FM #571 - School Committee Meeting - 06/22/21 (audio)

FM #571 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 571 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members were in the Municipal Bldg, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. My notes taken during the meeting are also provided.

The recording runs about 1 hour and forty eight minutes (1 hour 48 minutes), so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting for June 22. 
 

Audio link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/054ee453-9534-4cbb-8ffe-5668e76e4482

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School Committee agenda document - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-22-21
 
Meeting packet folder - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes captured during the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-school-committee-good-work-and.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

FM #571 - School Committee Meeting - 06/22/21 (audio)

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting - Agenda - June 22, 2021

Franklin School Committee 

June 22, 2021

Municipal Building – Council Chambers and Zoom 

7:00 P.M.

Call to Order 

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. VLA Highlights – Ed Kaufman

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/vla

B. DIP #1 Social Emotional Wellbeing – Sara Ahern, Lucas Giguere, Paula Marano

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sel

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy - First Reading
I recommend moving the following policy to a second reading at the next meeting as discussed:
JFAA-R - School Admission/Residency

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_policy_1st_reads_0.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Reopening Schools Status Update – June 18, 2020-2021

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-6-18-21

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council, Franklin Racial & Social Justice Task Force)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 8, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from the Blackband Giving Fund for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.
D. Approval of Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive Session of the June 8, 2021 School Committee Meeting as detailed to be released.
E. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $75.00 from the Parmenter PCC for a field trip as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer
 
X. Adjournment 

Agenda document - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-22-21

Meeting packet folder - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting - Agenda - June 22, 2021

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Return to 'In Person' Update to Families - Apr 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

"Dear Franklin Families,    
 
We hope you are doing well. This letter contains important information about pool testing, attendance expectations, instruction during quarantine, and reminders about travel. First, however, I want to begin with some important acknowledgments.
 
I want to acknowledge our remote only students, families, and faculty/staff. Much of our recent efforts have been in eager anticipation of a return to full and in-person school. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and recognize the dedication and creativity of our remote only teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrator in our Virtual Learning Academy. I also want to acknowledge how much we are thinking of our K-12 remote only students and families and, through our re-entry planning, are striving to keep our connections to you in our minds. We know this year has not been easy! Going forward, instruction in the VLA will continue as it has been. As we move ahead, remote-only instruction at the middle and high schools will have a different rhythm and feel with more students in the building, but you will still be receiving instruction from your currently assigned classroom teachers.
 
I also want to acknowledge the students and staff who have been full-time and in-person since the beginning of the year. Many of our special education teachers, school nurses, secretaries, van drivers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers have been in school five days a week since September. In so many ways, the successes of our PreSchool and five-day specialized programs have paved the way for our in-person return K-12. Our nurses’ efforts in keeping everyone safe are most noteworthy!
 
I also want to give a big “shout out” to our custodians who have been working so diligently to keep our schools safe with their daily disinfecting and cleaning routines. Additionally, the Facilities Department has been working tremendously hard in these past several weeks to get our schools up and running with furniture and other materials for April 5 and 12. In addition, our cafeteria staff and our teachers are actively preparing for more in-person students.
 
Last but certainly not least, our administrative team deserves an enthusiastic round of applause. I feel so fortunate to be working with such a dedicated, student-centered, and wise group of school leaders. Their hearts are focused on the core of what we do -- teaching and learning -- and doing so in ways that keep everyone in their buildings safe. They are always thinking of others -- students, staff, and families alike. They are rolling up their sleeves and doing whatever needs to be done -- supporting teachers, delivering lunch, substitute teaching, delivering materials to homes, and tending to many, many conversations and e-mails -- to name just a few. Please join me in giving them all of the appreciation they deserve."
 
Continue reading the update from Superintendent Ahern at this link: https://t.co/5lA2cWZgsu  or with this PDF version  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MJ35s0lpSpX_XJWGC-xfu9-NDXtkCrxL/view?usp=sharing

 

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Return to 'In Person' Update to Families - Apr 1, 2021

FM_#389 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 3 of 3 (audio)

FM #389 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 389 in the series.

