Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Live reporting: Discussion only items - Chapter 70 and calendar committee
3. Discussion Only Items
a. Chapter 70 Resolution
The resolution itself can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/resolution-calling-for-full-funding-of.html
Bilello - we have real unmet needs here in Franklin
we need to do more to address the counseling opportunities for our students
these are just a couple of areas with unmet needs, there are likely many more
the formula was adopted in 1993 and not kept pace with costs
demands and mandates have significantly outpaced out resources
I don't see a clear solution, maintaining status quo is at risk
I recommend that we consider passing this
Schultz - read the actual resolution
Jewell - we do need more money but we do not need to be told how to manage it. 19.5 to 22.2 increase in special education in the last several years. We are spending more of our money on special needs, I am not against it, they need it. We do need to be able to have local control over the money. We do need more money but not with strings attached to it
O'Malley - commend Bilello for an articulate and accurate statement. Jewell makes some good points, the money we have is insufficient to meet our requirements. We have $600K in unfunded requirements for this year that came on us after the year started. This is a two pronged attack, this is one tack. The second will be how we fund our schools at the local level.
b. Calendar Committee
the calendars represent the most reasonable options meeting all regulatory requirements
discussion on the rationale in the development of the two calendars
DESE has re-examined the policy on how to make up the snow days. The districts have been authorized on how to make up the 'days' without extending the calendar. This could alleviate the issue. The FEA and administration will have a proposal in the fall on how to do this.
Donna Grady, Franklin Education Assoc President
you did have teachers who were FEA members but did not have FEA leadership participation
the FEA does have a couple of issues
the recent survey is at least a year old, what would a change in the calendar actually fix? The FEA has not identified
the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is change to our contract and would have to be negotiated
I would strongly urge you to leave the calendars as they are
Sabolinski - the calendar is the purview of the School Committee, we'll talk about the calendars with the FEA in our next meeting
Bilello - the committee was open to a new survey but the timing was not good, it would have taken longer
The Wed before Thanksgiving before 2007 was a half day, then it became a day off in recognition of the attendance patterns and requests for time off from the faculty and staff
The committee was open to anyone via a ConnectEd message, also to all parents
this is 'game of calendars'
action for next meeting (May 10)
Live reporting: Digital Learning
c. Technology/ Digital Learning
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aU4XrHxZj6cjxNL2-X4bb--Eu9MiKObWOcYeclXgOHM/edit?usp=sharing
bill of rights - promoting responsibility and moving away from restrictions
incorporated the acceptable use policy into the 'bill of rights'
incorporated 'frequently asked questions' into the 'bill of rights' to help provide the other answers on how to use this
Tim Raposa - "someday all the technology will be behind the scenes just as the pencils and paper are today"
O'Malley - the # of teachers is impressive, at some point could we have a report on technology stuff, what is working, what isn't and where it is going. You have to keep demanding what you need.
The acceptable use policy would need to be revisited. Doing so needs to be a coordinated effort with the union and legal as it crosses multiple arenas
"this is moving faster than parents are aware", the google docs with collaboration is social networking and may not have parent oversight
equity in technology is also an issue
the bill of rights can help to create the understanding, with a BYOD policy, we can't track where those device go, that is not our purview
we do have software at the high school to do tracking and there have been some tough conversation in the principals' office
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| Venn diagram summarizes the next steps for digital learning |
Live reporting: School Committee - Apr 26, 2016
Present: Bilello, Scofield, Bergen, Douglas, O'Malley, Schultz, Jewel
Absent: none
- slightly out of the published agenda order
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Hockey Team - Division 1 State Champions
presentation of plaques by the 2 captains, 2 others are playing spring sports and couldn't be here. Coach Spillane and several of the assistant coaches were also participating
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
none
Review of Agenda (changed order as noted)
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 12, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Empty Bowls Dinner Apr 27
Prom this Friday night
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
b. Science Update
Asst Superintendent Joyce Edwards
introduces a number of teachers from the high school, the middle and elementary schools
a representative sample of the approx 3 dozen who participated over the past couple of years.
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
revision of curriculum to align with the new State frameworks
"no longer in a conceptual world only"
Franklin is ahead of the other communities in this effort, will share when the work is completed in June
curriculum maps are created and will need to be updated or tweaked as things go forward
the implementation plan is expected to take 3-4 years to complete as the changes are that significant
"it is always about time and money"
(screen grabs being posted to Instagram will be gathered here later)
in middle school students created their own experiments
learning and sharing the standards among the teachers focus for next year
6th grade will start in 2017-2018, followed by 7th and 8th grade the following year
integrating new frameworks into classes this year, starting process of shifting to the new curriculum, what is taught in 6th grade will then set the stage for the 7th and 8th grade lessons when they come along (hence the delayed approach)
"increase rigor and standards"
need to create communication plan for parents and families, here tonight to start with the general awareness
this will align the curriculum to be prepared for the new MCAS 2.0 testing when it comes around
time and money biggest challenge, 'unpacking' the standards takes time, it is a complex process
pedagogical changes are equally significant
O'Malley - your leadership (Edwards) is right in this space, our teachers are working to align the curriculum not for some generic students but for OUR students.
Bilello - your work is tremendous, the work at the K-6 level is so fantastic, how do we get the resources to do this right?
Bergen - science is not taught the way it was, no longer just from the book. The science night at the high school was recorded by Franklin TV and is available for replay
Edwards - project based learning professional development coming later this year, 26 teachers signed up for 3 days of after school work
Jewell - everything you do can have a science output, parents consider how to challenge your children, medical school is how do you figure it out
O'Malley - you need to challenge us to provide the resources to help you deliver this curriculum
Absent: none
- slightly out of the published agenda order
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Hockey Team - Division 1 State Champions
presentation of plaques by the 2 captains, 2 others are playing spring sports and couldn't be here. Coach Spillane and several of the assistant coaches were also participating
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
none
Review of Agenda (changed order as noted)
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 12, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Empty Bowls Dinner Apr 27
Prom this Friday night
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
b. Science Update
Asst Superintendent Joyce Edwards
introduces a number of teachers from the high school, the middle and elementary schools
a representative sample of the approx 3 dozen who participated over the past couple of years.
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
revision of curriculum to align with the new State frameworks
"no longer in a conceptual world only"
Franklin is ahead of the other communities in this effort, will share when the work is completed in June
curriculum maps are created and will need to be updated or tweaked as things go forward
the implementation plan is expected to take 3-4 years to complete as the changes are that significant
"it is always about time and money"
(screen grabs being posted to Instagram will be gathered here later)
in middle school students created their own experiments
learning and sharing the standards among the teachers focus for next year
6th grade will start in 2017-2018, followed by 7th and 8th grade the following year
integrating new frameworks into classes this year, starting process of shifting to the new curriculum, what is taught in 6th grade will then set the stage for the 7th and 8th grade lessons when they come along (hence the delayed approach)
"increase rigor and standards"
need to create communication plan for parents and families, here tonight to start with the general awareness
this will align the curriculum to be prepared for the new MCAS 2.0 testing when it comes around
time and money biggest challenge, 'unpacking' the standards takes time, it is a complex process
pedagogical changes are equally significant
O'Malley - your leadership (Edwards) is right in this space, our teachers are working to align the curriculum not for some generic students but for OUR students.
Bilello - your work is tremendous, the work at the K-6 level is so fantastic, how do we get the resources to do this right?
Bergen - science is not taught the way it was, no longer just from the book. The science night at the high school was recorded by Franklin TV and is available for replay
Edwards - project based learning professional development coming later this year, 26 teachers signed up for 3 days of after school work
Jewell - everything you do can have a science output, parents consider how to challenge your children, medical school is how do you figure it out
O'Malley - you need to challenge us to provide the resources to help you deliver this curriculum
Developing Independent Executive Functioning Skills - Apr 28 - 7:00 PM
Please join us in welcoming back Sarah Ward, CCC-SLP and leading expert in the assessment and treatment of executive function disorder. Executive functioning refers to one's ability to goal set, make an organized plan and carry out tasks to their fruition, while simultaneously assessing and modifying the plan as the need arises. Difficulties with executive functioning skills impact students at home and in the classroom.
Sarah Ward will present hands-on strategies that can be used to help students with these difficulties. This workshop will take place at 7:00 on Thursday, April 28th at the Horace Mann Auditorium, 224 Oak Street.
As always this workshop is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there. Check out our website www.franklinsepac.org or email us at frankinsepac@gmail.com for more information.
Sarah Ward will present hands-on strategies that can be used to help students with these difficulties. This workshop will take place at 7:00 on Thursday, April 28th at the Horace Mann Auditorium, 224 Oak Street.
As always this workshop is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there. Check out our website www.franklinsepac.org or email us at frankinsepac@gmail.com for more information.
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| Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council! |
It takes a Village: Special Needs Parents' Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Board members, Sara Mulcahy and Jennifer O'Duggan from the Special Needs Parents' Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be talking all about the work of this important support group which provides all kinds of information and resources for parents of special needs children.
The program will air on this
The program will air on this
- Tuesday morning at 9:00
- Wed morning at 7:30
- Saturday evening at 8:30
Channel 26 (Verizon); Channel 8 (Comcast) - It Takes a Village...
FHS versus Taunton results for baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis matches
Baseball
- Franklin, 0 @ Taunton, 7 – Final
– Luke Figueira put in another strong performance for the Tigers on both the mound and at the plate. Figueira tossed six shutout innings, striking out seven while allowing just two hits. At the plate, the senior had three hits and an RBI. Brendon Mazerolle, Christian Simoes and Charles Hearrold III each had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Tigers.
Softball
- Franklin, 0 @ Taunton, 5 – Final
– The Tigers were limited to their lowest offensive output of the season but Aimee Kistner was strong in the circle, striking out five while allowing no runs or walks and just four hits in a complete game effort. Kistner was backed by strong defense, including a nice backhanded play by Jaime Brown down the third base line that resulted in a double play and backhand catch from Bailey Clapp in left with two runnings on. Kistner went 2-2 at the play with a triple and two RBI, Brown was 2-3 with a double, triple and run scored, Liana Duarte went 2-4 and Sarah Bagge was 2-3 with a run.
