Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
(Sept 2013 to Sept 2014 enrollment comparison)

virus update, hand washing best practice
health advisory posted to alert the community

follow up on the emergency situation
we will be scheduling a de-brief, there is still an on-going investigation
need to wait until the investigation closes to have all the facts
there are some things we could have done better
we have a training tomorrow with the Fire Dept and will be talking with the Chief

for ConnectEd
parents sign up at the school
can sign up for phone calls and/or emails and entered at the schools
call the school secretary to sign up, can sign up at anytime
if you don't opt in, you don't get notified

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
none

School Committee Liaison Reports

none


6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

FEF fund raiser, Nov 1

parents we thrilled to see the curriculum night and the technology working, heard from more than several parents

it was a far cry from lining up in the field house, there is a new way of doing business at the high school

7. Executive Session

Contractual Negotiations

not needed



8. Adjourn

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting - Action Items


3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – Second Readings
1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers

no updates or changes


4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of Policies as discussed
1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $3,286.50 from the Keller PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,200.00 from the JFK PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,500.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

e. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $746.80 from the Oak St. PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

f. I recommend approval of the request of the Remington Adventure Club’s field trip to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 25th (rain date 11/1/14) as detailed.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from Shaw's and Star Market for in-house enrichment at FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of art supplies valued at $277.00 from DonorsChoose.org for FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting - Facility Update

2. Guests/Presentations


d. Facilities Update – Maureen Sabolinski
we got our building permit on Aug 20th, paving of the new parking lot is progressing
maybe able to resolve our parking issue in about 2-3 weeks
still working on the security system
just not at times working together, police answering calls at all hours of the day
still working on training, the training was built into the cost of the high school
much of this needs to happen during the day so we are relying on subs

signs are not quite right
Braille for example incorrectly told that the men's room was actually the women's room
flags for the gym haven't arrived yet
bell system doesn't work yet, using music to playing of the changing of classes
A/C is working in all areas of the building
the building committee has been very responsive in getting the issues addressed

once the parking lot is done, that will also open Panther Way and alleviate the traffic on Oak St

fields would be seeded for the spring and then used a year later
need to get the field established

problems with one spots and parking lights, should go away when the new parking lot is open



Live reporting - Technology update

2. Guests/Presentations


c. Tech Update / Plan – Tim Rapoza, Joyce Edwards

1700 Chromebooks distributed over couple of days and nights

220 wireless access points, the telephones, all needed to be programmed and set up
today we had an all day training on the audio section
85-90% released and trained at this point, we're not done yet

you have seen the robot, we have 3-D printers

if you have any specific question, I'd be happy to answer them

Q -What are the outstanding issues?

A - large software deployments to the teachers are finishing up, doing the one-offs here and there
One software piece had the standard license instead of the premium

the robotics kits just arrived last week


new tablets are still not shipped from the factory yet, they are a proto-type for school and ruggardized for use; trying to get 2 demo units per science lab

once we get them, we'll be glad we waited

system wide we tweak the security on the public versus academic side

working with the vendor to configure it appropriately
we are close to getting it install the proper way
right now the Facilities Director doesn't have remote access to the devices in the high school



Joyce

some low level usage to high level usage
seeing references instantaneously to advance and reinforce the learning

students can do peer editing across the room with one another

students creating content and adding to a body of knowledge out there
specialized programs being used
lots of math and graphing being used

part of the 1-1 initiative extends the learning to anytime anywhere


step back about 3.5 years ago

the conference geared to using technology in instruction
that core group of 100 folks has continued to contribute to the body of knowledge within the staff

25 came voluntarily to debrief

Digital Learning Community formed preschool through 12
how do we help each other, harness and channel it to help our students
the focus is on instruction 
how can we harness learning in real time?
take a look at the 'acceptable use policies' and see of changes may be required
how can families access the technology appropriately
stay within the boundaries that are safe, what should students know how to do by grade

this plays into electronic testing with PARCC coming


need to continue to support the teachers and their digital learning

keep them with the curve; build capacity within the district

sometimes the value is with failure


teachers are using all kinds of applications

how do we have equity and access?


