FPS Student Services presentation - Jan 11, 2022

The document released for the scheduled School Committee update on Franklin Public Schools (FPS) Student Services Tuesday, Jan 11, 2022.

Shared from the FPS page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/school_committee_presentation_january_11_2022.pdf

Or via the embedded doc below or located ->    https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/school-committee-presentation-on-fps-student-services-011122

Meeting packet folder for the Jan 11, 2022 meeting ->   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-11-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee Presentation on FPS Student Services 01/11/22 from Franklin Matters

FPS Student Services presentation - Jan 11, 2022

Citizen Comment - about "punitive exclusionary consequences on disabled student"

If you listened/watched the School Committee meeting Tuesday (12/14/21), one of the parent comments was hard for me to follow but could be summarized as:

"Parent with policy issue, allowing schools to use punitive exclusionary consequences on disabled student for having symptom of a disability that they knowingly failed to support while claiming to be instituting restorative practices"

Did get a handout from the parent to share here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ftw_dHiDqx1j4j8OgwNPLxOpYU9JiCkw/view?usp=sharing

 

Citizen Comment - about "punitive exclusionary consequences on disabled student"

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Scheduled

During the week of April 26, 2021 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students. 

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview a representative of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.  

Parents and other individuals may call Henry Ndakalu, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide Tri-County with a report with information about areas in which it meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which it requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.

 

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Scheduled

Boston Globe: "Kids in need of remedial support already were vulnerable before the pandemic"

"Maureen Ronayne thought 2020 would be the year when, at long last, her 10-year-old son Daniel would learn to read at grade level. She and her husband had spent six years fighting to get Daniel, who is dyslexic, the supports he needed from the Medford public schools. Those included a spot at the school with the most reading support, a separate class at the school dedicated to reading remediation, and a private tutor funded partially by the district.

“He was definitely showing progress,” says his mother, who also has dyslexia, a disability that hinders a person’s ability to read words correctly and efficiently. The fourth-grader had made steady gains in the Wilson Reading System, a curriculum designed for students with reading difficulties, rising from 2.5 in the fall of 2019 to 3.2 last March. (The system has 12 steps designed to help struggling readers become able ones.)"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/19/magazine/schoolchildren-struggling-read-covid-19-has-been-wrecking-ball/

In the News: "Those timelines can be vitally important"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin: (Franklin is one of the districts found non-compliant)

"As a former school committee member with more than a decade of experience advocating for twin sons with special needs, Jennifer Curran is not used to feeling powerless in dealing with schools. 

But when school officials in her small western Massachusetts town of Granby presented Curran in May with a document requesting that she relinquish federally protected rights for her sons’ special education services during school closures, Curran assumed it was part of a new, and troubling, pandemic reality. She signed the paperwork. 

“I felt like I had no choice,” she said. 

Now, the state says Granby and at least 10 other Massachusetts school districts, including Beverly, Malden, and Norfolk, violated state and federal special education laws by asking parents this spring to absolve school districts of key special education responsibilities, including, in some cases, the provision of vital services (such as speech therapy and one-on-one reading help), and, in others, the requirement to follow a strict timeline governing how quickly a child must be assessed for a disability and provided an instruction plan."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/22/metro/dozens-massachusetts-districts-faulted-asking-parents-sign-away-special-education-rights/

In the News: "Those timelines can be vitally important"

In the News: two items from Gov Baker's press conf on Monday, July 13

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced the state has launched a new website to provide directions to residents who want to report businesses that may not be following safety guidelines for COVID-19.

“If folks believe that a business or employer is not observing the safety guidelines, we’ve set up a process for people in the public or employees to reach out and communicate that,” said Baker.

Baker said a new page on the state website, Mass.Gov/Compliance (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-covid-19-compliance), would be activated to accept reports about businesses that were not in compliance with state-issued guidelines. He said reports can also be made through the 211 hotline.

“Investigations can result in enforcement measures if violations are discovered,” Baker said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200713/residents-can-use-new-state-website-to-report-businesses-not-following-coronavirus-safety-guidelines

"Traditional public schools sent students home and shifted to remote learning in March to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but that was not an option for residential schools that serve students with special needs.

