Ribbon Cutting on Main at Harvest Stroll - 4:00 PM - Oct 6

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109    Ribbon Cutting Ceremony To Mark End of Roadwork! Join fellow FDP members, town administrators and elected officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. at the Harvest Stroll.  The ceremony will officially mark the end of the Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project construction and the beginning of the next phase of downtown revitalization. Be part of a photo op to mark this important piece of Franklin History!

Franklin Downtown Partnership, 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: elementary school improvement plans, silhouette artist scheduled for Oct 10

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

"The town's elementary schools put forward their school improvement plans this week. 

The principals, speaking before the School Committee Tuesday night, noted that while the plans largely hewed to the overall district plan, each was tailored to apply to the individual school. 

They told the committee that there were numerous common themes between the plans, including a focus on social-emotional learning; the development of a school culture; the use of best practices for homework and instructional strategies; and an emphasis on two-way communication with the community. Each school, though, pursues those elements in different ways."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160928/franklin-elementary-schools-present-improvement-plans

Links to the individual school improvement plans are posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-sep.html

Parmenter School has their curriculum night scheduled for 9/29 

"Keith Donaldson, a silhouette artist at Walt Disney World, will make silhouettes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Franklin Art Center, 391 E. Central St. 

The silhouettes take two to three minutes to complete. Participants will receive a copy from the right and left, and frames will be available to purchase. 

To make a reservation: 508-887-2797; FranklinArtCenter@gmail.com. 

For more information: ICutYouOut.com.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160928/franklin-art-center-to-host-silhouette-artist

http://www.silhouettesinasnap.com/

"It will morph into the annual Harvest Stroll"

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

"The town has set aside a day to celebrate the completion of a downtown roadwork project that rebuilt roads, changed the traffic pattern and altered the look of the area. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the event - a ribbon-cutting ceremony - is set to take place on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. The town will set up a stage on Main Street and invite the public. 

Hellen said letters and invitations will be sent out to elected officials and stakeholders involved in the project."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160925/downtown-franklin-ribbon-cutting-slated-for-oct-6

mew banners are being placed on the light poles as part of the improvement project

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 27, 2016

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       Dr. O’Malley 

the key to learning

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence 

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments 
Review of Agenda 
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 13, 2016 School Committee Meeting. 
Payment of Bills    Dr. O’Malley  
Payroll      Mrs. Douglas 
FHS Student Representatives 

1. Nicolas Gnaman 2. Alexander Chitarra 

Correspondence:  none 

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Summer Program Update – Dr. Pandora Carlucci 
b. Elementary School Improvement Plans - Principals 

3. Discussion Only Items
none 

4. Action Items 
a. I recommend approval of the following School Improvement Plans as presented: 

1. ECDC 
2. Davis Thayer  
3. Jefferson 
4. Keller 
5. JF Kennedy 
6. Oak Street 
7. Parmenter 

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report 
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 

a. Community Engagement – Mrs. Schultz b. Policy – Mrs. Scofield 

School Committee Liaison Reports 

a. Superintendent Search – Dr. O’Malley b. JPCC – Dr. Bergen 

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee. 

7. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley

the Parmenter Elementary School one of six in the Franklin public school district

In the News: substance abuse coalition planning, Temple to show movie, FHS improvement plan

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

"The Support for Addicts and Families through Empowerment (SAFE) coalition is engaging in strategic planning as the anti-substance-abuse group enters its second year. 

President James Derick said the coalition has been holding planning sessions over the past several months, looking to set goals for the coming six months, year and three years. 

"We've learned a lot," he said. "The first thing is that the community really needs help, and I think we've had some real success in that area."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160914/franklin-safe-coalition-looks-to-future

"Temple Etz Chaim will invite the community to join for S’lichot at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the temple building, 900 Washington St., Franklin. 

The group will view the Oscar-nominated film “Footnote,” the story of a father and son, both Talmudic scholars. One is beloved and respected; the other is unpopular and ignored. Attendees will see what happens when one receives the honor the other has so desperately sought. 

Participants can watch the movie and join the discussion. For information: 508-528-5337."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160914/temple-etz-chaim-to-show-footnote

"High school officials discussed steps to improve - including a focus on social and emotional learning and the building's culture - at a School Committee meeting this week. 

