School Committee - Recap - Sep 10, 2019

The recap of the School Committee meeting held Sep 10, 2019 is summarized as follows:

The three middle schools collaborated to present the highlights of their individual improvement plans. There is more consistency across the district as shown in the plans.

The high school followed to share their improvement plan updates. There is similarity with some programs continuing across the district to the high school. Some programs are also continuing to evolve as they develop with each of the schools.

The high school also presented plans to eventually recognize the students for biliteracy achievement. Student with another language as their primary and achieving levels of mastery in both their primary and English languages. Going the other way, students with mastery in English who also master another language would also be recognized. More work to develop the program is underway with possible first recognition for the graduates in the class of 2021. 

The proposal to study the implications of closing Davis Thayer was approved. The study will take time before coming back with some real numbers and scenarios for decision.

Additional details can be found in my notes reported live during the meeting. Links provided below.

Middle Schools Improvement Plan Presentation from Franklin Matters

FHS: Seal of Biliteracy Proposal from Franklin Matters

Superintendent's Report
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_september_10_2019.pdf


Live Reporting: Information Matters to closing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-information-matters-to.html

Live reporting: Discussion Action Items - Improvem...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html
 
Live reporting: School Committee - Sep 10, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep-10.html


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 10, ...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-sep.html

Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Furth...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/retirement-of-facilities-recommendation.html

Live reporting: Discussion Action Items - Improvement Plans, Davis Thayer study

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Middle/High School Improvement Goals 2019-20

I recommend approval of the 2019-20 improvement goals for Horace Mann Middle School, Annie Sullivan Middle School, Remington Middle School and Franklin High School as discussed.

motion to approve, seconded, passe 7-0

b. Authorization for Further Analysis

policy describes process to examine school buildings
engage in a closing study for Davis Thayer
would occur over time to examine all the components

1 - age and design of building
security and safety concerns, features not found in modern buildings
heat in August was a challenge, A/C units brought in but electrical power was insufficient
not universally accessible as required, accommodations difficult to put in place

2 - overall enrollment projects down
this is a study so we would engage more deeply into the future aside from birth rates

3 - economic efficiency across the district

taking time to be thoughtful and deliberate
engaging with Davis Thayer community and the larger Franklin community
also to engage an outside consultant to provide

Scofield
this memo does not say it is closing, proposal is for further analysis
elevator at DT was on capital improvement list

Feeley
what is the consultant to do?
the consultant to provide some assitance with demographic population and movement around town; fresh eyes and an outside perspective
we have amazing people who work for the schools, this is a little beyond our scope of practice; we can balance the outside with our prospective and the needs/wants of the school community

what is the expected budget for outside consultant?
we need to do a scope of work and come back with some estimates
this is only the authorization for the study

meetings scheduled for Thursday, 10 AM here at Chambers, later at 6 PM at the DT library

this is more than just a building, it is a community
anyone who thinks this is an easy consideration, is not thinking

we are only voting to authorize the study

- include the town as it would include more than just DT

I recommend authorization for further analysis of the Davis Thayer Elementary School through a comprehensive closing study as discussed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 10, 2019

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.

A G E N D A

“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
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Middle/High School Improvement Goals 2019-20
b. Seal of Biliteracy Presentation

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Middle/High School Improvement Goals 2019-20

I recommend approval of the 2019-20 improvement goals for Horace Mann Middle School, Annie Sullivan Middle School, Remington Middle School and Franklin High School as discussed.

b. Authorization for Further Analysis

I recommend authorization for further analysis of the Davis Thayer Elementary School through a comprehensive closing study as discussed.

4. Discussion Only Items
a. none

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)

b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 27, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $659.39 from Ahold for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence
a. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

12. Adjournment


The meeting agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-10-2019-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 10, 2019

Live reporting: Discussion / Action Items

returned from executive session to open meeting at 7:23 PM

motion to approve cafeteria worker contract agreement, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call

 
3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Strategy for District Improvement – Annual Goals 2019-2020

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiona_-_dip_goals.pdf

cultural proficiency transcends the overall objectives for emphasis 

overall objectives remain the same but the individual strategic initiatives are different and refined for this school year

portrait of a graduate coming together with artistic development of materials for approval later this year

implementation of new homework guidelines to bring consistency across the district

identify a model, assess where they are, develop a plan to expand approaches to meet the model over time

"Seal of Biliteracy"

"it seems like a lot"
it is comprehensive, it does filter down into the district in different ways
did spend time on how to be deliberate about how and where this would be done


I recommend approval of the District Improvement Goals for 2019-2020 as discussed.

