Sunday, February 13, 2011

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 2/15/11

As the School Committee meeting scheduled for 2/1/11 was canceled, and the School Committee has not posted a new agenda for the meeting 2/15/11, I assuming that the prior agenda will be the one for Tuesday night.


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 Open and Executive Sessions of the January 25, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll - none for this meeting Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Lifelong Learning – Pandora Carlucci
b. Preliminary Budget Overview

3. Discussion Only Items
Proposed School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $921.60 from the Remington PCC for in-house enrichment.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend the naming of the FHS away-side press box in memory of FHS football coach, Gerry Leone.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to Hartford, CT for the FHS Cheerleaders for a competition as detailed.
e. I recommend adoption of the School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012 as discussed.

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


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 16, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-06: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
2. Resolution 11-07: Amendment to the Final Cable Television License Granted to Verizon New England, Inc.

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN



Franklin, MA


In the News - Dean College, video prize, winter sales


More students applying to Dean College




Franklin 11-year-old grabs video prize




Harsh winter means huge demand for some businesses




Franklin, MA

Saturday, February 12, 2011

"They're like a family to me"

Davis Thayer Principal Shirley Babcock and Keller Principal Mary Jane Wiles are both retiring. Horace Mann's Michael Levine was brought in for one year as an interim principal while the district searched for a replacement for Anne Bergen, who retired last year. 
The district recently named Remington Middle School Assistant Principal Shawn Fortin as the new Horace Mann principal and they plan to begin searches for two new elementary principals after February vacation, Assistant Superintendent Sally Winslow said. 
"Shawn rose to the top throughout the (interview) process," Winslow said, adding there were five candidates from outside the district in addition to Fortin. "Shawn really showed himself to be visionary in his approach. ... He's done a fabulous job (at Remington) looking at MCAS scores and working with the principal and teachers around instructional strategies so kids can perform better on those tests."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In addition to the principals in the article, Michele Kingsland-Smith, Director of Instructional Services also announced her retirement this week to be effective after the school year. She apparently will continue to work with the district in a part-time consultative capacity.


Franklin, MA

In the News - wrestling, Relay for Life


Franklin Elks host professional wrestling match





Relay for Life kick-off meeting planned in Franklin




Franklin, MA

"they have lost vital funding"

"De-accessioning" means these collections will no longer be available to the public and many plants within the collections will be destroyed. Included in this de-accession plan are the National Boxwood Collection and its associated Perennial Collections, along with the extensive Glenn Dale Hillside of the Azalea Collections. This will be a huge loss for the plant world, and for all the people who have traveled to and enjoyed these gardens. 
Arboreta and other public botanic gardens are true treasures for those of us who enjoy experiencing the beauty and value of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and other plants in a comfortable setting. Few private gardens can offer the range of horticulture they make available, often in association with other garden treasures (sculpture, architecture, art, etc.).
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In eastern Massachusetts, some of the best of these gardens include Tower Hill Botanic Garden (www.towerhillbg.org) in Boylston, the Arnold Arboretum (arboretum.harvard.edu) in Jamaica Plain, and the Wellesley College Botanic Garden (www.wellesley.edu/WCBG).



Franklin, MA

Friday, February 11, 2011

State implements new early childhood rating system

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff on 2/11/11

This month the state debuted a new rating system for early education programs with the aim of closing achievement gaps in Massachusetts.

Things you can do from here:


The MA.gov  web site with additional information on the standards and rating system can be found here.