The presentation, given by new Principal Paul Peri and Deputy Principal William Klements, was part of an overall discussion on school and district improvement plans at the Tuesday night session. The two said the school's plan had several areas in which to grow - social and emotional learning; building climate and culture; and communication were discussed. 

According to Klements, the school would be addressing social and emotional well-being through several avenues. He said personnel were collaborating with the district's School Wellness Advisory Council to look at mental health, physical activity and nutrition."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160914/franklin-high-school-presents-improvement-plan

FHS Deputy Principal William Klements and Principal Paul Peri present to the School Committee

In the News: parking plan approved by Town Council, school improvement plan approved by School Committee

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

"The Town Council gave its final approval this week to three new traffic bylaws - including one that eliminates parking meters from downtown. 

The council considered the bylaws at its Wednesday night meeting, though it had already approved a first reading of the regulations at a previous session. Town officials had proposed the changes as the area nears the end of a two-year roadwork project. 

There was dissension about the removal of the meters, as councilors had said they did not wish to lose the revenue they provided. 

Chairman Matthew Kelly read a letter from the Franklin Downtown Partnership, though, that espoused the move. It said local merchants agreed that the area was better without the meters, and that it fit with the charm of the new road design."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160811/franklin-council-eliminates-parking-meters

new greenery added downtown

"The School Committee this week approved a district improvement plan, though committee members asked for more communication on progress toward goals.
The committee discussed the matter at its Tuesday night meeting. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said the new plan compares where the district is with where it wishes to be and includes steps to move toward that goal. 

Among the goals, said Sabolinski, are nurturing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment; focusing on curriculum instruction and feedback from student assessments; and helping student develop the skills - social and career-oriented - to help them achieve success. 

One objective, Sabolinski said, involved refining the professional culture in the schools. She said the district wanted to take a collaborative approach in improving instruction, adding that educator-to-educator feedback was an especially powerful tool in doing so."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160811/franklin-schools-adopt-improvement-plan

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda - Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016

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."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 19, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. K-12 Handbooks
b. District Improvement Plan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CTZDO2KcvjQINE3OZ8PzPV8aFom16NTZzTNv-5-YdfI/edit?usp=sharing

3. Discussion Only Items
a. none

4. Action Items:
a. I recommend acceptance of two checks for Davis Thayer as detailed:
1. DT PCC - $1,101.00 Supplemental Supplies
2. Target - $100.00 In-House Enrichment
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $825.00 from SEPAC for districtwide supplemental supplies.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $327.00 from All American Publishing for Supplemental Supplies for FHS.
d. I recommend adoption of the ECDC Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
e. I recommend adoption of the Davis Thayer Student /Parent Handbook as presented.
f. I recommend adoption of the Jefferson Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Keller Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the JF Kennedy Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend adoption of the Oak Street Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
j. I recommend adoption of the Parmenter Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
k. I recommend adoption of the Horace Mann MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
l. I recommend adoption of the Remington MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
m.I recommend adoption of the Annie Sullivan MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
n. I recommend adoption of the Franklin High Student / Parent Handbook as presented.

5. Information Matters:
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
a. Community Engagement
School Committee Liaison Reports
a. SAFE Coalition

6. New Business:
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Motion to enter into Executive Session and not return to Open Session (Roll Call Vote)
Personnel Update

the key to learning

Yes, Franklin - the Town is improving its communications

In case you haven't noticed, there have been some significant changes to the Town of Franklin webpage. The page itself looks and functions much the same but the information placed there and the timeliness of the info there is what I think is worthy.

• On the Town Council page, instead of grabbing all nine emails to send them something, you can now do so with one click.

screen grab of Franklin Town Council webpage

• Franklin TV has enabled an RSS feed for the videos that get posted for the town meetings that are recorded. Yes, now you can get notified via RSS that the Town Council meeting video is available! (If you don't already have an RSS reader, you can find more about that here or here or here (video)).

top part of video webpage

bottom page of webpage with RSS subscription button

• But the best yet is that the Town is now using their "Town News" section to post meeting agenda and actions. The recent Town Council agenda and actions are seen here. Hopefully, the School Committee and others will appear there too!. (yes, one can hope!)

Town News is showing real highlights

To make it easy for you, here is are the actions from last Wednesday's Town Council meeting.



Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen asked me when we got together to compare notes recently, "if as the Town did improve their communications, would I be worried about not having something to do?" No, not at all I said. I would much rather have Franklin provide the timely and accessible information so all the citizens can get what they need easily. If that times does come around, I am sure I can find something else to do. Until then, I'll do what I think is needed to share the information.

Downtown Project Update #21

In the first official update this year we find that

• They will have closings the remainder of the week with bridge work.
• Verizon is continuing their work on site with overhead splicing (West Central St)
• The ground crew is supposed to be in this week to transfer the line on Main St. I will follow up with their foreman about an exact date tomorrow (Wednesday).

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT

working on the triangle on Monday

This was shared from the Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022F7090-000F8513


The information on the Downtown Project is collected in one place
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/Downtown%20Project%20updates/S022E9CF5

In the News: Spectra pipeline, Anderson recognized, student run flu clinic, FHS Improvement plan

A round up of the Miflord Daily News articles on or about Franklin

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, a local chapter of the environmental advocacy group 350, met Thursday night to organize opposition to the pipeline project, which is slated for a phased construction starting in 2018, according to a Spectra spokesperson. 

The group believes the natural gas shortage is false advertising, that New England has enough gas and the pipeline project would create a decades-long reliance on fossil fuels that runs opposite the state's carbon emissions goals.

Spectra Energy is proposing a new gas pipeline that would stretch 21 miles through Milford, Medway, Franklin, Bellingham, Norfolk, Millis, Walpole, Sharon, Canton and Stoughton.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107201/1994/NEWS

Endicott junior defensive lineman Craig Anderson, of Franklin, was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football first team for the second time in his career. The NCAA Division III District 1 team includes all schools in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

The CoSIDA Academic All-District program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined academic and athletic performances. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106880/1994/NEWS

Three medical careers students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School hosted a flu clinic for faculty members on Nov. 2. 

During the clinic, pharmacist Ed Purtell of Rite Aid Pharmacy administered the vaccine to 48 staff members. Grade 10 students Alivia Carney, Katrina Chapman and Hannah Graveline, all of North Attleborough, took vital signs, administered a questionnaire and shared educational information on the flu vaccine and its benefits.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106878/1994/NEWS

The Franklin High School's improvement plan took center stage at the School Committee's most recent meeting. 

Discussing the plan at the Oct. 27 meeting, Principal Peter Light focused on administrator turnover, community outreach and the importance of the guidance department. 

Light noted that the school had seen significant turnover, with five administrators moving on to other positions. He said, though, that the majority took higher positions at other districts, and that he was excited to hire new administrators from within the district's ranks.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106790/1994/NEWS

The details of the school improvement plan can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-committee.html

Real time reporting: School Committee - Oct 27, 2015

The Storify summary of the School Committee meeting.

The FHS School Improvement Plan

Franklin High School - main entrance

The other presentations from the meeting:

School Safety
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-safety-update.html


Student Services
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-student-services.html

Downtown Project Update # 12

The paving of Emmons Street, West Central Street and Summer Street are now scheduled for the week of October 26th.

The crosswalk on West Central Street for Dean College near the Davis Thayer School will move closer to the intersection where the new traffic signal will be installed and temporary stop signs will be erected at the end of Emmons Street until the lights are installed.

They will continue to construct sidewalks on West Central Street.

The plan is to put in new curbs and sidewalks on East Central Street from Cottage Street to Summer
Street this fall. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at
508-520-4949.

new sidewalks and curbing on West Central St

Middle School Improvement Plans - Annie Sullivan, Remington

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Annie Sullivan School Improvement Plan
b. Remington School Improvement Plan

Beth Wittcoff, Principal of Annie Sullivan
Brian Wildeman, Principal of Remington Middle School

(copies of school improvement plans to be provided later)


Annie Sullivan




Remington

Downtown Project Update # 11

The contractor plans to delay paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street until next week due to the predicted rain. They will continue to install new curbs on West Central Street over the next 10 days.  

Their goal is to have the all the curbs, sidewalks and paving complete on West Central Street by the end of the construction season except a short section of paving between the Emmons Street and Union Street where a base coat will be applied for the winter. 

