Waltham is looking for donated Prom Dresses

Via Lisa Buccella <lisabill5@comcast.net>

Sharing this post from a friend who is a teacher in Waltham:

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Prom is happening in Waltham this year, but because it was so uncertain, all of the school's usual donation events didn't happen this year so it's a bit of a scramble. But as always there are some awesome teachers looking to make things happen!

So if you have a recently worn prom dress (under 5 years old and no bridesmaid dresses) that you could donate to Waltham High we definitely have some girls who could use them.

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She told me the "boutique" will be set up at school on Tuesday so the girls can "shop". They are looking for floor length dresses only -

If you have any dresses, let me know and I can make sure they get to her by Tuesday morning so they can set it all up.

My heart to all the students and especially the ones from the Class of 2020 and 2021! They can all add perseverance to their resumes!

Dress Code Boutique - "Sneak Peek" Party - Dec 16

"So thrilled to invite you all to our grand opening "sneak peek" party Saturday December 16, 2017 for Dress Code located at 58 East Central St Franklin, Ma 

Come take a look at the beautiful one of kind 2018 prom and pageant collection for this upcoming year. Meet scouting agents for the Miss USA and Teen USA pageant system, hair and makeup stylists to help our prom girls this season, skincare experts and not to mention gift with purchase for any gowns you take home that night! 

RSVP to stacey@staceyfrasca.com 

See you all there!!! Drop in times for Saturday December 16 5:00-8:00 PM"

Dress Code Boutique 

58 East Central St 

Franklin, Ma 02038 

508- 440-5591

Dress Code Boutique - "Sneak Peek" Party - Dec 16

School Committee recap: Best Buddies grants, MCAS/PARCC results, and dress code revision

Among the many things that occurred during the almost 90 minute School Committee meeting there were three key takeaways:

1. The School Committee heard the Friends of the Best Buddies give away almost $15,000 to the schools with best buddies programs. 
2. The recent MCAS and PARCC results were given a highlight and discussion. 
3. The proposed dress code revision was moved to a second reading where it can be approved and become official.

The notes taken live during the meeting were updated with the complete listing of the Best Buddies grants and those details can be found in the links here:

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Action Items
• Live reporting: Dress code and student restraint
• District Curriculum Accommodation Plan - DCAP
• Live reporting: MCAS and PARCC Results - Spring 20...
• Live reporting: Best Buddies
• Live reporting: School Committee - November 15, 20...

•    The full agenda document for the School Committee meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

Parmenter School sign announcing no school coming up Weds through Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday

"trusted in the common sense of school administrators"

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

"The Franklin School Committee is one step closer to adopting a new dress code for the district's schools. 

The committee on Tuesday night approved the first reading of the code, which has been reviewed in the last few months to ensure consistency across schools and equal treatment of students. 

Policy subcommittee chairwoman Mary Jane Scofield said her group had sought parent feedback on the policy at a two-hour meeting in October. She said that meeting had gone well, and that some alterations had been made in its wake."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161116/franklin-schools-give-early-approval-to-new-dress-code

A copy of the policy can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/school-committee-policies-up-for.html

Live reporting: Dress code and student restraint

The draft student dress code policy

The draft policy on  physical restraint of students

community entrance to FHS

The full agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

School Committee: policies up for discussion on (1) dress code and (2) physical restraint of students

The draft student dress code policy

The draft policy on  physical restraint of students

community entrance to FHS

The full agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

This is your chance to provide input to the School Superintendent Search

What do Franklin parents think about the current school day and recess allocation? 

According to the Milford Daily News (MDN) article below, Hopkinton and Medway parents are attempting to get the time for recess increased. This is a complicated issue as it may involve lengthening the school day and changing current contractual arrangements not just with teachers but also bus schedules.

Three parents appeared to discuss the 'hot' dress code issue on Franklin on Saturday. Granted a number of other conversations were already conducted in a number of forums and meetings but three came to this one open forum.

• Have you provided input to the Franklin Superintendent search survey?

