Best Buddies to be 'a zip code event' for Franklin

Franklin is leading the way in expanding the Best Buddies program to the entire school district. The program began at FHS in 1997, expanded to the middle schools in 2007 and now to the elementary schools. Keller will begin a pilot this year for 3rd and 4th graders, and continue in September with those students in the 4th and 5th grade.

image from Best Buddies website

Assuming all goes well with the pilot, as early as September 2016 the program could begin expansion to other elementary schools in the district.

Dean College is looking to create their program so this would be "a zip code event."

Additional info on the program will be discussed at the Keller PCC meeting on Apr 9th.

After the Best Buddies presentation and discussion, the School Committee heard the latest stats on school choice (17 students remaining the program) and the recommendation not to open the program up. School Choice is the option for students from other communities to attend in Franklin. Due to capacity issues, the school district has not opened the program and the students who were part of it are allowed to complete their schooling. The peak was about 90 students several years ago.

The capital budget was adjusted to meet lower expectations on what funds would be available. The Franklin capital budget is funded by 'free cash' however the free cash is used to make up any shortfall in the snow/ice budget first. With the record winter this year, the snow/ice budget is about $500,000 over what was allocated. That is $500,000 less to fund our other capital requirements.

photo of presentation page touting the Dodgeball Tournament

The Best Buddies 25th anniversary video shown during the meeting can be viewed here:





My details notes reported live during the School Committee meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting: Action items to Closing
• Live reporting: Discussion only
• Live Reporting: School Committee - Mar 24, 2015

Antique Appraisal Day - April 12

Antique Appraisal Day

Sunday, April 12, 2015

1:00PM-4:00PM

The Franklin Historical Commission invites you to have your collectables and antiques appraised by certified appraiser Nancy Wyman of Coyle’s Auction Gallery of Bellingham. 1 to 3 items per person will be appraised at a rate of $5.00 per item.

Items to be appraised include Decorative Stoneware and Pottery; Vintage Clothing and Costume Jewelry; Fine China, glass and art glass; Oriental Rugs; Paintings and Prints; Lamps, Clocks, Decorative Accessories; Hummels and Music Boxes; Sterling Silver, Pewter and Brass; American, Victorian and Country Furniture and Accessories.

NO fine jewelry, no coins, no stamps and no weapons.

All proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum

Franklin Historical Museum - maybe most of the snow will be gone by Appraisal Day?

Franklin Art Association - Spring Show - Apr 18 and 19

2015 Spring Members Show and Sale will be held at the Black Box Theater, 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Saturday, April, 18th 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, April, 19th  12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The exhibit is free and opened to the public

* Exhibit of original works of fine art and photographs 

* Bin sales of original works of art and prints 

* Complementary food and beverage 

* Clothes line art sale

Franklin Art Association - Spring Show

Awards ceremony Saturday evening at 7:00 pm

The Franklin Art Association since 1971

Sponsored in part by the Franklin Cultural Council

For further information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org

and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

#shopFranklin 

Live reporting: Action items to Closing

4. Action Items

a. I recommend not accepting any new School Choice students for the 2015-2016 School Year.

motion to approve, seconded passed 6-0 

b. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded passed 6-0 

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Walmart for Supplemental Curriculum Materials at Davis Thayer Elementary School.

motion to approve, seconded passed 6-0 

d. I recommend approval of the request for HMMS to take 6th & 8th grade students to Mystic Aquarium in CT on April 1, 2015 as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded passed 6-0 



5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

Sabolinski - it is great to be back, thanks to Sally for an amazing job in all sorts of little crisises
thanks to all in the Central Office staff for their help
I am not totally cleared to be back, I can ambulate a little more

Remington Middle  School  play 60 grant received

NEASC letter from accreditation, FHS is not on warning status for first time since 1996
it has been a long journey, thanks to the community for stepping up
next NEASC visit will be 2017, next year will be self study to prepare for the following year
we have been givning them updates yearly and they have appreciated the progress

Best Buddies Dodgeball tournement, sign up now
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeFpIdnduSnlQZ3c/view?usp=sharing

