Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Franklin School Committee: Health Survey Presentation (audio)
Time: 40 minutes, 6 seconds
MP3 File
My notes to accompany this audio file can be found here.
The presentation can be found here.
Metro West/EDC Adolescent Health Survey - Part 1
The survey results are important to understand. This is where a good deal of focus on the education of our children should be. The issues raised by this survey can put an appropriate context around budget discussions.
The presentation was rather lengthy so I have split it up into three posts.
- The first (this one) has the intro and my own notes taken during the presentation.
- The second will have the audio file for the presentation itself.
- The third will have the audio file for the question and answer discussion following the presentation.
The link to the presentation itself can be found here.
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My notes taken during the presentation on 11/27/07
Lifetime – tried it at least once in their lifetime
Trend in survey showing decline in reported usage of alcohol amongst middle school students
Alcohol most prevalent amongst high school, no difference between male/female,
10% admitted it interfered with their school work
48% high school admitted drinking within the last 30 days
This trend line was actually increasing over the study periods
Tobacco use, males more than females – middle school
Significant reduction in those admitting trying smoking (both MS and HS)
High school – 10% identified as daily smokers
Marijuana is a concern, there shows a reduction in MS
Steroids have dropped
HS – marijuana nearly as prevalent as tobacco for students as trying it
Students using marijuana using within 30 days, exceeds the smoker numbers
Biggest issue at HS bullying and fighting
Decrease from MS to HS, although increases from 2004, 2006 at HS
Electronic bullying increasing
Stress levels double from 9th to 12th grade, (i.e. college process)
Community involvement recommended to address these issues
15 components to be convened in the community involvement effort
Must celebrate trends going in the right direction
But we’re still taking about 10-20% of the population participating in risky behavior
Comparative analysis since 1999
How to provide the info to the parents, summary, call to action in some attractive but none-turning away manner
Introduction of Open Circle at kindergarten level helps
Middle school intervention programs
9th grade collaborative at the HS
Peer mentoring, peer leaders going through training now
Discussion on 1999, data, first year results seem not to be real
Chief Williams coming back to put this in perspective within the Town context
Avoid one shot assembly approach, programs work well when connected to curriculum
Have not looked at correlation with economy
Monday, December 17, 2007
Town Council Agenda 12/19/07 available
Blogs in plain English (video)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Where in Franklin? Answer #23
Ken identified:
"This property has been before the planning board and town council several times for public hearings. I believe the property was sold at a foreclosure auction last week. If so what will the new owner do with it?"
Time will tell.
Oh, and if you had not recognized where this open pit is located, you can find it along RT 140 at the entrance to Chestnut Ridge.
Thanks, Ken! Stay tuned for the next picture.
Town trying to project its building plans
Now that Franklin has approved spending $300,000 for library and museum upgrades, some councilors want to get a better view of the big picture when it comes to future projects, and compile a new survey of the town's building woes
Read the full article here.
Brick Costs $37,600 Annually
Cost of Red Brick School: $37,600 annually
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - After debating the contents of their financial report, task force members studying the viability of the Red Brick School agreed yesterday that the historic building costs $37,600 to run annually, with $600 currently borne by town taxpayers. |
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Where are the drains?
Union Street was newly rebuilt this year. Nice sidewalks. Curbed road. New storm drains.
Oh, where are they?
Yes, they are there. Covered under the snow. The plows just did not get that last foot or so on each side of the road to reveal the drains.
In the entire rebuilt section from the Common to Cottage, I found only one visible drain cover. (Yes, the rebuilt section extends up passed Cottage to Washington Street, but we didn't walk that way this morning.)
Library Hangover
Pretty? maybe.
Pretty harmful to the insides? quite possibly, based upon what we have heard about the leaks.
youths take charity into their own hands
Franklin youths take charity into their own handsBy Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff
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Friday, December 14, 2007
The Web 2.0 thing explained (video)
Franklin in the news
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - Following a fatal rollover accident that took his life a week before he turned 17, Tobacco Road resident Matthew Blagdon is to be remembered at a wake today for his generosity and dedication to friends and family.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
climate change a top priority
The state Department of Environmental Protection is making climate change a top priority, a senior official said yesterday.
Martin Suuberg, central region director for the state agency, outlined a handful of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He spoke before local business and municipal officials at a breakfast forum cohosted by the United Chamber of Commerce and the Norfolk County Commissioners' Office.
"Climate change is the central environmental challenge of our times," Suuberg said, adding the state will seek solutions to reduce emissions. "We've been waiting too long for a national solution."
Read the remainder of the article here
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Superintendent's Evaluation
Time: 3 minutes, 0 seconds
MP3 File
My written notes from this portion of the meeting:
3 page summary, goals and major points
8 goals evaluated
(the evaluation) “needs to be more specific in quantitative and qualitative measures next time”
3% increase effective July 1, 2007
Brick Task Force Update
Time: 7 minutes, 43 seconds
MP3 File
For reference: the Brick Task Force charge can be seen here on the School Committee page
My written notes from this portion of the meeting:
Sue Rohrbach
Brick task force
5 of 6 tasks accomplished thus far, future use topic remains
Looking for guidance in terms of conclusion
Meeting this Saturday for three hours to complete and meet Jan 8th deadline
Roberta - Waiting for the data
Cora - Answer all the charges set forth, decision left to committee and superintendent
Matt – looking for a decision from the committee
Ed – not expecting a formal outcome, address the six issues, will expect that members are not going to be shy about saying what they think
Jeff – don’t get bogged down over any question, gather data and report back with answers to those six questions
Majority/minority report concept okay
Will get all the info, all the data, get all the backup
Franklin in the News
Senior center's glow a little too much for someBy Michael Morton/Daily News staff
|
Monday, December 10, 2007
School Committee Meeting 12/11/07
7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Where in Franklin? #23
Not even stumps of trees are left in this pit. Where is it located in Franklin?
The guidelines to play "Where in Franklin?" are found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #22
Picture #22 apparently was a stumper. A couple of guesses but no one had the Montessori Sunrise School located on Upper Union. The Fenway-like wall is on the right side in this view protected by the chain link fence.
As you come down Upper Union, with the Franklin Industrial Park on your left, the Montessori Sunrise School is located on the right with the Fenway wall visible.
Thanks for playing. Stay tuned for #23.
Franklin in the News
A family of performers
By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - For the Hancock family, Franklin Performing Arts Company's holiday production of ''Tis the Season' is becoming a family tradition. But not as members of the audience. |
Tax money from new growth lacking
By Aaron Wasserman, Daily News staff
The taxes area towns are collecting from new growth have declined substantially in the past three fiscal years, creating concern among some local officials about future budgets. |