"online coursework can be an excellent option"

When most people think about online learning, they think about adults taking online university classes. Or they might think about the online training that occurs in many workplaces. But online learning opportunities occur in the K-12 sector as well and are increasingly popular with students and their families.

The Sloan Consortium estimates that at least 1 million K-12 public school students took an online course last year. This represents approximately 2% of the national K-12 public school student population and is a 22–fold increase since 2000. About 20 states have statewide virtual high schools that deliver online courses to students across the state.

Dr. Scott McLeod writes on his blog, Dangerously Irrelevant, this post about online learning opportunities.

As you read the following, do a simple replacement exercise, substitute "Franklin, MA" in place of Iowa.

A robust online learning infrastructure for students makes a lot of sense for the state of Iowa (and I’m glad there’s a bill in the Iowa House to consider it). If we’re honest with ourselves, we will recognize that most of our school districts will NEVER be able to provide the curricular diversity that most of our graduates need to be effective digital, global workers and citizens. If we’re truly honest, we also will recognize that the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is not a viable future option. The ICN is a closed, aging network and the course offerings (and monies) there, like everything else in the world, must move to the Web. Whether it’s a statewide virtual school or some other model, we must significantly increase the number of online courses available to Iowa students if we are to provide them access to the high-quality learning opportunities envisioned in the Iowa Core Curriculum.

You can click through to read the full article here.

Franklin has started exploring this option and should continue to do so. It is not a silver bullet to save money. There will likely be some contractual and procedural changes required to implement appropriately. It will be some work but it should be worthwhile to develop our children for life and learning in this new world.

"This one had the least impact on education"

We know that for students to learn, educators must also be afforded the same opportunity. When Congress was developing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we asked a sample of superintendents about their school systems' greatest funding needs. The education leaders identified professional development as a top priority even during this financial crisis. Let us hope that before cutting back on professional development, elected officials and school administrators will carefully consider its importance in supporting the success of our students and our educators. Even in these difficult times, professional growth opportunities are a worthy investment for the long-term benefit of our students.

This is the summary of the article written by Gene R Carter, Executive Director, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

The quotation is from this article and in direct reference to Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri's recommendation to eliminate his state's teacher professional development funding for the year.

In a year full of tough choices, the toughest choices we will face will affect our children. If the proper education of our children is not a priority, what is?

"Very strong household income factors"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 03, 2009 @ 10:56 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Thanks to its slightly improved bond rating and good timing, Franklin saved about $100,000 last week, said Treasurer/Collector James Dacey.

The town was due to award a bid for a 19-year note in a few weeks, but seeing that the bond market was "perfect," Dacey acted last week to secure a $17.89 million bond issue.

The town received seven bids on the bond, and awarded it to Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc., with an average interest rate of 3.49 percent, Dacey said, adding that interest rates have been as high as 7.25 percent in the past.

"We got a great rate on that - probably the best rate we've ever had," Dacey said.

"We planned on 4 percent, or 4.25 percent, but by getting 3.49 percent, we saved about $100,000 in interest costs for fiscal year 2010 - a huge savings," Dacey said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Bill Glynn - Abraham Bolden

Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium talking about the JFK assassination on Wednesday 2/25/09






Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service.





You can listen to the recording of his talk here.

SchCom: Asst Supt Candidate

SchCom_90224_AsstSupt, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Sally Winslow talks with the School Committee at their meeting 2/24/09 as reported here earlier

Dalai Lama coming to Gillette

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:17 PM

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FOXBOROUGH —

From the New England Patriots to the Rolling Stones, a long list of famous figures have moved through Gillette Stadium.

In May, the Foxborough venue will add yet another name to the list: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Recognized by many as the rightful head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama will give two public talks on Saturday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., one on the "Four Noble Truths of Buddhism" and the other a reflection on "The Path to Peace and Happiness." Each talk will last about two hours.

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Tickets for the Dalai Lama's talks go on sale March 6 for $37.50, $75.50 and $117.50. Tickets will be available at TicketMaster.com or by phone at 866-448-7849. Parking is free.

For more information, visit www.bostontibet.org. To learn more about the Dalai Lama, visit www.dalailama.com.

read the full story about the Dalai Lama's visit to Gillette Stadium this May in the Milford Daily News here

"the loggers will create a fire road"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:19 PM

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FRANKLIN —

For the first time since the town commissioned its long-term forestation program study in 2000, officials will step into the woods with paintguns and begin marking up ill-fated trees, said Conservation Commission member Paul Boncek.

Barring unforeseen weather problems, Boncek will accompany registered forester Philip Benjamin of Easton on Wednesday to examine the town's open space. Benjamin conducted the study and "is intimately familiar" with the property, just off Summer Street.

Using a remote camera, Boncek will record their walk through the woods, stopping at various trees to explain why they are choosing to knock down each particular one, he said. He plans to put the recording on cable access television so people have a better understanding of the process and the purpose of the forestation program, he said.

"It's a unique thing and people often don't understand it," Boncek said. "After we mark up all these trees, sunlight makes the young trees grow up and older ones get more sunlight and become healthier."

read the full story about the reforestation planning in the Milford Daily News here