Recognizing the costs for special education residential school providers to outfit their workforces with personal protective gear, to put in place enhanced facility cleaning plans, and in some cases to increase staffing levels, the Baker administration on Monday unveiled a relief package of more than $16 million to benefit 32 special education residential schools.

Gov. Charlie Baker made the announcement after touring the New England Center for Children in Southborough, which teaches, houses and supports more than 120 students with special needs. Baker said the center will receive about $2 million.

“The commonwealth’s special education residential schools do tremendous work educating and supporting students with special needs. Throughout the pandemic special education residential schools, like this one, have remained open,” Baker said. “The ability this community has shown to adapt to maintain a safe environment for students in their care and for their 24/7 staff has been a godsend. The schools incurred unanticipated costs related to the purchase of personal protective equipment, infection control measures, increased staffing costs and enhanced cleaning protocols over that period. We know this is difficult work, and we know that so many people, time and time again, found a way to simply get it done.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200713/gov-baker-visits-southborough-to-announce-that-residential-schools-are-getting-16-million-in-coronavirus-relief

The press release with details on the schools and amounts involved
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-covid-19-funding-for-special-education-programs

Press conf video link = https://youtu.be/3Mg92Dc6Ciw

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #2 - May 28, 2020

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
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0528&src=typeahead_click

Pre-Meeting Tweets

• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 1/3 "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29" #fincom0528
• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 2/3 = Follow Zoom link in FinCom agenda doc  https://franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-28_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf…  #fincom0528
• Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 3/3 = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #fincom0528

Meeting starts, Franklin Public Schools

screen grab at start of budget hearing #2

• Real-time reporting ready to get underway for the #2 budget hearing for the Finance Committee meeting covering the school budget #fincom0528
• Roll call of Committee (6 present) along with TA Hellen, Superintendent Ahern among others of town/schools. Approx 30 total to start meeting #fincom0528
• Bill Dowd acting as Chair tonight in absence of M Dufour. #fincom0528 no public comments at this time. Minutes of Dec 17, 2019 up for approval, moved, seconded approved 7-0 (7 for, 2 absent) via roll call
• First up on agenda is town side of technology, #fincom0528 mostly same as last year with a minor increase for license cost increases
• Next up is school budget, only a line item on town side, all the details are in the school budget docs. #fincom0528
• First doc for SchComm budget is https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf #fincom0528 second doc https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf
• Town Council meeting of June 3 will include updates from Rep Roy, Senator Spilka and senator Rausch to provide some insight from capital hill #fincom0528 agenda to be posted Friday.
• Grappling with how to close the gap, as mentioned in SchComm meeting 5/26 it could include reduction of 25 positions on one scenario and 50 positions on the second scenario #fincom0528 teacher avg salary is Below the State avg teacher salary
• Town contributes more than $8M towards net school spending as calculated by the State, from the town side of the budget (facility maint, custodians, etc) and reconciled annually per MOU between town and schools #fincom0528
• Q on enrollment drop can increases in budget, what is the readers digest answer? Population has dropped, but the students coming are requiring more services, K-8 teachers have dropped, councilors have increased #fincom0528
• Key slide on gaps to close given some of the projections on the downturn and revenue estimates #fincom0528
• Q how closely do we vette the SPED needs of the students? We do quite well there, a lot of data via testing and observation, a formal process to follow with reviews at minimum annually #fincom0528 some kids do get off plans, they don't always stay forever
• SPED is a special Ed term for delivery of education to those students with special needs, schools attempt to do as much in-house as possible to save on out of district placements #fincom0528
• June 15 for non-professional (less than 3 years) and per contract the others would also be notified by June 15. #fincom0528 contract does have recall provisions that could be used
• Question on per pupil expenditure calculated at State per their categories and requirements #fincom0528

Tri-County, Norfolk Ag line items

• Tri-County working on plans for a refurb of the building, that would require a debt exclusion. Otherwise the charge for Franklin is based upon a per pupil expense for enrollment #fincom0528 both for Norfolk Ag and Tri-County

• Meeting adjourned via roll call by 7-0, catch you next Tuesday for part three of the FY 21 budget hearings  #fincom0528

In the News: “We can’t just pretend everything is normal when we go back to school”

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

At-home schooling brings added challenges for special education students and parents

"Alexis Forgit, a Milford High School special education teacher, said some of her pupils have been automatically putting their backpacks on in the morning, not understanding why they are not going to school.

