Dear Parker Early Childhood Center Families and Community,

Welcome to the Parker Early Childhood Center! Whether you are new to Parker or a returning member of our school community, I am thrilled to welcome you to another exciting school year.
My name is Ellyn Gallant-Bland, and I am honored to serve as your child's principal. I have proudly worked for New Bedford Public Schools since 2002. Throughout my career here with NBPS, I have had the privilege of serving as a Pre-K teacher, a Special Education teacher, and an administrator. Early childhood education has always been my passion, and I am incredibly excited to partner with you as we begin another wonderful year of learning and growth.
At Parker, we believe our school family should be an extension of your family. We want to celebrate life's joyful moments alongside you while also supporting you during times of challenge and uncertainty. While academic growth is at the heart of everything we do, we know that educating young children means nurturing the whole child—their social, emotional, physical, and academic development.
Maria Montessori once said, "The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn." That philosophy guides our work each and every day. Our goal is to create a safe, engaging, and joyful environment where every child feels known, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them.
Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing your child with the highest quality educational experience throughout their time at Parker. We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success. Together, we can build a positive school community where every child thrives.
We encourage you to visit the Parker Early Childhood Center website, the Parker ECC Facebook page as well as follow the New Bedford Public Schools Facebook page, where we regularly share important updates, school news, family resources, and celebrations of student learning. Our school website is also a valuable resource where you can find every message sent to families, our monthly newsletters, school calendars, and other important information throughout the year.
The Parker Early Childhood Center is a place where everyone belongs. It is a place where students, families, staff, and community members work together to learn, grow, and support one another. Every day, we strive to be Safe, Kind, Respectful, and Responsible while living our school motto:

"Charting Bright Futures, One Whaler at a Time."

We are grateful that you are part of the Parker family, and we look forward to an amazing year together!

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Important Dates

Orientation
📅 September 1 at 10:00 a.m.
Students are welcome and encouraged to attend with their families. ( We will have parker T shirts and crew neck sweatshirts for sale as requested- Cash only )
First Day of School
📅 September 2
Open House (Parents/Guardians Only)
📅 September 29
🕔 5:00–7:00 p.m.

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Helpful Links

NBPS website
https://www.newbedfordschools.org/
School Calendar
https://www.newbedfordschools.org/calendars
Transportation
https://www.newbedfordschools.org/transportation-home
School Breakfast & Lunch Menus
https://www.schoolcafe.com

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Please Pack the Following Each Day

• A labeled water bottle
• A healthy, nut-free snack
• One or two complete changes of clothes
• A blanket and a small comfort item for rest/nap time (if desired)

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If you ever have questions, concerns, or simply want to connect, please do not hesitate to reach out. We value open communication and look forward to building a strong partnership with your family. Together, we can ensure your child has a joyful, safe, and successful preschool experience.
Thank you for trusting us with your child's early education. We are honored to be part of this important journey and cannot wait to see all that our young Whalers accomplish this year.
Warmly,
Ms. Ellyn Gallant-Bland
Principal
Parker Early Childhood Center