Live reporting: Middle-High School Improvement Plans

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Middle School and High School’s School Improvement Plans
Dupre, Witcoff, Motti

presentation links to be added later
(no docs released as of meeting time)

1st page to talk to for the presentation tonight

2nd page of presentation for Middle Schools

3rd page of Middle School pres

4th page focusing on communications

question on the "World of Difference" program
built upon work from last year, peer leader lead, they facilitate discussions

question on responsive classroom, started at elementary levels and only recently has been expanded to middle school grades; principle aligned with social emotional learning

a lot of personalized strategies, emphasizes collaborative work among students
there is a lot of teacher buyin for this program

Illustrative Math (?) the program does allow for accelerated piece for students as they need

Peri, Klement for high shcool

also slides to be added when available (later)

not meant to be an eye test

A World of Difference program being added to high school this year
parents invited for age/grade specific evening programs

it is exciting to see the level of engagement and activity around the Algebra I and II classrooms, yes, really

"Portrait of a Graduate"to be brought into the high school this year, adds to what has already been done

series of 10 talks - being spearheaded by Asst Principal C Williams; first last week, remainder scheduled through the year

year two examining the grading practices
exciting work underway

examining the art and science of teaching
expanding new teacher academy; support provided through out the year
mentor and mentee program

cultural proficiency, town changing, school changing, how to meet the needs

engaging and supporting two way communications
really good start to the professional development for the year; Say Yes Institute

using the school council meeting to bring in other stakeholders
get communication out on time

social media platforms used, Twitter esp

when do the teachers do this?
excitement and buyin helps, the whole teacher matters to us here
we are working hard to listen to what is on our teachers minds

all the things the teachers do it is way beyond the school day, you are part of it too
self care is not just a buzzword, it does matter, we see it
we have a concern about how to do it


The PDF version of this agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_9-11-18.pdf

The documents released for this agenda can be found online (when released)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/2018-19-meeting-packets

Live reporting: District Strategy for Improvement

3. Discussion / Action Items 
a. Strategy for Improvement Presentation – Dr. Ahern 
I recommend approval of the District Strategy for Improvement for 2018-2019 

(previously referred to as the "District Improvement Plan" or DIP)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/strategy-improvement-discussion-action

(discovered minor glitch with one of the new HD microphones in the line of sight with the slides projected on the screen - Franklin TV will address)

Dr Ahern presenting on Strategic Improvement Plan

intro slide to Strategic Improvement Plan

The strategic improvement plan (skip to page 2 for the details)



A key item for community engagement (and aligned with determining Franklin's future)

"Engage educators and community members in the development of Franklin Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate"

Especially look at the detailed page (page 4) for areas where there are community engagement opportunity. For example, expanding the weekend backpack program with the Franklin Food Pantry to ensure that families and children with food security issues have some additional food options.

District Strategy for Improvement - next steps

what does 'rigorous curriculum' mean?
it is a big discussion and should come from the "Portrait of a FHS Graduate" process

clarification on counseling services study to also show the implementation of the findings, which is implied but not shown explicitly

I recommend approval of the District Strategy for Improvement for 2018-2019 with the changes as discussed; motion approved 7-0

School Committee Meeting Recap - April 24, 2018

The School Committee met as regularly scheduled after the presentation and discussion with the Finance Committee final session of the budget hearing. 

The superintendent's report can be found online
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/Superintendent's%20Report%20to%20School%20Committee%20April%2024,%202018.pdf

The agenda for the meeting held on April 24 was posted publicly on that day making it unavailable to be shared here before the meeting. (likely due to school vacation the week before)
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/SCAGENDA%204-24-18.pdf

An excellent recap of what Superintendent Ahern has accomplished in the time she has been here can be found in this Superintendent Evaluation document (within it contains links) to other evidence

http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/Evidence%20for%20Eval%202017-18.pdf

School Committee: District Improvement Plan - Update April 24, 2018 from Franklin Matters

Superintendent Sara Ahern presenting the update on the DIP plan

My notes recorded live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Consent Agenda - through to Execut...
• Live reporting: Information Matters
• Live Reporting: Discussion / Action Items - Discus...
• Live Reporting: School Committee - April 24, 2018

Live reporting: School Committee - Jan 23, 2018 - Elementary SIP

Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent:  none



1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no changes
 
b. Citizen’s Comments
no comments

c. FHS Student Representative Comments

• wrestling 17-0
• math and Mock Trial teams succeeding in addition to sports
• rink now at full capacity for student parking
• course selection for next year underway
• jazz concert Wednesday, Jan 24
• DramaFest hosted at FHS soon

d. Superintendent’s Report
article on acts of Kindness at Oak St for State House in Milford Daily News
professional development activities

