Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

FHS Best Buddies Students vs. Teachers game Saturday (1/28/23), a fund raiser for their prom

FHS Best Buddies (@BestFHSBuddies) tweeted Mon, Jan 23, 2023:

"Show out this Saturday, the 28th, for our students vs. staff basketball game‼️ 
$5 per ticket: you can pay either at the door or on unibank! 
Proceeds go towards funding Best Buddies Prom. Teachers interested in playing can click the link in our bio to sign up!!" 
 https://t.co/JgoKAcbnjc

FHS Best Buddies Students vs. Teachers game Saturday (1/28/23), a fund raiser for their prom
FHS Best Buddies Students vs. Teachers game Saturday (1/28/23), a fund raiser for their prom

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

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. "


Teachers to Advance Accessibility of Primary Sources for Educators
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 

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


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

Friday, August 26, 2022

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 #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
Escape Into Fictions sets up teacher wish lists

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Teachers Are Among Most Educated, Yet Their Pay Lags

Registered United States Census Bureau Logo

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

Students consult with their teacher on their project of building a machine.

Teachers Are Among Most Educated, Yet Their Pay Lags

Although teachers are among the nation's most educated workers, they earn far less on average than most other highly educated workers and their earnings have declined since 2010.

More than 95% of elementary, middle and high school teachers have a bachelor's degree or more. In 2019, the average earnings of elementary and middle school teachers with a bachelor's degree or more who work full-time, year-round was $53,800. For high school teachers, it was $57,840.

Read More

Just over one-half of elementary and middle school teachers and 58% of high school teachers also have a graduate degree. They still earn less ($61,130 and $64,340, respectively) than that of other equally educated workers. 

Young teachers and older/middle-aged teachers have lower earnings than most of their similarly educated peers.

Continue reading to learn more about:

  • Age and sex

  • Teachers' earnings, which declined since 2010

  • The data

About America Counts

America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, economy, emergency management, health, populationincome and poverty. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.

Don't miss an America Counts story! Subscribe here.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

"Who Will Clean Out The Desks"

"As part of teacher appreciation month, Morning Edition asked NPR's audience to write a poem about teachers who have had an impact on their lives. 
We put out this call a week before the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, so the majority of contributors are not reflecting on that horrific day but a late addition did reflect that loss. 
We received over 300 responses, and NPR's poet in residence Kwame Alexander took lines from submissions to create a community poem. 
This poem is dedicated to all teachers, but especially to Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles, fourth grade teachers who lost their lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde."
Continue reading the community generated poem online

 

A teacher cleans a desk in a classroom during a media tour at Dorothy Eisenberg Elementary School in Las Vegas.  (John Locher/AP)
A teacher cleans a desk in a classroom during a media tour at Dorothy Eisenberg Elementary School in Las Vegas.  (John Locher/AP)

Friday, January 21, 2022

Boston Globe: The need for substitute teachers; Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage

"When Toni Preston began substitute teaching for Cambridge Public Schools in November of 2019, she monitored the online job listings throughout the day to snap one up before others beat her to it.

Now, whenever Preston isn’t already signed up to work, she’s sure to wake up to an early morning robocall from the district, informing her of the many unfilled openings that day.

“When I’m on a job, I have teachers who may see me in the hall or even drop in the classroom, asking me if I can cover for them,” said Preston, 76. “That tells me that they really need a sub.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/20/metro/its-been-desperate-call-substitute-teachers-high-demand-districts-grapple-with-teaching-shortages/

"This is how long we have ignored warnings of a coming crisis:

It’s been more than half a century since a presidential panel under Lyndon Johnson found that fossil fuel emissions could be warming the earth.

It’s been 40 years since the National Academies of Sciences published a massive landmark study with similar conclusions.

