Franklin schools garner national notice
from The Milford Daily News News RSSFranklin Youth Hockey Golf Tournament planned
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
School Committee - 08/10/10
The live reporting from the School Committee meeting of Tuesday, Aug 10th can be found here:
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Superintendent update
- Live reporting - District Improvement Plan
- Live reporting - 5 minute recess
- Live reporting - Middle Schools/ High School
- Live reporting - Elementary principals
- Live reporting - School Committee
Franklin, MA
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Musical Hawaiian Cruise in January
One of the musical gems that exists within Franklin is the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse. This is their newest email outlining the schedule of performers for the upcoming season.
You can visit the Coffeehouse website to view details and subscribe to your own copy of this email.
http://www.circlefolk.org/
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Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, US
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FanReach Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Live reporting - Closing
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
Motion to enter execution session, no intention to return to open meeting, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
Space Needs subcommittee met today, meeting again, Oct 5th
getting data needed on the facilities from Mike D'Angelo
School Committee Liaison Reports
none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
Rohrbach - congratulations to Jeff Roy and Jeff Nutting for successfully completing their PanMass Challenge ride
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
Motion to enter execution session, no intention to return to open meeting, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Superintendent update
3. Discussion Only Items - none
4. Action Items - none
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. MSBA Update
architect negotiations underway
b. Personnel Update
still looking to fulfill some positions
c. Schedules / Teacher Assignments
should be out next week, been getting phone calls on teacher assignments
d. Center For American Progress
we have had a lot of personnel changes over the summer
OT/PT consultants were hired instead of being outsources via the collaborative
three new health PE teachers, foreign language teachers moved to the high school
unexpected resignations during the summer
7 teachers were non-renewed who were not performing up to district standards during their 1-2-or 3 year before they obtained their professional status
enrollments continuing to grow, 20 this week alone
6th grade classes are at 28-29
f. Foreign Language Technology Presentation
met with Rosetta Stone
maybe able to utilize in a future budget year
g. Proposed School Committee Presentations 2010-11
very general outline on forthcoming presentations (to be shared post meeting)
Meeting with committee on full-day vs. half-day kindergarten
should be ready to report in January
Rohrbach - some people don't realize how much the administration does to help
Glynn - do you think there is an opportunity to help the foreign language situation we have?
Sabolinski - Kristy and Michelle are looking at that, once the students come back we want to get a survey out to see how many students would be interested.
Franklin, MA
4. Action Items - none
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. MSBA Update
architect negotiations underway
b. Personnel Update
still looking to fulfill some positions
c. Schedules / Teacher Assignments
should be out next week, been getting phone calls on teacher assignments
d. Center For American Progress
Franklin selected as a spotlight district for ROI.
Selected by a Washington, DC think-tank
used a variety of data to per pupil numbers, from state websites, and national databases, took out Special Ed costs, looked at AP scores
looked at 15,000 districts
e. New Staff Orientation (8/24, 25, 26 – RMS 8:00 A.M.)
we have had a lot of personnel changes over the summer
OT/PT consultants were hired instead of being outsources via the collaborative
three new health PE teachers, foreign language teachers moved to the high school
unexpected resignations during the summer
7 teachers were non-renewed who were not performing up to district standards during their 1-2-or 3 year before they obtained their professional status
enrollments continuing to grow, 20 this week alone
6th grade classes are at 28-29
f. Foreign Language Technology Presentation
met with Rosetta Stone
maybe able to utilize in a future budget year
g. Proposed School Committee Presentations 2010-11
very general outline on forthcoming presentations (to be shared post meeting)
Meeting with committee on full-day vs. half-day kindergarten
should be ready to report in January
Rohrbach - some people don't realize how much the administration does to help
Glynn - do you think there is an opportunity to help the foreign language situation we have?
Sabolinski - Kristy and Michelle are looking at that, once the students come back we want to get a survey out to see how many students would be interested.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - District Improvement Plan
2. Guests/Presentations
b. District Improvement Plan
Sally Winslow (asst Superintendent), Maureen Sabolinski (Superintendent), Michele Kingsland-Smith
The document being discussed was posted earlier and can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-public-schools-district.html
1st goal - page 4
From the Strategic Plan they developed the first DIP
Next year, to continue the evolution of the planning process, the whole team will be here to present
developing district wide benchmarks for writing for each grade level
writing expectations in the sense of genre themes (friendly letter, list, story, etc.)
