Franklin Public Schools: Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Oct 21, 2021 - 7 PM

Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

A G E N D A

“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.”

I. Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies (reviewed, revised 10/6/21)

• A. GBCB Staff Health & Safety
• B. GBJ - Personnel Records
• C. GCBB - Employment of Principals
• D. GCCD - Domestic Violence Leave Policy

II. Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee

• A. GCD - Professional Staff Vacations and Holidays - Eliminated
• B. GCF - Professional Staff Hiring - Reviewed; Revised

III. Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item

• A. EBCFA - Face Coverings
• B. GCO - Evaluation of Professional Staff (pending attorney review)
• C. GCRD - Tutoring for Pay
• D. GDA - Support Staff Positions
• E. GDB - Support Staff contracts & Compensation Plans
• F. GDCC - Staff Family & Medical Leave
• G. GDCC-E - Family & Medical Leave of Absence
• H. GDI - Support Staff Probation
• I. GDJ - Support Staff Assignments & Transfers
• J. GDQD - Suspension and dismissal of Support Staff Members

Shared from Franklin Public Schools  => (with location and remote connection info)   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/10_21_21_policy_sub_com_agenda.pdf

 Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Oct 21, 2021 - 6 PM

Stefano: The True Story of Shakespeare’s Shipwreck, Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 PM

Stefano: The True Story of Shakespeare's Shipwreck, Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 p.m.

American public media series Hit and Run History presents their adventure-travel documentary on Mayflower pilgrim Stephen Hopkins, Stephano: The True Story of Shakespeare's Shipwreck.

The one-hour film follows the story of the only Mayflower passenger who had been to North American previously. A decade earlier, Hopkins had been aboard a Jamestown-bound ship that wrecked on Bermuda, inspiring Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest.

Shot on location, the intrepid Hit and Run History crew retraces Hopkins' life crisscrossing the Atlantic just as England made its first steps as a colonial power. Hampshire, Bermuda, Jamestown, Plymouth and London, Hopkins' came to know Native Americans in New World and Old. Pocahontas, Squanto and Massasoit – experience that would serve him and the Separatists aboard the Mayflower in establishing their fledgling settlement in New England.

Two-time Emmy-nominated producer and host Andrew Giles Buckley, a Hopkins descendant, grew up hearing stories that New Plymouth's iconoclast tavern keeper may have the model of The Tempest's drunken and mutinous Stephano. In their Gumshoe Historian style, Buckley and crew of Hit and Run History seek out the reality of a man who was everywhere at the founding of America.

The film was first broadcast on Rhode Island PBS in 2020 and has a screenings schedule starting February at the Pilgrim Hall Museum, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and currently a dozen other locations in Massachusetts. Following the broadcast in New England, it will be available to run on other public media stations across the country.

The screening of the film will feature an introduction by producer Andrew Buckley, followed by a question and answer session. This program is free and open to the public.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Shared from the Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/stefano-true-story-shakespeare%E2%80%99s-shipwreck-wednesday-october-20-630-pm

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting - Oct 21, 7:00 PM

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 21, 7:00 PM

 

Hello to all from the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Please mark your calendars for this week's Node meeting, Thursday, October 21, 7:00 PM.  (As a reminder, we meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. We continue to meet on Zoom.)

Zoom link for the meeting, October 21, 7:00 PM.

Join on Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/544734092?pwd=N3hwYzZBazRYZG9ycHRsbmliVkMxZz09

Meeting ID: 544 734 092

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

 

Our agenda will cover developments and actions in Massachusetts, nationwide, and globally, including legislation and the ongoing efforts to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.  We welcome you to join us, whether or not you've attended previous meetings. We need to take action and keep up the pressure on elected officials in Washington and Boston, and on banks and insurers who enable fossil fuel infrastructure. We'll discuss opportunities to learn about the climate crisis and strategies by reading and watching webinars, and to make our voices heard, collectively and individually.  

 

If you'd like to chat or meet with one of us, please reply to this email and we will find a time to explore with you how you can get involved in our multi-faceted organization. Our Greater Franklin Node wants to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute. 

Visit the 350 Mass website to learn about opportunities to add your voice for a just transition for a climate-safe world. SIgn up for updates. 

