Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28

Join the Town of Franklin for our annual Earth Day Celebration and Cleanup! The event will be held at Beaver Pond on Saturday, April 28th 2018, from 9 - noon. 

FREE 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers and FREE T-shirt for the first 300 volunteers!

This is a great opportunity for students looking for community service hours!


Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28
Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28


Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.
  • Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
  • Community service certificates will be issued.
  • Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00 noon at Beaver.
  • Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
  • Free 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers!



Mass Insight Education Names Two Tri-County Regional Teachers Partners in Excellence Award Winners

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is proud to announce teachers, Matthew Murphy and Kimberly Zogalis, have been named Mass Insight Education and Research award recipients for their exemplary work in the AP STEM Program. They are a part of the 29 Massachusetts Advanced Placement (AP) teachers being recognized for their outstanding contributions to student success during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Mass Insight Education is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving student achievement and increasing college success through bold district restructuring and rigorous academic programs. This is particularly important within the urban "gateway" communities in which MIE operates, as youth from economically challenged communities are not as typically afforded the personalized, high caliber instruction that is provided in the AP environment.

The Partners in Excellence award winners were selected from over 600 AP teachers participating in Mass Insight's AP program. Selections were based on their implementation of the program through participation in Saturday Study Sessions and the increases in student scores on the AP exam.

"Tri-County is committed to providing students opportunities for college and career success," said Stephen Dockray, Superintendent. "Each of these teachers consistently go above and beyond ensuring that our students have the skills necessary to succeed in their academic and vocational programs. Congratulations to Kim and Matt for their excellent service and dedication to Tri-County students."

Award recipients will be presented with a plaque and $750 check at the 6th annual Partners in Excellence Award Celebration, which will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 5:00-8:30 PM in the Granite Room at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, MA.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.
Matthew Murphy and Kimberly Zogalis
Matthew Murphy and Kimberly Zogalis

FHS girls hockey top Belmont 2-0 to advance to next round

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the news of the FHS girls hockey playoff game on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.  


Girls Hockey = Division 1
#13 Franklin, 2 vs. #20 Belmont, 0 – Final 
– Tina Pisano and Amanda Lewandowski scored the goals for Franklin and Natalie Stott recorded the shutout. The Panthers advance to face the winner of No. 4 Methuen/Tewksbury and No. 29 Reading in the next round.



MIAA bracket for FHS girls hockey with highlight
MIAA bracket for FHS girls hockey with highlight

Via the Twitterverse

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports













A Quick Update from the Folks at Make Change for Change



We just had to share! We moved!!!!! Come see us inside the popular  Ciao Bella Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen Located at  384 Union St. Franklin, MA 02038 

Make Change for Change
Sugar Shoppe
We just had to share!
We moved !!!!!

Come see us inside the popular 
Ciao Bella Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen

Located at 
384 Union St. Franklin, MA 02038 
A Quick Update from the Folks at Make Change for Change
Sugar Shoppe
334 Union St, Franklin, MA, 02038



For more about the Sugar Shoppe visit them on Facebook

From the Franklin Matters archives (note contains the old address)
A Quick Update from the Folks at Make Change for Change was sent to you on 2018-02-26 18:04:57 UTC by Sugar Shoppe

"vandalism on Southgate Road was not reported to them"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"New graffiti made its way onto at least three stop signs Saturday night according to neighbors, and one of the signs along with the pole is completely missing. 
At three intersections on Southgate Road, three letters or numbers in green spray paint are tagged onto stop signs. The pole that’s missing was the recently replaced intersection sign between Parliament Drive and Southgate Road. 
The culprit could face serious fines for the defacing of public property and possible jail time for the stolen sign. There are also serious safety concerns associated with a missing stop sign, agreed pedestrians and neighbors in the area. If an accident were to occur, the person responsible for removing the sign could face additional charges, according to Massachusetts State Law. 
New signs on the road had recently been completed, apart from some cement work at the base of the poles. As of Tuesday afternoon, the sign had not yet been replaced and the graffiti remained unwashed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180227/franklin-stop-signs-vandalized-stolen


Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Live Reporting: from Information Matters to Closing

4. Discussion Only Items

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. 

