Saturday, September 26, 2009

Franklin - shows its color

The little pond along Beech St provides a wonderful glimpse of the autumn color rapidly taking over the landscape.




Where in Franklin do you find good autumn color?


Catherine C Haynes and Cafe Dolce

The featured artist this month at Cafe Dolce is Catherine C Haynes.

She has worked in a variety of mediums and her current work emphasis is pastels in a traditional landscape format.
Her work will be displayed at Cafe Dolce through November 8th.


Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

For more information on the artist, please visit her web site here



In the News - fund raising on two fronts

Two mothers get together to raise money for Cradles to Crayons

Give a little, get a little

from The Milford Daily News News RSS

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Pirelli Scholarship raises money

Father fights to keep son's name alive

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS




Friday, September 25, 2009

Farmers Market - Nonni Roses


The Farmers Market will be open today from noon to 6:00 PM on the Town Common.

This is your weekly opportunity to help the local economy and to get quality food items.

You can get baked goods in addition to fresh produce. Nonni Roses usually has a tent each week. Nonni Roses' menu was previously published here and here.


Fall Into Art

The 38th Annual Fall into Art Exhibit and Sale will be held on November 7th/8th at the Adirondack Club on Chestnut St.

The flyer I picked up at the Harvest Festival looks like this:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io


For additional information about the Franklin Art Association, please visit their web site here


Thursday, September 24, 2009

Gallery 218 - NonArt Teachers featured

Gallery 218 (in Franklin High School) will be opening a new show of art by non-art teachers within the Franklin Public Schools on Tuesday, Sep 29th with a reception from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Come to view the new show in the Gallery!



J W Tumbles - Franklin

J W Tumbles opened here in Franklin earlier this year. I stopped by their table/tent at the Harvest Festival to check in and picked up this flyer.

Schedule - Page 1

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Schedule - Page 2

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Additional information is available on their web site here


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Town Council Candidate - Tina Powderly

Tina Powderly is one of the thirteen candidates for the Town Council. You will have the opportunity to choose nine of these candidates at the election on November 3rd.

I have a discussion scheduled with Tina and will publish that as part of the series planned for October. In the meantime, you can review Tina's web site and sign up for updates she sends out.

Tina's web site can be found here.



School Committee Mtg 09/22/09

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on 9/22/09 can be found here:






In the News - Communications policy, brain drain, rail trail

Franklin schools OK new high-tech communication policy

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS 

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Franklin experiencing a brain drain



Rail trail work set to begin in Milford


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Live reporting - closing items

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

Sue raised the request for a report overview of the school district to be used to help explain the funding needs and requirements. Sen Spilka is apparently looking to review the school funding process.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

Motion to move to Executive session, not to return to public forum.
Motion passed, 7-0

8. Adjourn



Live reporting - Superintendent Report

Superintendent’s Report
a. H1N1 Update
video created, available on demand from Town web site

(the video is also available via this link here)

b. English Language Learners
Need to add a .5 FTE to work with students that are non-English speaking who need additional assistance. It is not an action item for now, she wanted to have it reviewed first. It is a State unfunded mandate. The State will be coming in later this year for a visit and this is one of items they will be looking at.

Our population is getting more diverse.


c. Students Leaving the District
The document referenced is as follows:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io




Maureen and Sally are taking 'learning walks' through the schools. Members of the School Committee are invited to join them.

Gallery 218 will be opening an Art Show next Tuesday with art from non-Art teachers

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB Acceptable Use motion to approve, passed 7-0
b. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12  motion to approve, passed 7-0
c. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5  motion to approve, passed 7-0
d. I recommend adoption of Policy JT Electronic Device  motion to approve, passed 7-0
e. I recommend adoption of Policy JU Electronic Communication motion to approve, passed 7-0 (as amended)
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $117.86 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for the Annie Sullivan Middle School for In-house enrichment and supplies.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Oak Street PCC for a 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
h. I recommend Acceptance of a check for $112.31 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for the Horace Mann Middle School.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
i. I recommend adoption of Davis Thayer’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
j. I recommend adoption of Jefferson’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
k. I recommend adoption of Keller’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
l. I recommend adoption of Kennedy’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
m. I recommend adoption of Oak Street’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0
n. I recommend adoption of Parmenter’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 7-0


Live reporting - Policies - 2nd readings

b. Policy - Second Readings
1st reading was in August, changes were implemented since then

1. GBAB Acceptable Use Policy

2. GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12

3. GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5

4. JT Electronic Device Policy

5. JU Electronic Communication Policy

Discussion to clarify the layout of the policies and the placement in the student handbooks. Intent being that the handbooks should be containing the same rules that exist in this policy. The pieces going into the handbooks are what is in front of the committee this evening. (Documents to be added later)

Q - on whether there needs to be additional wording to address a potential teacher/parent harassment situation.
A - Those are already covered by other items in other policies, i.e. the employee sections.