Sabolinski

the important is where we are going


Raposa

another 200 access points for K-8
another 1000 Chromebooks to be deployed to get ready for PARCC
now we are prepared to go 1:1 in every school

re-deployed interactive whiteboards in K-8 classrooms


other technology being stored in trailers (at an undisclosed location) until the staff is ready for deployment


wireless vendor visits on technology

Panasonic and Dell have requested case studies of the implementation
defacto Chromebook roll-outs are increasing so there are more visits coming

O'Malley

applaud both of you for the commitment that it takes to deploy such to all
applaud the teachers - it is not just a new skill, it is a major re-tooling
it is a big todo, it not a new series of text books

we need a set of expectation for our students grade by grade, what should they know when

When do we have PowerPoint when the teacher can count on the students knowing it?

Joyce

The committee does that have as a task
the State also has standards coming out so we are looking to see what they have in this area


Trahan

do you have a calculation for determining the wireless hot spots


Raposa

it is complicated and ha many factors including what the building is made of
we had started with other schools and practiced
you need to have coverage and capacity
we wanted 10,000 simultaneous connections
one access point per room and one every 50' of the corridor

Rohrbach

Do you have a structured plan for rolling the devices out to the teachers
incorporating the training needs

Joyce

using subs to backfill training spots 6-7 at a time
targeted professional development

teacher PDP piece in place for a long time now

have we hit saturation?no
do we need more time and money? yes
we also need to focus on preschool - 8

Raposa

we have a specialist on staff now doing before and after hour sessions
she is now camping in the teacher rooms to be their source of info and move from teacher room to another
trying to build that tiered level of support within the staff to meet the needs

Clement

have we had any casualties?

Raposa

yes, daily, there is a process with the insurance to cover this, return the units to the vendor to do repair, etc.
we have some buffer stations to use for swap outs
72 systems int he Library for check out like a book for the day (charge, etc.)
there is another inventory for the tech staff to handle the swaps
look in the system to see how many have books and to ensure none slip through the cracks


Mullen

what percent are using Chromebooksvs. personal systems

Raposa

95% using Chromebooks versus personal systems


Live reporting - STAR Team

2. Guests/Presentations

b. Star Team Plaque Presentation

"What do you expect we are computer geeks?"

"It was fun working with the teachers, older teachers and new teachers"
"it was also interesting when we had to say, I told you yesterday what to do"

"Plugging in the wires and working the computers, was better than pushing the carts"

"printing the IDs, printing and hoping that it would print" (almost 2,000)
"the first and frequent question on the Chromebooks was how to print" "Use the print button"

*** five minute recess to allow for some to leave the meeting ***




Live reporting: School Committee - Oct 7, 2014

Present: O'Malley,Rohrbach (late), Clement, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell
Absent: Douglas


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Chandler Creedon - Franklin Teacher's Association
recent emergency situation, why established policy and protocol were not observed
ask for a debriefing to understand
happy to provide you and the School Administration to questions to be addressed
this is not a forum for addressing the details

Mullen - Citizens Comment does not provide for feedback or interaction but Supt Sabolinski will be meeting with Mr Creedon to follow up

Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 23, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
motion to pass, seconded, approved 5-0

Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to approve, seconded, approved 5-0

Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
parents participated in Curriculum Night
parents followed the school schedule
homecoming game Fri vs KP
dance Saturday, girls can not wear heels on the gym floor

Correspondence: Budget To Actual – Miriam Goodman


2. Guests/Presentations
a. Sophia Addi – French Horn
accepted into 2014 All National Honors Concert band, will travel to Nashville
to perform at the Grand Ole Opry as part of that group





After playing her piece, Sophia was presented with a plaque to recognize her selection to the All National Honors Concert Band
School Committee Chairperson Paula Mullen made the presentation with Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski (not shown in the photo)



MA Election - Nov 4th - Ballot Question #2 - Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law


Four ballot questions will be presented all voters in the Commonwealth of MA voters in the election Nov 4, 2014. Franklin voters will have two additional questions.

This is the second in a series of posts to help spread the word on the topic of each the ballot questions

By now you should have received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth the familiar red flyer with the "Information for Voters". This text comes from the Secretary's website and is the same as in the red flyer.

