Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law (virtual) - April 12

Reading Goals: Shining A Light On The Science Of Reading And Idea Law As A First Step To Valid Reading Goals

As a volunteer for over 10 years, Nancy Duggan is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts. Most of this work is directly helping thousands of parents in Massachusetts and across the country with free information and advice concerning dyslexia and the IEP process, by reading and explaining student assessments, explaining IDEA laws, the IDEA essential components of reading, and the standards of federally defined scientifically based reading research to parents and educators. Work also aims at driving policy changes through legislative and grassroots engagement.

Register for this virtual workshop ->    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeZT1m7NwW2i0XOPpXTIvf5mha2hr2X4l3L_T8iIjo8xuHfQ/viewform

More about Franklin SEPAC -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/ 

Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law 

Massachusetts Center for the Book has a 2023 Reading Challenge

• February: Read a book set in your home town/ city, or state

Do you have a cozy reading corner you’ve been wanting to spend more time in? 

Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? 

Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.

If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, the Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.

Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

Massachusetts Center for the Book has a 2023 Reading Challenge

One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

What is "One Book, One Community?"

The goal of the Franklin Library’s One book, One Community program is to help build a better sense of fellowship through a shared reading experience.

What are we reading?

Beginning January 1st, 2023, we'll be reading Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler, adapted by John Jennings and Damian Duffy. The novel, first published in 1979, is Butler’s most celebrated, critically acclaimed work and tells the story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him.

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she’s been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

For more about the book and this reading  https://vbuchanio.wixsite.com/onebook 

One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

Join RIF for our Every Book is a Math Book webinar!

Thank you for partnering with Reading Is Fundamental. You are invited to join Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) for a special webinar for educators focused on how books can support math learning. Register today and tune in to Every Book is a Math Book on Wednesday, November 16, from 7 – 8 PM ET.  During this interactive webinar, educators will learn how to use books from their classroom library to engage students in math problem-solving. Picture books are an excellent resource that help students identify mathematical problems in everyday life, including number sense, geometry, measurement, and algebraic thinking.  We'll be joined by special guest and educational consultant Kelly Harmon, MAEd, who will model how to guide students through using literature to promote math learning and provide examples to illustrate the concept of math through literature. Register Now! Don't miss this unique chance to learn how to use books in innovative and creative ways with your students! This webinar is part of RIF's "Every Book Counts" webinar series, which is dedicated to the power of books across disciplines.  Happy reading, The RIF Team © 2022 Reading Is Fundamental | www.rif.org 750 First Street NE, Suite 920 Washington, DC 20002 LiteracyNetwork@rif.org | 1-877-RIF-READ View in Browser

The Nation's Report Card: Declining Reading Scores - Reading Is Fundamental

The Nation's Report Card: Declining Reading Scores Erin Bailey is Reading Is Fundamental's Director of Programs and Content, a former teacher, and is pursuing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. In light of the October 24th release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, Erin shares her thoughts and expertise on how we can work together to ensure our nation's children have the support and resources they need to become passionate, lifelong readers.   The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results were released yesterday (10/24/22) and while the data is discouraging, I feel optimistic that we can unite and recover.  The NAEP results show that school disruptions caused by COVID-19 have returned us to reading scores seen 30 years ago. The number of children not reading proficiently has grown: 37 percent of fourth-graders performed below NAEP Basic in reading.  The achievement gap has widened, and the lowest-performing students have fallen further behind.  As a former teacher, literacy expert and parent, these results are disheartening to me, but I know that by working together, we can reverse and, in time, improve this trend. And I know that RIF is deeply committed to supporting educators and families as the key to this reversal.   While our progress as dropped back to 1992 levels, I do not believe it will take us 30 years to recover from this. Today, we know there are evidence-based practices, such as those identified by the National Reading Panel, for teaching reading that will help students to recover and excel. At RIF, we know it takes a village, and we are incredibly thankful that you – our families, educators, literacy advocates, and volunteers – share our commitment to supporting our nation's children in their reading education and success. Having worked in classrooms across the U.S. and internationally, I know what a difference it can make when educators and families collaborate to support their students. While I share your frustration and dismay, I know how dedicated you are to supporting your students and children as we tackle this national crisis together. Because of this, we are sharing some family engagement resources and educator tools from RIF that you can put to use today: Early Childhood Tip Sheet: Studies show that reading to children, even from birth, builds literacy. Use this tip sheet to help your child begin their reading journey. At-Home Reading Webinar: RIF has a wealth of webinars, including one on at-home reading tips, where we share strategies and activities that families can use to support literacy development. Read-Aloud Guide: Reading a book aloud with children is one of the first steps of putting them on the path to becoming proficient, lifelong readers and learners. Use this guide for tips in maximizing read-aloud time.  Vocabulary Guide for Educators: This guide helps educators determine which vocabulary words and phrases they should teach as they are encountered in books and text.  Rally to Read 100: This free six-month reading engagement program, aimed at inspiring a joy and love of reading, includes monthly read-alouds from beloved children's authors and a variety of stimulating reading activities, all tied to monthly themes. For nearly six decades, RIF has focused on partnering with educators and families to best support children on their reading journey. We believe that now, more than ever, is a critical time to come together and work to inspire a joy of reading for all children and support them to become strong readers and leaders. Together, I know we can make a difference on setting children back on course.   © 2021 Reading Is Fundamental | www.rif.org

