an audience outside of the school is as high-stakes as you can get and the kids always step up. It makes me feel proud about our school and our classes because I know that it is the accepting, supportive atmosphere of our community and the way we challenge them to express themselves. and perform in front of audiences in class that help them grow into such powerful presenters.”

“…At the end, we asked everyone to reflect on one thing they had thought about dress codes and student voice before the workshop and one thing they think about them now (after the workshop) and it was cool to hear several of them say that they now conceived of “dress codes” as a more complex issue. They saw that it is undergirded by issues of authority (teachers giving up some in order to include student voice) and gender (most recent dress codes are directed towards girls) and that the issue of incorporating student voice is more important (and challenging) than they had imagined.”

“Flying home and my mind is on everything but those assessments I have under the seat ahead of me. As I reflect on the conference I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and pride. I am so proud of the work I am involved in, the growth I have made, the school I call home. I am grateful for the opportunities, my students, my teaching partner. Fall Forum always has this effect on me. I have gone, I have learned, I will grow! Last year, in Seattle, I set a goal with my colleague to share in the work we do and present at Fall Forum. We facilitated a workshop at the Fall Forum in Washington D.C. I feel an amazing sense of accomplishment. This year I chose the workshops I attended wisely. I went to those focused on whole school reform and group collaboration. I chose workshops on facilitating groups and coaching schools. All of the workshops I attended supported my professional goals this year. The best part is, I left them hungrier for information and directed toward resources to further my learning on the topics. I feel set-up to grow in new areas. I have been thinking a lot about collaboration and group process. I wonder what makes for functioning progressive relationships at Parker? Thoughts I had were clarified as I worked with other members of similar schools with similar situations. We discussed such issues as sustainability of new schools, philosophy and the ten common principles, student teacher relationships, new teacher support and of-course, how to get more time out of the day. I leave the Fall Forum rejuvenated, committed to the work I do, the students I teach and the classroom I share. I have questions to explore: who am I as a collaborator? What skills must I develop to be an effective facilitator? What are the ways that groups function progressively? I look forward to this growth ahead! Thank you Parker.”

♫ *** Attention *** ♫

Parker Musicians and Parker Chorus - Deadline

The Central District Music Educators Association will hold its High School auditions for chorus, band, orchestra and jazz band on Saturday, November 23.

Parker School Policy on School Closing Due to Inclement Weather

We announce school closings and two-hour delayed openings on WCVB TV5, WBZ (Radio AM1030 and TV4), and WBUR 90.9FM. Please use your own common sense and good judgment when deciding whether or not to drive to school. It is difficult for us to be aware of weather conditions in all the 40+ communities where our students reside. We try to make the decision before 6:00 AM, after consulting with various faculty “snow experts.” We also put our announcement on the school’s answering machine and on the Parker web site, www.parker.org.

When bad weather develops during the school day, you should always feel free to come to school early to pick up students. Make sure you come to the office and sign out all the students you take home. Parker School does not close early for weather events. A faculty member or administrator will stay at the school until all students are picked up.

Special Information for Students Who Drive to Parker: Student drivers and their parents are responsible for making all decisions about whether or not a student should drive in inclement weather. Please discuss this now, before the first flakes fall. Remember that, when a sudden snowfall begins, our school phones become very, very busy. We will give student drivers priority in making calls, but there may still be difficulty in reaching you. Student drivers may not leave school early unless we get permission from a parent.

Student phone use on “bad weather” days will be very limited. Student drivers will have first priority for contacting their parents. We need to keep our telephone lines available for incoming calls and for emergencies.

November, 2002

Friday, 11/22 - Best Night of School-based Fun Ever (Division I only) 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. $5.00

Weds, 12/04 - Parent to Parent Chat & Financial Aid Information Night (Chat @ 6:00 pm Financial Aid @ 7:00 pm)

Thursday, 12/05 - Parker School Chorus Concert with drama excerpts 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium

Thursday, 12/05 - Snow date for the Parent to Parent Chat &Financial Aid Information Night

Saturday, 12/07 - Littleton Holiday Craft Fair @ Littleton Middle School on Russell Street, Littleton

January, 2003

Sunday, 1/26 - Enrollment Information Session (1-4 pm) (Snow date: Sunday, February 2)

February, 2003

April, 2003

May, 2003

June, 2003

Coming Soon to a Cafeteria Near You!