Boys Lacrosse
- Franklin, 19 @ Taunton, 0 – Final
– Senior Trevor Drake scored a pair of goals and had an assist while sophomore Luke Downie scored once and had two assists and sophomore Jonathan O’Glishen scored twice.
Girls Lacrosse
- Taunton, 2 @ Franklin, 20 – Final
– Franklin raced out to a big lead by halftime and never looked back. Kenzi Pleshaw scored three goals, including her 100th career goal to pace the Panthers. Senior Dani Lonati scored her first career goal for the Panthers.
Boys Tennis
- Franklin, 5 @ Taunton, 0 – Final
– Franklin junior Rahul Herur won 6-1, 6-3 at first singles, junior Eli Brooks won 6-0, 6-2 at second singles and freshman Dan Barrow won 6-0, 6-2 at third singles. Junior James Johnston and senior Tom Mancini won 6-1, 6-0 at first doubles while seniles Cam Piana and Jeremy Gan won 6-1, 6-1 at second doubles.
Girls Tennis
- Taunton, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– The Panthers got wins at first and second singles but the Tigers were able to win at third singles and in both doubles to get the win. Delaney DeAvila won 6-3, 6-0 (injury) at third singles, Ashleigh Eason and Emily Moor won 7-5, 6-3 at first doubles and Jillian Pagliuca and Caroline Hebert won 6-2, 6-4 at second doubles. Franklin’s Hannah Sweeney won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles and Anna Humphreys won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles for the Panthers.
Boys Outdoor Track
- Franklin, 34.34 @ Mansfield, 99.66 – Final
Girls Outdoor Track
Franklin @ Mansfield, 3:45 (no results)
- All results courtesy of Hockomock Sports
For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-042516/
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| FHS Panthers |
Sleeping Beauty - Apr 30 - 4:00 PM
Illuminate Children's Theatre is performing the children's classic Sleeping Beauty, this Saturday, at 4 PM at 282 Summer Street, Franklin.
Wholesome, quality, FREE entertainment for whole family. The performance will be followed by a party for the Princess afterwards (treats, crafts, and more!).
The Model 3 - "the power of a trusted brand"
A good story on "the power of a trusted brand"
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In the News: town common concrete repairs, 1776 Financial shredding event, FDP Progressive Dinner
"Workers hope to have improvements on the town common veterans memorial complete before Memorial Day.
The project aims to replace and re-grade the areas around the monument stones themselves.
Dale Kurtz, the town veterans agent, said the intent is to beautify the area."The memorial is a great place," he said. "Lots of people stop by, and it's well-kept by the garden club."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160425/franklin-work-on-veterans-memorial-should-be-done-by-parade
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| concrete sections removed from around some of the memorials to be repaired and improved |
"1776 Financial, 443 E. Central St., Franklin, will hold a shredding event from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 14 in its parking lot.
Participants can shred tax returns, bank statements, receipts and other paper documents. Those attending are asked to bring one nonperishable food item for Franklin Food Pantry."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160425/1776-financial-to-host-shredding-event
"The Franklin Downtown Partnership will hold a progressive dinner at staggered times beginning at 5 p.m. May 15.
Organizers will offer options at several downtown restaurants. Attendees can also take chances to win raffle items donated by FDP-member businesses.
“Our progressive dinner is one way we are reminding our community to visit Franklin’s downtown eateries during the road construction process. What better way than to have people walking through downtown, enjoying local restaurants and entertainment with friends?” said event organizer Jane Curran, owner of Jane’s Frames and FDP board member."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160425/franklin-downtown-partnership-progressive-dinner-to-be-held-may-15
LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, May 4th
LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, May 4th !
Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter on Wednesday, May 4th (and every first Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.
Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience!
New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating.
Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.
See more information and other opportunities to laugh at www.letslaughtoday.com.
Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter on Wednesday, May 4th (and every first Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.
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| Smile |
Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience!
New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating.
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| Laughter Yoga |
See more information and other opportunities to laugh at www.letslaughtoday.com.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Franklin Library reopens May 2 at 25 Kenwood Circle
A reminder to all Franklin residents that the Public Library will be reopening in its temporary location at 25 Kenwood Circle this coming Monday May 2nd.
Please note the temporary location is in an industrial park with other businesses in the same building. We ask the residents to please make sure you are walking into the correct building. The town will install three signs to help guide everyone, but please be cognizant of where you are going.
The library hours will remain the same.
The phone will remain the same at 508-520-4940.
For more information about the Franklin Public Library Move and Renovation please click here
Please note the temporary location is in an industrial park with other businesses in the same building. We ask the residents to please make sure you are walking into the correct building. The town will install three signs to help guide everyone, but please be cognizant of where you are going.
The library hours will remain the same.
The phone will remain the same at 508-520-4940.
For more information about the Franklin Public Library Move and Renovation please click here
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| temporary location for the Franklin Library at 25 Kenwood Circle |
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| until the sign gets placed on the building, look for the blue library book return containers |
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