Live reporting - discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy - First Readings – (covered in section with legal counsel earlier in the meeting)

• GBAB Acceptable Use Policy
• GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12
• GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5
• JT Electronic Device Policy
• JU Electronic Communication Policy

Motion to move to second reading - Approved 6-0

Live reporting - District Improvement Plan

c. District Improvement Plan

• Maureen Sabolinski
• Sally Winslow
• Michele Kingsland-Smith

Now that the Strategic Plan was approved at the Aug 11th meeting, this is the next level of detail, the District Improvement Plan (DIP). referred lovingly too as the DIP Team.

Left to Right in the photo are Maureen Sabolinski, Michele Kingsland-Smith and Sally Winslow.



The current plan as reviewed during the meeting is attached:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

The plan this year was developed with the Strategic Plan in mind. Next year, there will be a formal team effort reflecting input from across the district to develop the update for this plan.

The Annual Yearly Performance (AYP) is increasing.

Student learning objectives are outlined to monitor the achievement.

Reading specialists worked to identify data points for students at specific levels across the district.

Looking at a Colorado growth model that will provide some data on the cohort growth rather than just data points from the test scores.

Based upon a look at the predictive data piloted with the State, the data helped to drive some staffing decisions.

Live reporting - presentations: legal update

b. Legal Update

• Paige Tobin

Q - Roy - how did you come up with some of the suggestions on cyber bullying? Why these recommendations?

A - Cyber bullying has become a big concern, an increase in harassment amongst students. Schools are including cyber bullying in with harassment to allow the schools to handle them. The case law is fairly grey, it is still evolving.

Q - Can you give a sense of some of the type of incidents that you have seen?

A - Several instances of one student texting photos to other students. Student setting up a false Facebook account. Thes ethings are happening outside of school but it comes back into the school as that is where the folks are talking about it.

Q - Electronic communications was one where I had the most concern. The line "staff teachers, coaches shall not respond to text messages from students". I was uncomfortable with something that potentially we would be in violation of. Social media is happening, how can we move that way appropriately and not prohibit it.

A - Inappropriate conduct starts with friending on Facebook.

Q - We need to figure out a way

A - if the teacher is acting as an agent of the school, it could be view by law as such, but the site is not under control of the district. I would be concerned with the boundary violations. Could have a retention issue with student/teacher communications.

Great discussion - will add the recording of this later as this is not being resolved tonight but will continue to be worked out over time.

Live reporting - Dean College

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Dean College Community Partnership

• Renee Danho, Dean of Continuing Studies

The presentation document Renee talked to:

Franklin Public Schools - PROgram

View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.

Looking to target some high school students, parents of all students across the district, and potentially any professional staff that would like to obtain an Associate Degree.

looking for future offering on the Dean Campus for continuing educational and professional development. It could save some travel time for the teachers instead of going to Bridgewater St, Framingham St or elsewhere.

Dean also uses Moodle which is now being used in the Franklin Schools.

This presentation is one option of many to bring the town-gown relationship closer.

Live reporting - School Committee

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

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments - none
  
• Review of Agenda - add review of School Business Administrator as last of Discussion only items
  
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to Approve - Passed 5-0 1 abstain
  
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
• Payroll - Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: none

Core values (video)

Spend less than ten minutes to view this video by Amanda Baggs.

My viewpoint in the video is that of an autistic person. But the message is far broader than autistic people. It is about what kinds of communication and language and people we consider real and which ones we do not. It applies to people with severe cognitive or physical disabilities, autistic people, signing deaf people, the kid in school who finds she is not taken seriously as a student because she does not know a lot of English, and even the cat who gets treated like a living stuffed animal and not a creature with her own thoughts to communicate. It applies to anybody who gets written off because their communication is too unusual.

For more on Amanda Baggs check out this wikipedia entry

The core values of the Franklin Public Schools were just revised to be expressed as follows:

Student Achievement
All students are entitled to academic excellence, appropriate facilities and quality materials and instruction.