And it’s been three decades — the span of an entire generation — since a NASA scientist named James Hansen sat before Congress and testified that human-caused global warming was not only real but “already happening now.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage
Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage


Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Franklin Digital Learning Integrationists - Newsletter


"Check out the most recent newsletter from the Digital Learning Integrationists 
#FPSDigitalLearning @FranklinPSNews"
Newsletter link ->  https://t.co/84VzS8HMfE   or  https://www.smore.com/a540y

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/DliFranklin/status/1466788666391605253


Franklin Digital Learning Integrationists - Newsletter
Franklin Digital Learning Integrationists - Newsletter 


Sunday, August 29, 2021

"Mass. should require vaccination for all teachers and eligible students"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) tweeted Sun, Aug 29, 2021:
I was honored to be asked by the vice chair of the Worcester Board of Health Dr. Jerry Gurwitz to jointly write a piece calling for a state vaccine mandate for all eligible in our schools.
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1431920387990904833?s=03

"LOCAL BOARDS OF HEALTH, school committees, and municipal leaders are struggling to navigate through the challenges of assuring that all eligible school children and teachers are vaccinated. Increased urgency around the need for vaccination follows from the alarming turn the pandemic has taken. The highly contagious Delta variant has very rapidly become the dominant strain across Massachusetts and the country as a whole.

While vaccination efforts across the Commonwealth continue, low vaccination rates in adolescents are extremely concerning, especially in our largest cities. In Worcester, among those ages 12 to 19, 6 out of 10 have not been fully vaccinated. Even with enhanced vaccination efforts, including the opening of new clinics over the coming weeks, these numbers are unlikely to change substantially prior to the opening of schools or in the first weeks of the school year unless the state mandates vaccinations for eligible students — as well as for teachers and staff."

 Continue to read the article online  https://t.co/SUuTTGWwRl

"Mass. should require vaccination for all teachers and eligible students"
"Mass. should require vaccination for all teachers and eligible students"


Saturday, August 21, 2021

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Open House Job Fair - Aug 23

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:
Please consider attending the FPS Open House Job Fair. August 23rd from 4pm-6pm. We are seeking Educational Support Professionals at various school locations, assisting our students in the classroom environment. https://t.co/apB4b9f64Q


Franklin Public Schools, MA:  Open House Job Fair - Aug 23
Franklin Public Schools, MA:  Open House Job Fair - Aug 23


Tuesday, June 1, 2021

BFCCPS is hiring for the 2021-2022 school year

BFCCPS is a regional public charter school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  We are exited to announce that we're hiring for the 2021-2022 school year!
You may notice that several new positions are available as a result of the expansion of our Grade 7 class from 52 to 96 students next year!
You can learn more about the school's mission and history and see available openings on this page of our website.   http://bfccps.org/about/employment

Shared From the Charter School Facebook page

Saturday, March 13, 2021

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - Mar 16

Budget Sub Committee Meeting
Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)
Mar 16, 2021 - 4:30 PM

  • FY22 Budget Development


The first pass at the budget was previewed at the School Committee meeting Mar 9, 2021:

chart shows decline in elementary enrollment (bars) and associated decline in teachers (line)
chart shows decline in elementary enrollment (bars) and associated decline in # of teachers (line)



Thursday, March 4, 2021

CommonWealth Magazine: "vaccine distribution is a “complete zero sum game at this point,” given the constrained supply"

 

"AFTER WEEKS OF pressure from Massachusetts teachers — and one day after President Biden urged giving educators priority for vaccines — Gov. Charlie Baker said teachers, school staff, and early educators will be eligible to sign up for COVID-19 vaccines in Massachusetts beginning March 11. 

But Baker warned that vaccine supplies will continue to be scarce, so appointments may be hard to get. 

“People will get their vaccines, but people will need to be patient unless there’s a big change in available supply in the near future,” Baker said, speaking to the press on Wednesday morning after touring the West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester, which was celebrating 101 days of in-person learning this year. "

Continue reading the article online

Gov Baker's press conference: https://youtu.be/VP_noBqx8MU

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

CommonWealth Magazine: State considering remote telework as standard practice; Spilka advocates for teachers to get vaccinated

 

"CLOSE TO HALF of the state’s executive branch employees could continue some form of telework even once the pandemic ends, Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan said Tuesday.

Speaking to the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees at a hearing on Baker’s $45.6 billion fiscal 2022 budget proposal, Heffernan laid out the broad contours of a proposed state employee remote work plan. Of 44,000 full-time employees working for state government, Heffernan said, more than 20,000 could telework in the future in some sort of “hybrid” plan. He said employees would come into the office some days and work remotely on other days.

