As a follow up to yesterday's video on digital learning, here is another brief video out of the same Kansas State program with a similar powerful message (less than 2 minutes):
Note: The one sign that appears toward the end "Some have suggested that technology alone can save us? Who do we mean by "us"?
What do we want for our Franklin students?
The "we" is deliberate. We are all in this together. Together we can discuss and decide.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Important definitions
Jeff Roy has a couple of important posts on the Franklin School Committee blog:
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Continuing the dialog on policy KCD
| In the continuing debate over the proposed policy on the donation of non-budgeted funds, I thought it would be helpful to provide you with additional resources on the topic. We have assembled a list of articles which discuss the topic, which, at best, can be described as a delicate balancing act. You can [...] |
Defining supplement not supplant
| Franklin’s proposed policy on donations of non-budgeted funds (policy KCD) is the subject of two prior posts (#1 and #2). In this post, we address the supplement not supplant language. The proposed policy would encourage and welcome future giving, but only to the extent that the donations supplement rather than supplant – take the place of [...] |
Digital Learning - What do we want for Franklin?
As we gear up for another discussion on grim finances and the sections of the taxpayers appear to be pitted against one another in a case of the "haves" vs. the "have-nots", the "fors" vs. the "against", I suggest we step back and discuss our priorities.
How do we enable an appropriate education for our children's digital future?
Spend four minutes of your time to view this:
This is a more pointed, that is education focused, version of the Web 2.0 explained that I shared here earlier.
What do we want for our Franklin students?
The "we" is deliberate. We are all in this together. Together we can discuss and decide.
How do we enable an appropriate education for our children's digital future?
Spend four minutes of your time to view this:
This is a more pointed, that is education focused, version of the Web 2.0 explained that I shared here earlier.
What do we want for our Franklin students?
The "we" is deliberate. We are all in this together. Together we can discuss and decide.
In the news - money for brick
$5K donated to help keep Red Brick School open
| FRANKLIN - Working to keep a town landmark open despite budget uncertainties and possible restrictions on future donations, the Brick School Association has secured a $5,000 grant to help keep the building open. |
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Where in Franklin? - #30
Where will you find this building in Franklin?
Guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?' can be found here.
Enjoy!
Where in Franklin? - Answer #29
The pictures of the bell tower and entrance apparently were unable to help identify that this building was the Franklin Federated Church, serving the First Congregational Church and the First Baptist Church.
Stay tuned for the next picture for "Where in Franklin?"
In the news - medal of valor
Medal of valor bestowed on fallen soldiers' families
| The Franklin Lodge of Elks yesterday posthumously bestowed the medal of valor on three local soldiers killed in Iraq. |
The lodge presented the awards to the families of Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli, Marine Lance Cpl. Shayne Cabino and Marine Gunnery Sgt. Elia Fontecchio.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Fire station update
Fire station is ahead of schedule
| FRANKLIN - Construction of the new $9.3 million fire station is ahead of schedule and slightly under budget, with officials fairly confident that the town can scrape together enough money to open the building early. |
Note: Jeff Nutting's comments to the Town Council meeting January 9th
Thursday, February 7, 2008
In the news - layoffs in forecast
Franklin officials told of tight finances
| FRANKLIN - Working off the assumption the town will not dip further into its savings account, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting warned councilors last night that layoffs could be in store as the budget season begins anew. |
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Town Council Meeting 2/6/08 (Audio)
The complete audio file for the brief Town Council meeting held 2/6/08.
Highlights:
* FY 2008 school budget will be balanced without further funding from the Town
* High School building committee to be proposed early in March
* First look at School budget for FY 2009 coming at the School Committee meeting 2/26/08
* 2 Town bylaw changes moved to second reading
* Town Council will be asked whether to fund unemployment expenses from stabilization or from the respective budgets.
Time: 15 minutes, 5 seconds
MP3 File
Highlights:
* FY 2008 school budget will be balanced without further funding from the Town
* High School building committee to be proposed early in March
* First look at School budget for FY 2009 coming at the School Committee meeting 2/26/08
* 2 Town bylaw changes moved to second reading
* Town Council will be asked whether to fund unemployment expenses from stabilization or from the respective budgets.
