Franklin TV: MIAA on Officiating

The Challenges and Rewards of Refereeing Sports. 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/12/2023

If there is one venue where parental passions tend to run hot, it’s school sports. The folks who officiate games often take the brunt of many an overwrought complaint.

Franklin TV: MIAA on Officiating

However, they know that feelings can run deep, and they try to take it all in stride.

The discussion was upbeat, and focused on how all involved; coaches, officials and parents – how everyone can help to make the student experience positive while promoting good sportsmanship. Jay, Pete, our guest officials and MIAA’s Rich Pearson covered it all in an informed conversation worth watching.

Watch for this and other episodes about all the ins-and-outs of school sports on, ‘Winning Ways with MIAA’.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

MassLive: "Federal judge rules in favor of Ludlow schools in lawsuit over treatment of transgender students"

“Since July 1, 2012, Massachusetts law has provided that ‘no person shall be excluded from or discriminated against . . . in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of [a] public school on account of . . . gender identity,’” his ruling quoted.

His order also noted that while parents have the option to send their children to public schools, they do not have constitutional rights to dictate how those schools educate children. An attorney for the school system, David S. Lawless, applauded the judge’s decision in an area of law that continues to be challenged across the country.

“Given the novelty in particular, he addressed both the legal issues in the complaint that was in front (of him) and that it’s an evolving area of the law,” Lawless said Thursday after the ruling came down. “School districts are put in a very difficult position; this is one more guidepost for them along the way.”

Continue reading the article online at MASSLive

https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/federal-judge-rules-in-favor-of-ludlow-schools-in-lawsuit-over-treatment-of-transgender-students.html

Found via Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1603720917921800195

U.S. District Court, Springfield, Mass

Superintendent Letter to Families - 09/16/22

Sep 16, 2022

Dear Franklin Families,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been a busy few weeks as we opened Franklin Public Schools for our 2022-23 academic year. We welcomed back 4,695 students and over 800 faculty and staff members! The preparation and effort put forward by our staff to ensure a successful opening required a dedication that necessitated hard work, stamina, and a commitment to our students that I recognize and value. I wanted to express my deep gratitude to all of our leaders and staff members. Schools are the heartbeat of a community. I am beyond proud to be leading this district.

Instead of sending multiple individual messages, I wanted to share five key updates, which you can find below. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Respectfully,

Lucas Giguere

Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent Letter to Families - 09/16/22

Yes, this is a week old and after meeting with Lucas this week, plans are underway to improve communications from the School District on multiple fronts.

"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"

"Parents certainly have rights, but they do not have the right to stand in the way of justice, truth, or democracy. 

In the wake of Glenn Youngkin's victory in the Virginia governor's race, many savvy political analysts are pointing to his gameplan of talking up schools and "parents' rights." They see this as a way to stoke backlash to Democratic overreach. Sure enough, many journalists have swung behind this narrative, interviewing parents who say they are swayed by the Republican arguments - those parents invariably happen to be, as far as I have seen, almost exclusively white. 

Nevermind that the specifics of Youngkin's supposedly pro-school agenda are about as thin as a sheet of tissue paper. More funding? Better teacher pay? Innovative classrooms? A focus on science and technology? Better college counseling? Pre-K opportunities? He wasn't talking about that kind of school stuff. Instead, his "appeals" to voters on education amounted to a dog whistle - the all-out protection against the teaching of so-called "critical race theory," which he never really defined and of course isn't taught in Virginia's schools. 

You don't have to be an educator or historian to understand what's really at play. This is about stoking the fears of parents. Now to be fair, some of the current parental concern and dissatisfaction around schools is deserved and widespread, particularly around closings and COVID. But Youngkin was also tapping into something much deeper, and darker - racism and the fear from some white parents that their children will be presented with a history of America that they don't want them to learn. "

Continue reading the Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner post on Steady (subscription maybe required)  https://steady.substack.com/p/parents-do-not-have-a-right-to-deny?

"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"

"These groups weaponize the very openness of government to undermine government"

 

“The backlash” begins an opinion piece in Newsweek by Parents Defending Education outreach director Erika Sanzi, and these may be the most accurate two words published by those who are attacking “wokeness,” gender studies, and Critical Race Theory. The sad fact is that white backlash has a proven record of effectiveness in American politics and it is once again being employed in the service of right wing corporate interests. The end product desired has less to do with CRT than with spreading disruption, fear, and chaos across America’s most important democratic public institution, schools.