• Jan 10 civil rights training for all staff
• Jan 25th MASC mid winter meeting focus on computer science and computational thinkning
• Jan 26 half day
• Parent conferences scheduled for  FHS
• another half day on Monday, Feb 5
• World of Difference training coming for middle school teachers
• social emotional learning training, along with school based initiatives

2. Guests / Presentations
a. SIP Program Updates (Elementary/Middle Schools)

Elementary schools PreK to 5
(presentation likely to be available later)

ECDC slide - screen grab

pre-school does a whole child assessment
Jeannine Fitzgerald appearing at ECDC on Monday, Jan 29

Davis Thayer slide - screen grab

created a Trevi Fountain as part of cultural awareness and coins raised from the fountain were donated to the Franklin Food Pantry

during English Language Arts planning realized that math was being left behind so adjustments were being made

working on how to improve summer time reading, previous efforts had been to increase from 55 to 58% so improvement but not much, more to do

Jefferson slide - screen grab

Jefferson Labradors working on "Paws-itive" behavior recognition program

School Council working on improving school arrival and dismissal processes

Keller slide - screen grab

looking at writing as a skill for development across the curriculum; focused work and exciting for the Principal

implementing life sciences standards using the STEMscopes

increasing school culture activities around the Olympics

Kennedy slide - screen grab

incorporating parents into the curriculum with their world or work experiences
Kennedy used an extra room as a 'science lab' still needs to be fully fitted out but the space helps for the intro sessions

peer teacher observations underway within the school and District

Oak St slide - screen grab

planning for school goals and vision along with social emotional learning from the Willima James College pilot; certificate course for four at Oak to be shared further within the district as it completes

communication plan also under development at Oak St via School Council

received 178 responses to recent survey (far more than the 20+ from the prior survey)

joint planning ED Camp with ECDC

Parmenter slide - screen grab

developing and revising curriculum with an Understanding by Design approach

revising school model: who are we? what is our vision? School Council leading this effort

upcoming 3 half day professinal development days with Lesley Univ on SEL

received grant from Y and will be sending backpacks home for the weekends beginning in March

Superintendent Ahern - Community Forum Recap - Nov 30, 2017

Newly appointed Franklin Superintendent of Schools, Sara E. Ahern, held a forum at the Municipal Building on November 30, 2017 to provide a chance for community members to meet and share their concerns and for her to discuss her approach to school management. 

The meeting commenced at 6:30 PM with an overview provided by Ahern. She first described the four primary initiatives within the 2017-2018 District Improvement Plan: Social-emotional learning, curriculum and instruction, collaborative culture, and two-way communication. In pursuing these initiatives, she said she is starting with stakeholder engagement through events such as the forum and similar events held with faculty, administration, school committee, and small groups of parents. 

Based on input from these sessions, Ahern said she hopes to identify themes and patterns that will help her to understand concerns and problems needing attention. She said she will then report on those findings to the district as a first step in developing a strategy for implementing improvements.

Ahern explained that her goal is to provide “stakeholder” (parents, faculty, etc.) awareness and “investment” in the District’s Strategy. In other words, she emphasized; she plans to listen. 

One of the attendees expressed appreciation for that approach and said she had “tried for five years to get an appointment with the previous superintendent and couldn’t even get a return phone call.”

She and others commented about concerns such as extremely short recess periods that they felt were not conducive to learning in young children. Similar comments were aired regarding lunch periods that were perceived as being too short for a child to eat and snack breaks for young children as late as 11 AM.

Another parent raised a concern regarding frequent changes in math curriculum that required his child to relearn fundamental skills in a new way in order to move ahead. Ahern said some of those shifts were driven by external changes in state mandates. The future, she said, would likely be less chaotic.

A parent whose children are no longer in the system, expressed concern that Franklin schools were perhaps not measuring up to their public reputation, since most were ranked as “level 2” [In a Massachusetts 1-5 ranking system]. “Only the high school is level 1,” he said. Ahern, for her part, said that the high school is actually now also ranked as level 2. However, she noted, the rankings can be misleading since they measure improvements and the standards by which they are measured shift. Therefore, she explained, even a top-rank school can have its designation reduced simply because it hasn’t improved further.

Ahern closed the meeting with an invitation to participants to reconnect at any time.