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

School Committee Liaison Reports

Trivia Bee - Apr 8th
November - Harlem Wizards will return for a visit

motion to adjourn
passed 6-0 via roll call vote

Live reporting: Discussion only

3. Discussion Only Items

School Choice Vote

we have currently still 17 students, but have not accepted new students
we have some issues on the horizon, a new housing development 280 apartment units in the Garelick Farm area;  would have an impact on the Oak/Horace Mann schools

recommendation to continue not engaging in school choice
class size is down to where it needs to be (with a few exceptions)
the impact of class size on achievement is profound
opening it up would not be good at this time
the school committee needs to vote and we can notify the state by May 1

Capital Plan Update

a snowy winter season, the town's budget has been overshot by $500,000
there may not be a lot of funds left in the allocation after the snow is paid
the budget subcommittee meets next Wednesday

removed 2 of the 6 original requests
Chromebooks and
look to fund from available operational funds
the justifications are the same

Live Reporting: School Committee - Mar 24, 2015

Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Rohrbach, Clement, Mullen, Trahan
Absent: Jewell


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none

Review of Agenda - none

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Mock trial made it to the final 4, lost to Pioneer Valley
Senior Banquet
Spring sports started this week
Franklin Friday - themed clothing
partnered with local business, winning grade gets prize 1st prize from Elizabeth's Bagels; next prize coming from The Cake Bar

Correspondence: none


2. Guests/Presentations
a. Best Buddies – Elizabeth Fitzmaurice and Stephanie Geddes

Intro by Supt Maureen Sabolinski (yes, she is back)


Documents for the Best Buddies portion of the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/best-buddies-update-to-school-committee.html

FPS Best Buddies Keller Elementary from Franklin Matters

Franklin was identified as a host community for the 1st elementary program

Stephanie Geddes, IEP coordinator

started in 1997 in High School
then expanded to middle school in 2007
and now to elementary in 2015

proposed in May 2014 to do so; followed up in Sep 2014
Best Buddies doesn't have a program but Franklin wil do this as a pilot

Sarah Fishman and Britt Dubendris are the advisors for the pilot

come to the April 9th PCC meeting at Keller School
to learn about the pilot

Keller community got a letter last week, this week with get the BBK bulletin (see documents for a copy of the BBK bulletin)

a lot of Twitter action
@kellerschool  #1bbkeller
@fps4students

Great news: 1st elementary school program at announced for @KellerSchool #1bbkeller @fps4students pic.twitter.com/FzoEuymuTo
— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) March 24, 2015

Clement: This is great, I love every aspect of this. how long until we can get it into all the elementary schools?

Fitzmaurice: We're doing it at a pace that ensures we can do it well. We have it elsewhere, It is on the cusp at Dean College. it is going to be a zip code event. 

Sabolinski: Karen Spilka was helpful in this, it was not an immediate sell. We gave them a lot to think about. Our goal is to have chapters yesterday in each of the schools. The work of this group has gotten us to where we are, once we get this going, maybe a year from now, we'll be able to get this ging at the other elementary schools.

Fitzmaurice:  You had me all in at hello. We haven't looked back.

O'Malley: this kind of program is about the best of who we are. We operate best when we connect. The kids will get the benefit from this.

Sabolinski: we do want to acknowledge that Jeff Roy's office has helped us, the Streeter family has helped and supported us. They are helping to sponsor the Dodge ball tournament. Pre-K through college is our vision.

Register for the 5th Annual Franklin & Bellingham SNETT Road Race

Help support our effort to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail into a multi-use path for Franklin and Bellingham Registration: 8:30 – 9:45am Start Time: Walk 9:45 AM / Run 10:00 AM Start / Finish: 628 Washington St. Franklin, MA (Remington School) Run: 5 mile loop of paved roads through residential neighborhoods Walk: 1.5 mile & 3.5 mile walk through residential neighborhoods Entry Fee: $25 prior to race day $30 day of the race $15 Students Participation Medals to All Registrants Post race refreshments Prizes awarded by category Commemorative T-shirts Participation Medals & Raffle Prizes Race Timing by Spitler Race Systems or download and register by mail

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