MA Information for Voters - Nov 4, 2014
MA Information for Voters - Nov 4, 2014

QUESTION 2: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition

Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 6, 2014?

SUMMARY

This proposed law would expand the state’s beverage container deposit law, also known as the Bottle Bill, to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic non-carbonated drinks in liquid form intended for human consumption, except beverages primarily derived from dairy products, infant formula, and FDA approved medicines. The proposed law would not cover containers made of paper-based biodegradable material and aseptic multi-material packages such as juice boxes or pouches.
The proposed law would require the state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to adjust the container deposit amount every five years to reflect (to the nearest whole cent) changes in the consumer price index, but the value could not be set below five cents.
The proposed law would increase the minimum handling fee that beverage distributors must pay dealers for each properly returned empty beverage container, which was 2¼ cents as of September 2013, to 3½ cents. It would also increase the minimum handling fee that bottlers must pay distributors and dealers for each properly returned empty reusable beverage container, which was 1 cent as of September 2013, to 3½ cents. The Secretary of EEA would review the fee amounts every five years and make appropriate adjustments to reflect changes in the consumer price index as well as changes in the costs incurred by redemption centers. The proposed law defines a redemption center as any business whose primary purpose is the redemption of beverage containers and that is not ancillary to any other business. 
The proposed law would direct the Secretary of EEA to issue regulations allowing small dealers to seek exemptions from accepting empty deposit containers. The proposed law would define small dealer as any person or business, including the operator of a vending machine, who sells beverages in beverage containers to consumers, with a contiguous retail space of 3,000 square feet or less, excluding office and stock room space; and fewer than four locations under the same ownership in the Commonwealth. The proposed law would require that the regulations consider at least the health, safety, and convenience of the public, including the distribution of dealers and redemption centers by population or by distance or both.
The proposed law would set up a state Clean Environment Fund to receive certain unclaimed container deposits. The Fund would be used, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature, to support programs such as the proper management of solid waste, water resource protection, parkland, urban forestry, air quality and climate protection.
The proposed law would allow a dealer, distributor, redemption center or bottler to refuse to accept any beverage container that is not marked as being refundable in Massachusetts.
The proposed law would take effect on April 22, 2015.
A YES VOTE would expand the state’s beverage container deposit law to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic, non-carbonated drinks with certain exceptions, increase the associated handling fees, and make other changes to the law.
A NO VOTE would make no change in the laws regarding beverage container deposits.

ARGUMENTS
As provided by law, the 150-word arguments are written by proponents and opponents of each question, and reflect their opinions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not endorse these arguments, and does not certify the truth or accuracy of any statement made in these arguments. The names of the individuals and organizations who wrote each argument, and any written comments by others about each argument, are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
IN FAVOR: A YES vote will improve the “Bottle Bill,” where consumers put down a refundable nickel deposit on a beer or soda. People get the nickel back when they return the container. A YES vote will extend this program to cover other beverages such as bottled water.
The Bottle Bill works: 80% of beer and soda containers get recycled. Only 23% of non-deposit containers do. So every year a billion bottles get tossed away, often on playgrounds, roads and beaches. Communities have to pay to clean them up.
A YES vote equals more recycling, less trash and litter, and big savings for towns’ waste management costs. That’s why this idea has been endorsed by 209 of our cities and towns, as well as Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, former Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, 350 business leaders, and independent groups like the League of Women Voters, MASSPIRG, Sierra Club and hundreds more.
Authored by:
Coalition for an Updated Bottle Bill
294 Washington Street, Suite 5001
Boston, MA 02108
617-747-4322
www.massbottlebill.org
AGAINST: Massachusetts should be a recycling leader, but Question 2 will keep us in the past. Ninety percent of households now have access to curbside and community recycling programs. Let’s focus on what works instead of expanding an outdated, ineffective, and inconvenient system.
Everyone wants to increase recycling rates—but expanded forced deposits are the wrong approach.
Question 2 would:
• cost nearly $60 million a year, more than three times the price of curbside programs (while increasing recycling rates by less than 1 percent);
• waste taxpayer dollars on expanding an uneconomical, 30-year-old system;
• raise your nickel deposit and additional fees every five years—without your vote.
Today, more than $30 million of your unclaimed nickels go into the state’s general fund and into the hands of politicians – not to environmental programs. Let’s stop throwing money at an inefficient system and invest in modern recycling technology.
Vote NO on Question 2.
Authored by:
Robert L. Moylan
Comprehensive Recycling Works
31 Milk Street, Suite 518
Boston, MA 02109
617-886-5186
www.NoOnQuestion2.com