Time: 15 minutes, 5 seconds
MP3 File
In the news - grim finances, book about Charlie, Michael tried vegan
Finances look grim in Franklin
| FRANKLIN - Working with drawn-down reserves and expecting only an additional $1.8 million in revenue, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting warned the Finance Committee last night that the next budget could require layoffs. |
Franklin woman pens book on son’s fight with cancer
| If you don’t believe in miracles, you might just change your mind after reading, "Hope, Faith and Charlie." |
Reporter reflects on a month of being a vegan
Daily News reporter Michael Morton gave it the ol' college try, but after a month of experimenting with a vegan lifestyle, he has returned to his former omniverous self. Michael recaps his experiment on the Food for Thought blog. Give it a read and let him know what you think by clicking on "Leave a Comment."
Agenda for Town Council Meeting 2/6/08
The agenda for the Town Council meeting 2/6/08 is available on the Town web site (PDF).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
In the news - downtown fire at Delux Tux
Patriots lose Super Bowl, but their wedding tux orders are salvaged
| FRANKLIN - While a three-alarm fire destroyed much of his brother-in-law’s downtown business just as Super Bowl XLII got under way, John Ricci discovered yesterday that customers’ paperwork somehow made it through the blaze relatively intact. |
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Right to speak at public meetings
Don't miss the detailed explanation on an individual's right to speak at a public meeting at the Franklin School Committee blog.
Where in Franklin? #29 - 2nd Photo
Maybe this view of the entrance to the building with the tower shown in the first picture for #29 will help add another clue to Where in Franklin?
It was bright and sunny when this photo was taken back in August 2007.
Enjoy!
School superintendent searches in MA competitive
With superintendent searches, turnover likely means big bucks
| Turnover among school superintendents appears to be at an all-time high statewide, escalating their pay packages, says an adviser to many school districts searching for new superintendents. |
From the article:
Franklin Chairman Jeffrey N. Roy said the committee decided to include the $4,200 when negotiating with Ogden two years ago because "our superintendent comes from Duxbury and that was an additional enticement to get him to come."
"To attract people to this job, you've got to be competitive," Roy said.
Recreation, open space survey
Franklin seeks views on recreation, open space
| FRANKLIN - Seeking to update the town's plans for preserving undeveloped land and providing recreation, a civic committee is asking residents to fill out a survey to provide some guidance. |
From Franklin's web site:
The Town of Franklin takes pride in preserving the character of the community by offering an array of park and recreation opportunities and open space areas to its residents and the surrounding region. Currently, the Town’s Public Land Use Committee is in the process of updating Franklin’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. The purpose of this plan is to create a document through a public input process that will guide the Town of Franklin in its continuing efforts to maintain and enhance the open space and recreation resources in town.The survey can be found here.
In order to complete a plan that represents the opinions, desires and needs of the community, the Public Land Use Committee is asking that you take a few moments and complete a brief citizen survey. The survey will let the Public Land Use Committee and other Town officials know how Franklin residents feel about preservation of open space and the adequacy of parks and recreation opportunities available.
In addition, the Public Land Use Committee would like to invite you to participate in two public input meetings to review and discuss accomplishments since the development of the 2001 Open Space and Recreation Plan as well as obtain additional input on the future needs of the community. The public input meetings will be held on Thursday, March 13 and March 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Training Room on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Building located at 355 East Central Street.
To ensure your input is included in the development of the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan, please return your survey to one of the locations indicated on the survey by March 21, 2008. If you have any questions or would like to know where you can obtain additional copies of the citizen survey, please contact Franklin’s Town Planner, Beth A. Dahlstrom, at (508) 520-4907.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Franklin: I can use your help
Yes, I can use your help. Franklin can use your help.
I came up with this brain storm of an idea a couple of weeks ago. When Dolores and I go walking now on the weekend, I carry a bag (or two) and pick up the recycling I find along the way.
All Franklin walkers could help in this effort. Take a bag with you. PIck up the recycling.
A little bit at a time, Franklin will be cleaner.
A little bit at a time, people will notice us picking up the recycling.
Maybe after they notice, they might stop and think about tossing their recycling out on our roads and sidewalks.
Our walk today generated two bags and I could have easily filled about a dozen more.
A little bit at a time.
Franklin matters. Please recycle!
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