motion to approve, second, passed 7-0




4. Discussion Only Items
a. Draft Presentation Schedule for School Committee Meetings 2019-2020
calendar of meeting dates with presentations distributed among the sessions
recap pf FHS trip to Europe in October
 
ECDC revision of their report card, here for review before implementation possible in Jan/Feb
 

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Report

Budget - need to set meeting, develop 5 year plan

Community Relations
farmers market last week
at Harvest Festival, need to develop schedule of coffees
explore FHS gear at Festival

Policy - did meet, more policies coming

Public Schools Advocacy - conf for MASC coming up 
Joint PCC - no schedule just yet

Substance Abuse Task Force - Oct 1 first meeting

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC] - Sep 24 first meeting

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items
middle school and FHS school improvement plans presentations
 

"designed to improve safety and operational efficiency"

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

"State transportation leaders will outline preferred design for I-495/90 interchange reconstruction.

Want to learn more about the potential design plan for the reconstruction of the heavily traveled interchange of I-495 and the Mass. Pike? The state Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold four informational meetings throughout MetroWest later this month.

Meetings: The first public meeting will be held Thursday, July 25, at Hopkinton High School. Others will be held Tuesday, July 30, at Hudson Town Hall; Wednesday, July 31, at Shrewsbury Town Hall; and Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Holliston police headquarters. All meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190714/transportation-officials-will-share-preferred-deisgn-for-i-49590-interchange-at-four-public-meetings-this-month

For more info on the project visit their webpage
https://www.mass.gov/i-495i-90-interchange-improvements

There is an interactive map for comments
  https://wikimapping.com/wikimap/I495I90.html

an interactive map

Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting recap of May 28, 2019

The School Committee meeting of May 28, 2019 is summarized as follows:

Retiree Recognition

• Debra Kroeber / JFK Teacher
• Christine Mahan / ASMS Teacher
• Sandra Morris / ASMS Teacher
• Caryn Parnell / ASMS Teacher
• Peter Pasquarosa / HMMS / Health-PE Teacher
• Eleanor Prindeville / ASMS Cafeteria Worker
• Mary Sandford / Parmenter Teacher
• Marushka Waters / FHS Theater Teacher
• Beth Wittcoff / ASMS Principal
• Kathleen Woods / FHS Guidance Counselor

There was discussion around the superintendents evaluation.

There was an update on the School Start Times - audio of that segment was shared separately  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/fm-163-school-start-times-update.html

The district improvement plan was also updated with current status and accomplishments
https://www.franklinps.net/district/news/district-improvement-plan-update-communication-52819

Document released for this agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/school-committee-packet-52819


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

view from the back of the room at the May 28 School Committee meeting

• Live Reporting: Consent Agenda to Executive Sessio...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-consent-agenda-to.html
• Live Reporting: District Improvement Plans
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-district-improvement.html
• Live Reporting: School Start Times Update
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-school-start-times-update.html
• Live Reporting: Discussion - Action Items
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-discussion-action-items_28.html
• Live Reporting: Guests and Presentations
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-guests-and-presentations.html
• Live Reporting: School Committee - May 28, 2019
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-school-committee-may-28.html
• 
  

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

• Live reporting: Consent agenda to Closing
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-consent-agenda-to-closing.html
• Live reporting: Information Matters
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-information-matters.html
• Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html
• Live Reporting: School Committee - May 14, 2019
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/live-reporting-school-committee-may-14.html

Documents released for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-14-2019-school-committee-packet

The Franklin TV video can be viewed on demand

https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=648

Davis Thayer school sign

Live Reporting: District Improvement Plans

2. Guests / Presentations


c. District Improvement Plan Update (Communication)

new website, social media policy

fledgling YouTube channel

translation feature built into the website

would pursue other channels

"Portrait of a Graduate" visioning exercise

developing a new memorandum with Franklin Police

expanding relationships with

• Franklin Food Pantry
• Franklin Cultural District
• William James College (professional development, Project Interface)
• You, Inc.
• Community gardening efforts

captured info from community and families on

Sleep and start times

homework

Parent/Guardian education events

expanded with LinkedIn for recruiting

scheduling software for scheduling substitutes

Lifelong Learning re-branded

looking at a communications focused resource to help with the channels as well as the appropriate messaging

parent/guardian nights, encourage parents and kids attending together

go to different workshops over the course of an evening

incorporating babysitting/childcare as part of the evening

Live Reporting: Guests and Presentations

2. Guests / Presentations

a. Retiree Recognition

• Debra Kroeber / JFK Teacher
• Christine Mahan / ASMS Teacher
• Sandra Morris / ASMS Teacher
• Caryn Parnell / ASMS Teacher
• Peter Pasquarosa / HMMS / Health-PE Teacher
• Eleanor Prindeville / ASMS Cafeteria Worker
• Mary Sandford / Parmenter Teacher
• Marushka Waters / FHS Theater Teacher
• Beth Wittcoff / ASMS Principal
• Kathleen Woods / FHS Guidance Counselor

