Giguere, Rogers, Stark & Frazier talk about teaching & learning, and the curriculum review program (audio)

FM #1125 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1125 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Dr Tina Rogers, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning; Eric Stark, Director of Curriculum STEM; and Dr Tim Frazier, Director of Curriculum ELA & SS. We had our conversation in person at FPS Central Offices on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. 

At a high level our topics were:

• Instructional design

• Emphasis on professional learning

• Universal design for learning

• Capturing & analyzing the Data 

• MCAS just one data point, use of summative & formative 

• Curriculum review program

The recording runs about 38 minutes so let’s listen to our conversation on teaching and learning in the Franklin School District. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1125-franklin-public-schools-teaching-learning-discussion-12-13-23

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Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 

Teaching & Learning page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/office-teaching-and-learning 

Teaching & Learning update to School Committee as referenced ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/november_28_2023_otl_assessment_presentation.pdf

EduSpeak glossary -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/eduspeak-glossary-educational-terms-acronyms 

School Committee meeting recap of 11/28/23 session -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/school-committee-hears-from-parmenter.html 

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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!

------------------

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

Giguere, Rogers, Stark & Frazier talk about teaching & learning, and the curriculum review program (audio)

School Committee hears from Parmenter, FHS Honor trip & District educational assessment (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, November 28.

Quick recap:

• Parameter update from Principal Chelman, and Asst Principal Harvey
• FHS Art Honor Society proposal for two museums in one trip
• District Assessment presentation, Dr Rogers remote; Dr Frazier, Director of Curriculum for humanities; Eric Stark, Director of Curriculum for STEM
• Al Charles speaks to the point of success seen a couple of years after the SchCmte funded the curriculum investments made in Math
• It is important to know that MCAS is just one data point and that it takes more than that for students to strive 

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J9NdQCWqlM

My notes collected via PDF (captured during meeting via Twitter)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKDfMFeUK43g70Li6XbLlhdVssSKLZAv/view?usp=drive_link

The agenda -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-for_0289625050.html

last slide from the District educational assessment

Franklin, MA School Committee - audio recording - 01/25/22 - FHS program of studies

 FM #711 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 711 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, other members the public joined via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording of the public meeting runs about one hour and forty-five minutes. The School Committee enters Executive Session and does not return to a public meeting. 

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of Jan 25, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-711-school-committee-mtg-01-25-22 

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Meeting agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_1-25-22.pdf 

Documents released for this meeting can be found in the packet folder ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-25-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-school-committee-hears-about-fhs.html 

--------------

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!

------------------

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

FHS program of studies

Sound familiar?

 

"Youngkin’s seeming confusion around controversial racial issues highlighted his conflicting roles. In Washington, while at Carlyle, he was the responsible corporate citizen practicing worthy philanthropy. In the Republican party, where that sort of non-partisan moderation is not only suspect but mocked as a source of evil, he has had to demonstrate that he is not tainted.

Soon enough, Youngkin waded into the murky waters of racial politics. He offered himself as the defender of schoolchildren from the menace of critical race theory, even though the abstruse legal doctrine is not taught in any Virginia public school. Yet he suggested that his opponent, former governor Terry McAuliffe, would impose its creed on innocent minds, depriving parents of control. “On day one, I will ban critical race theory in our schools,” Youngkin has pledged.

But his brandishing of critical race theory, nonexistent in the schools’ curriculum, has been apparently insufficiently frightening to finish the job. Perhaps not enough people know what the theory is at all. He needed one more push, searched for one more issue and produced one more ad."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/30/glenn-youngkin-republican-racial-culture-war-virginia

The MASC statement on CRT  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/massachusetts-association-of-school.html

Franklin Public Schools: Public Complaints About Instructional Materials

In light of the events during the Oct 26, 2021 School Committee meeting, it is good to refresh this existing policy for public awareness:

IIAE - Public Complaints About Instructional Materials

The School Committee recognizes the right of students to free access to many different types of literature. The Committee also recognizes the right of teachers and administrators to select books and other materials in accordance with the current trends in education and to make them available through the schools.

