In the News: FHS trip to Europe approved; FHS students hear independent candidate for Senate

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"For the first time since 2014, the school department is allowing students to travel abroad. 

The School Committee granted permission Tuesday for Franklin High School to pursue its planning for a trip to Europe. 

High School history teacher Michael Walsh said the trip will be 10 heavy-hitting days, visiting places such as Berlin, Prague, Krakow and Budapest, and making stops at historic locations like Auschwitz. 

“The School Committee seemed as if it was just hitting pause on travel,” Walsh said. “The China trip (in 2014) went off without a hitch, and I think, for us, we haven’t been pushing travel recently.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/franklin-school-committee-approves-europe-trip

The School Committee did vote 7-0 to approve this trip
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html

"U.S. Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. And that’s what teacher Michael Walsh had in mind when he invited him to speak to his AP government politics students. 

Ayyadurai, an Indian-born scientist and entrepreneur who is running as an independent against incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican Geoff Diehl, made a stop at Franklin High School on Tuesday afternoon, speaking to two Advanced Placement senior classes about his stance on today’s politics and how young voters should approach the next election. 

“You guys, I would argue, are the tip of the spear in the independents’ movement,” said Ayyadurai, 54. “I want everyone here to get out there and vote, if you can, and we’re here to teach you more.” 

Walsh said the importance of bringing an independent candidate on campus to express his views is paramount to his coursework, and to understanding more than just the Republican and Democratic perspectives in the political world."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/us-senate-candidate-visits-with-franklin-students

For more details about Shiva as an independent candidate  https://shiva4senate.com/

Mike Walsh introducing Dr Shiva (photo via @r_raugusta)

Excited to hear Dr. Shiva speak to or AP Gov students about his experiences campaigning for MA Senate. Thanks @MockWalsh for coordinating and introducing. @va_shiva pic.twitter.com/Aa4DGxLn8Y

— RAugusta (@r_raugusta) September 25, 2018

In the News: Article 1 Ballot Question; first gubernatorial debate set for Oct 9

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Nora Watts wakes up at 4:50 a.m. on days she’s working. 

The 66-year-old gets up, dresses and goes to the gym because she wants to ensure she’s in-shape enough to perform her duties as a nurse at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. 

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore,” Watt said. “I want to make sure I stay strong and healthy.” 

The job has become more difficult and more dangerous in recent years, Watts said, in part because nurses – like herself – are being asked to care for more patients at a time than Watts believes is responsible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/nurses-hospitals-split-on-ballot-measure-in-massachusetts

For an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides  https://www.cirmass.org/the-2018-citizens-statement

an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides

"The first gubernatorial debate between Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez will take place in two weeks on the night of Oct. 9, with WBZ-TV host Jon Keller as moderator, according to campaign officials familiar with debate negotiations between the two candidates. 

The televised debate at 8 p.m. will be one of three debates this cycle, and represents a potential turning point for Gonzalez, who continues to trail Baker in the polls and fundraising while also suffering from low name recognition. 

Days after the primary, Baker’s campaign announced that he had agreed to three televised debates against his general election opponent. Gonzalez had been pushing for more debates, and Baker received some criticism for turning down invitations to debate in western Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/first-governor-debate-planned-for-oct-9

Attention - Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

• Police Patrol Officer - candidates must be graduates of the Full-time Basic Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) Academy or equivalent
• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system. 
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.
http://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/files/application-employment-town-franklin

Attention - Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities

Live reporting: Consent Agenda to Closing

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your September 11, 2018 School Committee meeting.
b. Elementary School Improvement Plans
I recommend adoption of the Elementary School Improvement Plans for the following schools as presented:

• F. X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center
• Davis Thayer Elementary School
• Jefferson Elementary School
• Helen Keller Elementary School
• John F. Kennedy Elementary School
• Oak Street Elementary School
• Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School

c. Oak Street Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,232.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips as detailed.
d. Keller Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,891.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. RMS Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the recurring field trip request of Mr. Fitzgerald to take 25 RMS students to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 20, 2018 as detailed.

motion to accept consent agenda, seconded, passed 7-0

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence - none

11. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to collective bargaining.

motion to enter executive session not to return to open meeting
passed 7-0


12. Adjournment

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-25-2018-packet-documents

Live reporting: Information Matters

4. Discussion Only Items

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
Budget
pre-meeting for the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Weds