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

Beantown Home Improvements' Operation Payback

Read more :  https://www.franklinma.gov/node/203273

Here are the details (via Beantown Home Improvement https://www.beantownhi.com/payback)
"For Beantown Home Improvements to offer a brand new roof of 20 square (2000sf of actual roof area) to an American Veteran (US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy) FREE of charge. If the winning roof happens to be larger than 20 square, the homeowner will ONLY pay the overage for the actual material and labor cost. If the winning roof has a skylight(s) they will be installed FREE of charge with the veteran only paying the cost of the skylight(s). Veterans with a roof of ANY size are encouraged to enter.

The shingles to be installed will be a 50 year architectural shingle with premium synthetic underlayments and Preferred Protection warranty. All warranty registration cost will be covered by Beantown Home Improvements."

Eligibility

• "The registrant/winner must be an active, reserve, honorably discharged, or retied American veteran of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy
• The home must be their permanent residence, not a rental
• The residence must be in Massachusetts within Plymouth, Bristol or Norfolk Counties
• The winner must provide a valid Military ID, which will be confirmed by Beantown and then by a recruiting office of the appropriate military branch
• A winner will be chosen at noon on October 31st, 2019 to allow time for registrant validation
• Installation will be shortly after Veteran's Day in November 2019"

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

https://www.beantownhi.com/payback

School Committee Recap: School Budget proposal approved, yet funding insufficient

The School Committee meeting was a long one as the ECDC, and elementary schools walked through updates on their School Improvement Plans (SIP). The District Improvement Plan goals 2 and 3 also received an update from the Central office. Lots of progress and accomplishments under challenging circumstances.

Then the Discussion / Action Item section rolled along and the committee voted to approve the expense budget and salary budget in separate votes for FY 2020. Only a few changes from what had been reviewed and had evolved over the several weeks leading up to Tuesday.

Then Superintendent Ahern revealed that the budget as approved was likely about $2.6M over what the Town can fund. The Town Council meeting the following night (Wednesday, March 13) would begin the overall Town budget discussion and how to address the shortfall.

Stay tuned for the on going budget discussion. What we want for our children and the Town of Franklin depends upon what info is forthcoming and how it is received. 

Participate in the Budget hearings or at least tune into the meetings. Worse case, follow the updates here and don't be shy in asking good questions.



The Superintendent's Report:

Superintendent's Report to School Committee - March 12, 2019 from Franklin Matters

Kelly Kelty, Principal of ECDC presented a mid-year update on the School Improvement Plan (SIP)

2018-19 ECDC SIP Update - March 12, 2019 from Franklin Matters

Principals/Vice-principals presented a joint update on the Elementary SIP

Elementary SIP Mid-year Update - March 12, 2019 from Franklin Matters

The Central Office (Superintendent Sara Ahern, Asst Supt Lucas Giguere, Dr Joyce Edwards, and Paula Marano) presented the joint update on the District Improvement Plan (DIP)

DIP - Goals 2 and 3 - School Committee 3/12/19 from Franklin Matters

My notes are reported live during the meeting can be found in the links below

• Live reporting: Information Matters to Closing (Ex...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-information-matters-to.html
• Live reporting: Discussion/Action Items
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html
• Live reporting: District Improvement Plan Update
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-district-improvement.html
• Live reporting: School Committee - March 12, 2019
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-school-committee-march.html

School committee meeting March 12, 2019

Live reporting: District Improvement Plan Update

b. District Improvement Update – Curriculum & Instruction

(presentation to be added later - posted to Schools page on Weds (usually) so I can add it with the meeting summary later this week)

a view from the back of the room; Central Office personnel presenting on Strategic Objectives II and III

outside group in working on an analysis of the resources and alignments available to meet the needs of the students,is it enough? are there gaps? report readout due initially at end of March

screen grab of a presentation slide on Objective III

doing well with what they have but there are budget implications with time to learn, and overall resources available

School Committee - Sep 25, 2018

The collection of posts from the School Committee meeting held on Sep 25, 2018.