 

Here is today's message from our organization: Thousands have mobilized in DC and across the country to demand we recognize climate as the emergency it is. Please join us in urging @POTUS to declare a #ClimateEmergency & #BuildBackFossilFree . We can't afford to compromise on our future. Call the White House today 888-724-8946.

 

We'll send a meeting reminder on Thursday. Thanks for your participation and support.

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

 

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c)

 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting - Oct 21, 7:00 PM

Franklin Halloween Decorations 2021 (map)

Via the Franklin Cultural Council: 

"The Halloween Map Has Arrived. Everyone wants it and now you've got it first.

We are also working potentially on a hardcopy map that can be picked up and I'm sure someone will be here asking for a driving route...so we'll get going on that too!

Have fun, Franklin!"

Link to Google Map ->  https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1o1VBZYZbyOvm3mggj6wn84cbyc5y5zuA&ll=42.10508519283393%2C-71.40208074999998&z=12

The contest was announced earlier

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/2nd-annual-halloween-house-decorating.html

Franklin Halloween Decorations 2021 (map)

FHS Gymnastics Schedules Info Session Oct 27

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted  Mon, Oct 18, 2021:

Anyone interested in trying out for FHS Gymnastics info mtg for students on 10/27 @ 2:30 PM in lecture hall.  Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns if you cannot attend. lupienp@franklinps.net @fhsgymboosters @FHSSports @FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters https://t.co/9jkMQcxvL8

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1450184663587303425?t=c5Bk104uWmklvemBYcvVxw&s=03

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation - Nov 13

The St. Mary's Women's Faith Formation group will be meeting via Zoom on November 13 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM.  We will be viewing a short video from the Bishop Barron series entitled "Conversion – Following the Call of Christ". During the meeting we will listen to the story of "The Woman at the Well". 

Here is a link to the Trailer provided by Bishop Barron on his Conversion series. It will give you a sense of what is coming. https://www.wordonfire.org/study-programs/conversion/.  

We are extending an invitation to each of you to join us. Please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) if you are interested in the  Zoom link contact information. 

All women are welcome.  https://www.stmarysfranklin.org/womens-faith-formation

 

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation - Nov 13

The wfpr.fm Franklin Matters Radio show schedule for Oct 20 and Oct 23, 2021

The wfpr.fm Franklin Matters Radio schedule for this week: Wednesday, Oct 20 and Saturday, Oct 23, 2021:

• Two candidate interviews are combined for airplay on Wednesday at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM => School Committee candidate - Al Charles and Town Council candidate Patrick Sheridan
• The recent "Talk Franklin" episode is combined with Town Council candidate Melanie Hamblen for airplay on Wednesday at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM 

On Saturday both shows replay

• 9:00 AM => School Committee candidate - Al Charles and Town Council candidate Patrick Sheridan
• 3:00 PM => "Talk Franklin" episode is combined with Town Council candidate Melanie Hamblen

Where can I listen to wfpr.fm?

• wfpr.fm is available anywhere in your internet browser at wfpr.fm and in the local Franklin, MA radio dial on the FM band at 102.9.

And if you can't listen to the radio schedule, the podcast (or on-demand) version is available. Individual audio files:

• School Committee candidate Al Charles  -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/school-committee-candidate-al-charles.html
• Town Council candidate Patrick Sheridan -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/town-council-candidate-patrick-sheridan.html 
• "Talk Franklin" with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/the-latest-talk-franklin-episode-is.html
• Town Council candidate Melanie Hamblen - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/015-frank-presents-melanie-hamblen-audio.html

You can also find all episodes at https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html  or within your favorite podcast player

The wfpr.fm Franklin Matters Radio show schedule for Oct 20 and Oct 23, 2021

 

The latest "Talk Franklin" episode is ready for your listening pleasure

FM #639 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 639 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Finance Committee meeting
• Human Resources presentation by Karen Bratt
• Veterans tax rate increase
• Senior Workoff program increase
• Both pending approval by Town Council
• ARPA accounting
• Oct 20 – Town Council
• New precinct plan per 2020 Census data
• Maple Hill purchase finalized