Thanks to a generous grant from the PEF, we are thrilled to announce that coming soon

to the Parker cafeteria - an ultra cool and tasty soup and salad bar will be happening

sometime after the December Break. We will be running a Pilot Program of

soup-and-salad on Fridays, and plan to expand to a four day service sometime thereafter.

What does this mean for students and staff?

A chance for a healthy alternative to the lunch truck!

What does this mean for advisories?

Another chance for an advisory project that will directly benefit the

Parker Community!

What does this mean for parents? Yet another opportunity

to get in those volunteer hours by either helping us clean the kitchen

before service starts, or volunteering to help in the kitchen after the

program is up and running?

Stay tuned for further information and a soon to be posted wish list!

Call Karen Hannifin at (978) 486-8418 for more information.

Thank you to the families of Alex and Ben Dube and other anonymous donors for the recent donations to the nurse’s office of snacks for hungry students. Your generosity is appreciated!

To the family of Teddy Morton for some delicious sandwiches for the Teacher’s Room.

Help with the Alumni Luncheon - (Wednesday, December 18^th)

Volunteers are needed to make this year’s luncheon a memorable experience for our returning students, seniors and faculty. This would be a great way to get your volunteer hours in. Strapped for time? Help by simply purchasing cold cuts, rolls, paper products, condiments etc.. Also, looking to borrow platters, baskets and table- cloths. You could help by preparing salads, centerpieces or baking deserts. Have a free day? Great! I am looking for several people to help set up and clean up. What’s the saying? Many hands make light work! If you signed up at the beginning of the year for helping with refreshments, I have the list! Everyone will be contacted this weekend. Even if you are not on the list, but can help please contact Kim Ferguson, kf2026@aol.com.

Tom's advisory is holding a coat and mitten drive. If you have old coats and mittens in good condition, please bring them to school and place them in the collection box in the lobby. All items collected will go to Community Teamwork in Lowell to be distributed to various local shelters. Please bring your items in before Thanksgiving. Thanks.

I am still looking for Team Managers for Destination Imagination. Several parents have contacted me about their children’s interest in participating, but each team needs a coach. There are training sessions for this. One is this Saturday, however it may be too late to register, another is in January. Please check out the following websites for details: www.maom.org. and www.destinationimagination.org. Currently, Parker will have two teams representing us at the March tournament. Please contact me if you need any further information. Bernadette 978-486-9051

A Division I advisory needs your help. They are creating gift baskets to give to needy families in the community for the upcoming holidays. The theme is Family. They are designing the following five baskets: Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, and an Infant.

The advisory is in need of your help with donations. Items needed include, baskets, wallets, books, combs, brushes, winter hats, gloves, socks, stuffed animals, diapers, wipes, baby blankets, hygiene products, teas, coffee, gift certificates, etc… Thank you for your contributions! - Tanya, Room 14.

I am a senior and working on my senior project, which is a photographic essay documenting the cultural shock of living in a different country. As part of my senior project I am trying to find someone who works in an exchange program, or mentors exchange students (or knows anything about bringing students or children from abroad). I am interested in becoming involved with bringing exchange students to the United States. My project will include living in Germany, and I am looking for someone who can either tutor me in German or refer me to someone who can (or recommend a course0. If you can assist me with either of these please contact me at (978) 448-3710, or email me at Dreamsofreality4@aol.com. Thank you. Your help is sincerely appreciated. Alyssa Brayshaw

Thanks so much to all the community members who attended the Senior Project Community Tuning Night this week. Your feedback is invaluable for our kids. We encourage you to continue to offer your insights, contacts, and resources by visiting the Parker website, where there is Senior Project Requests page. Just follow the links at www.parker.org for Division Three and then for the Senior Project. Put it on your calendar and check it once a week! New requests and questions are added all the time!