Several weeks ago, Alysia Butler’s sons could step out of class if they felt overwhelmed. One-on-one paraprofessionals, shared aides, behaviorists and other support staff helped them navigate the tough situations that would surface throughout the day.

Class has since shifted onto the online video-conferencing app Zoom in wake of the coronavirus. For the four boys and other children on the autism spectrum, the video calls can be draining.

“Fifteen minutes in, they have to check out,” said Butler, of Hopedale. “They can’t do that (on a Zoom call). You are expected to be there and present.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/for-metrowest-special-education-teachers-and-parents-at-home-schooling-brings-added-challenges


UMass Medical School to furlough 100 employees

"UMass Medical School plans to furlough 100 employees for up to six months in an effort to rein in costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school announced the move in an internal memo on Wednesday.

The furloughed workers account for nearly 2% of the medical school’s workforce of around 6,000 employees. They could be brought back sooner than six months, and will still receive their health care coverage while they are furloughed, according to school spokeswoman Sarah Willey.

The furloughs are expected to go into effect next week. Willey did not have any information on Wednesday about which departments would be affected; Wednesday’s memo said they would happen “across all business units.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/umass-medical-school-to-furlough-100-employees

In the conversation with State Rep Jeff Roy shared here recently, we talked of his concern for the higher education institutions who were facing financial and demographic challenges before the pandemic came. UMass Medical was the first of three stops made in Worcester on the day I was fortunate to join him for his tour of all 29 higher ed state schools.

Listen to our conversation here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-255-state-representative-jeffrey-roy.html

 

State Rep Jeff Roy in one of the UMass Medical classroom with an interactive system of the body

FM #199 - Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020

FM #199

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 199 in the series, that we are now developing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This shares the Student Services Workshop conducted by the Franklin (MA) School Committee on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020.

What is Student Services? 
Student services covers the special education program: what are the requirements; what is an IEP; what can be done about addressing the rising costs of special education; all these topics and more, are discussed in this workshop.

The presentation document used is linked here so you can follow along
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/student-services-workshop-jan-28-2020

Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020 from Franklin Matters

Without further ado, here is the recording for the meeting approx 55 minutes

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZrf40PX



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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, 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/
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"

FM #199 - Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020

"the Governor's budget is where the conversation starts"

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

A state senator who has advocated for education funding reform is pushing back against Gov. Charlie Baker’s description of his fiscal 2021 budget proposal as “fully” funding the new school finance law.

In keeping with the law Baker signed in November, the $44.6 billion budget he filed Wednesday recommended a $303.5 million increase in Chapter 70 aid to local schools. Baker said his budget “will fully fund the first year of the Student Opportunity Act,” which committed the state in $1.5 billion in new funding for K-12 education over seven years.

But state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, who filed one of the bills on which the Student Opportunity Act was based, said Baker’s budget does not fully fund “both the letter and spirit of the Student Opportunity Act.” She said its overall Chapter 70 number “is in the right ballpark,” but the total “is not distributed in an equitable way across the four categories” specified in the law.

Pointing to information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Chang-Diaz said Baker’s plan “takes a 14% step toward full implementation” for health care, special education and English learners, but a 4% step for low-income students.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200126/chang-diaz-questions-bakers-ed-funding-claim

Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz is not the only one with questions on the education funding and following through on the Governor's commitment.  Tracy Novick, a field director for the MASC as well as a school committee member in Worcester, has an extensive analysis of the education funding in the House-2 budget. (House-2 as it is Governor Baker's second budget in the Legislative term).

"It is the first year of the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act, so the first question is, was it implemented?
I think my answer on that is "mostly, but," as I said to Commonwealth Magazine when they called me this week.

• The estimation was the 1/7th of implementation of the Student Opportunity Act would take an additional $300M in Chapter 70 aid statewide; that was hit. 
• The new law guarantees $30/pupil minimum increases with hold harmless; that was done. 
• House 2 does increase health insurance by the GIC three year average increase of 2.34%, rather than the inflation rate for the rest of the foundation budget, which is 1.99% (which is not great at all). "

Continue reading Novick's analysis
http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2020/01/on-governor-bakers-fy21-budget-proposal.html

Franklin residents will have a chance on Feb 4 to address our legislative representatives at the Legislative Forum hosted by the School Committee at FHS.

