School Committee: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment

What started as a question "could we close Davis Thayer?"  has produced a report that potentially could close three elementary schools, consolidate the middle schools into one building, and provide a better educational experience at less cost  for Franklin students.

Read the Executive Summary of the Comprehensive Facilities Assessment:

"The Franklin Public Schools occupy multiple facilities ranging from 6 to 96 years of age. Over this period we have seen monumental shifts in how we educate students, particularly with regards to technology and educational delivery methods used. These changes have an impact on the ability of a facility to function as it was intended and as it needs to in the future. 

In December of 2019, the Franklin Public Schools engaged Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA) to develop a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment focusing on capacity and the educational adequacy of the current schools. 

Prior to engaging KBA, the District was provided with a Demographics Report that indicated enrollment was going to decline by approximately 12% over the next 10 years. 

Utilizing this data, educational assessments of existing facilities and an inventory of existing spaces was collected through site visits and conversations with District leadership. 

The results of the analysis indicate that Franklin Public Schools facilities are currently 26% under capacity and are anticipated to continue to decline to 31% in the next 10 years. 

If no changes were to occur the school facilities would: 

• all continue to operate under capacity 
• continue to create a financial burden in the maintenance of these underutilized facilities 
• suffer reduced educational adequacy in schools built prior to 1996 "

Download your copy of the detailed report here: 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/pages/comprehensive-facilities-assessment-report

View the presentation copy as scheduled for review and discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

 

FPS: Comprehensive Facility Analysis Report from Franklin Matters

 

School Committee: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 27, 2020

 Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

 

Agenda

 

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I.    Routine Business
A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C.    FHS Student Representative Comments
D.    Superintendent’s Report
 

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Comprehensive Facilities Analysis Report -- Craig Olsen, Kaestle Boos, Inc.

• Presentation doc:  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/facilities-analysis-presentation-10-27-20 
• Detailed Report: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/facilities-assessment-report

III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    MASC Resolutions #7-10   https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-action-masc-7-10
I recommend adoption of the following MASC resolutions as discussed:
1.    Resolution #7: Attempts by US DOE to Direct Funding to Private Schools
2.    Resolution #8: Membership of a School Committee Member on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
3.    Resolution #9: Providing Equity for Sexual Orientation - LGBTQ+ Students, Teachers and Staff
4.    Resolution #10: Relative to the Monitoring of Attendance of Students During the Pandemic
B.     Policy - First Readings   https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-action-b-policy-1st-read-0
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as discussed:
●    AC - Nondiscrimination
●    ACAB - Harassment
●    ACAB-R1 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Harassment and Discrimination
●    ACAB-R2 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
●    JQA - Financial Assistance

IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    BICO Quarterly Report   https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/bico-quarterly-rpt
B.    October 1 Enrollment Update  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/enrollment-update

V.    Information Matters
A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)
 

VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items
 

VII.    Consent Agenda
A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your October 13, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B.    Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.

VIII.    Payment of Bills    Dr. Bergen
IX.    Payroll    Ms. D’Angelo
 

X.    Executive Session

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), move to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation; also to discuss collective bargaining with the FEA/RN Unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares, and not to reconvene in an Open Session.

 

XI.    Adjournment

 

Documents for this agenda are posted to the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/october-27-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 27, 2020

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

As the School Department looks at the demographics to determine the projected enrollment over the next ten years, one aspect of the 19 assumptions provided in the report, was a given turnover in housing to "maintain" a stable population.  Higher turnover could increase population, lower turnover could lessen population. 

Given our population is also growing older, aside from services provided by the Senior Center, do we have enough housing for the older population? This report on a US perspective takes a look at that aspect.

"The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new population report on the readiness of housing to meet the needs of the nation’s aging population. The report – Old Housing, New Needs: Is America’s Housing Ready for an Aging Population? – uses data from the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) to provide national-level estimates of housing units with aging-accessible features, such as handrails or grab bars in bathrooms, step-free entryways, and wheelchair-accessible kitchens, as well as geographic differences in the prevalence of homes with these features.

This report also examines the demographic and economic characteristics of households where older adults reported difficulty using these home features compared with households where older adults reported no such difficulty."

Shared from the US Census
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.html

Download from the US Census page:
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.pdf

Or the Franklin Matters copy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aI3EyGi_Of0iCYvUSQKLNL7zPPlOu2VK/view?usp=sharing

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

Franklin Public Schools: Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis

Good evening,

Thank you for attending the Enrollment Forecast Event in early March. I apologize for the delay, however I want to get back to you with further information from that evening.