 

Therefore, books and other reading matter will be chosen for value of interest and enlightenment of all students in the community. A book will not be excluded because of the race, gender orientation, nationality, political, or religious values of the writer or of its style and language. Every effort will be made to provide materials that present all points of view concerning the international, national, and local problems and issues of our times. Books and other reading matter of sound factual authority will not be prescribed or removed from library shelves or classrooms because of partisan doctrinal approval or disapproval.

 

Censorship of books will be challenged in order to maintain the school's responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. Accordingly, the School Committee will deal with censorship of books or other materials as follows:

 

Challenge of instructional materials used or proposed for use in the district will include the author, title, publisher, page number, and other pertinent information of each item to which objection is being made. This information will include the reasons for the objections stated in sufficient detail and logical sequence. It is the responsibility of the complainant to have reviewed the entire contents of the instructional material and the signature of complainant will attest to this fact. Challenges of instructional material will neither be deemed complete nor be considered by the Committee until all the above information has been furnished.

 

Challenge Committee:

• A challenge committee will be convened to review challenges as they occur.

 

The committee will consist of not more than nine members which may include:

• two administrators (designated by the Superintendent);

• three teachers (in subject matter field);

• no more than three parent/patrons who serve on the PCC and School 

 

Improvement Council

• one School Committee member

The committee chairperson will be appointed by the Superintendent; will set committee meeting dates, time, place, and will be at appropriate meetings when committee recommendations are to be considered.

 

The challenge committee will evaluate the questioned material and review the challenge. The committee may meet with both adoption requestor and challenger. In addition, the committee may request information from those who have facts pertinent to the challenge. When the committee deliberations are completed, the committee will forward its report in writing to the Superintendent. The report will include one or more of the following recommendations:

• adoption;

• no adoption;

• retention on adopted list;

• removal from adopted list; or

• prescribed usage  - such as determined by nature of the instructional material and its unique application to the learning situation.

The Superintendent will review the report and render the decision in writing to the complainant within five days of receiving the challenge committee report.

The decision of the Superintendent will represent the final decision of the school district.

 

CROSS REF.:             IIAC, IJ

Reviewed, revised 5/9/16

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/iiae-public-complaints-about-instructional-materials

Tip of hat to State Rep Jeff Roy for raising this key point in a Facebook discussion thread.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Releases Position Statement on K-12 Curriculum and Critical Race Theory

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Releases Position Statement on K-12 Curriculum and Critical Race Theory https://t.co/7o2DKdHo8b

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/massupt/status/1424759054858080256?s=03

Across our Commonwealth, the issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been discussed, debated, and questioned. CRT has become the new, “challenge” in education, threatening to distract and derail racial equity, diversity, and inclusion work that is fundamental to strengthening and improving the future of our public schools for all students and families across our State. In the following position statement, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) seeks to clarify What CRT is, and What it isn’t; we seek to state definitively WHAT we actually do teach, and WHY we teach it. Ultimately, M.A.S.S. seeks through this position statement to open a broader conversation with all– around race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What is Critical Race Theory? Do we teach it?

 The simple answer is, “no,” we do not teach CRT.  CRT is an analytical framework and process that had its beginnings in the 1970s. It is used in higher education to examine structures in society. It is not a curriculum for PreK-12 and we do not teach it in Massachusetts. Rather, we teach the MA Curriculum Frameworks for History and Social Science. But there is a more complex answer to this question and it involves the character of who we are as a society and who do we want to be.

Continue reading the full statement

https://www.massupt.org/2021/08/09/the-massachusetts-association-of-school-superintendents-m-a-s-s-releases-position-statement-on-k-12-curriculum-and-critical-race-theory/

Download the statement in PDF format

https://www.massupt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MASS-CRT-Statement-Monday-August-9-2021-1.pdf

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.)