FULL TEXT OF QUESTION:
Be it enacted by the People, and by their authority:
SECTION 1. Section 321 of chapter 94 of the General Laws is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Beverage” and replacing it with the following definition:-
“Beverage”, soda water or similar carbonated soft drinks, noncarbonated non-alcoholic beverages in liquid form intended for human consumption, mineral water, beer, and other malt beverages. This definition excludes beverages that are primarily derived from dairy products, infant formula, united states food and drug administration-approved medicines, wine, and alcoholic beverages other than beer and malt beverages as defined in chapter one hundred and thirty-eight.
SECTION 2. Paragraph 3 of said section 321 of said chapter 94 is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-
This definition shall not include containers made of paper-based biodegradable material and aseptic multi-layer packaging.
SECTION 3. Said section 321 of said chapter 94 is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Plastic bottle” the following definition:-
“Redemption center”, any business whose primary purpose is the redemption of beverage containers and which is not ancillary to any other business.
SECTION 4. Said section 321 of said chapter 94 is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Reusable beverage container” the following definition:-
“Small dealer”, any person or business, including any operator of a vending machine, who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to consumers in the commonwealth, with a contiguous retail space of 3,000 square feet or less, exclusive of office and stock room space; and fewer than four (4) locations under the same ownership within the Commonwealth.
SECTION 5. Section 322 of said chapter 94 is hereby amended by inserting after said section the following section:-
Section 322A: The secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall review the refund value as referenced in section 322 every five (5) years and adjust said amount to the nearest whole cent to reflect the consumer price index as reported by the united states department of labor, but in no case shall the refund value be less than five (5) cents.
SECTION 6. Paragraph (c) of said section 323 of said chapter 94 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the words “one cent” and inserting in place thereof the words “three and one half cents” and by adding the following sentence:-
The handling fee shall be reviewed every five (5) years by the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs and adjustments made to reflect the consumer price index as reported by the united states department of labor, or equivalent index selected by the secretary if the consumer price index is discontinued, as well as industry-specific increases or decreases in costs incurred by redemption centers.
SECTION 7. Paragraph (d) of said section 323 of said chapter 94 is hereby amended by striking out the words “one cent” and inserting in place thereof the words “three and one half cents” and by adding the following sentence:-
The handling fee shall be reviewed every five (5) years by the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs and adjustments made to reflect the consumer price index as reported by the united states department of labor, or equivalent index selected by the secretary if the consumer price index is discontinued, as well as industry-specific increases or decreases in costs incurred by redemption centers.
SECTION 8. Paragraph (f) of said section 323 of said chapter 94 is hereby amended by changing the period at the end of the current paragraph into a comma, and adding the words “or for which there is no Massachusetts refund legend on the beverage container.”
SECTION 9. Said chapter 94 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 323E the following section:-
Section 323F. (a) There shall be established on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the clean environment fund. All abandoned deposits collected pursuant to chapter 94, section 323D shall be deposited into the clean environment fund. Amounts deposited in said fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, for programs including but not limited to projects supporting the proper management of solid waste, water resource protection, parkland, urban forestry, air quality and climate protection.
SECTION 10. Paragraph (b) of said section 323 of said chapter 94 is hereby amended by inserting the following words after the current paragraph:- Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall, on or before June 22, 2015, promulgate regulations providing small dealers with the right to seek exemptions from accepting empty deposit containers. Said regulations shall consider at least the health and safety of the public, and the convenience for the public, including distribution of dealers and redemption centers by population or by distance or both.

SECTION 11. This act shall take effect on April 22, 2015.