Community Relations
past coffee at Senior Center, a real fun meeting to have
next up at Oct 3, FHS Library
homework policy theme

meeting to talk about social media, newsletter
tie to the Senior Center, calendar linking to the community
at the Harvest Festival - Oct 13
looking for shift help from 11-4 to help man the booth

Policy
next meeting Oct 17, 7:00

Transportation

Public Schools Advocacy
meeting Tue, Oct 2 at Franklin TV

Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation

b. School Committee Liaison Reports 
Joint PCC
importance of volunteers, hot days at Davis Thayer - how to deal with, work underway
importance of school councils

Substance Abuse Task Force
meeting in Nov

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]
met at FHS, reviewed the calendar for the year, to establish new goals
looking to expand some goals for continuity and equity sake
looking for strong goals rather than multiple goals
same three goals as District and looking to link with SEL goals to avoid redundancy

School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC]
survey coming out
research says to change, options to be reviewed
busing would be required under the proposals
busing could be more efficient per the bus company, three tiers would be done with less buses total if start times were enough apart


MASC
delegate resolution to bring forward for discussion


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

next meeting to be a workshop format
committee self evaluation

superintendent goals
official enrollment as of Oct 1

Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy – First Reading
I recommend approval of moving the following policies to a second reading as
discussed:
motion to move to 2nd reading, second, passed 7-0

• NEW JFABE – Educational Opportunities for Military Children
• NEW JFABF – Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
• BCA – School Committee Member Ethics

b. Policy – Second Reading
I recommend adoption of Policy BA – School Committee Operational Goals as
discussed
motion to approve, second, passed 7-0

c. Concession Stand
I recommend acceptance of the Concession Stand at Franklin High School valued
at $210,800.00 from various donors as discussed.

Ryan Jette, Wayne, Mike Socci
motion to approve, second, passed 7-0

without guidance and leadership of Ahern and Nutting it would not have been accomplished

the concession trailer needed to be replaced and with the new school, updated field, it was time to do so

DPW Water division (water and sewer connections)
DPW Grounds (all landscaping)
Mike D'Angelo, Facilities (up to standard for other buildings)
Gus Brown, Building Inspector
Board of Health inspected and approved

additional landscape work remains

new concession stand at Franklin High School

d. FHS Europe Trip Proposal
I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Walsh and Mr. McCarthy to take FHS
students to Berlin, Prague, Krakow (Auschwitz) and Budapest from June 23, 2019
through July 3, 2019 as detailed.

Education First (EF) could be accessible for someone who requires assistance
fund raising could be tight due to the time frame, linking to other teachers who have done similar trips
fund raising would be competing with all the other clubs and sports at FHS
opportunities for specific curriculum tie ins US History, AP, World History, etc.
limited to current high school students


motion to approve, second, passed 7-0

Live Reporting: Elementary School Improvement Plans

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Elementary School Improvement Plans
i. ECDC
Kelty Kelly, Principal

"Big Day for Pre K"
honors developmental appropriate practice
seeing increase of students with autism needs

Kelty Kelly, Principal of ECDC, leads off the elementary improvement plan discussion tonight #schcom0925 pic.twitter.com/uY22lVr739

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) September 25, 2018

ii. Davis Thayer
iii. Jefferson
iv. Keller
v. JF Kennedy
vi. Oak Street
vii. Parmenter

The listing of principals by school can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/about-us/pages/school-principals

elementary school principals ready to provide an update on the improvement plans

partnering with Franklin Food Pantry for weekend backpack program to provide additional food for those in need

(Note: C Douglas arrives)

MA Personalized Learning Network (MAPLE)

PD Your Way - at Parmenter, professional development your way

ICE - intervention, correction and enrichment

new Schools webpage now available, faculty figuring out how to do things with the new page
leveraging Twitter for communications with links back to the school page

Keller Kids Calls - positive calls home for the student

Q - on MAPLE 
teachers can use it to provide some differentiated learning on particular topics, about student engagement, where are they coming from, not just where we are coming from

Q - examples of SEL skills for elementary students
resiliency would be one, multiple opportunities to identify the skills, hopefully they'll find self confidence and what tools they can use to self regulate

first PD day was focused for teachers and staff how to take care of themselves first

social studies curriculum overdue for an update but teachers are integrating current events and other items as they can