Author Leslie Connor scheduled to visit Franklin's 3 middle schools next week

The three middle school reading specialists would like to invite you to attend one (or more!) of our upcoming author events next week.

We are proud to have kept the visiting author tradition alive over the past two years and are thrilled that Leslie Connor will be presenting at all three middle schools IN PERSON next week. She is also hosting a meet and greet at Escape into Fiction Wednesday evening.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this initiative; Franklin has a reputation as a town that grows readers and it's events like this that keep the spirit alive. 

• Pamela Allard
• Daniel Moriarty
• Erin O'Leary

Author Leslie Connor scheduled to visit Franklin's 3 middle schools next week

Author Visits scheduled for Franklin Middle Schools Oct 25-27

Horace Mann MS (@HMMSLightning) tweeted Fri, Sep 30, 2022:

Exciting news! We'll welcome @LeslieConnor29 to HMMS in October - this will be her second tour of the middle schools and our first IN PERSON author in two years! 

Be sure to read before her visit @EscapeIntoFictn @FrkPublicLib https://t.co/kl8A7N2HWK

Shared from Twitter -> 
https://twitter.com/HMMSLightning/status/1575881728249339910?t=lk2ltmsX3s4kaW7eMbUUyQ&s=03

Author Tour scheduled for Middle Schools Oct 25-27

Advances on the reading front: Library of Congress adds teachers; DESE changes screening rule

"The Library of Congress kicked off the 2022-2023 school year by welcoming two teachers to its Capitol Hill campus. Jacqueline Katz and Caneshia Mills will work closely with staff in the Library’s Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible for teachers, students and families throughout the United States.

Jacqueline Katz, a high school science teacher from Princeton, New Jersey, will serve as the Library’s Albert Einstein Fellow.

Caneisha Mills, a middle school history teacher from Washington, D.C., has been named the Teacher-in-Residence at the Library. "

For more information on this program -> https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-welcomes-teachers-to-advance-accessibility-of-primary-sources-for-educators/s/3fd62620-9ae1-40d6-bd55-4d540d1a7cb5

Teachers to Advance Accessibility of Primary Sources for Educators

The State House News Service writes:

"Massachusetts schools for the first time will face a requirement to screen young students for dyslexia and other potential learning disabilities at least twice per year under a policy state education officials approved Tuesday. 

Taking aim at what Education Secretary James Peyser dubbed a "wait-to-fail strategy," the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously in favor of regulations setting statewide standards for districts to monitor student literacy progress.

Many Bay State schools are already performing some kind of dyslexia or learning disability screening, but officials said the existing framework is dotted with gaps. Now, schools will be subject to the same requirement to assess every kindergartener, first grader, second grader and third grader at least twice annually using state-approved tools to gauge their "reading ability and progress in literacy skills."