According to the Washington Post, as of June 24 CRT (a theory developed in law schools and not well known among most Americans) has exploded on Fox News. The term was heard on Fox only 132 times in 2020 but has been mentioned 1,860 times this year, escalating month by month. The narrative is that grassroots parents groups have discovered the threat CRT poses to their children in schools and have arisen organically across the country to form local parent groups, a movement noticed and captured by websites and the powerful Fox News. The truth is that of an oligarch-funded and coordinated campaign using time tested techniques.

Follow the Money

Over the past five years I’ve been following “education reform” groups created by billionaire investors with names like Families for Excellent Schools, Massachusetts Parents United, and National Parents Union which have presented diversity as their public face while attacking teachers. So when I saw the launch of Parents Defending Education on March 30 I took note because it follows a different path: white backlash aimed more at school boards, superintendents, and principals. The first thing to do when evaluating these groups is always, follow the money. "

Continue reading the article online ->
https://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2021/09/03/the-corporate-critical-race-theory-attack-chaos-is-the-product/

"Are masks effective for kids? Here’s what to know before school starts" & DESE mask order detailed

"What do we know about masks and their effectiveness in schools?

The American Academy of Pediatrics — as well as many doctors and scientists — support universal masking policies as the best chance to keep schools safely open. A properly fitted mask that covers the nose and mouth reduces the amount of viral droplets in the air exchanged by people breathing or talking near each other, said Dr. Ibukun Kalu, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Duke University Medical Center.

Several studies have shown the effectiveness of masks. One of the largest, conducted by the ABC Collaborative with Duke University, analyzed data from North Carolina public schools where masks were required. Researchers found that from March to June, 7,000 children and adults attended school while infectious with COVID, leading to 40,000 “close contacts” being quarantined. Of those, only 363 contracted the virus.

That low rate of in-school transmission was due in large part to masks, Kalu said, as most schools didn’t upgrade ventilation or socially distance students."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/25/metro/are-masks-effective-kids-heres-what-know-before-school-starts/

Arianna Licona, 6, led a class of first graders into the Hill School for Revere's first day of classes on Wednesday. For the first time since early March 2020, all 11 Revere Public Schools opened at full capacity for the 2021 school year.CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF/THE BOSTON GLOBE

"The new guidance from @MASchoolsK12 in line with the Commissioner's conferred authority is now online: https://t.co/C84yY6vSMF "  #MAEdu

Shared from Twitter:   https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1430668117538222080?s=03

DESE link ->  https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-0825mask-requirement.pdf

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 023 - Mother's Influence

"In this special Mother's Day episode, the group discuss the influence their mother's and mother figures have had in their lives, sharing stories and lessons from their upbringing."

Direct Link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3493a8ab-4808-43f8-9101-5c9f1d3b2dfc

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 023 - Mother's Influence

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

FM #586 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 586 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin residents Aaron and MJ Gouveia. You may recall that Aaron and I talked about his first book outdoors on the Town Common in May of 2020. 

We had this conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St.  MJ joined us for this session as she is co-author of their new book Men and Miscarriage. A key quote from the intro to the new book: “When it comes to men and how they are impacted by these issues, it’s almost complete radio silence.”

We had a great conversation to help break the ‘radio silence’ (yes, pun intended) on this topic of miscarriage and how it affects both members of the relationship. My kudos to both of them for starting the conversation on this tough topic. The statistics show that one in four women do experience a miscarriage.  “Half the battle is knowing you are not alone.”

In some of my conversations after our recording session, it has been enlightening to find out how many folks I talk with who reveal that they have had one or more miscarriages in their immediate or extended family. One key take away you’ll hear about is to ask someone; “How are you doing?”

The show notes include links to the Amazon book page, Aaron’s Daddy Files book web page. MJ tends to avoid social media and occasionally writes on Aaron’s page.

The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with MJ and Aaron.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/382fc625-e1ac-4f3a-90b0-cfb4c0d9d256

-------

Men and Miscarriage: A Dad's Guide to Grief, Relationships, and Healing After Loss – published July 6, 2021  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510763600/

Link to the CNN article mentioned  https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/health/miscarriage-men-grief-loss-wellness/index.html

A discussion at the Franklin Public Library scheduled for Sep 1.

