School Committee hears about Oak St, FHS Program of studies, approves Cheerleader trip to Nationals, and Capital Budget request (audio)

FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 

Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46

Quick recap:

• Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session

• Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully

• Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year

• Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)

• Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process

• Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school

• Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far 

• Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1

• Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course

• Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!

• Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey

• Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes

• Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)

• Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment

• Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)

• Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote

• Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24

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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda 

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet  

Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA 

FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/view?usp=drive_link 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session

Latched at First Sight: Breast Feeding 101 course - January 17, 2023

Are you expecting a new addition to your family or know someone who is?

LeeAnn a pediatric nurse and Certified Lactation Educator with @latchedatfirstsight is offering a group setting VIRTUAL Breastfeeding Course on Tuesday, January 17 at 8 PM.

She will cover all the important things you need to know to start your feeding journey once your little one arrives!

We feel prenatal consults are crucial to help set up the foundation for your feeding journey.

Sign up today!

Email dd@latchedatfirstsight.com to sign up or for more details!

• VIRTUAL - in the comfort of your home and can join from any state
• LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
• Insurance SHOULD cover this course and a receipt will be given to you for reimbursement 

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CmthMsOO641/

Latched at First Sight: Breast Feeding 101 course - January 17, 2023

How to Spot Misinformation Online - Self-directed course, free, start anytime

Attention seniors (but anyone who wants to know really!) 

"This free short course from MediaWise for Seniors will teach you how to tell what’s true and false on the internet. By looking at examples of political, health, travel and climate misinformation, you will learn techniques for identifying false information and how to seek out trustworthy sources.

Christiane Amanpour, Joan Lunden, Lester Holt, Hari Sreenivasan and Dave Jorgenson — MediaWise Ambassadors — will also pop in to share their advice as experienced journalists to help you navigate information on platforms like Google, Facebook and more."

You can register for a Poynter account, then register for the free course.

https://www.poynter.org/courses/how-to-spot-misinformation-online/

How to Spot Misinformation Online - Self-directed course, free, start anytime

This is not the only course available via MediaWise for Seniors 

https://www.poynter.org/mediawise-education-resources/

Franklin HS world language - course offerings

Laura Evans (@LevansFHS) tweeted on Fri, Mar 19, 2021:

"Check out the @FranklinHS world language department's website to learn about course offerings, departmental information, and more!"

https://t.co/SjR7mDAqYq

or https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fps-world-languages/home 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/LevansFHS/status/1372912840663777286

Franklin HS world language - course offerings

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course

"Navigation has changed since the “old days” when navigators plotted a course relying on dead-reckoning and seeing a buoy was a bonus. Today we have inexpensive Global Positioning Systems (GPS) - even in our cell phones - that can enable you to pinpoint your position anywhere on the face of the earth. However, while electronics can be very helpful, easy to use, and accurate, they can also break or quit. Knowing how to navigate with electronics is useful, but knowing how to navigate the traditional way using dividers, parallel rulers, and a compass could make the difference between survival and a catastrophe. 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary's Weekend Navigator course combines our Basic Navigation Course, and our Advanced Navigation course, which can be taught separately. 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course

The basic portions of Weekend Navigator are designed to give the student the rudiments of navigation by using GPS, and the back-up skill of navigation using charts, navigation plotting tools, and dead-reckoning. The intent is to provide the student with a solid foundation with emphasis on technique and not blind reliance on electronics. GPS will be mentioned and discussed as it relates to plotting waypoints, etc. 

The advanced portion of the course covers the use of GPS and other electronic devices in more technical detail as well as some more sophisticated traditional navigation skills as back-ups. An added segment covers fuel management, which is the final crucial issue for all power boat navigation."

