Franklin Matters

I spoke with Nathan Beck on Saturday at the electronics, etc. recycling fund raiser for the FHS Girls Hockey Team. I had just heard about the event that morning and would have liked to be able to share the information in advance. We exchanged business cards and his father, Steve, sent along this information.

I've been doing electronic collections since 2002, directing the net proceeds to K-12 programs. I principally target music and fine arts, but also generate funding for safe driver programs, girls athletics, community service centers and, of course, Big Brother Big Sister. I'm the director of Big Brother Big Sister Foundation and founder of the CREW (Community Recyclers of Electronic Waste). My son now runs events for CREW all over the state, in NH and soon New York and PA.

Three weeks ago, CREW hit the $3,000,000 mark in net monies donated to charities, edu and other programs through collection events

In most towns, I folded BBBS into the mix. BBBS is there for clothing, CREW for electronics. In about six towns now, we hold town wide recycling days twice a year with everything I can think of. Books, metal, cardboard, onsite document shredding, electronics, household goods, appliances and of course clothing. They work well

Falmouth High School fine arts and music program nets about $8,000 a year with these events. Norwell about $3,000, Dedham about $12,000. I am pitching them to every town and we'll start up in April.

Martha's Vineyard Community Services has netted $51,000 in the last three years. Not a bad piece of change for a much needed community center that helps 22,000 people a year.

The Franklin girls ice hockey team netted about $760. Less than I expected, but the first of these events in any given town is dicey, especially in mid November. We're going to do another in April and I am certain I can get them $2,000+. That isn't bad for the hockey team, it helps keep them on the ice.

We have only a couple left, usually I stop the first weekend in November. Charlestown is on 12/4 and a tri town event, sponsored by Congressman Ed Markey's office, is on the slate for 12/11. After that, we hibernate until April; BBBS does house to house pick ups of electronics in the winter months.

Big Brothers Big Sisters website is http://www.bbbsfoundation.org/web/pageDetail.aspx?pgID=home

Franklin is also number 1 as a contributer to Big Brothers Big Sisters
http://www.bbbsfoundation.org/web/pagedetail.aspx?pgID=WEB-Franklin

If you missed this one, still have electronics to recycle, then mark your calendar for another event in April, 2011.

Thanks to Nathan and Steve for sharing this information!

Franklin, MA

Mount Saint Mary's Abbey - fund raising

Mount Saint Mary's Abbey sent a fund raising letter that I think is worthwhile sharing here:

Mount St Mary's Abbey 11/15/10

A brief video of the wind turbine in action was shared here earlier this year
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - Turkey trot

Remington Middle School to hold third annual turkey trot

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc

Franklin, MA

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Franklin, MA: MCAS 2010 - presentation document

Take a few minutes this morning to preview the presentation on the MCAS results for the Franklin School District. This presentation is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010.

I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.

2010 MCAS Results for Franklin, MA

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 11/16/10

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 9, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. RMS – Paul Peri, Mary Kass, Joe O’Halloran
b. MCAS Presentation – District Leadership Team

3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Community Outreach

Policy – First Reading

GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy
Sample MASC Policy for Facebook and Social Networking

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from College Board for FHS Scholarships and AP Testing.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from BJ’s Community Relations Program for Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $733.40 from Remington PCC for Remington Middle School.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

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. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

In the New - vision for the high school

As a follow up article to the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 9th, the Milford Daily News shares this:

Community members called to help sketch vision of Franklin High

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

The notes from the School Committee meting including the link to the documents associated with the visioning exercise can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html

Franklin, MA