They will be digging up the sidewalk on the east side of East Central Street to install the conduit over the next two weeks. They will put back temporary pavement on both sidewalks of East Central Street until the new curb and sidewalks are installed next week. 

Please be reminded that the schedule can change due to weather or other delays. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street will be delayed due to the weather forecast

Improvement plans and accreditation are an ongoing cycle

The School Committee meeting featured the overviews of the school improvement plans for the 2015-2016 school year. The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and all the elementary schools presented. The Horace Mann Middle school also presented to give Shawn Fortin a chance to cover the work before he leaves in October.

(The new principal for Horace Mann was announced on Thursday as Rebecca Motte. She is currently an assistant principal at the Annie Sullivan Middle School.)

The school improvement plans build upon the District Improvement Plan presented in the prior School Committee meeting. Each school takes the district level plan and brings it to their level.

Links to each elementary school plan are included below. The district plan can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/09/live-reporting-district-improvement-plan.html

Other note worthy items from the meeting:

The FHS accreditation process will begin Mar 2017. Committee leads have been appointed, training is starting and more info will be shared as the process develops. Recall that one of the drivers of the new FHS facility was to help close an accreditation item. The new school building opened successfully in Sep 2014, the item was closed and the whole new accreditation review cycle will begin again.

On October 15, music students from around the District will be performing at the October Stroll in business locations downtown.

As fall arrives this week, the District is gearing up for first snow planning meeting. They are looking to make some refinements on the snow plan, including to the process for clearing the FHS parking lots.

Finally the last FHS building Committee was held and the committee will be officially disbanded as the work is now complete. This is an item on the Town Council agenda for Weds. 

Updated from the Town Council meeting, while the major work of the committee is complete, there remains a 'punch list' of items that still require attention. Tom Mercer, the committee chair, has been empowered to address those until they are complete.

The set of notes reported live from the meeting on Tuesday, Sep 22 can be found here: 

• Live reporting: closing
• Live reporting: Action items
• Live reporting: Horace Mann Middle School
• Live reporting: Elementary School Improvement Plan...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Sep 22, 2015

the entrance to the new FHS

"We've been meeting on the subject for over a year"

The town has removed parking meters along downtown East Central Street, a move that could be made permanent. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the meters were being removed to accommodate ongoing roadwork taking place in the center of town. He said the status of the meters after the work is completed is in question. 

"There's been a proposal to not (put the meters back), but it hasn't been approved," he said. 

Nutting said the police department would be enforcing a two-hour parking limit where the meters once were. That regulation, he said, would remain in effect until the Town Council adopts more permanent rules.

New flag pole? No. Parking meter in process of being removed.

Continue reading the article online (Subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150925/NEWS/150926713/1994/NEWS

Live reporting: Elementary School Improvement Plans

2. Guests/Presentations

a. School Improvement Plans PK-5

ECDC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczU0ZxS1IxZGZSNlk/view?usp=sharing

Kelty Kelly - 

added 3 goals to be specific for ECDC

family access to info and engagement with learning and information sharing

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Linda Ashley, Principal, Jefferson Elementary

provides an overview of the four standards

"increased complexity and rigor"

1 - instructional framework

use the data from the student work to ensure meeting the student needs

2 - teaching all students

utilizing co-teaching, sharing strategies

using response to intervention models

math workshop, 2nd year in this new program

3 - family and community engagement

looking to be an inclusive community

celebrate the differences

4 - professional development

teachers using the common planning time

schools paired to foster the learning and collaboration together

Jefferson
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVVpBZlhpeS15YXc/view?usp=sharing

Davis Thayer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczUkNQdGV1R2ZDSzQ/view?usp=sharing

Evemarie McNeil, Principal
ditto to many of the things that have already been mentioned


JF Kennedy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZTBRQVRpWlVyZGM/view?usp=sharing

Mrs Toye
JFK also has a twitter account, utilization of blogs

Keller
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczd3RwNThEQUwtVVk/view?usp=sharing

Keller also has a Twitter account

Oak St
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczN0NqQ0xZbnlya2M/view?usp=sharing


Parmenter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczS0p2VmU0dVNxU0U/view?usp=sharing

Tom Morris
one of the teachers has set up a twitter account to help communicate to the families

flexible grouping, an outgrowth of the common planning time
combining students for special attention on a particular concept


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