Submitted by Franklin Matters contributor Alan Earls

The handout Superintendent Ahern talked to for her overview:



The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) published the district scorecard. The scorecard and supporting information for Franklin can be found here
http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/reportcard/DistrictReportCardOverview.aspx?linkid=106&orgcode=01010000&fycode=2016&orgtypecode=5

Superintendent Ahern - Community Forum Recap - Nov 30, 2017

Franklin School Committee Recap - Sep 26, 2017

While I missed the first 45 minutes of the meeting on Tuesday night, it was for a good cause. I captured the audio recording of the Finance Committee meeting to share. Franklin TV was already recording the SchCom meeting for replay via video on demand.

When I arrived, the elementary school principals were reviewing their School Improvement Plans.

The plans can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/elementary-school-improvement-plans.html

This was the first meeting conducted with the new 'order of business' or agenda approved at the last meeting. The documentation to support the meeting flow can be tweaked a little to help it. With 'Discussion and Action' as well as 'Discussion Only' items and several items in each category, it can be confusing.

The policy documents were only released on Tuesday afternoon, too late for them to be shared and likely actually read to help prepare for the meeting. I raised this as an issue during the meeting and it will be addressed.

The policy documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/policies-for-discussion-action-items.html

The most interesting discussion was around the proposal for the FHS boys varsity basketball team to travel for a holiday week tournament in FL during Dec 2017. Ultimately, the proposal was sent back to come again with additional information for discussion before being voted on.

The School Committee will have a table at the Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct 14.

The next regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, Oct 10, will be a budget workshop rather than follow the normal meeting agenda. The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Bldg at 7 PM.



My notes summarized via Storify from the tweets sent during the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep-26.html

new lane lines painted on the track that was redone recently at FHS

the track is protected for the football team to use

hopefully the track will be completed and ready for use soon

Elementary School Improvement Plans

The documents were released at 2:00 PM this afternoon so that leaves little or no time for a preread for most working folks.


School Improvement Plans for discussion with the School Committee Tuesday evening

ECDC
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczWTBfVENWd2NaUkVuU0lSRzFEbURQZ0RyRlVB

Davis Thayer
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczYVVEeWU5S2c1Y1hjYWc4VTJMSHE4RFhfbk9B

Jefferson
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczRm5wUW9yRkE0VHlqMUxnTmZmMWJ3cnBOdThR

JF Kennedy
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczckhtZlJrQ2w4Q3o1aUt5MUw3TjlwTUdhVkQw

Keller
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczYkdaekhrcWlGT1hNYW9zLW9EQnRYOGFBQ2lV

Oak St
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczTTktRkNJeC11eXFJMVYzNUh3cG5kUDNhaFRr

Parmenter
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczdTFIX1FlUmdjSjRia0dWOU5WaWx2TG1Nbkgw

Parmenter School sign announces picture day Sep 27

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)

a. 2017-2018 School Improvement Plans 

Horace Mann Middle School – Rebecca Motte 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczTU5NdHpNNXN5bzF4a1FNZW15dlpVaVFaZGlZ

Remington Middle School – Brian Wildeman 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczU3hqbVhNdlR0c1hRZEExNDl3WkZ0aHEzaThB

Annie Sullivan Middle School – Beth Wittcoff 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczT3I5YjdnaFpkUTJfNlczT1Z2X2JRRHhGT2tF

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:

• Live reporting: Action items to closing
• Live reporting: Discussion only items
• Live reporting: School Committee - Sep 12, 2017

Schools are ready to open on schedule in Franklin

The following is the recap of the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Aug 22, 2017. 

• Superintendent Ahern has a mentor provided by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents as part of their Superintendent Induction program
• New teachers and administrators were introduced
• Professional development during the summer was reviewed and the plan for Sep 1 was provided (see links below)
• A proposal for a Unified Basketball team was approved and later accepted along with the Action Items
• Superintendent Ahern provided her entry plan as discussed during the Induction Program section opening the meeting
• The District Improvement Plan previewed in the prior SC meeting was updated during the administrator offsite planning session and the revision was approved. The individual schools will now take this plan and work on their own goals to meet the objectives
• Parent and student handbooks for each of the schools were approved and are now available from the School District webpage (see link below)
• Schools are ready to open on schedule

Summer 2017 Professional Development
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczWXFQODhDYkRJbGZDNXBVcGNPbWdJdDNNbWFj/view?usp=sharing

Professional Development - Sep 1
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczc3FTdWJrbWVyc1dYOWREWUxCamNHWGZwRGJF/view?usp=sharing

Unified Basketball Proposal
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczSFhyM2VWaEpHcVV5ZExwcFZWeldlcTFYRFZj