Second quarter began on November 18; students whose quarterly release time proposals were approved have begun their off-campus senior project work!

Only absences that are pre-approved by the senior seminar teachers and the school using this process are excused senior project absences. Students approved for regular release time will bring home (for a parent's signature) an exit/re-entry contract that outlines their plan. For one-time absences pre-approved by the school, students should bring a note or have a parent call the school on the day of the absence. We encourage kids to take these occasional days on Wednesdays. It is important to note that kids are NOT universally approved to take Wednesdays off for their Senior Projects. They must let us know in advance if they have a need for a day off (to do some interviews or shadow a professional, for instance) for the Senior Project. Just staying home to do work is not part of the plan, and it should not be called in as a Senior Project day by parents.

Third quarter release time proposals for off-campus work related to the Senior Project are due December 18. (Release time proposal requirements are outlined in the Senior Project Handbook, p. 3-5.) If approved, that release time will begin January 27, 2003.

The philosophy classes are in the 19th century, debating Kant, Hegel and Kierkegaard as we near the end of Sophie’s World. In their most recent papers, students chose to critique either Kant’s categorical imperative or Hume’s analysis of reason as the slave of passion. When we have completed Sophie’s World, we will begin a focused unit on ethics using literary texts.

In poetry class, students continue to hone their critical and listening skills as we workshop each other’s poems. Our most recent “memory poems” were modeled after the structure of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill.

Satire class has just read and discussed “The True Story of Ah Q” by Lu Xun and “The Nose” by Gogol. As students prepare to write their own satirical stories, we are examining the use of the anti-hero and absurdism in literature.

Clay and Martha's classes have finished Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. Students have been participating in workshops on movement and lyrics as preparation for the Making A Scene translation project. Students have also been working on source evaluation, bibliography, and notes as part of a Renaissance research assessment (which is due Wednesday, November 27). Today students visited the Groton public library to work on research.

Tassia and Matt's classes have been participating in workshops on Sonnets, dance and movement, and soundscapes as part of the Making A Scene translation project. Parts five and six of the prep work packet are due Monday, November 25. Students will be performing their Making A Scene translations on Tuesday, December 3. Students have also been working on their Renaissance research assessment (notes are due Wednesday, November 27). The Source Evaluation and Bibliography components of the research assessment were collected today.

Emma and Michelle's classes have been participating in workshops on sound, symbolic portraits, and stage / set design as part of the Making A Scene translation project. On December 6th, students will be presenting their translations in class. Students were provided with class time to continue working on their Renaissance research projects (due Wednesday, November 27). Students will be sharing their research in class on Monday, December 2nd.

This week in Division 2 Arts and Humanities, we returned to our work on their murals. The students have been putting their ideas together on the essence of Mexican culture. Their three sketches have been combined into what will become their final mural. If it feels like they have not had much homework this week, it is because their mural work has taken place mainly in class.

The students have been assigned to write an artist statement. This is a piece of the project which will take place at home. As students write their artist statements, please inquire about the complexities of their work. This will give them a chance to flesh out their thoughts.

We will be having a Gallery Walk on Tuesday, November 26, 2002. Everyone is cordially invited to see Division 2’s work on that day. We will begin with Block 2 at 11 am and Block 3 at 2 pm. (If you can’t make it, come by on Wednesday to take a look at them all.) The murals look beautiful, so please come take a look and celebrate them with us.

Schedule for Mid-Year Gateway in Arts and Humanities, Division 2

Our Decomposition Unit has just about finished. And it has truly culminated this week with two great events:

The first is that students have chosen a project to show their understanding of decomposition. They either chose to design a sanitary landfill or chose to design a compost bin. This was their work for COW #7. Many students chose to design a compost bin. This may be because they see an opportunity to make a change in their daily life that would benefit the environment by making an actual compost bin. They might be working this weekend to do that. Please support them in this optional project by helping to obtain materials and helping them to document their product so they can show us on Monday!

The second culminating event to our unit was the field trip to the Devens landfill that is nearly completely constructed. The Army Corps of Engineers and Stone & Webster Construction Company were fantastic presenters and hosts. If any student is interested in writing them a thank you note or making a drawing of a big dump truck ("Euc") or of the stormwater detention pond for the wall of their office trailer please do so and give it to your MST teacher. We will pass on the thanks.