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/54dea437-2130-4798-9e3c-bcbb611edc5b

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Finance Committee

Agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf 

My recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/finance-committee-hears-update-from.html 

Audio file -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/finance-committee-hears-human-resources.html 

Human Resources presentation doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf

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

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"

The latest "Talk Franklin" episode is ready for your listening pleasure

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - October 20, 2021 - 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting 

October 20, 2021

The Economic Development Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday October 20, 2021 at 5:45 PM. Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Economic Development Subcommittee meeting posted here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-10-20_edc_agenda_.pdf

Agenda:

1. Wayfinding signs update discussion

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting  - October 20, 2021 - 5:45 PM

School Committee candidate Elise Stokes (audio)

FM #640 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 640 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with candidate for School Committee Elise Stokes  

This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote.  Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.

We cover the candidate questions as previously developed in conjunction with the community and shared with the candidates in advance. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the School Committee

Our conversation runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with Elise Stokes . 

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/45c7013d-2a77-4090-98fa-121d5434488a

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Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html 

Candidate page ->  https://www.facebook.com/GetStokes4Franklin 

Edited transcript of Elise’s responses -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/17dln9AUvMeKZ4lKSf7YU48p0BKrsAeJi/view?usp=sharing 

Election Collection 2021 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.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/  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"

 

School Committee candidate Elise Stokes

FHS field hockey along with both girls and boys soccer teams post wins on Monday

Via @HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Monday, Oct 18, 2021 

Boys Soccer = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 1 – Final 

– Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Franklin scored the lone goal of the game just under 15 minutes into the contest to earn a season split with Taunton. Tim O’Keefe served a free kick from the right wing into the area that was redirected before falling to the feet of senior Terry O’Neill, who buried his chance from in close. The Panthers had a handful of good looks in the second half but couldn’t tack on a second goal; Taunton keeper Javonte Fernandes had a pair of terrific stops to help keep the deficit at one.

• HockomockSports has a photo gallery for this boys soccer game ->  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Fall-2021/Franklin-Taunton-Boys-Soccer-10-18-21/

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 4 @ Taunton, 0 – Final 

– Stella Regan’s brace powered Franklin to a road win that keeps the Panthers in first place in the Kelley-Rex, two points ahead of Mansfield and KP. Kelly O’Connor and Selene Hammad each scored as well for the Panthers, while Anya Zub had a pair of assists. Jackie O’Neill and Emma Reilly also had helpers in the win, while Rachel Welch and Haylie Aniki split the clean sheet in goal. Franklin coach Jodi Klein praised her team’s composure and ball movement.

Field Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Algonquin, 2 – Final 

– Franklin scored three goals in the final quarter to break a tie game and pull away from Algonquin for its 13th win of the season. Algonquin twice took the lead, the first coming in the opening quarter but a goal from Shaw Downing (from Kaitlyn Carney) four minutes later leveled the match, which stayed 1-1 into halftime. Algonquin regained the lead less than a minute into the third but Kendall Jones finished a pass from Carney four minutes later to make it 2-2 heading into the fourth. Haley Wernig put the visitors ahead less than five minutes into the fourth off of Carney’s third assist of the game and then Carney scored herself with just under five minutes to go to make it 4-2.Jones tacked on her second goal of the game two minutes later on a pass from Kaeley Dubriske. Jones also made a pair of huge defensive saves while goalie Megan Sullivan had seven stops.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-10-18-21/

FHS senior Terry O’Neill (HockomockSports.com photo

Voices of Franklin: Robert Vacca "Education is More Than Back to Basics"

At the October 14th Candidate’s Night, Franklin School Committee Candidate Mark Bisson stated that his platform is “back to the basics, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.” This sounds very pragmatic, however, this has been in place for years and we, as educators, do a whole lot more.  Our schools have math specialists who meet and plan with the math teachers to bring high level lessons into the classrooms. Students collaboratively use math skills to solve problems and analyze their responses.  We also have reading specialists in every school who plan and collaborate with classroom teachers to bring high level literary instruction into our classrooms.  The district has implemented the MAP testing program which will allow educators to use data collected from math and English tests to better plan and instruct, as well as provide differentiated instruction to our students.  

