Showing posts with label free lunch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free lunch. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

In this conversation with Supt Giguere we talk of the prep for the new school year and much more (audio)

FM #1051 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1051 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at Franklin High School on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 


At a high level our topics were:

  • School year prep

  • One year anniversary as Superintendent

  • State funded free lunch

  • District hiring status

  • Budget analysis per Joint Budget Cmte underway

  • Comprehensive School Facility Planning about to begin process

  • Reminder on communications and when to escalate

The recording runs about 32 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation our school Superintendent Lucas Giguere. Audi file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1051-fps-supt-lucas-giguere-08-23-23


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Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 


Free lunch notification ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-public-schools-letter-to.html 


Back to School Letter & checklist -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/backtoschool_family_letter_2023-24.pdf 


School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 


EduSpeak glossary -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/eduspeak-glossary-educational-terms-acronyms 


Communication guidelines -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/families/pages/communication-guidelines-fps-families 



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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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Franklin (MA) School Supt L Giguere
Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere

Saturday, August 26, 2023

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks, sets new date for FHS graduation as May 31, 2024 (audio)

FM #1045 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1045 in the series. 


The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 as scheduled.  Six members were present (1 absent - Whitmore).


Quick recap

  • Several updates, including personnel hiring status, were provided by Superintendent Lucas Giguere

  • In the first of 2 Discussion/Actions items, the 2023-24 Student & Family Handbook Approval was received. Among the elementary and middle school changes most were housekeeping, minor corrections, updates to names and roles, etc. Most of the principals were available either in person or via Zoom for questions.

  • FHS Principal Josh Hanna spent some time on the updates to the high school handbook to address the Credit Attendance policy, Updated Cell Phone / Electronic Device policy, Updated Academic Dishonesty (Artificial Dishonesty), and Clarity around Bathroom Use policy

  • Principal Hanna and Supt Giguere also spent time explaining the rationale behind the graduation date change. It had initial been set as the "first Friday in June" as that was the standard, then as they looked at the calendar and how the weeks and other school events (MCAS among them) fell, it made sense to change it. The Committee approved

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 22. 


The total meeting audio runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1045-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-22-23



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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_8-22-23.pdf


The packet folder can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-22-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet  (Note some docs are scheduled to be updated after the meeting)


YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/OKz4ioRKmxM


My notes can be found in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFNh0WlWJbVT4gRJwod5ULotPRs-nhbV/view?usp=drive_link


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


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 franklin.news/ or 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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


School Committee approves updates to school handbooks
School Committee approves updates to school handbooks

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Franklin Public Schools: Letter to Community regarding Meals at no cost to students

Dear Parents/Guardians and Caregivers,

As the start of the school year approaches, we are excited to share updates regarding school meals. Earlier this month, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to make universal free school meals for all students permanent. This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students through the 2023 - 2024 school year!

Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is important for families to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year if you believe you might qualify.

You can view and complete the application here: {https://linqconnect.com/}.

We strongly encourage families to submit this form as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, waive transportation fees and other district fees for those who qualify, and serve families most effectively.

In addition, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found at gettingsnap.org or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Finally, while breakfast and lunch are served at no cost to students, any second meal, milk, water, or a la carte items are subject to charges. Only the first reimbursable meal for breakfast and lunch are at no cost for students.

● Breakfast would include a main entrée, usually a grain, with fruit and milk. For lunch, a student must take three out of the five components (grain, meat/meat alternate, fruit, vegetable, milk), with one being a fruit or vegetable.
● Second meals, additional milk, water, and a la carte items must be purchased with prepaid funds from the student's Titan account or with cash as long as the account is in good standing. Students are not allowed to charge these items.

We thank you for your patience. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide nourishing and healthy meals to all Franklin students, so please reach out to us at 508-613-1477 with any questions or concerns.

Best,

Lucas Giguere
Superintendent of Schools


Shared from the original copy posted here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/16bmRRzpYHWwpSlGd--A7U2LmAaVrgPjf/view

Franklin Public Schools: Letter to Community regarding Meals at no cost to students
Franklin Public Schools: Letter to Community regarding Meals at no cost to students


Saturday, March 11, 2023

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda for Mar 14, 2023 - 7 PM

Franklin School Committee
March 14, 2023 - 7:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order                                              Ms. Spencer
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Mr. McNeill
C. Payroll Ms. Spencer
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Parmenter Highlights
B. FY24 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Franklin School Committee Resolution Special Education Circuit Breaker Funding
I recommend support of the resolution for Special Education Circuit Breaker
B. Franklin School Committee Resolution Universal Free School Meals
I recommend support of the resolution for Universal Free School Meals as

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. none

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 28, 2023 School
Committee meeting as detailed.
B. JFK Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1158.60 from the JFK PCC for
supplemental supplies as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to
collective bargaining with the Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and
Secretaries units as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on
the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so
declares.
X. Adjournment 

The agenda doc includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-14-23.pdf

The meeting packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting (not all documents are released Before the meeting)

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda for Mar 14, 2023 - 7 PM
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda for Mar 14, 2023 - 7 PM


Wednesday, February 1, 2023

CommonWealth Magazine Beacon Hill Recap: Healey files for shelter & school lunch programs; MA GOP changes leadership

"Healey seeks funding for shelters, school meals"
"REVIVING DEBATE on an issue that lawmakers left untouched at the end of last session, Gov. Maura Healey on Monday filed a $282 million spending bill she said is necessary to manage a surge in demand for emergency shelter and prevent the free school meals program from running out of money.

Healey called on top House and Senate Democrats to make quick work of her new supplemental budget bill, which would steer $85 million toward an emergency shelter “crisis,” allocate $130 million to keep expanded nutrition assistance in place for a few more months, and appropriate $65 million to ensure a universal school meals program remains afloat through the end of the academic year.

Her bill (H 47) targets the same growing shelter strain, fueled in part by an influx of migrant arrivals to Massachusetts, that prompted Gov. Charlie Baker to unsuccessfully seek $130 million in November."
Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine ->

"Carnevale wins state GOP chair post by 3 votes"
"AMY CARNEVALE of Marblehead won a second-ballot victory Tuesday night to become chair of the Massachusetts Republican arty, edging incumbent Jim Lyons by a margin of 37-34.

Carnevale’s victory gives her control of a party that took a drubbing in November and faces a long road back to both financial and political relevance in Massachusetts. She is hopeful that Republicans who deserted the party under Lyons will now return with financial and political support. She said many have promised to do so."
Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine ->

"House panel votes 2-1 to seat Kassner over Mirra"

"THE TWO DEMOCRATS on a three-member special House committee concluded that the chamber should officially seat Kristin Kassner, a Hamilton Democrat who topped five-term Republican Rep. Lenny Mirra by a single vote in a contested recount.

Reps. Michael Day of Stoneham and Daniel Ryan of Charlestown submitted a majority report to the House clerk’s office recommending Kassner be declared “the properly elected and qualified Representative for the Second Essex District,” a move that would allow her to join the House nearly a month after the two-year term began and would spell the end of Mirra’s decade-long tenure."
Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine ->

The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)
The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

"USDA extends universal free lunch through next school year"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) tweeted on Tue, Apr 20, 2021:

"As I think this is a time for good news, here's some from @USDANutrition this afternoon:  https://t.co/E5oBYj6KWG

"The United States Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday it would extend universal free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year, in an effort to reach more of the estimated 12 million youths experiencing food insecurity.

In March, the USDA said these waivers, which made school meals more flexible to administer, would be extended only to Sept. 30, leaving schools and families uncertain about what next school year might look like."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)