Inching towards 2014, where every student should be at 100%
while we are a high performing district, our growth rate is slowing
in the next MCAS cycle, the bar will be raised higher
Will need to update this for the new core standards that MA just accepted
2nd goal - page 5
Learning how to use the data
Learning walks, how can we work together to be better
a departure in culture, empowering our teachers and teacher leaders
need to develop a communication plan, how it should be communicated out
3rd goal - page 6
Sally - updated to include other data sources
K-12 health wellness added
MA bullying prevention requirements, evidence based
develop curriculum with kids participation
using the open circle as more a proactive than reactive tool
utilize the bullying task force to help in this area
4th goal - page 7
updating the emergency plans to account for staffing changes, new principals
training for all staff required by the MA bullying requirements
attempting to do similar to the Ethics regulations, PowerPoint, and sign-off
Q - Glynn - Does DESE provide training materials?
Winslow - They did provide some at the training but they are supposed to be supplying more
Sabolinski - We are so far ahead of other districts, we would likely take what DESE provides and customize it to our needs, we are poised to use open circle having used it for 10 years
Q - Glynn - is there any quantitative measure to this?
Sabolinski - there will be, there is not yet currently, DESE hasn't established the source yet, the timeline is for September, so we are awaiting their guidelines, we do anticipate having additional data points to work with
5th goal - page 8
Leveraging positive relationships with Dean College to expand in this area
Healthy futures with the Y, Miriam spent time in Boston on the nutrition conference, helping student makes better decisions
6th goal - page 8
Our community resources are dwindling
Evaluation resources are more structure to provide implementation status
Added an observation check list to set some consistent instructional expectations across the district
minimal instructional info for lesson plans
I add that wile the Strategic Plan (which I had helped to work on with the Steering Committee) has come a long way, it is really being fleshed out nicely. The community relationship section is lacking however, we (the big group 'we') have an issue with getting sufficient funding. One commenter already asked where the PCC's were? We should add something more in this section. Specifically to engage the community.
Franklin, MA
b. District Improvement Plan
Sally Winslow (asst Superintendent), Maureen Sabolinski (Superintendent), Michele Kingsland-Smith
The document being discussed was posted earlier and can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-public-schools-district.html
1st goal - page 4
From the Strategic Plan they developed the first DIP
Next year, to continue the evolution of the planning process, the whole team will be here to present
developing district wide benchmarks for writing for each grade level
writing expectations in the sense of genre themes (friendly letter, list, story, etc.)
Inching towards 2014, where every student should be at 100%
while we are a high performing district, our growth rate is slowing
in the next MCAS cycle, the bar will be raised higher
Will need to update this for the new core standards that MA just accepted
2nd goal - page 5
Learning how to use the data
Learning walks, how can we work together to be better
a departure in culture, empowering our teachers and teacher leaders
need to develop a communication plan, how it should be communicated out
3rd goal - page 6
Sally - updated to include other data sources
K-12 health wellness added
MA bullying prevention requirements, evidence based
develop curriculum with kids participation
using the open circle as more a proactive than reactive tool
utilize the bullying task force to help in this area
4th goal - page 7
updating the emergency plans to account for staffing changes, new principals
training for all staff required by the MA bullying requirements
attempting to do similar to the Ethics regulations, PowerPoint, and sign-off
Q - Glynn - Does DESE provide training materials?
Winslow - They did provide some at the training but they are supposed to be supplying more
Sabolinski - We are so far ahead of other districts, we would likely take what DESE provides and customize it to our needs, we are poised to use open circle having used it for 10 years
Q - Glynn - is there any quantitative measure to this?