MJ's post as discussed during the conversation: https://www.daddyfiles.com/mj-speaks-out-2/

First book links: 

• The DaddyFiles page  https://www.daddyfiles.com/

• The Amazon link   https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

• Aaron’s Amazon author link  https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

• Follow Aaron on Twitter  https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

-------

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?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on  "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

Sharing good advice for parents (video)

Maria Popova (@brainpicker) tweeted on Wed, Jul 07, 2021:

Multiple readers sent me this Sweet Honey in the Rock adaptation of the Gibran poem, feeding my ecstatic love of poems set to music (when done right): https://t.co/p7lNqdlHhA

For more goodness from Maria visit her page to subscribe in one (or more) way to her "brain pickings"  https://www.brainpickings.org/

"the arts are an incredible motivator to increase engagement"

 

"A NEW STUDY says an effort to increase arts programming in the Boston Public Schools has helped boost student attendance and promote student and parent engagement with schools, outcomes that arts supporters say provide added rationale for maintaining or enhancing the role of arts in the schools. 

For students receiving arts programming, the study found that school attendance increased by roughly one-third of a day over the course of the school year compared with students not in art courses. The gains were greater for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) and those who had previously been chronically absent, defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days. For students with IEPs, arts programming was linked with increased attendance of 0.7 days, while for those with a history of chronic absenteeism the gain was about 1.1 days per year. 

The study, which was released Monday morning, also found that teachers observed greater student and parent engagement at schools with arts programming."

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/arts-and-culture/arts-programming-in-boston-schools-linked-to-attendance-engagement-gains/

 

Direct link to the study -> https://www.edvestors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Arts-Advantage-Impacts-of-Arts-Education-on-Boston-Students.pdf

Background on Edvestors, the publishers of this study -> https://www.edvestors.org/about/approach/

https://www.edvestors.org/about/approach/

"they need to get their own minds out of crisis mode"

"They’re calling it a “lost year.”

On and offline, parents are trading stories — poignant and painful — about all of the ways that they fear their middle schoolers are losing ground.

“It’s really hard to put my finger on what happened exactly,” said Jorge Gallegos, whose son, Eyan, is in the seventh grade in Washington, D.C.

When Eyan was in fifth grade, he had a lot of friends, Mr. Gallegos said. He was home schooled for sixth grade, and he seemed to thrive.

But spending this year at home because of the pandemic has just been too much."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/health/pandemic-middle-school-mental-health.html

Hockomock League: Hockomock League Fall II Update on Away Spectators

"Effective immediately, the Hockomock League will allow 2 AWAY family members of SENIOR student-athletes to attend all varsity games. This policy will include all league sports offered during the Fall II season: Cheerleading, Football, Volleyball, Track and Field, and Unified Basketball. 

Going forward, the Athletic Directors will continue to monitor information as it is made available from the EEA, DESE, and our local Boards of Health. Each district has the ability to make this policy more restrictive based on its own facility limitations and/or local Board of Health restrictions. It is our goal to focus on the health and safety of our communities while safely permitting family members the opportunity to watch high school sports in person. "

Shared from the Hockomock League page:

https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/hockomock-league-fall-ii-update-on-away.html

Hockomock League Fall II Update on Away Spectators

Hockomock League: "Fall 2 Wedge Season Spectators Protocols"

"The Hockomock League is proud to continue to fully support the return to play of all athletes to their respective sports programs this unusual COVID school year. We applaud all of the hard work and dedication that has gone into the development of sports modifications to best ensure the health and safety of all of our athletes, coaches, and officials. We are excited to offer Football, Cheer, Winter Track, Unified Basketball, and Volleyball.

At the same time, our Governor and the Massachusetts State Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) have worked hard to provide regulations and guidelines for spectators of these sporting events. The Hockomock League is doing its part in following these rules and regulations as it pertains to our spectator policy for this Fall II season. Volleyball and Unified Basketball will be run similar to winter basketball with its indoor capacity restrictions.

It is important to understand why it continues to be necessary for us to restrict attendance to immediate family members of HOME participants only. Unlike soccer, volleyball and basketball rosters, the roster sizes permitted at a track meet or football game include 45 home football players and 20 home cheerleaders. The EEA regulations of 2 adult immediate family members and siblings, per HOME participant, places our expected attendance at a minimum of 200 people. The EEA regulations also mandate “in the facility” that these family pods be socially distanced at 6 feet of separation per pod. Our outdoor stadium bleachers are at capacity under these mandates with just HOME family spectators.

