Mount Saint Mary's Abbey sent a fund raising letter that I think is worthwhile sharing here:
Mount St Mary's Abbey 11/15/10
A brief video of the wind turbine in action was shared here earlier this year
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html
Franklin, MA
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Franklin, MA: MCAS 2010 - presentation document
Take a few minutes this morning to preview the presentation on the MCAS results for the Franklin School District. This presentation is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010.
I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.
What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.
2010 MCAS Results for Franklin, MA
View more presentations from Franklin Matters.
What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 11/16/10
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 9, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. RMS – Paul Peri, Mary Kass, Joe O’Halloran
b. MCAS Presentation – District Leadership Team
3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Community Outreach
Policy – First Reading
- GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy
- Sample MASC Policy for Facebook and Social Networking
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from College Board for FHS Scholarships and AP Testing.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from BJ’s Community Relations Program for Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $733.40 from Remington PCC for Remington Middle School.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
In the New - vision for the high school
As a follow up article to the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 9th, the Milford Daily News shares this:
The notes from the School Committee meting including the link to the documents associated with the visioning exercise can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html
Franklin, MA
Community members called to help sketch vision of Franklin High
from The Milford Daily News News RSSThe notes from the School Committee meting including the link to the documents associated with the visioning exercise can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html
Franklin, MA
YMCA - "The camp filled a gap"
"She came home every day so happy," Reeve said last week as Abigail happily pointed to pictures of herself at camp. "She couldn't wait to tell me who she saw or what she did."
The camp was held in August as part of the Hockomock Area YMCA's integration initiative, which helps disabled children participate in YMCA programs with their able-bodied peers. The initiative's major fundraiser, the Legends Ball, will be held Tuesday in Foxborough. The dinner will feature many current and former New England Patriotsplayers and other Boston athletes.
from The Milford Daily News News RSS
Franklin, MA
Franklin Fire Dept
In days of tight money, the Milford Daily News has an article today that reviews the purchase process for fire trucks as they are so expensive. Maintenance become important to keep the equipment in top shape and to extend the useful life.
Having participated in a number of discussions with Chief Gary McCarraher as he has presented to the Town Council, Finance Committee, or Financial Planning Committee, I can say that Franklin does very well in this area.
You can read the full article here:
I would recommend visiting the Fire Dept page on the Franklin website.
You can view the equipment housed at Station One (downtown)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/hqeqpt
You can view the equipment housed at Station Two (King St)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/st2equpt
Take a few minutes to explore the Fire Dept page. You can find a whole bunch of useful information there!
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index
BTW - the Globe decided to write about the effects that budget cuts are having to Fire Departments. You can read their story online here or in the print of the Sunday Globe Magazine.
Franklin, MA
Having participated in a number of discussions with Chief Gary McCarraher as he has presented to the Town Council, Finance Committee, or Financial Planning Committee, I can say that Franklin does very well in this area.
You can read the full article here:
How old are your town's firetrucks?
from The Milford Daily News News RSSI would recommend visiting the Fire Dept page on the Franklin website.
You can view the equipment housed at Station One (downtown)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/hqeqpt
You can view the equipment housed at Station Two (King St)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/st2equpt
Take a few minutes to explore the Fire Dept page. You can find a whole bunch of useful information there!
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index
BTW - the Globe decided to write about the effects that budget cuts are having to Fire Departments. You can read their story online here or in the print of the Sunday Globe Magazine.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bullying Plan - Presentation
The YouTube video/slideshow of the Anti-Bullying Task Force presentation can be viewed:
Updated 11/14/10
The Boston Globe West on Sunday posted an article on this
Franklin, MA
Updated 11/14/10
The Boston Globe West on Sunday posted an article on this
Antibullying policy ready for airing
Franklin, MA
Recycle to help the Panthers
ATTENTION: FRANKLIN PANTHERS FANS!