Sabolinski - there will be, there is not yet currently, DESE hasn't established the source yet, the timeline is for September, so we are awaiting their guidelines, we do anticipate having additional data points to work with
5th goal - page 8
Leveraging positive relationships with Dean College to expand in this area
Healthy futures with the Y, Miriam spent time in Boston on the nutrition conference, helping student makes better decisions
6th goal - page 8
Our community resources are dwindling
Evaluation resources are more structure to provide implementation status
Added an observation check list to set some consistent instructional expectations across the district
minimal instructional info for lesson plans
I add that wile the Strategic Plan (which I had helped to work on with the Steering Committee) has come a long way, it is really being fleshed out nicely. The community relationship section is lacking however, we (the big group 'we') have an issue with getting sufficient funding. One commenter already asked where the PCC's were? We should add something more in this section. Specifically to engage the community.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - 5 minute recess
5 minute recess to allow the principals to clear the room and the remainder of the meeting to continue
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Middle Schools/ High School
continuing the
2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Handbooks - Middle School Principals
similar updates, effort to work together on getting the handbooks more user friendly and equitable
recognizing that going green has been bringing good benefits, not just financially
There are very much consistent with quality handbooks that you would see anywhere else
----
Derek Folan, Asst Principal, representing the High School
This year was much more of a tune up for the handbook
Kept notes during the year on parent questions and from other events that occurred during the year
Change to more explicit language to help explain the policy
College visits
verbal request before May 1 okay, post May 1 - requires Asst Principal approval
found a few students making college visits after they had already committed to a college
Absences
when the number is exceeded per term, the student is in jeopardy of loosing credit for that course that term
Lays out the what the guidance and appeal process is
going to use Plato an online tool for credit recovery of classes missed to earn credit back
if the student doesn't pass the Plato option, then the student would have to re-take the course
Plato covers the core courses (math science, etc.) other courses could be designed and added by the teachers
Discipline
Data on class cutting jumped dramatically, used social suspension as required
Dismissals from school
nothing new here, some pieces made more explicit for parents.
Per notes from the year, added cheat sheets, notes, etc.
Q - Cafasso - "What is unauthorized collaboration on an assignment?" can you give an example
This came from a specific instance, a collaborative project worked together on the data but the report had to be individually written.
Q - Cafasso - how do you define unauthorized use of computers?
The students were to research and provide definitions and terms on their own
Q - Cafasso - Do you use a scanning tool to find plagiarism?
Yes, "Turn it in dot com. Primarily to scan the English writing projects.
Q - Cafasso - Do you think there is
We try to teach them to use these devices responsibly. Cell phone use policy changes worked nicely.
Academic Assistance
moving the tutoring to the tech center to make it more visible
Due Process Rights and Procedures
this change was done across the board in the district based upon advice from the school district's Attorney
teachers can authorize use of devices for educational purposes after conversation with an Asst Principal; the conversation is more to alert the Asst Principal into the specific and accepted use of such devices and circumstances
high school used the middle school template for the bullying/cyberbullying
Q - Cafasso - Can we get a full and finished copy?
Yes, that would be easy.
Sabolinski - at the next meeting you'll be asked to vote to accept these handbooks as part of the action items
I'd like to compliment the high school, they are getting away from punitive measures and they are making progress, student dropouts are down, student discipline is down, they are helping to form young adults to make good choices.
Add the requirement for a "Constitution Day" to the handbooks
Franklin, MA
2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Handbooks - Middle School Principals
similar updates, effort to work together on getting the handbooks more user friendly and equitable
recognizing that going green has been bringing good benefits, not just financially
There are very much consistent with quality handbooks that you would see anywhere else
----
Derek Folan, Asst Principal, representing the High School
This year was much more of a tune up for the handbook
Kept notes during the year on parent questions and from other events that occurred during the year
Change to more explicit language to help explain the policy
College visits
verbal request before May 1 okay, post May 1 - requires Asst Principal approval
found a few students making college visits after they had already committed to a college
Absences
when the number is exceeded per term, the student is in jeopardy of loosing credit for that course that term
Lays out the what the guidance and appeal process is
going to use Plato an online tool for credit recovery of classes missed to earn credit back
if the student doesn't pass the Plato option, then the student would have to re-take the course
Plato covers the core courses (math science, etc.) other courses could be designed and added by the teachers
Discipline
Data on class cutting jumped dramatically, used social suspension as required
Dismissals from school
nothing new here, some pieces made more explicit for parents.
Per notes from the year, added cheat sheets, notes, etc.