We have created a district webpage to curate resources related to the analysis. You can access materials from that evening here:

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis


Kind regards,
Sara


Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Franklin Public Schools


Video link to the March 5 info session at the Horace Mann Middle School cafe
https://youtu.be/b_e3O5LSESQ

Franklin Public Schools: Davis Thayer Faculties Analysis

FM #212 - School Committee meeting - demographics study 2/25/20 (audio)

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 212 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

The expected demographics study was presented during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020. Expected? Yes, This is ONE key piece of the information that needs to be gathered and digested to enable the School Committee and community to make a decision on what needs to be done to prepare for enrollment and facilities.

The potential for closing the Davis Thayer school has been talked of off and on for several years. The work is now underway to look at that and what it would mean for the district and community as a whole.

The demographics study presented is ONE key piece of the information needed for such a decision. As outlined by Superintendent Sara Ahern at the end of the presentation segment, the SECOND key piece is expected in or around April as the facility analysis arrives from that consultant.

For our existing school facilities, what capacity do we have for students in each building based upon current or anticipated requirements? The capacity report should provide the answer to that question. One could go back to when each building was built and look at what it was designed for but the educational requirements have changed considerably since then. Davis Thayer for example, since it is the key item driving the question, was built as a high school and is now being used as an elementary school.

Along the course of the discussion you’ll hear James McKibben comment on space requirements. Note - this was not part of his charter, his was only to focus on the demographics - however, from his experience in working with other districts, he can say that due to special education requirements the space (that is, square foot requirements) per student will increase.

Pay attention to the assumptions, there are 19 of them. Mr McKibben counts a couple as more critical than others. The mortgage interest rate most would acknowledge as important. The lower it is, the more willing buyers will be. Of interest is the amount of existing home sales required to maintain our population. Per his calculations, 275 homes per year.

The presentation doc is linked in the show note so you can follow along.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/demographic-presentation

FPS Demographics Presentation from Franklin Matters

Assumed to be supporting documentation for the presentation
(was not referenced during the meeting but was posted to the packet web page)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/enrollment-forecast


More analysis and insights will be discussed over time as we all digest the numbers. The discussion runs about an hour and 10 minutes so without further ado, let’s listen in.   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-212-school-committee-meeting-demographics-study

---------------------

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.  I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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!

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James McKibben presenting the demographics study to the School Committee

"need to take ample time to study it further -- thoughtfully and thoroughly”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Results of a district-wide demographic study of the town’s school population is expected to be ready in January, according to Superintendent Dr. Sara Ahern.

Meanwhile, school officials continue to define the scope of a facilities adequacy study of Davis Thayer School, as well a functional space study of all of the town’s schools as part of determining whether to shutter the Davis Thayer building.

“The first step for the space study will be to assess the current use of all facilities,” Ahern wrote in an update sent out last week.

At a recent meeting of the school board, a three-person subcommittee was formed to work with Ahern on a Davis Thayer closing analysis."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191223/franklin-continuing-functional-space-study-of-schools/1

Davis Thayer School sign from May 2019

School Committee recap for Oct 29, 2019

Catching up to the 'last' set of school committee meeting notes that I had not yet posted. This set covers the Oct 29, 2019 session.

The Superintendent's report
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/superintendents-report-10-29-19
 
There was recognition of the five committee members who were not running for re-election as this would be their last meeting. The two incumbents running for election were successfully re-elected so their 'recognition' event is postponed to some future date.

Kelty Kelly, Principal of the ECDC, previewed the "developmental summary" for the children at the center. This is an age and developmentally appropriate 'report card' for this age group.  The Developmental Summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/_preschool_developmental_summary_final_10-18-19.pdf 

There was a long discussion over the multiple resolutions before the MASC conference where the committee also voted to appoint Chair Anne Bergen as their representative. This listing and details for the text for the resoluteness can be found in the packet   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-d-resolutions

The October 1 Enrollment Report was made available. This is a key piece of info as the Oct 1 report is the 'control' number for all schools for the year. Clearly, there are some minor move in and adjustments as the school year progresses but this the 'stake in the ground' for reporting purposes.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/enrollment_statistics_-_10-29-19_sc.pdf

With this meeting, the School Committee has also implemented for the first time, a practice that the Town Council has been using for some time: Actions Taken: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/news/october-29-2019-school-committee-actions-taken

 
Additional details can be found in my notes reported live during the meeting:

• Live reporting: Discussion Only Items through to Closing.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-discussion-only-items_29.html

• Live Reporting: ECDC Developmental Summary and Discussion.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-ecdc-developmental.html

• Live reporting: School Committee - Oct 29, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-school-committee-oct-29.html

a photo from walking around the grey day that Oct 29 was in Franklin

Enrollment Open House at BFCCPS - Jan 12 and Feb 9

"Enrollment applications for the 2019-2020 school year are currently being accepted. We would like to encourage all interested families to join us for an Enrollment Information Session to learn more about our school community.