"the Governor's budget is where the conversation starts"

Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide - Jan 16

UPCOMING WORKSHOP = Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide

WHEN: Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 7 PM – 9 PM

WHERE: Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd floor training room. Take the stairs or elevator to the third floor and head RIGHT!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when describing your child? You know your child best! But it can be difficult to give people the right information (but not too much info!) to help them understand.

A Face Sheet is a 1-page summary sheet about your child; a simple overview in a friendly format. Face Sheets make it easy to share important info with educators/ care providers/ coaches/ specialists/ extended family members/ etc.

Come join us to create a Face Sheet for your child(ren)! This workshop will be facilitated by Elise Stokes, a parent and educational consultant.

We will also have a special presentation by Directory of Student Services, Paula Marano about Franklin's "Portrait of a Graduate."

This will be a productive and informative evening and we look forward to seeing you!

*Bring a laptop if you have one!

Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide - Jan 16

Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1216819820597075973

For more about Franklin Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
http://franklinsepac.org/

“It is our future, so it has to be a priority”

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

"Massachusetts will invest an additional $1.5 billion in K-12 public education over the next seven years after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a funding reform bill, touted by supporters as a generational change, into law Tuesday.

The legislation directs the bulk of new funding toward districts weighed down by cost drivers, aiming to close opportunity gaps that for years have led to disparate educational outcomes across the state.

“We want all of our children to have the same opportunities to achieve,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in an interview later Tuesday during a visit to the Daily News, noting a “persistent” achievement gap in many school districts. “The talent is the same across the state. The opportunities, unfortunately, have not been the same.”

The law comes four years after a commission warned that Massachusetts was underestimating the actual cost of education by $1 billion annually and more than a year after the last attempt to update the system fell short. Now the focus shifts to a different challenge: following through on the commitment to ramp up funding for schools starting next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191126/baker-signs-15b-ed-funding-bill

Recent posting on Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Governor Baker's press release can be found
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-education-funding-bill-providing-investments-in-public-schools-across-the

The text of the legislation S 2412 can be found
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2412

Connections for Parents of Children with Special Needs - November 21

Connections for Parents of Children 

with Special Needs 

November 21 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

We will again be facilitating a group for parents of children with special needs ( IEPs, Medical, Emotional, etc). Working in collaboration with Ms. Marsh from Self Help, Inc.

Your child does NOT need to have an IEP or an identified disability to attend this group. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to make Connections; share fears and concerns about what challenges they face and what strategies have been successful; and to gather information about additional resources available to the community.

Please RSVP to Laura Flanagan at flanaganla@franklinps.net

Connections for Parents of Children with Special Needs - November 21

"We know that education drives opportunity"

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

"Massachusetts would invest a new $1.5 billion in its public education system over the next seven years under a long-awaited consensus school finance reform bill that House and Senate leaders rolled out Thursday and expect to hit the Senate floor in two weeks.

State Rep. Alice Pesich, D-Wellesley, and state Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, co-chairs of the Education Committee that has been working for months to develop the legislation, said a focus of the bill is providing resources to low-income students.

“I think it’s fair to say that if this bill passes into law, we will have the strongest and most progressive education funding system in terms of how we reflect the needs of low-income students,” Lewis said. “However, we realize that even with all those changes in the increased Chapter 70 aid that districts will receive, that there’s more that we can and must do to support the needs of all school districts and all students across the state, whether they are in rural districts, suburban districts, Gateway Cities or others.”

The bill, dubbed the Student Opportunity Act and unanimously endorsed Thursday by the Education Committee, would increase Chapter 70 aid to local schools by $1.4 billion, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo said it does not involve plans for additional taxes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190919/lawmakers-unveil-15b-seven-year-education-bill

Below, please find links to information regarding the Student Opportunity Act:

Student Opportunity Act Overview

https://karenspilka.com/s/Student-Opportunity-Act-PowerPoint.pdf

 

Student Opportunity Act Fact Sheet

https://karenspilka.com/s/Student-Oppoortunity-Act-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

Student Opportunity Act Question & Answer

https://karenspilka.com/s/Student-Opportunity-Act-QA.pdf

Student Opportunity Act Joint Announcement

https://karenspilka.com/s/Joint-Announcement-on-Student-Opportunity-Act.pdf

Student Opportunity Act Bill Text: Senate Bill 2348

https://karenspilka.com/s/Student-Opportunity-Act-Bill-Text.pdf

"We know that education drives opportunity" (Joint Committee on Education photo)

Franklin SEPAC: Franklin Fire Department Community Day - Mar 23

Franklin Fire Department Community Day

This is an event for those with special needs to become more comfortable with our first responders.

