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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 *
FM #918 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 918 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting held in hybrid format with folks at the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 as well as some members who participated remotely.
Given this was a working session, the major whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There is one break in the audio when
The breakout discussion was held at each table
The break is indicated by about 4 seconds of music (replacing about 25 minutes of table discussion) then the group discussion resumes. I had anticipated a readout from each table (similar to what was done in previous meetings. That was not the case tonight.) The group discussion resumed with next steps, an additional meeting announced (some confusion around which date) but confirmation the slides, agenda, etc would be sent to the committee members with the survey form for their feedback.
Quick Recap
4 scenarios were presented based upon the building blocks from prior session. A fifth was acknowledged as not an option, albeit disputed by at least one member of the committee (closing another school)
Additional scenarios were presented as the realizations occurred on what was happening in each of the scenarios. Those raising such scenarios were advised to write it up for the feedback, in the survey to be sent to the Committee
The next session will cover these scenarios with demographic projections and the additional scenarios raised (2 middle schools, moving 5th grade to join 608 grades)
As there was no readout from each of the table discussions it was hard to tell what the sense of the scenarios was. Stay tuned for the next meeting; either Feb 2 or Feb 7 was mentioned, whichever it is will be confirmed
The edited meeting audio recording runs about 57 minutes. Let’s listen to whole group discussion position of Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-918-fps-redistricting-advisory-cmte-mtg-01-17-23
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Jan 17, 2023 agenda->
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/1a37aoQ-Uh9CvpFgXJA7kdkjB5hHt45-F/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/dz7Un9eCmvqokEYy6
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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"
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Sep 27, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers.
School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM.
The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs about two hours, thirty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Sep 27, 2022.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-851-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-09-27-22
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Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_9-27-22.pdf
Meeting Packet Folder ->
School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M0YYtKEh0vN20tg-CBcslcVsPE4D183W/view?usp=sharing
Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentations not yet posted to the packet folder) https://photos.app.goo.gl/RD7WtNS9FvkdDwaS6
YouTube video replay for this meeting -> https://youtu.be/buy1Dv9_HUk
--------------
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"
FM #802 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 802 in the series.
This session of the radio show is an editorial statement. Something I don’t do often, in fact rarely do but given the circumstances of this week, I feel compelled to share this.
The recording runs about 7 minutes, so let’s listen.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-802-for-crying-out-loud-05-25-22
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The text
“For crying out loud”
For, crying out loud
We’ll begin with a moment of reflection, take a deep breath, centering where we are in the present
The headlines yesterday were all over DESE going after Boston Public Schools for insufficient progress on a “myriad of problems”. In their 120+ page assessment, the litany of errors, shortfalls, discrepancies out outlined in detail with a particular focal point, rather myopic in that, DESE is the same organization that throughout the pandemic struggled to generate timely and accurate guidance. Those who live in glasshouses should not throw stones!
For crying out loud
The headlines were all about Boston and DESE until word came on yet another shooting, another elementary school, lives young and old cut short by someone misguided at best, armed unnecessarily, who likely had cried for help and the yet system did not respond. You can say it starts at home. He did. He shot his grandmother first.
For crying out loud
Perhaps lost among the other news headlines, was one that 12 students at FHS received the Commonwealth seal of biliteracy, achieving proficiency in two languages. It had been 11 when I created the headline Tuesday. It was raised by one more to 12 as another confirmation of a student award was received. Not unlike the initial reports or 14, then 18, 19… where will it end
I recall a poem by Robert Bly
“Let's count the bodies over again.
If we could only make the bodies smaller
The size of skulls
We could make a whole plain white with skulls in the moonlight!
If we could only make the bodies smaller
Maybe we could get
A whole year's kill in front of us on a desk!
If we could only make the bodies smaller
We could fit
A body into a finger-ring for a keepsake forever.”
Written during the Vietnam war, and the repetition of body counts the news broadcast daily.
For crying out loud
We’ll come back to FHS. There are more than 20 languages heard within the halls of FHS and these 12 students have mastered a couple. Maybe, there is hope. Maybe, among the halls of students, mastering language, they can lead us to a better place. Maybe they can bring a cracking (some would say breaking) system to its senses.
I hope so, I am tired of crying out loud
We’ll end with a moment of reflection, take a deep breath, centering where we are in the present. If we don’t use the past lessons to foster change, what will our future be?
For crying out loud
I’ll close with my own poem written in the pandemic
I wake fearful
take a breath
realize
it is a
new day, we
can do this!
For more about Robert Bly -> https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-bly
--------------
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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Editorial Statement: For Crying Out Loud (audio) |
Dear Franklin Families,
We are writing
to inform you of concerns due to recent fan behaviors during our varsity games.
In recent weeks, there have been
several instances of students exhibiting unruly, inappropriate, disrespectful, unsafe, and unsportsmanlike
behavior during games. This includes behavior among middle and elementary students. This behavior is unacceptable. Disrespectful fans will be asked to leave the event. Fans are also not allowed
to exit and re-enter the event.
We have noticed that many younger
students are attending
games unaccompanied by an adult. Dropping children
off at games unattended poses significant safety
concerns.
Effective immediately, all non-Franklin
High School students, including Franklin middle school and elementary school students, must be accompanied and
supervised by an adult throughout the
duration of all varsity games. Unaccompanied children will need to be picked up by their
parents / guardian.
At Franklin
High, we pride ourselves on demonstrating sportsmanship and integrity on the field/court, and it is expected
that our fans exhibit the same behavior
off the field/court (see FHS Spectator Code of Conduct).
Fan cheering and
team support are welcomed parts of sporting events and can directly impact our athletes. Appropriate cheering, done in
good taste, can contribute to a positive game environment. Inappropriate cheering, or excessive
jeering, has an adverse effect on the players, the game, other fans, and does not represent our school
or community values. We have all been enjoying cheering on our outstanding teams this season and wish for their continued success.
We ask that parents/guardians talk to their children about their behavior
during sporting events,
and we are hopeful that this
issue will subside with this new rule in place. We appreciate your cooperation.
Thank you,
Joshua Hanna,
Principal Franklin High School
Sara Ahern,
Superintendent of Schools
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Memo to FHS Community: Upcoming FHS State Tournament Varsity Athletic Contests |
Covid-19 Addendums by Level |
Elementary Covid-19 Addendum |
Elementary Virtual Learning Academy Covid-19 Addendum |
Annie Sullivan Middle Schools Covid-19 Addendum |
Horace Mann Middle School Covid-19 Addendum |
Remington Middle School Covid-19 Addendum |
|
April 2021 Return to School Handbook Updates by level |
Elementary |
Middle Schools |
High School |
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Franklin Public Schools: Handbook addendums for COVID-19 and Return to In person schooling |