Franklin Matters

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

"I encourage everyone to work together"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 12:30 AM

FRANKLIN —

By an overwhelming majority, the teachers union voted to accept a pay freeze and forgo course reimbursement next year, union head Chandler Creedon announced at last night's School Committee meeting.

The Franklin Education Association's sacrifice will save the School Department $1 million - $800,000 in salary increases - and $200,000 in reimbursements, said Creedon, who is also a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.

The vote reportedly was 210-43.

The action will save the jobs of 20 teachers, Creedon said.

Reading from a prepared statement, Creedon said, "We the teachers of Franklin are extremely concerned about the quality and direction education is currently going in Franklin."

Read the full article about the teachers proposal in the Milford Daily News here

For all the information discussed at the School Committee meeting check here

Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times

Franklin Public School’s Early Childhood Programs Present

Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times

Guest Speaker: Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed. D.

Date: May 12, 2009

Time: 7:30 PM

Place:

Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA

Nancy Carlsson-Paige is a professor of early childhood education at Lesley University and the author of Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World. She writes and lectures about the impact of violence in the media, consumerism and its effects on children’s social development, and how adults can raise caring and compassionate kids. She is a recognized national expert and speaks extensively on these subjects. For more information see her website at www.nancycarlsson-paige.org.

Childhood has changed dramatically in just one generation. Social trends such as the influence of media, the fast pace of life, rampant consumerism, and overly structured school days are undermining some of the basic building blocks of healthy childhood. These social forces make it harder for children today to create their own play, feel safe and secure, and build positive, loving relationships with others. Come learn about how childhood has changed for young children today and how you can reclaim what kids need most to help them flourish in these challenging times.

Franklin's Earth Day Celebration

Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM

Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.

- Please bring your own water bottle.

- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.

- Community service certificates will be issued.

- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.

- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM

Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:

- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.

- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.

- Recycling tips and composting information.

- Energy conservation tips.

- Much more ! ! !

You can register on the Town website here

NewBCamp - Providence College - Apr 19

What:
Come to learn and share about the new technology in social media tools! Blogs, podcasting, networking, Twitter, video blogging, etc.

Where:
Providence College

When:
April 19 - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

More Information and registration:
Click here

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Links from School Committee Mtg

During the meeting there were a couple of references to other sources of information, I have tried to collect them here:

1 - there was reference to the State requirement for 185 day calendar. You can view all the State Laws and Regulations pertaining to Education here

In particular 603 CMR 27.00: refers to Student Learning Time and contains the paragraph covering the calendar length (185 days)

2 - Prior budget cuts were summarized as of last year here