In science we have begun our study of phases of matter, phase changes, and Kinetic Energy of the phases. On Thursday the students received their assessment that will carry us through until the Holidays. The assessment is split into 4 distinct parts, all due on different days. Our hope is that this will minimize stress for our students!

Polyhedrons, pyramido, Oblique prisms, what's all this about? Division 2 is knee deep in geometric solids. We used jello jiggler geometric shapes and examined cross sections. (Also we learned that you need to spray the molds if you want the shapes to release from the molds!!) The students will look at volume and surface area and the relationships between the two. In addition, they will also works "backwards" through problems. For example determining a given measurement when given a volume/surface area.

Dharma's Classes: All week long los estudiantes have valiantly delivered their presentacion oral based on their reading. They were fantastic. Your ninos can really speak Spanish.

Emily's Division II classes have begun a new unit on grammar with the end goal being the reading, analysis, and performance of a play still to be announced. This unit is in response to the needs of the students. Expect nightly exercises and much studying!

Emily's Division III continues with their studies of the Dominican Republic in its formative years.

Damara's classes continue to work on present tense stem changing verbs. They watched a video about a Mexican holiday celebrated in November. This is in preparation of our following unit on Mexico City. Ask your student about the movie. Next week students will continue with grammar and watch a movie about Frida Kahlo and her art. Frida Kahlo was a famous Mexican artist who was married to Diego Rivera.

Margarita’s 7^th grade classes are working on the verb “ to be” and they also are learning how to tell time.

Join us as the Wellness team welcomes Colin Vandenburgh as a new member! Colin will be leading Wellness Division I physical activity classes on Thursdays and Fridays beginning December 5th.

Thank you to Michael Shear, MD, our school physician, for his presentation to Division III students this past Wednesday. This was the second of a series of Wellness seminars presented to Division III students throughout the year. Michael’s presentation included how to communicate with your physician: when to see a doctor, what to report to a doctor and what to expect from your doctor. A great question and answer session followed the presentation. Thanks, Dr. Shear!

In Alan's classes, students started a new unit on substances by deciding whether situations represent use, misuse or abuse and then they will compare and contrast in the future to see if their opinions have changed. They also marked on graphs where they stood on issues relating to cigarette smoking, drug testing, marijuana and external and internal influences. A variety of six different projects on substances were created and students decided on their top three choices. We have practiced passing, dribbling and shooting skills in basketball and have played two types of knock out and basketball games.

This week in Deborah's classes we started our substance unit, which will be 11 weeks. Our fist class used an activity, "Where do you stand?" In this activity we posed 5 questions looking at substances, students placed a dot on a chart as to what there stand was. These same questions will be revisited at the end of the unit as a comparison. Students also completed a Use, Misuse or Abuse sheet. This sheet gave different statements about substances, students were to say whether it was an example of Use, Misuse or Abuse. Finally, students gave their first and second choices for a project they will start during week three of the unit. Next week we will have a member of LUK (Let Us Know), an organization from Fitchburg that both teaches and counsels youth about substance abuse. His focus will be on media influences and substances.

This week in Katie's Wellness classes we wrapped up our Violence Prevention unit by discussing teen dating violence and the behaviors common in abusive relationships. The students' final Violence Prevention projects illustrate how much they have learned in this unit. The array of collages, comic strips and written reflections are dynamic and thought-provoking. Next week we will commence our Substance Abuse unit that largely consists of group research projects and presentations in addition to speakers. Students will be selecting their projects on Monday. Our activity classes from now until Thanksgiving consist of floor hockey and basketball, a good way to build up an appetite for the family holidays!

All student-athletes are ineligible to practice/play until the following two criteria have been met:

2. Student has a current physical exam (within the past 12 months) on file with Mary Ann.

3. 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.

Athletic Policy Reminder:
All student-athletes are ineligible to practice/play until the following two criteria have been met:

2. Student has a current physical exam (within the past 12 months) on file with Mary Ann.

3. 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.