Social / Civic Expectations
Students will become engaged, responsible citizens who respect the dignity and diversity of all individuals and cultures.

School Climate
Through our words and our actions, we create a culture of civility, thoughtfulness, appreciation and approachability.

School / Community Relationships
An active commitment among family, community and schools is vital to student learning.

Community Resources for Learning
We partner with all members of the community to exchange ideas, solve problems and build a comprehensive educational experience.

Yard Sale - Franklin Odd Fellows

The Franklin Odd Fellows will be hosting a Yard Sale at 330 West Central St. at the Odd Fellows Lodge property. Date will be August 30, 2009 and the time will be 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.


What: Yard Sale

Where: Franklin Odd Fellows

When: August 30th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

School Opening Info

Need to see the bus schedules?
You can find them on the Franklin Public School's web page here (PDF)

What is the kindergarten schedule?

• Orientation at each elementary school on Sep 1
• 1/2 the class comes to school on Sep 2
• The other 1/2 of the class comes to school on Sep 3
• The full class comes to school on Sep 4

Which half goes when?
You will be notified in a letter as to your first day of kindergarten. The beginning of the alphabet will be on Tuesday and the end of the alphabet will be Wednesday. All kindergarten students first full day together will be Friday.

Why the split schedule for kindergarten?
This schedule helps to ease the new students into the kindergarten routine.

What does the full school calendar look like?
Check out the Franklin Public School's web page here (PDF)

Questions?
Check Central Office's website for answers on multiple topics.
Check each school web page for information.
If your question isn't answered there, please contact your students school.

In the News - grades online

Franklin parents, students can look at grades online

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff

SAMPLE A TASTE OF THE REGION

Sample the variety of delicacies offered from around the region at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Taste of the Region event. This fun-filled food festival features an eclectic mix of more than twenty restaurants serving dishes sure to tease everyone's taste buds. Enjoy wonderful music and bid on exciting items in a silent auction.

The Taste of the Region is on Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, 147 Pond St., Franklin.

Tickets are available now at The United Regional Chamber offices and cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801 or 508-695-6011 for more information.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization with offices in Attleboro, North Attleborough and Franklin, serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Wrentham.

School Committee - Agenda - 8/25/09

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
• Payroll - Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Dean College Community Partnership

• Renee Danho, Dean of Continuing Studies

b. Legal Update

• Paige Tobin / MaryJo Reedy

c. District Improvement Plan

• Maureen Sabolinski
• Sally Winslow
• Michele Kingsland-Smith

3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
Policy - First Readings –

• GBAB Acceptable Use Policy
• GBAB-E1 Acceptable Use Agreement 6-12
• GBAB-E2 Acceptable Use Agreement K-5
• JT Electronic Device Policy
• JU Electronic Communication Policy

4. Action Items

1. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
2. I recommend acceptance of the FHS Class of 2009 Gift of four large screen televisions for disseminating school-wide announcements at the FHS.
3. I recommend approval of the District Improvement Plan (DIP) as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

1. Dean College Partnership
2. District Improvement Plan
3. Personnel
4. Coordinated Program Review
5. Annual Town Report

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

In the News - FHS discipline

There is s School Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 PM. The item that the Milford Daily News carries today comes from the School Committee meeting on August 11th.

You can find the complete meeting notes for August 11th here

Alternative discipline program to be used at Franklin High

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff

In the Globe - Development effort

State helps towns push development

from Boston Globe -- Globe West by Michele Morgan Bolton, Globe Correspondent

Bryan Taberner didn’t waste time waiting for an economic recovery to put Franklin on a path to bolster its commercial tax base.

In the News - Choo Choo closes, tax collections

Choo Choo leaving Franklin station

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff

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Communities contend with the taxes they can't collect

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Dan McDonald/Daily News staff

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Helen Keller/Anne Sullivan - video clip

With the Keller-Sullivan School complex in our midst, finding this video clip of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan from the 1930's is a treat.



Enjoy!

Hat tip to @Starbucker and the folks at BoingBoing.net for sharing this treasure.