Continue reading about the regulation change 

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/122999/state-votes-mandate-k-3-literacy-screenings

Tracy Novick, Worcester School Cmte member and field director for Mass Association of School Committees (MASC), covers the full Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) board meeting held Tuesday morning (during which the above rule change was approved). Her notes and a link to the proposal can be found online

Section of meeting on rule change

http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2022/09/september-board-of-ed-amendment-to.html

DESE backup is here; regulation changes here

Note: this is an unfunded mandate. DESE provides some grant opportunities to obtain the screening tool and professional development for the tool but NOT for the actual implementation of the tool during the twice a school year period to be required. Why is that important? For this group K-3, and in particular for the K level, who manages the other 18-20+ students while the assessment on 1 is conducted? This becomes less of an issue for the students in 1, 2, 3 grades as they are more independent learners (or should be by that time).

"The Department is supporting schools with a variety of funding opportunities. The Department has offered a competitive grant twice in the last 18 months to support the purchase of early literacy screening assessments and the associated professional development, awarding over $471,955 total to 27 school districts. A similar grant will be offered again in the current school year to support schools that do not yet have an appropriate screening measure in place or are in need of training. The Early Grades Literacy Grant and Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts Grants also provide funding to school districts to purchase an approved screening assessment and the associated professional development if needed. Student Opportunity Act (SOA) guidance identified early literacy screening as a key evidence-based practice, and the Department encourages school districts to use SOA funding to support this cost."

From the "backup" doc shared by Tracy  https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2023/2022-09/item3.docx

Escape Into Fiction sets up teacher wish lists

"New #teacher wish lists in the store for our #localteachers. Come in or email to create yours!  

We love our #teachers. Mail@escapeintofiction.com 10 books/author, grade, school!  

#franklin #franklinpublicschools

@FranklinPSNews

@FranklinMatters

@TOFranklinMA

#wrenthamma #kpschools"

Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/EscapeIntoFictn/status/1562446370036142080

Where is Escape Into Fiction? 12 Main St in downtown Franklin or visit them on the web at -> https://escapeintofiction.com/

Escape Into Fictions sets up teacher wish lists

Franklin Middle School - Summer Reading Recommendations

Summer Reading

Middle School Summer Reading Recommendations

★ Franklin Middle School students are required to read at least two books this summer.

○ Use this log to record the books you read and return to your ELA teacher in the fall.

★ Students will share one of their summer reading books in the fall.

○ This is a great way to connect with new teachers and peers.

○ We recommend that students take brief notes on their favorite title to keep their memory fresh.

★ Acclaimed author Leslie Connor is scheduled to visit us in October!

○ Students should read or listen to one of her books this summer.

Continue reading the 2 pager ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/news/middle_school_summer_reading_2022.pdf

Franklin Middle School - Summer Reading Recommendations

Horace Mann Middle School "Books to go" open 11 to 1 Thursday

"#Summerreading makes a difference!  

If you need help finding a book, stop by Books to Go in the HMMS lobby Thursday 11a-1p."

Ms O'Leary has a brief video to promote reading during the summer

 

#Summerreading makes a difference! If you need help finding a book, stop by Books to Go in the HMMS lobby Thursday 11a-1p. pic.twitter.com/AtLETUlsho

— Horace Mann MS (@HMMSLightning) July 13, 2022

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/HMMSLightning/status/1547267299173928961

Horace Mann Middle School "Books to go" open 11 to 1 Thursday

Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events

Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events

Library Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closed Monday, July 4th for Independence Day. The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays in July and August.

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, July 15th ,  1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, July 16th , 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, July 16th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Museum Passes

Your Franklin Public Library card gives you the opportunity to receive either free or reduced cost admission to many of the areas' most popular museums and attractions! Some of the most popular destinations are the Boston Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and the Mass State Parks Pass. Reservations may be made up to thirty days in advance on the Museum Pass page of the library's website. Be sure to check back regularly as we are continually adding more passes for you to enjoy!   http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/tkflex.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curapp=passes

New Materials

See the latest additions to our collections at the Franklin Public Library! ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/new-materials

Special Events for Kids & Families

 

Rolie Polie Guacamolie Concert! Saturday July 2 @10:30AM

Holy Guacamole! The award-winning kiddie music titans of Brooklyn, Rolie Polie Guacamole, are ready to raise the roof with a rocking, all-ages show! Rolie Polie Guacamole is pure FUN with high-energy songs all done up in folk, funk, rock, Latin and country styles, about eating healthy, staying active, and places the band loves to go, with a sprinkling of animal tunes thrown in for good measure.

