Showing posts with label high school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school. Show all posts

Friday, June 21, 2019

"strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later"

Via the FEF Twitter post we find:
"AAST is pleased to release the AAST Position Statement for Support of the Start School Later Initiative. This position statement, supporting the efforts of Start School Later, Inc, outlines AASTs view on this important issue. 
Given the compelling research currently available, AAST strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later to adequately accommodate student sleep requirements. 
AAST President Rita Brooks commented that, “Support of this initiative is critically important for AAST as an organization whose members educate and assist in the follow-up care of patients with sleep disorders. Reinforcing the importance of sleep and advocating for later school start times is a necessary step in ensuring a more rested younger generation.”
Continue reading the announcement here
https://www.aastweb.org/newsandevents/aast-position-statement-for-support-of-the-start-school-later-initiative

The full context of the position statement can be found here
https://www.aastweb.org/position-statement-start-school-later

"strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later"
"strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later"


Tuesday, June 18, 2019

“Data shows that high stakes testing doesn’t measure outcomes that matter"

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

"Educators and advocates on Monday urged lawmakers to press the pause button on the use of the state’s standardized test program as a graduation requirement and a component of school accountability measures. 
Bills filed by Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Michael Rush would impose a three-year moratorium on what critics describe as the “high-stakes” nature of the MCAS exam, temporarily halting consideration of the results for graduation, accountability rankings, and teacher evaluations. 
Supporters of the bills told the Education Committee that the MCAS tests are not working as intended, and a break would give state education officials a chance to come up with new methods of measuring student and school performance. 
Jack Schneider, research director for the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Education Assessment, said standardized tests can act as a gauge of family income, race, and parents’ educational attainment, while not always capturing “many facets of a good school.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190617/moratorium-sought-for-mcas-exam

“Data shows that high stakes testing doesn’t measure outcomes that matter"
“Data shows that high stakes testing doesn’t measure outcomes that matter"
A good place to start with MCAS on the MA.gov site is
https://www.mass.gov/parents-guide-to-the-mcas

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Franklin (MA) School Committee recap - May 14, 2019

Catching up to the School Committee meeting recap for the May 14, 2019 session.


  • The Middle and High School education goals and improvement plans updated
  • first reading of policies on Physical Restraint of Students and Emotional Support Dogs were held
  • The School Start Time Advisory Committee was formally dissolved (as planned), the next meeting will have additional info on the planning the School District is continuing to conduct
  • School Choice was approved to NOT accept students again this year
  • The calendar of meetings for the School Committee was approved for 2019-2020


Additional details can be found in my notes as recorded live during the meeting



Documents released for this meeting can be found

The Franklin TV video can be viewed on demand

Davis Thayer school sign
Davis Thayer school sign

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

FM #161 - School Start Times Report - 3/26/19 (audio)

FM #161

This internet radio show or podcast is number 161 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the School Start Times Advisory Committee report to the Franklin, MA School Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 in the Council Chambers.

School Superintendent Sara Ahern leads with the intro and overview before handing off to Kit Brady and FHS Deputy Principal William Klements who cover most of the presentation before Sara comes back to close it out.

My notes from the session can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-school-start-times.html

Recall that the applications for the Start Times Advisory Committee were accepted early in 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/friendly-reminder-school-start-times_15.html

The Committee was appointed at the Feb 27, 2018 meeting and began work shortly after that
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html

The Start Times presentation is displayed here





Or downloaded from here
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/school-start-time-recommendation

If the School Committee decides to make the start time change, it would be effective no earlier than the 2020-2021 school year. As the meeting closed Tuesday, there was no indication of when the Committee would take this up for a formal vote.

If you have questions, the School Committee has been making themselves available. The coffee hour schedule is posted. Their contact information is available. Each School Committee meeting has a portion for audience input for items not on the agenda. During the meeting, there are spots for input for those items on the agenda. Take advantage of these opportunities and raise your questions.

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

The total meeting recording runs just about 1 and 45 minutes. Yes, this is a long one. Settle in comfortably, have my Franklin Matters live reported notes handy, and have the Start Times presentation at hand.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording.





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

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?

In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning or construction, I would like someone to help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, open mind and willingness to learn and share.

Overall:

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
  • If you don't like this, please let me know.


