"A waiver for Massachusetts could lift a burden"

It is a particularly high bar for Massachusetts, whose statewide standards for student attainment are among the toughest in the country. And the consequences of falling short are serious - including the possibility of the state taking over underperforming schools. 

Mitchell Chester, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said in an interview last week that Massachusetts is giving serious consideration to filing for a waiver from the 100 percent proficiency rule, under a new program announced this month by the Obama administration. 

“For me, the reason filing a waiver makes sense for Massachusetts is that [the rule] no longer does a good job of differentiating our strongest performers from our weakest performers,’’ Chester said. “We have many schools in the Commonwealth at this point that are failing the federal requirements but are not failing schools.’’

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

"Economic inequality"

From the Boston Globe comes the stark realities of the gulf between the haves and  havenots:

Shoestock, 29, is part of a forgotten economy. While family incomes across Massachusetts have generally risen over the past three decades, the state’s poorest residents have fallen behind. And nowhere have they fallen farther than here in Western Massachusetts, where families in the bottom fifth of the income scale have seen inflation-adjusted earnings drop below 1979 levels, according to a new study by University of Massachusetts economists. 

The study paints a stark picture of two commonwealths, in which the gap between rich and poor, east and west is growing. For example, the inflation-adjusted median income of affluent families in Greater Boston has grown 54 percent since 1979, to $230,000 from $150,000 a year, largely due to high-paying technology jobs. 

In Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, where decades of plant closings have left hollowed-out economies, the inflation-adjusted median income of the poorest families fell 24 percent, from $21,000 a year in 1979 to $16,000 - on par with some of the most impoverished parts of Appalachia. 

“No real income growth over three decades is what we’re seeing - no improvement in the standard of living,’’ said Michael D. Goodman, one of the study’s authors. “It’s a lost generation of families.’’

Read the full article in the Globe here

Buddy Greene Classical Harmonica, Carnegie Hall

I do have a harmonica and some day I'll take some time to learn to play. Will I ever play like this? It would be a good goal to do so but this guy can play!





Enjoy!

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"real housewives of Norfolk County box"

Despite the gym's opening in June at its current location, 33 Forge Hill Road, the women have been boxing with Keegan for years, and moved from the Adirondack Club without hesitation when she did. 

"I didn't think twice about not going where she went," said Rossi, a stay-at-home mother of three in Franklin. Like the other mothers, Rossi explained that boxing is the first exercise that kept her focus and didn't bore her. 

Keegan keeps the classes small intentionally, allowing her to make sure everyone has the right form, and she works one-on-one with the women. She is also a licensed personal trainer, and helps the women with nutrition questions and muscle aches.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633535546/At-local-boxing-club-these-mothers-pack-a-punch#ixzz1Vf0EFWvW

Franklin Art Center sets fall registration

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Franklin Art Center sets fall registration

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 8/20/11

Franklin Art Center, 5 Main St., Franklin, is having an open house Thursday, Aug. 25, 4-6 p.m.

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"helps the whole school be a student body"

The High School Experience program runs the weeklong orientation - yesterday was the last day - and introduces new students to as many aspects of Franklin High as it can, from academics to simple things such as the layout of the building. Sophomore, junior and senior volunteers helped to acclimate their new schoolmates. 

"I've learned a lot," said incoming freshman Hannah Gallo, citing her newfound knowledge of the footprint of the school, especially. "Before, when we had tours, I didn't know where we were going at all. There was a group of 50 people, and now it's a group of 10." 

More than 230 freshmen - there will be about 400 in the Class of 2015 - took part in the optional freshman orientation. The first year brought in around 90 students, and last year had 198, said Kristin Cerce, co-director of the program and the district director of health and physical education. School starts Aug. 31.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1510868100/Schooling-the-rookies-in-Franklin#ixzz1VZCgHXiS

Franklin's McGann undecided on re-election

 

 

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Franklin's McGann undecided on re-election

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 8/19/11

Town Councilor Joseph McGann said yesterday that he is interested in serving on a town board, but has not decided whether he will seek re-election to the council or run for a different board in the Nov. 8 election.

 

 

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“There’s room for improvement”

“It seems that there is a clear need for a more ambitious curriculum -- and more rigorous assessment of teachers and student performance,” Charny said. 

Chester said the state’s new Common Core curriculum has made many changes to math education standards already, such as putting more emphasis on teaching proportional reasoning and fractions. 

“Too often, curriculum in those areas have not been as deliberately and carefully sequenced as they should be,” he said. 

Ultimately, though, “math is math,” said Sweeney. “Nothing’s changed about it.” 

“So much of what we’re talking about is the basics,” said DeBenedictis. “Give (students) support, and math is really much easier to supplement than writing, for example.” 

What’s important, educators agree, is finding ways to make the subject interesting to students, and rewarding for them to master. Sweeney said he often tries to incorporate real-life math problems -- figuring out electrical circuits, for example -- so that students will “see firsthand how (math) is done, and how it’s used.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x386669906/Solving-Americas-math-challenge#ixzz1VZB1Fiqp

"It's been a wonderful experience"

Former Town Councilor Deborah Bartlett has taken out papers to run against incumbent Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri. Pellegri has been town clerk for 27 years, she said, and was last challenged 17 years ago. 

"I don't take anything for granted," said Pellegri, of her position. "I am excited for every election whether I'm running in it or not." 

Current School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, and current School Building Committee Chairman Thomas Mercer have taken out papers for Town Council, along with Juan Ramon Riveras. 

Three of the nine current town councilors, Chairman Scott Mason, Shannon Zollo and Stephen Whalen, have said they do not intend to run for re-election. In Franklin, the seats of all nine councilors are up for grabs every two years.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633535108/Franklin-town-clerk-may-face-a-challenger#ixzz1VStXt9zI

Related post:
The full slate of positions available for election as well as the complete timeline can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/franklin-election-details-are-now.html

Farmers Market: noon to 6:00 PM

Franklin Farmers Market,  Friday,  12:00pm to 6:00pm

Located on the Town Common

Reminder that the Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP dollars and can double your purchasing power.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html

Visit the Food Pantry tent at the Farmers' Market for details.