The state’s stance on telework could be a precursor of what happens in the rest of the economy, and a permanent shift to telework could have major implications for downtowns, commercial real estate, and transportation. The MBTA, for example, is struggling to chart its future service plans amid great uncertainty about commuting and work patterns."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/state-eyeing-hybrid-telework-model-for-half-of-workforce/

 

"WITH THE STATE expecting to see its supply of COVID-19 vaccine increase over the coming weeks, Senate President Karen Spilka on Tuesday said Gov. Charlie Baker must let teachers get vaccinated this month and should set aside a percentage of doses for teachers and school staff.

Spilka’s call on the Baker administration to prioritize teacher vaccination comes a week after the Republican governor and Education Commissioner Jeff Riley detailed their intent to have all school districts bring elementary school students back to the classroom full-time by April.

The Senate’s top Democrat said if that is the goal then the administration must provide cities and towns with the resources and support they need, including vaccines."

Continue reading the article online

 

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka - Priority for teacher vaccination plan

"A top priority for everyone in government, whether at the local, state or federal level, should be getting our students and teachers and staff back into the classroom safely. Getting students back into the classroom, where they learn best, should be a local decision which will depend upon a variety of factors. If the Governor wants to mandate opening elementary schools across the Commonwealth to in-person learning by April 1st, the Administration must have an equitable plan that gives communities the necessary support and resources to do that. Among those resources, we need a vaccine program for teachers and staff that is aggressive, and we need it this month. As more vaccine doses become available to the state, I am calling on the Governor to designate a percentage of those doses to be administered to teachers and staff in their communities."

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)

 

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The Intercept: "Teachers Unions Aren’t the Obstacle to Reopening Schools"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) tweeted

"This piece from @onesarahjones gets at the heart of one of the things I have found most disheartening about the pandemic. It gave us a chance to refocus on the vast inequities in our society, and instead it's making them wider."

Sarah writes: (Bold my emphasis)
"Public opinion does not, of course, dictate scientific consensus. Even so, the science isn’t as settled as many claim. While it’s true that kids aren’t as likely to fall seriously ill with COVID and aren’t as likely to spread the virus, the risk isn’t zero. As The Intercept reported in January, three recent studies indicate that the risks posed by reopening schools vary depending on rates of community transmission. According to one of the studies, reopening schools in Florida did lead to higher incidences of COVID infection among school-age children. Teachers in a school building can also spread the virus to one another and to parents if mitigation strategies aren’t sound."
Follow the link to read the full article =  https://t.co/tTKdfw6Cgk

Thursday, February 25, 2021

State Rep Jeffrey Roy: Vaccine updates on teachers and local sites

"Much has been said about getting students back to school quickly, but it is important that we do so safely. And in that regard, the legislature has been pushing the administration to enhance the safety of the experience by moving teachers to the front of the line on vaccine distribution. And we have called upon the administration to ramp up efforts to distribute vaccines at local distribution sites."
Continue reading Rep Roy's statement (rich with links)

 
a copy of the letter from Rep. Roy and colleagues on the teacher vaccine priority issue
a copy of the letter from Rep. Roy and colleagues on the teacher vaccine priority issue




Sunday, February 21, 2021

FPS Parents - Pool Testing/Physical Distance Survey reminder due 2/22/21

FHS PCC (@FHS_PCC) tweeted on Fri, Feb 19, 2021:
"FPS Parents reminder to complete the survey by Monday, February 22nd link for survey https://t.co/5fvhdHIpXB 
and link for reopening page https://t.co/sxXkmeBV6j"

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/2OVv1HxiRJ

Pool testing presentation shared at the Feb 9, 2021 School Committee meeting


FPS Parents - Pool Testing/Physical Distance Survey reminder due 2/22/21
FPS Parents - Pool Testing/Physical Distance Survey reminder due 2/22/21


Thursday, January 28, 2021

“We’re a year behind in fulfilling the promise of the Student Opportunity Act"


"The Baker-Polito Administration today filed its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget recommendation, a $45.6 billion proposal that continues the Administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses critical priorities including promoting economic growth, fully funding the first year of the landmark Student Opportunity Act, and supporting cities and towns across Massachusetts. This balanced proposal does not raise taxes on the Commonwealth’s residents and preserves substantial financial reserves for the future.