Superintendent's Report

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_september_25_2018.pdf

EdLeader 21
Dr. Edwards is not here this evening. She is off site attending a professional development conference with EdLeader 21. This group is an extension of the former Partnership for 21st Century Skills and is a big part of our district initiative on development of engaging curriculum and personalized learning. When she returns, we will be kicking off our efforts to engage with School Committee and the community in the development of Franklin’s Portrait of A Graduate, which is an exciting part of our District Strategy for Improvement.

Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium
I would like to provide a follow-up communication to the community about the Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium. Last Tuesday, during the heavy rains and flash flooding, the interior courtyard at HMMS became flooded with water due to clogged drainage. A large amount of water seeped into the school and settled in the pit of the auditorium, flooding the stage, and seeping into the entrance to the band room. Clean up services have been employed who have been spending the last week mitigating the damage, drying the spaces, and engaging in repair efforts.

The drywall in the entrance to the band room has been removed and water under the instrument storage cubbies was dried. The service company will come in and repair the sheetrock, like they did previously in Keller last year. Everything will be repaired in accordance with safe practices in the prevention of mold growth. The carpet in the auditorium has also been dried. It is a “backed” carpet, with protection on the underside, so there are no mold concerns about growth underneath. The auditorium stage is drying well. The Facilities department is optimistic that the floor can be sanded and refinished, which is a quicker fix than pulling up the boards for repair. They will reassess at the end of the week to confirm and we will keep the Committee apprised.

Franklin Cultural District Site Visit
The Franklin Public Schools participated in the Franklin Cultural District’s Site visit with the Massachusetts Cultural Council last Thursday, September 20. This site visit evaluates the district’s application towards a designation as a Cultural District. Along with other partner members, FPS attended the site visit meetings at the library and Franklin Historical Museum. 

We also hosted a brief tour at the high school. Dr. Edwards, Mr. Peri, Mr. Klements, Ms.Plouffe, Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Nayler brought them through to see the highlights of the high school and the fine and performing arts areas. We toured the TV studio, music practice spaces, art classrooms, the 3D art installation in the courtyard, the art display cases, and the auditorium. Thank you so much to our educators for showing off the investment we make in the fine and performing arts for both our students as well as the greater Franklin community.

The documents released for the meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-25-2018-packet-documents

ECDC School Improvement Plan - Update from Franklin Matters

Elementary Schools Improvement Plan - Update from Franklin Matters

The elementary school principals ready to present at the School Committee meeting

• Live reporting: Consent Agenda to Closing
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-consent-agenda-to-closing.html
• Live reporting: Information Matters
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-information-matters.html
• Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html
• Live Reporting: Elementary School Improvement Plan...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-elementary-school.html
• Live Reporting: School Committee - Sep 25,2018
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep.html

The agenda for the School Committee

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-sep_23.html

Live Reporting: Elementary School Improvement Plans

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Elementary School Improvement Plans
i. ECDC
Kelty Kelly, Principal

"Big Day for Pre K"
honors developmental appropriate practice
seeing increase of students with autism needs

Kelty Kelly, Principal of ECDC, leads off the elementary improvement plan discussion tonight #schcom0925 pic.twitter.com/uY22lVr739

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) September 25, 2018

ii. Davis Thayer
iii. Jefferson
iv. Keller
v. JF Kennedy
vi. Oak Street
vii. Parmenter

The listing of principals by school can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/about-us/pages/school-principals

elementary school principals ready to provide an update on the improvement plans

partnering with Franklin Food Pantry for weekend backpack program to provide additional food for those in need

(Note: C Douglas arrives)

MA Personalized Learning Network (MAPLE)

PD Your Way - at Parmenter, professional development your way

ICE - intervention, correction and enrichment

new Schools webpage now available, faculty figuring out how to do things with the new page
leveraging Twitter for communications with links back to the school page

Keller Kids Calls - positive calls home for the student

Q - on MAPLE 
teachers can use it to provide some differentiated learning on particular topics, about student engagement, where are they coming from, not just where we are coming from

Q - examples of SEL skills for elementary students
resiliency would be one, multiple opportunities to identify the skills, hopefully they'll find self confidence and what tools they can use to self regulate

first PD day was focused for teachers and staff how to take care of themselves first

social studies curriculum overdue for an update but teachers are integrating current events and other items as they can

School Committee - Aug 28, 2018

The documents for the meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-28-2018-school-committee-packet-documents

The Franklin TV recording is available for video replay on demand
(link to be added when available)

• Live reporting: from Consent Agenda to Closing
• Live reporting: Information Matters - updates
• Live reporting: District Strategy for Improvement
• Live reporting: New Hires and Introduction of New ...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Aug 28, 2018

Dr Ahern presenting on Strategic Improvement Plan