Q - "school sanctioned" - does that need to be defined further?
A - The issue is how far down do you describe the details, especially with the rapid changes in technology. If we run into problems down the road, we can come back and revisit this if necessary.

Q - I like that interpretation, I was thinking 'school' would refer to 'district' but if school truly refers to each individual school then that works for me. Propose to use the language from the GBAB to add to further define the "good behavior".


Live reporting - Elementary School Improvement Plans

a. Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans

1. Davis Thayer – Shirley Babcock
Three goals, similar to last year, one added
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Communications
Goal 3 - Collaborative Learning
Goal 4 - Math Achievement


2. Jefferson – Jane Hyman
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Mathematics
Goal 3 - Home School Comunications
Goal 4 - Professional Learning Communities
Goal 5 - School Safety
Goal 6 - Supportive Learning Environment
Goal 7 - Technology Integration

3. Keller – Mary Jane Wiles
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Math
Goal 3 - Collaborative Leadership
Goal 4 - NAEYC Accreditation (1st year of 2 year process)

Q - What is this collaborative leadership goal?
A - The faculty have come forward with a suggestion to become more involved in addressing the problems that arise. The major issue we have is actually finding time to meet and implement this. We are attempting to meet quickly at the end of the day. We are looking for the problem to be brought forward with some strategies that have been already attempted.

4. Kennedy – Joan Toye
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Math
Goal 3 - Communications

5. Parmenter – Judi Bassignani
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Communications
Goal 3 - NAEYC Accreditation (2nd year of 2 year process)

6. Oak Street – Corine Minkle
Goal 1 - Literacy
Goal 2 - Math
Goal 3 -Response to Intervention (RTI)

Live reporting - School Committee

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Missing: none




1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - move presentation from P Carlucci (sick) to a future meeting
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 8, 2009 School Committee Meeting.  motion to approve - passed 7-0
Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly  motion to approve - passed 7-0
Payroll - Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence  none




America on the Move - Wed 9/23 - 12:00

As part of the YMCA America on the Move, member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership

will be walking downtown for 30 minutes on

Wednesday, September 23rd at 12:00 noon.


They will be meeting in front of Cafe Dolce.


Please come and join them for a walk downtown.


For more information you can go to www.hockymca.org

Town Council Candidate - Glenn Jones

At the Harvest Festival this weekend, I picked up a copy of this letter to the "Concerned voters of Franklin". For those who did not make it to the Festival, here is your chance to review it.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io



Glenn is one of 13 candidates for the Town Council election coming on November 3rd. I met with Glenn recently and our discussion has been drafted. The discussion will be published here during October as part of a series of posts planned to provide information on the candidates for this years election.

If you haven't already subscribed to Franklin Matters, I would recommend that you do. It is free and easy. You can subscribe via email, RSS Feed, or iTunes. The email subscription and the RSS Feed subscription are probably your best bet to get all the information published in a timely manner. The iTunes subscription will cover the podcast which while it is targeted for weekly doesn't always make that schedule.

The subscription options are available in the center column on the front page of Franklin Matters.

Note: email subscribers should click through to view the document on the website.

5th Annual Run for Bob

The Bob Biagiotti Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at the Putnam Investments facility here in Franklin.

Registration can be accomplished in advance online here


The flyer will additional details can be viewed here:
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io





Bikes Not Bombs collection Saturday

The Bikes Not Bombs bicycle collection will be held rain or shine Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Department of Public Works, 257 Fisher St.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News



Franklin teen advocates bikes, not bombs






Monday, September 21, 2009

Harvest Festival recap

Sunday was a great day for the Harvest Festival in downtown Franklin! If you stayed home to flip between the Pats and the Red Sox, you missed a good time.

Outside Cafe Dolce, Random Play was turning out some good music. The Franklin Republican Town Committee tent was located right there. So close it was hard to have a conversation with the band playing so well.