Submitted as House 1, this budget recommendation provides $246.3 million in new funding for the Student Opportunity Act including an increase of $197.7 million in Chapter 70 funding, with a particular focus on school districts serving low-income students. The Administration is also proposing to allow municipalities to count $114 million in federal dollars towards their Chapter 70 required local contribution increases to further deliver on the commitments in the Student Opportunity Act. Additionally, House 1 maintains the Administration’s promise to cities and towns with a $39.5 million increase in unrestricted local aid, which is equivalent to the 3.5% consensus tax revenue growth rate."
Continue to read the press release from Gov Baker's office

To review the budget letter and funding details

Chapter 70 info for FY 2022 from DESE

Insights into the details of the budget and slick accounting used

Critics of the budget proposal outline details

Gov Baker budget press conference:  https://youtu.be/S3KlSfJdu5s

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

CommonWealth Magazine: "Teachers complain about bump down in vaccination line"

 

"TEACHERS UNIONS ARE criticizing changes Gov. Charlie Baker made to the vaccine schedule that elevate those over 65 but push educators and others lower on the priority list, a shift teachers say will delay a return to in-person learning in some districts.

On Monday, Baker said residents aged 65 to 74 are being moved up from the end of Phase 2 of the vaccination schedule to the second spot, joining those with two or more comorbidities just behind the first priority group – those 75 and older.

Teachers, who previously had been behind those over 75 and those with two or more comorbidities, now fall back along with other groups, including transit operators, grocery store employees, and public health workers. Those groups will now wait longer for vaccinations.

“It’s like the Hunger Games,” said Merrie Najimy, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, in a statement. “They are forcing communities to compete with one another for a scarce resource rather than establishing a fair system with clear rules. We had not opposed the original prioritization list because it had a rational basis and promised to deliver vaccines to educators in February. Now, those hopes may be dashed.”

Continue reading the article online
 

Friday, December 25, 2020

Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting recap - Dec 22. 2020

Quick Recap:
  • Donna Grady, FPS teacher and FEA president spoke about reframing the discussion on kids missing out. They are not, they are all in the same boat. (I would add: health is more important than education - without good health, you can't learn. And it would be good to recognize that this pandemic is a time to think about our overall learning processes. How do we learn? How can we learn? The specific topics and curriculum items mean less than the developing the capability to learn.)
  • excellent presentations from ECDC and the Performing Arts dept showcasing the work and learning being done in trying circumstances. (See how we can learn when we put our minds together to do so)
  • First draft of school calendar for 2020-2021 shared
  • Superintendent's goals were approved. The sharing pre-meeting had caused some kerfuffle among community members who misinterpreted what they were lacking the full context. (A solution to this would be a 'cover note/memo' to better frame the doc when shared pre-meeting next time. Not sharing the doc before hand is not an acceptable solution. Although it is an 'easy way' out, it does nothing to build the trusting relationship with the community that is very much a work in progress)
  • Re-opening status - lengthy discussion with SchComm Q&A and only a few community comments this time around. Plan to bring K-1 back in person still being developed. Finally a question on ESP's use as subs and what happens to that learning time? (it doesn't always get made up - and this has been gong on for some time, well before the pandemic) Staffing in the pandemic continues to be working a tightrope. If the numbers change (in the wrong direction) expect more remote learning days.
Photos captured during the meeting broadcast and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/e1BAktE3feox7Ak48

----

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  #schcom1222

https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcom1222?src=hashtag_click