Support the Girls Ice Hockey team
at this
SPECIAL EVENT
CLEAN UP - CLEAN OUT
Electronic & Appliance Recycling Drive
Proceeds from electronics will benefit the Panthers.
Saturday, November 13
9am to 2pm
at
St. Mary's Charter School Parking lot
201 Main Street
Franklin
Big Brother Big Sister will participate by collecting used clothing. Please look for
the Big Blue Truck. Receipts available from our drivers.
Price List for Electronics/Appliances is as follows:
Large Home Appliances...............$10.00
Small Appliances............................$5.00
Televisions less than 48".............$20.00
Air Conditioners/Dehumidifiers....$10.00
Stereos/Speakers...........................$5.00
Computers, Monitors, Printers.......$5.00
Office Equipment.....................$5-10.00
Notebooks.....................................$5.00
DVD/VCR.......................................$3.00
All Fees are Tax Deductible.
Receipts given - cash only
For more information, call Franklin School at 508.520.7590
or call Big Brother Big Sister Foundation 1.800.483.5503
or contact us at: www.bbbsfoundation.org donate@bbbsfoundation.org
Thank you. We appreciate your support and participation.
Franklin, MA
Friday, November 12, 2010
Bullying Plan - Comments wanted!
You may recall that the School Committee formed an Anti-Bullying Task Force. This group has come together and developed a plan to address bullying in the Franklin School District. The plan is scheduled for discussion at the Nov 16th School Committee meeting.
The plan can be viewed below or on the School Committee page or on the Task Force page
Franklin Public Schools Bullying Plan
Don't be bashful, let your voice be heard.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
In addition to the public discussion, the committee is soliciting written comments by e-mail or letter. For e-mails, please send your comments to: millerd@franklin.k12.ma.us. For letters, please send your comments to: Franklin School Committee, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
The public comment period will be open through Thursday, December 9, 2010. The plan will be finalized and voted on at the December 14, 2010 school committee meeting.
The plan can be viewed below or on the School Committee page or on the Task Force page
Franklin Public Schools Bullying Plan
Don't be bashful, let your voice be heard.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Yes, class size matters.
No surprise here:
Class size can increase with growth which Franklin has seen and Brookline is now seeing, or class size can increase due to cuts in teacher staff which Franklin has seen and is likely to continue to see until something changes.
Franklin, MA
But if the board hoped to hear that they could let class sizes creep higher without harming student development or achievement, Rivkin, who also sits on the Amherst School Committee, disappointed.
Extracting from two studies that met his criteria for reliability, the Tennessee STAR project and a 2005 study he did with colleagues on Texas schools, Rivkin told the panel that class size matters.
Moreover, he said, studies using STAR (for Student Teacher Achievement Ratio) data have found students in smaller classes were more likely to attend college, attend a good college, and earn more than peers in larger classes.You can read the full article in the Boston Globe West section of the print version or online
Class size can increase with growth which Franklin has seen and Brookline is now seeing, or class size can increase due to cuts in teacher staff which Franklin has seen and is likely to continue to see until something changes.
Franklin, MA
In the News - Franklin Food Pantry, Class of 1961, Civil War, Comedy Night tonight
'God of This City' Tour Stops at St Mary’s
The 2010 God of This City Tour stops at St. Mary’s on Thursday, December 2nd from 7:00-9:00 pm
Each night during the first week of Advent, the God of This City Tour will visit one parish in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a great honor for St. Mary’s to be chosen as the host parish of our region for one of the five awe-inspiring evenings. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will host the final night of the tour at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, in Boston.
The tour is organized by LIFT Ministries, whose ‘Worship for a New Generation’ format presents a fresh means for teens, young adults and people of all ages to reverently assert their Catholic faith. The tour nights will be similar to LIFT nights, providing a unique blend of contemporary music, opportunity for confession, a dynamic speaker and the occasion to bow down in Adoration before His holy presence. It is a night of both enthusiastic praise and quiet contemplation.