In the photo above, Don Newton stepped the front with his wireless guitar.

On the triangle over the railroad bridge, Knuf Said was holding forth for their fans arrayed in the shade near their tent.




On Depot St, before heading in to the kids area, Mary Pat McSharry of Closet\and Storage Concepts had their new vehicle and table set up. Nothing like a smart car to show how smartly you can get organized!




I talked with Alan Mercer, Director of Advancement for the New England Center for the Performing Arts about the fund raising they are doing for their new facility to showcase what we know today as the Franklin School for Performing Arts.

I talked with Linda Waters of Back to Business about her new product: Confidence Beads. The website is coming soon.

In front of Rockland Trust, Nothing to No One was getting into their groove.










On such a glorious Sunday, the only real disappointment was in not finding many of the candidates for the Franklin Election in November. Glenn Jones (Town Council) had a tent down by the Post Office (an interview with Glenn is in draft). I did talk with Matt Kelly about setting time for his interview. I met Dan Ballinger for the first time. He may follow up to set up time for an interview with Franklin Matters. Bob Vallee was observed minding one of his grand-daughters. Roberta Trahan (School Committee) worked at the Downtown Partnership table. With no competition for the seven School Committee seats, I am not too worried about that part of the election. The Town Council is respectfully, the more important race this November. If other candidates were around, I missed them in my travels.


It was a real treat to walk down Main St without worrying about the traffic. 

Thanks to the efforts of all involved, especially the Downtown Partnership, the local businesses and vendors, the Franklin Police. This was a great event!

School Committee - Agenda - 9/22/09

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 8, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans
1. Davis Thayer – Shirley Babcock
2. Jefferson – Jane Hyman
3. Keller – Mary Jane Wiles
4. Kennedy – Joan Toye
5. Parmenter – Judi Bassignani
6. Oak Street – Corine Minkle

b. Policy - Second Readings

1. GBAB Acceptable Use Policy
2. GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12
3. GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5
4. JT Electronic Device Policy
5. JU Electronic Communication Policy

c. Lifelong Learning Update – Pandora Carlucci

3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB Acceptable Use
b. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12
c. I recommend adoption of Policy GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5
d. I recommend adoption of Policy JT Electronic Device
e. I recommend adoption of Policy JU Electronic Communication
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $117.86 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for the Annie Sullivan Middle School for In-house enrichment and supplies.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Oak Street PCC for a 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation as detailed.
h. I recommend Acceptance of a check for $112.31 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for the Horace Mann Middle School.
i. I recommend adoption of Davis Thayer’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
j. I recommend adoption of Jefferson’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
k. I recommend adoption of Keller’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
l. I recommend adoption of Kennedy’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
m. I recommend adoption of Oak Street’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
n. I recommend adoption of Parmenter’s School Improvement Plan as detailed.
 
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. H1N1 Update
b. English Language Learners
c. Coordinated Program Review
d. Students Leaving the District

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



In the News - recycling contest

Contest to determine where recycling fees will go

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff





Sunday, September 20, 2009

Harvest Festival today!

Come to downtown Franklin for the Harvest Festival, today



Sunday, Sep 20th - 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM



In the News - youth mass, solar panels

Youth Mass at Franklin church fills the pews

from The Milford Daily News News RSS



Bellingham farm using solar panels to save on energy costs

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS


Pictures of the Trolley Crossing Farm solar panels were posted to the Franklin Area Climate Team blog here



The digital natives are restless

Wesley Fryer, writing on his blog "Moving at the Speed of Creativity" has a wonderful post this week:
These are my notes from Robyn Treyvaud’s workshop, “The Natives are Getting Restless: Growing Up and Learning in a Web 2.0 World” at the 21st Century Learning @ Hong Kong Conference on 18 September 2009. MY COMMENTS ARE IN ALL CAPS. Robyn is the author and owner of www.cybersafeworld.com. Her wiki on digital citizenship (created with WetPaint) is http://digicitizen-wiki.com.
You ca read the full post here.

There are two videos worth viewing within the post. One I have shared here previously. One is new to me and I will share here:




Recall the discussion at a recent School Committee meeting about limiting the electronic interactions between teachers and students.

What would you do to foster appropriate digital behavior?


Note: email subscribers should click through to view the video on the website.