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Oak St 5th Grade wins a plow name with "Mac N' Freeze" |
"Congratulations to the 5th grade class at Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, for their winning snow plow name "Mac N' Freeze!" @FranklinPSNews"
Video clip -> https://t.co/DqyRJoMRiN
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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Oak St 5th Grade wins a plow name with "Mac N' Freeze" |
"Congratulations to the 5th grade class at Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, for their winning snow plow name "Mac N' Freeze!" @FranklinPSNews"
Video clip -> https://t.co/DqyRJoMRiN
"The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced the winners of the third annual “Name A Snowplow” contest for elementary and middle school students in Massachusetts.This contest received entries from public school classrooms located all across Massachusetts to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during this 2024/2025 winter season. The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season.
"Maintaining safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy task. We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this fun competition that honors this vital public service," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to seeing your snowplows out in the field."
Oak Street Elementary School submitted the Winning Submissions for 5th through 8th Grade. The 5th Grade class led by Abby Normandin selected Mac N’ Freeze as the Chosen Plow Name,
The full press release and all the other school winning entries can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/news/massdot-announces-the-winners-of-the-2024-name-a-snowplow-contest
FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers.
Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46
Quick recap:
Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session
Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully
Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year
Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)
Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process
Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school
Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far
Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1
Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course
Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!
Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey
Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes
Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)
Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment
Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)
Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote
Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request
The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24
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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
Meeting Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda
Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet
Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA
FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5
My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/view?usp=drive_link
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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"
• Jefferson Elementary School (recruiting)• Parmenter Elementary School• Oak Street Elementary School (recruiting)• Hellen Keller Elementary School• John F. Kennedy Elementary School• Davis Thayer Elementary School (now closed but students who attended still canvas in the Davis Thayer district)
• You are the direct contact for the Elves who sign up in your district.• You assign streets to the Elves (The Pantry will provide street maps corresponding to elementary school districts).• Elves indicate their Elementary Schools when they sign up.• You help the Elves organize kick-off activities in the neighborhood....
o Distribute lawn signso Oversee envelope and flyer distributiono Help them to say thank you
• You sign off on community service hours (The Pantry will provide you with forms)• In-person Elves get 12 hours• Online Only Elves get 10 hours• You collect and deliver checks to The Pantry.
● 1 hour meeting with Pantry and other District Parents for kickoff● Meet with Food Elves to assign streets (in person at your home), give out lawn signs and envelopes● Answer Food Elf questions via email● Collect envelopes from Food Elves● Return envelopes to The Pantry
If interested in participating for the Oak or Jefferson district, please contact Jen Johnson at the Food Pantry. Her email is jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org
FM #1012 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1012 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public were in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via conference bridge.
Brief recap:
Moment of silence to recognize the tragic passing of an FHS graduating senior
During the Superintendent's Report, 2 highlights were shared. (1) a quick overview of the Spanish trip during Spring break. (2) recognition of three FHS outdoor track athletes for their accomplishments at the Meet of Champions
Recognition of Michelle Kingsland Smith retiring for the 2nd time this year with 50 years of education experience. Recognition of Miriam Goodman's retirement as Business Administrator
Middle school civics program provided an update on the process across the three schools and a student presentation from Horace Mann.
The Oak St Elementary team provided and interactive question and answer update on the happenings and progress within the school this year
The additional funds from the Town saves some positions but there are still 26.7 positions removed from the budget, 16 of which were enrollment related. The Committee agonized over the cuts, appreciating the effort and thought that went into trying to minimize the impacts of these. One member said as hard as it is this year, we'll look back to this budget next year as a good one. And that is not something to look forward to
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 this segment of the School Committee meeting June 13, 2023
Timing on the recording when each segment Starts
Spain trip - approx. 12 minutes
Girls Outdoor Track - approx. 20 minutes
Michelle Kingsland Smith - approx. 29 minutes
Middle School Civics - approx. 42 minutes
Oak St Update - approx. 73 minutes
Discussion Action Items (budget) - approx. 1 hour 56 minutes
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Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-13-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet
Meeting agenda doc (includes remote participation info) -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_6-13-23.pdf
My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q2Uwk3QIX9rejAPGl2offT65fqVLCOYf/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EVNd_SfjvbY?feature=share
--------------
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"
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Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023 |
A. Civics Projects PresentationB. Oak Street Elementary School Highlights
A. Revised FY24 Budget VoteI recommend approval of the revised FY24 Budget in the amount of $71,989,431.00 as discussed.B. Superintendent’s EvaluationI recommend your approval of the Superintendent’s composite evaluation for the 2022-2023 school year as discussed.C. School Committee Norms & ProtocolsThe Chair recommends adoption of the amendments in the School Committee Norms & Protocols as discussed.
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Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023 |
"Joined Girl Scouts from Troop 62394 who are spreading the gift of knowledge through the construction of a Little Free Library at the Oak Street and Horace Mann Schools complex (Charter #127996 in the https://t.co/4O5pueGqCA network).
Amazing work and their second library in town! https://t.co/oovgX1V2fF"
Little Free Library built by Girls Scouts |
Joined Girl Scouts from Troop 62394 who are spreading the gift of knowledge through the construction of a Little Free Library at the Oak Street and Horace Mann Schools complex (Charter #127996 in the https://t.co/4O5pueGqCA network). Amazing work and their second library in town! pic.twitter.com/oovgX1V2fF
— Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) October 25, 2021
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #schcom0112
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0112&src=typed_query
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School Committee - Jan 12, 2021 - Meeting Recap |