Events for Adults

Franklin Reads!
Summer reading is not just for kids!  Beginning July 1st, in connection with the Hoopla Book Club, we'll be reading The Temps by Andrew DeYoung.  Is it a post-apocalyptic mystery? Witty satire of the corporate machine? Page-turning thriller? Or all of the above? Grab a copy and find out! Both audiobook and ebook are available through the Hoopla app, and print copies will be available at the library or through interlibrary loan.

Foreign Film Night, Tuesday July 5 & 19, 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of world cinema! Light refreshments will be served.

• Tuesday, July 5th: Certified Copy, 2010, France

Juliette Binoche stars in this enchanting romantic drama about two strangers who fall in love on one luxurious day in gorgeous Tuscany.

• Tuesday, July 19th: A Man Called Ove, 2015, Sweden

Ove, an ill tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. Based on the bestselling novel.

The films also can be viewed at home using your library card on Kanopy.com !

This is a short listing of the full slate of events for July. To view the full listing, please visit the library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-july-2022-news-events

Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events

"we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities"

The analogy of "windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors" struck me when I heard it at the School Committee meeting Feb 8 and then again at the Town Council meeting Feb 16. I was delighted to find my eyes caught a reference to this in my Twitter stream. 

Via Debbie Reese (https://twitter.com/debreese), we find that Reading is Fundamental (https://www.rif.org/) shared a re-print of the original article by Rudine Sims Bishop published in 1990.  

"Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books."

You can read the full article here -> https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf

The Twitter thread ->  https://twitter.com/debreese/status/1495060049634467840

School Committee DEI presentation ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dei_presentation_february_8_2022_5.pdf

Audio recording of the DEI segment -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-727-school-committee-meeting-02-08-22-p2-of-3 

slide from the update on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts around the district

Ruta Sepetys visits HMMS virtually

"Books, balloons, and @RutaSepetys. These @HMMSLightning kids and this extraordinary author filled the auditorium with *wonderful*. 

There aren't enough words for this day. It means so, so much. #IMustBetrayYou #letthemread @PenguinClass @unlikelybkstore "

https://t.co/x96dQz1iHy  (follow link for additional photos)

Ruta Sepetys visits HMMS virtually 

Shared from Twitter:   https://twitter.com/allinreading/status/1488935181692153859

Wicked Local: "On World Read Aloud Day, locals share their favorite stories"

Franklin area folks like Library Director Felicia Oti, State Rep Jeff Roy, Superintendent Sara Ahern, Cultural Council member Pushpa Jangareddi, Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, and yours truly provided some stories that were their favorite read-aloud for this article put together by Heather McCarron:

"Often they begin with "Once Upon a Time," but there are other beginnings, too, like "Once there was a tree," and "All children, except one, grow up." 

No two are exactly alike, but they all have something in common: A way of creating memories of childhood and family traditions. 

Most people have special memories of being read aloud to -- moments spent in havens of love and comfort, immersed in  myriad stories where bears can talk, boys can fly, and frogs can turn into princes with a kiss. 

Today it's World Read Aloud Day, a world-wide effort started by the non-profit LitWorld 13 years ago as part of its mission "to strengthen kids and communities through the power of stories." Sponsored by Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day calls attention to "the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read aloud," according to scholastic.com."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/02/02/its-world-read-aloud-day-do-you-have-favorite-story/9304861002/ 

among the favorites: book one

among the favorites: book two

Attention Elementary Students: Enjoy a Summer of Reading and Earn up to $25!

