2. Guests/Presentations
b. Elementary School Improvement Plans – Elementary Principals
Keller - started with 606 students but only 600 today with a report of some more coming.
Students are making gains but there are subgroups that are not making the targeted goals.
Literacy goals are the same across the elementary schools
Collaborative leadership expands upon last year to address bullying with a more defined procedure
Response To Intervention (RTI) will be rigorous, forms being updated, data driven, focusing on Tier 2 interventions
Davis-Thayer - 92% of the students met benchmark reading expectations
Office discipline referrals went down
Collaborative leadership formed to work through school items, making good progress
Expanding math CET assistance to grades 3-5 this year
Data being used to focus on specific issues to drive instruction
Addressing bullying, Bobcat buddies, work on reporting to develop the data
K and 2nd are high class sizes, 3 and 4th grades reduced with additional teachers
Parmenter - did show progress on MCAS, up by 1 point in all groups
special ed subgroup missed by 1 point, missed for second year in row, now with an action plan to correct
Literacy work continuing with district effort
Working on RTI this year, to get the students support at the first sign of falling behind
2 additional classroom teachers for 3rd and 5th grades, lowering to between 18-19 in the 3 and 5th grades with the new teachers, teachers hired, classrooms being set up, they will start with classes next Monday
Examining closely on how the special education instruction is delivered, keeping the students connected with the instruction, rather than pull them out of the classroom from an other subject
Creating common planning time for teachers so they can look at, analyze the data and make the necessary modifications to the lesson plans
MCAS is only one snapshot taken during the year, this planning time will be used during the year to address it on an on-going basis
Oak - 457 students, down three classrooms
enrollment declining over the last three years
the decline in enrollment helped partially to meet the goals
Did make AYP in the special ed subgroup
special education declining likely due to the support being provided in the regular education early on
Continuing with the hands on equations started last year
Oak accepting Davis Thayer kindergarten students for one year to help with that situation
Jefferson - Introduction of many members of the team that worked on the plan, including a parent
Highlight the reading goal rather than go through what the committee has already read
Summer reading numbers have gone up
The focus on reading has been bringing benefits elsewhere including MCAS
Study island during time when attendance would be taken to provide special assistance
FAST Math is being used and making a difference when trying to solve word problems
two years ago, 3 3rd grades with large class sizes and did not make AYP, the next year, there were 4 4th grades and this class made AYP, this current year, now in 5th grade, back to three classrooms, she is concerned.
Kennedy - immediate gains in amount of reading and conversations about the reading
Introduced algebraic number thinking, understanding of higher order math skills
Spent last year analyzing the results from the parent survey in the spring of 2009
Added a PCC newsletter to the principals newsletter to help with communications
math focus less on higher thinking, more on coordinated efforts amongst the teachers and special educators
Did not make AYP for special ed in math
Response To Intervention (RTI)
strengthening the home school connection, increase parent involvement in the schools
Added a 3rd grade to reduce class size from 27 to 20
Cafasso - many of you mentioned the class size issue, we have struggled to give you the financial support you need, (1) how is the lack of resources playing out? (2) how do you handle the new 'federal' teachers?
Kennedy - started wading through resumes on the day before school, interviewed on the first day, letter to parents, met with students. teacher was hired, notified students Monday (9/12), all children got a placement letter (a second 'first' day), a gathering for the new classes in the cafeteria (blue, yellow, red, and green). Song helped separate and celebrate. Teachers had special activities for the classes today prepared. Strive for gender balance, student and teacher style and needs all re-looked at, 2nd grade teachers reviewed and provided input, then 3rd grade teachers had final review before re-allocation.
Similar process at the other two elementary schools
Parmenter - 15 candidates narrowed down to five for interview with the team, 2 rose to the top from the interviews
Experienced with everyday math and readers workshop
new teachers met the students today, meeting more Weds, Thursday placement letters will go home
Friday the students will move to the new classrooms, a celebration and a coffee for the parents will also be held.
Glynn - have you heard feedback from the parents on situations where the class sizes were not addressed?
Roy - Did you find in your searches were you getting lots of applications?
Yes, hundreds of candidates!
Roy - happy to hear that you have been working hard to make this as minimal impact to the students as possible
Sabolinski - thanks to the staff and principals for their working in turning this around as quickly as they did. All but one special ed teacher is hired and ready to go. There was a compelling case to add teachers to these schools.
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Live reporting - AYP Update
2. Guests/Presentations
a. AYP Update
Maureen Sabolinski, Michelle Kingsland-Smith
The MCAS Data was released today, posted to Schools website
2010 AYP Report to SC
The full report summary is shown here
There is good news in the report, no action items to really address.
The district remains at a high performance status.
There are areas that require work, Parmenter (ELL), Remington (year 1 of 2 in improving status)
Comprehensive plans (via the school improvement plans) to work on raising the performance.
The after school program will look to target the lower performing students for ELL and Math for after or before school. Individual student success plans to be developed and then work in small groups with teachers to get the extra help required.
Teachers to come from within the schools, positioned posted for teachers to apply to.
The MCAS bar is raising, 57% of the schools are in need of improvement against the standard. The bar will continue to raise until 2014. This is an increase from 53% in 2009.
We are teaching to the test. It is not a 'dirty term'. Those tests reflect the standards. We recognize the open response questions are what the students should be doing. We are also recognizing excellence in instruction.
Franklin, MA
a. AYP Update
Maureen Sabolinski, Michelle Kingsland-Smith
The MCAS Data was released today, posted to Schools website
2010 AYP Report to SC
The full report summary is shown here
There is good news in the report, no action items to really address.
The district remains at a high performance status.
There are areas that require work, Parmenter (ELL), Remington (year 1 of 2 in improving status)
Comprehensive plans (via the school improvement plans) to work on raising the performance.
The after school program will look to target the lower performing students for ELL and Math for after or before school. Individual student success plans to be developed and then work in small groups with teachers to get the extra help required.
Teachers to come from within the schools, positioned posted for teachers to apply to.
The MCAS bar is raising, 57% of the schools are in need of improvement against the standard. The bar will continue to raise until 2014. This is an increase from 53% in 2009.
We are teaching to the test. It is not a 'dirty term'. Those tests reflect the standards. We recognize the open response questions are what the students should be doing. We are also recognizing excellence in instruction.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting: School Committee
Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2010and August 31, 2010 School Committee Meetings. Motion to approve, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn motion to accept payment, passed 7-0
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2010
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn motion to accept payment, passed 7-0
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
new representatives - both seniors
Over 100 students participated in Freshman Experience this summer
Parking spot auction underway
Franklin, MA
FHS Student Representatives
new representatives - both seniors
- Heather Grove, Student Government President
- Jay Borelli, Senior Class President
Over 100 students participated in Freshman Experience this summer
Parking spot auction underway
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 9/14/10
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2010 and August 31, 2010 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. AYP Update
b. Elementary School Improvement Plans – Elementary Principals
c. Foreign Language Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith, MS/HS Principals
3. Discussion Only Items
Update on Opening of School
Transportation Update
Superintendent Evaluation Process
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign for In-house enrichment at FHS.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo Matching Gifts Foundation for in-house enrichment at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks, $50.00 from Sylvia Ficco and $500.00 from Georgia D’Errico from the Class of 1960 for the FHS Scholarship account.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Martha Akers from the Class of 1960 for in-house enrichment at FHS.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $91.43 from Follett Educational Services for supplies for Jefferson Elementary School.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $27.74 from Olympia Sports for in-house enrichment for the FHS.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Update
b. Personnel
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Adjourn
Franklin, MA
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2010 and August 31, 2010 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. AYP Update
b. Elementary School Improvement Plans – Elementary Principals
c. Foreign Language Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith, MS/HS Principals
3. Discussion Only Items
Update on Opening of School
Transportation Update
Superintendent Evaluation Process
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign for In-house enrichment at FHS.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo Matching Gifts Foundation for in-house enrichment at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks, $50.00 from Sylvia Ficco and $500.00 from Georgia D’Errico from the Class of 1960 for the FHS Scholarship account.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Martha Akers from the Class of 1960 for in-house enrichment at FHS.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $91.43 from Follett Educational Services for supplies for Jefferson Elementary School.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $27.74 from Olympia Sports for in-house enrichment for the FHS.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Update
b. Personnel
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Adjourn
Franklin, MA
Office Hours - Sep 26
Stop by for Office Hours
As a member of the Downtown Partnership, I will have a table near the Bamboo House restaurant on Main St and hold Office Hours during the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sep 26.
I will be coming in from PodCamp Boston 5 and should be at the table by noon time.
Franklin, MA
As a member of the Downtown Partnership, I will have a table near the Bamboo House restaurant on Main St and hold Office Hours during the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sep 26.
I will be coming in from PodCamp Boston 5 and should be at the table by noon time.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: reflection
Another reflection photo from along Main St taken on Saturday, Sep 11.
The small unoccupied building between the Felix-Cataldo Building and Rockland Trust. The brass (?) lamp fixture with the reflection of the Post Office across the street.
Did you take any pictures around Franklin this weekend?
Franklin, MA
The small unoccupied building between the Felix-Cataldo Building and Rockland Trust. The brass (?) lamp fixture with the reflection of the Post Office across the street.
Did you take any pictures around Franklin this weekend?
Franklin, MA
Monday, September 13, 2010
Native Plants of Franklin
Sorry I'm late with the native plants this week! Here is the most recent mystery plant:
This is yet another native flower doomed to obscurity by the word "weed" in its name: jewelweed. This tender annual grows abundantly in moist, shady areas, and from mid to late summer it is covered in little orange orchid-like flowers.
The name "jewelweed" comes from the way water beads up into brilliant, flashing gems on its waxy leaves.
The Latin name of jewelweed is Impatiens capensis, which gives a clue as to what common garden plant this is related to: impatiens.
Jewelweed also goes by the name "touch-me-not", because when you touch the little bean-like seed-pods, they pop open violently! That aspect makes this plant especially fun for children.
This next plant is tricky. Forget about specifically what plant it is. If you can pinpoint what type of plant it is, then you're doing well. I'll give you a hint: this is a flower.
Happy plant-sleuthing!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
This is yet another native flower doomed to obscurity by the word "weed" in its name: jewelweed. This tender annual grows abundantly in moist, shady areas, and from mid to late summer it is covered in little orange orchid-like flowers.
The name "jewelweed" comes from the way water beads up into brilliant, flashing gems on its waxy leaves.
The Latin name of jewelweed is Impatiens capensis, which gives a clue as to what common garden plant this is related to: impatiens.
Jewelweed also goes by the name "touch-me-not", because when you touch the little bean-like seed-pods, they pop open violently! That aspect makes this plant especially fun for children.
This next plant is tricky. Forget about specifically what plant it is. If you can pinpoint what type of plant it is, then you're doing well. I'll give you a hint: this is a flower.
Happy plant-sleuthing!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
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