Several years ago, our school system invested in a program called Three Keys to Literacy. Through this program, educators in all content areas have been trained in how to bring literacy instruction into the classroom.  This instruction includes building vocabulary skills through comprehension and categorization, comprehension strategies which include note taking and the process of persuasive argument writing.  Students also learn how to use question terms in order to remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate and create. As an educator, I have found this program to be invaluable in my planning and instruction in order to help my students develop as 21st Century learners.  

“Return to the basics” is redundant.  The basics, and a whole lot more, as stated above, can be seen in every subject, classroom, and school.  To settle for the basics would be to sentence our students to a substandard future.  As educators, we do not settle for the basics as our students deserve so much more than that. 

Robert Vacca

Franklin Resident

To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Robert Vacca "Education is More Than Back to Basics"

Senate President Spilka: Update on Senate Vaccination Progress

From: Spilka, Karen (SEN) 

Subject: Update on Senate Vaccination Progress                                                  October 18, 2021

Dear Senators and Senate Staff,

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of Senate members and employees has been my top priority. Starting in March 2020, we successfully shifted to remote work, and have been able to deliver assistance and relief to the residents of Massachusetts, both through constituent services and the passing of legislation.

As the pandemic has continued and the virus has evolved, it has been necessary to remain working remotely to ensure the health and safety of Senators and staff. This period of remote work has lasted longer than anyone anticipated, and I'm truly grateful for your patience and flexibility as we have all adjusted to this new reality.

With the development and distribution of safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines, however, it is possible to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are the single most effective tool to combat the public health emergency and the disruption caused by this pandemic, and I am grateful for its widespread availability here in Massachusetts. I am also profoundly grateful for the efforts the members and employees of the Senate have undertaken to keep us all safe and productive by complying with the Senate's vaccine mandate.

As of today, we have had a 100% response rate on this issue, and I am proud to say that almost everyone in the Senate—96% of Senators and staff—is fully vaccinated.  Some are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated, some have received an exemption, and some are engaged with HR in the exemption process. I am very optimistic that we will reach our goal of 100% compliance very soon.

The rate of compliance with this vaccination mandate is tremendous news, and means we can once again begin moving forward on a hybrid work plan. Please stay tuned for more information from my office and Senate HR as we work to put these plans in place.

I am deeply grateful to the Senate Working Group on Reopening for their recommendations, and all of you for your efforts to keep the Senate a safe and healthy place to work. If you have any questions, please contact my Chief of Staff, Mary Anne Padien, at mary.padien@masenate.gov.

 

Kind regards,

Karen E. Spilka

Massachusetts State Senate President

________________________________________

Senate President Karen E. Spilka

2nd Middlesex & Norfolk

State House, Room 332

Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-1640

(617) 722-1077 (fax)

Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov

 

“What makes a society if you can’t even get together around keeping your people healthy?”

"Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S." 

"State and local public health departments across the country have endured not only the public’s fury, but widespread staff defections, burnout, firings, unpredictable funding and a significant erosion in their authority to impose the health orders that were critical to America’s early response to the pandemic.

While the coronavirus has killed more than 700,000 in the United States in nearly two years, a more invisible casualty has been the nation’s public health system. Already underfunded and neglected even before the pandemic, public health has been further undermined in ways that could resound for decades to come. A New York Times review of hundreds of health departments in all 50 states indicates that local public health across the country is less equipped to confront a pandemic now than it was at the beginning of 2020."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/18/us/coronavirus-public-health.html

A protest against a vaccination mandate in Staten Island, N.Y., in August.Credit...Yana Paskova for The New York Times

FHS Gymnastics schedules fund raising car wash - Oct 23

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted Mon, Oct 18, 2021:

Please support FHS Gymnastics on Saturday, Oct 23rd 8-12! 🤸🏻‍♂️💙 All money goes towards the FHS Gymnastics Team!! 

@fhsgymboosters @FranklinMatters @FHSPantherbook @Beemc78 https://t.co/BhBFWJPNPn

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1450182307160207368?t=6YPr8GtNqlpaPhd7TynPKA&s=03

FHS Gymnastics schedules fund raising car wash - Oct 23