  • Getting ready for the School Committee meeting tonight, agenda doc is here: https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/events/scagenda_12-22-20.pdf  #schcom1222
  • Meeting starts on time and the recording allows me to catch the gavel this time ( yeah!) #schcom1222 one in route to meeting (D'Angelo) other six present remotely or in person for this hybrid session
  • #schcom1222 participation over 100 at this point with a good # of teachers showing up via the names 
Citizen comments
  • Donna Grady, FPA teacher and FEA president speaking in citizen comments in regards to comments from prior meeting, should not be pitted teacher vs family
  • Need to reframe the comment on kids missing out, they are all in the same situation, they are not missing anything. This is not normal, if we push kids to school, they won't be interacting, they'll be sitting in desks separated, we all want folks to be safe #schcom1222
  • #schcom1222 we are in this together, please help us do this, we (teachers and staff) can't do this alone. We are not there yet and the situation is causing trauma, if academic progress is goal, we need to meet the basic safety goals first, staff and students are showing symptoms
  • Of trauma. Kids are told they are safe when they know other students are home in quarantine. Teachers are going above and beyond. They are frustrated about not doing their best, this will take months to repair. #schcom1222 please put mental health of our staff first
  • FHS representative says students understand everyone is doing their best. In person attendance dropping, many be multiple reasons for that. In a reselect process the numbers may change #schcom1222
Superintendents report
  • Superintendent report: update from DESE around student mental health and connection, instructional time daily to connect with teachers 34 hours over a ten day period, 40 hours over 10 4 asynchronous. Looking for consistency district 2 district. Did complete a survey #schcom1222
  • FPS meeting requirements. CARES funding deadline extended to Dec 2021, which will help to fulfill due to supply chain issues. #schcom1222 
  • Not universal on snow day for last Thursday. Compliments to teachers etc for doing fun stuff last Thursday.
  • This is Beth Simon's last night supporting the SchComm by doing notes. #schcom1222 not sure what funding does to the other building schedules for HVAC changes, purifiers are in or being deployed. Miss snow days but will be happy in June.
Guest/presentations
  • Guest presentations: ECDC up to share updates to talking to the doc  https://franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/ecdc-update… #schcom1222 timely slide picks up points being made in comments
  • #schcom1222 taking time to build relationships, yes it may not be 6' but the little ones don't understand. Pics of staff with and without masks available. BTW participation up to 135+ in Zoom, 12 more viewing live stream, some #? also via the 2 cable channels
  • #schcom1222 went on a leaf hunt, and integrated leaves into various lessons there is an explanation and story for each photo on the slide. Need to set students up for success.#schcom1222 monthly newsletter went out today, folks overwhelmed, how can she best reach folks in a manner that resonates. (Video link in presentation doc)
  • #schcom1222 taking registration for next school year, hopefully it will be fully in person. Helpful info on the sheet here remote learning bags coming via COVID-19 funding.
  • #schcom1222 positive comments from the SchComm members on update from ECDC. This shows the amount of work and level of commitment to do this in person. Enjoy the time off.
  • Next up, performing arts update from Diane Plouffe kudos to staff and students for rolling through this craziness. Rehearsal in the fall outdoor for middle school band #schcom1222
  • https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_performing_arts_department_presentation_2020.pdf presentation doc being shared and talked to for this update #schcom1222 the team!
  • New standards are a challenge with COVID restrictions #schcom1222 singing indoors currently not permitted
  • Can you imagine elementary music without singing or sharing instruments? They are finding a way #schcom1222 a virtual chorus rehearsal on Wednesdays. No beginner lessons as lifelong learning is not operating; over 500 students signed up
  • Sad looking rehearsal space, when used by students, everything is wiped down before students leave, wipes on music stands. #schcom1222
  • Exploring bringing band back in, working on details for approval through the channels. Sample horn mask, bell cover in plain black, to out logo on would be too much #schcom1222 ventilation being updated over the winter break.
  • Brief video clip shared of music performance with teacher performing with some students in room, some remote #schcom1222
  • The "brady bunch" video is not easy to do, each 3 minute piece takes about 24 hours of prep. #schcom1222
  • 60 students in middle school orchestra over 100 at FHS, expand the timing in the prior tweet by these #s to see total work required #schcom1222 
  • Drama club performed Clue on stage using same precautions as athletes did before rehearsal.
  • Video of 3 cohorts and then mixed with the students remote #schcom1222 
  • 8 students going to all state competition
