School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none
School Committee Liaison Reports - none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
Cafasso - Would request to the Budget Committee, to see if it is feasible to use the vast number of empty seats to add a pay to ride and utilize those empty seats for the ride home.
Trahan - thanks for supporting the FEF Casino Night, please hold the date for the Trivia Bee - April 10th
Motion to enter executive session to not return to open meeting
Passed 7-0
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Live reporting - Information matters
Letter received from NEASC continuing accreditation for Franklin High School
Principal Peter Light was creative to re-invent the high school within the budget considerations. Accreditation is a ten year cycle. A self-study is prepared and then updated with a visit from NEASC. We have been on a warning status due to budget problems. We have been providing status reports yearly. We submitted this last status late as the budget had been approved late. We feel pretty confident as we move forward. We are seeing a doubling of usage for the library/resource center under the new configuration.
We still have $38,000 for subscriptions to periodicals and other materials to keep our collection current.
We have basically four major things left to respond to, the four items are related to the renovation of the building.
We'll start the process five years out for the next accreditation cycle.
Glynn - congratulations and thank you!
Building Committee meeting on Dec 14th to move forward on the project to hire the OPM and hire the architect.
Principal Peter Light was creative to re-invent the high school within the budget considerations. Accreditation is a ten year cycle. A self-study is prepared and then updated with a visit from NEASC. We have been on a warning status due to budget problems. We have been providing status reports yearly. We submitted this last status late as the budget had been approved late. We feel pretty confident as we move forward. We are seeing a doubling of usage for the library/resource center under the new configuration.
We still have $38,000 for subscriptions to periodicals and other materials to keep our collection current.
We have basically four major things left to respond to, the four items are related to the renovation of the building.
We'll start the process five years out for the next accreditation cycle.
Glynn - congratulations and thank you!
Building Committee meeting on Dec 14th to move forward on the project to hire the OPM and hire the architect.
Live reporting - Action items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Option One of the 2010-2011 School Calendar. motion to approve, passed 6-1 (Cafasso no)
b. I recommend approval of Remington Middle School’s request to declare the listed books as surplus. motion to approve, passed 7-0
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($25.00 & $53.30) totaling $78.30 from Adirondack Vending for the RMS for supplies. motion to approve, passed 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from Fidelity for the Annie Sullivan Middle School for in-house enrichment, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials. motion to approve, passed 7-0
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1050.00 from ASMS PCC for buses for field trips. motion to approve, passed 7-0
f. I recommend approval of Policy JIEE
motion to approve, passed 7-0
a. I recommend adoption of Option One of the 2010-2011 School Calendar. motion to approve, passed 6-1 (Cafasso no)
b. I recommend approval of Remington Middle School’s request to declare the listed books as surplus. motion to approve, passed 7-0
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($25.00 & $53.30) totaling $78.30 from Adirondack Vending for the RMS for supplies. motion to approve, passed 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from Fidelity for the Annie Sullivan Middle School for in-house enrichment, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials. motion to approve, passed 7-0
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1050.00 from ASMS PCC for buses for field trips. motion to approve, passed 7-0
f. I recommend approval of Policy JIEE
motion to approve, passed 7-0
Live reporting - policies
This was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The School Committee plans to review one third of their policies each year, hence covering all policies over a three year cycle.
BIBA
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BID
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BGS
change from 2/3 vote to a majority vote
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
DJA
Superintendent has authority to purchase
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
JIEE
no changes to this one covering the pregnant students
up for vote on the listing of action items
BIBA
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BID
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BGS
change from 2/3 vote to a majority vote
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
DJA
Superintendent has authority to purchase
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
JIEE
no changes to this one covering the pregnant students
up for vote on the listing of action items
Live reporting - Discussion only items
3. Discussion Only Items
a. 2010-2011 School Calendar Options - Maureen Sabolinski
discussion on the two options, proposing to have a professional day on Nov 2 which will be a major election day for the safety of the students and voters at the high school
Recommendation to start school before Labor Day.
Q - is this the first year we have had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off?
A - No, we have had it for a number of years. It had been a low attendance day and this helps those who would travel.
b. H1N1 – Sally Winslow
First clinic Thursday, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Clinic to be manned by an all volunteer staff
Other dates are being evaluated as additional vaccine arrives. At the additional clinics we'll vaccinate other target groups and then the students by grade level.
via the attendance records, the virus seems to be declining throughout the district.
DPH will be onsite monitoring and coming to assist. Feedback thus far is that we have been far ahead of others in our organizational efforts.
c. Healthy Futures Summit – Maureen Sabolinski, Roberta Trahan
Mark Fenton has a show on PBS, did a bus tour of the communities before hand to explore the recreation opportunities, to provide some feedback on how to make Franklin more walkable.
Drafted an action plan. It was an incredible day, very engaging. Started implementing some of the plan, initiating changes to our food lunches at schools.
This is not just a school problem It will require a partnership to resolve.
What we are doing is better than implementing BMI.
There are some grants they we have applied for in conjunction with the YMCA, $120,000 for MASS in Motion. Metrowest Hospital grant was also just received just before the summit.
a. 2010-2011 School Calendar Options - Maureen Sabolinski
discussion on the two options, proposing to have a professional day on Nov 2 which will be a major election day for the safety of the students and voters at the high school
Recommendation to start school before Labor Day.
Q - is this the first year we have had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off?