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Library of Congress: Letters About Literature Contest Opens


Writing Contest for Young Readers Across the Country Announced

Letters About Literature, the Library of Congress reading-and-writing contest now in its 26th year, is accepting applications beginning Nov. 1 for the 2018-19 cycle. For the first time, letters will be submitted electronically. 

Letters About Literature asks students in grades 4-12 to read a book, poem, speech or essay by an author, living or dead, to think about how that work affected them and to write to the author on the work's impact.

Click here for more information
https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-139?loclr=ealn



Friday, August 17, 2018

BFCCPS is hosting a High School Fair on September 17


BFCCPS is hosting a High School Fair on September 17. 
The event is free and open to local Grade 8 students and their parents to meet with representatives and students from a variety of private and independent high schools in the Metrowest area, Boston, Worcester, and northern Rhode Island. 
We hope you can join us!

High School Fair
September 17 at 7 PM
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin, Massachusetts



Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School   is hosting a High School Fair on September 17
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
 is hosting a High School Fair on September 17

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Attention high school seniors: Rotary Club Grant Application due May 31, 2018

As your high school experience is coming to a close, it is time to contemplate, plan and make decisions that will affect your future. Part of that process is determining how to pay for education. The cost of furthering your education is high but the failure to obtain additional knowledge will cost you even more. Our members understand this and recognize the significant expense and sacrifice that often accompanies its pursuit. With this in mind, the Rotary Club of Franklin, as it has for many years, continues to offer graduating high school seniors from Bellingham, Franklin, King Phillip, Medway and Tri-County High Schools an opportunity to receive a grant towards the expense of higher education.

The Rotary Club is an international service organization that is dedicated to world peace through service to others and an increased awareness of people’s needs though education. Based on this premise, each application for the Franklin Rotary Club Grant is evaluated on their community involvement, financial need, and academic achievement. This is a grant that is being offered to help defray college expenses in your second semester of your freshman year. The committee will let you know if you have been selected for a scholarship before you leave for college, but to actually receive your check, you will need to send in your first semester’s transcript.

Find the Rotary Club application here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSThVZ3JEYVBSb25ZNWg2OWZMT1dPaWtIS3gw/view?usp=sharing




Attention high school seniors: Rotary Club Grant Application due May 31, 2018
Attention high school seniors: Rotary Club Grant Application due May 31, 2018


Thursday, March 29, 2018

Encore Music Education Foundation has a Senior Scholarship available

The Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc. has a Senior Scholarship available now! If you are a senior studying music and planning to attend a college program related to performance, music education, sound recording/ engineering, musical theatre, or music business administration, apply now! 

Our application deadline is fast approaching, you can find the application at www.wesupportmusic.org/scholarship-opportunities.

For more information please contact us at 508-533-7700, encoremusicacademy1@gmail.com, or encoremusicacademy.net.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Little Shop of Horrors at The Orpheum Theatre Foxboro - Mar 16/17

The Theatre Institute presents:

Little Shop of Horrors
Friday, March 16 @ 7:00 PM 
Saturday, March 17 @ 3:00 PM  and 7:00 PM 
at The Orpheum Theatre Foxboro

"Here is the link to the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/976490015851098


The Theatre Institute is an intensive pre-professional theatrical training program for high school aged students, operated by the Hockomock Area YMCA:
https://www.facebook.com/theatreinstitute
https://www.hockymca.org/mansfield/programs/theatre-programs/


The Little Shop of Horrors cast is almost all Franklin High School students! This is going to be a great show - these kids are seasoned performers, some of the seniors will be moving on to college as performing arts/musical theatre majors."

 Little Shop of Horrors at The Orpheum Theatre Foxboro - Mar 16/17
 Little Shop of Horrors at The Orpheum Theatre Foxboro - Mar 16/17

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Pantherbook: "A Moment of Silence for Parkland" - Mar 14

Alyssa Carolan, Editor of Pantherbook, writes about "A Moment of Silence for Parkland" being scheduled for March 14.