  • https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_performing_arts_department_presentation_2020.pdf resharing the presentation on performing arts, lots of the links are live music performances and worth checking out #schcom1222
  • Very positive comments from SchComm #schcom1222  
Superintendent goals
  • Moving along to superintendent goals, after subcommittee worked on them. Did get feedback on goals, from the posting pre-meeting. There is not enough of a focus on anti-racism, it is in the district improvement plan but in …
  • The broader context while not in the 2 shared it is embedded elsewhere and driving the work on this. Wants to be careful in sharing this. #schcom1222 there is a need to do more Communication, centrally and new mediums to explore. Collaboration folded in
  • Looking to expand Communication channels to share with the Community, i.e. blog. (Has been 'coming soon' since just after arrival) #schcom1222  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent
  • Goal doc linked to https://franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-action-supt-goals-20-21… #schcom1222 sets a foundation for future development motion and second, passes via roll call 6-0-1 (6 for, 0 no, 1 absent)
2020-2021 calendar
Re-opening report
  • Also for discussion the re-opening report https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_dec_18_2020-2021.pdf #schcom1222 some of the 'red' status is due to timing, only .03 over the red line last week #schcom1222 priority standards for  learning and essential content
  • Did close survey on the K-1 families and staff, need to process the data, 360 responses from families, so good return rate. #schcom1222 some districts going remote post holiday, we are not yet planning to do so. In person/hybrid is valuable.
  • #schcom1222 looking at process of taking in reports and do contact tracing (will be complicated) will require administrator follow up, likely not as responsive; hence to have the first day as a remote learning day to allow for processing the reports from the break
  • Looking at Wednesday at FHS to provide some relief with common planning time, looking to add 2 asynchronous periods for planning, could also address student stress re: screen time. Seeing increase in absences, and coverage challenges. #schcom1222
  • #schcom1222 guidance has changed in the last week or so, DESE is now more aligned with the CDC and Dept of Public Health: adjusting the Communications accordingly. Flu vaccine date postponed until Feb, already 80% of students have reported compliance. Notice coming out
  • Looking to do a baseline survey in Jan for all staff, using other sources of info to obtain feedback. #schcom1222 K-1 summary should be available by next meeting, did put out a call for activity monitors and subs, be vigilant during break so we can be safe when we return
  • Q on sub rates and sub coverage options. Miriam provided the rates overview. Sara answered the what if questions and it depends (really it does) Elise remarks on the coverage puzzle is monumental. Not sustainable #schcom1222
  • #schcom1222 some districts have K-1 in school, most are hybrid, split between fully remote vs fully in person. Development of 2 artifacts to help support teachers and families for K-1 students. Sub availability due to timing of finger prints, cori checks
  • Using ESPs as subs does affect time delivering services (this happened pre-COVID-19 and the time of delivery is not easily made up if ever). #schcom1222 
  • Should consider more than one day for remote coming back may not be enough time to fully access the data
  • Extremely frustrating to get the COVID letters daily, students are staying home to go elsewhere over the break, but we can't. Timing on the cohort letters and knowing when the reports were noted. #schcom1222 
  • Moving to info matters
Subcommittee reports
  • Need to set up budget meetings #schcom1222 good showing at FinCom reported (really, not by my notes. SchCom/Central Office left info unshared when they had an opportunity to do so). People come here because of the schools, and being fiscally responsible.
  • Community relations, trying to get date for meeting; date being worked for legislative forum. Policy met on 12/17 with plans for moving; facilities update lengthy errors in presentation were after analysis and did not effect results. Population trends similar #schcom1222
  • #schcom1222 additional data coming mid January and get ready to summarize for SchCom date TBD 
  • Joint PCC rescheduled for January. Wellness exploring hydroponic expansion beyond FHS. Working on another challenge next meeting Jan 12
  • Safe Coalition update to SWAC presented earlier today, adapting and evolving to conditions. #schcom1222
Future agenda items
  • Student opportunity Act plan coming up for vote. FHS update, personnel update, and Oak St elementary will be a highlight. 
Consent agenda
  • Consent agenda motion to accept, second, passes 6-0-1 (6 for, 0 no, 1 absent) via roll call (D'Angelo absent) #schcom1222
Executive session
  • Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting, second, approved 6-0-1 (see before in thread) via roll call
  • #schcom1222 that's all for tonight (and I think for meetings in 2020!) Catch you all later
Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting recap - Dec 22. 2020
Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting recap - Dec 22. 2020