Two sessions will be hosted at 201 Main Street in Franklin. Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 10 am to noon and Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 10 am to noon. Please note that attendance at these events is purely optional and no RSVP is required to attend.

You’ll hear from the Board of Trustees, Members of the BFCCPS School Administration, Faculty as well as Parents at our school. These open houses are a great way to learn more about the school’s mission, and see what makes BFCCPS such a special place!

Please note that school visits are not available during school hours so these enrollment sessions are truly the best way to learn more about BFCCPS before the annual enrollment lottery."

Continue reading about the Open House
http://bfccps.org/join-us-for-an-enrollment-open-house/

Applications are being accepted  http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/

Enrollment Open House at BFCCPS - Jan 12 and Feb 9

"the school will be accepting applications through Feb. 27"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Next year’s enrollment at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School will be bigger than ever. 

With the anticipated opening of a new 72,000-square-foot school building for the 2019-20 school year, the enrollment lottery will be open to 302 new students ranging from K-5. 

A lottery will select 92 kindergartners and 42 students in each grade from first to fifth. In the current building, said Executive Director Heather Zolnowski, the school has only been able to accept 50 kindergarten students. 

“We’re really excited to have the opportunity to be able to open our school and academic program to more families,” she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181107/benjamin-franklin-classical-charter-public-school-to-increase-enrollment


Get an application here  http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollment-application/

For more about the Charter School, visit them on the internet  http://bfccps.org/

Charter School: Applications Now Open

Charter School: Applications Now Open

BFCCPS is excited to commence our enrollment season for the 2019-2020 School Year! While historically BFCCPS has maintained a lengthy waiting list, this year’s enrollment process is your best chance at securing enrollment at BFCCPS in Grades K-5.

We will be adding two new classrooms for Kindergarten through Grade 5 as we open our brand new 72,000 square foot school. 92 spaces will be offered for Kindergarten and 40 new spaces will be offered in all grades Grades One through Five. 

Applications for Grade Six through Eight will be accepted as openings occur or will receive a wait list position.

Get an application here  http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollment-application/

For more about the Charter School, visit them on the internet  http://bfccps.org/

Charter School: Applications Now Open

Live reporting: Discussion only items through to Closing

4. Discussion Only Items
a. BICO Quarterly Information Update
quaterly update in packet, two new districts

b. Enrollment Data Update
pre-K, (i.e. ECDC not included in totals)
see doc in meeting packet
Oct 1 reporting to DESE is required and become the yearly start numbers
breakdown of some students attending elsewhere but not all inclusive
36 students choiced into other neighboring districts

end of Sep #s, 100 fewer than last year at this time
elementary 8 higher (first time an increase, i.e. possibly turning the corner on the number decline in elementary)

more info in Nov on class sizes in Middle schools/high school

? on Mount St Charles, used to be almost a bus; will look at again


5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
Budget
prep for Budget workshop on Nov 13

Community Relations
good interaction at Harvest Festival
will do with better booth next time
Nov 3 at Franklin TV, social emotional Learning

Policy
meeting Nov 5

Transportation
no meeting, looking to schedule one

Public Schools Advocacy
met Oct 2; prepared for Harvest Festival
reconvening in Nov/Dec to support budget work

Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation
Monica, Diane and Ann
to set meeting

b. School Committee Liaison Reports 
Joint PCC
well attended, only 2 schools missed
funding more equitable then thought; elementary more active than middle school
FEF came to present

Substance Abuse Task Force
developing resources within schools and community
add membership, Town Council, YMCA

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]
meeting Nov 13
developing new goals, consistent across district

School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC], 
meeting Weds

MASC
covered earlier

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items
org meeting in November
budget workshop


7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 25, 2018 School Committee meeting.
b. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the executive session minutes from your September 25, 2018 meeting to be released.
c. NYC Field Trip Request
I recommend approval of the recurring request of Diane Plouffe to take approximately 50 Middle School Chorus students to New York City to see “Once On This Island” on May 11, 2018 as detailed.
d. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,755.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of the donation of $1,230.00 from various music parents for in-house enrichments as detailed.
f. JFK Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $725.00 from the JFK PCC for field trips
as detailed.

motion to accept consent agenda, seconded, passed 7-0

8. Payment of Bills - Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll - Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence
a. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment

The documents released for this meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-23-2018-school-committee-packet-documents

Limited seats still available! Sign up now for Lifelong Learning summer programs.

