Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 8, 2015

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.

AGENDA

"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

The Key to Learning

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 25, 2015
School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Summer Update – Pandora Carlucci
b. District Improvement Plan

3. Discussion Only Items

none

4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of the District Improvement Plan as presented.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $288.00 from All American Publishing for FHS.

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

Personnel Matter

8. Adjourn

What you should know about design! (video)

"Roman Mars is obsessed with flags — and after you watch this talk, you might be, too. These ubiquitous symbols of civic pride are often designed, well, pretty terribly. But they don't have to be. In this surprising and hilarious talk about vexillology — the study of flags — Mars reveals the five basic principles of flag design and shows why he believes they can be applied to just about anything."

For more about "Good Flags, Bad Flags"
http://vexillology.wikia.com/wiki/Appendix:_Good_flags,_bad_flags

For more about 99% Invincible, Roman Mars podcast on design
http://99percentinvisible.org/

FHS Football players to watch

Hockomock Sports has published their listing of Offensive and Defensive football players to watch for the 2015 season. In their selection, they only chose one from Franklin on the defensive side.

I grew up playing basketball and baseball. I know enough about football that it is a team sport and while only 11 are on the field at one time, everyone on the team needs to step up and contribute.

FHS Panthers

Kudos to Tyler for his selection. For the other members of the FHS football team, all you need to do is play your best as a team and you'll go places!

Tyler Gomes, Junior – Franklin

During his sophomore season, Tyler Gomes made himself familiar with opposing quarterbacks time and time again. In seemed like every game, Gomes was finding his way through the offensive line for a sack. Gomes’ athleticism and strength allow him to take opponents on one and one – if teams don’t double team him. Expect Gomes to draw a lot of attention and be a big factor as the Panthers make a push to return to the postseason.

For the complete listing of Hockomock players on offense
http://www.hockomocksports.com/football-players-watch-offense/

and defense
http://www.hockomocksports.com/football-players-to-watch-on-defense/

Franklin 5k this Sunday at Remington

Franklin 5k this weekend at Remington Middle School on Sunday, Sep 13 at 9:00am to noon. You can run or walk it.

Franklin 5K - Sep 13

Register here
https://hockymca.ejoinme.org/MyPages/2015Franklin5K/tabid/699574/Default.aspx

Additional information on the race can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/the-franklin-5k-invites-community-to.html

In the News: EDC meeting, Ride for Leanne

The Franklin Economic Development Committee meets this week to discuss, among other things, the use of a town-owned parcel on Pond Street. 

The committee has on its Wednesday meeting agenda a discussion on proposals received for the 33-acre property, which abuts Interstate 495. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the land had once been used by the town, but not since 1978.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150908/NEWS/150907318/1994/NEWS

When the revived Ride for Leanne Motorcycle Ride is held Saturday, it will be nearly 10 years to the day since the event's namesake passed away. 

“We miss her every day, no matter what,” said Randy Schmall of his daughter Leanne, who died Sept. 14, 2005, of complications stemming from a Stage Four melanoma diagnosis. She was 16 years old. 

The ride will rekindle what was an annual event. For the first five years after Leanne’s passing, her family put on the ride and used it to fund a scholarship for Franklin High School and contributions to Dana Farber that now totals close to $30,000.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150907/NEWS/150907315/1994/NEWS

How do you define 'best' by money spent or results achieved?

Realtor Warren Reynolds does the analysis on the Boston Magazine school rankings to summarizes that the methodology "penalizes Franklin."

"For its 2015 school rankings, Boston Magazine says it chose a methodology that lessens the importance of academic performance (as measured by standardized test scores). Instead, in a self-described effort to reward school districts that spend more money, Boston Magazine says its calculations intentionally favor districts with high costs per pupil, small class sizes and high teacher to pupil ratios:

“. . .we rewarded schools that have smaller class sizes, lower student-to-teacher ratios, and higher rates of per-pupil spending, among other characteristics. In response to criticism of such rankings, we’ve also tried to deemphasize test results. We still take standardized test scores into account—but we reduced the weight of those scores within the overall rankings.”

This “spending over academic performance” weighting seems to have penalized Franklin in Boston Magazine’s analysis. Franklin schools are known for achieving solid test results while spending LESS per pupil than many other top performing school districts in the Commonwealth. The Franklin School District’s limited budget helps keeps Franklin’s real estate taxes a lot lower than most other communities in MA that have good schools, but that seems to count for little in the eyes of Boston Magazine."

screen grab of 02038.com

Continue reading Warren's article here:
http://02038.com/2015/09/boston-magazine-rankings-penalize-franklin/

So for good school performance with less out of your pocketbook, chose Franklin!

FHS Volleyball and Field Hockey players to watch

Hockomock Sports has announced their preseason listing of players to watch for volleyball and field hockey. FHS has representation on both listings.

Volleyball

Aubrie Kutil, Senior – Franklin

Not many schools have both top offensive and defensive players back, but with Dayna McCue, Beth Neal and Aubrie Kutil, the Panthers have a lot of pieces back. Kutil had a team-high 116 kills in 2014 and had a near 40% kill percentage. With 16 blocks, Kutil is the Panthers’ top returning blocker at the net. Beth Neal (31 aces, 39 digs, 184 assists) will play a big role in getting Kutil the ball this year and could also be one of the standout players at the season’s end.

FHS Panthers

Dayna McCue, Senior – Franklin

The Panthers are fortunate enough to have back one of the best defensive players in the league this year. McCue had a whopping 538 serve receives (average 33.8 receives per match) last year and added team-high 217 digs. She also was a big boost in terms of serving with 30 aces, which was third for the Panthers last year. With the Kelley-Rex title race wide open heading into the season and no clear favorite, McCue’s reliable defense could be something that pushes Franklin to the front of that race.

For the complete listing of volleyball players to watch in the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/players-to-watch-on-the-volleyball-court-in-2015/

Field hockey

Sam Jones, Senior – Franklin

Franklin will once again be considered a favorite for the Kelley-Rex crown and goalie Sam Jones is one of the reasons why. After graduating some of the top scorers from last season, the Panthers will be counting on Jones, a HockomockSports.com Second Teamer from 2014, to backstop a tight defense. Jones, who had 10 shutouts last season, has the size and agility to be once again one of the top goalies in the Hock.

Taylor Reutlinger, Senior – Franklin

The Panthers will rely on the leadership of Reutlinger, who will be captain for the second straight year and will be in the stating lineup for the third straight year. Reutlinger controls the midfield and is a key player on corners, both on offense and defense. His distribution and vision will be key for the Panthers this season.

For the complete listing of field hockey players to watch in the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/field-hockey-players-watch-2015/