Budget - meeting Mar 7
Community Relations - Feb 15 coffee at Library, diversity and inclusion discussion
next coffee, Sat March 3 at the Library, school budget is the topic

Policy - social media policy for staff under review at next meeting - Mar 6, and then Apr 3

Public Schools Advocacy - successful forum on Feb 13, full audience 
MASC  - Summit on poverty on Friday (Mar 2)
webinar coming up on teen depression; 12:30 to 1;30 Pm (will find link on Schultz School Committee page and share)

Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation


b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; MASC)

May 4 - SEPAC fund raiser 

working on a document to lead discussion between parents and children in the 'downtime' traveling between the child's events

SAFE working to develop a "hidden in plain site" for display within the District


6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items
update from Joyce on homework, where are we? Mar 13
budget discussion as discussed earlier


7. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 23, 2017 School Committee meeting.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the New England Patriot’s Foundation for in-house enrichment at FHS.
c. I recommend approval of the request of Leighanne Rudsit for the recurring field trip for the Jazz Band to attend the UNH Jazz Festival on March 10, 2018 as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,078.70 from Lifetouch National School Studios for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $10,000.00 from the John and Eunice Morrison Charitable Foundation for a scholarship.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Adjournment
motion to adjourn, passed

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage  http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/t2-27-2018%20SC%20Packet/

Live Reporting: Discussion / Action Items

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. School Start Times Advisory Committee Appointments
I recommend appointment of School Start Times Advisory Committee members as discussed.

memo referenced to be added later, provided to School Committee but not available otherwise before hand

motion to approved as discussed, approved 7-0

b. Policy – First Reading
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as discussed.

  • Policy CBD – Superintendent’s Contract
  • Policy ADF – Wellness Policy
motion to move to second reading, approved 7-0

c. Policy – Second Reading
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
  • BHE – Use of Electronic Communication by School Committee Members
  • BIA – New School Committee Member Orientation
  • BIBA – School Committee Conferences, Conventions and Workshops
motion to approved as discussed, approved 7-0

d. New Student Activity Account
I recommend approval of the new Student Activity Account at Annie Sullivan Middle School for “Footlighters” as detailed.

motion to approved as discussed, approved 7-0

Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 27, 2018

Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub 
Absent:  none


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no adjustments

b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
winter sports dominate
Cheerleaders won the Hockomock
Girls hockey tonight, Weds boys hockey and girls basketball
Thursday boys basketball

7 week stretch until April break, English MCAS at the end of March
Freshman banquet next week at FHS

stressing safety precaution being worked, locked down scheduled for next week


d. Superintendent’s Report

1 message 
to repeat in light of events at Parkland 
The message was posted here earlier
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-public-schools-message-in.html

2nd message
anticipated response coming Wednesday re: student lead events forthcoming
aware of March 14 student lead walk out, students have reached out 
expressing themselves in appropriate ways
more info coming over the next several days to keep community and parents informed
March 14, 17 minute walk out in honor of the Parkland victims

middle school students have reached out, so not just high school
do want to see the youth engaged

3  message
preview, half day Friday March 2, professional dev half day
ECDC application of assessment, webinars
Davis Thayer/Parmenter with Lesley UNiv
Oak, Keller Kennedy working on life science
Middle schools will focus on keys to literacy
FHS will be working on department based differentiated learning

2. Guests / Presentations
a. FY19 Budget Presentation

document will be posted on Wednesday (hence in FM Thursday)

Superintendent recommendation to continue to be worked with the Budget subcommittee

vision and mission have informed the goals and objectives

overview of budget process to date (add link to what was shared earlier)

Goodman and Ahern presenting first view of FY 2019 budget
Goodman and Ahern presenting first view of FY 2019 budget


level service budget summary
level service budget summary
critical needs identified
critical needs identified
varied approach across the buildings in regard to providing the guidance and counseling support; looking to do a district wide study to look to augment changes in a more efficient way

proposing to include the DESA piece as a pilot

this page of critical needs is effectively being deferred due to "level service budget" hence phrased as "long term objective"

Key item on staffing to be budget neutral across the district esp. in regards to continued enrollment declines

critical needs that may not be addressed due to budget issues
critical needs that may not be addressed due to budget issues

ECDC proposal could be budget neutral or revenue generating; break even is 9 students

  other critical needs that could be budget neutral depending upon student participation
other critical needs that could be budget neutral depending upon student participation
other critical needs would be looking to increase some specific support services
given prior comment on staffing being budget neutral overall

looking to close a budget gap of close to $1M (including revolving fund account offsets)


interesting numbers, lots of story there
interesting numbers, lots of story there


summary page of budget presentation
summary page of budget presentation

to budget subcommittee to continue to work, bring back to School Committee for March 13 and then again for a budget hearing March 27 in advance of an April vote

We don't have enough to do what we need to do. How do we fund our requirements? Level service doesn't meet the needs.