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this third segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVjvV5tS

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Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

newly elected vice-chair of the School Committee Denise Spencer

Superintendent Sara Ahern answers a question

Franklin (MA) School Committee - meeting recap - Nov 10, 2020

Quick Recap:

• Organization meeting to start with; Bergen re-elected as Chair, Spencer elected as Vice-Chair
• Portrait of a Graduate finally introduced with four drafts of graphical representations to convey the concept. The textual work had been carefully reviewed with a variety of stakeholder groups over the course of several months who are not getting a formal opportunity to provide input on the graphical representation which was first revealed this evening
• New report format for review and update of the re-opening of schools. K-8 in hybrid, high school opening hybrid next week after delay due to the party. Athletics and theater students were tested to enable participation this week. Testing paid for by some savings within the school budget as well as some sports Alumni contributions.
• Multiple parents expressed that for K and first graders, remote is not working, the students are not prepared to conduct themselves and require parent or guardian assistance. The process is not sustainable, the students are being left behind.
• Feasibility report was conducted during the summer and while the District will look at options for K-1, there are space limitations and or staffing limitations to bringing all the K-1 back. (Yes, look at the building report to see how each of the elementary schools differ in class size and set up) The feasibility report referred to is currently a District internal doc (at least it is not found anywhere on the FPS pages).
• Budget workshop scheduled for next week

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found online in one folder  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEPDXAqWfntkEBpX8

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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  #schcomm1109
https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcomm1109?src=hashtag_click

• Getting ready for the SchComm meeting at 7 PM - To watch or listen:  Via Comcast (Channel 11) or Verizon (Channel 29)  Or  Call-In Phone Number:Call 1-929-205-6099 & enter Meeting ID # 811 6905 2702--Then press #  #schcomm1109
• To watch or listen:  Via live stream  https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream…  #schcomm1109 
  
