Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Great video

I had the pleasure of being in the audience to hear Geoffrey Canada give this talk at the GEL Conference in 2006. It is now available in video, 23 minutes long and well worth watching.

Who is Geoffrey Canada?
In his 20-plus years with Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., Geoffrey Canada has become nationally recognized for his pioneering work helping children and families in Harlem and as a passionate advocate for education reform.

So what does Harlem have to do with Franklin?

The challenge that Geoffrey faces is very similar to one all students in MA face as well. The school budget is scrutinized relentlessly for every dollar because it costs too much, yet the prison budget is not given the same scrutiny nor are they given similar performance objectives.

  1. Watch the video
  2. Listen to Geoffrey
  3. Listen to the argument he uses

There must be something in there we can use to change the approach to funding education in MA. Of course it won't be easy, but the time might be better now to try.

What do you think?


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School Committee Meeting 12/09/08

The collection of posts from the School Committee meeting on 12/9/08, the last one for 2008.

Franklin School Committee Meeting - agenda - 12/9/...



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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Live reporting - new business

Q - to use SurveyMonkey to try and determine how many 8th graders would be moving up to the high school.

Ogden - would want to extend it to all the parents as other choices are being made that we should know about. Forced choice responses are easily calculated, open answers are more difficult to calculate quickly.

Q - test some of their knowledge of the facts of the high school, like graduation rate some things that are more not known (but should be).

Sabolinski - begin with the end in mind, if the focus is to move additional resources to the high school, we need to be careful. Would the middle school faculty be concerned? If we get the data, we need to be responsive to it.

Can use this information to help focus the Panther Pride night.

Roy - develop some questions and let's review them together before they go out.

Rohrbach - endorsing consideration of EdLine or some electronic means of communication, can save paper.

Sabolinski - One day closed door, teachers, administrators, workshop next week to discuss technology needs for the district.

Live rreporting - Information matters

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
  • Academic Excellence Awards - covered previously in meeting
  • W.A.S.T.E.D. - presentation on 12/2/08 recording of this can be found here
  • Banner Ads - 1st five ads are in the field house

Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items
  1. I recommend approval of the ASMS recurring trip to DC for the 8th Grade in May 2009 as detailed. Approved 5 - 0, abstain 1
  2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $290.17 from the Remington PCC for a 7th grade field trip to the Christa McAuliffe Center. Approved 6 - 0
  3. I recommend approval to declare books as surplus on the attached list for the JF Kennedy Elementary School. Approved 6 - 0
  4. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at Davis Thayer Elementary School at a total cost of $30,000 to $35,000, (includes removal of interior walls, replacement of grass and landscape in front of building and renovations to the sub standard sized rooms on the second and third floors into normal sized classrooms). Approved 6 - 0
  5. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at FHS at the cost of $25,000, (includes removal of interior walls and replacement of grass and landscape in front of building). Approved 6 - 0
  6. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at Jefferson Elementary School at the cost of $15,000 to $20,000, (includes removal of interior walls and replacement of grass and landscape in front of building). Rejected 6 - 0

Criteria for removal: (1) for condition, (2) space available within building, (3) community desire to restore building appearance.

Hence for the modulars at Davis Thayer, the removal criteria is met (#s 2 and 3).

Hence for the modulars at FHS, the removal criteria is met (#1 and 2).

Live reporting - Elementary schools improvement plans

School Improvement Plans:

Keller increased enrollment this year by 50 students with one less teacher.

Developing a student council at Kennedy for the first time, hopeful to have intro to students in January and hold elections shortly thereafter.

Parmenter increased enrollment by 29 this year with one less teacher. Built into the building schedule for teachers in one grade to meet, collaborate for 40 minutes.

Live reporting - Best Buddies

2. Guests/Presentations
Art Streeter, Sue Streeter, (Mark ?)

Annie Sullivan, Horace Mann and FHS have chapters for Best Buddies

Awarded 1st scholarship for a May 2008 graduate from FHS

Best Buddies International has money to grant to the local Franklin chapters due to the efforts of the groups over the past several years.

The grants would be used to extend friendships beyond the classroom.

The grants would be modeled upon the FEF grant process.

------

FHS Principal Pam Gould
Miriam Connolly
Erin Miller


Looking to have a Best Buddies prom within the local area.
Might just start with Franklin but would like to expand it as it can.
Looking for a "free hall" sometime in March, approx 150.