A - No, we have had it for a number of years. It had been a low attendance day and this helps those who would travel.
b. H1N1 – Sally Winslow
First clinic Thursday, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Clinic to be manned by an all volunteer staff
Other dates are being evaluated as additional vaccine arrives. At the additional clinics we'll vaccinate other target groups and then the students by grade level.
via the attendance records, the virus seems to be declining throughout the district.
DPH will be onsite monitoring and coming to assist. Feedback thus far is that we have been far ahead of others in our organizational efforts.
c. Healthy Futures Summit – Maureen Sabolinski, Roberta Trahan
Mark Fenton has a show on PBS, did a bus tour of the communities before hand to explore the recreation opportunities, to provide some feedback on how to make Franklin more walkable.
Drafted an action plan. It was an incredible day, very engaging. Started implementing some of the plan, initiating changes to our food lunches at schools.
This is not just a school problem It will require a partnership to resolve.
What we are doing is better than implementing BMI.
There are some grants they we have applied for in conjunction with the YMCA, $120,000 for MASS in Motion. Metrowest Hospital grant was also just received just before the summit.
Live reporting - Metrowest Health Update
b. Metrowest Health Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith
The survey is optional, parents/students can opt out of participation
tobacco use is declining
bullying is increasing
drinking has declined but the stats are still fairly high
experimentation with drugs does begin at the middle school
The Community Health Council is meeting every other month to address issues from this report.
Dean College has been helpful to charter the first "teen angels" in New England for our middle school students. More info on this national program can be found here.
Information on Rachel's Challenge can be found here.
Q - How many students actually took the survey?
A - About 80-90%, I don't have the exact numbers but the response rate is really high.
Q - Have there been discussion about the validity of the data?
A - The fact that the data is consistent with the regional, national results leads one to believe that the numbers are good. There is also work on the survey design to ensure that the questions are worded such to ensure good results.
Cafasso - There is no consequence for somethings that are said in Facebook. It may not be done in school, it is likely after school. The parents may not be away of it.
Kingsland-Smith - parents are not aware of what their kids are involved in, and I mean that in the kindest way.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the presentation.
The survey is optional, parents/students can opt out of participation
tobacco use is declining
bullying is increasing
drinking has declined but the stats are still fairly high
experimentation with drugs does begin at the middle school
The Community Health Council is meeting every other month to address issues from this report.
Dean College has been helpful to charter the first "teen angels" in New England for our middle school students. More info on this national program can be found here.
Information on Rachel's Challenge can be found here.
Q - How many students actually took the survey?
A - About 80-90%, I don't have the exact numbers but the response rate is really high.
Q - Have there been discussion about the validity of the data?
A - The fact that the data is consistent with the regional, national results leads one to believe that the numbers are good. There is also work on the survey design to ensure that the questions are worded such to ensure good results.
Cafasso - There is no consequence for somethings that are said in Facebook. It may not be done in school, it is likely after school. The parents may not be away of it.
Kingsland-Smith - parents are not aware of what their kids are involved in, and I mean that in the kindest way.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the presentation.
Live reporting - Arts Academy Q&A
The video that was shown during the presentation:
Q - How will you handle the grading?
A - They will met the regular course program. We are arranging to visit the Boston Arts Academy tomorrow to further explore some of the details behind that.
Q - Is it positioned for students who want arts as a career or for those students who struggle with the traditional curriculum?
A - Both.
Q - Where are others doing this?
A - There are many others, this is not a new concept. The Boston Arts Academy is the main one. There are others. Tolman High School in Pawtuclet, RI.
C - Mullen, we have talked about creating communities at FHS and it is continuing to grow so this is a great step. I am excited to see how this plays out. It is really impressive that this is teacher driven.
Caple - the team is very good, it is not just lip service, the real work is being done by the team and others whom we need from time to time.
Roy - Thank you for having the opportunity to work with you. I am delighted to be able to sit at the table and see the energy around the room where folks are trying to improve the education for our students. In the Globe, there was an article yesterday about a surgeon who is exploring using music in the operating room and it is improving his performance. Recalls Daniel Pinks book: A Whole New Mind.
Story of Rosanne Walsh suggesting to read this book 3-4 years ago when budget cuts were being talked of. Rosanne is on the committee now.
Sabolinski - Thanks to the team, this has not been without controversy and they have been very courageous doing this.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video
Franklin, MA - Franklin Arts Academy from Steve Sherlock on Vimeo.
Q - How will you handle the grading?
A - They will met the regular course program. We are arranging to visit the Boston Arts Academy tomorrow to further explore some of the details behind that.
Q - Is it positioned for students who want arts as a career or for those students who struggle with the traditional curriculum?
A - Both.
Q - Where are others doing this?
A - There are many others, this is not a new concept. The Boston Arts Academy is the main one. There are others. Tolman High School in Pawtuclet, RI.
C - Mullen, we have talked about creating communities at FHS and it is continuing to grow so this is a great step. I am excited to see how this plays out. It is really impressive that this is teacher driven.
Caple - the team is very good, it is not just lip service, the real work is being done by the team and others whom we need from time to time.
Roy - Thank you for having the opportunity to work with you. I am delighted to be able to sit at the table and see the energy around the room where folks are trying to improve the education for our students. In the Globe, there was an article yesterday about a surgeon who is exploring using music in the operating room and it is improving his performance. Recalls Daniel Pinks book: A Whole New Mind.
Story of Rosanne Walsh suggesting to read this book 3-4 years ago when budget cuts were being talked of. Rosanne is on the committee now.
Sabolinski - Thanks to the team, this has not been without controversy and they have been very courageous doing this.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video
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