recommended next steps
recommended next steps

Do something incredABLE! Volunteer at the HMEA incredABLE 5K




Be an incredABLE
VOLUNTEER
Do something incredABLE!
MAY 20, 2018 @ Dell EMC in FRANKLIN, MA
MANY SHIFTS AVAILABLE
Any time you give is incredABLE!
Sign up online at
questions?
Contact Tracy Andryc at



printable flyer
HMEA, 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Best Buddies Online Auction 2018

Best Buddies Online Silent Auction – Opens Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Team GT for KT is hosting our annual online silent auction to raise funds for Best Buddies. Please support our auction by bidding and sharing our auction information with your friends. Online bidding closes on Friday, March 16, 2018. Items include:

  • Tom Brady Autographed NFL Football
  • Red Sox Tickets
  • New England Revolution Tickets
  • Bose SoundLink Revolve Speaker
  • ESBE Jewelry Party
  • A Week at Tomorrow's Stars Basketball Camp (Dean College)
  • Golf for 4 at Maplegate Country Club
  • https://bestbuddies.org/
    Best Buddies
  • Restaurants and more!


To bid go to https://www.32auctions.com/GT4KT2018

Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization that provides friendship and integrated employment opportunities to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Best Buddies has a number of active chapters serving students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools.

Special thanks to all our 2018 donors!

FHS hosting DramaFest Preliminaries on Saturday, Mar 3

The MA Educational Theater Guild (METG) DramaFest Preliminary sites are online and complete with performance titles and schedules. 

The preliminary performances are scheduled for Saturday, March 3 with the detailed schedule for the day as follows:


Host: Franklin High School
218 Oak Street, Franklin
(508) 613-1400


9:00 a.m. Burncoat High School Peter/Wendy
10:00 a.m. Eagle Hill School
The Waiting Room
11:15 a.m. Northampton High School The Hedda Variations
12:15 p.m. Acton Boxborough Regional High School
Son of Liberty
2:00 p.m. Franklin High School Fahrenheit 451
3:00 p.m. Mansfield High School
Candid
4:30 p.m. Marian High School
Scenes from Journey to the West
5:30 p.m. Brockton High School
Suite Surrender


For the full listing of schools to see what they’re performing, follow this link

FHS hosting DramaFest on Saturday, Mar 3
FHS hosting DramaFest on Saturday, Mar 3
For more info about the MA Education Theater Guild, visit them on the web http://metg.org/

FHS boys hockey seeded #3 in D1 South; busy week for playoffs

Via Twitter, sharing the FHS boys hockey playoff seed (#3) and bracket. The first game is set for Wednesday.

It will be a busy week with FHS girls hockey playing Tuesday, girls basketball and boys hockey Wednesday, boys basketball on Thursday, wrestlers and Indoor track on Saturday, and last, but not least, cheerleaders on Sunday.

FHS boys hockey MIAA D1 South playoff seed (#3) and bracket
FHS boys hockey MIAA D1 South playoff seed (#3) and bracket









In the News: Gerswin-Porter Songbook at BLACK BOX; Cory's Cause at Tri-County

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Black Box, 15 W. Central St., has announced its lineup of live music and theatrical entertainment this March. Programming will bring NYC-based Broadway stars, local artists and a colorful family musical to the theater, music and event venue in downtown Franklin. 
The Black Box Local Artist Series will present “The Gershwin-Porter Songbook,” featuring vocalist Cindy Jones, at 8 p.m. March 2. The evening will showcase American music of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, two of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. Jones, along with special guest Alan Mercer, will be joined by a nine-piece band, conducted by Bill Jones. Tickets cost $20."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180226/strongthe-black-box-announces-entertainment-for-marchstrong


"Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School recently presented Cory’s Cause to the senior class. 
Cory Palazzi, of Taunton, is permanently disabled after suffering a brain injury caused by a heroin overdose which resulted after first becoming addicted to prescription opioids from an athletic injury. Palazzi now struggles to walk and has to use a wheelchair at times. He is legally blind, his speech is slow and he has trouble controlling certain muscles which makes him unable to do simple everyday tasks without help. 
The presentation was given to seniors as a part of the Positive Attitudes for Work Success program. PAWS prepares students for commitment to productive citizenship, gainful employment, personal responsibility and the setting of high standards of achievement in both vocational and academic courses. Seniors participate in a monthly seminar to address topics of concern in their transition from high school to college, career and/or military. All students are required to participate in the PAWS Program."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180226/strongtri-county-regional-presents-corys-cause-to-senior-class-strong

Tri-County Regional Presents Cory’s Cause to the Senior Class
Tri-County Regional Presents Cory’s Cause to the Senior Class