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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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FM #485 - School Committee Mtg - 03/09/21 - P1 of 3 (audio) |
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"If considered on per pupil basis, 75% if the districts spend more than we do... Are we ok with that?" |
Agenda doc = https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/3-9-21-agenda
Meeting packet folder = https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-9-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet
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Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 9, 2021 |
"After completing a comprehensive closing study for the Davis Thayer School, the Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis subcommittee has voted to present this final report to the Franklin School Committee with our recommendation that the DT facility be closed for FY22.
Additionally, we also recommend that the Franklin School Committee establish a standing subcommittee focused on creating a Master Facilities Plan to address other facility needs in the district."
FM #448 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 448 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee - Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee meeting held on Thursday, Jan 28, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a remote format; all the subcommittee, Central Office personnel and the public participants were remote via conference bridge, to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs just about 1 hour and 40 minutes
Let’s listen to this segment of the Davis Thayer Facility Analysis meeting of Jan 28, 2021. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-448-schcomm-davis-thayer-fa-mtg-01-28-21
--------------
-------------
We are now producing this in collaboration
with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we
can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you
help?
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I 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 or your
favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
![]() |
FM #448 School Comm - Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Mtg - 01/28/21 (audio) |
Jan 14, 2021 recap = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis-sub.html (audio) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-438-schcomm-davis-thayer-fa-mtg.html
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SchComm: Davis Thayer Facility Analysis subcommittee meeting recap - Jan 20, 2021 |
"Giving can be infectious.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Mason and William Roddy have experienced that feeling in spades in the process of organizing their Toys for Tufts gift donation drive. Although they’ve been doing the drive for three years, this is the second “official” year that Franklin’s Keller Elementary School and Annie Sullivan Middle School have been involved.
The drive continues through this week, with pick-up of donations planned early on Friday, Dec. 13.
“We are so excited to be doing this again, and to have the support of so many,” says Paetra Ranieri, the boys’ mother."
#KellerSchoolCommunity it’s the final week to donate to our second annual Toys for Tufts drive. pic.twitter.com/2HU9gSPXAN— Helen Keller School (@KellerSchool) December 8, 2019
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"a need to provide more for teens and young adults" |
"It is often iterated at this time of year that April showers bring May flowers. But at the Helen Keller-Annie Sullivan school complex, the experience has been given new meaning this month: “Showers” coming from a burst sprinkler head on April 3 are bringing new rugs, cabinetry and paint jobs to several elementary classrooms.
Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern recently told the School Committee that repairs to the classrooms would be undertaken this week during spring break, and students will be returning to mostly fixed-up classrooms.
On April 3, nine Helen Keller School classrooms were damaged by water after a sprinkler head on the second floor burst late in the afternoon, Ahern reported at the School Committee’s April 9 meeting. Classes were temporarily displaced as the rooms were sealed off for the remainder of that week.
“Water damaged materials including carpets, drywalls and cabinets were removed,” Ahern said, noting that over the weekend of April 6 and April 7, Servicemaster worked late hours “in order to ensure that all rooms had been properly mitigated.”
Keller - Sullivan Schools |
"The Senate plans next week to take up legislation that has become a signature priority for Senate President Karen Spilka, a bill that would allow an adult to change state identification records to reflect a gender of “X.”
The so-called “Gender X” bill would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to make a third, gender-neutral option available to applicants for a license or learner’s permit and would allow anyone over 18, an emancipated minor or the parents of a minor to request a change in the sex listed on someone’s birth certificate to male, female or X.
“This bill is very special to me,” said Spilka, D-Ashland, earlier this month during an interview on WGBH radio.
The Senate president got involved after receiving a letter from a constituent from Natick who was feeling stress as they prepared to decide which box to check on their driving learner’s permit. Spilka has since grown close to the family while working on this bill, and almost pushed it across the finish line last year."
"A sprinkler burst at Helen Keller Elementary School on Monday morning, forcing administrators to cancel school since.
The school was closed on Monday and Tuesday because of the damage, but will reopen Wednesday. The cause of the break is unclear, but Superintendent Sara Ahern said the sprinklers will be inspected and the problem assessed after damages are fixed. It is also unclear when or if the students will make up those lost school days.
While the one sprinkler causing the damage was contained, water did spread into other classrooms on the floor below.
There are eight known affected classrooms, four on the top floor and four on the main floor near the entrance. The damage in the walls will take some weeks to fix, while some cabinets were damaged and may take longer to replace."
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Superintendent Sara Ahern said the sprinklers will be inspected |
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Jefferson playground |
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Keller Sullivan school sign |
"Members of the Helen Keller Elementary School’s Best Buddies program gathered on the school’s “cafetorium” stage Friday morning as they were honored for their participation in the group.
Those students - dressed in black Best Buddies T-shirts - had been recognized as an “Outstanding Promoter Chapter” by the state branch of the organization, which works to partner students with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. School officials have said the Keller Best Buddies group, established in 2015, is the only one in the country based in an elementary school.
The recognition was announced during an all-school community meeting that morning. Principal Eric Stark said the recognition came at an appropriate time, as the school was celebrating inclusion; a large number of students at the assembly were wearing brightly colored shirts, meant to evoke the “Autism Awareness” ribbon."
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https://twitter.com/BestFHSBuddies |
"The town's schools have made strides in communicating to parents and the community at large, district officials reported in a mid-year review.
The officials spoke at Tuesday's School Committee meeting about progress made thus far on the District Improvement Plan and School Improvement Plans over the 2016-2017 school year. Goals in those plans included improving communication, implementing social/emotional learning in the classroom, promoting a culture of responsibility and aligning curriculum to meet student needs.
Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said there had been an emphasis on improved communication.
"We've been pushing community engagement a lot," she said. "The (Annie) Sullivan (Middle) School has been amazing at using Twitter this year."
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Keller School Best Buddies at the Celtics game |
Beyond proud of #1bbkeller. Thanks @FranklinPSNews @fps4students @BestBuddiesMA and @celtics for believing in #FranklinKellerKids pic.twitter.com/xHyTIdVDfX— Helen Keller School (@KellerSchool) January 12, 2017