Superintendent Entry Plan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZmF5TTlBN2xwU3N6a0piT1dsdlkzZm9VUHlj/view?usp=sharing

Revised - District Improvement Plan

Revised - Franklin Public Schools: District Improvement Plan 2017-18 from Franklin Matters

Proposed agenda format
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaDA4bWZhLUdkTGpvYUlLUHVTVWpJWG9vYWU4/view?usp=sharing

Current agenda format
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczalp4M2FCS0h2UGNVMXNDX2JkVUctVDdpNUVV/view?usp=sharing

School handbooks
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinDistrict_webdocs/handbooks/index


Additional information can be found in my noted captured live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Information matters to closing, Ex...
• Live reporting: Action items
• Live reporting: Discussion Only Items
• Live reporting: School Committee - Aug 22, 2017

fresh pavement marking at the ECDC

section of curbing at Parmenter replaced and painted

The facilities department has been busy this summer. What changes have you seen in your neighborhood school? 

Live reporting: Discussion Only Items

3. Discussion Only Items

• Unified Basketball Proposal
• Superintendent’s Entry Plan
• District Improvement Plan 2017-2018

Unified Basketball

Sep to Nov, twice a week practice, share space with volleyball

registration through Family ID process

proposed expenses for transportation for 3 games, coaching fee, team jerseys

graduated fees, include volunteers for clock keepers, officials, etc.

an action item for approval later in the program

participant fees would cover some of the costs, other expenses would come from the athletic budget

(proposal doc to be added later)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczSFhyM2VWaEpHcVV5ZExwcFZWeldlcTFYRFZj

Entry Plan

Superintendent Sara Ahern's Entry Plan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZmF5TTlBN2xwU3N6a0piT1dsdlkzZm9VUHlj/view?usp=sharing

listen to stake holders
review of key documents and data
observations of schools and classrooms

looking to expand circle even wider with schools opening
looking to shadow students at each school

document outline; communications, cultural and human resources
process has begun, as it unfolds, I'll share tentative findings periodically as we go along

C - I think it is a wonderful document, I like to see the feedback mentioned
perhaps in your doc review you might see some gaps with your fresh lens

C - this is exptensive

This will be shared on the website for parents and other stakeholders will be prepared 

Revised - District Improvement Plan

Revised - District Improvement Plan

Revised - Franklin Public Schools: District Improvement Plan 2017-18 from Franklin Matters

website update part of the plan added to this version

Policy Update

Proposed agenda
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaDA4bWZhLUdkTGpvYUlLUHVTVWpJWG9vYWU4/view?usp=sharing

Current agenda
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczalp4M2FCS0h2UGNVMXNDX2JkVUctVDdpNUVV/view?usp=sharing

how to engage the high school students for feedback
discussion on presentations and format
better coordination of content and who speaks when on the agenda items
policies for two readings don't change; only some items would have the discussion and action aligned together

this could be voted on this time, move to second, and approved next meeting
would then be effective for the 2nd meeting in Sep (assuming approval)

I stepped in to make a citizens comment and suggestions around sharing of info before hand to enable better communication and conversation during the meeting

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

Middle and High School - End of Year - School Improvement Plan Updates from Franklin Matters

Elementary Schools

Elementary- End of Year - 2016-17 School Improvement Plan Updates from Franklin Matters

District Improvement Plan preview

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

• Live reporting: Action items to closing
• Live reporting: District Improvement Plan - previe...
• Live reporting: Elementary Improvement Plans - End...
• Live reporting: School Committee - August 8, 2017
• Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 8, 2...

"A willingness to accept change"

Franklin has some of the ingredients that helped Hudson: 

• The SNETT rail trail is located just outside of downtown
• Local zoning was changed in 2017 to allow distiller, winery or brewery tasting rooms
• The downtown renovation project was just completed in 2016
• Local businesses and town officials are talking about what needs to be done

What remains to be done now?

"Downtown Hudson was quiet when Michael Kasseris stepped out into the late night air in 2012. 

Behind him was a Main Street space that had once housed a printing shop, a bagel shop and a gifting shop. 

His uncle owned the building. Kasseris and his two business partners had just opened Rail Trail Flatbread Co. -- a trendy new restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza and craft beer. 

He looked around. The downtown stores, tucked inside historic brick buildings, were empty. The parking spaces were empty. There was no foot traffic."

Continue reading the MassLive article about Hudson
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/hudson_how_this_small_massachu.html

"It was the historic buildings and their curb appeal, the rail trail, the economy in an upswing,
the streetscaping and a dozen little things that became big things."

Hat tip to Melanie for sharing the article!