We implore our families to remain patient and respectful. Please work with us during these early weeks of March as the season gets underway. We have put broadcast and livestreaming of Varsity games as a priority and will keep doing so through this season. We also remain hopeful and eager that the EEA will loosen their spectator restrictions as the warmer weather approaches. If and when that does occur, the League will revisit its HOME family spectator policy.

As we begin our Fall II game schedule we ask that you please be respectful of the Home Family spectator policy for the health and safety of all players, coaches, and officials. Visitor families please do not travel to your opponent’s facility. "

Shared from https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/updated-statement-on-fall-2-wedge.html

Hockomock League: "Fall 2 Wedge Season Spectators Protocols"

 

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II Season:

"In an effort to organize the safest athletics experience possible for our student-athletes, the Hockomock League will be following the most recent guidance that was issued by the MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: “Spectators are limited to 2 adults (parents/guardians or chaperones) and siblings of a participating player.”

Only home spectators will be allowed to attend league games during the Fall II season. All away spectators are strongly discouraged from traveling to away games, especially since they will not be allowed into the host school’s facility when they arrive. The method by which each host school chooses to admit, or to not admit, their HOME fans, will be decided at the individual District level. 

Our schools are making every effort to livestream as many home games as possible this season."

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1367195819250704390

Direct link to Hockomock League  https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/fall-ii-wedge-season-league-statement.html

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II

FHS Oskey Yearbook: parents, time is running out for your student Ad in OSKEY!

Only 15 days left to place a parent Ad in the yearbook! Order your now: https://t.co/ehbhAxMjEO 

And only 150 books left for purchase! Do you have yours?

@FHS_ClassOf2021 @FHS_PCC @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters 

 

Shared from Twitter:https://t.co/46ClBrQW7t

FHS Oskey Yearbook: parents, time is running out for your student Ad in OSKEY!

"the meltdown happened one Zoom meeting at a time"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) shared a lengthy Slate article on the school re-opening debate.

 

"How the School Reopening Debate Is Tearing One of America’s Most Elite Suburbs Apart"

"It was mid-August. The playgrounds of Brookline, Massachusetts, had finally reopened, and so the news spread fast. Sharon Abramowitz had resigned from the school committee. If a lab wanted to manufacture a school committee member to help the 7,800-student Brookline School District through the COVID crisis, it probably would’ve ended up with Abramowitz. The sociologist-anthropologist-epidemiologist had studied Ebola, written interagency guidelines about what community engagement should look like during a crisis, and, after the district shut down in March, spent 40 hours a week in volunteer meetings on Zoom trying to make a safe reopening feasible. But now she was moving full time to her second home in Vermont.

As summer turned into fall, the school district was melting down. Parents largely wanted their kids learning in person, but it looked like Brookline wasn’t going to pull it off, even though the wealthy town just outside of Boston probably has the highest infectious-disease-expert-per-capita rate in the country. Abramowitz was fed up. “Sorry to be all UNICEF about it,” Abramowitz, who does work for UNICEF, said when we spoke in September, “but education is a fundamental human right for all children.”

Continue reading the article

https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/12/school-reopening-teachers-unions-parents-brookline-massachusetts.html

Tracy's tweet:  https://t.co/Ds3udHGj4l

Remote Learning Support Sessions for Parents & Guardians

Remote Learning Support Sessions for Parents & Guardians

September 22nd - 24th

The FPS Digital Learning Integrationists will be holding Parent/Guardian support sessions throughout the year.

Our first session, "Navigating the Remote Learning Environment", will focus on the basics of navigating Google Classroom and Google Meetings. 

Click here for the schedule and session links 

Remote Learning Support Sessions for Parents & Guardians

Attention Franklin: Solution Finders for Parents

Hi. 

With the school's announcement that they're starting the school year with remote learning, and all the negative feedback that's gotten, I was hoping you could help spread the word about something POSITIVE we've got going on. 

I've created a Facebook group for parents looking for solutions and people in the community who can help with solutions. 

KAREN BURKE 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/672152883370682/requests/?hoist_pending_member_ids_suggested_order=527890845%2C565763694&notif_id=1596502727569101&notif_t=group_r2j

Attention Franklin: Solution Finders for Parents

Parents: please respond to the Health Department Parent Survey

The Franklin Health Department is seeking input from parents who have children expected to return to PreK-12 school this fall. 