Q - Cafasso - "What is unauthorized collaboration on an assignment?" can you give an example
This came from a specific instance, a collaborative project worked together on the data but the report had to be individually written.
Q - Cafasso - how do you define unauthorized use of computers?
The students were to research and provide definitions and terms on their own
Q - Cafasso - Do you use a scanning tool to find plagiarism?
Yes, "Turn it in dot com. Primarily to scan the English writing projects.
Q - Cafasso - Do you think there is
We try to teach them to use these devices responsibly. Cell phone use policy changes worked nicely.
Academic Assistance
moving the tutoring to the tech center to make it more visible
Due Process Rights and Procedures
this change was done across the board in the district based upon advice from the school district's Attorney
teachers can authorize use of devices for educational purposes after conversation with an Asst Principal; the conversation is more to alert the Asst Principal into the specific and accepted use of such devices and circumstances
high school used the middle school template for the bullying/cyberbullying
Q - Cafasso - Can we get a full and finished copy?
Yes, that would be easy.
Sabolinski - at the next meeting you'll be asked to vote to accept these handbooks as part of the action items
I'd like to compliment the high school, they are getting away from punitive measures and they are making progress, student dropouts are down, student discipline is down, they are helping to form young adults to make good choices.
Add the requirement for a "Constitution Day" to the handbooks
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Elementary principals
2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Handbooks - Principals
Sally Winslow - provided an overview on handbooks
All the Elementary school principals, and Karen Seyfried (ECDC)
Statement in five major native languages present in the district
Documents to be converted to HTML format which will enable an automatic selection of language
Student friendly language
consistent policies across the schools
policy on early childhood school readiness added
new policy on bullying/cyberbulling added to the handbooks
principals work on this effort to apply it to each of the levels within the district
I reported on my survey results of the handbooks on the websites this afternoon.
They were all found but some were called "family", some "student", some had the school name and one had "parent"
Could there be some consistency in the naming of them; perhaps using the school name to reflect some of the specialization that each does.
Franklin, MA
a. School Handbooks - Principals
Sally Winslow - provided an overview on handbooks
All the Elementary school principals, and Karen Seyfried (ECDC)
Statement in five major native languages present in the district
Documents to be converted to HTML format which will enable an automatic selection of language
Student friendly language
consistent policies across the schools
policy on early childhood school readiness added
new policy on bullying/cyberbulling added to the handbooks
principals work on this effort to apply it to each of the levels within the district
I reported on my survey results of the handbooks on the websites this afternoon.
They were all found but some were called "family", some "student", some had the school name and one had "parent"
Could there be some consistency in the naming of them; perhaps using the school name to reflect some of the specialization that each does.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - School Committee
Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - no adjustments
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive Session and Open Session of the July 20, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive Session and Open Session of the July 20, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Motion to approve, passed 6-0 (1 abstain)
Payment of Bills - Mr. Glynn
Motion to approve, passed 7-0
Motion to approve, passed 7-0
Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
Franklin, MA
Correspondence: none
Franklin, MA
Business After Hours - Aug 11th - Canceled
From the United Regional Chamber of Commerce today, I hear that
Franklin, MA
| Aug. 11 Business After Hours Canceled |
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Franklin Hawthorn Suites has canceled its Business After Hours scheduled for Wed., Aug. 11. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please consider attending the Aug. 24 Business After Hours at Pleasant Auto Center in Attleboro. |
Franklin, MA
Choices - Choices
This is one of those days when you have a choice to make. You can participate in the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail meeting at the Y or participate in the School Committee meeting.
The agenda for the Rail Trail meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-citizens-rail-trail-committee.html
The agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html
The District Improvement Plan (on the list for discussion) can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-public-schools-district.html
Your choice!
Franklin, MA
The agenda for the Rail Trail meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-citizens-rail-trail-committee.html
The agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html
The District Improvement Plan (on the list for discussion) can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-public-schools-district.html
Your choice!
Franklin, MA
In the News - Price Chopper
He said the store could only be reached by two entrances from Chestnut Ridge Road - one for deliveries and the other for customers. He said they propose to install a traffic light at East Central Street and widen the entrance to Chestnut Ridge to make for easier turns.
