Sunday, March 11, 2018

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 13, 2018

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.

A G E N D A
“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
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Project 351 Student Representative ASMS
b. Update on Homework (District Improvement Plan – Goal 2) – Dr. Joyce Edwards

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy – Second Reading
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed.

  • Policy CBD – Superintendent’s Contract
  • Policy ADF – Wellness Policy

b. Proposal for FHS Seniors late arrival or early release during study hall pilot
I recommend temporary suspension of policy JH – Student Absences for the purpose of piloting late arrival/early release for FHS Seniors during quarter 4 as discussed.
c. School Start Times Advisory Committee Appointment
I recommend approval of the remaining School Start Times Advisory Committee appointment as discussed.

4. Discussion Only Items
a. Budget Discussion

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 27, 2018 School Committee meeting.
b. Parmenter Gifts
I recommend acceptance of four checks totaling $518.67 as detailed:

  • $340.72 Parmenter PCC for Supplemental Supplies
  • $50.00 Parmenter Parent for Supplemental Supplies
  • $77.95 Parmenter PCC for Supplemental Supplies
  • $50.00 Parmenter Parent for Supplemental Supplies
c. Music Parents Gift
I recommend acceptance of $240.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment as detailed.
d. FHS scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Digital Federal Credit Union for a FHS Scholarship.
e. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for Library books.
f. Remington Middle School Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $594.00 from the RMS PCC for in-house enrichment.
g. Jefferson Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,159.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips.
h. HMMS Grade 6 recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request to take HMMS 6th graders to Save the Bay, in Providence, RI on 5/30; 5/31; and 6/1/2018 (approximately 52 students each day) as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills = Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll = Mrs. Douglas

10. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to litigation.

11. Adjournment

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the School District page
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/s3-13-2018%20SC%20Packet/

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 13, 2018
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 13, 2018

Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common - Mar 30

St Mary's teens and families will host its annual 'Cross Walk' procession on the Franklin Town Common beginning at Noon on Good Friday. Christians of all denominations and ages are welcome. Participants will gather on the Church Square end of the common. 

Together, they will process through and around the Franklin town common and back to St Mary's lawn, pausing along the way to reflect on Jesus' great love for us. 

Anyone who wishes to may help share the burden of carrying the heavy cross during the procession. Teens from St Mary's parish will read reflections and prayers at each stop. 

All area residents and our families and friends from surrounding communities are encouraged to take part in this meaningful procession on Good Friday to remember Christ's Passion.

Friday, March 30- 12:00-1:00 pm

Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common - Mar 30
Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common - Mar 30

Franklin Dog Park Fund Raiser - May 6

Friends of the Franklin Dog Park Committee meeting on March 14, 2018 at 7 PM at the Franklin Library on the second floor conference room. New members are welcome.

We are having a wine and beer tasting fund raiser for the Franklin Dog Park on May 6 from 1 PM to 4 PM, to be held at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits, 14 Grove Street, Franklin, Ma.02038. There will be snacks and door prizes. Tickets will be $10.00 per person plus live entertainment. All profits will be for the purchasing of 4 dog park benches and Agility equipment for the dog park.

If you can't make it on that day how about sending a donation to help us out. Make your donation out to: Franklin Dog Park, P.O.Box 111, Franklin,Ma. 02038.

dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day
dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 13 (video)

The video of the Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum is now available.






  • Live reporting from the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html


  • The audio of the Forum was published previously

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/fm-139-legislative-forum-on-school.html


  • Announcement of the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 13 (video)
Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 13 (video)

Where’s the Green? - Mar 17

A look at prospects for open space, agriculture, and recreational space in Franklin and a discussion about the town’s continued growth

On Saturday, March 17 Franklin in Focus is inviting all interested people to gather for a look at the past, present, and future of Franklin’s open space and continued growth with an eye to preserving town character, enhancing recreation and conservation, and encouraging agricultural activities.

We are inviting representatives from the Town Council, Town Conservation Commission and Planning Board, Metacomet Land Trust, Charles River Meadowlands Initiative, Franklin State Forest, and Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail, Agricultural Commission, and Community Garden and other to join us.

The event will be held at the Franklin Senior Center from 10 - noon.


For more information, contact franklininfocus@gmx.com

Where’s the Green?  - Mar 17
Where’s the Green?  - Mar 17

FHS boys basketball repeat as D1 Central Sectional Champions

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the recap of the FHS boys basketball win to claim the D1 Central Sectional Championship on Friday, March 9.

The 2018 Franklin boys basketball team has relied on its defense all season long to win game after game. 
So it’s only fitting the Panthers came up with a pair of big stops to secure a 58-53 win over Algonquin to clinch the program’s second straight D1 Central Sectional Championship. 
Holding a 55-50 lead with 4:21 to go, the Panthers relied on the defensive end to clinch the title. The Tomahawks had the momentum, sandwiching a bucket from Nick Redden (25 points, 11 rebounds) around two defensive stops to get within two. 
The Panthers got a turnover but gave the ball back on an offensive foul that negated an and-one opportunity. Once again, Franklin got the stop it needed but the rebound bounced around and out of bounds. Algonquin called a timeout with an inbounds chance under the Franklin basket with 39.3 to go.

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-beat-algonquin-to-repeat-as-d1c-champs/

For a photo gallery from the game, follow this link
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/Franklin-Algonquin-Boys-Basketball-030918/

Franklin’s Paul Mahon drives to the basket in the first half against Algonquin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin’s Paul Mahon drives to the basket in the first half against Algonquin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Via the Twitterverse
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports











Franklin Public Schools: Status Update on Our School Buildings' Systems - Mar 9 - 4:15 PM

Friday, March 9, 2018  4:15 PM Update

Dear Franklin Families, Faculty, and Staff,

We am writing before the weekend with an update regarding the status of our systems of operations within our schools.

Key Fobs
Key fobs had not been working for our entry doors, and staff were using door keys. Batteries in key fob entry pads are being or have been replaced.

Internet
As we had mentioned, Internet was out briefly but came back quickly across all schools, being functional by about 8:00 AM.  The Internet continues to function properly.

Heat
As we mentioned previously, a computer failure took down the heating system at Keller/Sullivan but the system was reset and heat came back online at 8:10 AM.  This morning, heat was on at Horace Mann/ECDC/Oak but not at full capacity. One boiler at Horace Mann/ECDC/Oak was restored at approximately 9:00 AM and heat is functioning properly there.

Phones
Phone lines have been restored to all schools but we are not yet at peak capacity.  We can receive incoming calls, make outgoing calls, and call internally. Work will continue through the weekend. Please be patient and try to call again or e-mail if you get a busy signal.

It appears that a significant majority of households would have power restored today. Please know we've been thinking of you, the challenges and discomfort that come when you don't have power in your homes, and understand implications for homework completion.

Many thanks to our Town Administrator's Office, the Facilities staff, the Technology Department, Fire Department and the Police Department for repair efforts and assistance throughout the day.


Regards,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools:  Status Update on Our School Buildings' Systems - Mar 9 - 4:15 PM
Franklin Public Schools:  Status Update on Our School Buildings' Systems - Mar 9 - 4:15 PM