Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items
  • Second Reading – Acceptable Use Policy GBAB

  • First Reading – Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/GEDGG-E

  • Review District’s Vision and Goals that will guide budget reduction decisions
Cafasso - The mission, core values, vision is the 30,000 foot level, maybe we can get a 10,000 foot level to help us make our tough choices as they come. What is core curriculum? What is essential? If we don't make this early on, then we'll spend more time as we go.

Rohrbach - If there is anything we are reducing this year, plan on it not coming back, maybe ever.

Armenio - The face of education is going to look very different in Franklin in September.

Cafasso - When we cut something, it can't be just that it got us to the number we needed.

Roy - I don't think anyone should panic, I think we the best minds we have, we can work out a good solution. No one is blind to what is happening. The news about Boston and Winthrop is out there. Franklin is not alone.

Cafasso - We should get a plan together to ensure that the information is out there and listen to the parents to get their feedback. It will be less speechifying and more listening.

Roy - These meetings are public, they are being broadcast

Ogden - health insurance numbers came in at 5% instead of 10%, so that number can help overall. Instead of 5.2 million short, we would only be 5 million short. We are looking to reduce our budget request by about 3.3 million dollars.

All our district employees are coming together Thursday afternoon at Horace Mann Auditorium to present what it is known and look for ideas on how to make ends meet.
  • FY10 Budget
Ogden - Chandler and I will be meeting with all the town heads Thursday morning with Jeff Nutting.

Live reporting - FHS School Improvement plan

Franklin High School Principal - Peter Light




Literacy
AP Access

Have not come up with a formal process to analyze the MCAS scores across the high school. Each department has done great work within their areas and then shared with the school as a whole.

Communication

Notices to home have been coming via email rather than printed note.
Working on electronic report card distribution, he is not confident with the technology yet. He is trying with the third term reports.

Peter has started a blog

School Safety

Working on updating the fire drill procedures
Working with the Police to do a lock down during a "passing time" that is when the students are in motion changing classrooms. Prior lock downs were done with students in the classrooms which is easier.

Light - the system automatically recognizes when there is a valid email address. When there isn't, it automatically prints a hard copy which would be mailed to the home. We try to use technology as much as possible.

Live reporting - Advance placement (AP)

SchCom_Light_Koch

AP Access – Peter Light, John Koch, Wayne Ogden, Michele Kingsland-Smith

per Wayne Ogden, Mass Insight invited Franklin to participate in a grant based initiative to give wider access to a larger number of students. We are very excited to be part of this.

The AP program is the most challenging level of curriculum offered to high school student. The AP courses are aligned to entry level college courses.





Concept driven as opposed to text book driven

This does not redesign curriculum, this supplements what is already in place.

5 approaches
  • algebraic
  • graphical
  • numeric
  • verbal
  • physical
English, Science, and Math currently; looking to add Social Studies

Identifying students based upon College Board PSAT results to predict likelihood of scoring a 3 or better on an AP test

John Koch provided handout with sample lessons

Why are we investigating these issues?
Teachers know that there are no perfect systems, there is always something we can build upon.

What are they doing down there?
What are the grade levels below sending to the next level? Knowing what is being done makes a difference. Similar to the literacy program, there is a consistency of language amongst the grade level teachers.

Skills are revisited from week to week, and year to year.

I went to training last week and came back all excited. There is not much more than I can do to promote this than to say that I am excited about this especially in the dog days of February.

Peter Light - Currently, 10-15 students in AP English, according to the College Board indicator, there are 115 students that have a 70% chance of scoring the 3 or better. That really expands the concept of what the student is that is an AP class.

Wayne Ogden - I am going to a meeting to explore with Mass Insight how we can sustain this going forward. There is a local contribution (approx. $10,000) that under the circumstances will be questioned. We want to add to the levels of training. The challenge to Mass Insight is how they can keep this going and keep it affordable. In the short term, finding the 10K might be the easy part, changing the mind set from the B+ student to the expansion Peter has talked about is going to be the hard part.

Roy - We don't have to go out and invest in other people to bring them in to do this.

Ogden - We have the people here, we would need to take advantage of the professional development from Mass Insight. One of the things these teachers did last summer was to spend a week doing this intensive training.

