Friendly reminder that you should have turned your clocks back one hour.
You can use the extra hour to think about who you'll chose to vote for on Tuesday when the polls open from 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM in the High School field house.
The election collection can be found here
Sunday, November 1, 2009
In the News - First Universalist
The Faithful Nine were Grace Buchanon, Joe Cook and his wife Ellie, Edna Fitzgerald, Marion Chilson, Lincoln and Bunny Dana and Robert and Emilia Dean. Emilia Dean and Bunny Dana are the only living members.
"They were determined this church was not going to die," Rosine said. "Their families grew up in the church, were baptized, had weddings and funerals...they were not going to let this church die."
Franklin church will dedicate rooms those who kept it alive
"can track the growth in individual students’ achievement"
Nearly everyone can probably recall a teacher who lit their passion for poetry or who was able to help them connect all the dots in a seemingly incomprehensible algebra formula. We know that individual teachers can make a huge difference.
But public schools in America have been bent on ignoring the obvious: Almost nothing about the way we hire, evaluate, pay, or assign teachers to classrooms is designed to operate with that goal in mind. Most teachers receive only cursory performance evaluations, with virtually every teacher graded highly. We use a one-size-for-all salary structure, in which the only factors used in raises are teachers’ higher-education credentials and number of years in the system, neither of which is strongly linked to their effectiveness. And we often let seniority, rather than merit, drive decisions about where a teacher is placed. It is in many ways an industrial model that treats teachers as identical, interchangeable parts, when we know that they are not.
Now, increasingly challenging this status quo is a new wave of research showing that one can actually measure the difference a teacher makes. The studies use a statistical analysis of standardized test results to measure the “value added” that each teacher contributes each year, revealing stark differences in their ability to move a class forward. According to one recent value-added study of Los Angeles schools conducted by Harvard economist Tom Kane, having a good teacher for a single year translates to a 10-point-higher score on student achievement tests that use a standard 100-point scale. “That’s a big difference.” says Kane.Read the full article in the Boston Globe here
This will likely be a topic of much discussion as the school year progresses. The new School Committee will be dealing with a tight budget and a teacher contract negotiation amongst other issues during the school year.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Are you looking for work?
Do you know someone looking for work?
You are not alone. With unemployment at 13% in RI and 9.3% in MA, there are lots of folks out of work and looking.
There is a heavy population of those 40+ looking for work. There is also a significant number of recent college graduates out looking for work.
In the course of my own job search effort, one thing became evident: the power of we. Who you know is as important as what you know. By talking with each other, sharing our experiences, sharing what has worked or didn't work. By networking with each, sharing our connections, who knows who, we can help each other get a better connection to the next position.
With as many resumes being submitted for each job posting, the pile for the hiring manager is overwhelming. How do you get out of the pile? Your network!
A core group my connections who understand the "power of we" are working hard to put together the LaidOff Camp. The camp will facilitate the best practices of the job search effort. In one afternoon, over the course of four hours, you'll be able to participate in a session to help your own individual job search effort. Sessions on networking, using LinkedIn, interview tips, a practice interview session and others are being planned for this event.
This is a non-profit effort. The $10 charge will simply allow us to cover the facility fee and provide some refreshments during the afternoon.
For this small dollar cost, you will walk away with more knowledge, more connections and hopefully more confidence in taking the next step in your job search effort.
You should visit the LaidOff Camp website to register.
You should tell whomever you know that is looking for work about this event.
We are in this together and the 'power of we' can help us to success!
A sample of recent posts to the LaidOff Camp website:
This was originally posted on Steve's 2 Cents
You are not alone. With unemployment at 13% in RI and 9.3% in MA, there are lots of folks out of work and looking.
There is a heavy population of those 40+ looking for work. There is also a significant number of recent college graduates out looking for work.
In the course of my own job search effort, one thing became evident: the power of we. Who you know is as important as what you know. By talking with each other, sharing our experiences, sharing what has worked or didn't work. By networking with each, sharing our connections, who knows who, we can help each other get a better connection to the next position.
With as many resumes being submitted for each job posting, the pile for the hiring manager is overwhelming. How do you get out of the pile? Your network!
A core group my connections who understand the "power of we" are working hard to put together the LaidOff Camp. The camp will facilitate the best practices of the job search effort. In one afternoon, over the course of four hours, you'll be able to participate in a session to help your own individual job search effort. Sessions on networking, using LinkedIn, interview tips, a practice interview session and others are being planned for this event.
This is a non-profit effort. The $10 charge will simply allow us to cover the facility fee and provide some refreshments during the afternoon.
For this small dollar cost, you will walk away with more knowledge, more connections and hopefully more confidence in taking the next step in your job search effort.
You should visit the LaidOff Camp website to register.
You should tell whomever you know that is looking for work about this event.
We are in this together and the 'power of we' can help us to success!
A sample of recent posts to the LaidOff Camp website:
- Session: How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Fo...
- What do I wear to LaidOff Camp?
- This is "a performance-driven marketplace"
- Should we have a session on posture?
- How bad is unemployment in New England?
This was originally posted on Steve's 2 Cents
Friday, October 30, 2009
Downtown Partnership prepares for Holiday Stroll
Don't Miss Out on Free Advertising for your business!
If you are interested in participating in the upcoming Downtown Holiday Stroll Event on December 3rd please contact us by November 3rd. The event will include Tree Lighting Ceremony, Music, Holiday Singing, and much more.
Participating Retailers will be listed on flyers, posters, website and Press Releases. This is free for FDP members!
All interested retailers must e-mail the Franklin Downtown Partnership at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com attn: Lisa no later than November 3rd in order to be included in the Stroll.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Retailers should submit a short one line description of what activity or special holiday offering they will have for visitors. This is for the flyer and poster. A two sentence description should be submitted for the press release. Depending on the number of participants and the room available the Holiday Stroll Committee may need to edit this information.
Note: Sponsors will be given first priority and a large listing on all promotional materials. If you would like to be a $100 bronze sponsor please contact the FDP office at (774)571-3109 by November 1st.
If you are interested in participating in the upcoming Downtown Holiday Stroll Event on December 3rd please contact us by November 3rd. The event will include Tree Lighting Ceremony, Music, Holiday Singing, and much more.
Participating Retailers will be listed on flyers, posters, website and Press Releases. This is free for FDP members!
All interested retailers must e-mail the Franklin Downtown Partnership at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com attn: Lisa no later than November 3rd in order to be included in the Stroll.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Retailers should submit a short one line description of what activity or special holiday offering they will have for visitors. This is for the flyer and poster. A two sentence description should be submitted for the press release. Depending on the number of participants and the room available the Holiday Stroll Committee may need to edit this information.
Note: Sponsors will be given first priority and a large listing on all promotional materials. If you would like to be a $100 bronze sponsor please contact the FDP office at (774)571-3109 by November 1st.
Gov Patrick on the state budget cuts
Franklin appears to be dodging reductions in State Aid as Chapter 70 and local aid are referenced in this video by Governor Patrick.
J.F. Kennedy School PCC plans recycling fundraiser
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 10/29/09
The J.F. Kennedy Parent Communication Council (PCC) will hold a recycling fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the J.F. Kennedy Elementary School parking lot, Pond Street, Franklin.
Bring clean redeemable bottles and cans. No water bottles. The group will also accept computers, electronics and appliances for recycling. Fees for these items vary from $5-$20. All computer hard drives will be destroyed and items will be properly handled by our professional recycler.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used by the PCC for educational programs for the J.F. Kennedy Elementary School students.
For more information contact Blanca Di Giacomo at dijoc@comcast.net.
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