Dec 22 - Foxboro's and Eaton will be coming to FHS for a holiday party

Live reporting - academic awards



Academic Excellence Awards
  • Philip MacClellan - #1 in Senior class
  • Arushi Singh - #2 in Senior class

Live reporting - School Committee

Attending: Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Missing: Armenio

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments

Review of Agenda - move academic awards up in front of Best Buddies

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting. Approved 6-0

Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly Moved to accept warrants, approved 6-0

Payroll Ms. Armenio

FHS Student Representatives
  • Red Cross blood drive
  • Progress reports week before Christmas
  • Drama performance, 12/17-18

Correspondence:
  • Budget to Actual
  • E-mail from Mike D’Angelo regarding modular removal

in the news - Charter School applications, state warns of aid cuts

Ben Franklin Charter School accepting applications

By GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is accepting applications for kindergarten to grade eight for the 2009-2010 school year until Feb. 13.

Children must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2009 for enrollment in kindergarten for the 2009-2010 school year. A lottery will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., in the school library.

The school will hold information evenings for parents of prospective students on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Thursday, Jan. 29, in the school auditorium. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., the head of school, board members and teachers will be available for discussions, questions and answers. A school tour will also be given.

Read the full article in the Gazette here

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

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said yesterday that Massachusetts cities and towns should brace for cuts of up to 10 percent in state aid next year, an ominous sign that the pain of the nation's economic crisis is still just taking hold and could result in layoffs of police, firefighters, and teachers in local communities.

"Massachusetts will not be spared the pain," said DiMasi, after calling a group of reporters into his State House office. He predicted state aid would be reduced by 5 to 10 percent, saying it is "a matter of how much. It's not a matter of whether they will take a cut or not."

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here


WASTED - available for replay

Did you miss the W.A.S.T."E".D. meeting?

No problem, the very powerful information session held at Franklin High on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 is still available for you to listen to.

Click here to find all six segments of the evening.

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

The number of people who have listened since the session continues to grow.

Item
Content Mins # Replays
Wasted 1 Intro; FHS Students 23 28
Wasted 2 Bill Phillips 25 19
Wasted 3 Nick's story 24 34
Wasted 4 Josh's story 17 14
Wasted 5 Nick's parents view 10 17
Wasted 6 Q&A; next steps 26 41

I am a little surprised by the results thus far. As impressive as Nick's story was, Josh's story is short and to the point.

Likewise for Nick's parents point of view.

Don't miss interpret what my intention is, this is not a superficial popularity contest. These are real life stories. All the information was freely presented. It took courage and effort on the part of Bill, Nick, Josh, and Nick's parents to get up on the stage in front of 100 or so people.

You should be able to find 2 hours (especially with the segments broken up into approx 20-25 minutes apiece).

Skip a movie.
Have a listen.

Then have a good conversation with your son, daughter, neighbor, etc.

Franklin needs to be talking about this.
We (adults) need to show that our children matter to us.

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

One quote that I love comes from Kirk Weisler and one of his T4D:
"Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch."

Interested in wind or solar energy?









Thinking of installing a wind turbine
or solar array at your home or business? Come get all your questions answered!




Incentives for
  • Residential & Commercial
  • Solar and Wind Installations


Presenter:
Tyler Leeds, Project Manager, Green Building & Infrastructure
Mass Technology Collaborative

When:
Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level

Description:
Massachusetts has recently developed several incentives to spur the development of renewable energy, including Commonwealth Solar Rebates, Small Renewables Initiative, and Business Expansion Incentives.
Tyler Leeds will answer your questions and help you understand the basic economics of investing in renewable energy.

This Event is of Special Interest for:
Home Owners, Business Owners, Installers, Dealers, Contractors, Electricians and Architects

Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT)
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Friends of the Franklin Library


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Franklin School Committee Meeting - agenda - 12/9/08

Franklin School Committee Meeting
December 9, 2008
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments

Review of Agenda

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting.

Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

Payroll Ms. Armenio

FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence:
  • Budget to Actual
  • E-mail from Mike D’Angelo regarding modular removal

2. Guests/Presentations
  • Best Buddies

Academic Excellence Awards
  • Philip MacClellan
  • Arushi Singh

School Improvement Plans
  • Davis Thayer
  • Jefferson
  • Keller
  • Kennedy
  • Parmenter

3. Discussion Only Items
none


4. Action Items
  1. I recommend approval of the ASMS recurring trip to DC for the 8th Grade in May 2009 as detailed.
  2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $290.17 from the Remington PCC for a 7th grade field trip to the Christa McAuliffe Center.
  3. I recommend approval to declare books as surplus on the attached list for the JF Kennedy Elementary School.
  4. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at Davis Thayer Elementary School at a total cost of $30,000 to $35,000, (includes removal of interior walls, replacement of grass and landscape in front of building and renovations to the sub standard sized rooms on the second and third floors into normal sized classrooms).
  5. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at FHS at the cost of $25,000, (includes removal of interior walls and replacement of grass and landscape in front of building).
  6. Take action to remove the modular classrooms at Jefferson Elementary School at the cost of $15,000 to $20,000, (includes removal of interior walls and replacement of grass and landscape in front of building).

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
  • Academic Excellence Awards
  • W.A.S.T.E.D.
  • Banner Ads
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

School Committee Liaison Reports


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


7. Executive Session
  • Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Monday, December 8, 2008

Green light for decorations

Green light on decorations

The light snow that we received on Sunday dusted the evergreens and ribbons along the railroad bridge.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

the "Dean Difference"

FRANKLIN - In a higher education world often fixated on prestige, Dean College cuts against the grain, carving its niche by catering largely to students with spotty academic records.

Marketing itself as a haven for students who struggled through high school, the primarily two-year college proudly embraces its reputation as a safety school and its commitment to students who need extra attention.

"What you see is what you get," said Paula M. Rooney, college president . "There are no pretenses. We know who we are, and we know where we fit. We aren't ashamed of it, and we don't try to hide it."

Read the full article on Dean College in the Sunday Boston Globe here


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"Storm water carries remnants of chemicals"

Denise Zambrowski, environmental affairs coordinator for Franklin's Department of Public Works, said the requirements would take some pressure off municipalities trying to protect wetlands and waterways.

"Commercial developers should pay for their own storm-water management," she said. "The large commercial facilities falling under state and federal purview makes it easier for us to focus resources and energy on our own drainage systems."

....
In Franklin, DPW engineer Zambrowski said she is encouraged state and federal employees would enforce the regulations.
What regulations?

The regulations regarding the storm water runoff around the large commercial facilities and plazas. You can read the full article in the Boston Globe West section here.

An earlier post on this topic can be found here.
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Hat's Off to Franklin (1st snow)

A light snow dusted the sculpture this morning.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

WASTED 12/2/08 - Slideshow

A slide show of photos from the substance abuse information session put on by W.A.S.T."E".D at Franklin High School on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

"Everyone helps out, it's a team effort. "

GHS
Posted Dec 05, 2008 @ 11:25 PM

FRANKLIN —

Police officers, dispatchers, administrators, the deputy and the chief took their mission "to serve" to heart, and spent yesterday morning cooking a full turkey meal and serving more than 200 senior citizens, to their great delight.

The Franklin Police Association, which sponsors the holiday dinner every year for seniors, even hand-delivered meals to housebound elders who made the request.

"They are exceptionally wonderful to all of us - we love them all, and may God bless them always," said senior Vivian Brown, who has lived in Franklin for 47 years.

She and her friend, Franklin senior Priscilla Chesmore, were all smiles as they sat with the large Christmas centerpieces they won in the police association's raffle.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


"an effort that could net roughly $30,000 per year"

GHS
Posted Dec 05, 2008 @ 11:30 PM

Several years ago, the School Committee in Hopkinton turned down a company offering a free softball scoreboard branded with its corporate logo, ruling that ads did not belong on school property.

This week, however, members reviewed a mailing that will let businesses know they can buy space on the indoor and outdoor scoreboards and on the concession stand, a move being watched by other area school committees.

"I think given what's happening with the state budget and local aid currently, people are thinking a little differently about that now," said Dave Stoldt, a Hopkinton School Committee member. "We're trying to do it in an orderly fashion and a tasteful fashion."

Part of a financial working group's larger effort to increase revenue and trim expenses, school ads won the School Committee's approval earlier this year.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


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