Parents of Seniors are reminded to save the evening of Wednesday, December 4, (snow date Thursday, December 5) for Parent to Parent Chat and Financial Aid Information Night. The Chat, beginning at 6:00 pm, is for parents of last years’ graduating class who will impart their hard-earned wisdom to parents of seniors about the process of college applications and the beginning of a new phase of life. Financial Aid Information Night begins promptly at 7:00 with a representative from the Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority.

Seniors who plan to apply to state colleges and universities can still submit applications. The earlier the better!

Michael Bloom, a professional videographer in Groton, videotaped the Parker School Graduation last June. Some families have purchased their own copy. Michael was kind enough to donate 2 copies of the video to the library. I'd love for some of you to sign it out and give us your feedback! Please stop by and 'check it out!' Laurie

New choice block selections have been posted on the Parker web site. Students will need to make their selections by Monday the 25th.

The Making A Difference Quilts, created by Division I Arts & Humanities students last year, are to be exhibited at the First Parish Church in Groton from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 30. The church is located in the center of Groton near the library on the town green where routes 119 and 40 intersect. Please join in celebrating this public display of our student’s artwork along with visiting the studios and galleries of other talented Groton artists.

Parker School Arts Concert

Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The Parker School chorus, along with a variety of individual student performers, will present a delightful evening of holiday songs and dramatic vignettes, inspired by Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story. Chorus members and students from Division I Arts & Humanities classes invite

you to join with them for this festive evening. We hope you can attend!

Chorus members will need to be at the school at 6 pm to warm up before the concert.

♫ *** Attention 7^th and 8^th graders*** ♫

Parker Musicians and Singers

The Central District Music Educators Association will hold its Junior High School auditions for chorus, band, orchestra and jazz band on Saturday, February 1, 2003. A list of audition pieces can be obtained from Isla Boeri at (978) 724-0205 or email Isla at davidboeri@earthlink.net

8th Annual

After School Crafts

On Tuesday afternoons after school there will be craft activities for anyone in the Parker Community (students, teachers or parents) that would like to participate. The craft days will begin on Tuesday Oct. 22 from 3:30 until 5:00. We will meet every Tuesday until December 3rd. Maryann Kane (parent) Maren Toohill (parent) and Linda Knupp (Parker alumnus parent) will be on hand to provide materials and ideas to make the crafts. The crafts will be sold at the Littleton Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday December 7th at the Littleton Middle School on Russell Street in Littleton with the proceeds going to the Parker Essential Fund. If anyone has ideas or materials they would like to share we are open to new ideas.

We would welcome all who are interested to come and help out on Tuesdays. If you are unable to come on Tuesdays, but you would like to donate crafts you have made that would be beneficial to the cause. This is a twofold endeavor, an after school activity and a fundraiser. Please join us. If you have any questions please call Maryann at 978-582-9651 Maren 978-486-3796 or Linda at 978-952-2755.

I am currently scheduling an evening chat with a member of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School to answer any and all questions concerning the upcoming course in April. Please stay tuned. I hope to schedule this meeting during one of the first two weeks in December - Deborah

Hello, we are from Amnesty International. From now on, we would like to involve the Parker community into our human rights projects. Every Friday, we will try to update you on our special focus case, concerning Leyla Zana, a prisoner of conscience. We would like to thank everyone who donated envelopes and stamps to our cause. We have plenty of envelopes that will hopefully help improve life for all humans. Thank you for your donations of stamps, but because we have to send letters to Turkey, and other foreign nations, we appreciate donations in the form of money. Please send in all donations to the Amnesty International box inside the office. Thank you all so much, without you none of this would be possible! Please check here for further updates and announcements.

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Please include the hours you donated during the month of ________________, your help is invaluable. Thank you.

Parent’s Name: _____________________________________________ Month: ___________________

Child’s Name: _____________________________________________ Advisor: __________________

Activity: __________________________________________________ Hours: ____________________

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-

**HOMEMADE APPLE PIES AND CRISPS**

...A fundraiser for our trip!

