Thursday, October 23, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Yes, exercise is good for learning
The exercise initiatives at Davis Thayer were featured at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday. There is a growing body of evidence supporting exercise as good for the overall health of individuals, especially in a learning environment.
The results of the 'school climate' survey conducted with the parents and staff during the Apr-May 2014 period were shared and discussed last night. The one thread that ran through all the results was a good opportunity for improved communication. From getting an increased participation in the survey to a better understanding of the effectiveness of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, you can tie to communications.
The School district used to be at the forefront of using social media tools to communicate but it has dropped off recently. The School Committee blog was last updated when? Yes, the Twitter account usage at the high school is good. Finding appropriate methods of communicating with all segments of the school district remains the key challenge. If they solve that, the survey results will themselves be more accurate as the information captured will better reflect reality.
I included the two policy revision documents here. The one on 'gifts to staff' should be required reading for all parents to ensure their year end and special occasion gifts to teachers are compliant with the State ethics policy. Yes, the State ethics policy drives this and is applicable to all Franklin school and town employees.
My notes recorded live during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday:
The proposed policy update on "political activities of staff:
The results of the 'school climate' survey conducted with the parents and staff during the Apr-May 2014 period were shared and discussed last night. The one thread that ran through all the results was a good opportunity for improved communication. From getting an increased participation in the survey to a better understanding of the effectiveness of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, you can tie to communications.
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| community entrance at FHS |
The School district used to be at the forefront of using social media tools to communicate but it has dropped off recently. The School Committee blog was last updated when? Yes, the Twitter account usage at the high school is good. Finding appropriate methods of communicating with all segments of the school district remains the key challenge. If they solve that, the survey results will themselves be more accurate as the information captured will better reflect reality.
I included the two policy revision documents here. The one on 'gifts to staff' should be required reading for all parents to ensure their year end and special occasion gifts to teachers are compliant with the State ethics policy. Yes, the State ethics policy drives this and is applicable to all Franklin school and town employees.
My notes recorded live during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday:
- Live reporting: Closing
- Live reporting: policy revisions and action items
- Live reporting: School Climate Survey Results
- Live reporting: Fitness initiatives
- Live reporting: School Committee - Oct 21, 2014
The proposed policy update on "political activities of staff:
FHS girls and boys soccer teams win
Hockomock Sports writes about the Franklin vs. Taunton boys soccer game.
Continue reading the article here:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/panthers-overcome-slow-start-to-win-at-taunton
The FHS girls soccer team played their last home game. It was "senior night" to recognize the seniors playing their last regular season home game. Hocokmock Sports reports on the final score:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-102114
The Taunton Tigers and Franklin Panthers did battle Tuesday afternoon at Aleixo Stadium in Taunton's final home game of year. The Panthers spoiled the swansong of Class of 2015 winning 3-0 over the same Tigers that they eliminated from last year’s state tournament.
The Tigers were the better team for most of the first half and Marc Desousa did not have to make many saves early. However, one of the ones he did was on a wide open Scotty Donaldson in the fourth minute.
FHS Panthers
In the 12th minute, Franklin's Ben LaBelle took down Taunton's Austin Botelho in the box, earning himself a yellow card and giving the Tigers a penalty. Yuri Valente took it for Taunton but his shot missed wide to the left.
"When you get chances like that and you don't take advantage if just kills you," said Taunton coach David Purpura.
Continue reading the article here:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/panthers-overcome-slow-start-to-win-at-taunton
The FHS girls soccer team played their last home game. It was "senior night" to recognize the seniors playing their last regular season home game. Hocokmock Sports reports on the final score:
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 2 - Final - Meg Adams and Alexis Stowell scored in the final 15 minutes to give the Panthers the win. Taunton goalie Kayla Wentworth made 18 saves in net.You can find all the results from Tuesday's action in the Hockomock League here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-102114
Have your holiday party at 3!