Franklin Public Schools’ Lifelong Learning Institute summer programs are taught by creative and dedicated faculty and staff members. While many programs are full, limited seats are still available. Join Lifelong Learning this summer for fun and enrichment!

See the PDF below or visit http://franklinlifelonglearning.com/summer_program/index.php for available programs.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVFg0TXZKWTZYZ2lyUWVkOWZzejJYUDlxTHVj/view?usp=sharing

Sign up now for Lifelong Learning summer programs

“The demand for higher education is not rising like it was”

From the Boston Globe Sunday edition, an article on the effects of declining enrollment for small colleges.

"Joseph Chillo has a luxurious office in a beautiful building with a view of a leafy neighborhood in this wealthy town. But while his perch may look idyllic, his job is not. 

As the leader of Newbury College, a small, struggling, liberal arts college where enrollment has declined 86 percent over the past 20 years, he has a lot of sleepless nights. 

Chillo worries about a lot of things: Will next fall’s crop of students materialize, will there be enough financial aid, which majors should be cut, how much will the school get for a building it is selling, and will that be enough to close a 10 percent budget deficit."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/31/for-small-private-colleges-fewer-students-means-more-worries/1jjd8ZFusBt3kGjHOcpIqM/story.html

Dean College, Franklin

"the expansion will give us an opportunity to finally let them in’’

In case you missed it, the Boston Globe West edition on Sunday catches up to the BFCCPS expansion update.

"One of the Commonwealth’s oldest charter schools is moving to a new building in Franklin with hopes of reducing its waiting list and doubling its enrollment within 10 years. 

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School plans to break ground this spring on a 72,000-square foot building at 500 Financial Park Drive. 

The new facility will allow the school to grow from 450 students in kindergarten through eighth grade to 900, said Heather Zolnowski, head of school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2018/01/26/franklin-charter-school-about-expand/qwKyASpp3ICsDHC1jsAUnL/story.html

The expansion of the school, doubling their capacity over several years, may have an effect on the Franklin school district enrollment which is already in a decline for the elementary enrollment. How that will affect the Franklin schools could also have a budget impact. Stay close to the Franklin budget cycle to find out.

Related posts on the Charter School expansion

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/benjamin-franklin-classical-charter.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/the-new-building-is-projected-to-cost.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/bfccps-expansion-update.html

A concept rendering of the new Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
building that is planned in Franklin. (ARROWSTREET)

Enrollment Open at BFCCPS

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, located in Franklin, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.

Siblings of currently enrolled students will have priority enrollment status; thereafter applicants from all 13 communities in the school's district will have an equal chance at securing a spot for their child through the annual enrollment lottery to be held on, March 5th, 2018. Applicants from outside of the region, who reside within the state of Massachusetts, will be eligible for enrollment should additional spaces remain after all sibling and regional applicants have been placed.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and is located adjacent to the town common in Franklin. The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child providing yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education. The school's integrated character education, community service, and strong parent partnerships, have lead to local, state and national recognition. BFCCPS alumni continue to excel during their attendance local public high schools as well as independent high schools including The Commonwealth School, Noble and Greenough, Walnut Hill, and many others.

Enrollment Open at BFCCPS

Enrollment information sessions will be held at the school on January 20 from 10 AM to noon and also on February 10 from 10 AM to noon. Information sessions will also be held in the community on February 1  at the Milford Public Library from 6:30 -8:30 PM and at the Walpole Public Library on February 15 from 6:30-8:30 PM. All of the enrollment details, including applications can be found on the school website under the Enrollment category. Please note that the enrollment period will come to a close on February 28 at 4 PM EST.

If you'd like learn more about the educational mission of the school or have enrollment related questions please contact the school's Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

Enrollment underway at Elemen-Tree House

Openings available for Before and After school care. Transportation to all Franklin schools included.