The flyer can be viewed here

Course: Weekend Navigator

Start Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016
End Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2016

Days: Wednesday
Hours: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Duration: 7 Weeks
Lessons: 7

Location: Milford High School; Room C-8 
Contact: Cheryl Douglas 
31 West Fountain Street 
Milford, MA 01757 
cdouglas@milfordma.com
(508) 478-1119 

Phil Kubat 
(508) 478-3778 

Course Cost: R: $135, NR: $145

Register By: Sat, 13 Feb 2016

For additional info visit the website here

http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/classes/2011/wn.php

Live reporting: FHS Program of studies update

c. FHS Program of Studies Update
Peter Light





Note the doc linked to is in the process of being updated. It contains most of the new updates but the date for the program of instruction still refers to '2015-2016' school year (rather than the 2016-1017 school year)

• computer science, grant from State last year allowed development of this new aspect of training
• advanced placement of computer science principles; expand upon the current offering which is targeted for coders, this is more broadly based student; students develop a portfolio rather than finish with an exam
• advanced placement physic level 1 and increase over the physics C course (targeted for engineering students)
• overview of environmental science, currently offering a series of semester electives but those classes mostly do not end up being run as the enrollments don't reach the required level

O'Malley - how many AP classes do we offer?

Light - only 2 or 3 AP classes that we don't offer (languages, and micro economics as examples)

52-54% of the senior class takes an AP class

Jewel - stick with the fundamentals, sometimes the students go to fast through the intros and don't learn it as well as they should

Live reporting - Summer Blackboard

Pandora Carlucci introduces this joint venture between the Life Long Learning and the High School

Supt Ogden with his leadership and collaborative encouragement, this was finally possible

Peter Light's tenacity lead to the success of the program

50 students participated, 3 obtained scholarships to participate

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Peter Light claims it really was a team effort

looking for this to be a self-sustaining program, could extend the program to

a key goal:
create new opportunities for students, limited offerings due to curriculum requirements

Blackboard, an online platform to facilitate learning
this platform is used at some colleges
students completed coursework from around the world
credits for courses offered an completed successfully

mailed to other schools around the state
reaching out to other districts and other students (will help fund the program)

Mr Sutherland - create and set up course, allows for adjustments along the way
allows for secure dialog between students and teacher
there was a learning curve with the program particularly with setting up the test and enabling it to be available online
allowed flexibility to turn in assignments early
11 students took his class in forensics, a lot of reading, a lot of outside research required
his class is archived and available for re-use, embellishment, etc.

Mrs Belastock

Mr Lima provided a demo of the Blackboard

could key the astronomy program to the specific longitude/latitude so that the view of the sky would be as close to actual as possible, assuming no clouds, you could turn around and see the sky

paper copies made available if computer was not available

each Tuesday night, there was a live session, Mr Lima was online, the students had tasks to observe and report back via the online, they could also ask other questions

over 4 weeks, on Tuesday nights averaged about 75 messages each night

Q&A
Armenio - what were the challenges? You're at home, relaxed.
I was at band camp at UNH and taking the course online
Needed self discipline and motivation to do the assignments and complete them on time

Armenio - would you do it again?
yes

Armenio - are you using Accuplacer?
Pam Gould, FHS Principal - yes a possibility, we are looking at it for the future

Trahan - I am blown away, I would love to take the astronomy class myself
I was in Europe and came back, introduced myself and caught up fairly quickly

Trahan - would you be using this info now or later
Doing this music course has helped me with music this year

Rohrbach - anything you experienced that you would like to see done differently or improved?
happy with everything, nothing really to change

Mullen - you took pre-calc and you are a sophomore, what are you going to do with the rest of the high school?
I can take two full years

Mullen - did you find yourself at the same level with others who took the full year course?
Yes, I did not see a difference

Ogden - As juniors, those taking this pre-calc offering will exhaust the curriculum when they are seniors. Exploring options with Dean, Framkingham St and other places to see what can be done

This was done without cost to the community and a small cost to the families. The courses can be taken anywhere on the planet that there is access to the internet. A number of folks have made this a hugh success. A number of faculty did not get the option to participate and will be able to next summer

Cafasso - what is the capacity of a course?
Light - from his pilot experience about 25-30 students to provide good feedback

? - what about the variety of student pacing and ability, how was it for the teaching?
Light - Not a completely different environment from the classroom.
Belastock - need to be aware of time differences when the testing is open and due.
Lima - ability for students to learn from other students

2 minute recess to allow for breakdown of demo