FM #388 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 2 of 3 (audio)

FM #388 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 388 in the series. 

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HskT5mtS

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Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.html

--------------

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/

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!

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

cover page for presentation deck

Marketing and Communication Specialist Anne Marie Tracy explains the design elements

CommonWealth Magazine: "How about a civics project instead of another MCAS test?"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"At the same time, our Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with support from Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, sought to add a history-focused MCAS test to the current series of tests focused on science, English Language Arts, and math. The intent is admirable. In a testing and accountability-focused educational climate, many school and district leaders, particularly in communities predominantly serving lower-income students and students of color, have given limited attention to history and social studies in favor of tested subjects. Making history/social studies a tested subject might address that structural inequity.

But we think there may a better solution. Instead of more standardized testing, we propose each student complete a civics education project (which is already required of all students in accordance with the 2018 law) as a demonstration of knowledge and skill equivalent to a passing score on the MCAS.

The civics project could:

• Be long-term, conducted over the course of perhaps a term, a semester, or an entire school year. In the workplace and in college, extended individual and collaborative projects are commonplace; this is excellent preparation for real-world expectations.
• Align with the ideals of “deeper learning” articulated by scholars Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine in their book, In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School. A well-developed civics project includes a focus on literacy (particularly important given our state’s large and growing multilingual population), real-world relevance (providing motivation for students to shape their communities through civic action), and student empowerment (students gain knowledge and skills that will enable them to be informed, active citizens).
• Provide students choice, allowing them to focus on a topic of personal passion, or for a small group to pursue a shared interest collaboratively."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/how-about-a-civics-project-instead-of-another-mcas-test/

FPS Voice: Learn more about the new 8th Grade Civics Curriculum (audio)

FPS Voice:

Our Middle School curriculum now includes the important subjects of the United States and Massachusetts Government & Civic Life.  We talked with Jeff Anthony and Jonathan Mello, 8th-grade teachers from Annie Sullivan Middle School, about the topics covered, their approach in the classroom, and how they are connecting their lessons to what is happening today.

Audio link = https://anchor.fm/fpsvoice/episodes/Learn-more-about-the-new-8th-Grade-Civics-Curriculum-el3t9t/a-a3i31jh

 

 

 

FPS Voice: Learn more about the new 8th Grade Civics Curriculum (audio)

 

In the News: schools wrestle with hate crimes; wild turkeys return

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

"As schools across Massachusetts grapple with a recent surge in racist graffiti and anti-Semitic incidents, many educators say they are working to build programs into their curriculum to combat hate. 

As schools across Massachusetts grapple with a recent surge in racist graffiti and anti-Semitic incidents, many educators say they are working to build programs into their curriculum to combat hate. 

“We are trying to focus proactively on creating an inclusive culture and climate in a preventative way,” said Sara Ahern, superintendent of schools in Franklin, where swastikas were scrawled on school buildings and playground equipment three times last year and again earlier this month."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171110/massachusetts-schools-wrestle-with-hate-incidents

"For more than 100 years, there were no wild turkeys in Massachusetts. 

Hunting and increased development completely wiped out the wild turkeys, but in the past few decades, the large birds have rebounded in a big way. Turkeys are increasingly popping up in urban and residential areas. 

“It is a great success story we were able to get them re-established,” said Wayne Petersen, director of important bird areas for Mass Audubon. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife tried in 1911, then in the 1950s and ’60s, to bring wild turkeys back to the Bay State, but the attempts didn’t find success until the late-1970s. That is when adult turkeys trapped in upstate New York were moved into the Berkshires. The initial group of 37 turkeys took hold and thrived. As the wild turkey population grew, MassWildlife caught some of the birds and brought them to other parts of the state and turkeys soon became a re-established species."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171110/turkeys-conservation-success-story-in-massachusetts

part of the flock of wild turkeys seen in the Four Corners area

School Committee recap - Feb 14, 2017

Much of the School Committee meeting on Tuesday was a summary of the needs of the District. Much has been written here of the positions and programs cut over the years. The increase in sports fees was what got me started reporting. I wanted to find out what the 'budget issue' was all about. 

