Keeping up with tastes of Franklin students
from The Milford Daily News News RSS Franklin, MA
Monday, August 23, 2010
School Committee - say it isn't so!
The School Committee reviewed the District Improvement Plan at their last meeting on August 10. As one of the contributors to the Steering Committee that developed the Strategic Plan, it was good to see the mission, vision, and values fleshed out with detailed action steps and follow up status points.
There is one significant omission. It was also noticed by one of the eagle eye readers here as well so I wasn't the only one to catch it.
The District Improvement Plan: The last goal statement was built on the core value that the community provides resources for learning. Resources in this case is not just funding and the Strategic Value was worded carefully:
For this goal statement, the plan lists two learning objectives:
Where are the parents? Where is the Parent Communication Council (PCC)?
Don't you think that the parents should be involved in the process? Shouldn't the parents (especially in their role as voters) be involved in the planning and communications around the educational priorities?
Shouldn't there be an objective to reach out to the parents (and other groups in the community) to improve the information and awareness of the school budget and priorities?
Is it just me or is the School Committee/Administration missing the boat?
Why is this an issue?
The School Committee agenda for Tuesday, August 24 has an action item:
Say it isn't so!
The action item and District Improvement Plan can be found here:
SchCom_20010824_ActionB
The 'final' Strategic Plan
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-reporting-strategic-plan.html
Strategic Plan Steering Committee
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/01/live-reporting-steering-committee-for.html
Strategic Plan presentation to Town Council
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/slidecast-strategic-plan-overview-audio.html
Franklin, MA
There is one significant omission. It was also noticed by one of the eagle eye readers here as well so I wasn't the only one to catch it.
The District Improvement Plan: The last goal statement was built on the core value that the community provides resources for learning. Resources in this case is not just funding and the Strategic Value was worded carefully:
We partner with all members of the community to exchange ideas, solve problems and build a comprehensive educational experience.From this value, the goal statement is worded as:
GOAL STATEMENT: The community will collaborate to provide the financial resources to support the educational program.This gets to the heart of the matter. For whatever reason (economic times, lack of trust, or just 'no more', etc.) the Franklin voters have spoken to deny the schools the funding the School Committee/Administration claims is required for the education of our children. One would expect that this issue, how to better engage the community, would receive a high priority and fortunately it does with the Value and Goal Statement as shown.
For this goal statement, the plan lists two learning objectives:
- Administrators will collaborate with School Committee to develop and implement a budget
- The FPS Administration will collaborate with town and community to address FHS facility needs
Where are the parents? Where is the Parent Communication Council (PCC)?
Don't you think that the parents should be involved in the process? Shouldn't the parents (especially in their role as voters) be involved in the planning and communications around the educational priorities?
Shouldn't there be an objective to reach out to the parents (and other groups in the community) to improve the information and awareness of the school budget and priorities?
Is it just me or is the School Committee/Administration missing the boat?
Why is this an issue?
The School Committee agenda for Tuesday, August 24 has an action item:
- I recommend acceptance of the District Improvement Plan as presented at the last meeting.
Say it isn't so!
The action item and District Improvement Plan can be found here:
SchCom_20010824_ActionB
The 'final' Strategic Plan
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-reporting-strategic-plan.html
Strategic Plan Steering Committee
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/01/live-reporting-steering-committee-for.html
Strategic Plan presentation to Town Council
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/slidecast-strategic-plan-overview-audio.html
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Planning Board - 08/23/10 - Agenda
The current agenda for the Planning Board meeting scheduled for Aug 23, 2010.
Franklin, MA: Planning Board Agenda 08-23-10
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Planning Board Agenda 08-23-10
Franklin, MA
Woodrow L. Abbott Field House
Let's reach out and draw from your memory banks on this one:
Apparently, the high school field house was once named the "Woodrow L. Abbott Field House" and then about 10 years ago (or so) the sign was removed and hence referred to as the Franklin High School Field House.
Who was Woodrow L Abbott?
Why was the change made?
You can send me an email or respond in the comments.
Thanks!
Franklin, MA
Catch basin does its thing
Coming down Upper Union St to the newly redesigned corner at King St, the catch basin (or rain garden?) is doing its thing along the side of the road.
MassHighway, now a Division of MA DOT is responsible for this construction which won't be completed until Summer of 2010. You can find out project status on the MA DOT website here
Franklin, MA
MassHighway, now a Division of MA DOT is responsible for this construction which won't be completed until Summer of 2010. You can find out project status on the MA DOT website here
Franklin, MA
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Conservation Commission - reporting - Aug 12
The Conservation Commission meeting of 8/12/10 is recorded and available for review on demand on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634180921746168826&indexSessionSKU=FfA8vbJzDUVgSnMLeNnOFg%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
Conservation Agent report: Nick Alferi
Of interest and an item that slipped in with the Governor's approval of the Tax Free days for Aug 14/15, all permits if they were issued between 8/15/08 and 8/15/10 are automatically extended two years. The process of tolling is adding two years to the clock usually when an item goes to court. As the new law doesn't explicitly include extensions (amongst the long list of items included), research by Mark Cerel is underway to find out.
Discussion on a public hearing to review the process on a minor buffer zone and functional characteristics. Likely to hold a public hearing first. Need a clean copy of the Commission rules and regulations allow with a a marked up copy to help the discussion.
video segment can be viewed here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=F4pi8e4ST9CRUFAWP7iUBw%3d%3d
Summer St - new water main
From Crocker Ave to Squibnocket Rd
replacement of the existing water line, abiding with all regulations for conservation commission etc.
Final paving of this section will be done next year after the trench has settled.
Standard special conditions would apply.
View the video segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=n%2fykJ3qSTo8UmPrQMnpn6g%3d%3d
486 E Central St - Price Chopper
Plans about 90% done, still making adjustments to incorporate the feedback from various agencies (including Charles River Watershed). Should have paperwork complete with some understanding that there will be iterations as the details are worked out.
Discussion on intermittent stream seems to be coming from runoff of impervious surfaces off the property. According to the wetlands act, the mitigations would be required if it was jurisdictional (i.e. had vegetation at the source of the water). Since there is no vegetation at the source of the water, it is their opinion to not be jurisdictional and the plans will reflect that.
Still working with Planning Board, on their agenda for their second meeting in Sep. Would likely be ready for the second meeting here in Sep as well (Sep 23).
Public hearing continued to Sep 23rd.
View the view segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rQs7OCdTRdu%2fPwIQA9IpQw%3d%3d
Franklin, MA
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634180921746168826&indexSessionSKU=FfA8vbJzDUVgSnMLeNnOFg%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
Conservation Agent report: Nick Alferi
Of interest and an item that slipped in with the Governor's approval of the Tax Free days for Aug 14/15, all permits if they were issued between 8/15/08 and 8/15/10 are automatically extended two years. The process of tolling is adding two years to the clock usually when an item goes to court. As the new law doesn't explicitly include extensions (amongst the long list of items included), research by Mark Cerel is underway to find out.
Discussion on a public hearing to review the process on a minor buffer zone and functional characteristics. Likely to hold a public hearing first. Need a clean copy of the Commission rules and regulations allow with a a marked up copy to help the discussion.
video segment can be viewed here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=F4pi8e4ST9CRUFAWP7iUBw%3d%3d
Summer St - new water main
From Crocker Ave to Squibnocket Rd
replacement of the existing water line, abiding with all regulations for conservation commission etc.
Final paving of this section will be done next year after the trench has settled.
Standard special conditions would apply.
View the video segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=n%2fykJ3qSTo8UmPrQMnpn6g%3d%3d
486 E Central St - Price Chopper
Plans about 90% done, still making adjustments to incorporate the feedback from various agencies (including Charles River Watershed). Should have paperwork complete with some understanding that there will be iterations as the details are worked out.
Discussion on intermittent stream seems to be coming from runoff of impervious surfaces off the property. According to the wetlands act, the mitigations would be required if it was jurisdictional (i.e. had vegetation at the source of the water). Since there is no vegetation at the source of the water, it is their opinion to not be jurisdictional and the plans will reflect that.
Still working with Planning Board, on their agenda for their second meeting in Sep. Would likely be ready for the second meeting here in Sep as well (Sep 23).
Public hearing continued to Sep 23rd.
View the view segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rQs7OCdTRdu%2fPwIQA9IpQw%3d%3d
Franklin, MA
Native Plants of Franklin
Were you able to identify last week's mystery plant? Here it is, providing food to a hummingbird:
This is Oenothera biennis, otherwise known as common evening primrose. You've likely seen it in fields and weedy places, but you may never have noticed its amazing scent. Evening primrose blooms at night to attract moths. The flowers wilt under the hot sun, so the best time to see and smell this plant is early in the morning. Early in the morning is also when you are most likely to see hummingbirds feeding from its flowers.
Like many native flowers of North America, evening primrose is a biannual, meaning it goes through its entire lifecycle in two years. The plant grows as a small rosette of foliage the first year, and shoots upward with a flower stalk on the second. Under the right conditions, such as in a sunny location against a wall, it can grow eight feet tall and can produce hundreds of yellow flowers.
Seeds of evening primrose are easy to collect: simply break off seed-pods from a spent plant, and break them open. Seeds can then be scattered where you would like the plant to grow.
If you grow this plant in your garden, consider leaving the dead flower stalks standing through the winter to provide food for goldfinches.
And here is our next native plant:
Feel free to post your guesses here in the comments section!
If you would like to see more photos of hummingbirds here in Franklin, you can visit my blog at http://thecluelessgardeners.blogspot.com/ .
Franklin, MA
This is Oenothera biennis, otherwise known as common evening primrose. You've likely seen it in fields and weedy places, but you may never have noticed its amazing scent. Evening primrose blooms at night to attract moths. The flowers wilt under the hot sun, so the best time to see and smell this plant is early in the morning. Early in the morning is also when you are most likely to see hummingbirds feeding from its flowers.
Like many native flowers of North America, evening primrose is a biannual, meaning it goes through its entire lifecycle in two years. The plant grows as a small rosette of foliage the first year, and shoots upward with a flower stalk on the second. Under the right conditions, such as in a sunny location against a wall, it can grow eight feet tall and can produce hundreds of yellow flowers.
Seeds of evening primrose are easy to collect: simply break off seed-pods from a spent plant, and break them open. Seeds can then be scattered where you would like the plant to grow.
If you grow this plant in your garden, consider leaving the dead flower stalks standing through the winter to provide food for goldfinches.
And here is our next native plant:
Feel free to post your guesses here in the comments section!
If you would like to see more photos of hummingbirds here in Franklin, you can visit my blog at http://thecluelessgardeners.blogspot.com/ .
Franklin, MA
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