LIFT’s vision for the tour is to rally parishes throughout the regions to unite in prayerful support of our youth; and in the process renew their own faith and see, as it travels throughout the five regions of the Archdiocese, that the Church is alive in her young people.
Every person of every age, but especially teens and young adults, and your friends and family …come see the majesty of God up close and personal. The experience is life altering for many, faith affirming for all, and an extraordinary way to begin your Advent. As a time of preparation, Advent allows us to refocus on and make room in our lives for Christ. Eucharistic Adoration grants us time with Jesus to share our joys, troubles, gratitude, disappointments, needs, everything with Him, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. As Advent begins this year, open your heart and your over filled calendar to this amazing opportunity to spend time in conversation with the One. Prepare to receive the ultimate gift.
There is no fee to attend the God of This City Tour. For more information, including images of last year’s tour, visit http://www.godofthiscitytour.com/ or contact St Mary site coordinators, Jackie LaNeve or Jennifer Moccia, at therockyouthministry@verizon.net.
Franklin, MA
Each night during the first week of Advent, the God of This City Tour will visit one parish in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a great honor for St. Mary’s to be chosen as the host parish of our region for one of the five awe-inspiring evenings. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will host the final night of the tour at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, in Boston.
The tour is organized by LIFT Ministries, whose ‘Worship for a New Generation’ format presents a fresh means for teens, young adults and people of all ages to reverently assert their Catholic faith. The tour nights will be similar to LIFT nights, providing a unique blend of contemporary music, opportunity for confession, a dynamic speaker and the occasion to bow down in Adoration before His holy presence. It is a night of both enthusiastic praise and quiet contemplation.
LIFT’s vision for the tour is to rally parishes throughout the regions to unite in prayerful support of our youth; and in the process renew their own faith and see, as it travels throughout the five regions of the Archdiocese, that the Church is alive in her young people.
Every person of every age, but especially teens and young adults, and your friends and family …come see the majesty of God up close and personal. The experience is life altering for many, faith affirming for all, and an extraordinary way to begin your Advent. As a time of preparation, Advent allows us to refocus on and make room in our lives for Christ. Eucharistic Adoration grants us time with Jesus to share our joys, troubles, gratitude, disappointments, needs, everything with Him, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. As Advent begins this year, open your heart and your over filled calendar to this amazing opportunity to spend time in conversation with the One. Prepare to receive the ultimate gift.
There is no fee to attend the God of This City Tour. For more information, including images of last year’s tour, visit http://www.godofthiscitytour.com/ or contact St Mary site coordinators, Jackie LaNeve or Jennifer Moccia, at therockyouthministry@verizon.net.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Property tax alternative
“We’ll be talking to different entities to gain support for this concept," he said. “We haven’t identified a champion yet. There’s a lot of new ground being plowed here."
The idea, Sinnot said, is to take some of the tax burden off property owners, particularly older residents who purchased their homes when values and taxes were lower, and shift it onto residents making more money. The average value of a single-family home in Concord is $835,697, with a tax bill of $10,128.
Sinnot said Pennsylvania and Maryland are among the states that allow local income taxes.
“We’re serious about dealing with particularly high property taxes and those earning a lot would have to pay a little more," he said. “House-rich people would benefit, older folks would benefit, and high earners would pick up the slack a little bit."Read the full article in the Boston Globe West print edition or online
Franklin, MA
Veterans Day
Some folks are off today as Veterans Day is celebrated. Some folks still need to work. Either way, if you get a chance to meet a person in the military or a veteran, please thank them for their service.
If you get a chance, walk around the Town Common. There are memorials to all the major wars that Franklin folks have served in. If you can't take time today, you can take this virtual tour in pictures.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos.
Franklin, MA
If you get a chance, walk around the Town Common. There are memorials to all the major wars that Franklin folks have served in. If you can't take time today, you can take this virtual tour in pictures.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos.
Franklin, MA
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