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Parker Damon Lower School

10.18.26 Parker Damon Press

Posted Date: 10/18/26 (04:18 PM)

Parker Damon Press

Parker Damon Lower School Family Newsletter

October 18, 2026
Fall PDB
 

Principal's Message

Since starting the year, I've heard many questions from families such as: What are the school's values? What is the school mascot? What is the vision of PDL? All are fair questions, and we're in the very beginning stages of defining ourselves as a community. 

Everything starts with relationships, and a community who is just beginning to know each other is also just beginning to learn "who we are." There is a special emphasis on we, as a community is defined not by a single voice or tradition, but by the shared experiences, ideas, and perspectives we collectively care about, and bring to the life of our school.

Over the course of this year, we'll do some intentional visioning work with our staff, School Council, and in time, the larger Parker Damon Lower community. As a staff, we've started to share our Hopes and Dreams for PDL and this school year. To that end, we're creating a staff Visioning Committee to focus on what we'd like to aspire to: Who do we want to be? What should we stand for? What are our shared values? What are our non-negotiables? Eventually, we'll create a mission, vision, and values to guide all we do at PDL. In addition, we'll work on a school mascot down the road, likely next year.

Thank you to the families who have already shared their Hopes and Dreams for their children, and PDL. Your voice is needed, and will help us begin to define who we are as a Parker Damon Lower School community, and the values that matter most to us.  If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take a moment to complete this Hopes and Dreams survey to vision together for our students and school community.

First PDL School Spirit Day 👕 👚🧢
Students are invited to wear their Parker Damon Lower spirit wear clothes - or blue and gold - on Friday, October 30th.  Many classes will be participating in fun fall activities. Please no costumes at school.

I am also happy to share that we now have a PDL School Council.  Please see our parent and staff volunteers below:
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I hope you and the family had a great weekend! 



Best,
Christina Gavin
Principal, Parker Damon Lower School
 

Principal Coffee - 10/30/26 - in Person


Please join us for the next Principal's Coffee on Friday, October 30th, 9:15-10:00am in the STEAM lab. We'll hear a brief presentation on the K-3 curriculum at PDL, and open it up to a Q & A on various topics.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about PDL, don't hesitate to contact me at cgavin@abschools.org.
 

School Spirit Wear

Grab your Parker Damon gear while you can!
Shop for school spirit wear here!
 

Upcoming Dates

Acton-Boxborough honors an inclusive calendar. Please review the 2026-27 district calendar carefully to be aware of “no school days” and early dismissals throughout the year.  

October
  • Fri 10/30 - Principal's Coffee - In Person, 9:15-10:00am, STEAM Lab at PDB
  • Fri 10/30 - School Spirit Day - Wear your PDL spirit wear or blue and gold colors!

November
  • Sun Nov 1st - Clocks move back one hour
  • Wed Nov 11th - NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day
  • Thurs Nov 19th - Picture Re-Take Day
  • Thurs Nov 26 - Fri Nov 27 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break
Example calendar with dates pinned
 
Sketch of School

Reminders

 
  • If you walk your child to school or walk them up to the front doors, please note that parents part ways and say goodbye to students at the entrance.  Parents may not walk students inside to their classrooms.   Thank you.
     
  • Continue to use Pick Up Patrol to report student absences, late arrivals, early dismissals, and any change with end of day dismissal plans.  Please note that changes after 2:00pm (or 12:00pm on early release days) need to be made through the office.  Call us at 978-264-3371.
 

Annual Giving Campaign

Annual Giving Campaign 
 
Beginning this month, the Parker Damon PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) launches a direct appeal for donations, as part of our Annual Giving Campaign. Throughout the year the PTO supports teachers and classrooms, provides enrichment for students, appreciation for staff, and builds the new Parker Damon community. Your donation MAKES A DIFFERENCE to our students, families, faculty, and staff!  
This year is unique because we are raising funds for our BRAND NEW PTO at Parker Damon! We have a great need this year following the reorganization of the elementary schools, and we are hopeful that our Parker Damon families can help! Our children and teachers need as much support as possible to fund our new adventure at Parker Damon! 
If every Parker Damon family donates, we will reach our goal of $20,000 this fall! All donations are tax deductible!  
Below are some of the many ways the PTO will support both Parker Damon Schools throughout the year: 
● Back to school support for each teacher 
● Performances that provide cultural and equity enrichment for each grade level 
● Fun community events: Book fair, Family Photo Day, Fall Fest, and more! ● New playground equipment 
● Financial aid for Parker Damon families to ensure participation for all at events like Picture Day, Book Fair, and more 
● Staff appreciation events (luncheons, coffee trucks, and holiday events) 
● End of year events! 
All donations, no matter the size, will help us reach our goal of raising $20,000 this fall! And unlike other fundraisers, 100% of your donation amount will go directly to supporting Parker Damon students and staff! 
DONATE TODAY! 
● Visit parkerdamonpto.org and click the DONATE link on the PTO homepage 
  • Scan the QR Code below
     
  • For donations via check, please make out to “Parker Damon PTO” and place it in an envelope labeled PTO. Checks can be dropped off at the front office, sent with your child via their backpack folder, or mailed to:
Parker Damon PTO 
11 Charter Road, Acton, MA 01720
● Does your company match donations to non-profit organizations? If so, don’t forget to complete your employer's internal matching donation process. 
Thank you for your generous support! 
Betsy Adalsteinsson (PDL Chair)
Liz Nugent (PDU Chair)
 

AB Resource Center

We can help when students need winter gear, clothing or other essential items.  By filling out this form, you can describe what’s needed, and our volunteers will gather items and deliver them to your school office within a day or two. 

Items and services available to you at the ABRC:
  • Clothes 
  • Winter jackets and snowpants
  • Shoes, sneakers and boots
  • Backpacks 
  • Lunchboxes & water bottles
  • School supplies
  • Toys and games
  • English language Conversation Circles for families learning English (M-TH at 1pm)

In Person Hours
Monday-Thursday from 10:00am- 3:00pm with extended hours on Wednesdays until 7:00pm.
 

What's for Lunch?

Information about food services and monthly menus can be found here.
menu
 
PDL logo

Contact info