The survey starts out by seeking your input on several aspects of the Franklin School District. For each of these points you are asked to rate according to a five point scale with

1 = Strongly Disagree 

2 = Disagree 

3 = Neither Agree or Disagree 

4 = Agree 

5 = Strongly Agree

The superintendent search survey questions:

• The district provides a clear, compelling vision for the future.
• The district is heading in the right direction.
• The district has high standards for student performance.
• The district makes decisions based on information from data and research.
• The district is working to close the achievement gap.
• The district provides a well-rounded educational experience for all students.
• Teachers personalize instructional strategies to address individual learning needs, special education and gifted.
• District schools are safe.
• The social and emotional needs of students are being addressed.
• Students are on track to be college and career ready.
• Technology is integrated into the classroom.
• The district engages the community as a partner to improve the school system.
• There is transparent communication from the District.
• The district engages with diverse racial, cultural and socio-economic groups.
• Facilities are well maintained.
• The district is fiscally responsible.
• The district employs effective teachers, administrators and support staff in its schools.
• Employees are held accountable to high standards.
• District technology infrastructure is sufficient to support 21st century learning.

From your responses to these questions, the survey ask you yo prioritize your selection. The summary of these results along with all the other information gathered by the HYA search team in interviews, meetings and forums will be used to produce the "Leadership profile". The leadership profile will be reviewed with the School Committee later in November.

The leadership profile survey can be found here   http://ecrasurvey.com/franklin

help develop the leadership profile of the next Franklin (MA) Superintendent of Schools

Recess article from MDN

"After moving to Hopkinton a few years ago, Sonya Fairbanks Harris was a bit shocked. 

Upon enrolling her two sons in Hopkinton Public Schools, she learned that her children - accustomed to 45 minutes of play time each school day in their old school in California - were now receiving 15 minutes of recess. 

“At 4:00, I can’t rewind a child from multiple tantrums because they’ve been holding it together” all day, she said. 

Her concern for overburdening children with schoolwork was not alone though, as parents in MetroWest and the Milford area have joined together to demand longer recess periods for students."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161029/despite-complications-parents-push-for-more-recess-in-schools

Related posts:

Overall timeline for the superintendent search process
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/school-committee-workshop-sets.html

School Committee meeting summary with search firm decision
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/school-committee-recap-sep-13.html

In the News: dress code discussed, early voting is busy

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

"Parents, school committee members and other school officials discussed the district’s proposed dress code policy at length Saturday morning in an attempt to find some even ground throughout the district. 

The draft code provides broad guidelines on what not to wear to school and lists four bullet points: anything that defames or demeans any individual or group; promotes the use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco products; references sexually provocative or explicit content and causes disorder or disruption in the school. 

The code, once approved, will apply to the entire district. Each of the 11 schools, however, will be responsible for writing a dress code in the student handbook that nails down specifics. 

There will not, however, be any number lengths included, much to the pleasure of three mothers in attendance."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161029/parents-committee-discuss-dress-code-for-franklin-students

draft copy of policy up for discussion Saturday

"The results may not be in for this election, but municipalities across MetroWest are already seeing a win for early voting in Massachusetts. 

This is the first year Massachusetts voters can go to the polls on a day more convenient than Election Day. Despite the extra work for clerks across the state, early voting will most likely cut down on the poll lines on Nov. 8. 

“It’s a little overwhelming, not just for this municipality but for all, because it is an unfunded mandate for this particular election,” said Marlborough City Clerk Lisa M. Thomas. “But we have had quite a few people come in, they love the convenience to cast their ballot as opposed to going to the polls. The ultimate goal is to have less people at the polls so there is more fluidity when folks go to the polls on Election Day.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161029/clerks-say-many-taking-advantage-of-early-voting

Per Franklin Town Clerk, Teresa Burr, there were 2767 votes in Franklin recorded in the first five days, Saturday morning was also busy but no totals are available at this time.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/1787272168209468/

sign at the Franklin Municipal building on Saturday

In the News: School dress code feedback meeting; Pots with Pizzazz scheduled for Tuesday

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

"A group of school district officials will be seeking parent feedback on the dress code this weekend. 