Laying the Foundation dot org

Live reporting - Literacy continued

SchCom_LiteracyUpdate

Sara Klim provides an update on the introduction of Readers Workshop
Professional development assisting with the consultants to help the other teachers in the district, i.e. a "train-the-trainer" model.

Middle School

Developed K-8 assessment process to be used across the district
Discovered inconsistency amongst the middle school in they way assessments were conducted
Focusing on the incoming 6th grade literacy skills currently to work through and work out the inconsistencies

Used one of the Professional Development half days to work on a unit and rework it to meet the literacy requirements

Observing sharing amongst the middle school teachers more so than ever before


Elementary

First time receiving professional development with her students in the class after many years of good professional development here in Franklin

Readers Workshop model is exciting to work with at the elementary level

The Lab classroom teachers the most powerful component of the professional development
Lab classrooms used as resources within the building

Joan Toye, Principal at Kennedy Elementary, sits with 4-5 students for lunch twice a week, feedback from the students on what they like this year, 80-90 percent say that they really like the reading this year, they can sit, and read, and have time to think about what they are reading.

Why?
Think critically
Read widely
Read strategically
Communicate effectively
Implementation of this type program usually takes 5-7 years, feedback from the teachers and consultants are indicating a greater acceptance at an early stage than expected.

Crucial that the vocabulary is taught prior to the use in reading

There are too many ways to do note taking, the Franklin teachers need to come together and simplify their approach so that it more easily implemented.

Cornell notes - have been around for sometime, hindsight is 20/20 but it can be powerful

We SQ3R'd everything. (Survey Question Read Write Review)

Live reporting - Literacy Update

Literacy Initiative – Michele Kingsland-Smith, Joan Toye, Tricia Capaldi, Sarah Klim, Paul Peri, Brenda Redding, and Debbie Goss

The actual presentation document used this evening:




Schools with exemplary reading practices do the following:
Time
Text
Teaching
Talking
Tasks
Testing

Live reporting - School Committee 2/10/09

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Missing: Kelly

1. Routine Business
  • Citizen’s Comments - none
  • Review of Agenda
  • Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 27, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Approved 6-0
  • Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly pass
  • Payroll - Ms. Armenio
  • FHS Student Representatives
Love Fest - Thu/Fri in Lecture Hall at FHS
5 fully working SMART boards installed today
Gallery 218 - featuring art works from alumni of FHS
Winter Auction - March 1
  • Correspondence: Budget to Actual

Town Council - Agenda - 2/11/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 7, 2009

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
  • Use of Town Property Bylaw
  • FY 2009 Capital Plan

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-05: Confirmatory Order of Taking Cross and King Streets
  2. Resolution 09-07: Appropriation – Public Facilities Salaries
  3. Resolution 09-08: Appropriation – Title and Deed Research
  4. Resolution 09-09: Appropriation – Survey on 30+ Acres on Pond Street

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Town Council goal session - 6:00 PM - 2/11/09

6:00 PM
Special Town Council Goal Session
Training Room 3rd floor Municipal Bldg

7:00 PM
Town Council
Council Chambers-Mun.Bldg.

The regular meeting will be broadcast live but the planning session will not. This is probably one you should get to in person.

Who's bright idea is this?

The bill, if passed, would have far reaching effects on local school band programs. Some have suggested that the costs associated with the sterilization process run the range of $50-$80 per instrument. The bill does not come with any funding for local districts to support this program. What that means is that local communities will have to come up with the funds themselves, despite the fact that they are already facing fiscal catastrophe.
...

No one argues with the intentions of the supporters of this bill. Indeed keeping instruments free of bacteria is an important goal. However, the bill overlooks the fact that most communities, including Franklin, already take steps to ensure the safety of musical instruments. A bill such as this is an example of overreaction to a problem that may not even exist.

While this bill may be a “stimulus” package for the sterilization manufacturers, it’s nothing but a classic unfunded mandate and burden to financially strapped communities. Accordingly, the bill ought to be swiftly defeated.

Who's bright idea is this?

Read the details on the Franklin School Committee blog here

"open the store in April 2010"

Board OKs Walgreens

The Planning Board last night approved Arista Development's special site plan to build a Walgreens at the former Four Corners School.

Arista Development LLC, of Norwood, plans to build a single-story, 14,500-square-foot building with a drive-through window (along Cross Street) and 60 parking spots, at the intersection of Rte. 140 and King Street.