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Girl Scout Troop hosting holiday party - Oct 25th
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Fred Astaire Dance Studio: Halloween party - Oct 31
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Live reporting: Closing
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report13 students recognized for scholarship
attended the NEASC model school conference, heading into accreditation next year; Maureen heading out next week on a visit, will be back in December to talk about the timeline for what needs to be done
Horace Mann Middle School Community Read - Monday, Nov 10th
"Unbroken"
Channel 5 - wake up call
Oct 30th - Remington
Ladybug 5K was a fun event
next meeting will be in the training room
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
policy subcommittee continues to work its way through the manual
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.FEF Fund raiser at the elks
7. Executive Session
Personnel Updatemotion to go to executive session to not return to public meeting
seconded, passed 5-0 via roll call
Live reporting: policy revisions and action items
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Readings:1. GBEBC – Gifts to Staffpolicy terminology brought into alignment with the State ethics law on gifts
it is for everybody, not just in schools, this applies to all public employees
2. GBI – Political Activities of Staffadjusted wording after consulting with attorney
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
b. I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading:
1. GBEBC – Gifts to Staffmotion to send to second reading, seconded, passed 5-0
2. GBI – Political Activities of Staff
c. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for FHS students to New Hampshire on November 2, 2014 for US Senate Campaign events as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
d. I recommend approval of the field trip for Parmenter students to travel to Providence, RI on April 16, 2015 as detailed.motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
e. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to NY City for the 8th grade chorus students on May 9, 2015 as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
Live reporting: School Climate Survey Results
2. Guests/Presentations
b. School Climate Survey – Summary – Maureen Sabolinski
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/school-committee-davis-thayer-update.html
Issued last year from Apr 4 to May 5, may have been part of the low response rate from parents
64% response from staff, 29% response from parents; good for an initial survey
will target Jan 2015 to release this year (stay tuned here for info when it is released)
each school received a set of data based on the specific school, this will be posted to the school webpages and used in planning processes
Aspen parent portal available for middle and high school parents
92% says they feel their child is safe on the bus
high levels of collaboration within the schools, somewhat a reflection of mandates and a lack of professional development time
a gap in perception between parents and staff particularly in the advanced placement courses, will be looking to tease out why this is so and what can be done with it.
incorporated into the instructional goal setting process
principals are doing site level analysis
exploring ways to improve communications is one key effort
looking to get an increased participation rate with next roll-out in Jan 2015
O'Malley it is a commendable report, although I am struck by the fact that it is an opinion report and hard to get actionable responses for this data; need to get to a point where opinions are backed by signatures
Raw data is kept by K-12 Insight
I can send the individual results for each school
the comment sections were not available to us
you could only do the survey once, even if you have multiple students
may have been a vocabulary issues (i.e. parent portal = Aspen)
how do you get parents involved in decision making?
You get parents in to understand the math program and get feedback, we don't do enough of that. At the high school, we did curriculum night, probably the first time in 15 years we did that. Need to have the conversations between parents and teachers on what is expected of their child
Live reporting: Fitness initiatives
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update – Evemarie McNeilStefani Wasik
Mrs. Christopolous
You can find the copy of the presentation here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/school-committee-davis-thayer-update.html
BOKS = Build Our Kids Success
received a grant for this before school initiative
involves the whole school community
slotted for 40 and have 60 looking to get to it
can use more volunteers to help expand the program
Reebok also offers formal training on the program
Bobcat fitness club
teaching classroom movement breaks
once month each class comes down to the gym
to learn exercises that can be done in class at the desk
Energizing brain breaks in the classroom
http://www.energizingbrainbreaks.com/
The Brain Breaks blog http://brainbreaks.blogspot.com/
Live reporting: School Committee - Oct 21, 2014
Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Clement, Mullen, Trahan
Absent: Rohrbach, Jewell
Review of Agenda - no adjustments
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 7, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to approve and pay bills, seconded, passed 5-0 (note two separate motions and votes for separate warrants)
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
voter registration effort underway to get 18 at the time of the Nov election
over 700 students attended the first homecoming dance in the new facility
Panther Pride night 5:30 - 8:00
interactive displays in various class rooms around the high school
peer leaders will be stationed around the high school
Correspondence: none
Absent: Rohrbach, Jewell
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - noneReview of Agenda - no adjustments
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 7, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to approve and pay bills, seconded, passed 5-0 (note two separate motions and votes for separate warrants)
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
voter registration effort underway to get 18 at the time of the Nov election
over 700 students attended the first homecoming dance in the new facility
Panther Pride night 5:30 - 8:00
interactive displays in various class rooms around the high school
peer leaders will be stationed around the high school
Correspondence: none
Tuesday, 10/21, Franklin HS Varsity Girls Soccer Team's SENIOR NIGHT!