"On the afternoon of February 14th, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 17 were killed and 14 more were injured, being taken to hospitals, causing this to replace the 1999 events at Columbine High School as the deadliest high school shooting in America. Nikolas Cruz, a 19 year old who had been expelled from the Parkland high school, was the one to open fire. 
This is not the first school shooting that occurred in 2018, making this incident harrowing, in terms of circumstance and statistic. Schools should be a place of safety, which makes instances like these so terrifying. 
In order to practice safety and preparation, Franklin High School will have a lockdown drill next week. The drills FHS practice are a blend of lockdown in place drills and active live shooter drills. In a lockdown drill, measures taken include: turning the lights off, locking the door, sitting in a corner away from the windows, and seeing an exit, and taking it immediately. In an active live shooter drill, measures taken include: barricading the door, seeing an exit and taking it immediately, and fighting back, throwing, trying to be as much of a disruption as possible. 
“We are always examining our drills and our safety,” Mr. Peri stated."

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2018/02/28/a-moment-of-silence-for-parkland/

Pantherbook: "A Moment of Silence for Parkland" - Mar 14
Pantherbook: "A Moment of Silence for Parkland" - Mar 14


More about the Women's March Youth Empower can be found online
https://www.womensmarch.com/enough-toolkit

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

FHS hosting DramaFest Preliminaries on Saturday, Mar 3

The MA Educational Theater Guild (METG) DramaFest Preliminary sites are online and complete with performance titles and schedules. 

The preliminary performances are scheduled for Saturday, March 3 with the detailed schedule for the day as follows:


Host: Franklin High School
218 Oak Street, Franklin
(508) 613-1400


9:00 a.m. Burncoat High School Peter/Wendy
10:00 a.m. Eagle Hill School
The Waiting Room
11:15 a.m. Northampton High School The Hedda Variations
12:15 p.m. Acton Boxborough Regional High School
Son of Liberty
2:00 p.m. Franklin High School Fahrenheit 451
3:00 p.m. Mansfield High School
Candid
4:30 p.m. Marian High School
Scenes from Journey to the West
5:30 p.m. Brockton High School
Suite Surrender


For the full listing of schools to see what they’re performing, follow this link

FHS hosting DramaFest on Saturday, Mar 3
FHS hosting DramaFest on Saturday, Mar 3
For more info about the MA Education Theater Guild, visit them on the web http://metg.org/

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Franklin Rotary: Calling all current high school sophomores

It's that time of year again and The Rotary Club of Franklin is interested in community leadership, not only for today but for tomorrow as well. The students in your school will, in a very few years, be assuming some of our community's leadership roles. We know you are training them for the task. Rotary would like to help.

For this reason, Rotary District 7910 will conduct the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference at Fitchburg State University on June 22-24, 2018. The program will be staffed by carefully selected counselors and Rotary leaders.

Our objective is to offer outstanding high school sophomores an opportunity to live, work and interact together in an atmosphere of friendly competition. Also, we provide them with a program designed to challenge them to utilize and improve their skills and accept the responsibilities of leadership. Much of the students' time will be structured with programs including interactive Leadership Labs, exciting guest speakers, and challenging mental and physical activities that will provide them with a chance to excel among and with their peers. The greatest benefit may come from sharing this experience with the more than 150 other outstanding young men and women selected from schools and organizations through Rotary District 7910 in Central Massachusetts.

Our Rotary Club is asking you to spread the word to your young men and women who will benefit most from this experience. They will be selected by the Franklin Rotary first for leadership potential, second for good citizenship, third for their desire to attend the Conference and fourth for scholarship. These characteristics are listed in that order so that latent leaders are not overlooked because of grades. They are extremely important to keep in mind to ensure the success of the student's experience and the entire program.

The only requirement is that in order to be nominated, the individual must be a student who is currently a Sophomore in high school.

Applications should be made e-mailed to Julie Rougeau at jrougeau@comcast.net no later than March 2, 2018. Our club's RYLA Selection Committee will then conduct interviews and select the students we will sponsor for RYLA. The student application has been attached to this e-mail as is a flyer that describes RYLA. Would you please help us again to get this information out to your Sophomores?

For more information about RYLA or Rotary, visit online at http://www.ryla7910.org/ or contact me at 508-541-4424.

Thank you for your assistance in this project for the advancement of youth.


Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards


Flyer:



Application:



Friday, January 5, 2018

YMCA: Get Ahead With Our New Technology Lab And Technology Club

Thanks to a generous donation from a good friend, a technology lab has been created at our Franklin Y.