All responses are anonymous and the survey will only take a few minutes. 

Thank you in advance for your feedback and participation.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck-7GnGwqwYAPrny7EQ3ZjWLSwcEB-RznaTeAstwn142K-bg/viewform

Parents: please respond to the Health Department Parent Survey

School Committee Recap: Re-opening fully in person not a consideration

There are lots of notes as the work to develop 3 plans (in person, hybrid and remote learning) and the whole planning process is very complex but the quick summary for me is: 

"In person likely ruling out for feasibility, leaving hybrid or remote? Need survey results from Community to help make decision #schcom0728 then flesh out the comprehensive plan for final submission. Afraid to lose staff"

The preliminary plan reviewed tonight will be submitted Friday to DESE with one of the three options as being 'leaned towards' without committing to. The survey results will inform which of the two options (hybrid or full remote) will be the 'leaned towards' choice. Then the work to flesh out this plan will continue. Assuming there is a waiver from DESE granted, then the School Committee will meet as scheduled Aug 11, and vote on the recommendation. If waiver not granted by DESE (as plan is due Aug 10), then another School Committee meeting will be scheduled for the vote.


As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #schcom0718
https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcom0728?src=hashtag_click

Twitter stream of notes

• Real time reporting underway for #schcom0728. Chair can't see anything so this could be interesting as she (Anne Bergen) tries to conduct the meeting
• Superintendent reports on 2 new grants received. Details in report posted to webpage on Weds. #schcom0728 next up preliminary opening plan

