Live reporting - Franklin Arts Academy

2. Guests/Presentations
c. Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) – Mike Caple

Several students spoke for their experience in the Arts Academy
one thought it was a joke at first, students still have responsibility to meet challenges
students have more input into the challenges

I like art and thought it would be easier, but it is not
we have projects and more art based work, used to be really shy

school work used to be boring, now it is really engaging

we were worried at first because it was our last year of school, if it didn't work out, we'd be in trouble
we get to do what we love and we are excited to come to school and learn
we are excited for the week instead of the weekend

(video produced by Students of FAA shown)

mother: What I found was a program that my daughter absolutely loves, she is on the honor role for the first time ever.
She is up and doing it on her own, no fighting anymore, joined the vision exercise, I didn't think she would have done it without the FAA

Mrs Walsh - to hear him say he loved his academic teachers, was something great to hear, I knew he loved his arts teachers, they feel it is not a generic course they are needed to provide input into the course, couldn't be a better bunch of teachers, they are great. They feel more comfortable in the classroom knowing that others in the room will have a similar point of view.  The FAA is really an example of following the mission!

Mr Caple - reviews a presentation
38 students in the program, small learning community

Art Director, Mike Caple making his presentation to the School Committee about the Franklin Arts Academy

Rohrbach - How many applications?
Caple - last year we had about 50 and selected 38, we can do about 25 per class or 50 total

Rohrbach - can you tell a little more about the project based learning
Caple - 20 integrated projects with the standard academic subjects. They'll demonstrate what the learn with an art project. O a math project, they will demonstrate the motion of something with a video presentation. The initial outline was provided yesterday, the project is due on Friday. So time management is required as well as the details of the math and then the project production itself

It is a team project. This would not be possible without a strong K-8 arts program! This is not something that magically appears in the 9th grade.

Mullen - Having watched this grow, FHS is a great comprehensive high school, we talk about the sports but this is a great program, exceeding my expectations!

Jane Hogan - visual arts
Mike Peacock - musical production
Ms Walsh - committee member of the academy
Mrs Waters - (at the love fest at FHS)
other names to be added later -

Mrs Sabolinski - this program is incredible, this was built within the existing budget, no incremental costs, yet outside this would cost big bucks in a private school - this demonstrates the ingenuity of our staff.



Franklin, MA

Franklin Area Blogs: arts and crafts

The art and craft world is covered by Franklin Area blogs.

The Franklin Mill Store has its own blog. Mary writes

ruminations from the Franklin Mill Store

... just a little something is a creation by joanne b who says of herself

"First and foremost, I'm a mom to two wonderful young boys. I'm a home daycare provider by day, and at night, and on the weekends, I treat myself with lots of stamping time! Thanks for stopping by!"

AubreyGreenPhotography is a blog by a recent Franklin resident and photographer.

"I am a professional photographer specializing in creative and fun photography. I am located in Franklin, MA, but serve all of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Islans and New Hampshire. ~Please contact me if you are interested in portrait, engagement or wedding services~"

The most recent updates from each of these blogs can be found in the Franklin Area Blogs section, along the far right column here on Franklin Matters.

Click through to visit them from time to time and let them know you heard about them here!

Enjoy!


Franklin, MA

"a teacher-driven initiative"

The Franklin Arts Academy is a "school within a school" designed to create smaller learning communities where students can engage in academics through music and video production, visual art, theater and architecture.

"Each of the arts classes is creating a lesson through academics," Waters said. "Everything is interrelated."

The Franklin Arts Academy program was proposed for Franklin High School. Hopefully it will be implemented for the next school year (Fall 2010) with no impact to the budget. Read more about the program in the Milford Daily News here.

The live reporting and presentation from the Dec 8th School Committee meeting can be found here. The video and Q&A discussion can be found here.

Live reporting - Arts Academy Q&A

The video that was shown during the presentation:

Franklin, MA - Franklin Arts Academy from Steve Sherlock on Vimeo.

Q - How will you handle the grading?
A - They will met the regular course program. We are arranging to visit the Boston Arts Academy tomorrow to further explore some of the details behind that.

Q - Is it positioned for students who want arts as a career or for those students who struggle with the traditional curriculum?
A - Both.

