Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility December 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Host: Franklin Public Schools This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility. Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. Zoom will confirm your registration by email which will include your meeting link to join. All handouts will be sent to attendees from our workshop coordinator, Kristin LaRose, within 24 hours of the presentation.
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 *
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop" Dec 5 (virtual, registration req'd)
Friday, July 19, 2024
Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee met to approve meeting minutes with 6-0-3 vote via roll call (audio)
- 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
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee met to approve meeting minutes with 6-0-3 vote via roll call (video)
The Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee met as scheduled Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Council Chambers with a hybrid quorum. 2 members in Chambers, 3 via Zoom, and one via phone call for a total of 6 members of the 9, three were absent.
The Franklin TV video broadcast of the session is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/AiXAHBkF0sU?si=sE9Ygr4XdzO0vFLU&t=211
The agenda was to convene and approve the prior meeting minutes. All the minutes were approved by the same 6-0-3 vote via roll call. The 2 minutes for June 2024 were approved as amended to correct some name spelling for the Dean College participants. https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/dt_meeting_agenda_7.17.24.pdf
Davis Thayer Ruse Subcommittee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/davis-thayer-building-reuse-advisory-committee
My notes were captured during the meeting and contained in one PDF file https://drive.google.com/file/d/12g_QTbKXKluDaNWBJPhTmRiBg5hCx8zQ/view?usp=drive_link
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Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee - agenda for July 17 meeting at 4 PM |
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 25 at 7 PM
a. 7:00 to 7:20 - Dean Collegehttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/rei_davis_thayer_letter_of_interest_proposal_narrative_and_project_description_-_dean_college.pdfb. 7:20 to 7:40 - Pennrose, LLChttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/pennrose.pdfc. 7:40 to 8:00 - HFA and TMC Propertieshttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/tmc_hfa_davis_thayer_submission_email.pdfd. 8:00 to 8:20 - Camford Property Group, Inc.https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/camford_property_group.pdf
a. Draft Letter https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-06-26_davis-thayer_reuse_committee_recommendation.pdf
Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 25 at 7 PM |
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee seems to reach consensus on land lease, keeping building (video)
a. Real Property Appraisal Report, Shepherd Associates, LLC - May 1, 2024 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/1a._2024_davis-thayer_real_property_appraisal_report.pdf
a. Matthew Zajachttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/matthew_zajac_davis_thayer_music_mecca_proposal_1.pdfb. Dean Collegehttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/rei_davis_thayer_letter_of_interest_proposal_narrative_and_project_description_-_dean_college.pdfc. Pennrose, LLChttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/pennrose.pdfd. HFA and TMC Propertieshttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/tmc_hfa_davis_thayer_submission_email.pdfe. Camford Property Group, Inc.https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/camford_property_group.pdf
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Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee has 5 Expressions of Interest to consider - June 10 at 7 PM |
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Cmte Pauses until after Expression of Interest generate returns (video)
1. Town Administrator Updates2. Continued discussion of potential future uses and Open Houses
- a. Expression of Interest
- b. Appraisal
- c. Kaestle Boos Study
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Reminder: Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee Meeting - July 18, 2023
Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee Meeting - July 18, 2023
The Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee will meet on July 18, 2023 at 7 PM.
You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/dt_meeting_agenda_-_july_18_2023.pdf
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/davis-thayer-reuse-advisory-subcommittee-meeting-july-18th-2023
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Reminder: Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee Meeting - July 18, 2023 |
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee - agenda for meeting July 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM
a. Historical Materials & Studies on Davis-Thayeri. Study for the Davis-Thayer Elementary School (2013) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2013_davis_thayer_study_final.pdfii. Franklin School Department Studies
1. Townwide Comprehensive Facilities Assessment Report (2020) https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_comprehensive_facilities_assessment_-_final_updated_12.1.2020_1.pdf2. School Department Davis-Thayer Website (2021) https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis
Sunday, May 21, 2023
DCR Recreational Advisory: Southern New England Trunkline Trail - May 22
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Franklin Public Schools: "current district attendance boundaries remain the same"
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Space Needs Subcommittee doesn't reach consensus on recommendation to full committee (audio)
FM #960 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 960 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee meeting held in the 3rd floor conference room on Monday, Mar 20, 2023.