The policy subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee is set to meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday on the third floor of the town municipal building to discuss the matter. 

Subcommittee Chairwoman Mary Jane Scofield announced the session during the School Committee meeting this week. She said the subcommittee was currently on its fourth draft of the policy, and would likely be seeking a full committee vote on it after Saturday's event."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161027/franklin-schools-set-dress-code-meeting

• Related post on dress code policy

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/we-dont-want-to-link-clothing-and.html

• What is the current policy?

Actually there is no current policy (hence the meeting looking for feedback), the prior policy was
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_EManual/J/Jdocs/Removed/S01818E15

Four students from Portland, Oregon, testified in front of the board in May 2015.
Image via PPS Communications/YouTube.

"Pots with Pizzazz will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Remington Middle School located, 628 Washington St. This event will be the featured program at a joint meeting of the Franklin, Norfolk and Millis garden clubs. 

The presenters will be Jana Milbocker and Joan Butler of Holliston-based Enchanted Gardens. The workshop will inspire participants to design jazzy containers. Participants will learn how to brighten shady spots with pops of color, and create focal points for vistas and welcoming entry gardens with container groupings. Including designs for all seasons, the presenters will show examples of pots ranging from whimsical to grand. They will also provide information on creating unusual, eye-catching pots."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161027/pots-with-pizzazz-announced

Open Forum on school Dress Code and two Coffee Hours scheduled

In line with the Franklin Public Schools School Committee’s mission of improving communication with the citizens of our community, we will be hosting a series of meetings over the next few months:

*** The Policy Subcommittee is hosting an open forum about the Dress Code Policy. Several citizens came forward to express concern and have provided thoughtful points of view for consideration. We welcome your input and hope you will join us on:

• October 29, 9:00 a.m. Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Third-Floor Training Room

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street

*** The Community Relations Subcommittee will be hosting two coffee hours at our town’s state- of- the- art new television (and radio) studio. We welcome feedback on the hiring of the new superintendent, budget and policy issues. Issues, concerns brought forth at these meetings are brought to the attention of the superintendent and will often appear as agenda items on upcoming school committee meetings. Please join us on:

• Wednesday, November 9, 6:30 P.M.
• Saturday, December 3, 9:00 A.M.

Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street.

Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

All of society benefits when public schools are strong. The interest and support of the community is vital in our effort to provide the very best education we can for all of our students.

"We don't want to link clothing and learning"

The School Committee Policy subcommittee will be meeting on Monday evening, Sep 19 at 7:00 PM in the 3rd floor training room. They will be exploring possible revisions to the dress code.

Earlier this year, this post from Upworthy generated some attention when the 7th grade girls in Portland, OR raised the issue to their school board. A copy of the fully approved dress code they initiated is linked to below. (Note: the dress code activity actually took place in 2015. Just took a while for it to gain attention.)

"AnaLuiza, a seventh-grader, told a story of a friend who was pulled aside one day for wearing a skirt deemed to be too short. The friend sat in the principal's office for hours while the staff tried to get ahold of her parents. She missed important classwork, and worse yet, felt humiliated by the ordeal. 

"The only reason I go to school is to get my education," AnaLuiza told the board. "When I get dressed in the morning, my intention is not to provoke or be sexualized. My intention is to feel comfortable in my own skin." 

Sophia, also in seventh grade at the time, spoke last. "My problem with the dress code is that 100% of the students that get sent home are female. ... In a way, you're telling [a girl] that boys are more entitled to their education than she is. And I don't think that's acceptable."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.upworthy.com/tired-of-being-humiliated-these-girls-fought-the-school-dress-code-and-won

Four students from Portland, Oregon, testified in front of the board in May 2015. Image via PPS Communications/YouTube.

From the Portland Public Schools
http://www.pps.net/cms/lib8/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/219/4.30.013-AD%20Student%20Dress%20Code.pdf