Q - Where are others doing this?
A - There are many others, this is not a new concept. The Boston Arts Academy is the main one. There are others. Tolman High School in Pawtuclet, RI.

C - Mullen, we have talked about creating communities at FHS and it is continuing to grow so this is a great step. I am excited to see how this plays out. It is really impressive that this is teacher driven.

Caple - the team is very good, it is not just lip service, the real work is being done by the team and others whom we need from time to time.

Roy - Thank you for having the opportunity to work with you. I am delighted to be able to sit at the table and see the energy around the room where folks are trying to improve the education for our students. In the Globe, there was an article yesterday about a surgeon who is exploring using music in the operating room and it is improving his performance. Recalls Daniel Pinks book: A Whole New Mind.

Story of Rosanne Walsh suggesting to read this book 3-4 years ago when budget cuts were being talked of. Rosanne is on the committee now.

Sabolinski - Thanks to the team, this has not been without controversy and they have been very courageous doing this.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video

Live reporting - Franklin Arts Academy

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Fine Arts Academy – Mike Caple, Marushka Waters

Franklin Arts Academy

View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.

_ the video will be added to this posting later_

"budget neutral repackaging of the curriculum"

Proposal to start in Fall of 2010 with the Junior Class at that time

• Creative Literacy
• Humanities
• Mathematics and Science

Example of math and science combination: to study the parabola of the basketball free throw and explain it with a video production.

Example of humanities: read "The Sun Also Rises", study the art cubism and Picasso that was being done at that time, the post WWI period.

Students would apply for this program.

coordinated with guidance counselor and special education liaison, teacher to be assigned as a mentor to the student to accompany them through the program.

"We can ride this out"

Music venues of all sizes are tightening their belts as well. The Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham and Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin report a 20 percent drop in fall and winter ticket sales.

"What we're also seeing is that people are waiting longer to buy tickets," said Circle of Friends volunteer organizer Jake Jacobson. "It's understandable because people are afraid of losing their jobs."

For Circle of Friends, a small, well-respected, volunteer-run operation that does not rely on donations, the consequences are manageable. Equipment purchases are being put on hold.

Read the full article on how non-profit arts organizations are coping with the downturn in the Boston Sunday Globe West section here

The next concert at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is scheduled January 31 featuring Vance Gilbert and Ann Heaton

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

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Dec 05, 2008 @ 11:30 PM

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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

Franklin Art Association awards

FRANKLIN - The Franklin Art Association’s "Fall Into Art" festival, presented Nov. 8 and 9, with a gala on Saturday evening, consisted of an open exhibit of more than 140 works of art, bins of members’ artwork and cards for sale, a silent auction of donated paintings and a raffle of artwork donated by members and well-known artists who have demonstrated their talent during the past year, and a gift certificate and gift basket donated by local businesses.

Proceeds from the raffle go to the scholarship fund. Those eligible to receive the annual scholarship are graduating seniors who live and/or attend school in Franklin or who are children or grandchildren of Franklin Art Association members. More than half of the members of the association are from Franklin and the rest are from the greater MetroWest area.

More than 500 people attended the event. Entertainment was provided by members of the Newton Symphony Orchestra and music students of Franklin High School. A variety of food was donated by area restaurants and FAA members.

Read the full article to see all the awards in the Franklin Gazette here

"Jeff Nutting really had vision"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 12, 2008 @ 12:03 AM

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FRANKLIN —

The town is extending the first invitation to residents to the new Franklin Historical Museum Nov. 19 for the unveiling of a life-sized bronze sculpture of a 19th century Franklin boy who waves to visitors, welcoming them to the facility.

"It's amazing. It's just truly everything we dreamed of and more. The town is very fortunate to have had (artist) Marcia (Billig) available to do this piece," said Lisa Piana, executive director for the Franklin Downtown Partnership.

The statue was designed to reflect Franklin's history, she said; the boy's straw hat hints at the town's strong involvement in the straw hat industry at the turn of the century, and the pile of books he sits on is also symbolic.

"A lot of thought went into which books (were included) to reflect what was in the museum," said Piana, noting that one book featured railroads and another highlights the town's old newspaper, The Sentinel.

The unveiling of the sculpture, titled "Hats Off to Franklin," starts at 9 a.m. next Wednesday at 80 West Central St., the former Senior Center.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here