The goal of this space is to teach middle school and high school students about careers in technology.

Join us for our next Technology Club Meeting on Tuesday, January 9 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at our Franklin Y.

This is a free member opportunity.

Guest speakers will be Jeff Boudreau, President of Dell EMC Storage Division as well as Gartner Research executives.

This club introduces students to the benefits of a career in the technology field and provides a safe place to learn and prepare for a job in technology.

Upcoming meeting dates are February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5 and July 10.

For more information about the Technology Club or Technology Lab, contact Kim Jennings at kjennings@hockymca.org.



The link to the website article is: https://www.hockymca.org/new-technology-club
Facebook Event is https://www.facebook.com/events/2008087732791525/

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Support Pisini Field - Franklin, MA

The High School Field Concession Stand has a GoFundMe page:

"Our Town is fortunate to have a state of the art athletic track and field (Pisini Field) to complement our new Franklin High School. Most afternoons, evenings, and weekends throughout the year the facility is utilized by either FHS or town sports teams. Pisini Field host many youth and high school programs such as, girl’s youth lacrosse, youth soccer, Franklin Chargers football, and spring track. Currently, there are no bathroom or sanitary facilities for this athletic facility which sees more use than any other athletic facility in our Town. 
Throughout the year, a number of portable toilets are situated adjacent to the new Franklin High School to accommodate the families and children participating in the sports at Pisini Field. With the high frequency of events at this facility, maintaining the cleanliness of these temporary bathroom facilities is virtually impossible and often creates unsanitary and embarrassing conditions. During large high school events such as football games, the Horace Mann School is opened and the bathrooms closest to the field can be used by the spectators at the game. However, this provides a minimal number of facilities and is still supplemented by the temporary bathroom facilities adjacent to our new high school. 
Our proposal will provide a bathroom facility as well as areas for storage and concessions. The number of actual toilets proposed far outnumbers the amount that has typically been made available (combining temporary and Horace Mann bathrooms) during the largest events at the field, and would also provide a small sanitary area to be used as a concession stand. This new facility would eliminate the need for the current temporary concession trailer, which is in severe dis-repair, poor sanitary condition, and an eye sore to the entire facility. 
Additionally, this new bathroom facility would be handicap accessible for both the concession area and sanitary facilities, which is not the case for the existing facility or temporary bathrooms. 
We expect the cost of the facility to be in the range of $250,000. In order to cover these costs of construction, we are hoping to raise donations of materials, labor and $. We’ve included a list of materials and labor items required to complete the construction (You can check out the drawings included here as well). Please pass this along to anyone who may be able to donate materials or time towards the project. For those unable to assist with material or time donations, we certainly appreciate any monetary contributions. Thank you for taking the time to read and with your support we can improve such a significant part of the Franklin community!

*Should you have any questions, please contact Michael Socci at msocci@masbuildingandbridge.com"

For additional information on the materials required, or to contribute to the fund raising, visit the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/z35a8n-support-pisini-field-franklin-ma

Support Pisini Field - Franklin, MA
Support Pisini Field - Franklin, MA

The proposal document as discussed at the Town Council meeting, Wednesday, Dec 20
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/high-school-concession-stand-proposal.html

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Community Forum on Sexting - Twitter Summary

A collection via Storify of the Twitter posts during the Community Forum on Sexting held at Franklin High School, Franklin, MA on Oct 16, 2017.

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.




Community Forum on Sexting - Twitter Summary
Community Forum on Sexting - Twitter Summary

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Franklin Public Schools: Parent Forums scheduled with the Superintendent

As your new Superintendent of Schools, I am seeking to gain the perspectives of various stakeholders across the Franklin Public Schools. I am thrilled to invite parents of children at the following developmental levels to attend parent forums where I will engage in listening to your thoughts on the strengths of the district and opportunities for growth. Additionally, the forums will afford me the opportunity to share more about myself and my thoughts on education. 

-- Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.