• For active participation:  #schcomm1109  Via Zoom:  https://t.co/rlYH12I2Rt?amp=1
• Franklin TV is also getting ready to broadcast this meeting #schcomm1109
• Brief audio interruption during roll call, needed to redo part of it. Hopefully it won't reoccur. #schcomm1109 pledge and moment of silence before reorganizing the committee, Supt Ahern opens meeting nomination of Bergen, second, 6-0 (D'Angelo connection difficulty) Note D’Angelo did rejoin the meeting and appeared to have no audio issues for the reminder of the meeting.
• Bergen open nominations for vice chair Spencer, seconded, via roll call 6-0 (D'Angelo still difficulty) #schcomm1109
• Comment on parent impact for 1st grade student, coming back later as this is on the agenda in the re-opening update #schcomm1109 FHS getting used to remote learning, testing hard, found online learning personally easy to adapt to
• Parent raises problem with chromebooks issue and insurance req'd after the fact. #schcomm1109
• COVID-19 testing modifications changes as of Friday, were yellow now green with new map. In person, if feasible, desired by DESE. Feasibility study done during summer
• In hybrid K-8 and moving to that for FHS, full in person would be a challenge to maintain distance as well as staffing positions difficult. #schcomm1109 health concerns, buses at 1/3 capacity, other matters on re-opening plan would be factors. In person is valued
• Feasibility is the real issue, Superintendent association put out message on this in the afternoon, continue to monitor were 7+ now 4+ so we're doing better, we'll continue to look at to see what it would take. #schcomm1109 lots of work being done in hybrid model
• Wants to emphasize a few key points on FHS remote, so many emails the joint message was best way to handle volume, welcome to FHS students to building in hybrid model, decision had been made due to police action on this party, needed to respond #schcomm1109
• We do have masks, practices etc. in place but FHS has not had as much practice with it as the other schools. Stress and screen time is important to look at. Would look at facts of situation for next decision. #schcomm1109 did screen varsity athletes and drama as a test
• Would have liked to do more testing but it wasn't available at the time and scale needed (600 not likely a yes) 60-80 was a yes and successful. #schcomm1109 shout out to Fire Chief McLaughlin for helping to make this happen along with school personnel and Central Office
• Middle school visiting author coming to schools via remote next week. FEF grant helps to fund this. Attempting to show a musical showcase, audio difficulty, link will be in Superintendent report #schcomm1109
• Suggestion to leverage the remote author visit and translate nor make available for ELL and others #schcomm1109 "when we don't follow the guidelines the kids end up suffering" the testing was not free, some savings from budget as well as alumni donors made that happen
• Portrait of a graduate presentation being shared, doc will be on schools page Weds have captured screen grabs in the meantime #schcomm1109
• Getting along the way for PoG #schcomm1109
• More pages of PoG presentation #schcomm1109
• More pages of the design itself #schcomm1109
• Main design #schcomm1109
• Design #2 #schcomm1109
• Design #3 #schcomm1109
• Design #4 #schcomm1109
• And instead not me putting the 4 together, they thought of it #schcomm1109
• Will take feedback and bring back two graphic choices for the 11/24 meeting #schcomm1109
• Send feedback to SchComm as they will be making the choices, survey had gotten feedback on the text previously (but not on the graphics which was seen for the first time here) #schcomm1109
• Getting to the chromebook insurance question raised earlier ( property of school district, akin to books, athletic equipment, musical instruments, etc.) #schcomm1109 would encourage insurance for coverage of accidental damage
• Motion to adopt policy as proposed, second, passed 7-0 via roll call. #schcomm1109 Re-opening schools is a new item as a regular part of the meeting agenda; transfer requests are a big item for folks moving to remote or to hybrid, checking volume of switches
• Are looking at K and Grade 1 in regards to instruction, exploring in person, could at 3' but not 6'; may be space or staffing or both. Great deal of variables among the 6 elementary schools with current size of classrooms #schcomm1109
• Still working on and the dominos are multiple (transportation, contact tracing, etc.) Staffing still an issue, trouble filling substitutes, more staff are being requested to stay home due to change in family status i.e. COVID or otherwise #schcomm1109
• New report format for reopening status and discussion https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/reopen-status-update  #schcomm1109 (and yes just realized should have tagged these as  1110, oh well)
• Hearing of excess screen time for FHS, likely to reduce as move to hybrid, but will keep looking at #schcomm1109 teachers may be taking sick time to catch up on work (some might have also done so before COVID-19) measures of coordination at a level we are not there yet
• High class size a concern for K, 2 in particular, for virtual learning academy VLA, are looking to provide additional support where possible, many moving parts, deadline of Friday for change request, to be made in Dec (Dec 11) #schcomm1109
• Busing an implication, may not have enough for a mid-day run if trying to bring all K, 1 back in split sessions, would also be an expense item as it would increase cost #schcomm1109
• Parent telling story of 1st grader who needs one of the parents to assist with the instruction, both parents work and can't participate. #schcomm1109 options aren't great, 2 older kids are making it work, the 1st grader is getting left behind when parents can't help
• It is a slide deck that the first grader can't read, without either parent help, kid can't function to learn. Disappointed that it is Nov and we still don't have options #schcomm1109 not something they will make up in 6 months
• 3rd parent with K and 1, it is not sustainable, they do ok in school but can't work well remote, teacher teaches both cohorts, increasing days would not increase risk #schcomm1109 it is failing the youngest learner's
• Parent kept spreadsheet to summarize an average every 13 mins need to click something to open or close, that the first grader couldn't. #schcomm1109 Q can Supt Ahern bring options to SchComm for discussion?
• Budget workshop for #SchComm1109 next Tuesday, what info do we want to get out and be aware. Community relations, no meeting on calendar. Res 10 of MASC didn't pass, other 9 did. Policy meeting Thursday, DTFA met and then met with Community for info session
• DTFA had about 30 participants, survey out for input closing Dec 2, possible appearance with Franklin Matters podcast. (Yes, I am ready awaiting date/time from participants) #schcomm1109
• Next meeting PoG adoption, reset presentation schedule going forward Consent agenda proposed for approval, seconded, passes 7-0 via roll call. #schcomm1109
• Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes  7-0 via roll call 

 

4 design choices for the Portrait of a Graduate

 

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Franklin Public Schools, MA Updated the Reopening Site

Hello FPS! 

 

We have updated our Reopening Site with a new FAQs section, Virtual Learning Academy info, student & staff flow charts for specific scenarios, and more. 

 

Find the website here.  https://t.co/av14MmSQep

 

Enjoy the weekend!!!  

 

Picked up by the Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1307053747617529858?s=03

Franklin Public Schools, MA Updated the Reopening Site