Special appearances by Ben Franklin, therapy dog and newest member of the Franklin PD and Sparky the Fire Dog!

When: Saturday, March 23 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Where: 40 West Central Street, Fire Dept HQs

Space is limited, please RSVP to Franklin SEPAC at franklinsepac@gmail.com.

Franklin SEPAC: Franklin Fire Department Community Day - Mar 23

Franklin SEPAC: When Friends Don't Come Easy...Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially - Mar 21

When Friends Don't Come Easy...Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially

Please join us for a presentation on friendship. While making friends comes naturally to many children, for others it is a skill that must be learned and practiced. Child therapist, Alison Ratner Mayer, will lead parents in activities to increase understanding of the social challenges children face daily, and will discuss how parents can support their child’s social development.

When: Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 PM
Where: Third floor Training Room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.

This event is free and open to the public.

Follow the event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/365062414221183/

Franklin SEPAC: When Friends Don't Come Easy ...
Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially - Mar 21

2018 South Sectional Div 1 Unified Track & Field Champions

Only reports via Twitter to share on the Unified Outdoor Track meet held yesterday at Franklin High. Based upon the tweets and photos the little bit of rain did not hinder everyone having a good time.

2018 South Sectional Div 1 Unified Track & Field Champions - Franklin High School!!!

#PantherPride https://t.co/V99YxL1d9T

— FranklinHighSchool (@FranklinHS) May 23, 2018

Also a HUGE thanks to the Egan and Valencia families for hosting a team pasta party! pic.twitter.com/NvTH7jfE2S

— FHSUnifiedSports (@FranklinUnified) May 22, 2018

Congrats to the South Sectional Division 1 Unified Track and Field Champs!! Gold for two years in a row! pic.twitter.com/Si4cJoye2y

— FHSUnifiedSports (@FranklinUnified) May 22, 2018

A little rain won’t stop stop us from an incredible @MIAA033 Unified South Sectional Event!! #playunified #choosetoinclude pic.twitter.com/WLUM9eoyzY

— Special Olympics MA (@SpOlympicsMA) May 22, 2018

2018 South Sectional Div 1 Unified Track & Field Champions - Franklin High School!!! #Together #ChooseToInclude #Unified @SpOlympicsMA @MIAA033 @FranklinHSNews @milforddaily pic.twitter.com/fSYm3Hgvlu

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 22, 2018

Thanks for joining us today Needham High School! #Unified https://t.co/BPrW3fm2Zl

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 22, 2018

Thanks for joining us today Hopkinton! https://t.co/98BbLuhjWI

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 22, 2018

We are not going to let a little rain get in our way! Opening Ceremonies at The 2018 MIAA Unified Track & Field South Sectional Meet hosted by Franklin High School #Inclusion #Together #Unified @SpOlympicsMA @MIAA033 @FranklinHSNews pic.twitter.com/prMByr2Mxo

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 22, 2018

FHS Baseball tops Framingham, Hockomock Unified Track meet held at FHS

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Thursday, May 17, 2018.


Baseball = Franklin, 5 vs. Framingham, 3 – Final
– Jason Ulrickson picked up his second win in relief in as many days to help the Panthers pick a non-league win over Framingham. Ulrickson struck out six while allowing six hits, one walk, and an unearned run in 4.2 innings of work. Jake Macchi had a strong day offensively, going 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Scott Elliott, Steve Luttazi, and Jake Noviello (RBI) all had one hit and a run scored. Mike Langmeyer and Evan Wendell each had a hit and an RBI for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 1 vs. Hopedale, 4 – Final
– Franklin’s first doubles team of Tyler DiPalma and Derek Wu won in straight sets but the Panthers fell to Hopedale. DiPalma and Wu earned a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win.