Doherty said the building is about 35 feet lower than surrounding homes, and about a dozen 4-foot-high air conditioning units would sit on top of the building in soundproof enclosures. He said already existing evergreen trees would provide a buffer between the store and homes.
He said the developer would also try, during construction, to improve public utilities, like the sewage pumping station and water main.
The saga continues. Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here:
Proposed Price Chopper worries residents
Franklin, MA
Random Smile Project's Fun Runs for Jen Bal set
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 8/9/10
Random Smile Project's "Fun Runs for Jen Bal" benefit road race will be held on Sunday Aug. 22, at Boston Sports Club, 750 Union St., Franklin.
The first race at 9 a.m., will be held for kids. Feature races will be held at 10 a.m., a 5 K Fun Run and the 5 Mile Mount Street Madness race. Register at Active.com.
The family event will include professional timing, runner t-shirts will supplies last, award medals to first and second place in all divisions, race ribbons to all kids participants, post-race refreshments and raffle prizes. Free entry to BSC's campground facilities including ropes course, sad volleyball, basketball, inflatable waterslides and more.
All proceeds to benefit the Jen Ballarino Scholarship Fund and two-weeks at BSC's summer Camp, in Franklin.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
You can visit the BSC-Franklin website here to view the schedule of programs available:
http://www.mysportsclubs.com/clubsched/_clubdetail.htm?rg=BSC&a=BSC&c=215
Survey reminder
The current survey on the new trash and recycle system is open for your input through Aug 14th.
You can find the survey here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-trashrecycle-status-survey.html
Note:
As of 8/5/10 8:00 PM there were 43 responses.
As of 8/9/10 8:00 PM there were 62 responses.
Thanks!
Franklin, MA
You can find the survey here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-trashrecycle-status-survey.html
Note:
As of 8/5/10 8:00 PM there were 43 responses.
As of 8/9/10 8:00 PM there were 62 responses.
Thanks!
Franklin, MA
Monday, August 9, 2010
ice cream as 'a treat that's refreshing and new'
At Spruce Pond Creamery's takeout window, Kenneth Josephson ordered two scoops of maple walnut ice cream, the only flavor he's tried for many years.
"I liked maple walnut when I was young. I still like it," said the retired engineer. "If you like something, why change it?"
That might surprise Marc Bluestein, who opened the combination ice cream parlor and organic pizzeria at 370 King St. in Franklin 11 years ago with his brother Gary.
They've prospered by adapting to new nutritional trends by serving a diverse and healthy menu featuring organic pizza and organic beer and all natural ice cream, which they make on site.
While many ice cream parlors are small specially shops located in a plaza or squeezed between bigger buildings, Spruce Pond Creamery is spacious and has a country ambience with a rear balcony overlooking its namesake pond.
"The only thing I don't have is a pasture with cows," said Bluestein, who has owned two other restaurants in Rhode Island and also worked many years in finance and administration.
The creamery serves about 50 flavors of all-natural homemade ice cream as well as "no fat, no sugar" soft serve yogurt and several varieties of sorbet.Read more about other ice cream places in the area in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1179101574/Sweet-Treat-Ice-cream-shops-help-beat-the-summer-heat
Trivia question: Something is wrong with this sign, can you tell what it is?
Updated 8/13/10:
The answer to the question is that the sign is the "old" one and not the one showing today:
This picture was taken on an overcast day in June. The picture above shows the sign in April before Spruce Pond updated it to show that they can now server beer and wine.
Franklin, MA
Plansee - "we are hiring"
The 60,000-square-foot factory specializes in special metals, known as refractory metals, and precision machining. It produces parts for X-ray machines, light bulbs, flight-safety parts and more.
It moved from Holliston to the Franklin Industrial Park in 1996, where it continues to grow with the help of experienced workers who are required to have some related skills before starting the job.
"They have to be a (computer numerically controlled) machinist. ...They have to have a capability with the machines," Okorn said.
"They have to be able to read blueprints and interpret technical drawings," added Sontgerath.
While machining skills are important, Sontgerath said training is also available.
Read more about the job opportunities at Plansee USA LLC in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1799253025/A-Franklins-factorys-surprising-quest
You can visit the Plansee website here
http://www.stcmetals.com/en/index.htm
Franklin, MA
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