SubCmte Chair - Al Charles; committee members - Denise Spencer, Elise Stokes; Central office support - Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman
The meeting reviewed the feedback from the 114 responses to the survey after the two information sessions (1 in person, 1 virtual). The group worked through the feedback and did not find a consensus on which of the options or variations thereof to recommend to the School Committee.
There is another meeting added next week to work through the questions and hopefully come together on a recommendation for the committee. The current schedule calls for a presentation/recommendation at the April 25 meeting with a School Committee vote at their May 9 meeting.
The recording runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Space Needs discussion on Mar 20, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-960-fps-space-needs-subcmte-03-20-23
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Meeting agenda => https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-3_20_23.pdf
My notes for the meeting => https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdeOXUQdqmbouFAJXZQQetgUZNoKcxuu/view?usp=share_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"
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Less than 20 participate in Redistricting Forum; hear overview & get answers to questions (audio)
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Forum conducted in person at the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
This is the first of 2 forums for public input, this being in person, the next (scheduled for March 13) will be a virtual meeting. The same material is to be presented at both meetings.
Quick Recap
Review of the objectives and timeline
Presentation on 3 options depicted in a new “storymap”
Feedback solicited from the less than 20 participants, mostly clarification questions around the choices and rationale for such
Survey form to collect feedback distributed as the meeting closed. If the survey doesn’t provide enough room for your input use the redistricting email to submit that redistrictinganalysis@franklinps.net
Next steps -
Second public forum scheduled for Mar 13 with same material
Next advisory meeting Mar 21 to prepare for School Committee presentation
School Committee presentation scheduled for Apr 25
School Committee vote scheduled for May 9
The meeting audio recording runs about 89 minutes. Let’s listen to Redistricting Forum held at FHS on March 7, 2023
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-955-fps-redistricting-forum-1-03-07-23
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Agenda doc for Mar 7, 2023 meeting ->
Storymap with the three options ->
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9db1fa2830964554ba24ddb4558556fa
Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->
https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee
My notes in one Twitter threader document
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nWZR-XL2N79-p8duC_8vwbSMZTiTveEJ/view?usp=share_link
The photo album shared via Twitter of the pix taken of the meeting and presentation slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/VbZgf8aFb41P9F9B6
--------------
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"
Friday, March 3, 2023
FPS: Redistricting Analysis Update and Community Forum Letter to Families Feb 27, 2023
● The 2021 closure of Davis Thayer initiated an expansion of the Helen Keller Elementary School attendance boundary. While we continue to use space flexibly, we seek to maintain a long-term balance among schools.● A facilities assessment conducted by Kaestle Boos in 2020, at the time of the Davis Thayer analysis, recommended multiple scenarios of how to utilize space across the district. This assessment did not account for shifts in space usage required for specialized programs and how we utilize space to adequately support student learning. Thus, requiring additional analysis to inform decision-making through this lens.● According to the Franklin Public Schools Population and Enrollment Demographics Study, the total enrollment is forecasted to decline until approximately 2027 and then gradually increase.
● Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Franklin High School Media Center● Monday, March 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM, virtually via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89705686636?pwd=a3p5N1VCMm9LZ1AzTWdpUktMWU1ldz09 Meeting ID: 897 0568 6636 Passcode: 930061
Option 1 - Proposes that current district attendance boundaries remain the same while a Master Facilities Plan is conducted. ASMS/Keller spaces will continue to be used flexibly. Both administrative teams at the complex will continue to work together to utilize the available space to accommodate the needs of all students.Option 2 - Proposes a change to district attendance boundaries in an attempt to balance enrollment while also maintaining geographic contiguity and undertaking a Master Facilities Plan, which may result in further redistricting based on the outcome.Option 3 - While the current district attendance boundaries remain the same as Option 1, there is a consideration for including a "Buffer Zone" for designated areas of the former Davis Thayer attendance boundary, which could allow families to opt-in to Oak Street and/or Parmenter Elementary School for specific zones as a special consideration.
1. The District will not provide transportation, and parents/guardians of students who request to transfer must transport their child to and from school.2. Requests are taken on a first-come, first-served basis based on room availability.3. Families approved for the voluntary buffer zone opt-in may be subject to a reassignment of their district boundary pending the results of a Master Facilities Plan.