Elementary School Parents
October 23, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. Horace Mann/Oak St. Cafeteria
October 24, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. Horace Mann Health Classroom

Middle School Parents
November 8, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. Horace Mann/Oak St. Cafeteria
November 9, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. Horace Mann Health Classroom

High School Parents
October 30, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. FHS Media Center
October 31, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. FHS Lecture Hall


Franklin High School
Franklin High School





Monday, September 18, 2017

School Committee Recap: Middle Schools and High School Improvement Plans Approved

To recap the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Sep 12, I have the following:

Presentations from the middle schools and high school on their individual improvement plans were reviewed and discussed. Recall that the District Improvement plan was previewed, revised and approved during the August School Committee meetings. This takes the district plan down to the individual school level. The elementary schools will likely bring their plans forward at the next school committee meeting.


middle school principals presenting the school improvement  plans to the School Committee (not shown in photo)
middle school principals presenting the school improvement
plans to the School Committee (not shown in photo)

a. 2017-2018 School Improvement Plans 


Horace Mann Middle School – Rebecca Motte 
Franklin High School – Paul Peri, Principal and William Klements, Deputy Principal
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczZHZEcVpEamNMbzlTczJ1VE85YVZiY01jMjg4

In the Discussion Only section, the proposed policy for the Superintendent's evaluation was discussed. A copy can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczXzQ5THZCdHBHVkZvZG9EWnlCRVlaQ2h0VFgw

The policy governing the order of business for the School Committee meetings was up for second reading and a copy can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczNkY3TkIwc3J3VE9lSUMxX0puSXFGWHUxYXhv

The action items were approved in bulk format like a consent type agenda. They were all read and with no questions, one motion to approve them all. This saves meeting time.

The School Committee went into an Executive Session and returned about 15 minutes later to approve two memorandum of understandings with the Teachers Union. Not a lot of details were shared but they were the result of negotiations around the teacher evaluation process.

For additional information you can review the notes taken live during the meeting:

Thursday, September 7, 2017

BFCCPS: High School Fair - Sep 14

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is holding our annual High School Fair on September 14th from 7 - 8:30 pm. This event is open to all Grade 8 students and their parents in the area.

Guests will meet with representatives and students from a variety of private, independent and vocational high schools in the Metrowest area, Boston, Worcester, and northern Rhode Island.

The list of schools that will be in attendance is included here on our website:

http://bfccps.org/join-us-for-the-2017-high-school-fair/

If you have any questions about the event, please contact our School Counselor, Mrs. Julie McCoy at jmccoy@bfccps.org.


Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Monday, August 28, 2017

Schools may be ready but Beaver St turf field and high school track not complete

While the schools are ready to open, two key fields are not yet ready.
"Getting ready to kick off the 2017-2018 school year!! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Ice Cream Social (9/8) and Curriculum Night (9/12)!"

Facebook image from Davis Thayer PCC

The new turf has been laid down at the high school field but the track is not yet complete so access is restricted until it is completed. When remains TBD?

sign clearly forbidding access until the work is complete
sign clearly forbidding access until the work is complete

turf field in but track not yet laid out
turf field in but track not yet laid out


The turf field at Beaver St is also not ready. A retention wall and drainage was still be worked when I was by a week or so ago.

retaining wall being added along the Beaver St side of the field
retaining wall being added along the Beaver St side of the field

no new turf yet
no new turf yet

Sunday, August 20, 2017

End of School Year status update provided on School Improvement Plans

Catching up to share the summary for the School Committee (SC) held on Tuesday, August 8.

The School Committee heard updates from all the schools and the Central Office on the progress made on the Improvement Plans during the 2016-2017 school year. The updates were provided by the school principals. The presentation docs are shown below. You can follow the links to my notes recorded during the meeting for other details of the conversation. The full video of the meeting is available for replay by Franklin TV and that link is also found below.

After the schools provided their update, the Central Office, Superintendent Sara Ahern and Assistant Superintendents Peter Light and Joyce Edwards provided a preview of the District Improvement Plan for the coming school year. An offsite planning session was planned for Aug 16-18 during which the plan would be discussed, reviewed and refined to bring back to the SC for the Aug 22 meeting.

Note: the presentation docs include the status updates also provided at midyear. If you have seen those, you can skip to the end of year details listed for each school.


Middle Schools and High School




Elementary Schools




District Improvement Plan preview





the ball fields at FHS were getting water earlier this week
the ball fields at FHS were getting water earlier this week


Meeting video available for replay on demand by Franklin TV
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=482