If you have not registered to vote, you can still do so up until Wednesday, October 15, 2014.
The Franklin Town Clerk's office hours are
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm
  • Wednesday 8:00am-6:00pm
  • Friday 8:00am-1:pm

For absentee ballots and additional information on the election visit the Town Clerk's page here  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/index
For additional information from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, visit the Elections page here   http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

The Harvest Festival walk

It was easy to do my 'reporting by walking around' walk at the Harvest Festival on Sunday. Record crowds came out to enjoy the great New England sunshine.

The Fire Dept used Tower 1 to see if there were any clouds and came down to report that none were in sight. This forecast was good all day!

Tower One checking for clouds
Tower One checking for clouds

kids had fun in a balloon race
kids had fun in a balloon race

gee what happened with the showcase stage?
gee what happened with the showcase stage?

Happy Tails - Doggy Day Care
Happy Tails - Doggy Day Care


Akin Bak set up their stand outside the Museum
Akin Bak set up their stand outside the Museum

Nice Car Care was selling t-shirts for an oil change
Nice Car Care was selling t-shirts for an oil change

behind the row of booths, the Post Office got a newly painted entrance
You may have missed behind the row of booths, the Post Office got a newly painted entrance

Franklin Rotary Club
Franklin Rotary Club

part of the record crowd in front of Dean Bank
part of the record crowd in front of Dean Bank

The Downtown Partnership posted their photos here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/10/record-crowds-in-downtown-franklin.html


Some additional photos can be found in the set on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157648411956436/

Franklin's Wake Up Call (video)

The Channel 5 "Wake Up Call" was provided by Franklin's own Horace Mann and Oak St schools today (actually recorded a couple of weeks ago).







Wake Up Call
Wake Up Call

You can also view this directly on WCVB.com
http://www.wcvb.com/news/wake-up-call-from-franklin/28984652



Note for email readers: to view the video, you'll need to click through to the Franklin Matters website

Franklin vs Canton results

Hockomock Sports provides the scores on the high school action Monday when Franklin and Canton faced off.

Boys Soccer

Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 0 - Final - Tim LaRowe buried a rebound of his own shot after a cross from Cobi Frongillo in the 70th minute.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Girls Soccer

Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 - Final - Taylor Cogliano scored a pair of goals in the first half for the Panthers.

Field Hockey

Franklin, 2 @ Canton, 0 - Final - Junior Kelsey McPhee and sophomore Alex Sullivan scored the goals for the Panthers and both were assisted by senior Madde Bressler.Junior Samantha Jones made six saves for the shutout.

Volleyball

Franklin, 0 @ Canton, 3 - Final - The Bulldogs rallied from a 21-17 deficit to win game one 26-24 and then completed the sweep with a 25-18 win in game two and a 25-15 in game three. Elizabeth Hamilton led the Bulldogs with 14 kills and seven aces. Erin Proctor had 24 assists, five kills, and one ace. Chidera Nwankwo had eight kills and three blocks.

For all the results from Monday's action in the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-100614

National Grid: Update on Winter Rates



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An Update on Winter Electric Rates
As you may know, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities recently approved an increase for electric supply prices for the period of November 1 through April 30. This means that, starting in November, residential electric customers using 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month will see an electric bill that is 37 percent (about $33 per month) higher than last winter. We asked for this increase because of higher energy supply prices. Energy supply prices are set by the commodity market, not National Grid. When we purchase energy on your behalf, we pass on those costs directly without a markup.

With the chance of another cold winter on the way, National Grid is very concerned about what these higher energy costs mean for our customers. And though we can't control energy supply prices, we can help in other ways, which is why we urge you to take advantage of the various solutions we offer that can help lower bills, including:

Payment Options - We have a variety of options including our Budget Plan which lets you spread out those high winter bills over the course of a year.

Payment Assistance - We have consumer advocacy programs to help low-income eligible customers pay their bill.

Energy Efficiency - From simple no-cost tips to more comprehensive programs we have the energy saving solution to match your individual needs.

We know how concerning this may be for customers and we encourage you to take advantage of these programs during this very difficult time. To learn more, please visit nationalgrid.com.

National Grid
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