Unified Track Meet photos
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Spring-2018/2018-Hockomock-League-Unified-Track-Meet/


For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-17-18/

FHS Unified Track Team photo (by HockomockSports.com)

Via the Twitterverse
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Great night for a ballgame. Panthers lead the Framingham Flyers 5-2 top 5 #hockomock #nofilterneeded #americaspasttime pic.twitter.com/7zpHmLHgSL

— JenEdmundsATC (@FHSTrainingRoom) May 18, 2018

Amazing day at the Hockomock Championship Unified Track meet! Thanks to #FranklinPanthers for hosting and great job to all of thset athletes and partners! #gobigred #playunified @NorthHigh1 @SpOlympicsMA @SCNAttleboro pic.twitter.com/pTYkNgilrI

— Miss Mitchell (@emitchellCCP) May 17, 2018

May 17, 2018 - over 200 student athletes from 9 Hockomock schools participated in the 1st ever All League Meet at Franklin High School. Just an amazing day on so many levels! Thank you athletes, partners, coaches, volunteers and parents! #Hockomock @SpOlympicsMA @FranklinHSNews pic.twitter.com/iJyHecI7rk

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 17, 2018

Supporting our friends @FranklinUnified #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/uUfIpI5lHy

— John Leighton (@FHSJVGLAX) May 17, 2018

Pumped and ready for the Hock Track Meet! pic.twitter.com/TYAN6VtUor

— FHSUnifiedSports (@FranklinUnified) May 17, 2018

School Committee recap - May 8, 2018

The School Committee meeting was not broadcast live this week due to technical difficulties. I was out of town on a business trip and wouldn't have been able to report in real-time even if my schedule allowed. Fortunately, Franklin TV had captured the video and did turn it around quickly for replay. I was able to view it to provide the report here.


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

Student reports
Prom no issues
AP exams, this week, MCAS prep
Musical awards Friday, NHS induction next week
Spring sports underway

Superintendent report
MCAS in active season, working on Math in elementary
Publicly acknowledge teacher contributions
Appreciation from parent group, some students involved too
Admin to participate in an upcoming conf with multiple great topics, including students from Marjory Stoneham Douglas

• The full text of the Superintendent's Report can be found online

http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/n5-8-18%20SC%20Packet/Superintendent's%20Report%20to%20School%20Committee%20May%208,%202018.pdf

Presentation
a. Transition Program (Students age 18-22) – Pam Myette, Amanda Notz, Carol
Merchant

Special Education Transition Program Presentation from Franklin Matters

"Thanks to the businesses that have and continue to work with us"

Pam Myette, Amanda Notz, Carol
Merchant

Student intern program being developed for help with the building use at the high school. Mostly in tech setup, also update on fee schedule to cover the custodial expenses.

Building Use Fee Schedule and Policy Updates

PROPOSED--KF-E2 FHS Building Use	Wed, May 2, 2018 9:46 AM
PROPOSED--KF-E3 Facility Rental Fee Schedule	Fri, May 4, 2018 8:05 AM
PROPOSED--KF-E4 - Facility Rental Fee Schedule FHS	Wed, May 2, 2018 9:46 AM

Corrections to cost estimates which erroneously were using the old costs to calculate the new fees are needed. 

Asst Superintendent Peter Light speaks on the policy changes

Dr Linden provided update on a recent conference on personalized learning, accuracy of history presented in a culturally responsible manner

Dr Linden provided update on a recent conference

Session on family engagement, shared a rubric on how to measure this

Information matters
School budget to Town Council May 16-17

Coffee at Senior Center
May 19 at Franklin TV to record

Three meetings scheduled for policy committee to get some stuff done before Peter Light leaves in June

Public school advocacy at impass with congressman Kennedy

Joint PCC meeting past Monday, substance abuse task force pulling together demo of "hidden in plain sight"
Looking to get to late elementary and middle school parents with this
Looking to work with Panther TV to develop video of the bedroom scene

Targeting Tuesday Aug 7 for school committee summer workshop

Superintendent Ahern talking of future agenda items

Recognition of retirees at next meeting
Possible superintendent evaluation
Not likely to have policies ready for that meeting

Motion to adjourn to go into executive session, not to return to public meeting

• motion to go to Executive session, seconded, unanimous vote via roll call

The full video replay can be found on the Town of Franklin page
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=550

For reference the agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/n5-8-18%20SC%20Packet/