Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year at Parker Damon Upper School!
August 14, 2026
Dear Parker Damon Upper School Families,
Welcome to the 2026–27 school year!
I hope your families had (and are continuing to have) a joyful and restful summer. My summer was filled with beach days, relaxing reading, spending time with my family and friends, and preparing for the exciting opening of our new school!
I have truly enjoyed getting to know our amazing staff, meeting several of you, and exploring thoughtful ways to build a thriving community that best serves our students and families. I cannot wait to continue this meaningful work with all of you now that we have refreshed and recharged over the summer.
While this letter covers the essential logistics for the start of the year, we will have many opportunities throughout the fall and the whole school year to discuss our new school, norms, traditions, and core values. We are committed to taking our time and ensuring every voice is heard and understood. Our goal will be to build a thriving CommUNITY! Through family coffees, class and grade-level gatherings, school council meetings, PTSO meetings and surveys, we look forward to actively partnering with you to shape our community. I am so grateful to our vibrant PTSO who are already amazing partners in creating a fun, inclusive, and unified school community! They are amazing, and we are all looking forward to getting even more people involved!
Meanwhile, our dedicated staff is already hard at work preparing engaging learning environments and the district-wide curricula. At the start of the year, their focus will be on building strong relationships with students and families to support every student in reaching their full potential. The entire Parker Damon Upper School (PDU) team and I cannot wait to welcome your children on August 31st!
School Hours
The elementary school schedule begins at 8:50 am and dismisses at 3:20 pm.
Students can enter the building between 8:35 am and 8:50 am. They are marked tardy after 8:50 am.
Every Wednesday is an early release. ALL children are dismissed at 12:50 PM on Wednesday, including half-day kindergarten students (dismissed at 11:50 AM on other days). Students will eat lunch at school on Wednesdays.
Important Upcoming Dates/Calendar - We are proud that Acton-Boxborough has honored an inclusive calendar. Please review the district calendar carefully to be aware of “no school days” and early dismissals throughout the year. The following are some important upcoming dates:
August:
Wednesday, 8/19, at 2:30 pm - Self-guided tour of our building for returning A-B families who are new to the Parker Damon Building and weren’t able to come in the spring.
Thursday, 8/20, at 2:30 pm - New Student Orientation for grades 4-6 - This orientation is for families who are new to Acton-Boxborough schools.
Monday, 8/31 - First day of school.
September:
Friday, 9/4 - NO SCHOOL
Monday, 9/7 - NO SCHOOL in recognition of Labor Day.
Friday, 9/11 is PICTURE DAY
Wednesday, 10/7 from 6-7:30 Parker Damon Upper School Back to School Night - more details to follow soon
Student Health Screening Form - To complete the Student Health Screening Form, please log into the parent portal and click the Forms icon in the left sidebar. If this is your first time logging into Powerschool or if you need to remember your username or password, there are detailed directions on the parent portal at https://powerschool.abschools.org/public. If you need further assistance, please contact the main office at 978 264- 3377, and we will be happy to assist you.
Teacher Assignments and Class lists - Families have received an email from Louise Latham with instructions on how to log into Powerschool. This is where you will complete your emergency card, parent permissions, and learn your student’s teacher. The class lists are also available on the Parent Portal. Please know that our district-wide staff from all six former elementary schools worked hard to create balanced classes, weighing many factors and making the best learning environment for each child and the collective. We did our best to ensure students had a comfortable learning peer, but it wasn’t always possible. I encourage families to support their child in recognizing that learning to work with many different people, make new friends, and be a part of new communities are essential life skills. Our staff will do everything in our power to support students in growing these skills and in building new, strong communities. We appreciate your support in this process.
New Student Orientations - If your family is new to Acton-Boxborough, we welcome you to join us for an orientation before school starts. This is a chance for students to see the school, meet other students, and get to know the routines. It is also an opportunity for parents to learn more about our school. This orientation is on Thursday, 8/20, at 2:30 pm in the Parker Damon Cafetorium.
Self-Guided Building Tour for Students who are new to Parker Damon - If you are a returning A-B family, but new to the Parker Damon Building, we welcome you to join us for a self-guided building tour on Wednesday, August 19th at 2:30. This is for students who were not able to join us for the tours in the spring. For those who are not able to attend on 8/19, you can preview the Parker Damon Upper building spaces here: Parker Damon Upper Spaces.
Please welcome our new staff:
Laurel Shah - 5th Grade
Jessica Collins - 5th Grade
Amanda Ray - Special Educator
Jennifer Harris - 5th Grade Long-Term Substitute Teacher for Kyla Begle)
Ashley Jayne - Special Ed Coordinator (shared with PD Lower School)
Christa Signa - Interventionist Counselor (shared with PD Lower School)
Zack Phinney - PE Teacher (shared with PD Lower School)
Cristina Ramirez - Nurse (shared with PD Lower School)
Aaron Messersmith - Music (shared with PD Lower School)
School Supplies - Each student should bring a refillable water bottle, a healthy snack, and a backpack to school each day. We will provide all other supplies for all students in every classroom. You do not need to buy anything. We have extra supplies for families that need them. Please email Christy at cnealon@abschools.org if you need anything, i.e., clothing and/or a backpack. The following classroom donations are still appreciated: facial tissue and extra snacks. Please wait to hear from your child’s teacher before purchasing any donations, as they may vary by teacher and grade level.
Family Resources -
As a reminder, the state of Massachusetts has decided to provide complimentary breakfast and lunch to all students permanently. This includes lunch being served on Wednesdays. If you want more information about this and other information from food services, please read their Welcome Back Letter on their website.
Financial Assistance - From time to time, families may face financial difficulties, and school fees can add family stressors. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, you or your child can request assistance using the links in this letter. For additional information on financial assistance in general, the financial assistance website is a great resource and includes translations of the letter from the Central Offices that explains the financial assistance the district can offer and how you can apply.
Finally, another great resource in its third year of supporting families is the Acton-Boxborough Resource Center (ABRC). Located at the district's Administration Building at 15 Charter Road in Acton, alongside school registration and language assessment services, ABRC will connect Acton and Boxborough residents to local resources, striving to advance the district’s core values on wellness, equity, and engagement.
Communication - I will send a family letter with the necessary details and updates on current school happenings every other week via Parent Square. These will come to your email or text, depending on your preferences. Classroom teachers will also send updates at least once every other week. The district website and the Parker Damon Upper School Website also have additional helpful information. Our PTSO will send out information separately from the bi-weekly office email. Please do not ever hesitate to reach out to us. We are happy to partner with you on behalf of your students.
We look forward to a great year together!
In Partnership,
Christy Nealon
(She/Her/Hers)
Principal
Parker Damon Upper School
13 Charter Road, Acton, MA 01720
978-264-3377 ext. 27201