For more information, please visit the webpage  https://www.elementreehouse.com/

Enrollment underway at Elemen-Tree House

ECDC Preschool Program Enrollment Opens

The Franklin Public Schools 

ECDC Preschool Program

Now Enrolling for Fall 2017…

Lottery to held on February 28, 2017

Applications now available on the principal's blog 

• http://www.ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/ 

and on the ECDC website 

• http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index

@FranklinECDC

The F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (@FranklinECDC) is committed to offering preschoolers here in Franklin an opportunity for high quality developmentally appropriate learning in an environment that encourages diversity, cooperation and understanding. 

Our building and our curriculum have been designed to meet the complex needs of students with and without disabilities and help them develop the necessary readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. 

Our curriculum is aligned with the MA state frameworks for Literacy, Math and Social Emotional Development as well as the NAEYC standards for teaching and learning. Our teachers are highly qualified public school certified in early childhood, special education or a combination of both specialties.

Students who enroll attend ECDC participate in our "integrated" preschool model. In these language-based classrooms, children of all ability levels, with and without identified special needs, are taught together in an environment that nurtures peers as partners in learning. 

Research has proven that linking children of varying ability levels actually enhances the growth and development of all the children. Each of our classrooms maintains a low class size, maxing out with 15 students, with a Massachusetts certified teacher and at least one highly qualified educational assistant.

Franklin residents who turn 3 by August 31st are eligible to register for the integrated preschool program at ECDC.

Families interested in scheduling a tour at ECDC can call the main office @ 508 541-8166 to contact Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal via email @ kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.



Kelty Kelley, M.Ed., Principal
F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-541-8166
Fax: 508-541-8254
kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us


"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz

In the News: white fox "Frankie"; college enrollment declining

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A rare white fox was captured Thursday in Franklin after spending the last few weeks visiting the yards of various homes near the state forest. 

The gregarious vixen, with soft streaks of red and black in her fur and black-tipped ears, was taken in by the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife after she was caught in cooperation with the Franklin animal control department. The capture followed a sighting reported to the agency Thursday morning. 

Dave Wattles, a black bear and furbearer biologist with the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, said the fox showed no indications of being rabid, though she has been vaccinated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161209/rare-white-fox-captured-in-franklin/1

https://www.facebook.com/animaladventures.waycoolerthanazoo/videos/1374168705940101/

If you want to help the white fox "Frankie" listen to this
https://www.facebook.com/animaladventures.waycoolerthanazoo/videos/1374168705940101/

"Since hitting a peak in 2013, enrollment at Massachusetts public colleges and universities has decreased for the third consecutive year, posing challenges that education leaders are working to address. 

"This was predictable. All you had to do was go back 17, 18, 19 years ago and look at birth rates," state Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago said. "We knew it was coming … But we don't want to just sit back and let those demographic trends take shape." 

After more than a decade of growth, public undergraduate enrollment in Massachusetts has declined by 10,744, or 5.5 percent, since 2013. There are an estimated 186,103 undergraduate students on public campuses in Massachusetts for the fall 2016 semester."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161208/college-enrollment-declining-in-massachusetts

Lottery added for BFCCPS Grade Seven and Eight classes

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin, MA would like to announce that a lottery will be held for enrollment in Grades Seven and Eight for the 2016-2017 school year; spaces in our Grade K-6 program are not currently available. 

Applications for this additional lottery are due no later than September 23rd, 2016 by 4pm. The public lottery will be held in the school's library located at 201 Main Street in Franklin on Monday, September 26th.

Applications are available on the school website, in the school's front office, and at the local public libraries in Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Milville, Norfolk, Plainville, Upton, Walpole, and Wrentham. If you prefer, the application can be completed entirely online here http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollment-application/

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the school's Marketing Coordinator, Mrs. Joanne Basile at 508-541-3434 x140 or at jbasile@bfccps.org. 

You can also find answers to some of our most frequently asked enrollment questions at http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollmentfaq/

http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollmentfaq/

In the News: Dean College lecture series, ECDC enrollment open

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Dean College will host the producer and the author of “The Finest Hours” for the Dean College Leadership Institute Leadership In Action Lecture Series at 4 p.m. March 3 in the Guidrey Center at Dean College, 99 Main St. 

The Leadership Series offers an opportunity for students, alumni and the local community to interact with today’s business leaders.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160120/dean-college-lecture-series-announces-finest-hours-team-as-guest-speakers

Families interested in ECDC may call the main office to schedule a tour or reach out to Kelty Kelley, ECDC principal, at 508 541-8166 or kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us. 

Additional information about tuition, staff, curriculum and school hours can be found on the principal’s blog, ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com, and on the ECDC website, franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160120/enrollment-opens-for-franklin-early-childhood-center-preschool