preliminary opening plan

• Slide deck used with faculty and two parent chats being used again tonight, updated with additional info as it is available. #schcom0728
• Slide doesn't talk to faculty risk but superintendent did note to add it #schcom0728
• Will review 3 models, no vote by #schcom0728 tonight, will be a vote at next meeting
• Universal health and safety practices expected to be in place and followed #schcom0728 will have mask breaks during the day when appropriate. Deviates from DESE guidance in the ALL students will wear masks, not just 2-12 grades
• Health data doesn't support a return without restrictions, return includes with modifications to most if not all activities, #schcom0728 feasibility studies being done
• Direction not traffic signage needed, may need some plexiglass to be placed (but not all places) #schcom0728 full remote option to be offered, survey data in process to help determine how to do this
• Photo of Oak St classrooms here, the prior one was of FHS #schcom0728
• Hybrid model slides #schcom0728
• Hybrid model requires time between cohorts for cleaning #schcom0728 anticipate adjustments to the calendar to ensure equity for cohorts, this is way no new schedule is up for review today. Transportation guidance under review
• Bus monitors would be required to be covered by COVID money from State #schcom0728 families should consider alternatives to bus where practical. ** Full remote learning planned for; additional hours and expectations if in person can't be done
• Each of the 3 models have merits and challenges; feasibility of 6 and 3 a concern at some schools, esp FHS. #schcom0728 remote could provide more consistency, would miss the socializing altho could be provided with small groups
• Classrooms at FHS smaller generally as well as students bigger physically, capacity of 1750 in building for 1600 is a challenge when trying to implement distancing #schcom0728
• Additional considerations, bus capacity reduced by 1/3. Survey data will be important to help determine, staggered start times may be required #schcom0728
• Anticipated to have lunch in classrooms, #schcom0728 survey closing tomorrow at 8AM. Preliminary view of the overall numbers, after closing survey will do additional slice/dice on #s
• Facilities considerations #schcom0728 (this not just preparing for school, this is doing so three times with permutations and combinations considered)
• #schcom0728 (four photos)
• Faculty response similar to family on a number of points #schcom0728
• Slides to be posted to schools page Weds, will share when it is available. #schcom0728 the remote learning coming would be graded work can last year wasn't under the emergency basis. Not all teachers were not Google classroom proficient (and didn't need to be) previously
• Hybrid model requires time between cohorts for cleaning #schcom0728 anticipate adjustments to the calendar to ensure equity for cohorts, this is way no new schedule is up for review today. Transportation guidance under review
• Bus monitors would be required to be covered by COVID money from State #schcom0728 families should consider alternatives to bus where practical. ** Full remote learning planned for; additional hours and expectations if in person can't be done
• Classrooms at FHS smaller generally as well as students bigger physically, capacity of 1750 in building for 1600 is a challenge when trying to implement distancing #schcom0728
• Additional considerations, bus capacity reduced by 1/3. Survey data will be important to help determine, staggered start times may be required #schcom0728
• Remote learning is different from home schooling, remote is still part of the district funded supported, etc. Home schooling is separately governed and is where the family takes responsibility of the curriculum, needs to be reviewed and approved. #schcom0728
• Is home schooling a trend? Yes, overall slightly but not really known of now. don't have #s handy. Folks may not be realizing what is required. Q have we used Fed funding for nursing/counseling? Not yet under eval #schcom0728
• Next steps, conversation tonight, working group meeting T-W-Th, submit draft Fri to State, looking for vote on Aug 11 meeting and submit with an extension to state. If no extension, would need meeting/vote earlier #schcom0728
• Additional considerations for #schcom0728 including a COVID addendum for the school handbook usually reviewed in August.
• Do all students have the technology? FHS always had, some of the redeploy units are less than satisfactory, did purchase new ones, also looking to id the network side #schcom0728
• Q if vaccine becomes available, if parents choose not to, would it be ok for them (kids without COVID-19 vaccine) to come back? Would need guidance to answer the question now #schcom0728
• Testing is one of the universal practices but not mentioned earlier. Would also need to review policy implications for this. Screening procedure to be in handbook, staff observation on entry, buses, etc. #schcom0728 temp screening not recommended, too variable
• Would need staff for remote teaching in the hybrid model, don't have the info to calculate yet. #schcom0728 (yes, this is a multiple variable model with not all the #s available yet) stay close the the development
• Q if family choice is remote, what happens if sometime down the road they change their mind, how do we integrate them back into the process, room, etc. #schcom0728 what about ECDC? Group working on that separately with building based team
• Thanks for portrait of calm, definitely needed now. #schcom0728 "grappling" very descriptive of the monumental task. It would be good to walk through the entire process as it is totally new and not what we have done before
• Protocol for students or staff developing symptoms during the day, contact tracing upon positive cases. Will depend upon facts of each case. Quarantine period TBD #schcom0728 how long is our test results turn around? Will be a consideration
• Q what about subs? Will be talking more about as a budget item would need the resources. #schcom0728 complexity of hybrid is amazing, would we be better off spending time on the other options? Narrow the options before the 11th? Yes, leaning is required
• In person likely ruling out for feasibility, leaving hybrid or remote? Need survey results from Community to help make decision #schcom0728 then flesh out the comprehensive plan for final submission. Afraid to lose staff
• #schcom0728 FEA has been well represented in this. Walk through a day in the new life at Davis Thayer, with 3 and 6 foot separation. Schools do not have air conditioning, CDC guidance says no fans due to spread of COVID-19. We want to get in, but we know there are issues
• Looking for a video of the walk through for staff and students to help set expectations. #schcom0728 lack of predictably as issue. Want to take time to start remote first and then phase in hybrid
• Language education requires watching the mouth for proper pronunciation, it will hinder the education delivery. #schcom0728 the building is not the school, the people are the school, kids need the educational experience, need to address Maslow, understand the reality
• We're doing this via Zoom, my company isn't planning to do in person until next year, we should consider doing remote only. #schcom0728 let's spend the remaining time to prepare for remote learning

Discussion/Action Items

• Next up discussion/ action items on policy review, for first reading https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-b-policy-1st-read motion to approve, seconded passed 7-0 via roll call
• #schcom0728 policy for second readings https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-c-policy-2nd-reads clarification on sign off for approval prior to transport. Yes, should be. Motion to approve, second, Passed 7-0 via roll call

Information Updates

• Budget Subcommittee meeting Thursday for next issues, not yet allowed at Farmers Market. Not allowed to hang out at the tables #schcom0728 facilities Analysis not appropriate right now, given uncertainty around fall period. Will resume work in the fall. And set timeline!
• No final copy of the report or date for it yet, #schcom0728 may be in email but not watching that while in meeting.
• Next meeting update on plan, revised school calendar for review, likely budget and policy updates #schcom0728 motion to accept consent agenda, via roll call passed 7-0.

Executive Session

• Will go to executive session, will return to open meeting. How folks will know to rejoin is open. #schcom0728 let's consider this the end of the night. If I get anything else, I'll share. Otherwise catch you next time!

The agenda doc in PDF format can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-7-28-20

Documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/july-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee Recap: Re-opening fully in person not a consideration