Get ready and set your oven to 375º: Fully prepared and ready to bake for your Thanksgiving feast!

Apple Crisp: $5.00

Pies and Crisps will be delivered to your child’s advisor on Wednesday, November 27^th.

Your Name:_______________________

Child’s Name:_____________________

Child’s Advisor:____________________

Crisp(s):_____

An Evening of Giving

*******
The Parker Charter School has decided to participate this year in a unique fundraiser, An Evening of Giving, sponsored by the Simon Mall Association.

What is An Evening of Giving? An Evening of Giving is a special evening of private shopping specifically for supporters of local charities and non-profit organizations—like us! They will be giving away dozens of door prizes and offering special entertainment to reflect the warmth of the season. Every store, restaurant and kiosk will be open. Special sales and activities will be featured in many of the stores—I will have details of specific store discounts available at a later date.

How does An Evening of Giving benefit the Parker School? In order to be able to shop at the Solomon Pond Mall this special evening, you will first have to purchase a ticket. Each ticket is an $8 donation. Our organization, the Parker Essential Fund, gets to keep $6 for every ticket we sell with the remaining $2 going to benefit the Simon Youth Foundation, a private, non-profit organization that provides educational and career development for young people. Thus, everyone involved in the purchase of a ticket wins!

If you would like to help the Parker School raise money by purchasing a ticket(s), please fill out the order form below and return to the Parker School with a check for the total amount due on or before Friday, November 22, 2002. If you have any questions about this event, please call Cindy Yennaco at (978) 433-8522. Thank you very much.

Parker School Athletic Program Survey
Please return to Alan’s box by November 27

This survey is intended to provide the Parker community with an opportunity to express their opinions about the after school athletic program. From this survey, a draft mission statement will be formed and will be used for discussion at the upcoming community forum on December 10. A mission statement will be created from this combined work and will serve to guide students, parents and faculty in Parker athletics.

Ideas shared here will allow for opportunities for parent involvement in athletics and will also make it possible for the Parker community to continue to have healthy and meaningful experiences in athletics this year and into the future.

	Parker			Dismissal	Bus	Game
Date	Team	Practice/Game	Location	from class	Leaves	Time	Pick-up
Monday, 11/25	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Boys MS	No Practice
	Girls JV	No Practice
	Girls MS	Practice	School			3:30	5:00 at school

Tuesday, 11/26	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Boys MS	No Practice
	Girls JV	Practice	School			3:30	5:00 at school
	Girls MS	No Practice

Wednesday, 11/27	Boys Varsity	No Practice
	Girls Varsity	Practice	School			1:30	3:00 at school
	Boys MS	No Practice
	Girls JV	No Practice
	Girls MS	No Practice

Thursday, 11/28	Boys Varsity
	Girls Varsity
	Boys MS
	Girls JV
	Girls MS

Friday, 11/29	Boys Varsity
	Girls Varsity
	Boys MS
	Girls JV
	Girls MS

	Parker			Dismissal	Bus	Game
Date	Team	Practice/Game	Location	from class	Leaves	Time	Pick-up
Monday, 12/02	Boys Varsity	Practice	Job Corps (JC)			3:30	5:30 at JC
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls JV	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Boys MS	No Practice
	Girls MS	Practice	School			3:30	5:00 at school

Tuesday, 12/03	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	Devens Fitness (DFC)			3:30	5:00 at DFC
	Girls JV	Practice	School			3:30	5:00 at school
	Boys MS	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls MS	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA

Wednesday, 12/04	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:00	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			1:30	4:00 at SA
	Girls JV	No Practice
	Boys MS	Practice	School			1:30	3:30 at school
	Girls MS	No Practice

Thursday, 12/05	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls JV	No Practice
	Boys MS	Practice	School			4:30	5:30 at school
	Girls MS	Practice	School			3:30	4:30 at school

Friday, 12/06	Boys Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls Varsity	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Girls JV	Practice	SA			3:30	5:00 at SA
	Boys MS	No Practice
	Girls MS	Practice	School			3:30	5:00 at school

Saturday, 12/07	Girls JV	Practice	School			TBA