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The student news site of Francis W. Parker School

The Parker Weekly

The student news site of Francis W. Parker School

The Parker Weekly

The student news site of Francis W. Parker School

The Parker Weekly

Avani Kalra

Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief

Avani Kalra is a senior and is ecstatic to be serving as an Editor-in-Chief of “The Weekly” this year. Previously, Avani has served as Editor-in-Chief in her junior year, a Copy Editor in her sophomore year, and a Staff Writer her freshman year. When not working on “The Weekly,” (which is rare) Avani can be found catching up on sleep… so don’t call her with an AP style question.

All content by Avani Kalra

Fix This.

Next Year’s Editors and the Administration Need to Work Toward a Free “Weekly”
Avani Kalra, Editor In Chief
June 4, 2020
School pictures of Mark Aymar (left) and Anne Marie Fries (right).

Out on Zoom

Fries and Aymar Retire After Decades at Parker
Avani Kalra, Editor In Chief
June 3, 2020
Parker’s cafeteria employees are among the staff receiving pay cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parker Pays

Parker Employees All Remain Paid and Working
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
May 13, 2020
Visiting poet Natasha Trethewey speaks to the Parker community at Morning Ex.

The Delight In Language

Two-Term U.S. Poet Laureate, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Northwestern Professor and 2017 Heinz Award Recipient Natasha Trethewey Speaks as Jeanne Harris Hansell Endowed Poet
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2020
On a cake by “Vanille Patisserie,” a bakery near Parker, Mayor Lori Lightfoot guards the lake front.

[Photo] Coronavirus At Parker

Nick Skok, Online Editor
April 12, 2020

Parker Crosses Belden

School Signs Letter of Intent to Buy Entire 317-325 W. Belden Ave. Building
Avani Kalra, Editor In Chief
February 13, 2020

The Handbook, Again

Literature and Censorship Class Revises Student Speech Sections
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2020
Stevenson clicks through slides.

Working Toward Racial Literacy

UPenn Professor Howard Stevenson Speaks as Robinson DEI Lecturer
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
December 20, 2019

Why We Should Go Meatless on Mondays

Avani Kalra, Editor-In-Chief
October 31, 2019
Last years’ Seniors distribute hot dogs at the 2018 County Fair.

Senior Scaries

Class of 2020 Begins New Haunted House Tradition
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
October 13, 2019

The All-School Document

Changes Made to Discipline, Code of Conduct, and More
Avani Kalra, Editor-In-Chief
September 5, 2019

A Painted Piano

Pianos in City Squares Around the World
Avani Kalra, Editor-In-Chief
September 5, 2019

Next Steps

Brandon Begins Discipline Policy Review Committee
Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
June 5, 2019
Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, presenting on “Why Liberal Arts Education Matters More Than Ever.”

Education and Liberation

Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
April 4, 2019

(Don’t) Juul at Schuul

The Usage of E-Cigarettes at Parker
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2019
New York Times Columnist Charles Blow speaks at Parker.

The Light Must Be Bent

Charles Blow Speaks as D’Rita and Robbie Robinson Diversity Equity and Inclusion Speaker
Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
December 22, 2018
CEO of anti-poverty nonprofit “Robin Hood” Wes Moore reminisces on his life with childhood friend and Upper School head Justin Brandon during MX.

Two Trains and a Bus

Author, Social Entrepreneur, TV Producer, and Decorated Veteran Wes Moore Speaks at Parker
Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
November 20, 2018
Juniors Tandi Weeks and Isaac Warshaw and sophomore Gabriel Logan perform "The Actor's Nightmare."

[Photo] Drama At Parker!

Ruby Radis, Staff Writer
October 30, 2018

The Power of Words

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye Visits Parker
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2018

Parker Alumna to Win Historic Victory

Ayanna Pressley ‘92 To Become First Woman of Color To Represent Massachusetts in Congress
Sammy Kagan, Avani Kalra, and Lindsay Carlin
October 30, 2018

A Bloody MX

Dr. Kyle Mack Speaks at Parker about Sickle Cell Disease
Avani Kalra, Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2018

Who Gets to Live in America

Inside the Immigration Courtroom
Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
September 5, 2018
Senior Carlos Lopez holds his Certificate of Accomplishment by the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

Princeton Prize in Race Relations

Carlos Lopez Martinez Wins Certificate of Accomplishment
Avani Kalra, Editor in Chief
September 5, 2018
The basement of the Peace House.

Peace of the House

Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
June 6, 2018

Being Muslim at Parker

The Effect of Religion in the Classroom
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
June 6, 2018

Activism: the Latest Trend

What are Parker Students Passionate About?
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
May 26, 2018
Freshman Nathalie San Fratello holds Black Lives Matter sign while protesting at the Chicago Student Walkout on April 20.

Students to the Streets

Parker Students Participate in City-Wide Walkout for Gun Control
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
May 26, 2018
March for Our Lives Chicago Organizers Smile as They Start to March Out of Union Park.

The Future’s Coming Through

Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
April 8, 2018
Upper School Science Teacher Xiao Zhang post at the speech podium on Class Day last year. For as long as
he can remember, giving the Class Day speech has been his dream.

Where is the Administration?

Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
March 30, 2018
Students gather near Lincoln Park's South Pond for a historic school rally.

Parker and Politics

Has Parker Taken Similar Action Before?
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
March 19, 2018

Cubs Strike Out with New Lawsuit

Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
February 16, 2018
Junior Adam Keim, founder of "The Parker Bubble"

Bursting the Parker Bubble

Junior Adam Keim’s New Publication
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
January 31, 2018

Rates Decrease, but are Still High

Drug and Alcohol Usage in the Upper School
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
December 20, 2017
Rami Nashashibi presents during Morning Ex about his work as an advocate for social reform in chicago.

Calling Out and Calling Up

Rami Nashashibi Speaks at Parker
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
December 20, 2017

New Leadership Across the Street

Anedra Kerr Joins Parker as the New Chief Advancement Officer
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
November 21, 2017

Mind the Gap

Parker Students Who Take Unconventional Routes Post-Graduation
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
October 29, 2017

Grim Resistance vs. Joyful Persistence

Author, Entrepreneur, and Educator Eric Liu Speaks as 20th Annual Rosenberg Lecturer
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
October 5, 2017

Studying Independent Studies

Independent Studies Being Completed the Upcoming School Year
Avani Kalra, Copy Editor
September 4, 2017

Inclusion and the Constitution

Controversy Hits Student Government
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
June 10, 2017

New Year, New President

Student Government Election Results 2017
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
June 10, 2017

Behind the Doors of Parker PM

Exploring the School's After-School Program
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
May 17, 2017

The Future Is Female

Parker's New Underwater Robotics Team
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
April 26, 2017

Is This The Solution (aq)?

Parker's Reaction to the Updated Science Curriculum
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
March 16, 2017

[Video] The Lunch Dilemma

The Problem With Clubs Meeting During U-Lunch
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
December 21, 2016
Problems of a Parker Herbivore

Problems of a Parker Herbivore

The Lack of Vegetarian Food in the Cafeteria
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
December 6, 2016
Stitching for a Change

Stitching for a Change

Lesak Hosts a Stitch-In for Change
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
November 1, 2016

Safety in Lincoln Park

Parker Community Vulnerable to the Dangers of Living in a Big City
Avani Kalra, Staff Writer
October 9, 2016
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Avani Kalra