No matter the weather, senior players will be announced onto the field at 6:25pm and the kick off will be at 6:30pm at the Franklin High School turf field (Pisini Field, Oak St, Franklin).
The Franklin varsity girls soccer team is having a phenomenal season and is undefeated with a record of 12-0-2 (in league 11-0-2)!
FHS Panthers
Wet or dry, please come out to recognize the 9 seniors on the team this year and cheer on the varsity girls soccer team as they play Taunton HS.
2015 Senior Varsity Girls:Leah Benson #25Taylor Cogliano #2Lindsey Mastaj #10Erin Conley #5Julianne Pisani #22Nicole Ellin #11Jane Scafati #19Haley Frank #18Tracy Pisani - Team ManagerThank you for your support! Go Panthers!
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 21, 2014
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.
AGENDA
"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 CommentsReview of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 7, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
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| Franklin Public schools - "the key to learning" |
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update – Evemarie McNeilb. School Climate Survey – Summary – Maureen Sabolinski
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/school-committee-davis-thayer-update.html
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Readings:1. GBEBC – Gifts to Staff
2. GBI – Political Activities of Staff
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.b. I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading:
1. GBEBC – Gifts to Staffc. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for FHS students to New Hampshire on November 2, 2014 for US Senate Campaign events as detailed.
2. GBI – Political Activities of Staff
d. I recommend approval of the field trip for Parmenter students to travel to Providence, RI on April 16, 2015 as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to NY City for the 8th grade chorus students on May 9, 2015 as detailed.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s ReportSchool 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
Personnel Update8. Adjourn
School Committee: Davis Thayer Update, School Climate Survey
Davis Thayer Elementary School will provide an update on their fitness initiatives at the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski is scheduled to talk about the results of the survey conducted earlier this year. The survey was sent to school staff and to school parents.
The full agenda for the school committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct_21.html
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| spotlight on Davis Thayer Elementary School |
Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski is scheduled to talk about the results of the survey conducted earlier this year. The survey was sent to school staff and to school parents.
The full agenda for the school committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct_21.html
30 wooden Piggy Banks - an exhibit at the Norfolk Public Library
On view in the Library foyer for the month of October will be a special exhibit of over 30 wooden Piggy Banks designed and built by Peter Mulliken of Franklin from 1984 through 2014.
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| Example of Peter Mullikan wooden piggy bank |
Mr. Mulliken taught basic woodworking at the Dexter School in Brookline, MA for 41 years, retiring in 2012.
Peter designed a different bank each year for his "new" second grade class. The piggy banks represent the planning, design and execution of the major woodworking project for the second grade students (ages 6-8) at the prestigious private school from 1984 through 2012.
Project plans and drawings for some of the banks will be on display in addition to basic woodworking reference books Peter found helpful while teaching the students.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, scout and 4-H leaders (and kids!) should plan on stopping by to view this fun exhibit.
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| 2nd example of Peter Mullikan wooden piggy bank |
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| Norfolk Public Library |
For more information about the Norfolk Public Library, visit their webpage here
http://library.virtualnorfolk.org/
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