At Rockland Trust, we believe in strengthening the communities in which we work and live – in fact, this is one of our corporate promises. We know that reading plays a major role in the education of children. Reading Makes Cent$ is a bank-wide summer program that encourages children to read during the summer and also learn the value of saving their money. Program Details: For students throughout Massachusetts entering grades 1 through 8 in the Fall of 2021. Students can earn $2.50 in a Rockland Trust savings account for each book they read (up to 10 books) and track in the Rockland Trust Summer Reading Journal. Program runs from June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021. Accounts can be opened or credited until September 13, 2021. If you do not already have a Rockland Trust Savings Makes Cent$ account, you will need to open an account and can do so by visiting your local Rockland Trust branch! For official eligibility and rules, click here. Stop by your local branch or click below to download a copy of the Reading Makes Cent$ Summer Reading Journal! DOWNLOAD YOUR JOURNAL HERE *Account opening and credit date is subject to change due to COVID-19. Please check our website for updates regarding branch accessibly for account opening and crediting at RocklandTrust.com/read. © 2021 Rockland Trust. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. This email was sent by: Rockland Trust Company 288 Union St, Rockland, MA, 02370-1803 US Privacy Policy

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Registration Begins June 1

Summer Reading Sign-ups go Live on the Franklin Public Library Website beginning Tuesday, June 1st! Visit our Summer Reading Portal and sign up each of your children using our convenient Google form!

The Portal will also contain:

•  Our complete summer schedule
•  Links to the school summer reading lists
•  FAQs
•  A google form to help us track your reading!
•  Downloadable activities!
•  And more!

Summer Reading Bags will be available for curbside pickup at 10AM beginning on June 1st! Call the Children’s Room when you arrive at the library, and we will help make sure you’re signed up/check you off our list, and bring your summer reading bags out to you! Inside the summer reading bags you’ll find everything you need to have an awesome summer with the library, including:

• Reading logs and stickers (and instructions) to track your reading progress!
• A jam packed event calendar to hang on the fridge!
• Special activity packets that correspond with each themed week of the summer!
• Fun surprises!

The Summer Reading Theme this year is: Tails and Tales, with a fun focus on Animals and Habitats, and we’ve got a great calendar of events that correspond with weekly themes, from Woodland story-walk romps and Savannah STEAM challenges, to Desert Animals and Under the sea ‘Seek-N-Finds’! We can’t wait to make this an epic summer! 

Summer Reading Portal -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/summer-reading-2021-0

Shared from the Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/317406

 

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Registration Begins June 1

Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Boston: HOME Poetry reading March 5-6

Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Boston (@ArtsinBoston) tweeted on Wed, Feb 17, 2021:

"The next HOME poetry reading and workshop will be on March 5-6. The theme is "I Belong There", and the facilitator is Monica Sok. In this workshop, we will read poetry of exile and ask ourselves what it means to create (be)longing inside of our poems."

City of Boston poet laureate  https://www.boston.gov/departments/arts-and-culture/city-boston-poet-laureate

 

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ArtsinBoston/status/1362158458611589120

 

Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Boston: HOME Poetry reading March 5-6

 

Looking for something to read? How about the School Committee policy manual?

Looking for reading material during school vacation? Have you checked out the policy manual for the School Committee?

 

"THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Franklin School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens' expectations for the education of the community's youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens' desires. When citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of public education, their representatives have the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.  

The Franklin School Committee therefore affirms and declares its intent to:

• Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the community. The public will be kept informed of the progress and problems of the school system, and citizens will be urged to bring their aspirations and feelings about their public schools to the attention of this body, which they have chosen to represent them in the management of public education. 
• Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. All decisions made by this Committee will be made with priority given to the purposes set forth, most crucial of which is the optimal learning of the student enrolled in our schools. 
• Act as a truly representative body for members of the community in matters involving  public education.  The Committee recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the state, but individual School Committees have been assigned specific authority through state law.  The Committee will not relinquish any of this authority since it believes that decision-making control over the student’s learning should be in the hands of local citizens as much as possible. "

Reviewed; no revisions 4/8/2008;  Reviewed; revised 5/3/2014

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/ab-people-and-their-school-district

Top level of the policy manual  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual