why trust is worth it (video)

Thought provoking...  amazing athletic movements ...

Just a bit over 3 minutes... you'll want to see it more than once!





'trust is something we build but it is also about letting go"

"such a tragedy when it is broken"

"trust is your relationship to the unknown"

"it is worth it to keep trying and it is not easy"

"so who do you trust and how can you grow it?"

"the ones who have their developmental needs met, they do much better"

The article on kindergarten development has raised the issue of common core and standardized testing. The Boston Globe Ideas section has an article on another aspect of the current education situation.

“What the study underscored is the tremendous amount of potential here—they’re a national resource,” Lubinski says. “But it’s hard to separate the findings of this study from what we know about gifted kids in general. The genuine concern is, we know we’re not identifying all of this population. We’re not getting nearly enough, and we’re losing them.” 

To people more worried about kids who are falling through the cracks altogether, doing slightly less than we could for the most gifted might not seem like a pressing problem. But if the study is right that exceptional youthful ability really does correlate directly with exceptional adult achievement, then these talented young kids aren’t just a challenge for schools and parents: they’re also demonstrably important to America’s future. And it means that if, in education, we focus on steering all extra money and attention toward kids who are struggling academically, or even just to the average student, we risk shortchanging the country in a different way. 

“We are in a talent war, and we’re living in a global economy now,” Lubinski says. “These are the people who are going to figure out all the riddles. Schizophrenia, cancer—they’re going to fight terrorism, they’re going to create patents and the scientific innovations that drive our economy. But they are not given a lot of opportunities in schools that are designed for typically developing kids.”

 Read the full article in the Boston Globe
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/15/the-poor-neglected-gifted-child/rJpv8G4oeawWBBvXVtZyFM/story.html   (subscription maybe required)

This topic has come up during prior budget sessions and school committee meetings. With the focus on no child left behind and the legal requirements for those with special needs, the students at the high end and in the middle are getting squeezed.

What do we want for our children's education?

Horace Mann Middle School, Oak St Elementary School 

Disclosure - yes, my wife happens to be a kindergarten teacher here in Franklin. 

Walking Saturday

Saturday gave us a teaser of spring with the temps getting into the 50's in the afternoon. I went for my walk in the morning and caught the following photos to share.

point of view

When you frame a photo, you are setting up a point of view. We all have a point of view. Some times we act and think like we don't but how we frame things definitely affects what we think and do.

Emeritus at 656 King St opening in May 2014

 A new senior living center is opening on King St in May. The Emeritus website is full of information on the approach they take for this time of life and the special needs associated with it.

Emeritus entrance on King St

The Emeritus blog has good articles. Recent articles include one on how to live to be 100
http://www.theseniorcareblog.com/post/how-live-be-100

and one on how to make exercise fun
http://www.theseniorcareblog.com/post/how-make-exercise-fun

King St Memorial Park sign

 I need to do some research on this person. Can anyone help provide me some insight on who William A Somerby Jr. was? He is recognized with this sign and a memorial in the park.Other than that he was a Colonel in the US Air Force the signs don't provide additional detail.

ready for March madness?

 The basketball court looks too wet to play today but give it another day or two of this good spring weather and there'll be some folks gathering to play hoops

Community gardens in their snow blanket

stream flows under King St

lucky to catch a melting drop of water

Sometimes the right amount of being there and patience brings a reward. I was able to catch this drop of melting snow! Did you get to take a walk on Saturday? Where did you go? What did you see?

Would you be interested in joining me for a walk some Saturday morning? If so, please leave a comment or send me an email. If there is interest, I'll schedule some time for a group walk and talk.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 19, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
– Hillside Nurseries

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
»Historical Commission - Caitlin Coyne
»Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Eric Buliung

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
»Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director – Presentation: Roads, Water, Trash, & Lincoln Street

»Wine & Malt Package Store License

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-14: Purchase of land at 92 Wachusett Street – Authorization and Appropriation – Requires 2/3 Vote

2. Bylaw Amendment 14-731:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading

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 Municipal Building

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/03192014.pdf

Franklin Art Association - Scholarship

The Franklin Art Association will award a $1000 scholarship to a qualifying high school senior residing in Franklin or attending a school in Franklin, or a senior whose parent, grandparent or legal guardian is a current member of the association.  

 

Applicants must submit an application, student portfolio, teacher's letter of recommendation and a transcript of high school grades to Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA between 2:00 and 3:30 pm in room G140 on Friday , April 4.

An application may be obtained by contacting: tinaguarinoart@gmail.com

FEF Trivia Bee - Mar 19th

Franklin Education Foundation

The Franklin Education Foundation Trivia Bee is Wednesday, March 19th @7 in the Horace Mann Middle School Mercer auditorium. The theme is MUSIC and will be a good time for folks of all ages! 

Come for a fun time and you can pick up some great stuff at the raffle. Come cheer on your respective school or business to be the one to win the iconic FEF Trivia Bee Cup! 

All proceeds go to Franklin Public Schools to support innovative educational programs.

For more about the Franklin Education Foundation, visit their website  http://www.franklined.org/

Emmons St building discussion scheduled for Apr 2

From the home page of the Franklin, MA website comes this announcement:

Town Council Chairman Robert Vallee has postponed the discussion on the Old Municipal Building at 150 Emmons Street which was expected take place at the March 19 Council meeting. It will be discussed at the April 2 Town Council meeting. 

This will allow all interested parties additional time to consider potential future uses of the property. Chairman Vallee encourages all interested citizens to attend the meeting.

Emmons St building - view from West Central St

The notes recorded live during the public meeting on March 4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html

The handouts from the meeting were posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/emmons-st-building-discussion-documents.html