The Central Office compiled this listing to help the School Committee with the prioritizations on the upcoming budget cycle for FY 2018. The School Committee via the community relations subcommittee has been listening to the community at their coffee hours and compiling a listing as well.

I caught the first hour of the meeting and share my notes below. I came back just after nine (away for a work conference call) to view the elementary schools wrapping up. My notes resumed and I followed the meeting until it closed.

WINN for Education - What I (we) Need Now from Franklin Matters

Superintendent Sabolinski (center) comments during the meeting while Asst Superintendent Peter Light (left) and Asst Superintendent Joyce Edwards (right) listen

The video of the meeting by Franklin TV is available for viewing on demand
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=432

• Real time reporting: School Committee (Twitter not...
• Real time reporting: Action items
• Real time Reporting: District Current Needs
• Real time Reporting: School Committee - 2/14/17
• Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 14, ...
• 
  

"you people - and the teachers and kids - provide us with an excellent school"

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

"Franklin High School Principal Paul Peri says he wants to encourage C's but that isn't a bad thing. 

In his first year at the school, Peri said he and other administrators came up with a list of core values after conducting a listening tour at the school. 

"We wanted this to be a year of communication; collaboration; comfort and care; and culture," he told the School Committee Tuesday. "As a new team, we felt our role was to listen, learn and support." 

Peri noted that, while there is often a sense of community in the district's elementary and middle schools, that is less true at the high school. He said the school was making efforts to remedy that by communicating with the public through several means, including Twitter."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170127/franklin-high-principal-talks-about-nurturing-positive-culture

This video was embedded in the presentation and deserves to stand on its own:



The presentation document Principal Peri used on Tuesday:

Franklin High School - update 1/24/2017 from Franklin Matters

The program of studies document can be found at this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/real-time-reporting-fhs-update-program.html

Other posts with notes and presentations recorded in "real time" for the Tuesday, Jan 24, 2017 School Committee meeting

FHS athletics presentation
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/real-time-reporting-fhs-athletics-update.html

Action items through to Closing
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/real-time-reporting-action-items.html

The full video of the meeting is available for replay on demand from the Town of Franklin
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=429

Real TIme Reporting: FHS Update; Program of Studies

(sharing the doc that I would have shared earlier had I not been late)

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update / Program of Study / Alumni Survey – Paul Peri and Bill Klement

https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/824051052345487361

Franklin High School - update 1/24/2017 from Franklin Matters

FHS 2017-18 Program of Studies from Franklin Matters

Full agenda for the School Committee meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan_23.html

"should have a wide-ranging meeting about how to fund the schools"

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

"The school district has identified several capital needs - including science curriculum materials and replacement Chromebook laptops - for the upcoming year, but officials lamented the uncertainty around funding those items. 

Administration members briefed the School Committee on the needs at a Tuesday night meeting, saying the list was developed in consultation with principals, the district business office and the town's building department. 

Assistant Superintendent Peter Light said the district had created a list: science materials, Chromebooks, staff laptops, replacement interactive SMART boards, improvements to the Davis Thayer Elementary School building and a new cafeteria freezer. 

Assistant Superintendent Joyce Edwards said the top priority was the science materials, as they would help the schools meet new state guidelines on instruction in the subject."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161215/franklin-schools-identify-capital-needs

Asst Superintendent Peter Light opens the discussion on the capital needs

My notes for the portion of the meeting (1st hour) I was able to view and report on can be found here

• Real time reporting: Capital Budget Process
• Real time Reporting: Snow Removal Program Update
• Real time reporting: School Committee meeting - De...
• Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 13, ...

The video replay of the School Committee meeting can be viewed here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=416

Joyce Edwards, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning discussing the science curriculum requirements