The plan features two entrances: A single-car entry/exit via Cross Street and a double exit and single entry along King Street.

Read the full article about the Walgreens coming to Franklin in the Milford Daily News here.

I think it is interesting that during the Planning Board meeting of 1/26/09 much of the discussion around the traffic mitigation was in the timing of the plans coming to the Town so they the work could be completed by the scheduled store opening in Sep/Oct.

Now the schedule is back to April. That reschedule should provide plenty of time for the traffic work on the corner.

The video of the Planning Board meeting for Jan 26 2009 can be found on the Town website here

Climate change

Climate change is expected to create about 200 million environmental refugees by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the international body established within the United Nations to evaluate causes and consequences of global warming.
Read the full story here

There are things you can do now to help avoid the worst. For one, you can consider joining the Franklin Area Climate Team.

Monday, February 9, 2009

School Committee - Agenda - 2/10/09

1. Routine Business
  • Citizen’s Comments
  • Review of Agenda
  • Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 27, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
  • Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
  • Payroll - Ms. Armenio
  • FHS Student Representatives
  • Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations:
  • Literacy Initiative – Michele Kingsland-Smith, Joan Toye, Tricia Capaldi, Sarah Klim, Paul Peri, Brenda Redding, and Debbie Goss
  • AP Access – Peter Light, John Koch, Wayne Ogden, Michele Kingsland-Smith
  • School Improvement Plan FHS – Peter Light

3. Discussion Only Items
  • Second Reading – Acceptable Use Policy GBAB
  • First Reading – Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/GEDGG-E
  • Review District’s Vision and Goals that will guide budget reduction decisions.
  • FY10 Budget

4. Action Items
  • I recommend action be taken regarding the make up day for the HM/Oak/ECDC Complex.
  • I recommend acceptance of Policy GBAB – Acceptable Use
  • I recommend approval of the Franklin High School’s School Improvement Plan as Presented
  • I recommend approval of the request of Parmenter Principal, Judi Bassignani to declare the listed books as surplus.
  • I recommend acceptance of a check for $427.00 from General Mills Box Tops for Education for the Remington Middle School to be used for supplies.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
  • Enrollment Comparisons
  • Budget Matters
  • Remington Middle School Leadership

• 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
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

"This is good news for the state's economy"

Go green, get green.

Local residents and businesses have taken the message to heart, installed solar energy systems and received rebates from the Commonwealth Solar program, an initiative launched last year to encourage renewable energy use.

CommSolar, an offshoot of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, has approved nearly $22 million in rebates for 539 solar photovoltaic projects since its inception in January 2008.

Read the full article on the opportunities to save money by converting to solar electricity in the Milford Daily News here

The Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT) had sponsored several evenings on renewable energy at the library. You can review the notes and presentations here.

Reminder: Alumni Art show at Gallery 218

A Franklin High School alumni art show is planned at the Franklin Public Schools’ art gallery, Gallery 218, with an opening reception on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

The gallery will have work from recent and not so recent graduates of Franklin High School on display.

Everyone is welcome to join the organizers and artists for food, live music, and art at the opening, which is free.

Gallery 218 is located at 218 Oak St. Franklin, inside the Franklin High School (off the cafeteria).



PS - I know at least one artist showing some of her work. I dropped off 2 pieces for #1 daughter last Monday. I'll be at the opening and then hustle over to Town Hall to live report from the School Committee meeting Tuesday night.

This opening was announced during the High School Art Presentation here

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Ideas to save money this winter

A local video show (produced in Arlington, MA) outlines some great ideas for saving money on heat and electricity.


Public Square -- Saving Energy from Josh Lobel on Vimeo.


The new episode of "The Public Square" provides viewers with tangible ways to save energy this winter and throughout the year. You can watch the show on line whenever you like by visiting

We interview local residents Ryan Katofsky, Martin Lamonica, Glenn Koenig, and Marc Breslow to learn how they have reduced their carbon footprint and saved money. The interviews take place in each person’s home, giving viewers a first-hand look at the improvements they’ve made. Our guests share some simple, low-cost steps that every family can take to save energy. You'll also hear about ideas that require a larger investment, including installing solar energy systems.

To learn more about "The Public Square," please visit www.publicsquaretv.com.


Do you have something that you are doing that was not covered in this video?